*Author's Note*

Thank you for all the follows, favs, and reviews.

Make Yourselves Ready

Roseanna POV:

After the funeral, Anse sent Reverend Garrett and me to fetch both mama and Mrs. Belcher. My father-in-law said he was killin' two birds with one stone by lettin' me go wit' the reverend. I'd be able to say goodbye t'my brothers an' he'd be able to bring both mama an' Mrs. Belcher to see their sons. I was saddened that this was how I was gonna finally see my mama 'gain. That the loomin' death of my brothers an' their friend was reunitin' us an' not somethin' happier.

The ride ov'r into Kentucky an' to my girlhood home was full of tense silence. Neither me nor Reverend Garrett knew what t'say so we chose not to say anythin' at all. I felt my heart beatin' fast in my chest an' a uneasiness knot up in my stomach as the preacher pulled off the road an' onto the path that ran up to my family's house. As we rode thru the tree lined path, I felt a bit melancholy an' nervous 'bout seein' my mama 'gain.

My breath hitched as Reverend Garrett pulled up to the cabin I grew up in. This is it, the moment I'm gonna see mama 'gain. The reverend just gave me a sympathetic look 'fore climbin' down from the wagon. He rounded the wagon an' helped me down. Together, we made our way to the front door. I stood next to Reverend Garrett, a sad look on my face, as he knocked twice on the door.

It only took a minute for my mama to open up the door. Her brown eyes looked over the preacher 'fore fallin' onto me an' goin' wide. "Rosie…" She let out in disbelief.

"Sally-" Reverend Garrett started only for mama to interrupt him wit', "Reverend Garrett, what brings ya here?"

Mrs. Belcher was sittin' at the kitchen table wit' my brother, Calvin. My younger siblin's must've been in the other room or outback since they weren't where I could see 'em. Calvin wouldn't look at me an' that hurt. I guess he's upset at me cause of my husband's family; what they're gonna do to our brothers. Mrs. Belcher was starin' at me so harshly that it was unsettlin'.

"Captain Anderson Hatfield sent me t'fetch you an' Mrs. Belcher. I'm to take you and only you along wit' Roseanna to see the boys."

"And what 'bout Ellison?" Mama asked, her eyes revealin' the unspoken question of 'is he dead'?

"He crossed over Jordan to forever sing wit' the angels." Reverend Garrett truthfully answered.

"Oh god…" Mama sobbed, causin' Calvin to bolt up from the table an' rush ov'r to her side.

Mrs. Belcher's lip quivered as she asked, "Reverend, we're bein' taken to them for last rights, ain't we?"

"Yes, I'm 'fraid so, Ma'am." The preacher nodded, his voice heavy and full of empathy as he spoke.

"Where are they?" Calvin asked as he rubbed mama's arms in an attempt to soothe her.

Mama didn't say a word, just shook herself out of Calvin's arms an' shuffled ov'r to the table, which had a basket of fruit an' some loaves of fresh baked bread settin' in the middle of it. Pickin' up the loaves an' puttin' them into the basket, she told my brother, "Calvin, go to Pikeville an' tell your father where we are." Mrs. Belcher silently walked into the kitchen and started to grab some things off of the counter, to add into the basket, while mama told Calvin, "He'll know what to do."

"Yes, mama." Calvin simply told her wit' a nod. While mama and Mrs. Belcher filled the basket up wit' various foods, my brother sighed, "I'll let Alifair know t'keep the lil ones in the other room for a while yet.", 'fore walkin' off to our sister's room that was right underneath the staircase.

"Reverend, we're ready." Mrs. Belcher told Reverend Garrett as lifted up the full basket; slidin' it into the crook of her arm.

The preacher just nodded, silently lettin' Mrs. Belcher an' mama know that he'd take us to where the boys were bein' held. Mrs. Belcher an' mama walked ov'r to the door together. When they reached my an' Reverend Garrett, Mrs. Belcher didn't say a word, but mama looked to me wit' sorrowful eyes an' said, "Oh, Roseanna, it's such a shame that this is how I see ya. On the cusps of your brothers' murder by the hands of Hatfield; your husband's family."

"Mama, I've missed ya. I know our reunion ain't ideal, but mama, I'm gad to finally see you 'gain." I sadly admitted to her, snifflin' to hold back tears.

Mrs. Belcher just narrowed her eyes at me 'fore curtly tellin' my mama, "Come on, Sally. No need t'speak with her on this matter. Her husband's gonna be murderin' her brothers; she's got no right to shed tears or claim she misses you when she's aligned herself with the likes of Hatfields.", an' draggin' her out of the house an' ov'r to the wagon.

Revrend Garrett walked up to me an' placed a hand on my shoulder. He gave me a gentle look while tellin' me, "Roseanna, I'm sorry you had to endure that. No child should ever have to."

"Thank you, reverend." I nodded, my voice barely a mutter, 'fore walkin' off the porch an' towards the wagon.

Reverend Garrett quietly followed suit. Once everyone was in the wagon, we took off towards West Virginia to see Pharmer, Bud, and Bobby Belcher. We weren't that far down the road whenever gallopin' horse hooves echoed out into the air, signalin' that Calvin was on his way t'Pikeville to tell poppy what was happenin'.

When we pulled up to the old abandoned schoolhouse the place was crawlin' wit' Hatfields. Some of which I didn't know or recognize since they rode in from other parts of the state 'long wit' crossin' the state lines of Virginia; a handful even came from Ohio too. I spotted my husband standin' by a tree, lookin' pale an' sickly. I knew that Johnse was upset 'bout havin' to participate in this-this execution an' show o'revenge an' justice; I felt so bad for him that he had to compromise his morals cause his family outnumbered him in thinkin'. Johnse, unlike most of the men in his family, had a good an' golden heart. The other men's hearts came in all different shades of black.

Shaw Eldridge, my cousin-in-law that killed my own brother in cold blood had a heart blacker then coal since he tried t'justify the murderin' of my older brother by sayin' he had it comin' since he wouldn't leave well 'nough 'lone. That man had a devilish smirk on his face as he watched the reverend pull our wagon to a stop. Shaw was standin' next t'Jim Vance by a tree next to the abandoned school house. Jim Vance had a hard look on his face, but Shaw had the nerve t'smirk. His smirk made me sick t'my stomach; he seemed t'eager to drag my brothers an' their friends off into the woods somewhere t'shoot 'em down like a rapid dog.

My brother-in-law, Cap, stood by Anse. He was just like his father, standin' tall wit' a gun in hand; a cold an' hateful look on his face. It was clear that they sought blood t'remedy the blood split. To settle the score; level the scales. At least Selkirk, Lias, an' Skunk Hair looked a bit remorseful an' sympathetic as they watched Reverend Garret guide mama an' Mrs. Belcher ov'r to the door of the schoolhouse. Nobody, but Shaw, could meet my eye as I shuffled towards the schoolhouse, bein' at the end of the group. Everyone felt bad for me, but my golden-brunette cousin-in-law. He didn't seem to have any empathy. Even Jim Vance chose to set his gaze on a nearby tree instead o'me since the situation of me visitin' my brothers was a touchy one.

"This is might Christianly of ya t-" Reverend Garrett began to tell Anse, only to be cut off by my father-in-law orderin' in a low bark, "Save it for your congregation, preacher."

Mama threw herself at Anse's feet an' begged in a desperate sob, "Please, Captain Hatfield, let us take the boys back to Kentucky."

"We promise, we'll hand 'em over to the sherriff, just don't-don't harm 'em." Mrs. Belcher added in, her voice quakin' an' quiverin' as tears leaked from her eyes.

Anse took a deep drag from his pipe 'fore pullin' it from the corner of his mouth an' blowin' smoke outta his nostrils. "Oh, you'll get your boys back. I'll assure ya that." My father-in-law dryly told mama an' Mrs. Belcher.

Mama blanched, shocked by Anse's words, while Mrs. Belcher covered her mouth to suppress the wail that threatened to escape it. I knew that he wouldn't let the boys go, so I didn't make any shows of surprise like my mama an' her neighbor did. Reverend Garrett knew too, which is why he was quick to help my mama stand an' lead her ov'r to the door of the school. Mrs. Blanchard bit her lip to hold back her emotions as she followed the preacher an' my mama to the schoolhouse.

I made to follow, only for Johnse to mouth 'sorry' at me. I just gave him a thin lined look 'fore rushin' over to the schoolhouse an' burstin' thru the door. Once inside, I saw that Reverend Garrett was standin' by the doorway while mama an' Mrs. Belcher unpacked the picnic basket; showin' their boys the last supper they'd brought 'em.

"When's poppy comin' back?" Pharmer asked mama wit' a curious look in his eyes as he stood craddlin' his arm that was tied up in a sling.

Meanwhile, Bud's eyes landed on me as he took an apple off the table. "Roseanna!" He called out in a mix of disbelief an' excitement as he ran ov'r to me.

"Hi, Bud." I weakly smiled as my younger brother engulfed me in a hug.

"Yea, we saw Rand'll ride off." Bobby Belcher added in, explain' why Pharmer asked what he did. Sittin' on the edge of the table an' pickin' up a chicken leg (that looked t'be left over from a nite or so before), he asked, "He's gettin' a posse t'free us, right?"

"Bobby…" Mrs. Belcher sighed sadly as she rushed to his side, shakily runnin' her fingers thru his dark hair as he took a bite out of the drumstick.

"Mama, what 'bout poppy?" Pharmer asked mama as she took a seat on an old stool while me an' Bud broke our hug.

Mama didn't answer my brother, instead she told him, "Childbirth's very painful, but I welcomed that pain ov'r an' ov'r 'gain so that I could have ya." Lookin' ov'r her shoulder at Bud, she added in, "Each of ya." Lookin' 'tween my brothers, she went on t'say, "I love ya'll; will always love ya."

Mrs. Belcher got a bit teary eyed as she told her son, "I feel that same 'bout you, Bobby." Givin' him a small, but heartbroken smile, she stated, "I love you, Bobby. My last baby."

"Mama, what 'bout poppy?"

"Your poppy'll always love you too." Mama answered Pharmer, on the verge of tears as her shoulders shook uncontolably.

"But we saw poppy ridin' 'way. When's he gonna come get us?"

"He's not, Pharmer." I told my brother, causin' all the boys to give me startled an' fearful looks. "I'm sorry, but ya'll gone done murder an' Mr. Hatfield demands blood for blood." I said, my voice tremblin' as tears filled up my eyes.

Reverend Garrett opened up his bible and read the scripture, "And it shall come to pass, that him that escapes the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.", while mama an' Mrs. Belcher went up to their boys and kissed them goodbye.

Cap POV:

After Reverend Garrett left with Roseanna, Mrs. McCoy, and Mrs. Belcher, Lias and Skunk Hair went into the schoolhouse and tied the hands of our prisoners 'fore shovin' them out the door an' into the woods to face all of us Hatfields, the family that's gonna bring down their judgement day on their souls. Lias an' Skunk Hair directed 'em over to the large sled that was hitched up to a horse. Usually we used the sled t'haul timber, but today we were usin' it to haul murders 'cross the Tug so they could be shot by oour firin' squad.

After they shoved the boys down onto the sled, me and Selkirk went over and helped tie their hands to the sled for the trip 'cross the river (so that they wouldn't fall off or drown or somethin' like that). After tyin' 'em up, me an' Selkirk picked up our guns an' slung 'em over our shoulders.

"They ready for the ride?" Pa asked, lookin' ov'r the prisoners, as he and Uncle Jim stopped by the sled.

"Yes, sir." I answered, causin' my pa to just nod and walk off.

"Everybody, let's go get these bastards 'cross the river to meet their maker." Uncle Jim loudly announced, signalin' that it was time to head out an' bring the murderin' McCoys an' Belcher back to Kentucky for their final moments of life.

I just nodded, as did everyone else, 'fore walkin' 'way from the schoolhouse. Bob Chambers stood at the front of the sled and snapped the reigns, makin' the horse go forward an' drag the sled down into the direction that my pa an' uncle were leadin' us in.

As we trekked 'cross Logan County an' over to the river that'd bring us into Pike County, I couldn't help, but notice how guilt ridden my brother seemed. Johnse was movin' at a snail's pace, his shoulders were slumped an' his eyes were glassy and unfocused. It was clear that his wife bein' of the McCoy family was the reason for him feelin' uneasy 'bout the execution we hada do. Johnse was always carefee; never did well with common sense and reality. I'm not surprised that he looked 'bout ready to crack.

Hell, what we were gonna do once we reached the woods in Blackberry Creek wasn't a light thing since, but it had t'be done. Uncle Ellison's death needed revenged. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a life for a life is justice. Justice inside an' outside of the courtroom.

Shaw POV:

Hot damn, I was gonna gun down another McCoy today. Hell, the more McCoys that got shot the better. That family's nothin', but a damn boil on the butt of the Hatfield clan. Honestly, McCoys are a pain in my ass. I can't stand those people. I killed Tolbert in a fit of rage and I never regretted it. Actually, what I regretted was waitin' so long to shot him in the neck. I'd gun down Billy too if I could, but he was only 13-years-old so…Well, since my sister's been livin' with Granny Delize there hasn't been any more incidents wit' Billy McCoy, so I think gettin' Mary out of the area might keep him from doin' somethin' stupid; gettin' himself shot too.

Now, Pharmer was one of Tolbert's favorite brothers so I was overjoyed to be shootin' him dead. Bud, well, he was a quiet one that was maybe a year or so younger than Jessa, but he was a McCoy and a deadly threat so the idea of him dyin' didn't bother me. I didn't want to shoot him tho since he wasn't Tolbert's favorite, even tho they were somewhat close. And since Tolbert wasn't very friendly with the neighbor, Bobby Belcher, I really didn't want to be assigned to shoot him. Yea…so, I really wanted to kill Pharmer and send him to hell to hang out with his ginger fuck of a bro, Tolbert. I really hoped that Devil Anse gave me Pharmer to shoot.

Devil Anse led us into the clearin' of the pawpaw patch and I felt a surge excitement course thru me. In a few minutes the pawpaw incident, as it was known in the history books, would take place. Oh, the fact that I'm gonna be apart of it and impact history in such a huge way was incredible.

"Jim, find some trees to tie them too." Devil Anse told my uncle, sendin' him a few yards to assign trees to prisoners, while Cap, Skunk Hair, and Lias untied the murderers from the sled they were on.

Cap led Bobby Belcher over to the row of trees while Lias had Pharmer and Skunk Hair was draggin' Bud 'long since the youngest boy was shakin' and on the verge of sobbin'. I stood by Devil Anse, rifle slung over my shoulder, while Uncle Jim stood quickly inspected three tall trees that were lined up side by side. Right as Cap and the other men stopped the prisoners by me and Devil Anse, Uncle Jim came up to the first tree. Pointin' at it, he ordered, "Bobby's over there."

Cap led Bobby over to the tree while Uncle Jim waked over to the next tree. Selkirk quickly rushed over to the first tree to help Cap tie Bobby to it while Uncle Jim pointed to the second tree and said, "Pharmer here."

Lias led Pharmer over to the second tree, Johnse shufflin' behind in order to help bind the fat ass McCoy to the pawpaw tree. Jim quickly went over to the third tree and curtly said the name of, "Bud.", 'fore walkin' off and over to where me and Devil Anse were at. Bud, who was shakin' like a leaf, was taken over to the tree by Skunk Hair and Alex Messer.

The rest of us men stood lined up by Anse, our fearless leader, while watchin' the murderers get bound to trees. I fought the urge to scoff and roll my eyes at Johnse as I heard him ask Pharmer, "Is that too tight?", as he tied that fat ass fuck to the tree that'd ground him whenever he got riddled with bullets.

God, Johnse was such a pussy it wasn't even funny. How he survives this feud is beyond me since he's such a bleedin' heart type.

"Ya reap what you sow." I heard Cap roughly tell Bobby Belcher as he finished tyin' his legs to the tree. Eh, even tho I didn't really get along with my cousin anymore I had to admit that his attitude towards McCoys and their friends was one that I liked. Don't show any sympathy to 'em bastards.

Skunk Hair and Alex didn't say a word to Bud as they tied him up, just gave him pitiful looks. I think Bud's age (think he was like 17 or 18, but I'm not sure) and his quiet demeanor made them have second thoughts about shootin' him. Second thoughts they'd never share cause they knew that the boy had to die; that his death would provide justice and revenge for Ellison.

Once the men were done bindin' the prisoners to the trees they rejoined the rest of us. Devil Anse looked at Uncle Jim and told him, "Bobby first."

My uncle nodded his head 'fore smackin' Cap on the arm, pointin' to Bobby, and tellin' him, "Bobby first." Uncle Jim went to stand in front of Bobby, Cap followin' right behind him.

Turnin' to me, Devil Anse said, "You're on Pharmer." Yes! I got what I wanted, I get to shoot Tolbert's favorite brother. Yes!

Of course, I kept my composure and nodded at my cousin before walking off to take my spot standing in front Pharmer. The fat ass went pale with fear as he saw me stop in front of him. I just smirked, lettin' him know that I was gonna enjoy puttin' a bullet in him.

Skunk Hair went to take a stand in front of Bud after gettin' his orders from Anse. After that all the other men lined up, fillin' in holes wherever they could. I ended up bein' surrounded by Johnse and Devil Anse. Not that I really cared. I was just wanted to put a bullet in Pharmer; didn't care who I stood by.

Devil Anse took his pipe out of his mouth and walked up a few yards til he was a couple of feet in front of the prisoners. He stared down the boys while tellin' them, "You know why you're here." The boys didn't say a word, just looked straight ahead at Devil Anse and in extension at the rest of use all lined up and ready to fire at will. Devil Anse told them, "Make yourselves ready.", 'fore turnin' his back to them and walkin' back to take up his place in the middle of the line. Puttin' his pipe back into the corner of his mouth, the devil ordered, "Ready your guns." All of us raised our guns and cocked them, readyin' ourselves for the command to fire. Devil Anse raised his own gun and cocked. "Harden your hearts." He instructed while Bud broke down and grabbed Pharmer's hand while ballin' like a lil baby bitch.

Good god, what'd he think was gonna happen? He killed a man of course he's gonna get executed. Eh, even Bobby Belcher's hard façade was fadin' as he realized that at any second he was gonna die; go right to hell too.

"Fire!" Devil Anse ordered in a loud shout as he pulled the trigger to his rifle, sendin' a bullet flyin' into Pharmer. I smirked and fired, hittin' Pharmer right in the chest. Johnse shot over Pharmer head so it's a good thing that me and Anse shot the fat fuck.

Uncle Jim used his pistol to shot Bobby with while Cap and Alex Messer used their rifles. Skunk Hair had a solemn look on his face as he shot Bud, whose chin was touchin' his chest as he cried. Since there was so many of us shootin' at the boys they spun and flailed 'round from the force and impact of so many bullets tearin' thru their bodies.

I felt a sense of satisfication as I watched those bastards' lifeless bodies hangin' from the pawpaws. The only thing keepin' them from fallin' to the ground was the ropes bindin' them to the trees. Uncle Jim walked up to Bobby and shot him in the back of the head 'fore movin' on to Pharmer and Bud, doin' the final death blows on them as well. Everyone was readyin' to leave whenever I took my pistol from my holster. I aimed it at Bobby Belcher's slumped head and let off a shot. Then I shot Pharmer in the head, goin' right thru his eyeball, and shot Bud in the head too.

"What'd ya do that for, Shaw? I gave them a death blow." Uncle Jim asked me, comin' up to my side, as the rest of the posse took off with Anse.

"Can't take no chances that a miracle might happen; that they'll come backto life instead of bein' sent to hell." I told my crochety uncle. Well, truth was that I just wanted to double tap cause I always did it when playing PS4 games back in the 21st century and it always ensured that the enemy was dead. So…

Uncle Jim just shook his head and let out a tiny huff. He patted me on the back and remarked, "You're one hell of a man to cross, I'll give ya that."

AN:

Yikes! This chapter was super angsty. Next up will be the aftermath of the execution of the McCoy boys and Belcher.