Slight AU, will have a lot the same but a lot will change as well. It is a fanfiction after all :)

Disclaimer: Anything you recognise doesn't belong to me but belongs to the wonderful creators of this game

The house looked the same as the last time I saw it, but it seemed a dark cloud now hovered over the once bright home. I half expected to see her in the garden pulling the weeds out from her prized tomatoes. Little Ella would be running around her giggling in the carefree way that children do, and baby Charlie would be sitting on a blanket nearby babbling away. Her husband, Richard, would be fixing some thing or other around the place looking fondly over at his family. Now though, the garden was empty, and the house was shut up. Though if I craned my head to the left, I could see the headstone sitting just behind the house.

I hitched my long-time companion to the post out the front but still no one came out to greet me like usual. I gave my chestnut paint a fond pat and an apple in thanks before marching straight to the door. My hand was poised to knock but I hesitated, I knew she was not in there anymore and it is not really a situation I want to see.

Before I could knock though, the door swung open wide. Richard McCourt stood there with a screaming toddler in his arms and a young child hanging of his leg, also crying. He looked different to the last time I saw him, his dark eyes were sunken, and his normally clean-shaven face had a short, patchy beard growing. His brown locks stood in all directions and his clothes were askew with stains of food and what I think is vomit.

"Elsie," Richard breathed, disbelief in his voice. "I haven't seen you in over a month."

"Hello, Richard," I smiled grimly. "I'm sor- "

"Auntie Elsie," The young girl on Richard's leg exclaimed in excitement, interrupting me. She let go of her father and ran into my arms. I was prepared for her though and scooped her up into my arms, holding her close.

"Oh, my little Cinder-Ella, it is so good to see you! Look how you have grown," I said bopping her on the nose with my finger causing her to giggle.

"Come in, Elsie," Richard spoke up.

I followed him in and watched as he plopped Charlie down onto the floor with some toys. Ella wiggled out of my arms and ran to play with her brother.

"Coffee?"

"Sure," I nodded before sitting at the small table putting my hat down on the surface.

Richard pottered around the kitchen like an old lady, preparing the bitter beverage. He was hunched over and every minute or so he would let out a large yawn.

"How are you, Richard? Really?"

He sat across from me, handing me a cup. I took a sip, ignoring the sharp taste and waited for him to answer.

"I can't lie. It's been really hard," He started. "Ever since- "

He stopped, taking a deep breath. I did not interrupt, I understood why it was hard.

"Ever since Heidi died there has been no one to take care of the children, so I must, but that stops me from working and now we are drowning it debt. I can barely afford to feed them, thank god for the garden, and now I have the bank hunting me down for repayments that I don't even have a sliver of," Richard rubbed his eyes with a large sigh. I could not help but feel sympathy.

Heidi was my little sister, was being that she was now dead. A bullet to the head would do that to you. The horrible thing was that her killer is still out there running free. Dutch Van der Linde. That slimy, greasy, murdering, no good bastard shot my sister on the ferry incident down in Blackwater a month ago. I had bought us tickets to go see our cousins across the water but that obviously did not work out.

"Put your guns down and let us go!" The gun was steady in his hand, his eyes full of clarity. The fear in Heidi's eyes reflected my own as our eyes remained locked from my hiding spot. "Or I will shoot the girl."

I remember that day as clear as Richard sat in front of me, I do not think I will ever forget it. Though all I think when I see his sinister smirk in my head is how great it would feel to place a bullet in his forehead. In fact, though no one knows, I have been trying to track down the man and I finally have a lead. A man of his description was reportedly seen in a small town to the east called Valentine.

"Richard, I may have found him," I changed subjects and he looked at me wide eyed.

"What do you mean, you found him?"

"A man with dark hair, moustache, and black and red clothing was spotted in the east," I leaned forward quickly making sure the children were not listening. "And I am going to find him."

"Elsie- "

"No, Richard!" I disrupted. "He murdered my little sister, your wife and mother of your children. How can I just let him go?"

"Revenge is a fool's game, Elsie. Killing him will not bring Heidi back."

"I know it will not!" I snapped "But why is it fair that Heidi is dead, but that man gets to live?"

"It is not, but nothing is life is supposed to be. We just have to deal with the cards we have been dealt in the best way that we can," Richard reached across and grabbed my hand, squeezing it reassuringly.

I snatched my hand back and stood up. "I know you mean well Richard, but this is not something I can let go. It was merely a courtesy of mine to come here and tell you, but I am going after Van der Linde, I will put a bullet in his skull and, I shall avenge my sister's death."

"Please Elsie, don't do this," Richard stood up as I put my hat back on.

I ignored him and walked over to Ella and Charlie. I gave them both a kiss on their head and bid them farewell. I knew there was a high chance that I was not going to make it back, I imbedded their faces into my memories, I did not want to forget them.

Richard followed me out the front door, I could feel his eyes burn into my back as we walked around the house to the grave out the back. Despite being a month old the grave still had a slight mound to it and the headstone looked as if it had just been placed there. It read:

Heidi McCourt

1878 – 1899

It was not much but stone carving was expensive, so I understood. I knelt in front of the stone and leant my forehead against it. Taking a deep breath, I could imagine her smell, dirt and soap in the best of ways. I could almost feel her hand on my shoulder and her voice reassuring me.

Our mother had died during childbirth and our father ran off the moment he found out they were pregnant. We were sent to live in a horrible nunnery, and I ended up practically raising Heidi. We were inseparable up until the day I was kicked out because I was too old. I had promised Heidi that I would be back in a years' time to collect her after I had made some money. One year had turned into ten and when I finally came back Heidi had already met Richard and was betrothed. I was happy for them and Richard welcomed me into their family without any hesitancy. Now that she is gone, I barely knew what to do with myself, she was all I lived for.

I gripped my necklace, a small carved buck on a chain, as if it was my lifeline. It was a present from Heidi for a birthday when we were at the nunnery. She had spent a years' worth of allowance and sold some of her food to be able to afford it. I have not taken it off since.

With a soft kiss to the stone, I stood up and turned to find Richard watching me with a sad grimace. I walked past him with a slap on his shoulder and a grim smile. I headed straight for Dice, checking his saddle straps over before finally facing Richard again.

"I know you do not want me to do this, but I need to," I said. My eyes dropped to the ground. "When I sleep it is all I see. Both their faces staring at me, taunting me. Maybe if I kill him, they will leave me alone."

"I cannot pretend to understand but I will not stop you from going," Richard replied stepping forward to embrace me.

I held him tight not wanting to let go. I had a feeling that coming back will not be an option once I start this journey. I wished I could say bye to the children but we both knew that if I did then they would not let me go. Pulling back, I reached into my saddle bag and pulled out my money sack. I took out a couple of coins and put them in my pocket before holding the sack out to Richard.

"Elsie, I can't take that. You need it," Richard shook his head taking a step back.

"Richard," I deadpanned. "Take it. If not for yourself then for Charlie and Ella."

At the mention of his children Richard hesitated. He knew they needed it more than all of them. They required clothing, food, not to mention when they get sick the doctor costs a fortune. Richard already believed he will not be able to school the children and they will have to grow up learning their education from him. It was but a moment before he reached for the bag, pulling me in for another hug at the same time.

"Thank you, Elsie," He whispered in my ear. "For everything."

"Always, Richard," I murmured back. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

I turned, mounted Dice and rode back down the path without hesitation or looking back. At the crossroads, the signs read Valentine and Armadillo. I went the way of Valentine hoping Van der Linde has not left the area yet. With a final pat to Dice's neck, I settled in for the long ride.