Chapter 3
Three's a crowd...
Gun shots filled the air as the bandits fired back, running to take cover. Arthur stood there, eyes wide in shock.
"Jack?" He breathed.
"And that's my cue!" Lou grunted as she yanked her knife from the dead man's throat and rolled off the side of the open car, landing in a crouch behind the train and dashing behind a tree.
Arthur whipped his head around as he was dragged after her, and shouted. "Lou! Where are you going?"
"Away from the very angry bandits that nearly killed me!" She hissed, glancing out from behind the tree she now ducked behind.
"But that's Jack! We have to go back for him!" Arthur insisted.
"you sure? Because honestly he seems to be doing just fine by himself!" She whispered, as she watched Jack kill another bandit from horseback, before jumping off and sliding behind a rock for cover, shouting something she couldn't quite hear.
"he's outnumbered, there's more of em coming-" Arthur said pointing, and she watched another six bandits ride up on their own horses, shouting and firing at the rock Jack now ducked behind.
"he's not a gunslinger kid, he's going to get himself killed!"
"yeah? Well neither am I!" She growled, but sighed, checking that her pistol was loaded and safely stowed in her bag.
"If I don't get into heaven for this I'm going to be pretty pissed."
she slipped out from behind the tree and moved quickly. There where four behind rocks on her side of the train, two set on the open car and one stray out on Jacks side from the original group.
She moved quietly, slipping behind the one closest to her and struck quickly, placing a hand over his mouth and stabbing her blade into his neck, gripping tightly as he squirmed and gurgled, choking on his own blood.
She moved, the next two where right next to each other, so she pulled out her pistol, taking a breath and aiming.
"on the exhale," she whispered.
She pulled the trigger, bang bang, her first bullet went wild and hit the rock next to one of the men, and he shouted in surprise, so she fired again, this one hitting him in his upper back and he fell over, shuddering before going still.
The second one turned as his companion fell and shouted "hey! There's one behind us!"
and she fired again, the bullet slamming into his head and taking off half of his jaw, and he spluttered, reaching up to clutch his face, eyes wide in horror as he fell against the rock, shaking and bleeding.
"Oh- oh gosh I really need practice-" she said eyes wide.
There was a shout as Jack shot the last guy on his side, a bullet going straight through the bandits eye and out the back of his head, then he moved up, taking cover again and firing at the bandits on the train.
the last one on her side had turned at this point, and when she peeked out from behind cover, he shouted angrily and shot at her, a bullet wizzing past her cheek and she cursed ducking behind cover as pain blossomed over her face.
She held a hand to her cheek and pulled it away, blood on her fingers. Her heart pounded in her ears as she remembered the man she'd shot- his whole jaw, just gone. The shock on his face. Oh Hell, was half her face gone too?
"Lou!! Look at me kid," Arther said firmly, crouching in front of her and clapping his hands to get her attention.
She looked up meeting his eyes, his expression firm but full of concern.
"Your ok, Lou. It's just a scratch, your just fine." He spoke calmly, keeping his eyes on hers. "You need to keep yer head straight!"
she swallowed and nodded. "Right- sorry-" she fumbled, shaking her head to snap back into reality.
I really hate guns.
"I-I'm not, horribly disfigured?" She asked, pushing some cheer back into her tone. "my looks is all I got left,"
Arthur chuckled. "Yeah, your all right. You still got your tongue, unfortunately."
Her grin grew and she nodded. "Alright, let's get this done-"
She peered quickly around the Boulder, more careful this time, and her eyes widened to see Jack on the train now, fist fighting one of the men that had been hiding there- the other wasn't anywhere in sight, either dead or injured or on the run, she didn't know- and the guy that had shot at her was raising his gun, trying to find an opening to shoot Jack without hitting his partner.
She took a breath and shouted, firing a little wildly at the man. Two of her shots went wide, passing him and striking his cover, the third slammed into his side and he shouted with pain, the fourth hitting his shoulder and he dropped his gun, then her gun clicked as she ran out of bullets.
"Biscuits!!" She cursed, flipping the gun open to reload as the bandit she'd shot stumbled to his feet and took off running.
Jack clocked his man, the bandit falling to the floor unconscious.
"Think you can run??" Jack shouted as he scooped up his gun where he'd apparently dropped it, raising the rifle and hopping off the train to chase after the escaping criminal.
She finished reloading as Jack ran past her, shouting for the man to stop.
"Why the heck is he chasing him? He's not a problem anymore! Hey- Jack!" She shouted, then sighed as he either didn't hear her or ignored her, continuing his relentless hunt.
"We've gotta go after him! Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid," Arthur insisted, looking back at her.
she looked back sadly to the corpses likely covered with amazing loot and nodded. "You know, I really wish you could just chase em down yourself, I'm getting tired of this goody-two-shoes schtick," she sighed, running after the gunslinger.
"and I wish I could knock you over the head- but neither of us are gettin' what we want," Arthur growled, following after her.
Her feet pounded over the undergrowth, easily breezing over stones and logs that would have slowed most most folks down. Her lungs burned with a familiar fire, her sore limbs waking up as she ran.
"Jack!!" She shouted, seeing him lasso the bandit, the injured man tripping and falling flat on his face with a cry of pain.
Jack didn't look up as he hog-tied the criminal, and Lou slowed as she came up behind him, panting for breath.
"Hey!" She panted " I uh, didn't get to thank you for the save back there," she said, rubbing her neck a little nervously. Trying to find a reason to talk to him without mentioning a ghost and sounding insane was going to be a difficult task.
"No thanks necessary. Just doing what anyone should." Jack replied, hefting the bound bandit over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
Lou finally got a good look at the Jack Marston Arthur had told her about, chuckling inwardly at the dead man's description of "innocent curious little boy". Jack was tall and broad shouldered, his caramel skin marked with wear and dirt from his travels, dark hair framing his face.
"Hell, I've been gone a long time," Arthur snorted shaking his head, voicing her thoughts.
"Well, thanks anyways." She offered, glancing at Arthur for a moment, trying to get some guidance.
"Your going to regret this! The others will come for me!!! You know who I am??" The bandit cursed from the shoulder, gritting his teeth in pain.
"I don't give a darn who you are, now shut your trap or I'll make you," Jack growled.
"What more can ya do?? I already got holes in me!!" The bandit hollered.
"I'll put more holes in you old man!" Jack retorted.
"Why not just tell him the truth?" Arthur asked now that Jack was distracted with his captive.
"Oh yeah, that's a great plan to earn his trust, make him think I'm crazy," she hissed in a whisper.
"Darn, I didn't think this far-" Arthur growled, his brow furrowed in irritation.
"No kidding!" She replied quietly.
"You say somethin'?" Jack asked as he turned back to her, the man unconscious now. She tilted her head slightly, wondering exactly when that happened.
"oh- uh I was just uuuuuh," she thought fast. "Well, actually about that, I was wondering if I could ride with you sir?" She asked hesitantly.
Jack shook his head. "I'm sorry miss, I don't run an escort business. You'll have to take the train with the with the rest of the folk-" he replied, throwing the bandit over the back of the horse.
well, he was observant at least, didn't think she was a street boy like most folks.
"You are very astute sir, very keen eye- but uh, I meant like in a partnership kinda way?" She asked, almost cringing as the words left her mouth.
He looked back at her raising a brow. "You, wanna ride with me?"
She nodded. "Heck yeah! I mean you saw how well we worked out' there." She waves a hand gesturing back to the train. "You saved my life, I had your back, that's the kind of things partners do right?"
Jack laughed and shook his head. "I hardly know you, what even got you the idea I'm looking to make you my 'partner'?"
"Well if it's knowin' me that's having you hesitate, my names Lou Davis," she offers a mock bow, tipping her hat. "And you already introduced yourself when you shouted yer name for all to hear."
Jack narrowed his eyes slightly. "Still doesn't give me a good reason to take you with me." He asserted.
She straightened and adjusted her hat. "Well, you see I ain't much Jack Marston. I got nothing to fight for 'cept myself, so when you came out of no-where and saved me, well, something changed. I didn't want to run off and save my skin, I stuck around! And that's a considerable feat considering I hate guns-
"Fact of the matter is, I want to do better for myself, and for folks. I don't want to end up dead and alone one day with nothin' for folks to even remember me by. If I help you help folks, well, that'd be mark enough." She finished, looking back up at him hopefully. It was one of her best yarns in some time.
Jack was silent for a moment, looking her up and down. "Do you have a horse?" He asked bluntly with a raised brow.
"uh... no," she said frowning.
"Any good with that gun?"
"hey did you see me blow that one guys face off?"
Jack sighed, then nodded slowly.
"Alright, if you manage to get yourself a horse, I'll be back in town to drop this fool off." He said patting the unconscious crooks leg and mounting up on his horse. "Meet me there, and we'll see about things."
"Sounds like a deal Jack Marston," she said holding out her hand for him to shake.
He leaned down from his horse taking her hand and shaking it firmly. "It's been a pleasure, maybe I'll see you again. Good luck Davis," he tipped his hat as he clicked his tongue, the horse taking off at a gallop.
Lou waved as it went. "You sure will! As long as you don't get yer head blown off by then!!" She glanced at Arthur once he was gone and fumbled. "I mean- I'm sure he'll be fine."
Arthur snorted, arms crossed and shaking his head.
"He anything like you remember?" She asked, eyebrows raised.
Arthur shook his head. "No, he's changed quite a bit... tho he was pretty stubborn back then too," He chuckled, but he spoke in a somber tone, his gaze shifting down to stare at something at his feet.
"People change," Lou said simply, shrugging. "Don't worry about it! I'll stick to him like stink on a mink! We'll keep 'em alive." She finished, planting her hands on her hips proudly.
"You got the cash for a horse?" Arthur asked with a raised brow.
Lou shuffled through her pouch counting quietly before speaking up. "Uh, five dollars and a quarter good enough?"
Arthur just groaned audibly.
"Can't you teach me how to break a wild one?" She asked.
"Do you even know how to ride a tame one?" He asked narrowing his eyes.
"A little, way back when. One time I even managed to steal a horse- though it threw me three miles in after it got spooked by a rattlesnake."
Arthur rubbed his face. "How have you managed live this long with all your limbs," he grumbled.
"hey! Death and I have always had a strenuous relationship if ya haven't noticed," she clapped her hands as if to signal moving on. "Alright! Time is money so let's get to it," she chirped and started walking.
"Shouldn't you dress that cut of yours?" Arthur asked as he drifted after her.
"Ah it's fine, I can hardly feel it anymore." She shrugged waving a hand. "We've got horses to train!"
"You better pray we have any luck, it's not like you just run into a herd of wild horses." Arthur sighed.
"More like you'd better pray, with how my lucks been lately I think someone up there hates me!"
They broke through the woods and made their way up a hill, Lou took a deep breath of the fresh air, the soft grasses swishing as she trekked through them. She'd never realized how terrible the city air was till she was spending time in the country, taking in the crisp autumn breeze.
"Well I'll be darned," Arthur chuckled, bringing Lou out of her thoughts.
"hm?" She asked.
"there," he said pointing. "Looks like someones apologizing for your bad luck,"
she followed the direction of his finger to where he was pointing, and balked, eyes wide. A herd of wild mustangs was just down past a ridge, grazing peacefully.
"Yes! Haha and you doubted," she chuckled.
"You don't have a horse yet kid, don't go jinxing it." He said gruffly.
"Which one should we try for?" She asked, squinting to try and see them properly.
"well... that one over there looks pretty good." He said pointing out a reddish umber horse with a dark black main. "It's a turkoman, sturdy one. They don't often spook easy and aren't as stubborn as most."
"Ok, I see it... how am I doing this, sneak up on it?" She asked, beginning to stretch out, rolling her shoulders and twisting her torso.
"you don't have a lasso and no offense but I've a feelin' that thing'd yank you right off the ground-"
"none taken. My size has its benefits and it's shortcomings."
"so yea, sneak or approach slow enough to hop on. Then you'll need to hold on fer dear life." He finished, shrugging.
she nodded rubbing her hands "right, I've got this, I freakin shot a man this ain't squat!" And as she started making her way towards the beasts, she heard Arthur sigh behind her.
"careful what ya say, might be eatin those words."
she crept forwards, taking a casual, slow careful approach at first. She didn't want to look like a predator, or move too fast and spook them. The horses startled a little as she got a certain distance away, shifting and stamping their feet. She narrowed her eyes slightly- she had been moving so carefully, why where they uneasy already?
she smacked the palm of her hand against her head, cursing.
"crap!" She whispered. "I forgot! Animals see dead people too!"
Arthur looked over to her. "Wait you certain?"
she nodded shrugging. "Yea, no joke ol man. Somethin' with em, they just know. And they don't really like dead folks, for good reason I mean- really most of em are jerks."
Arthur rubbed his jaw in thought for a moment then he nodded.
"aight, we can work with this." He finally said, nodding.
The horses had calmed again at this point, and Arthur began to circle them slowly.
"you move that way," he said gesturing "we might still be able to separate em from the rest,"
the horses began getting antsy again as Arthur moved, and Lou crept along, mirroring his calming hand movements as she moved towards the umber steed. The size of the stallion while being a pretty average weight, still seemed massive from Lou's vantage. Their muscles glinting in the sunlight under their dark red fur, her body tensing like a coiled spring as he pawed at the earth with his hoof. Any moment he could trample her to a mere stain on the grass.
"eeeasy boy," Arthur murmured, stepping closer holding his hands up. The horse snorted, shifting, their attention on him. At least maybe if it bolted, it'd run through Arthur.
"Steady now, it's all right," Arthur spoke calmly, the horse settling slightly, their tail swishing behind them. Arthur gestures to Lou carefully.
"alright, hop on kiddo,"
"what? Now?" She whispered glancing back and forth between the horse and him.
"yea now what you think I meant?" He whispered back
"aight here goes nothing-" she mutters and hops on with ease, having barely a moment to settle on and grip the stallions mane before with a whinny, the horse took off, leaping and bucking and throwing its head like it was on fire.
"SWEET MOTHER OF MERCIFUL-" she shouted, her cry of shock being cut off as she was nearly thrown, her hands digging in tighter to the horses hair, her knuckles bone white and her legs clamped over the beast broad back as she held on, feeling like at any moment she could be ripped away.
"HANG ON KID!" Arthur shouted at her, running alongside them.
"WHAT ELSE YOU EXPECT ME TO DO!?!?" She hollered, yelping as she nearly loses her grip again, the horse screaming and kicking.
She manages to hold on, her time hanging off roofs and climbing walls and pipes keeping her on top for longer then she'd think she'd last, but there's a sudden jerk, her grip slips for a moment, and one moment she's sailing through the air, the next her butt his the dirt and she rolls, ending up flat on her back and panting.
Arthur laughs and jogs over, leaning over her as he speaks up.
"you ok there kid?" He chuckled. "Ya took quite the tumble,"
"...yeah... I'm good..." she croaked, the wind nocked out of her.
"yeah sure, now get up you got a round two!" He said clapping his hands over her.
She groaned and sat up, looking over to see the horse trotting rather proudly in a wide circle around her. She groaned again, sagging.
"gosh, I think even the horse is mocking me," she sighed, standing and dusting the grass off her pants, straightening to glare down the stallion.
"your mine you mule, and it's personal now," she growled pointing.
The horse whinnied, almost in challenge.
"that's the spirit! Now go get em kid!"
she rolled up her sleeves and made her way over, moving slowly with her hands up. Surprisingly, the horse didn't try running, it shifted there, waiting for her. She'd hop on again, shouting as she was yanked forwards as the horse took off, she'd last a good bit, then end up eating grass again.
It was like the stallion was messing with her, never bolting, letting her hop on only to prance around as she'd end up staring up at the sky, the earth on her back. Arthur's laughter only got louder with each one, cheering her on as she tried and failed, again, and again.
"I thought you'd said these guys where easy," she groaned getting up again.
"and usually they are!" He chuckled "this one seems to have a thing against ya."
she dusted herself off, the sun beginning to dip towards the horizon at this point, dusk falling over the plains. She met eyes with the horse, her expression determined.
"oh you sure are stubborn," she grumbled, making her way over.
the horse snorted in response, prancing in place, waiting.
"well I got news for you pal, I practically invented the word!"
the horse pawed the earth and shook its head, it's tail lashing.
She grinned, and lunges forwards, swinging her leg over the stallions back as they took off again.
[~~~~~~~~~~]
Lou flipped coin through her fingers, watching the magician across the street as she copied them. Every time a performer came around she'd watch, taking mental notes about how they misdirect the audience and move items from where they where to somewhere else.
She knew it wasn't magic, having now seen the real thing with her own eyes it was easier to focus on the craft then the spectacle of it all. She was getting so focused on the magicians movements she got lost in her own mind for a moment.
"Hey Loon!" A kid shouted directly beside her.
She jumped nearly dropping the coin in surprise, then she sighed, slowly turning to face the them. Since the grave incident some of the kids had taken to calling her "loon", instead of "Lou". She hated the fact no one believed her, and it didn't help that the person she thought was her best friend had essentially abandoned her, pretending to see nothing and avoiding her, made it that much worse. She'd learn to stop caring but for now her emotions where still a little raw.
"what is it dimbus," she growled back.
"Clete wants to see you!" They chuckled, hands shoved in their pockets and a smug look on their face. They had a cap and baggy tattered clothes like most of the street kids, a slingshot tied to their belt loop. His face was probably the reason why the nickname 'rat' was given to urchins.
"what would Cletus want with the local loon?" She sighed, pocketing her coin.
They shrugged their thin shoulders. "Don't know, something bouta gig they need light hands for,"
she raised a brow "Why's he need something like that when he's got that fancy deal with the Italian guy?"
they simply shrugged again.
She sighed. "Ok, I'll hear em out. But no promises aight!" She said pointing
the boy snickered. "Hey I don't give a darn about all this, so tell that to Clete," he said turning and leading the way. "He's the one askin for ya."
They passed through the alleys and streets, the sound of buggy's and leather shoes making their way across cobblestone roads echoing off the tall buildings around them.
Finally they hopped a fence and Lou landed with a light thud, dusting her pants off as she stood and looked around.
Cletes gang of kids stood around in the shadowed shelter of the arched architecture surrounding the little courtyard, if you could call it that. Some where playing a game of cards while a few others hit marbles around on the cracked stone, and some others where comparing goods they'd earned, or most likely pinched off poor passers by.
Cletes boys where thieves yes, but not the same kind as Lou. They had each others backs, so they didn't worry as much about being secretive or slick. One would distract while the other grabbed, and before you'd know it they'd have scattered like cockroaches when you turn the lights on, darting off into their hidden nooks or speeding away through alleys and side streets.
They went quiet as Lou and her guide landed in the courtyard, taking a moment to appraise her before going back to their activities, some snickering and whispering to each other. Didn't take a genius to guess at what they might be whispering about.
"Lou! So glad you could make it," a taller red headed boy said as he stood and stepped over to her.
Clete was one of the oldest boys on the streets, also one of the biggest, and he liked to make sure everyone knew that. He acted like he was some kind of fancy businessman, with his more proper words and with how he waved his hands as he spoke. Lou thought he was a pretentious twat, but folks didn't mess with Clete. Not with him working for the mob on the regular.
"I was curious, thought you didn't like associatin' with folks like me, thought it'd tarnish your 'reputation'," she said with air quotes.
Clete laughed and patted her on the shoulder firmly, making her stiffen up uncomfortably.
"ah you still upset about our little spat? Lou that was months ago! Times have changed," he chuckled, "my job comes before any... personal hang ups I may have, as you must understand."
"yeah sure," she picked his hand off her shoulder before continuing. "Just tell me what you want Clete I don't like smellin ya any more then the skunks do. So chop chop," she finished snapping her fingers.
Clete's eyebrow twitched slightly but he shook his head, his grin remaining. "You never where one for a professional conversation. You know if you worked on your manners you might be able to get your own jobs, instead of waiting for Oliver to miraculously return and solve all your problems," he said, a bit of bite in his tone.
Lou scowled, her anger threatening to boil up. She opened her mouth to shoot a retort back but she was cut off as Clete continued.
"On the matter of work, Angelo Bronte asked me to pick up some papers from not so friendly friend of his" he spoke, turning from her for a moment as he walked to a pile of crates and sat down, facing her with his head propped on one hand.
"But he needs things to be quiet, he wants nothing to lead back to him- meaning, me and my boys are out of the question.
"Hence why I've called you here. You've always bragged about how nimble your fingers are, so this is where you prove it. The guy should be showing up at the station at three this afternoon, you get a hold of the little envelope he's got on him, and bring it back here to me. This way even if you do get caught, he'd just think you where a regular rat out sniffing for cash. Sound like a proper job for the 'great', Lou Davis?" He finished with a smug grin.
She crossed her arms, her scowl not moving. "And what's in it for me? I ain't risking my hide for free,"
"of course! Of course, I'm an honest man," he chuckled straightening and adjusting his shirt. "you'd be getting a cut of the payment, and, we promise to let you alone about your... shortcomings."
She paused, her scowl shifting to a more curious frown. It'd been hard to get a proper score for weeks because of the constant badgering from the other kids, if they promised to back off let her work well, that was worth more then the money.
"and how am I sure you'll keep that promise then? Can you keep your dogs in check?" She asked glancing to the other kids, a few glaring at her.
"as I said, I'm an honest man," he confirmed with a nod.
He hopped off the crates and held out his hand.
"so what'll it be, Lou Davis?"
She looked at his hand then back up to meet his eyes, her own narrowed as she thought for a moment.
She reached out and took his hand, shaking firmly.
"Ah fine, you've got yourself a deal." She nodded.
~~~
she looked up from where she leaned on the station house, watching for the man Clete had later described while going over the details of the job.
White coat and suit, silver headed cane. She thought to herself. A courier that dresses garishly, an odd combination but it made it all the easier for her.
The train rumbled into the station, steam hissing and engine shuddering as it slowed to a stop, people hopping off, dragging their luggage behind them.
Saint Denis was a very busy city, people coming in and out as they moved from country homes and vacations back into the city, or came to visit relatives and friends, or where here to see the shows and sights.
She scanned the crowd, her eyes passing over yellow and dark blue and deep crimson suits and dresses, chewing her cheek as she watched, finally catching sight of a white hat, bobbing through the crowd as they made their through the station and away.
She adjusted her cap and moved to follow, shouldering through the crowd, her hands in her pockets as she casually caught up to him. He stepped lightly, his posture that of a businessman, no luggage in hand, only that silver cane. His free hand kept going to check his coat pocket as he walked, his head scanning the crowd, but his manner was relaxed, not cautious.
She wanted to catch him while he was in the crowd, but she wondered for a moment if she should wait. Let him get comfortable and stop thinking about being on guard, it would take longer for him to realize it was gone. But she didn't want to risk him getting in a buggy, or into a building. And if she did it right he might just think he'd dropped the envelope in the crowd.
She cracked her knuckles and shook her hands a little, warming them up before slipping behind him, glancing around lazily as her eyes wander to the pocket. She could see it. The envelopes pale paper slightly sticking out of his pocket, standing out against the cream fabric of his coat. It was so tantalizingly close.
Her heart pounded, and she breathed evenly, fighting back the adrenaline that threatened to course through her and make her hands shake.
She sped up, passing him, her hand slipping in and sliding out the envelope and tucking it safely into her own sleeve, before she broke off and moved through the crowd, heading down a side street.
After a couple seconds of her walking away she heard shouts, as the man in white realized his precious cargo was gone, people complaining as he shoved through them, searching through the crowd,
But she was already gone.
~~~
"Very nice Lou! Excellent work. And you weren't followed?" He asked glancing over to her from the envelope he had been holding to the light.
She nodded. "Never even noticed me."
he grinned. "Splendid. Don Bronte will be happy to hear how well you did," he chuckled, sliding the envelope into his pocket delicately.
she frowned a little, not liking the way he said that. "You ain't mentioning my name are you?" She asked
"oh no, you'll introduce yourself when you meet him."
her jaw dropped open in shock for a moment, then she glared, reaching up to poke him in the chest. "That wasn't the deal! I don't want to be on no mob boss's radar, the deal was you pay me and let me be!" She growled.
He knocked her hand away, the grin growing. "He's paying me directly, so if you want a cut you'll need to be there to collect. And, being in the Dons good side will keep people off your back. The only way your getting what you want is by saying hello."
she scowled, her anger rising. He'd trapped her in a corner, and she was starting to wonder if this was the whole reason he'd asked her to help. You don't just 'say hi', to Angelo Bronte, if he took note of you you'd be helping him later down the line, and she didn't want to do business with the likes of him.
But she'd already done the job. She had to see it through.
"I don't like your ways one bit Cletus," she grumbled, then sighed. "But I don't really have much choice in the matter. Let's just get this over with."
"so glad you see it my way," Clete said with a grin that showed far too many teeth.
she simply scowled as he gestured for her to follow him.
"come on then! Can't keep the Don waiting!"
~~~
the home of Angelo Bronte was just like any other rich city dwellers. Large, cold and ever glaring down at the street, judging everyone that passes by. Lou could imagine the house coming to life as she and Clete made their way past the gate and down the path, scolding them for dirtying it's pavement with their tattered shoes. Well, Lou's tattered shoes, Cletes looked brand new.
The men relaxing by the main door looked up, a pair of them apparently on vigil for any unwanted guests. Large rifles holstered over their shoulders.
On was chewing something while the other smoked, the bitter scent staining the air like a factory chimney.
"What's yer business here kid," chewer asked, his speech punctuated by wet smacking sounds as he continued to munch on the mystery snack.
"Ah fellas surely you'd recognize me at this point," Clete chuckled, "I'm here on business with Bronte!
Smoker let out a long puff as he looked them over, his gaze shifting to Lou
"and yer scrawny friend?" He asked
"Ah, they're included in the business too," he grinned.
The men shrugged, not having enough care to keep inquiring as smoker stood and moved to open the door for them.
"wipe yer feet off scrawny, hate to track filth on the Dons nice floors," he rasped with a chuckle, and Lou glared at him in passing, ignoring the bristly rug and stepping firmly on the wood floors, hoping to leave as much dirt behind as possible.
A pair of new men led them through the house, which seemed even bigger on the inside, to a parlor. The table was set with food and tea and what smelled like it might be coffee. While Lou had been anxious and wary the whole way, now her stomach rumbled insistently, her mind quickly taken off any danger she might be in.
The men gestured for them to sit and they sat, Clete seeming at ease, as relaxed as he was on the crates in the courtyard. Lou was hungry and and cautious, glancing around the room but her eyes always returning to the display of food.
However, she managed to drag her attention away as a strongly accented voice spoke up from the other side of the room.
"Ah! Cletus my boy! I was worried you'd ever show, given the difficulties." The man laughed as he stepped in. He was dressed in what looked like a fancy patterned bathrobe, a tiny hat perched on his head, and slippers on his feet. Lou thought he looked ridiculous, but then again she thought that of most adults back then.
"I was just about to write to a real mercenary when I got word you'd arrived! I'm so glad to see my money didn't go to waste on your sticky fingers," Angelo Bronte chuckled, taking a seat on the sofa across from the kids and hefting up a boy Lou hadn't noticed before to sit beside him.
Her eyes narrowed slightly at the boy, confused. She didn't know the Italian had kids, so seeing a boy that looked about her age was surprising. He was dressed in fine frilly clothes to match the curtains, and with his soft face he looked like he could be a doll from a toy store. He wouldn't survive a day on the streets. Glancing back and forth between the Don and the boy, Lou quickly decided she didn't like either of them.
The boy stared back at her, his eye's equally narrowed.
"How could you ever doubt? You know I'm your boy boss, I always get things done!" Clete chuckled waving a hand, but his voice was meeker now in the presence of the Don.
"Of course of course! If a rat can't steal some cheese what is it good for eh?" He chuckles, his words less friendly then his tone.
Clete chuckled along despite his awkward expression. "R-right! That would be ridiculous, uh, speaking of rats I hired some help outside the main group for the job!" Clete patted Lou's shoulder, his cocky smile returning slightly. "This is Lou, he's the one who manned the folder and so, she rightfully wants a cut of the dough,"
Bronte looked to her, and she finally broke her silent staring contest with the Dons kid to look at him. He looked her over with a discerning eye before finally speaking up.
"Ah! And I thought you couldn't get any scrawnier then that other boy you brought with you," he snorted, gesturing with one hand to the food. "Eat child! I fear you may waste away here on this couch!" He laughed.
She had almost forgotten about the food surprisingly, the reminded making her stomach growl again. And after a moment of hesitation, she began to dig into the assortment set out before them, two hands shoveling sweets and tiny sandwiches with reckless abandon into her mouth.
"that's not how you eat food!" A high voice chastised, and she looked up just for a moment to see the boy frowning at her.
She half swallowed and glared back, still chewing as she spoke. "Well I'm eating ain't I?" She snorted gesturing to the plate of things she'd gathered and had been devouring.
"It's not polite! Your getting mess everywhere!" He scolded, crossing his arms.
"Does it look like I care snotface?" She shot back bitterly, Clete cringing slightly beside her.
Angelo laughed again clapping his hands "very funny yes, you are very pugnacious for such a young child!" He chuckles gesturing to her. "See Jack? This is what their kind of life does. People become animals, clawing for scraps and drinking from the same pool they piss in. Animals don't have rules, so they can do whatever they like! And we cannot judge them."
Her scowl grew and she stood, pointing an accusing finger. "Hey! I'm the one that got you your stupid paper! Im not some animal!" She growled, her anger making her face burn.
Jack looked back to her, and Angelo smiled, raising a hand to calm her. "Please boy, I meant no disrespect! I was simply stating what is true, yes?" He spoke like he was talking down a toddler- which he basically was- "you are here because you need money. You struggle for it every, single day. I do not struggle, I do not need you to do the jobs I have. But you do, because you want my scraps."
she swallows a little, fighting down the sting of tears as he stands, looming over her.
"Everything you have you leech off of other people, and they get their money from business men the government the mayor, and I control them. So anything you think you have, was mine first. Don't pretend like you are worth anything because really, your not"
"Your have nothing. You own nothing, and no one will remember you."
[~~~~~~~~~~]
The horse was a relentless creature, their mind set on one thing, getting her off. But she wasn't flying off easily this time. Her calloused hands gripped the beasts mane like she'd held on to to roofs ledges and drain pipes, her teeth clenched and her knuckles white.
The horse leapt and tossed its head, kicking out its legs, and she held on.
"hang in there kid!" Arthur shouted from where he ran along beside them. "Just a little more!"
"LIKE I'D LET GO ON PURP- OH GOSH!!!" her retort was cut off as she was nearly thrown again, for a moment her fingers slipped, and the image of Jacks smug face flashed through her mind, and that was enough to spur her forwards as she got her grip again.
The stallion was wild and stubborn, she realized that by now. She felt like her hands had been rubbed raw at this point as she gripped the mane for dear life. She wouldn't let go, and the beast wouldn't surrender easily.
She'd never really owned anything she'd earned herself. Even the coat she'd had since shed run away was taken from her parents things.
She gritted her teeth, a distant memory rising to echo through her mind. People who grew up like her usually had the same story, found dead one day of sickness or misadventure, continue on to be the lackey of some gang, or end up taken by the law, for whatever fate they deem necessary.
For the first time in a long time, she had a chance to be something more then a good thief. She'd helped fight off bandits for heavens sake, she'd never even entertained the idea before she met Arthur.
Her mind refocused on the situation as Arthur moved in front of the horse again to keep it from bolting. The Stallion was getting weary at this point, snorting heavily as it heaved for breath, sweat and lather building up on its hide.
I'm not flying off this time. Lou thought as she twined her fingers further into its mane and pulled.
The horse rose onto his hind legs, rearing and kicking its hooves in the air, before coming back to the ground with a resounding thud. Then the horse was still, panting, tired.
But hers.
Arthur hooted and clapped his hands. "Good job kid! Almost thought you'd lose it for a second there," he chuckled and moved over to stand beside them. "Guess you got some grit in ya after all."
she looked down to him, the biggest grin spreading on her face. "Did you ever doubt me?"
Arthur shook his head and crossed his arms. "I'll remember never to underestimate your stubbornness,"
Lou huffed in mock indigence. "Your darn right Arthur Morgan."
He laughed again, then talked her through fashioning some make-shift reigns, and soon they where trotting their way towards town, Arthur drifting along beside her as he continued offering tips on handling the horse.
"If you wanna speed up just dig yer heels in a bit and click yer tongue, to slow down jus' pull gently and firmly- don't yank the reigns now! But just' pull back and he aught to slow," he explained, gesturing to almost mimic the movements.
Lou chuckled "Thanks old man but I've got it! Don't worry, I may not like guns but I get horses,"
he nodded muttering "right right... I just wish I could do more," he shrugged. "I mean yer puttin' your life on hold for a dead mans peace of mind, I ought to figure out a way to do you some good."
she glanced over at him and sighed, before smiling warmly.
"Don't worry about it Arthur, you've been plenty helpful. Plus I don't have too much of a life anywho," she shrugged, watching trees pass as the horse trotted along. "I just live day by day, every actions about making sure I gotta place to sleep or food in my belly, sometimes the twins stop by with a job but really ain't much."
he looked up questioningly. "Twins? Who's the twins?" He asked.
"Oh the Porter twins, couple of rascals that managed to some how stick around despite my uh... weird quirks," she explained.
"Hm, so that it? No one else you might have worryin' over you? Just those two?" He asked, raising a brow.
She shrugged again. "Yeah not much else really. There was one guy, once upon a time but then he got spooked off by a ghost waking up around me. And then me talking like I still saw em... you know, stuff that made me look crazy," she sighed then chuckled "I was still new to things back then,"
"ah," Arthur nodded, silent for a moment. "I'm sorry bout that kid, must've been tough."
"it's fine," she said simply. "Was a long time ago. Plus! I got an old dead guy teaching me how to tame horses, pretty nice trade off if you ask me," she grinned.
"Speakin of, what you callin' em?" He asked gesturing to the Turkoman.
She looked at the horse and chewed her cheek in thought. "Hm, I ain't too good at namin' things." She muttered. "hmmmm, how about Rusty?"
"Rusty?"
"yeah! Cause he's big an stubborn,"
"I mean sure, it's certainly a name," he shrugged.
"Aight then it's settled!" She patted the horses neck "Rusty. My horse named rusty."
They rode over a hill and the bustling town of valentine came into view. It was odd thinking about how just that morning she'd been making her way into town, looking for a train out. Now they where back again, following the coat tails of an upstart gunslinger that Arthur used to know.
She tensed a little as she rode in, remembering the man that had followed her from the general store as she made her way through town. The sun was setting at this point, painting the sky with rich oranges melting into the dusky black of night.
She reigned in Rusty as she recognized Jacks mustang hitched up outside the saloon, hopping off and having to have Arthur show her how to hitch up the horse properly.
She patted Rusty's side, "That's a good boy, now you wait here- I'll be back with something to eat in a bit!"
The horse simply snorted and got to drinking from the water trough, ignoring her.
she pushed open the doors to the saloon, instantly being hit with the smell of cigarettes and booze. Men laughed and catcalled, cards being passed around tables and sorry drunks passed out at the bar. The warmth and noise was in stark contrast to the chill darkness outside.
"Over there-" Arthur pointed, and Lou glanced over in the direction he mentioned and her eyes fell on Jack Marston, sitting at the bar drink in hand, trying to ignore an intoxicated old man as they blathered on to him.
"Well, looks like we gotta rescue em," Lou grinned and made her way over.
She tapped on the old man's shoulder, scootching in as he turned to look at her. "Heeeey, sorry friend, mind if I cut in? Me and your pal here have some business to discuss,"she said, flashing her most charming grin.
The old man simply grumbled irritably, turning and waddling away to find his next victim. Lou turned back to Jack, the grin remaining.
"Well hey there partner! Glad to see you waited 'round!"
He sighed, setting down his drink and staring into it, not turning to speak to her. "I don't know wether to be happy you showed up and drove that man away, or irritated to see you again."
she chuckled, leaning on the bar as she spoke "I can't imagine why anyone would ever be upset to see me, but then again you did ride head first into a bandit attack outnumbered ten to one, so your probably just crazy."
He rolled his eyes, knocking back the drink then setting it down again, turning to meet her eyes finally. "Ok, so, how'd things go then? You got your ride?"
She nodded triumphantly. "Oh yeah, got my own fella hitched up outside. Tamed em myself this afternoon."
Jack leaned in his seat looking out the window at the front, spotting the only horse out there without a proper saddle and tack.
He nodded. "And you didn't steal it from some poor farmers plot?" He asked.
Lou snorted, leaning her back against the bar. "As tempting that plan is, no. Rusty's mine, fair and certain."
He nodded and rubbed his chin for a moment in though before speaking up. "All right, I suppose a deals a deal." He muttered, shaking his head. "We're staying here for the night and heading out in the morning. You still need tackle for your horse though,"
Lou shrugged and waved her hand. "Nah, I'll just go bare back till I earn enough for one, I'm sure I'll be fine."
Jack let out a long sigh. "No, I'll get you the proper equipment. I'd hate to feel responsible if you fall off and break a leg or something."
"Aw, that's mighty sweet of you Jack Marston!" Lou chuckled.
Jack snorted irritably "Don't get your hopes up. This is a temporary arrangement. If you happen to be any more of a burden then you already are, I won't hesitate to cut ya loose, you hear?"
"Loud and clear boss," she grinned, saluting him.
"Well, he's got some of his fathers old pride..." Arthur muttered quietly, his frown deepening. "What ever happened to John... you don't think he was one of the folks you mentioned that Ross feller..." he looked at Lou and all she could do to answer was shrug. She'd have to find a way to ask Jack about it.
"So what's a drink cost in this joint?" Lou asked turning to the bartender.
The doors to the saloon swung open with a clang, and the clink of spurs filled the room that had quickly gone silent. Lou turned in her chair looking over to the newcomer, confused to see a familiar face.
Jack also turned, narrowing his eyes and standing from his seat, his hand moving to his gun as he tensed up.
"Jack Marston," Michael chuckled, badge gleaming as he stepped further into the bar, his hands holding the rifle Lou had seen him carry on the wagon.
"Consider this the last time I extend the olive branch... turn yourself in for the murder of my wife's father, Edger Ross, and I'll make sure you get a fair trial. The laws more understanding then I am."