"I really hope everyone makes it back safe with this weather." Hosea looked away from Celina's tattoos. He was fascinated by them, but wasn't sure he liked them. The girl saying that she was from the future was starting to seem more and more likely, despite being entirely impossible at the same time.
"They will be fine." She said it matter of factly, "I know who all of you are... some names haven't stuck but whatever." She shrugged, "If I'm going to be here with you guys, I might as well help where I can. But..." She glanced over at Hosea, "I can't give everything away, what if I think I'm making something better and it actually turns out worse?"
The older man studied the young woman with intrest, "My dear, you must use your better judgement. If you're not dreaming, and I'm not dreaming, then we may have a truly special gift upon us."
Celina swallowed, thinking about the fate of the good-hearted man before her. What all was she supposed to reveal or not reveal to them? If she was dreaming, why did everything feel so real? If she wasn't dreaming, how on God's green earth would she ever get back to 2018? She forced a smile despite tears threatening to build, she missed her family, friends... The thought of never seeing them again devastated her, the thought they may not even know who she is. Were they still alive in the future? Or had the whole world been set back in time? Celina had never been a believer in a parallel universe or alternate reality... nor time-travel for that matter. "I trust if I help you guys you'll help try to get me back to where I belong," she looked at the floor almost awkwardly, "if that's at all possible."
Hosea nodded, the corner of his mouth lifting in a small, sympathetic smile, "Make it a promise dear. Tell me though, how do you know about us, besides being from the future, that is." He wasn't trying to push, only trying to keep the woman's mind off her misfortunes and collect any information he could.
Celina laughed, "If you're buying the time- travel, I still might loose you here." She shook her head, hardly able to believe what she was saying herself, "There's a videogame based on this point of your guy's lives that just came out in 2018."
Hosea's eyes narrowed, "A video game?"
"Yes," She laughed, "It's based on what was found of Arthur's journals. I don't know how accurate everything is so that may be a problem in helping you guys but I assume most of the game is factual. Some is probably... added entertainment."
Hosea laughed, "Miss, please do explain yourself, I'm as lost as can be on that."
"Well," she raised a brow, "Are there really animals incredibly huge for their species at this point in time?"
Hosea's mouth gaped open, "No?" Even after he gave his answer, it was incredibly easy to practically see the wheels in his head still turning.
She laughed again and moved to sit criss-cross on the bed, facing the older man, "Ok, we've got a lot to cover."
"So, videogames." The older man shook his head in disapproval after Celina spent likely over an hour explaining the future and threw sorcery in his mind, of videogames, "Miss, I do not believe the future is something I would want to be a part of."
She smiled again, she liked Hosea. Yes, she loved him in RDR2 but in real life? He was a truly likable man. Talking to him almost made her forget the type of people she was amongst, thieves and killers. Although, at the current point in time, they hadn't yet gotten so careless with taking lives.
At the sound of Arthur and Dutch's voice, Hosea moved to the window, peering out it in curiosity, "The boys are back except... I do not see Mr. Marston. Instead, it seems they've found a girl."
Celina moved to the window too, still shocked at how real everything was. She was honestly staring out the window at Dutch Van Der Linde in the flesh, "Her name is Sadie Adler."
Hosea raised a brow, "Well dear, seems like you aren't so bad with names."
She shrugged, "She's a major part of your guy's journey. Her husband was killed by the O'Driscolls... I can tell you Micah found his body hidden by them in a wheelbarrow."
"So you really, really like the game I take it..." His voice trailed off in thought, "I'd keep your vast knowledge between the two of us for now dear... unless needed otherwise."
"Oh, for sure..." She watched as Sadie was helped from the horse, "I'm going to tell you this though, Hosea... you need to do your best to keep Dutch on the right path." She suddenly felt stupid, knowing no one in that gang was on the right path, "Or I mean, help him to keep from losing himself."
His eyes narrowed as he looked away from the window and to Celina, "What are you trying to say, dear?"
Celina took a deep breath, realizing that she had to use her words very carefully to avoid possibly messing anything up more than it already was, "I'm just saying the times ahead are not going to be easy for Dutch. They won't be easy for anyone for that matter but," She took another deep breath, "Expecially not Dutch."
Hosea nodded once in acknowledgment, "Why don't you come out with me and welcome them back considering the women here were kind enough to lend you a new blouse?"
She nodded back at him, taking a moment to look down at the pink blouse she now wore. Hosea moved to open the for her, causing her to nod respectfully in thanks, "I suppose if I'm going to be stuck here with you indefinitely, I may as well get to know you guys."
Together they approached the group which had gathered around Dutch, Arthur, Micah and Mrs. Adler. Dutch was explaining what had happened in the last few hours, "We found a homestead, but weren't the first. Colm O'Driscoll and his scum beat us to it." His gaze rested on Celina for a moment, glad to see her out there with Hosea. He had figured that he'd be the best one to ensure her being comfortable, "We found some of them there, apparently scouting a train... got all the supplies we could manage, but most importantly we found this poor soul, Miss Adler." He looked over to a couple women who Celina recognized from the game, "Miss Karen, Miss Tilly, would you warm her up? Get her a drink or something?"
The two women nodded, leading Sadie inside the nearest cabin, Dutch called after her, empathy clear on his voice, "Miss Adler, it's gonna be ok, you're safe now."
He shook his head and once the new arrival was safely inside, he spoke again, "They turned her into a widow- Animals." He spit the word out with ferocity, hatred dripping from the word. "Anyway, I need some rest, haven't slept in three days."
"Dutch, you can take the room over there," Miss Grimshaw pointed to one of the cabins and went on to let everyone else know where they would be staying.
"What?" Micha looked at her with disbelief, "Why do I have to be the one to share a room with Bill Williamson?"
Everyone rolled their eyes, not caring enough about Micah's protest. Realizing that she hadn't been appointed a room, Celina spoke up almost shyly, "Excuse me, Miss Grimshaw... I don't think you told me what room I'd be staying in."
The older woman looked at her apologetically, "I'm so sorry, um..." She looked around at the cabins, trying to assess which one had room for another person, "We can move a couple of the girls in with Dutch if that's ok with you?" Her question was addressing Dutch, who shook his head.
"No need to change sleeping arrangements, Miss Grimshaw, Miss Celina is more than welcome to stay with me in my cabin."
Miss Grimshaw's mouth was agape for a moment as she looked back to the young woman, "Celina, would you feel comfortable staying with Dutch? If not-"
"Oh for God's sake, Miss Grimshaw, there's no need for her to be uncomfortable, I'm not a monster." He offered a soft smile to Celina, "What do you say miss? Would that be alright with you?"
Celina shifted her weight from one foot to the other, tucking her lips into her mouth in thought. Dutch Van Der Linde was not a good man, she knew that, but he was also above rape, even at his worst. She nodded once, still feeling shy towards the group, "I think I'd be ok with that."
At that, Miss Grimshaw nodded, seeming satisfied, as did Dutch and everyone divided up, all heading to their cabins for the night, Dutch beckoning for Celina to follow him, "Come on miss Knoll, time to see what we have awaiting us."
...
The cabin wasn't terrible upon entering it, but it definately wasn't clean. Everything about it screamed abandoned for at least a few months, dust thickly coating the furniture as it did. Dutch gave the arm chair a few swats with his hand, making the dust fly off for the most part before turning to Celina with a hopeful smile, spreading his arms wide, gesturing to the room, "What do you think?"
Celina forced a small smile, doing her best not to compare the small cabin to the apartment she used to own and so desperately wanted to get back to. "It's nice, for the time period." She laughed almost humorlessly, "I still can't believe that I'm standing here with you right now."
Dutch laughed, his charming smile practically lighting up his face, "Well miss, I hope there is some flattery behind those words."
She blushed slightly and glanced down at her feet, if she wasn't so stressed at the possibility that she wasn't dreaming, she may have tried to take advantage of that open door. Instead, she laughed it off lightly, "I'm just saying, Dutch, I need to get back home- or wake up. One or the other because I have-" she took a deep, shaky breath, trying to keep her emotions under control. She felt like she could burst into tears at any given moment and Dutch Van Der Linde was not someone she wanted thinking of her as weak, or a burden. "I have no idea how I got here."
His facial expression softened at her distress and he sighed heavily, "I must say this has been a very taxing day for me as well. What do you say we both get some sleep and then we'll see what tomorrow brings? Maybe by then you will have some idea of how you got yourself into this mess."
Celina nodded with a heavy sigh of her own, "That would be lovely, Dutch. I appreciate you and Hosea being so understang."
"Well, Hosea... that's just how he is, and you're welcome miss." He started towards the bedroom.
"And Dutch?"
He stopped and looked over his shoulder at the short woman in intrest, "Yes?"
She kicked at the ground lightly, "You don't need to call me 'Miss', Celina is fine."
He gave a small smile and continued into the room only to grow silent when she followed, an almost awkward look on his face which she had never even imagined on him before. A seemimg involuntary smirk traced his features as he observed the situation, "Well Celina, I suppose I'll leave the choice of the top or bottom to you."
A faint blush tainted her cheeks at his words although it was blatantly obvious he was referring to the bunk bed on the left-hand side of the room. She shook her head, despite her situation, she was always one humored by a good dirty joke, "I'll take the top."
Dutch laughed heartedly at her redenned face, "I'd say miss, you're going to fit in with us until we get you back home just fine."
She shook her head and climbed into the top bunk, "Remember, just my first name is fine."
...
A/N: Well, RDR2 broke my heart tonight, I'm around the 58% mark and actually teared up. But anyway, here's the third chapter, let me know what you think if you would and thank you for all of the comments so far, I read them all and they really motivate me to write.
To set any worries aside, a lot of this book is going to be centered around the plot in RDR2 and not just the love triangle although it will of course, continue to be there. That said, certain things will of course go differently as needed for the story but I just have to be carefull with what I change or it could differ too far from the original story.
Well, as said, hope you guys enjoyed!
Disclaimer: I do not own RDR or anything associated with it.