Price of Redemption
Lucy Vanderlinde Part I
PSA Well life has gotten in the way a lot this year so I haven't had the time to do much of anything other than work. But I thought as it's the holidays I'd revisit this story and hopefully try and finish it! Also this chapter and the next one are the origin story for Lucy. After this I will be going back to the main narrative. Enjoy! (Will also explain things that some people have said in comments in later chapters) :)
"Shouldn't we be heading more west Dutch" Hosea said with concern, the sun slowly starting to dip behind the horizon.
Dutch paused for a second bringing his horse to a stop. It had been a long ride from Armadillo, they had been on the trail for what seemed like days.
"Dutch?" Arthur looked at him, he hadn't seen Dutch this exhausted in a long time.
Ignoring them both Dutch looked past both men "Where's John"? He asked with a worried tone.
"Well, considering the boy is still learning the ropes on riding horses, I'd say he'll come into view any second…." Hosea said jokingly.
Just as the words left his mouth a silhouette came into view.
"Ah there he is, see Dutch that boy learns fast" said Arthur with a playful tone.
"He's learning a lot faster than you did Arthur" Hosea said laughing.
Dutch then turned to the men.
"Right, just over that hill is a town called Tumbleweed, we can stay there for a couple of days, maybe try and find some opportunity's while we are there. But please try and stay outta trouble boys".
Dutch nodded at Arthur "especially you" he said playfully.
Ever since Arthur had joined Dutch and Hosea, he had really started to become more of a man than the boy they had originally taken in. More tough. Capable.
Dutch turned to look at the sun, he then proceeded to stare at it for a few more seconds, he then proceeded to grab the rains
"Let's ride" Dutch shouted.
And with that Hosea and Dutch galloped into the distance.
Arthur remained stationary however, he reached into his satchel and pulled out a packet of cigarettes, he took one out and sparked a match with his boot, he then proceeded to exhale the smoke into the cool evening air.
This gave John enough time to finally catch-up to Arthur.
"Thanks for waiting Arthur" said John timidly, looking at Arthur's cigarette.
"No problem kid, I'll ride with ya, here, have this" Arthur proceeded to give John the rest of his cigarette.
"C'mon then kid, let's go, I'll teach you some more about horses when we get there if you want".
Arthur kicked his horse lightly and rode slowly so John could keep up.
"Thanks Arthur" John said, grateful that the young man was willing to look out for him.
Arthur had only met the boy a few days ago but there was something about him that compelled him, he saw something of himself in him.
"What's in Tumbleweed anyway? This whole place is just desert from what I can tell" John said confused.
"Well" Arthur said not really knowing himself.
"If Dutch thinks there will be some opportunity's there then who are we to question it" Arthur said trying to sound like he was somewhat clued in to Dutch's plans.
"Anyway, we should get riding, I'd say there is at least an hour's ride at this pace". Arthur said looking at the hilly terrain and rocks in the distance.
…
By the time Arthur and John had arrived in Tumbleweed it was nightfall, both of them were exhausted and starving.
"So where's Dutch" asked John nervously.
The streets were deserted, the only noise coming from anywhere was the saloon.
"Okay, we are gonna go in there but you stick with me okay?"
"Okay Arthur" John said trying to sound more brave than he felt.
As they swung the saloon doors open they saw it was filled to the brim with drunken men and women.
The smells of food, drink and quite possibly sick filled the air, there was a man dancing on the table in front of them, a man hanging his friend over the railings laughing hysterically while the man who was hanging didn't seem to be awake, and a man at the top of the stairs in a bear skin shouting and screaming.
The man on the piano looked like he had not slept in weeks, but frantically pressed the keys to the song as fast as he could.
Through the noise of surroundings one voice echoed out.
"Arthur! Over here"
Arthur turned to see Dutch sitting at the bar with a woman.
"I have sorted out some accommodation for you both tonight". Said Dutch who was clearly very drunk.
"Meet this lovely women called Sally, she has agreed to let us stay at her place tonight" Dutch said nearly spilling his drink.
"You boys run along now, my daughter will show you where you are sleeping, it's the place near the barn, just say that I sent you and she'll let you in"
Sally was an attractive woman with blonde hair and certainly had a thing for Dutch, her blue eyes staring at him ever since their conversation first began.
"Thank you ma'am" said Arthur tipping his hat.
He nudged John.
"Th…thank you Ma'am" he said holding his hat in both of his hands.
"C'mon then John" he motioned for them to leave.
As soon as they got outside the cold night air filled their lungs, even though Arthur would've preferred to stay in the saloon he thought it was probably better if John was a little bit older before he was subjected to that kind of evening.
"Who was that woman Dutch was sat with" asked John innocently.
"Don't you be worrying about that John" Arthur said chuckling to himself.
…
The next morning, Arthur, Dutch and Hosea were all still asleep when John suddenly awoke.
"Hi"
John snapped round in bed and saw a small girl.
"H…Hi" John said confused as to why a small girl was staring at him.
"Mumma said you're to be doing chores while you're here with us.
"Chores?" John said inquisitively.
"What chores" he then asked rising out of bed.
The sun was bleeding through the curtains, the small holes letting John see the dust that was in the air, a small chest of draws next his bed had a small picture frame on it, John carefully picked up the frame and noticed a picture had been torn out of it.
"Who was in this" he asked confused as to why the picture was not just removed.
"My daddy" the girl replied looking at the ground, sadness filling her eyes.
"He left a long time ago, before I was born, momma don't like talking about it though".
"Yeah my pa weren't a nice man either" John said trying to make conversation.
"Anyway c'mon we got work to do!" she said with a smile, motioning to the hall.
"Okay" John said picking up his hat.
…
The sun beamed down on the barn, all of the animals were laying down in the shade, the air was still, and the voice of a man could be heard from inside the barn, he was clearly intoxicated.
"How much we made Dutch" Hosea said with impatience in is voice.
He leant against a fence.
"I don't like this place much, especially with you toying with that woman Dutch, making all these outlandish promises."
"I'm only having some fun Hosea, look, we have been here for a week, and we have made some good money, if you really wanna leave then fine, but at least let me say goodbye to that lovely lady."
Hosea gave a look of disapproval.
"Do what you want, I'll go get Arthur and John."
Dutch turned and walked off with his usual swagger.
Meanwhile, Arthur was talking to John on the porch of the local gunsmith, he was going over the basics of weapon cleaning and maintenance.
"John, Arthur, you both ready to leave" said Hosea tiredly.
"Yeah, let me just go and grab something from the gunsmith" Arthur said excitedly pushing open the door and rushing in.
He returned a couple of minutes later with a brand new sniper rifle.
"Well aint she a beauty" Hosea had a look of wonder on his face.
"How did you even afford it, I've only made 25 dollars" said a perplexed Hosea.
"We all have our secrets Hosea." He winked and motioned to the horses.
Meanwhile, Dutch was walking towards Sally's house, he was trying to think of the perfect excuse for why he had to leave, when suddenly she came walking out of the house towards him.
"Great" Dutch thought to himself.
"Sally, I have some terrible news" Dutch started talking without even having his excuse ready.
"What is it my sweet" Concern filling her face, she grabbed Dutch's arm.
"I'm afraid my mother is very ill, I need to go see her for a few days" Dutch showing no emotion as the lie left his mouth.
Sally looked at him with tears slowly filling her eyes.
"You will be back though won't ya, after you've seen her?"
"Course I will said Dutch" finding some sick satisfaction in his ability to lie.
"Okay I'll see you soon then" Said Sally almost crying her eyes out.
Dutch did a dismissive wave and strolled towards Hosea,
"How do you do it" said Arthur staggered at Sally's reaction to Dutch leaving.
"That my son …..Is called charm" A smile creeping across Dutch's face.
He motioned for everyone to get on their horses and follow him.
As they were riding away Arthur turned around and saw Sally and her daughter both standing at the edge of town waving at them, Arthur felt a sense of guilt start to creep up on him and forced himself to wave back.
…
A few months later, Sally's daughter walked into her mother's bedroom. Sally was sat on the bed crying, her blonde hair was untidy and she had not moved for a couple of hours.
"Momma, what's wrong?" She asked, confused to why her mother had been crying all day.
"Ann, come here darlin, I've got some news".
Ann nervously went to her mother, and slowly sat on the bed beside her.
Sally looked at her, and brushed her hair out of her eyes.
"Your gonna have a brother or sister soon" she said with a pained expression.
"But why you sad momma" Ann asked confused.
"Let's just say I hope you never fall in love with a man sweetheart".
Sally put her arm around her daughter and they proceeded to look out of the window at the sun rising over the dusty plains.
…
.
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