A/N - Finally! I aplogise for not updating in a while but lately I've been so taken up with exams! *sigh* Anyway, I have a break until Thursday so I'm going to update now, while I can. Don't worry everyone, It's not ended! :D I didn't even realise it kind of sounded like an ending... woops! Thank you again to everyone who reads and alerts this story, and a massive thank you to my reviewers: DeathBliss69, HobbitChik, TannerBananer and Shadow knight1121. Your reviews really help motivate me. :)
DISCLAIMER: I do not, nor will I ever own Red Dead Redemption or anything related to it. This fanfiction is purely fan made and I only own characters and places that are new. I apologise if any of this material offends any one. I assure you I don't mean to offend in any way, shape or form. This story will contain coarse language and graphic violence.
Chapter 5 – We stumble across a mystery.
Around midday Bonnie and I stopped for a small drink of tea before we cracked on with mucking out the horse's stalls. We had spent the morning milking cows, in which I got chased by the bull at least three times. I sighed as I gulped down the warm liquid. "Stupid bull," I cursed under my breath. Bonnie chuckled.
"And here I thought you had a way with animals," she teased. I rolled my eyes and stuck my tongue out at her childishly. She laughed again before finishing her tea. "Well, let's get to mucking out those stalls. We can groom Dash and my horse after that, if ya want." I nodded.
"Fine by me. As long as I don't get chased by anymore bulls." Bonnie laughed again as we now began walking towards the corral and stables, leaving our tea cups on a small table on the porch.
"Well, I should think you're relatively safe from charging bulls," she said, laughter still in her voice. I grinned.
"I don't know. Sometimes I can have rotten luck," I said. Bonnie shook her head but remained smiling. We walked to the stables where Dash had his spotted head poking over the door. He neighed when he saw me. "Hey Dash, you wanna go outside?" I asked my horse, hugging his head. He snorted and attempted to chew my bun. "Oi, don't do that, ya silly animal," I laughed whilst pulling back. Behind me Bonnie chuckled. I slipped Dash's rope made head collar on him and lead him outside and into the corral. I then let him go; leaving him to wander around with the other horses as well as graze. "See ya later boy," I said smiling before walking back to the stables. Inside, Bonnie had begun work on an empty stable which belonged to her own horse. I walked into Dash's stall and began to clear up his muck. I sighed after five minutes of work. "Damn, my horse sure does poop a lot," I said flatly. Bonnie chuckled.
"You should see my horse!" she said. I grinned.
"No thank you, your horse has an unnatural tendency to smell," I joked. Bonnie laughed.
"Now Eva, don't you go degrading my horse," she laughed. I rolled my eyes but grinned as me and Bonnie worked.
Soon the stables were clean and smelt somewhat better. "Now I'd say we did a darn good job," I said to Bonnie as I stood with my hands on my hips, admiring the clean straw. Bonnie joined me at my side. "I think you're right, Eva," she agreed, smiling. "Shame the horses are gonna come in here and muck it up again." I laughed.
"Yeah. I guess so. Kinda like a never ending cycle, huh?" I said. Bonnie nodded and sighed.
"Well, we got more work to do, unfortunately." I sighed and slumped my shoulders.
"More? We already milked the cows and cleaned out the stables," I grumbled. Bonnie laughed and walked to the door leading to the corral and stood watching the horses proudly.
"You know, I fear for this ranch," Bonnie began as she sighed deeply. I cocked my head and looked at her. "This whole ranching business, it's goin' out of fashion; fast." I fell silent and listened to the normally strong woman admit her worries. She sighed and straightened up. "But, I suppose standin' here whining ain't gonna do nothin' about it," she said, her voice gaining its edge. I smiled and straightened up with her, inspired. "You're right Bonnie, you gotta do something, at least then you can say you tried," I added, grinning. She laughed.
"Well, still, we got our jobs to complete, then this day will finally be over." I sighed in relief.
"That sounds good."
"Looks like we made it in just in time," I said whilst looking out of Bonnie's living room window. Outside rain was pouring down from the blackened sky. I felt, and heard the distant rumble of thunder and stepped away from the window. Bonnie and her father were sat behind me on the couch. "Thank goodness," Bonnie sighed. I grinned.
"You know what I feel like? Reading a book out on the porch." Bonnie stared at me.
"In this weather? Are you nuts?" I laughed and shrugged.
"I guess, a little," I said. "Can I?" Bonnie stared at my eager face before sighing.
"I guess so, but don't blame me if ya catch a cold," she warned as I jogged out the room and up the stairs.
"Don't worry, I won't," I called over my shoulder before running into my room. I snatched my book Riders of the purple sage from the desk and ran out of the room again, back down the stairs and out onto the porch. I closed the door almost soundlessly behind me and took a seat under the porch, sheltered from the rain. I watched as it fell from the sky and dripped off the wood. I opened my book to the correct pages and began to read, relaxing to the noise of the rain. The rain had a calming effect as it brought life to the barren land. After a while of reading I heard hoof beats approach. Out of curiosity I looked up and saw a couple of ranch hands canter past, soaked to the bone. I giggled slightly and went back to my book, sucked into a different world. I read and read the book, becoming increasingly unaware of my surroundings. Suddenly, a sharp tap on my shoulder broke me from my alternative universe. I jumped and looked up to see Bonnie standing there with a wide smile on her face. "I tried callin' you but you were miles away," she said, a trace of humour lining her voice. I chuckled and closed my book.
"Sorry, I got so absorbed in my book that I guess I lost track of time. What time is it anyway?"
"Time for dinner."
"Oh, okay. Jus' let me put my book upstairs then I'll join you at the table," I said as I rose to my feet. Bonnie nodded.
"I'll be waiting in the kitchen with my Pa for when you fully leave your own little world," she joked as she walked back into the house. I followed closely but walked up the stairs as she walked into the kitchen. "See ya in a minute," I said as I walked into my spare room. The red rug was the first thing I saw as I walked in and caught all my attention. "That rug is bright!" I said as I laid my book down on my desk. I sighed and walked back out the room and into the homely kitchen.
Bonnie, Mr McFarlane and I all sat at the table making idle chit chat. Mr McFarlane was interested in what my father had got up to in the past year or so I went through a long and detailed account of mine and my father's life. Mr McFarlane was interested but Bonnie not so much. I yawned and stretched my arms as I laid a hand politely over my mouth. "Excuse me," I said half way through. Bonnie chuckled, "That's okay, I'm sure we could all do with a goods night sleep. We've certainly earned it." I nodded slowly and rose from the table.
"Well then, if you don't mind I think I'll head off to the wonderful realm they call sleep," I said before leaving the room waving goodnight.
"Goodnight Eva, sweet dreams," Bonnie called. Her father also spoke.
"Make sure to get a good night's sleep, don't want you fallin' asleep tomorrow during work," he joked, chuckling slightly. Bonnie, however, didn't find it funny.
"Oi, what did I say about pushin' the girl too hard?" she scolded in the background as I walked out the room and up the stairs.
"Oh calm, daughter. She's fine. She's a strong girl and if she's anything like her Pa then she's gonna be able to handle all this hard work," Mr McFarlane said. I grinned and trudged up the stairs, my eyelids feeling extraordinarily heavy. I slumped into my room, shut the door, glanced fleetingly at my book before I collapsed onto my bed. I felt lazy and decided not to change into my pyjamas, only to shed my shoes and socks and slip off my jeans. I clawed my way under the covers and curled up tightly; wrapping the cover around me like a silk cocoon. The world around me became blurry as my eyelids fell slowly over my eyes, sending me into welcomed blackness.
The next morning I was roused from sleep by the rooster. I blinked a couple of times as my eyes came into focus and slowly sat up, yawning and stretching. I scratched my neck and slid out of bed, throwing on clean under-garments and slipping on my jeans from yesterday. I tucked them into my boots (as always) and tied my hair up into a bun again. I stretched my arms and legs one last time before grabbing my guns and knife and walking out of the room and down the hall; down the stairs and toward the kitchen. "Morning Bonnie, morning Mr MacFarlane," I said cheerfully as I walked into the kitchen. I was, however, not greeted by the smell of food, nor was I greeted by Bonnie or Mr MacFarlane. Instead I walked in and was greeted by Jack Marston sitting quietly at the kitchen table. I froze as I stared at the man. Slowly, he turned to me. "Hang on," I began, pointing at him. "Didn't you leave yesterday?" I asked unsure. Jack chuckled.
"Don't worry, you're not goin' mad. I came back here this mornin'," Jack explained, standing up from the table and adjusting his hat. I cocked my head to the side.
"You did? Whatever for?"
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I went and saw Marshall Arrington and he's got a little bit of a problem," Jack said, stepping closer and stopping in front of me. I raised a brow suspiciously.
"What kind of problem?"
"Well, some gang has took Tumbleweed as their hideout and they want me to check it out, maybe run out the gang. And I was thinkin' that you'd like to help me. You're good with a gun and I thought you'd enjoy it," Jack said, grinning. I stared at him for a moment as my brain processed the information it had recently received. My eyes widened and I grinned.
"I'd love to! Thank you Jack! When do we leave? Do I need to tell Bonnie?" I burst out, blabbering. Jack chuckled and motioned with his arms for me to calm down.
"Whoa, whoa, one at a time. Firstly; you're welcome. Second; we can leave now. Thirdly; Bonnie's outside with your horse waiting to speak to you," he said, still chuckling. I smiled and rubbed the back of my head. "Sorry, I guess I got a little exited. Let's go see Bonnie then." Jack nodded and together we walked out the house and towards Bonnie who was waiting under the tree near the bridge with Dash's reins in her hand. "Bonnie! Morning!" I called as I walked over. She raised her hand in greeting.
"Good morning Eva. Now, Jack's told me all about it and I know that no matter what I say you're going to go help anyway," she said, all in one go. I stood stunned before grinning.
"Darn right I am," I said. Jack laid a hand on my shoulder as Bonnie shook her head.
"Go then, jus'... make sure ya come back in one piece," she said as she let go of Dash's reins and took a few steps back. I mounted Dash and Jack mounted his own horse.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine," I reassured Bonnie as me and Jack began to walk away. Bonnie nodded and watched as me and Jack walked deeper into the ranch, disappearing from her view. As we moved out of the ranch and into the growing morning sun we moved along the main road and I turned to Jack. "So, Tumbleweed, is it far?" I asked. Jack shook his head.
"It's not too far. We should get there soon if we gallop." I nodded and spurred Dash, shooting off and leaving Jack behind.
"Try to keep up!" I shouted over my shoulder. Jack laughed.
"Eva, do you even know where Tumbleweed is?" I froze. Damn!
Jack and I galloped through Hennigan's Stead and towards where I presumed Tumbleweed was. We moved quickly, both our horses running flat out. As we rode I noticed the landscape change. Hennigan's Stead had more trees and richer grass. The plains in Cholla Springs and around Armadillo were open, with little shade as well as many a cacti. As we passed through Armadillo and carried on westward, the landscape was still open but becoming more rocky. Dash whinnied as we moved along a rocky path and came near the edge. "Whoa boy, it's okay," I reassured him. Dash snorted and moved away from the edge slightly. By now the sun had rose high but was occasionally blocked by cotton looking clouds. "Jack, how much further?" I asked.
"Not too far. See that wooden bridge up ahead?" I looked forward and saw a small wooden bridge with a wooden structure over it. I nodded. "It's just over it. We'll slow down and stop just across it and leave the horses. Don't want them gettin' shot." We rode over the wooden bridge, the horse's hooves making a solid thump as we ran over the boards and stopped nearby, taking the horses off the path. I patted Dash's muzzle as I dismounted. "You stay here boy, we'll be back soon," I cooed softly to him. He snorted and I backed away. I turned to Jack and pulled out my Henry repeater. "So, you ready?" I asked him. Jack chuckled and pulled out his own rifle.
"I sure am, Eva. Let's go," he said, walking away down the path. I quickly followed. As we approached Tumbleweed I felt a growing tension build inside of me. I knew I would never admit it but I felt nervous and scared. What if I got shot? What if Jack got shot? All sorts of unanswered questions were running through my head like wild horses so I shook my head, trying to clear my mind. Jack glanced at me. "You okay?" he asked kindly. I smiled and nodded.
"Sure, I'm fine," I said confidently. Jack chuckled and nudged me gently.
"You sure? You look a bit green," he teased. My hazel eyes widened before I straightened up.
"Yes I'm sure," I said. Jack laughed.
"Well, here it is," he said as we walked onto a path leading into a small desolated town. I scanned the area. The buildings were missing chunks and looked burnt in some places. The town had a creepy and ghostly aura, even in the middle of the day. An abandoned church, along with its abandoned dead sat at the front of Tumbleweed with the town's main settlements clustered in the middle. I gulped and slowed my pace slightly. "This place is so... lonely," I said. Jack glanced back.
"Yeah, it's been abandoned for years. Ever since the railroad was complete this town went of business." I nodded and stopped, looking at the church and graveyard. It was in relatively good condition, some of the grave stones were still clean and intact. I wonder if anyone comes here to attend to their lost loved ones? I stared at it for a few more moments before tearing my eyes from it and running to catch up with Jack.
Jack and I walked into Tumbleweed, still catching no sight of anyone. I stayed close to Jack, feeling jumpy and skittish. Jack noticed this. "Are you sure you're okay? You seem... jumpy," he asked. I gulped and nodded. "I'm fine, really, jus'... this town is so... odd. It's starting to creep me out," I explained. Jack nodded and smiled.
"Well, don't worry. I, Jack Marston, am here to protect you," he joked, moving closer to me. I rolled my eyes and giggled.
"Thank you. If we get shot at your my first stop for cover," I said as I patted him firmly on the shoulder and moved away to look at the sheriff's office. I walked up the derelict building and slowly pushed the door open, expecting to see slaughtered bodies everywhere. Instead I found an empty room, save for a rotting desk. I scanned the room before backing out and closing the door. "Nothing in here," I said to Jack. "You know, I'm starting to think that the gang's up and left or somethin'." Jack nodded and seemed to be in thought.
"Or," he began pointing in to the distance. "They're holdin' up in that mansion up there." I followed Jack's finger to a large mansion perked on top a hill a little ways away. I flinched. The mansion was extremely old and looked the creepiest. The windows were dark which prevented me from seeing in. I looked at Jack. "So, we gonna check it out?" I asked. He nodded. I was sure I paled slightly as Jack nodded. "O-okay, well, let's get going then."
We walked up the path towards the mansion but we saw no obvious signs of people. We walked up the grand steps and onto the porch before Jack tried to open the doors. "They're locked. They ain't budging," he sighed, taking a step back. I cocked my head to one side slightly.
"Couldn't we shoot the locks or something? Or jus' climb in? This thing barely has four walls," I commented, looking at a smashed window.
"Good idea. Come on then," Jack said as he moved to the window. He peered inside, checking the coast was clear, before he stepped inside. "Watch the broken glass," Jack warned. I put my repeater back into its holster, which was hung diagonally across my back, and stepped in the window. Jack held his hand out and helped me in. "Thank you Jack," I said. We were now both inside. The house was just as creepy on the inside as it was on the outside. It was very large and open, and must have been beautiful in its prime. "Oh my... are they bloodstains?" I asked as I looked at the wall where suspicious stains were smeared. They were old now but were unmistakable. "I'm afraid so," Jack replied, peering at them over my shoulder. I stared at the blood stains for a while longer while Jack inspected more of the house. "Somethin' don't feel right..." he said, walking slowly up the stairs, his rifle drawn. My mind was coming up with a story of how the house became abandoned on its own accord. I laughed mentally. That would make a good book. I noticed Jack had begun to disappear from my field of vision. "H-hey, wait for me!" I cried, running up the stairs to Jack. He chuckled as I caught up with him. "I thought you weren't scared?" he said, humour lacing in tone. I pouted.
"I'm not scared... I jus' don't want you getting your brains blown out," I said, masking my unease and fear. Jack chuckled and was about to retort but was cut off by a thump.
"Hang on, hear that?" Jack readied his gun and I reach down and pulled out my own Schofield revolver. We cautiously approached the room where it had come from. Jack positioned himself on one side of the worn, once white door, and I the other. "Ready?" he asked. I nodded.
"Ready."
"Alright, on the count of three; 1, 2, 3!" Jack pushed the door open and we rushed in, guns drawn and finger on trigger. We ran in but halted as we came across a gruesome sight. In the middle of the room laid an unrecognisable body with a bird perched on it; blood was smothered everywhere and it had a stomach-lurching stench. I gasped and brought my spare right hand up to my mouth and nose in a vain attempt to prevent the ghastly smell from reaching me. Jack lowered his gun and fanned the smell away as best he could. "That reeks," he grimaced. The large black bird (which had flown in through the broken window and had caused the thump) squawked loudly at us before flapping wildly and soaring out of the window again. Jack walked closer and began to inspect the body. "This is still fresh," he muttered. He began to look in the pockets while I bent down near the dead person's head. The face was twisted in pain and the scalp had been cut off. I could see their skull which had been gruesomely smashed. "Hang on..." Jack pulled out a slip of yellow paper from the man's pocket. He stood back up as did I. I walked over to Jack's side, reading it with him. The paper turned out to be an advert for Armadillo saloon with a few scrawls over it. The words were written hastily in ink and were almost un-readable. "What do they say..? Can't read the damn writing; it's too messy!" Jack sighed. He passed the paper to me and began to search the rest of the room. I moved the paper into the sunlight where I could read it slightly better.
"I think they say... Wednesday, and the other's a name. Cara... Worthington..." I read the scribbles carefully then turned to Jack. He looked puzzled.
"Cara Worthington? Maybe she's a working girl? It is on an advert for the saloon after all," Jack said. I nodded slowly.
"Maybe, what're we gonna do now?" I asked. Jack paused, staring down at the body before looking back at me.
"Well, I think we should head back to Armadillo and have a word with this 'Cara' and see what we can find out." I folded up the slip of paper and stored it away safely in my satchel.
"Lead the way," I said, smiling at Jack as he turned and left the room.
"Dash, here boy!" I cooed as my horse came trotting over after Jack and I had walked back to our horses. Dash neighed and nuzzled my cheek before cheekily trying to eat my hair in its bun. "Hey, now you stop that!" I said while laughing. I stepped back and gently smacked his muzzle. He only snorted in response. Jack chuckled
"Your sure are close with ya horse, Eva," he said. I smiled.
"I had him since a foal," I said, watching as Jack moved closer to Dash. I watched as Dash's ears went back.
"Whoa, careful. He's a lil' funny with men," I said. Jack froze. I reached out and gently took Jack's wrist as he reached his hand out. "Slowly," I pulled Jack's wrist closer; close enough for Dash to turn and sniff his hand. Dash's ears were laid flat back and he stamped his hoof but slowly his ears rose and he became more relaxed. I grinned as Dash finally leant his muzzle into Jack's hand. "See, there ya go!" I said, smiling so widely. Jack began to fuss Dash before he took a step back.
"Your horse is a big softie," he commented. I laughed.
"Yeah, he is."
"You say he's not friendly towards men?"
"No, but he's been really nice to you. You should see him with other men. A stable hand back home had a chunk bitten out of his shoulder one time 'cause he got too close. And another ended up with a broken leg and dislocated shoulder." Jack raised his eyebrow and stood with his hands on his belt.
"This horse did that?" He shook his head. "I guess I'm lucky then." I giggled.
"You are, trust me." Jack smiled before he turned and walked towards his own horse.
"Well, I think we better get back to Armadillo," he said. I nodded and mounted Dash and patted his neck.
"Let's get goin' then," I said. Jack spurred his horse.
"Let's go!" he shouted, egging his horse to go. I clicked my tongue and spurred Dash.
"Come on boy!" Jack and I rode our horses all the way back to Armadillo, staying mostly silent. We moved through the landscapes, passing friendly cowboys and farm wagons. I saw horses of all breeds and colours, but none as golden as Jack's horse, and none a spotty as mine. Soon Armadillo rose on the horizon and we headed into town.