Before I start, this contains a slight torture scene. It's not as violent as By The Book from GTA V, but, it's there. There is also mild sexual content here, nothing too much, just yet.
| Regret And Foul Greed |
| Chapter One: Bruised, Not Broken |
Thirteen Years Later...
He began to blink as he awoke, he was strapped to a wall, the shackles on his wrists becoming increasingly apparent and uncomfortable. He looked down, there was blood all on his chest, yet his legs, or rather his jeans seemed to be untouched, to his relief.
"Finally awake, are you?"
A sharp pain hit his gut as he was hit. He winced in pain but didn't let his captor notice. Another hit to the jaw made him spit blood. He breathed heavily and tried to break free to no avail. He glared in to their eyes, trying to intimidate them.
"It ain't working, boy. I ain't scared of nothing."
There was a slight banging outside but Jesse couldn't care to notice, he could only focus on the pain. He finally found the energy to speak. "Who... are you?"
"Me?" He held a knife to his throat, "You don't need to know that."
The man had a Mexican accent, a heavy one at that. The blade inched closer, until it was cut off by someone tackling him to the floor. They shot them straight in the head, killing them instantly before shooting the shackles and letting Jesse loose.
He fell to the floor, too weak to even stand. They pulled their bandana off before helping him up, their arm slung over his shoulder to help him walk.
"Belle, how'd you find me?"
"Turns out some of those Del Lobos are a little slippery, sorry I couldn't find you sooner."
"No, it's fine." He let out a groan of pain as he sat behind her on her horse. "I'd rather you or Antoine help me than be with them any longer. Anyways, what's happened while I was gone?"
"A few things, we have a new member of our gang for starters, say's he used to work for Cornwall but left a good ten or so years ago, something about his co-worker's death."
"He knew my father?"
"Apparently so," she took a pause, "Antoine's gone on some travels but he'll be back in a few days. Speaking of him, he brought a stray to camp."
"A stray? Like a stray dog or something?"
"Yeah, he wants you to name him."
"Well, I'll have to think about that."
She laughed, "I think you'll like her, you had one when you were younger, right?"
"Yeah, they're gone."
"Well, what a way to ruin the mood."
"Sorry, I'll change the subject. Where's camp, anyway?"
"Not too far now. Well, not too far for a broken man."
"I'm Bruised, Belle. Not broken."
"Whatever you say. We'll get you back to camp so you can get yourself together."
"Alright," he repositioned himself slightly. "Have you planned anything while I was gone?"
"It might seem dumb but we've planned a score."
"What?"
"Yeah, there's a military fort south of Armadillo. If can get in there, we might find something."
"Well, once I'm feeling a little better I'd say we go rob this place. What will we do about the law, though?"
"It depends, if they find us then I'd say we move north, to West Elizabeth. Theres a ranch on the border near Ambarino. We're at camp now, anyway."
"Thanks for helping out, I don't know if I'd be here if you hadn't have done."
"Don't flatter yourself, Jesse. You know if I find out you've gone off somewhere then I'd shoot up Saint Denis to find you."
She helped him off of the horse, and then to camp.
"Think you can walk?"
"I'll try. I'm still a bit weak." He took a step, and tried to take another before he fell. His legs buckling underneath him. "I guess not, huh."
"Here, I'll help you to your tent." She held her hand out to him.
"Thanks," he took it and stood up as she helped him back to his tent. "Hold on... can you head that?"
"Can I hear what?" She listened in to the noise. "Oh. That'll be Allen."
"What the hell is he doing?" He listened closer, he couldn't make out anything but light grunts coming from a nearby tent. And then it stopped.
The tent opened as Allen stepped out. "Oh, you're back. Hold on a sec." He leaned back into his tent.
"Yeah, we're back, could you put some goddamn clothes on?" Belle covered her eyes, trying not to look at him.
"Alright, alright, give me a second here." He stepped back out of the tent. "I'm guessing your little breakout was successful?"
"Yep, he's a little weak. So, go easy on him, alright?"
"Alright, I'll make sure he's okay."
Jesse opened his own tent, everything looked the same as before, and, of course. The stray.
"So, what breed is this?"
Allen looked at the animal. "Labrador Retriever, a crossbreed. They're really energetic."
"So it seems," the dog jumped out, pushing Jesse to the floor. "She's energetic, alright."
"So what are you naming her?"
"I have no clue. Maybe Rio, kind of fits the camp."
"Rio... that works. She's pretty well trained already, doesn't take that long."
"You trained her?"
"Yeah, she's just getting used to you, she should try and find us if anyone tries to attack camp, too."
"Well, considering we're outlaws, I'd say that's a good thing."
He crawled back in to his tent, pulling himself onto the bed. He didn't know how long he was out there for. It could've just been overnight, it could've been days, a week. He had learned how to endure it, mostly,