Chapter 20-Hope

It has been one week since Colt has been taken. The gang has had no luck in locating him. The gang was starting to lose hope that their friend was alive.

Sadie said in the wagon with Arthur as they head for Rhodes for supplies. Arthur was driving. "We should be looking," Sadie says.

"We need supplies, Sadie. We won't be able to help Colt if we die of starvation. John and Charles will do fine. We need the break, and you know. Let's get the supplies and mail and head back," Arthur says as they pull into Rhodes. "You get the supplies. I'll get the mail," Arthur tells Sadie, who nods as she heads into the shop. Arthur walks to the post office and picks up the mail. There was one letter. The name read Colm O'driscoll. Arthur's eyes widen as he leaves the station and heads back to Sadie. "Are we ready?" Arthur asks as he comes over to Sadie. The wagon was now full.

"Yeah. Arthur, what's wrong?" Sadie asks.

"We need to get back to camp. Colm sent us a letter," Arthur says. Sadie nods as the horses move.

Camp

Arthur and Sadie ride into camp. They both get off the wagon and head for Dutch and Hosea. John and Charles ride into camp just after them. "Dutch. Colm sent us a letter," Arthur says. Dutch and Hosea look at him. Dutch grabs the letter as the gang gathers to hear what the letters say.

"Hi, Dutch. It's your old friend Colm. I bet you guys have been looking for your friend Colt and me. He's alive for how much longer I don't know. He is strung up like a pig. Every day we cut into him, hoping he will talk. I guess both Morgan's are loyal to you. I don't know why you'll just get them killed like Annabelle. He's not going to look pretty after all this. We have fucked him up, and I mean that. He spends his time sleeping, eating, and being cut. He'll be gone by next week. The clock is ticking Dutch, and when it hits zero. Colt dies. Happy searching Dutch. I'll even give you a hint. We see you, but you don't see us," Dutch reads. The gang watches Dutch as he crumbles up the paper and throws it to the ground.

"What does that mean. We see you, but you don't see us?" Lenny asks. Dutch turns and looks at Kieran.

"Where are all the O'driscoll camps?" Dutch asks.

"I only knew about Six-point cabin, and even if I did know any more, I would have told you, and Colm would not have hidden in them," Kieran says.

"He has a point, Dutch," Javier says.

"They're hiding in plain sight," Hosea says.

"What?" Tilly asks.

"The note said, We see you, but you don't see us. They are hiding in plain sight. We have been looking in places only gangs would hide in. The reason we haven't found them is that they aren't hiding. They are blending in. That's how they knew about Colt. We have been looking for O'driscoll's not just regular people," Hosea says. Dutch smiles.

"Hosea, you are a genius," Dutch says. Hosea nods.

"Ok, We know that, but how does that help us. We can't just go to every house and look for Colt," John says.

"He's right," Mary-Beth says.

"Watch for anything unusual in the towns and the surrounding area," Charles says.

"I hate to say it, but someone has to. Colm wouldn't tell us anything unless he got something out of this. Whatever he is planing is a trap," Arthur says.

"Does that mean we give up. Let Colm win?" Bill asks.

"No, of course not. I want to find Colt more than anybody. But if one of us dies because we were looking for him. He'll never stop blaming himself," Arthur says.

"Everybody here knows the risk, Arthur. If they didn't want to find Colt, they would not be searching," Hosea says. The others nod.

"Ok, Let's get back to work," Hosea says. The gang leaves. Arthur and Sadie leave together. John leaves with Lenny and Charles. Javier and Bill leave as Sean and Karen walk towards their horses, Keiran comes over to them.

"I want to help," Kieran says. They both turn and look at him.

"You do realize that we're looking for O'driscoll's the people who want you dead," Sean says to the man who nods.

"Colt has been kind to me since he has come here. I want to help find him," Kieran says. Karen and Sean look at each other.

"Ok, Get on your horse," Sean says. Kieran nods as he runs to his horse and climbs on. The three leave camp. This was the first time in the week since Colt has gone missing, and the gang has finally got something that proved Colt was still alive. Even if the news was bad and their friend was on the edge of death. They had a chance, and that boosed all of their morals. The gang was more determined than ever.

Thanks for reading, guys. I am having fun writing this. This is more the gang than Colt, and that is fun to show the gang more. We should still have a few more chapters in the arc. As always, suggestions are welcomed. Until next time