A/N - I apologise (as I always seem to do -_-) for the latelness of this chapter, but it is pretty long and quite a bit happens in it and I hope it is to everyones liking. :) I'm so proud of this story! It's 110 pages long in its original word document and over 70,000 words! I could cry with my overwelming pride for this story! ... I'm so sad. . Anyway, thank you again for the reviews and I hope you all enjoy! :) Please review! You know you want to... ;)
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 16 – Fort Mercer.

When Jack awoke he found his beige jacket folded somewhat haphazardly and left near his mat. He blinked once, shaking out the sleep, before standing and slipping on his jacket. Emerging out of his tent Jack inhaled deeply, lungs stretching with fresh morning air. He allowed a small grin on his face and assumed Eva was with the horses. He walked over, nodding to a friendly man who offered him a greeting. Walking over to where he was sure the horses were Jack felt a tension. A weird sort of feeling that immediately set him on edge. He frowned when he saw only his stallion hitched to the post. And empty spot stood beside his horse where Dash should have been. Frowning even deeper, Jack advanced and stroked his horse on the nose. It nickered in greeting. Jack paid it little attention as his head swam with confusion. Where was Eva? Perhaps she was out on Dash, he rationalised. Yes, that made sense. Her horse was gone as well. Setting his mind at ease, Jack relaxed slightly and mumbled a 'hello' to his horse. The sound of hoof beats reached his ears, and thinking it was Eva returning on Dash, Jack looked up, turning around only to see, to his horror, a terrified looking Dot Dot Dash.

The horse was breathing heavily, nostrils flushed red and eyes wide, the creamy whites showing. His neck had lathered, as well as foam falling from his mouth. His was jittery, and acting a way Jack had never seen before. The stirrups swung idly by his side as Dash switched from pawing at the ground and shaking his head to flicking his tail and half rearing. What most concerned Jack was the empty saddle on his back. Jack advanced, hand out ready to grab the horse's reins and calm him. But Dash danced away, letting out a shrill whinny before bolting away and coming back. The horse repeated this, sending Jack into even deeper confusion. "Whoa, whoa, boy," Jack said smoothly. "Calm boy, calm." Dash reared up and pawed at the sky before snapping his legs down and trotting a few metres away, looking back at Jack as if expecting him to follow. A deep frown creased Jack's brow. What was he to do? Was Dash trying to... lead him to Eva?

Jack's head swam with images of Eva lying in the grass having fallen off her horse and breaking a bone. Or, even worse, she had ran into trouble with outlaws. Mind reeling at this sudden realisation, a deep frown set on Jack's lips and he quickly marched back to the tent, grabbed all the satchels and bag and attached them to his horse before climbing on himself and giving his stallion a sharp spur in the side."Hyah!" Jack cried, his horse neighing and galloping off after a Dot Dot Dash who had already began to flee. Jack followed, mind racing and heart beating wildly.

-x-

They took me to Fort Mercer, an old abandoned army fort now used by gangs. The whole journey there was uncomfortable, the bouncy rhythm coughing me great pain. My wrist throbbed and I felt dizzy and light headed. I felt sick. I felt scared. I was wishing – praying – for Jack to come rescue me. I didn't know what the men wanted me for, but I wasn't about to stick around and find out. I had to escape. But there was no way out. Realisation dawned over me when I was the fort's impenetrable concrete walls looming in the distance. As we approached the fort's doors opened allowing us in. A sudden energy within me. Once I went past those doors there was no leaving.

My eyes widened and my breathing became laboured. I wriggled and thrashed, desperate for escape. "Whoa, calm it girly," the man riding the horse I was draped carelessly across like a loop of rope, chuckled. I glared at him out of the corner of my eyes. My mind screamed at me to flee, instinct over-riding reason. The horse skirted and snorted as I kicked at its chest. The man had a hard time controlling it. "Damn horse, stay still!"

We entered the fort, the doors and stone walls several feet thick. I was overwhelmed as I entered. If felt like the place was opening and swallowing me up. MA whole new world that I didn't wish to be in was opened up to me. Men began to gather around, watching, laughing, jeering as I was brought in on the horse. My heart was beating impossibly fast and my eyes were snapping from face to face. Grimy, sun-baked men stared back at me, eyes boring into my own as they flitted from face to face. No... My mind echoed. No! I don't- I've gotta- I swallowed thickly and stifled a scream as the horse stopped and I was pulled off. I landed shakily on my feet, knees nearly folding. I stood awkwardly and nearly toppled over. My lower legs were still tied together. A man gripped tightly to my left arm and began pulling me to a raised platform. I nearly fell and half hopped, half fell after him.

A few men were stood on it and one began descending the stairs. My eyes wide in horror and jaw hanging loosely, I turned back as best as I could and looked wistfully at the world outside of the fort. Men were pushing the doors shut. "No!" I screamed out loud as my last view of freedom, and possibly life, disappeared and I was left staring at the metre thick dun doors of the fort. I gritted my teeth and pulled against the man, digging my heels deeply into the ground. The man faltered by my sudden resistance, but grunted and yanked me forward. I stumbled about, pulling and groaning as I fought his pull. My lungs heaved and my muscled rippled with fear. Despite my best, un-balanced efforts the man pulled me before the raised platform and forced me to my knees. I grunted as the thudded against the floor and a shiver of pain ran up them. My hands strained against their restraints as did my ankles. A low chuckled echoed around me and I felt a hundred eyes on my shrunken figure.

"Well, well," a low voice spoke from above me. I slowly looked up and was met with a tall, imposing man. A somewhat maniacal grin was spread across his chapped lips and his small, dark eyes were stared down at me. He wore a tattered red shirt with a black scarf tied 'round his neck. Leather gloves were stretched across his broad hands and his whole figure exuded power, confidence and inspired a cold, gripping fear in me. I swallowed thickly and gasped as quietly as I could. He chuckled deeply before saying, "You Evelyn White?" I kept my mouth shut. I didn't dare speak. "Oh, so ya'll not talkin', huh?" A frown set upon my face as I stared the man dead in the eyes, my fear beginning to boil into anger. "Don't look so sour," the man purred, squatting down and grabbing my chin roughly. I sucked in a breath and froze, extremely uncomfortable by his foreign and unwanted touch. Leaning in too close, the man smirked. "If ya'll don't learn to smile ya might not make it to see sunrise."

A burst of anger ripped through me. His smirk made my hands clench despite the pain shooting up my arm. I gritted my teeth and tried my hardest not to scream in his face. A low, patronising chuckle ran through the air. "Oh c'mon. Smile." A gloved finger ran across my lips and I recoiled in disgust. How dare he touch me! I snarled and lurched forward, narrowly missing biting down on his finger. The man jumped up and danced backwards, laughing ferociously. "Ha ha! Look at her! She tried to bite me! Like some wild animal!" A string of cackled slid through the crowd as his grin wrapped around his whole face. "Go put this bronco in the room," he ordered. A man nodded and snatched me around the arm and yanked me clumsily to my feet. I was still staring the man dead in the eye with pure hatred. I was dragged off, again stumbling due to tied legs. "Oh, and watch out she don't bite ya!" the man cheered after us. The whole fort seemed to erupt into laughter and cheers as men slowly dispersed now the scene was over.

The man pushed open a door with his shoulder and threw me in. I landed on my front, and quickly twisted onto my back. I caught a glimpse of the daylight before the door was closed. I was left alone in a shadowed room, a few streams of light filtering through gaps in-between the wooden boards which had been nailed across the windows. I looked all about the room, hoping to find an escape. There was only one door and four boarded windows, with a small, lopsided table and only three chairs. There was a chest of draws in one corner and a spread of empty glass bottles scattered about the room. Everything was thick with dust, and the particles danced about in the light. I coughed a couple of times before my breathing slowed and I rocked into a sitting position. I sat still and pulled on my restraints. The ones over my hands were slightly loose. Yes! A ray of hope shined down and I kept pulling and pulling until I managed to squeeze one hand out. I quickly shook the rope off and began to untie my feet.

Just as I undid the knot a man walked in and stood, arms folded, in front of the door. I froze, waiting, heart in mouth, for him to move. He didn't. He just stood, still as a rock, not moving an inch. I carried on slipping off the rope and watched the man carefully. He didn't bat an eyelash, just stood, his large frame filling the entire doorway. My eyes stayed trained on the man as I slowly got to my feet. His silence was drivin' me crazy! Why can't he at least say somethin'! I can't tell what he's thinking! I moved slowly and fluently and finally I was standin' on my own two feet, enjoying the freedom of movin' them and not feeling restraints. "Don't even try an' escape." The man's cool, deep voice made me jump and I froze, like a child caught sneaking treats before bedtime.

"I-I wasn't..." I trailed off as I stared at the man's blank and bored gaze. It was clear he didn't want to be babysittin' me. He just stared back, unblinking. I blinked myself and walked a few paces towards the opposite corner of the room. I pressed myself up against one of the boarded windows. I could see only snippets of the world outside. I could see sections of men movin' about, but apart from that I could see nothing. I sighed and leant my back against the rough wall and slowly slid down it until I sat, knees drawn up against my chest, on the ground. I spared the man one last glance before I wrapped my arms around my knees and buried my head in my arms and receded into my thoughts.

-x-

Jack followed Eva's appaloosa all the way through Rio Bravo. They had crashed through undergrowth, caring not for staying to the carved paths and instead tearing through whatever was in their way. Eventually Dash slowed and trotted around a spot near Repentance rock. Jack slowed his own horse and glanced about the area, checking for any signs of struggle. There were plenty. Hoof imprints were left where the horses had scooped U shapes from the earth as well as flattened grass and Jack even noticed a few wispy strands of horse hair caught on a bush. Jack could feel anger mount up inside him. His mind was going a mile a minute and he barely stopped to think before he came to the conclusion of where they had taken Eva.

Fort Mercer.

Dot Dot Dash stood pawing at the dirt, snorting and swishing his tail impatiently. Jack edged his horse closer before snatching up Dash's reins. The horse whinnied before settling down and allowing Jack to slip a lasso over his neck. With that Jack gave the area a last look-over before a determined line set itself over his mouth. He spurred his golden stallion sharply and he took off, Dash following. Jack knew exactly where to go; Armadillo, where he'd request the help of a friend.

He'd get Eva back, even if it was the last thing he'd do.

-x-

The man stayed for a while longer until he left the room without an utterance. The whole time had been spent in painfully and morose silence as I sat and contemplated many scenarios of my demise at the hands of the fowl gang I had been captured by. I was left by myself for a while and I debated whether to spring up and search the room thoroughly for any way of escape. But my body was too tired. My lip was sore and I was sure it was cut as well as my cheeks aching from rough handling. I exhaled slowly and buried my head back into my arms.

"Well, look at you. A little bitty girl with iron." I raised my slumped head to look at the newcomer. It was a woman, young, with scruffy brown hair pulled back into a messy bun. Her eyes were cold and grey like steel and had a chilling edge to them. Her simple jeans and shirt were dirty and tattered but she didn't seem to care. A holstered pistol swung by her hip. She was scrutinising me, scanning everything from my dusty clothes to my cut lip and bruised face. I hadn't even heard her come in. "Who're you?" I asked, sounding weaker than I would have liked. The woman before me narrowed her cold eyes before marching closer, a frown on her lips.

"How old are you?" she asked, leaning in close.

I blinked and answered, "19"

"19?" She was surprised. "I thought you were younger than that." It was my turn to frown in confusion.

"What's that supposed to mean? I'm as good as any man!" I snapped, jumping to conclusions. The woman let out a short, bark of a laugh.

"I doubt that," she concluded, standing back up straight and crossing her arms across her chest. "You that Eva White girl, aint ya?"

I nodded stiffly. "And proudly so." The woman huffed out a laugh.

"Did they tell ya what ya in for?" I shook my head no.

"No. No one's told me anythin'," I muttered.

"Well, you can thank your pa for all this," the woman said. My blood suddenly ran cold and I sucked in a sharp breath.

"My pa?" I gasped out. I shifted my weak and tired body onto my knees. "What's my pa got to do with this?" I pressured, flustered and mind spinning.

"I don't know much, jus' that you're seen as useful."

I simmered down at her cryptic answer and receded in to my own thoughts. The woman regarded me for a few seconds before walking over and seating herself on a chair. He eyes bore into me and it suddenly hit my nerves and snapped me out of my thoughts. "What?" I asked, frowning. The woman shrugged not sayin' a word. I hummed in thought before realisation hit me. "What's your name?" I asked, after it had occurred to me that I knew nothing about her while she probably knew more 'bout me then I was comfortable with. "Susan," she answered shortly.

"Well Susan, what're you doin' with some low life gang like this for?" I asked, less cautious around her than the other gang men. She frowned slightly, the skin between her brows creasing.

"What makes you think I'mma tell some girl like you?" My eyebrows rose as I was taken aback by her hostility.

"All I did was ask!" I replied.

The woman – Susan – scowled before tipping her chair back and crossing her arms. "What're you doin' out here?" she asked. I scoffed and crossed my own arms, still sitting on the dusty floor. "If you aint gonna tell me anything then I aint gonna tell you anythin'!" Susan growled and suddenly lurched forward, snatching a pistol from her hip and pointing it dead at me from across the table. "I don't think you're in the position to be makin' any deals," she hissed. I was startled by her harsh attitude and complied, much to my chagrin. "I'm out here explorin' with a friend," I answered haughtily. Susan laughed and put the gun away.

"Exploring? What are you, twelve?" I frowned and felt my cheeks warm. Susan eventually calmed and sat back casually. "So, what're you out exploring?" she asked, snickering at the word 'exploring'. I shrugged and said, "Jus' whatever. We're goin' to Mexico soon." Susan raised a brow.

"Oh? And do what?"

"Dunno. Maybe hunt outlaws-" I was cut off by Susan's shrill but humourless laughter.

"Outlaws? Honey, you're way in over your head." She said, glaring at me. The smile was gone from her chapped her lips. "You're 19 years old and huntin' down outlaws? Look at you. Ya aint the law." She grimaced and turned her head to the side before spitting. "Pathetic. You're jus' some school kid that got lucky with a couple of shots then got over excited 'cause you thought you were amazin' with a gun." I fell silent. Susan's words stung, like salt on a wound. "Here." Susan got up and arranged three empty bottles that had been lazily discarded and stood beside them. "I want ya to shoot all three. Then we'll see how good ya are with iron."

I stared haughtily at her for sometime before standing up and childishly accepting her challenge, feeling confident I would shoot them all. I reached down for my revolver but felt an empty holster. Of course! I cried mentally. They took my guns! Susan cool gaze snapped to my empty holster and she pulled out her own gun. "I trust ya won't shoot me," she said, a smirk on her lips. I frowned but nodded. She chucked it to me and I caught it, suddenly glad I was left handed for my right arm was in a lot of pain. I felt the weight of the gun before cocking it ready towards the bottles. I pulled the trigger.

BANG.

The bottle smashed and I aimed at the next one. I pulled the trigger and it smashed again. I couldn't help the small smile that came to my lips as I watched the shards of glass fall. I aimed at the last one and pulled the trigger. But the glass didn't smash. Instead, it rocked from side to side with grazed glass indication where my bullet had passed. My smile fell to a pout. "Damn. Almost had it," I said to myself. I then looked to the gun in my hand. "'Cause I used a gun I aint familiar with," I excused.

Susan giggled, "Well, ya did better than thought ya would," she said, walking forward. I felt a little bit of pride come back to my deflated self and sat back at the table, placing Susan's gun on the wood. I laid my right arm on the table and gingerly pulled back the sleeve, wincing as my arm throbbed. Susan pushed the last bottle, letting it smash on the floor. She then reclaimed her seat.

She eyed my wrist before asking, "What happened to that?" I glanced up at her before shrugging nonchalantly.

"I jus't twisted it. That's all." Susan raised a brow disbelievingly.

"That looks more than a twist."

"I hurt it when I was pulled off my horse," I admitted, observing the bruised purple and blue swollen skin.

"Pulled?"

"They lassoed me and pulled me off."

"Oh, Jesus!" My eyes snapped up at this. Susan was runnin' a hand through her hair, flaring her nostrils as she exhaled, like an enraged bull. "They lassoed you and pulled you off your horse? You could have broken your neck!" I was again surprised by her sudden change of emotions. It almost sounded like she was concerned.

"I know... Good thing I didn't."

She raised a brow. "What ya mean?"

"Well, I'm gonna be outta here soon."

"Oh, you are now, are you?" Susan sneered, regarding me with humour. I nodded and puffed my chest out with pride and grinned with determination.

"Jack's comin' to save me."

Susan erupted into a fit of bitter laughter. I could feel the razor sharp edge to her tone as she spat out, "A man? You think a man is going to save you?" My grin faded into a line of seriousness.

"Yes. I know it for a fact."

"Men can't be trusted, nor relied on!"

"Comin' from a woman who rides with a gang of men." I could feel my own anger risin', my frustrations and stress getting the better of me.

"You think I wanted this?" Susan snapped, rising out of her chair and throwing it down. I growled myself and frowned up at her.

"How would I know? I only met you about five minutes ago!"

"Well then you shouldn't make assumptions!"

"You made assumptions about me! You kept sayin' I was some stupid teenage who was in way over her head!"

"Because you are!"

"How do you know?"

"Because I was exactly the same at your age!"

We both simmered down, me not havin' anything to say back. I realised my breathing was ragged. I frowned and slumped back into the seat. Susan ran a hand through her dirty hair and moved towards the door. "I didn't want to be part of this gang," she spoke over her shoulder. I said nothing in return. She pulled open the heavy door, giving me a narrow glimpse of the outside world before slamming it shut. I was left alone.

-x-

Jack had all but galloped to Armadillo, fearing every second Eva would be close to death. By the time he tore into town and pulled up at the sheriff's office the horses' sides were heaving and froth fell from their lips. "Marshall!" Jack called while he dismounted. A second passed before the door was opened and Jonah and Eli emerged, Eli looking curious and Jonah with the ever present scowl on his face. "You? What you want?" Jonah asked, eyeing the rushed and stern Jack.

"I need to speak with the Marshall," Jack said. Then, as an afterthought, he added, "Now." Jonah sighed and grumbled and turned back into the building.

"Marshall, Jack Marston's here to see ya." Had Jack not been in a dire rush to save Eva he would have laughed at the venom Jonah had put behind the name Marston, and then perhaps frowned at the anger at his father's good name. However, Jack had no time for pettiness and stood impatiently. Marshall Arrington emerged, caught sight of Jack and grinned. "Jack, how're ya?"

"Eva's been captured." Marshall Arrington paused at the blunt words.

"What?" he asked, putting his balled fists on his hips.

"She's been taken by some gang and taken to Fort Mercer." Again the Marshall blinked before a grim line set over his mouth.

"How long ago?"

"This mornin'. I woke up an' she was gone. She'd gone ridin' out on Dash and he came back alright, but she didn't." The Marshall nodded his head before glancing over his shoulder.

"Actually, we might be able to help ya with that. A man, Max Johns, recently managed to slip some sheriffs and I have a sneaking suspicion that he mighta' headed up to Fort Mercer." Jack nodded slowly before turning and mounting his horse. "I'll go get them." The Marshall disappeared inside before he remerged followed by another two men. "Gentlemen, we're headin' up to Fort Mercer to save a good friend of mine," the Marshall spoke. Jonah, Eli and the two new men all nodded.

In a matter of minutes the men were saddled up and galloping off to Fort Mercer, a trigger itch in all of them.

-x-

I preferred being with Susan than alone or in the company of another gang member. Although her mood swings and confrontational nature were a handful I was willing to look past it, accepting the company of another woman. I was scared and felt my insides constantly writhe with fear. I didn't doubt Jack's rescue but I was still plagued with fears that he'd be too late or get killed in the process. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if he died. I screwed my eyes shut as I sat in the stillness. Outside, sounds of life could be heard; horses snorting and whinnying and men talking and laughing and the occasional gunshot. I flinched every time the gun fired and cradled my injured arm. How long was I gonna be sat here? What was gonna happen to me?

Suddenly the door to the room I was trapped in was kicked fiercely open. My eyes snapped wide open and my head twisted fearfully towards it. A man stalked in, his face grimy and familiar. Max Johns. I scowled and shrunk back, glaring out from under the ends of my hair. The man's eyes laid on my hunched figure and in them burnt a fire of revenge. "You!" he roared. "You're than little bitch who got me caught by those sheriffs!" A cold fear began to constrict my throat as the man advanced terrifyingly towards me. "S-stay away!" I cried, leaping up and stepping backwards.

Every step I took backwards he took one forward. I felt my back collide with the rough, uneven surface of the wall and my heart leapt up into my throat. "Remember me?" he snarled. My body began to shake and I pressed myself further backwards, praying to melt into the bricks and disappear from the enraged man before me. "Huh?" he asked again. His calloused hands snapped out and grabbed my throat. I let out a strangled cry I he pulled me closer, his face looming over me.

"Y-yes!" I squeaked out, salty tears pricking the back of my eyes.

"Do ya remember what I said I was gonna do when I'd get outta that place?" I shook in fear and tried with all my strength to pry his hands off my neck. I struggled to breath in and felt my lungs burn for breath. "I said I would hunt ya down! But who woulda' thought that you'd be handed to me on a silver platter!" he cackled insanely. My vision became blurry as a few tears finally fell from my eyes and rolled down my cheeks. Max Johns tightened his grip suddenly and then threw me across the ground. I landed harshly and immediately my body was wracked with bone-shattering coughs. God... my body... it hurts. My mind was spinning as I struggled onto my knees.

Behind me, Max Johns continued ranting, "And said I was gonna gut ya like a pig! Well, guess what..." I heard a 'shing' echo chillingly through the air. My burning lungs were forgotten as I literally froze all over. I stiffly turned my head to look over my shoulder at the man. My eyes were round like saucers and tears now flowed freely from them. A knife was clasped tightly in Max's hand and a crazed grin sat upon his lips. The knife caught a ray of light from one of the cracks in the wood and glinted menacingly. My muscles tightened and my instinct screamed at me to run. But I had nowhere to go. I was trapped like a rat.

I pushed up and shakily but desperately got to my feet. I only had a second before Max had lunged at me, brandishing his knife with the intent to kill. I panicked and leapt back, out of the way of Max and felt the knife slice through part of my arm. Max swung again and missed me by a hair. I sprinted away and put the table between him and I. My arm stung and I stole a quick glance at it to see a thick trail of red run freely from the slice. "C'mon, it won't hurt! Not one bit!" Max cried, darting around the table and giving chase to me.

A short scream tore from my throat as I turned and ran but Max collided with me. We slammed to the floor and the knife fell from Max's hand, sliding through the dust leaving faint streaks of blood – my blood. I began writhing the struggling to push Max off me. I grunted with the effort I was exerting to get the hulking man off me. Max fought back, hands seeking my exposed, unprotected throat. He grit his teeth tightly together as his hands managed to clasped my neck and apply crushing pressure. I began to chock and struggled even more. "Stay... STILL!" he snapped.

The world faded in and out of darkness and my fists began pounding desperately against the man but to no avail. My arm grew weak and tired as my body no longer received enough oxygen. No! I thought weakly. This can't be... Jack... My eyes began to flutter, my dark lashes obscuring my vision of Max's crazed smile. My arms fell to my sides and I felt my body weaken and fade in and out of conciseness.

Suddenly, the immense pressure was lifted from my throat and I sucked in a deep, life-saving breath. I screwed my eyes shut as my exhausted body heaved and was wracked with pain. Every nerve ending was screaming out but I still managed to roll over onto my side. I heard shouting but it seemed like gibberish to me. It couldn't decipher it with my muddled mind. I heard a loud bang, like a door slamming shut and faint gunshots in the distance. What was happening? I tried to lift my head but I had no energy left and it fell back against the ground. My eyes closed and darkness enveloped me.