The blood was smeared all over her hands up to her forearms. The hairpin in her grasp was stained- tainted by the warm liquid and Natasha found her hands shaking as she looked up and around the room with frightened sobs.

"Everything alright in there, Norman?" Adrik's muffled voice sounded through the door.

Natasha turned quickly, feet frozen as she watched the door open, and her uncle appeared.

"Norman- Natalya!?" He roared as his eyes jumped from the bloodied body on the bed and then back to her.

"I didn't mean to-" She cried as he stalked towards her. "I didn't- No wait- please don't!"

Natasha is woken abruptly by a loud thud. Eyes snapping open, she looked around wildly with her eyes while keeping her body still, before slowly turning to look to her left.

Her eyes caught Mr. Matthews near the tree line, holding what looked like a long stick. After a few seconds of analysis, she noted it was an axe as he brought it down once more on a piece of wood.

She let out a quiet breath after watching him for a moment and slowly went to push herself up into a sitting position. Letting her eyes continue to scan the small camp, she spotted Mr. Van Der Linde sitting with, who she assumed was Arthur, at a makeshift table to the right.

The spot next to her was empty, only a folded blanket remained towards the top of the laid-out blankets that covered the wooden pallet.

Pulling her good knee to her chest, Natasha sat quiet for a few minutes, people watching the strangers that were in the camp.

What are you doing here?

Natasha closed her eyes for a time before bringing a hand up to massage the crease between her eyebrows.

You don't exactly have much of a choice at this point, do you…

The sheer fact that she broke her leg- or that it had been broken - had yet to sink in. It would be over a month before she'd be on her feet. A month of being with these strangers- having to be helped by these strangers just to get from one side of camp to the oth-

The crutches. You have crutches. At least that spares you unnecessary contact.

A breath of defeat left her lips as she rested her back up against one of the wagon wheels behind her.

Her eyes continued to follow people as a few of them went about the small camp. It seemed as if everyone knew where they were going and what they were doing. There were jobs to do.

Letting her eyes continue to analyze her surroundings, Natasha took note of all the structures present. There were four sleeping areas in total. Natasha shared a covered area off of a wagon with Susan. It seemed Annabelle stayed in a tent with Dutch that was to the left. Across from her was another wagon with an attached covering, similar to the one Natasha had slept under, but this one had a cot instead of the wood pallets. That one she knew was Arthur's, as she'd seen him in the cot last night. The last partial tent met the ground at the back, but was propped up and open towards the fire to Natasha's right, next to the makeshift table. Hosea slept there. The campfire was nestled in the middle where everyone could readily get to it.

She wrung her hands in her lap as she looked around silently before lowering her gaze to her lap. Her eyes found her hands and then her wrists. The rope had given her a burn around her wrists, the skin was scabbed over and still a bit raw to the touch.

She knew she most likely had something of a black eye or bruised cheek from being hit in the face that night as well. She dreaded to think of the sight of herself, not that it should matter- she knew. She was alive… That should be good enough… right?

She had some layers in the messenger bag to cover up the bruises too.

The messenger bag.

Natasha felt goosebumps coarse over her body as she remembered the invaluable possession she hadn't seen since that night.

Did they bring it? Were you even lucid enough to tell them?

She barely remembered when these people found her, or what transpired on the way to the doctor. Hopefully she was conscious enough to tell them.

Natasha let her hands fall to her sides, hands resting on the blankets beneath her as she looked around for the crutches.

Spotting them leaning against the edge of the wagon to her left, she grunted as she reached for them, leaning as far as her body would allow from where she was seated.

Fingertips brushing them, she snatched the sides and pulled them over, resting them on the ground next to her before adjusting herself where she was sitting.

Okay… Knees. Get onto a knee.

Rolling onto her good leg, Natasha awkwardly swiveled herself around until she had her left leg under her, and then grabbed the crutches.

Don't draw attention. Don't draw attention.

She glanced a look towards the makeshift table where she knew two of them sat. Mr. Van Der Linde was still speaking with Arthur.

Her attempts to get up must've been more attention-drawing than she'd hoped, because she noticed as she struggled to get to her feet, eyes turned to her briefly.

"Dutch-" The Arthur fellow spoke up as he met her eyes for a brief time and nodded towards her before standing.

Damn it. No no no.

Natasha looked away stubbornly before trying to get up again, crutches held at an awkward angle as she tried to strongarm herself to her feet.

"Oh, you're awake miss-"

"I'm quite alright, thank you." Natasha cut him off quicker than she intended as she tried to push herself up onto the crutches from her seated position.

The two men stopped their advancement towards her and watched her continued struggle.

Heat rose into her cheeks as she continued to try and get to her feet with the audience.

Weakling. All those chores in the barn with William, you'd think I could lift myself up from the groun-

"Miss,"

Natasha's head snapped up to see the Arthur fellow had taken a couple of steps closer. She watched as he held out a hand in an almost hesitant fashion.

He'd been the one who found her. Part of the only reason she was sure was because of the scabbed over cut on his face when she'd essentially clotheslined him with a tree branch.

Contemplating him for a moment, she finally settled one of the crutches down and took the hand he'd outstretched.

With a small hand gesture, he indicated for her to drop to the other one, but Mr. Van Der Linde took it before she could drop it and Arthur took her hands and pulled her up to her feet before stabilizing her forearm.

"Thank you-" She said quietly, briefly meeting the man's eyes as she paused. First name bases put her on edge.

"Arthur," He responded before pausing, "Morgan."

"Mr. Morgan," She nodded before breathing out quietly, taking the crutches from Mr. Van Der Linde.

"Thank you," She nodded to the Dutch fellow before positioning the aids correctly.

Her eyes barely meeting the collar bones of the two gentlemen was intimidating beyond words.

"Hey, Darlin,"

Natasha looked up to see Annabelle walking over.

"I'll take it from here, boys." She chuckled as she squished her way through the two sets of broad shoulders and towards Natasha.

"By all means, my dear." Dutch chuckled as he moved aside so she could squeeze through.

"You hungry, hon? Thirsty? I could put some oatmeal together if you're hungry. It's better than anything the boys could whip up." She chuckled before gently directing Natasha around the men.

"I um," Natasha's eyes jumped around as she was led over to the fire where two long logs were laid perpendicular to each other around the flames. "If I could trouble you for a drink, I-"

"I'll getcha something," She smiled as she helped Natasha take a seat on one of the logs. "Hang tight, darlin."

Natasha smiled and nodded before turning to face the fire. Settling her crutches against the log, she raised her hands towards the flames, warming them up for a few seconds before returning them to her lap.

She focused her breathing and closed her eyes, relaxing her body in hopes to rid some of the tension in her back and shoulders.

"How'd you sleep?"

Natasha turned quickly to see Annabelle returning from across camp.

"O-Oh um… Alright I suppose," Natasha pulled together a small smile before glancing about to look around the small camp once more.

She hadn't slept all that well, mostly out of fear.

As Annabelle came around the log, she held out a tin cup with a handle towards Natasha.

"Coffee?"

"Thank you," Natasha tried to hide her hesitation in accepting the beverage. She had nothing to fear as far as she knew with these people, but her uncertainty still tainted her every thought.

"Course, dear." She chuckled before sitting with her own cup next to Natasha.

Her eyes drawing back around camp, Natasha noticed Susan speaking with a gentleman, Dutch. Movement pulled her gaze away towards the other side of the small camp to see Arthur walking towards the fire with a gathering of firewood over his shoulder, Hosea following with a similar load.

Lifting the cup of coffee to her lips, Natasha tilted it back until the hot liquid hit her tongue and she took in a small amount of the beverage. It was bitter, but the warmth was welcoming in the face of the slight morning chill.

"It's not the greatest, but it's still coffee." Annabelle's comment pulled Natasha from her thoughts as the woman gave a small chuckle. "I personally used to prefer tea, but… nowadays I do love this beverage."

"I um… I'm not too acquainted with coffee." Natasha responded honestly, both hands grasping the cup close to her. "My family were tea drinkers… After vodka at least" The comment slipped out, but the statement made Annabelle's smile grow, Natasha gave a small chuckle.

"Your parents; are they from the area?" The question was casual, and Natasha almost answered honestly, as it didn't give her a second thought, but before anything could leave her lips, she found herself swallowing her words.

"My um… My family was from the east." Natasha responded, looking down into her cup for a time. "I don't remember too much about them." The statement came out before she could catch it. It was true. She didn't remember too much of her parents.

Anabelle gave a small nod of understanding before taking a sip from her cup.

"How long have you been with- this group?" Natasha tried steering the conversation away.

"With Dutch? Oh goodness, a few years now…" Annabelle trailed off for a time, eyes lost on the ground before she chuckled to herself. "Perhaps three years? Maybe a few months more." Her eyes glanced off into the grass a few feet away as she gave a small smile.

"I suppose you could say I'm the newest addition to Dutch's Gan-" The cough she let out caused Natasha to jump a bit in her seat as Annabelle went to quickly clear her throat. "Goodness, excuse me." She laughed lightly, patting Natasha's knee before putting a hand to her collar to clear her throat once more.

Natasha gave her a small smile, one hand hesitantly raised.

"Are you alright?" Natasha tried, unsure how to tread, as the woman gave one more small cough into a handkerchief she had pulled from her pocket.

"Alright, darlin." Annabelle chuckled before putting the handkerchief away, reaching for her cup once more to take in a sip of the hot beverage. "Where was I?"

"You were um… Speaking of Dutch's… Um…" Natasha trailed off, unsure where Annabelle had been going.

"Oh, Dutch's group!" She nodded before lowering her cup.

"So, you weren't a part of the- business that was closed?" Natasha tried. She wanted to tread carefully.

"Mm no, I wasn't." Annabelle responded over her cup as she held it close in two hands. "'Fraid I haven't been around that long." Her eyes were lost in the beverage in front of her, and Natasha continued to eye her quietly for a few more seconds before pulling her gaze away. She raised the cup to her lips and took in a decent gulp of the beverage. It was bitter, and a bit gritty, but it was waking her up and giving her a nice dose of energy despite feeling exhausted from the past few days.

"Are you fully acquainted with everyone yet, Anna?"

"Um," Natasha thought for a moment before nodding. "I-I believe so," Natasha let a small chuckle escape past her lips as her hold on the cup increased.

"Well, you met Dutch yesterday," Annabelle smiles before gesturing across the way at the larger standing tent where Dutch was now seated, talking with Hosea. "Hosea and Arthur picked you up," She continued.

"Susan of course… Have you met Johnny yet?"

"I- no I don't believe so." Natasha's brow knit a bit. She had yet to see another man in the camp other than the three she'd been acquainted with.

"That boy's always out and about." Annabelle chuckled. "I'm sure he'll be around sometime today. I'll introduce you."

Natasha put together a brief smile before raising her cup once more to take a sip of the beverage.

The now apparent gender ratio spiked her anxiety, not that it was much better before. She could take some consolation in the fact that there was a ratio at all, however.

With the increased tension seeping into her body, her posture grew stiff as her thoughts continued to wander.

The messenger bag.

"Um, ma'am?"

"'Annabelle' is fine, darlin." She chuckled.

"Annabelle," Natasha nodded before bringing the cup to her lap. "I was- I had a bag with me. Before you all found me. Do you know if… well,"

"Is it a messenger bag?" Annabelle's question caused Natasha to perk up and nod quickly.

"Yes! Yes, its um, a dark, sand-like color?"

"It's in your wagon I believe," Annabelle nodded towards the structure. "Arthur put somethin in there when he got back while Dutch and Hosea were taking you to the Doctor's in Millstone. I'm almost certain it was a messenger bag."

She wanted to know for sure, but she didn't want to push any further either.

"Want me to fetch it, darlin?" Annebelle leaned forward to get Natasha's attention.

"Oh um… I don't want to impose I-"

"You're cute." She chuckled before patting Natasha's knee as she got to her feet. "Sit tight, I'll be right back."

Natasha gave her a small smile and a nod before turning her gaze to the flickering flame of the fire. Forcing herself to take in a deep breath, she let it out quietly before closing her eyes for a brief time.

Just breathe. Give yourself time to settle- you're okay.

~000~

The day passed slower than Natasha could have ever thought possible. She spent the hours on and off elevating her injured leg to prevent swelling, and watched people go about their day in camp. While Mr. Van Der Linde and Mr. Morgan left around midday, everyone else seemed to have things to do.

Having nothing to do but people watch was proving quite uneventful. After being on the run for weeks, this was a stark change of pace, one Natasha was finding to be a struggle to acclimate to. Her mindset was still one of an individual on the run, but her body was in a completely different department now. It was odd on a number of levels, and nerve wracking to say the least.

Her eyes jumped from person to person as they went about activities in camp. Everyone seemed to have something to do, or a schedule. Washing clothes, cleaning weapons, organizing food and supplies, tending to the fire, and others occupied most of this group's time.

The only thing occupying Natasha's time was the growing pain emanating from her leg. She'd tried to push it from her mind the last hour or so, but the increased feeling was becoming hard to ignore. Whatever the doctor had been giving her, was now wearing off. Mr. Matthews had mentioned they'd been given a supply of something for her recovery but… The last thing she wanted to do was draw attention to herself.

Her eyes caught movement at the makeshift table. She turned to watch as Mr. Matthews got up from one of the barrels that were being used as chairs. He organized some papers, stacking them accordingly before putting them back onto the wooden surface.

She pushed herself further up into a sitting position as he seemed to look towards her momentarily before he walked towards the opposite wagon and then out of sight behind the structure.

Lifting her leg off of the box it was elevated on, Natasha eased it to the ground with a quiet hiss before she brought her hands to her lower leg and gently massaged it. It was starting to hurt more than she realized it could.

That night, she knew it hurt. She couldn't remember much, not even the actual pain when it happened. She knew it must've hurt if, like Arthur had said, her screams could be heard from the main road.

"How are you feeling, dear?"

Natasha practically jumped out of her skin, and her head snapped up to see Hosea a few feet away from her, holding a couple of small bottles in one hand.

"My apologies," He chuckled.

"I'm sorry," Natasha cleared her throat, pulling herself further into an upright, seated position. "I didn't hear you coming."

"How's the pain? Doc said you might be needing some relief either today or tomorrow. Looks like you're feeling something, if you don't mind me saying." He gestured towards her with the hand holding the small bottles.

She pulled together a brief smile and a sort of nod in reply before looking down at her leg.

"Here,"

Natasha looked up, watching as Mr. Matthews took a step closer before kneeling down on her left, standing just off of the wood pallets before he held out one of the bottles.

"Doc said this one will probably be best for the first few days or so. He said the pain most likely will be the biggest issue your first week."

Natasha looked over the bottle carefully, she didn't recognize the brand, but she had seen similar bottles of ailment-curing concoctions in the city.

"Let's see, it says…" Hosea seemed to read it silently to himself before he went about reading the label on the bottle to her, and Natasha looked towards him with a mildly confused expression.

He doesn't think I can read.

She knew it was still uncommon in certain places, especially out west where educational material is harder to come by, for people to have reading and writing abilities - especially women.

"This one can be quite nasty on its own, I have some tea in the percolator if you'd like it with that?"

Shaking her head lightly, Natasha pulled herself from her thoughts and met Hosea's eyes. It took a moment for her to process his offer and then some to decide if she trusted him enough to accept the beverage.

Buck up and say yes, damn it.

"I-" Natasha struggled through her waving voice as she nodded. "Yes please."

He smiled once she accepted, and nodded before getting to his feet.

"I'll be back."

Natasha watched him walk away and sat quietly as her thoughts gained volume in her mind once again.

Everything about them- how they acted, went about their time, talked with her… It all gave way to the idea that they were decent people. She wanted to ask herself why that wasn't enough, but it didn't work like that. She needed more. More proof, more actions, more words… William told her to be careful who she chose to trust. People out here can be as deceiving as those in the city, only the authorities are few and far between if she ever needed help. But now… the authorities wouldn't help her. Which was why William told her to be extra careful. She had no one she could trust more herself.

"Its still hot, so be careful."

Natasha looked up to see Mr. Matthews holding out a cup, one much like the one she had drank her coffee from that morning.

She took it slowly, keeping her balance with her other hand. She looked into the dark beverage quietly before taking a small sniff.

"Did you already-"

"No, I did not." She watched as Hosea pulled the small glass bottle back up and removed the lid.

"Just a little should do." He said as he poured it into the cup as Natasha held it out.

Still being somewhat unfamiliar with whatever Hosea just poured into her drink, Natasha swiveled the beverage quietly for a moment as Mr. Matthews pulled the box she'd previously been elevating her leg on, to the side, off of the wood pallets.

"So," He grunted as he took a seat. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm alright." Natasha nodded, keeping her eye contact brief as she looked into the beverage. "Could be better," She chanced an airy chuckle as she met his eyes for a brief time, catching the smile he gave her in return. Lifting the beverage to her lips, she took a small sip before lowering it once more. "Thank you, for… Taking me to the Doctor's." The dreadful thought of what the bill must've looked like would haunt her tonight. "I'll pay you back whatever the costs ar-"

"Nonsense," Hosea chuckled at her words. "Consider it a gift. I'm sure once you're more mobile you can help around here with some light chores if it makes you feel better. But don't worry about the money, dear. There's always more money."

Natasha stalled in her nod, but gave him a small smile of acknowledgement before taking another sip of the beverage in her hands. Her brow knit lightly as the taste hit her tongue, aside from the bitterness of the medicine concoction that had been added, there were earthy undertones, plant-like, but even more alerting - she detected tastes she recognized from her childhood.

"What kind of tea is this?" Natasha questioned lightly as she gestured to the cup.

"Just a basic herbal mix, but I added some yarrow and ginseng. It'll help move your recovery along; keep the chance of infection low and help with-"

"Inflammation," Natasha nodded before giving a small smile at Hosea's apparent surprise. "My mother used to make yarrow and ginseng teas when I was a child. Always the herbalist, she was." Natasha chuckled while grasping the cup tightly before she took another sip. "Quite bitter but… She always added a little somethin to sweeten it up." Natasha smiled.

She noticed Mr. Matthews' own smile as he eyed her quietly before he sat up a bit straighter and cleared his throat.

"One thing about this- medicinal concoction, Doctor Miller did specify that it makes some of his patients drowsy."

The statement made Natasha bristle as the warmth in her expression faded and she looked up to meet the man's eyes.

"In larger quantities that is, but it might be best to take it before calling in for the night, to help you get some sleep." He furthered, "Seems you didn't get too much last night?"

He must've noticed her during the night. She hadn't seen him looking but it was dark enough, despite the campfire. She honestly wouldn't have been able to tell very well to begin with.

She didn't want to outright tell him it was because she didn't trust these people, but… it was probably already obvious to him by how she'd been behaving around everyone. The level of trust was minimal. Letting her guard down to get some sleep wasn't as easy, or simple, as one might think.

"Just jitters, I suppose." Natasha gave him a small nod as she raised the cup partially before lowering it back into her lap.

Hosea nodded quietly before looking up towards the front of camp, seeing two horses approaching.

"You get some more rest, dear. Just holler if you need anything." He gave her a friendly enough expression before getting up and walking towards where she could see both Mr. Van Der Linde, and Mr. Morgan, riding up.

Watching the men talk for a few minutes, Natasha found eyes falling to the beverage. The warmth from the mug now did little to stave off the intrusive thoughts.

Surely he didn't withhold that information about drowsiness on purpose. He just… forgot to mention it. Maybe. She did need sleep but that was something to see to on her own terms.

Pushing the thoughts from her mind, Natasha sat back against the wagon with a sigh, setting the cup down next to her before bringing her arms to her lap.

~000~

Three Days Later…

It had been several months since Natasha had handled needle and thread, but the muscle memory had kicked in quickly.

In the past few days, she had managed to weasel some small jobs from Susan and Annabelle. All of them seemed hesitant to put her to work, but after some light convincing, she was given the most stationary job- repairing clothes. Some needed patching, others just rips that needed stitching, but it was work that kept her mind and her hands occupied which was more than enough for the time being.

She still held reservations about letting her guard down, but after a night of decent sleep, she was starting to let herself believe bit by bit that these people were alright.

Weaving the needle through the article of clothing, Natasha pulled the thread through before going back to repeat the process. A few feet to her left, Susan and Annabelle sat washing some of the clothes. Mr. Matthews was sitting on the log at the fire perpendicular to her, cleaning off a rifle.

Every few days the ladies would wash clothes while not out. It seemed everyone left camp at some point as the days went by. Either Susan or Annabelle was always at camp if the other was out, keeping Natasha company. She wondered what they all did when they left, but tried to not let it become another intrusive thought on top of the pile of others that flooded her mind on an hourly basis.

"How's it coming, Anna?" Susan spoke up from where she was, sitting on a turned over box while scrubbing away at one of the men's button-up shirts.

"Alright, Miss Grimshaw." Natasha responded. "Just about done with this one."

"If I had two more of this girl, we'd be in perfect shape," Susan chuckled alongside Annabelle, and Natasha gave Miss Grimshaw a small, nervous smile.

Susan Grimshaw reminded Natasha much of one of the maids at her uncle's property. A firm, hard worker. But if you shared her sentiment, she was easy to get along with. Natasha admired her work ethic, as well as her confidence. Annabelle was more subtle, but she too held a confidence and voice she rarely ever saw in the women back home on her uncle's property. Annabelle reminded Natasha of her aunt, before she and her uncle divorced. She had such a gentleness about her, but she was still a fiery, passionate woman when she wanted to be. Only thing that seemed to differentiate her aunt from Annabelle was her aunt's ability to be bought, it seemed. But… She couldn't say she knew enough about this woman just yet to confirm her suspicions.

The thundering of hooves broke through Natasha's thoughts as she looked up to see three horses running into camp. Mr. Morgan was at the head, and Mr. Van Der Linde followed with someone else that Natasha didn't recognize.

"Well, it appears we've overstayed our welcome here." Dutch announced across camp as he dismounted from his horse.

"No, don't say that." Natasha heard Hosea sigh and turned to eye him briefly. He didn't even look up.

"We don't need to go far. Maybe a day's ride or so." Dutch countered as he walked into camp. "Just a precaution."

Conversation continued and Natasha watched as Susan and Annabelle abandoned their tasks and began getting to their feet.

"W-What does he mean," Natasha leaned over, hoping to get the attention of one of them. "What's happening?"

"Nothing dear," Susan sighed with a brief smile. "Boys are just up to their usual antics it would seem." She gave a small huff before briskly walking around the campfire and followed Hosea after Dutch, into the man's tent.

Natasha held the now patched piece of clothing in her lap, unsure of what to do as she watched a quiet conversation playing out in Dutch's tent.

Near the horses, she noted Arthur speaking with the individual she didn't recognize. Perhaps it was that Johnny fellow Annabelle had mentioned the other day. He was lean and had dark hair. He seemed closer to her age, but she couldn't be sure. Being unable to see most of the details of his face, he reminded her of someone she knew from her childhood.

If only. I could really use your help right now.

Natasha closed her eyes and shook her head before drawing her attention away to see the commotion continue as the few who had been speaking with Dutch left his tent and made a beeline for each wagon.

Whatever was happening, it seemed they'd hit a bump in the road in some fashion.

"Alright dear," Susan walked briskly towards her and over to the washing supplies and stack of clothes. "We're moving locations, so we gotta start packin it up."

"Moving…" Natasha cut herself off as she watched Miss Grimshaw.

She wanted to ask more questions, like why they needed to move, and where they would move to.

"W- I can help," Natasha insisted as attempted to stand and follow Susan over to their wagon. "I could-"

"It's sweet of you dear, but that's no kind of work for you to be worrying yourself with right now." Susan pointed back at her in a gesture that she should remain seated. "Sit yourself back down, now. We'll handle it."

Slumping back down in defeat, Natasha let her crutches fall against the log as she watched everyone go about getting things packed up.

She really felt helpless now. It was evident they weren't wasting any time. And here she sat, watching them uselessly…

Just a few weeks. You'll be able to limp, at the least, in just a few weeks.

It takes a couple hours to pack everything up, and once it became evident that they were leaving shortly, Natasha collected her crutches to get herself onto her feet.

"Dutch, Hosea, get that girl on a wagon." She heard the stern voice of Miss Grimshaw and looked around quickly to see a chuckling Dutch put a hand up in a surrendering fashion before he gestured for Natasha to make her way over.

"Your bag's already up there, dear." Hosea appeared from around the wagon as Natasha made her way over.

"Oh, thank you." Natasha gave a grateful nod and a smile before looking up into the wagon.

"We've got a few more supplies but don't you worry, there's plenty of room for you." Dutch reassured her as he hopped into the wagon.

With little effort they got her up into the wagon and settled down on a few laid-out blankets.

"We'll be heading out shortly, dear." Hosea patted the side of the wagon before walking out of view along with Dutch.

"I-" Natasha cut herself off as the two men disappeared before she looked around quickly. She wanted to at least know where they were heading to some degree. She needed to head west.

Sitting up, Natasha grasped the edge of the wagon to peek over the side and get someone's attention.

"Excuse me," She got the attention of the first person who passed the wagon, realizing too late it was Arthur Morgan.

"I um," She swallowed the lump in her throat and pushed her question through her lips. "Where are we going?"

"Not too sure yet," He responded before looking ahead towards the wagon in front of them. "Towards the settin sun is all I know." He gestures forward with a free hand. Some supplies over his opposite shoulder.

Natasha follows the gesture ahead to where the sun peeked through the trees over the horizon.

Giving a small nod of understanding, Natasha let out a small breath before meeting the man's eyes once more.

"Thank you," She said quietly.

He gave her a silent tip of his hat before continuing his path to the back of the front wagon.

Settling herself back down, Natasha took a deep breath before letting her head rest against the back of the wagon.

West… We're heading west.


Author Note: Feedback is appreciated if you enjoyed it