Chapter 33-A New Plan

It's been a few days since the gang has arrived in Lakay. They had made a camp in Lakay and haven't had that many problems. Few gators coming close to camp, and that was it. It was morning. Colt gets up out of bed. He has been sleeping on a sleeping bag by Sadie. At first, Colt was nervous about being the leader, but the gang had been listening to him and treating him with respect. He had talked to Sadie the day after they got to Lakay about the plan he had been making with Charles. She was a little mad at him for keeping it from her for this long but came around to the idea. Colt walks outside and gets coffee. Most of the camp was up by now and working or resting in camp. Mr. Pearson walks over to Colt. "Colt, we are low on food. Even with people hunting were still need more," Pearson tells Colt. Colt looks around at the camp. The only person the Pinkertons didn't know was part of the gang was Sadie. "Go get Sadie and Mary-Beth," Colt says. Pearson nods and walks away to search for the two women.

Sadie and Mary-Beth walk over to Colt, who was leaning against a tree. "Pearson said you needed us," Sadie says.

"Yeah, we're running low on food. I would go, but Milton is going to be gunning for me," Colt says.

"He knows I'm part of the gang," Mary-Beth says.

"I know. They won't be waiting in Saint-Denis. They'll be around Shady Belle, hoping to find something. You two need to head for Rhodes and get what we need," Colt says.

"They might still be in that area," Sadie says.

"I know. I'm gonna create a distraction. Make them focus on me for a little. That should give you guys enough time to get what you need," Colt says.

"For one, going by yourself would be a suicide mission. Two, your shoulder is still healing," Sadie says.

"I won't be going by myself. Look, they will be camping around Shady Belle, I think. Waiting for us to make a move. I'll go there with Sean, Charles, and Kieran and make some kind of distraction. You two get what we need and get out," Colt says.

"It sounds like there's about to be a good fight," Sadie says.

"There might be," Colt says.

"Then I should be there. Besides those three, I'm the best shooter you got," Sadie says.

"I know you are, and that is why you are going with Mary-Beth just in case this doesn't work. Somebody can protect her," Colt says.

"Fine, when do we leave?" Saide asks.

"Uncle and Tilly are setting up the wagon. We'll ride with you for a little bit. Cut off when you're close to Rhodes. That should give you enough time. That will also make the Pinkertons think were around that area," Colt says.

"Maybe we should move. Further away," Mary-Beth says.

"Like where?" Colt asks.

"Maybe down towards Armadillo," Mary-Beth says.

"Why would we do that. That is where they are stationed," Sadie says.

"No. They are up here. We break John out and move down there. They won't think we would go down there. We could get in unseen," Colt says.

"Are we scraping your distraction plan?" Sadie asks.

"Maybe?" Colt says with a smile. Colt walks away from the women and walks over to Hosea. Hosea was sitting at a table and reading a book. Colt walks over to the man and sits. "Do you know where Dutch kept all the money?" Colt asks the man who looks up at him.

"Yes. Why?" Hosea asks.

"I have been trying to think of a way to get off the Pinkertons radar. They know we are in this area. Mary-Beth brought up maybe we should move down to West Elizabeth," Colt says. Hosea looks at him for a moment before he nods.

"It's a good idea. A way to trick them. Why do we need the money?" Hosea asks.

"Cause we don't have much. I bet every sheriff from here to Valentine are looking for me. I'm good friends with the one in Tumbleweed and Armadillo. If I explain my plan, they will side with us, and I can go back to bounty hunting for money. We need that money. Hosea, this may be our ticket out. If I can pay off Milton for all of our bounty's at some point, we're done, and we can live the rest of our lives in peace. Everybody will be able to live their lives without being in fear of swinging," Colt says. Hosea nods.

"I will go grab Sadie and a wagon and go grab it. It isn't that far from here. You should talk to the camp and get them on board," Hosea says. Colt nods. Hosea stands up and walks over to Sadie, and says something to the woman, who nods. Sadie and Hosea get on the wagon and leaves. Colt gets up.

"Yeah! Can everybody come here!" Colt shouts. The gang stops what they were doing and comes over to Colt. "Look, we don't have long until the Pinkertons find us. I just sent Hosea and Sadie to get the money that Dutch keeps from our jobs. Mary-Beth brought up maybe we should move somewhere else," Colt says.

"Where?" Sean asks.

"West Elizabeth," Colt says. The gang stays silent for a moment.

"In a way, it makes sense. The Pinkertons or Colm, for that matter, won't expect us to head there," Charles says.

"And you think this is a good idea?" Kieran asks.

"Yes. I have friends down there. People who can help us. Kieran, did you post that letter yet?" Colt asks. Kieran shakes his head.

"Good, look if you guys don't want to do this. We won't. We make this decision together. All in favor of moving, raise your hand," Colt says. Charles, Sean, Mary-Beth, and Kieran raise their hands first. The rest of the gangs shortly follow. "Okay. Let's start packing up. We'll leave as soon as Hosea and Sadie get back," Colt says. Colt walks over to Kieran. "Make the letter you were gonna make and change the location," Colt tells the young man, who nods. Kieran nods as he walks away to help the camp. The gang starts to pack up Lakay. They were about done when Hosea and Sadie turn back in. The two get off the wagon and help the gang load up. The gang leaves Lakay and moves for hopefully the last time.

Thanks for reading. Gonna be honest, I did not plan this. This is new, and I just thought of it a day before I wrote this. So now I'm gonna come up with some new stories. Tell me some of your ideas. As always, suggestions are welcomed. Until next time.