A carriage rode down the streets of Saint Denis in the dead of the night. The clopping of horseshoes were heard as the vehicle carried on through the stone paved roads.
Eventually, it stopped at a large, grand hotel. The driver put down his reins and dismounted from the front seat. Keys in hand, he walked over to the carriage and opened the door. Mrs. Grace Lancing was helped out by the gentleman driver, and with that, she made her way into the building after a long night.
As expected, once she arrived in her hotel room, her night clothes were already laid out neatly on the bed. She walked towards the mirror on top of the dresser, and after digging through her purse, she began to undo her makeup. Looks were not without effort, after all.
Afterwards, Grace set the wipe down and realized she completely forgot to close the door to her room. So, once she slipped on her nightgown, she turned around to do just that, but to her surprise, it was already closed… even though she swore she left it open. Grace merely shrugged it off and opened the doors to the balcony, stepping out and taking in the evening air.
There was a creak. Grace turned back to the door. It was open again.
"Hello?" she called, walking back inside. "Is someone…" She saw her bag on the dresser and just followed her brain. The woman ran towards it. Her gun was in there.
Suddenly, the rug was pulled from under her feet, making Grace fall. Her hands just missed the dresser that she was desperate to reach. Once she hit the floor, she was met with a harsh kick to the side. She rolled onto her back and then there was something on top, straddling her. No, it was a woman. Red hair, brown eyes, wearing black, and staring down at her.
"Rose!"
The door opened and Grace looked over, immediately knowing the source of that voice. She knew those bright locks of hair and blue eyes, anywhere.
"B… Br-"
"First and final warning," Brandon said, sternly. He walked over to Grace's side and stood across from Rose. Then, he knelt down and pulled her hair, making Grace tilt her head back with a yelp. Cold steel touched her neck. It was the cold steel of a knife.
Brandon stood up, leaving one of his boots to press down and hold Mrs. Lancing's hair and stared down at her like a god passing judgment.
"Stop following us."
Brandon looked to Rose who was still staring at her horrified target. Her teeth were showing in her angered snarl and her eyes were wild.
"Rose," said Brandon. He hoped his voice would get through to her. "Rose!"
Rose stayed still. The knife was right there near Grace's throat. She could just do it, but without Brandon's approval…
Finally, Rose sighed. She stood up and the last thing Grace remembered that night was a boot in her face.
When Grace woke up the next morning, she was met with a throbbing head. She saw the ceiling and then immediately sat up to see the morning lights shining through the windows of the balcony door. She was in her bed, tucked in nicely under the covers. The carpet was neatly laid out and her bag had remained untouched.
Still, as she rubbed her aching head and felt her sore side, she knew it wasn't just a dream.
Sam winced as he touched his forehead again. He'd been sitting at Shady Bell's little infirmary almost all night. Charles was usually quiet, but didn't hesitate to be loud when it came to keeping Sam awake. Soon, it was John's turn followed by Javier, who started getting Sam to stay awake with his guitar and a few songs he knew, but Lily, who woke up after a few hours of sleep, soon sent him on his way for guard duty and for both of them being too loud.
"Come ooonnn…" Sam whined, as he closed the door. Lily just grabbed him by the shoulders and guided her disorderly, disoriented cousin back to his cot and sat him down. He grabbed the drink he had nearby and took another sip. At first Lily wasn't sure about him drinking, but it was probably better to have him drunk, than have him whining all night. Plus, it would help with the pain.
Once it was Arthur's turn to watch over Sam, he got up early to do so despite being tired from the party earlier. He walked into the room, and Sam was immediately beaming, even if his smile was dopey.
"Artie!" Sam exclaimed, throwing his hands up, happily.
"I see Sam's in fine form," Arthur said, closing the door behind him.
Lily chuckled and scribbled on a nearby clipboard. "He's got a concussion."
Sam scoffed. "Yeah, from a stupid purse." Still, he laughed a little before drinking a little more whiskey. He tried to get up as Arthur made his way to his side, but Lily just pulled him back down by grabbing his coat sleeve.
"How you feeling, Sam?" Arthur asked.
Sam just grunted a little, offering Arthur a drink of his whiskey. He took it, and like the mischievous little bastard Sam was, Arthur saw that Sam handed him an empty bottle.
"Sleepy…" Sam answered.
"And drunk?" Arthur teased, just setting the empty whiskey bottle onto the floor.
"Nah…" Sam rolled his eyes, but he swayed despite sitting and ended up leaning against Lily. "Okay, maybe a little.
"It's possible Rose had some heavy things in her purse," said Lily. "I wouldn't worry about it." She got up to fetch Sam's night clothes. Arthur took her place next to Sam, who was now leaning against him instead.
Sam was already giggling, reaching out his arms to hug him. Arthur reached out to push him back, because he smelled of whiskey and champagne, but he eventually just sighed and let Sam rest his head on his shoulder.
"Well, you know the drill," said Arthur. "Stay awake."
"Shut up…" Sam mumbled, eyes closed. "You got to sleep."
"I didn't sleep the entire night."
"Why not?"
Arthur reached for Sam's chin and tilted his head up. Sam opened his heavy eyes again slowly. "Well, someone's gotta check on you."
"Pfft! Lily Can do that." Still, even while intoxicated, he couldn't hide the red appearing on his face.
"Well, maybe I wanted to," Arthur replied.
Sam stared up at him, eyes locked on Arthur, and his jaw dropped. Then, he just started giggling.
"What?" said Arthur.
"You looooooove meeee…" Sam slurred, wrapping his arms around Arthur's frame.
Arthur sighed, but he put his arms around him, as well, using one hand to run his fingers through Sam's hair. "Shut up…"
Sam nuzzled his neck. "But it's truuuue…"
"Maybe…" Arthur couldn't help but smile, though.
It took some time, but Arthur managed to maneuver Sam into his union suit, once Lily had returned with them. Sam seemed relieved to be out of that stuffy outfit.
Finally, as the sun rose up high the next morning, Lily did some work and walked back into the infirmary, and saw Sam fully passed out against Arthur. It looked like Arthur just went along with it, because he was laying on his back with Sam practically on top of him. Both were asleep, but seemed content.
Lily smiled and just pulled a blanket over the knocked out outlaws. She was sure Sam would be fine if he slept now. That smile she had faded, once they were tucked in. A quiet sigh left her as she walked out of the infirmary, deciding to catch up on her sleep in the sitting area where some of the other girls were sleeping.
In the afternoon, Lily had to get to work with another person, who needed her help. She got her to come out of the old house, but her mood was still dour, and she could barely bring herself to even stop looking towards the ground.
"I'm… I'm not sure if I'm… Can I do this?" Molly stuttered.
"You haven't even tried yet," said Lily. She crouched down for a moment to grab a bucket from Pearson's wagon. "Here. Just get some water and bring it back to that basin over there." She pointed to the object in question on the nearby counter. "Can you do that?"
Molly sighed. She took the bucket and slowly made her way towards the swamp shore.
The men were getting ready for the day. Javier was sharpening his knife, Bill was sleeping off being on guard duty all night, Charles was whittling new arrows, Lenny was getting today's reading lesson with Jack and Kieran ready, and John was cleaning his guns.
That wasn't to say the women weren't busy, either. They were put to work right after breakfast, washing and drying clothes, sewing and knitting patches, cleaning any silverware that needed washing and there was food to cook. Sadie wasn't really a part of that, but she was cleaning her guns with some of the men.
And then there was Micah…
"So I was thinking about redistributing some property," said Micah. He was with some of the other men who were either resting from patrolling all night, or getting ready to go out and do that, or chase a lead. They, like pretty much everyone else, barely tolerated his presence.
"And what is that?" said Javier.
Micah snickered. "From the Boles Overland Stagecoach Company into our pockets.
John nodded, but continued to sharpen his knife. "Well, Bill might want in on that."
Micah raised a brow. "Not you, Marston?"
John rolled his eyes. "From what Arthur told me, I'd rather not end up getting shot."
"All Arthur knows how to do is complain," said Micah. He and everyone around the campfire were unaware of Lily, who had gone behind a tree and started listening in.
"The only complaining I hear right now is from you," John replied. "Do you always have something to say about someone who ain't you?"
"Sure. Me and Dutch have been talking and from what he says, the coffers are looking good again. We could afford to leave now, if we chopped half of the dead wood."
"We sure as hell ain't doing that."
"I mean, why the hell do we need a gaggle of girls who won't even fuck you if you put a gun to their head?"
Charles was carving some wood. A large chip of it broke at that sentence. He lowered his tools with an irritable sigh. It took a lot to do just that and not… something else to Micah. With an irritable sigh he packed up his things, and walked away. He saw Lily, but kept walking, not wanting to give away her position. Lily's jaw dropped in horror, and it was pretty much a headturner for anyone near the campfire. Micah was frankly surprised at their reactions.
"Okay, what kind of show do you think we're running here, idiota?" said Javier.
"I thought we weren't a show," Micah sneered. "I thought we were outlaws! Is it too much to ask, considering they get a piece of every damn dollar I bring in."
"They do their share here!" John hissed. "When the hell have you lifted a finger in camp?!"
"Oh, so Molly does her share? Swanson?"
Javier stood up and dusted himself off. "If you're looking for merciless gunmen and girls who'll fuck you because you say so, then you're here for the wrong reasons. Let's go, John."
And with that, Javier and John left the campfire, as well, leaving Micah alone. Lily left her hiding spot soon after, but fuming. As she did, she saw a spot of gray in the sky. She looked up and saw it was smoke. It looked faraway, but it also looked too thick to be a regular campfire. What was it?
Lily tried not to let this make her too angry. She knew she worked hard, and she knew the other girls worked hard as well. Well, almost all of them. Still, she felt better telling them about what Micah said, as she helped them wash some of the laundry.
"He said that?" said Mary-Beth. She, Lily, and Karen were by the wagons where they usually did most of their chores.
"Are you really surprised?" Karen replied, nonchalantly. She hissed as she had to undo some knots she messed up with. "It just goes to show how little society still values us."
Lily sighed. Her uncle and her cousin were among the only people who treated her with kindness. He even had faith she could be a good doctor, despite how hard it would be for a woman to get a job as such.
"I mean, can you imagine the day they let us vote?" said Karen.
"Well, who would you vote for?" said Mary-Beth.
"I dunno, but it'd be nice to have the option."
Just then, Tilly walked by, a basket in her hands. She was looking around.
"Hey, Tilly," Lily greeted. Tilly jumped and stumbled, a few articles of clothing falling out. "Oh, I'm sorry!" Lily rose from her spot and rushed to help pick them up.
"It's okay," said TIlly. "It wasn't your fault. I-I was in town and… well, I think I saw one of those Foreman Brothers."
Lily rose up and placed the fallen clothes back in the basket. "Foreman Brothers?"
"Those boys you used to run with?" said Karen.
Tilly huffed. She took the basket to her spot under the tarp by one of the wagons. "They ran with me. Anthony Foreman treated me real bad. And his cousin… I… Anyway, being with you lot is way better. Just… I just didn't think it would involve hiding in camp all the time…"
Lily looked at the girls minding away at their chores. Then, she saw the men loading their guns and reading maps. A smile grew on her face.
"You know, that party last night had a huge group of fine folk," said Lily. "And if we're lucky, they'll still be around town for a few days. I would know. We would have our fair share of people in Valentine during the stock sales and festivals. Sam always said there were some fine pickings around those times."
Karen grinned. "Lily, are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?"
Lily just giggled to herself. "Ain't it time we had some fun, as well? Just us girls? Hell, even Abigail can join us if she wants."
"And we could score some money for ourselves!" Mary-Beth exclaimed.
"And let's bring Sadie as extra muscle!" Tilly added.
"Well, if we're gonna do this, we'll need Miss Grimshaw's favor," said Lily. "So, let's finish our chores quickly. That money ain't gonna steal itself."
The girls cheered for Lily's suggestion. Never in their lives had they ever seen Karen work so hard. The other girls did, too, hoping for a change of pace for at least one night.
Lily saw to it that this should be allowed. It wasn't Dutch that she needed permission from, it was Miss Grimshaw. She was on her break at the gazebo just outside of the house, so she went to speak with her.
"The girls are rushing to finish all of their chores," Lily said, as she finished explaining. "There won't be a thing left undone until we get back. In fact, you're welcome to join us, if you want."
"Oh, I don't think that's for me anymore," Miss Grimshaw dismissed with a flick of her hand. But, I guess they could use someone to make sure nothing too bad happens to them."
"Aw…" Lily cood, her hands behind her back. "You do care."
"Of course I do!" Susan almost barked back. "Some of you just need a firmer hand than others. Now get! If we're gonna do this, we'll need to make sure the camp won't fall apart while we're gone."
Lily nodded. She was grinning ear-to-ear as she ran back to tell the girls the good news.
When the sun had started to set, Miss Grimshaw helped arrange a carriage for everyone. Even Dutch seemed happy to agree, mostly because he'd get some time in camp without Molly. Abigail was going, as well, so that would mean Jack would be left in the hands of the men. More specifically, John Marston.
Still, knowing that little boy would be out of her sight again, was worrying for her. After what happened with the Braithwaites and Angelo Bronte, she was justifiably anxious.
"He'll be fine Abigail," John said, as they were discussing things in the room they were sharing now. Jack was just playing with a little horse figure near one of the windows.
"Ugh. You're saying that, now?" said Abigail. "After how much deep shit we're in?"
John shrugged. He shook his head, trying not to let his anger get the better of him. "I'll watch him, Abigail. I promise."
Abigail stepped back. She didn't go far before her back hit the wall. She looked and saw Jack playing some more. Going from window to window with his little horse toy. The woman grabbed her bag and reluctantly nodded.
"He likes his dinner at seven or eight," Abigail explained to John in their bedroom in the house. "And he'd better be in bed by nine or ten, but I'm gonna know!"
"Alright, alright!" John said, raising his hands in surrender.
"I'll be fine, Momma!" Jack said, happily. "Go have fun!"
Abigail sighed. She loved that little boy, but was almost envious of how carefree and innocent he was. The young mother knelt down and patted the boy's head. "Well, you make sure to be good to your father, Jack."
Jack nodded. "Yes, Momma!"
John and Abigail exchanged a hug before she left. John took a deep breath once she was gone, because he honestly didn't know what was scarier: being alone with Jack, or Abigail's wrath if he failed her.
"Finally!" Karen cheered, as Abigail made her way outside. "Come on!"
Some of them men were a bit nervous, sending all the women in the camp out, but they quickly remembered that Sadie and Susan would be watching them. With a few weapons on hand, a pep in their step and the talk of shenanigans on their minds, the ladies of the Van der Linde gang headed towards the city of Saint Denis.
There was worry about unfinished chores, but the men should've known that Miss Grimshaw would've had almost or all the chores done before she left. There were still a few things, but it was nothing they couldn't handle.
Dutch was with Sam when he awoke. It was actually right before the women went on their way. The reverend took over when Sam and Lily were too busy sometimes, but Arthur was there to make sure he stayed away from "Morpheus."
"What's your name?" Swanson asked.
"Samuel Hawkeson," Sam replied, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
"Age?"
"Twenty-seven."
"Where are you from?"
"Valentine in New Hanover… unfortunately." Sam stared at the floor.
The reverend nodded. "I think he's good to go, Dutch."
Dutch nodded. "Thank-you, Swanson."
Swanson wrote down some notes to leave for Lily and left them be.
"Feeling better?" Dutch asked.
Sam leaned back on his cot, placing his hands behind him as he did so, and shrugged. "I guess so, even though I was knocked out by a damn purse…"
Dutch chuckled to himself. "The girl probably had something heavy in there. She's small, but she's like Brandon. She's dangerous. What did Brandon want, anyway?"
"He wanted me to locate that woman in the picture he gave me," Sam answered. "I saw her with the mayor right before those colorful things went off."
"You mean the fireworks?" said Arthur.
Sam lowered his head. "Yeah…"
Arthur didn't need him to explain. The outlaw could probably piece together as to why Sam got distracted. Poor bastard… Honestly, Arthur had never seen fireworks himself and would've gotten lost if he hadn't heard the mayor talk about Cornwall… and if Dutch didn't send him to investigate, but it was necessary.
"So, I was drunk off my ass last night," said Sam, "but I remember something about the mayor."
Dutch crossed his arms. "It seems our buddy Cornwall has a reach all the way out here."
Sam grimaced. "It's his factory pouring waste into the air, isn't it?" He shook his head, not even needing an answer. "He owns oil, railroads, sugar and other things."
"And is paying for 'super agents'," Arthur said with a scoff.
"What did you even take from him?" said Sam. "Some bonds, right? And an oil wagon? I mean, he definitely deserved it, but there's a difference between that and being stupid."
Dutch rolled his eyes. "Don't go around, sounding like Hosea, now. Always doubting. We're alive, ain't we?"
Arthur cleared his throat. "Well, there's-"
"That was not because of Cornwall," said Dutch. "And we took care of that issue."
Arthur and Sam went silent. They, along with Dutch, knew and remembered. Sam remembered the poison, the shots, and the execution in Rhodes. Arthur recalled the flames at Braithwaite Manor and the anguished screams of the old shrew who had little Jack kidnapped. Both of them nodded in unison.
Still, Sam gulped. It was as if showing the ruins of Limpany didn't phase him. Still, they were all the way out in Lemoyne. Cornwall's mercenaries would have to search through the riff raff of O'Driscolls and Lemoyne Raiders to find them. So for that, Sam was kind of relieved.
Just for a moment…
"Dutch!"
Javier rushed into the infirmary. He didn't swing the door open, though. He stormed straight up to him, holding an envelope.
"It came from one of Brandon's birds," he said.
"An envelope?" said Arthur. "I only got the straight letter."
Dutch took the envelope. It was for him and he was thankful that it wasn't from Colm. It's not like he would have time to train birds. He also didn't trust Brandon, but he always delivered with information.
However, when he freed the envelope's contents, the words within were short and simple.
Watch yourselves.
-Brandon Marrows
There was more inside. They were photos of landscapes. Each man in the room got a look at the two that were in there. Both of them were blackened with burnt trees and grass.
Sam gasped when he saw cliffs around the picture and the many cedar trees that surrounded the area.
"Good God! Th-That's Horseshoe!" Sam pointed out. His skin was almost turning white.
Arthur noticed the water and the giant tree in the middle on the second photo. "That's Clemen's Point, ain't it?"
Sam immediately saw the fragments of blue barrels. They were in pieces but he could see enough to make out some of the lettering of Cornwall Kerosine and Tar Co..
"Cornwall," said Sam.
"He torched the other camps!" said Javier.
Sam stood up. "Should we go get the women?"
"No," said Dutch. "The bastard wants us, not them."
"Then what are we doing?" said Arthur. "Marrows clearly sent that to warn us?"
"And I'm grateful," said Dutch. "But we'll give Cornwall and the law what they want if we panic." He raised his hands a little. "We just need to stay calm. Javier, is Bill getting ready to patrol?"
"Yeah, he just got back from a coach stick-up with Micah," Javier responded.
Arthur scoffed. "Surprised that it didn't end in a death trap."
"Go out and tell everyone that if they see something that isn't us or the women, to shoot it."
"Aaaaagh!"
The voice came from upstairs. It sounded small and young.
"Was that Jack?" Javier asked.
"Shit!" Arthur was the first one out the door and to the stairs. "Jack!"
"Jack?!" Sam called, following after him. Dutch and Javier were right behind him, as well.
Lily had a gentle smile as she downed a glass of whine at the bar in Bastille Saloon. Piano music was playing. Men were playing poker, eating and Karen and Mary-Beth were showing off their flirtatious skills. Tilly walked over to Sadie and slipped a roll of money to her.
"You alright?" Sadie muttered.
"He's out like a log in his room," said Tilly. "All I needed was a little charm and a lamp."
Sadie chuckled. "Well, good job."
"How's Molly?"
The blonde sighed. "Sulking on the balcony."
"I'll go check on her." And with that, she went back up the stairs.
Lily watched it all from her spot at the bar. She couldn't force Molly to participate, but she was trying to help her help herself. Maybe she herself would be participating in the ditzy and flirty act to score a few bucks if she felt different. At least she was right about her potential lead on money, and even if she hadn't, Saint Denis was full of people with fat wallets. Her positivity faded again, once she thought about Sam not being here to egg her on about getting some fine pickings. Nah, he was too busy spending all of his time with Arthur. The thought made her take another drink and she felt horrible for thinking this way about her cousin. Before all of this, she would dedicate whole days with Archie and Sam never once complained.
"You ain't gonna join them?"
Sadie joined Lily at the bar. She waved the bartender over for some whiskey.
Lily sighed. "I'm not sure I'm cut out for that, especially right now." She gestured to herself, seeing that she was armed and wearing pants.
Sadie hopped into a seat next to her. "You have that same look I had before."
Lily shook her head. "I shouldn't be complaining…" She took another drink. "I keep thinking about Arthur and…" The girl paused for a moment, seeing the bartender and the other patrons. "Arthur and my cousin. I'm happy for them, but I can't help it. I get upset when I see them together." She emptied the glass and Sadie tossed a dollar onto the counter to get her a refill.
"Is it about that Archie feller?"
The bartender poured a new glass for Lily. She took it and tightened her grip when Sadie said his name. She stared at the drink, seeing her reflection in the red liquid. It brought her back to that night when she defended Archie at his house.
"Everyone told me that I needed to forget about him," said Lily. "He refused to help us, threw out the money we stole to help him, and casted me out the second I told him I couldn't let my cousin go, even with him killing and joining up with you all. I have every reason to hate him." The more she talked, the louder and angrier she felt. "It really did feel like everything we had been through was for nothing…"
Sadie reached out her hands, taking Lily's in hers. The memories of her beloved Jakey were welling up inside her, as Lily spoke more about Archie. No matter what they did, they could never go back to those simpler days.
"I miss Archie," Lily admitted. Despite everything, she knew it was true. At least back then she didn't have to kill anyone, and she certainly didn't have to deal with darn people like Micah, who kills for almost no reason and makes such demands of her friends just because they wouldn't fuck him when he put a gun to their heads. Cliff and especially Archie and Sam wouldn't have allowed such behavior. Her eyes drifted outside, seeing the people. There was a man in particular near an alley with two shady looking men with green scarfs. "That guy even looks like Archie…"
However, the more she stared, the more she realized…
"Wait…"
Lily stood up from her seat. Their speaking turned into yelling and then the young man was dragged by the two other ones into a nearby alley.
"Archie?!" That was all she said, before she rushed out of the door and down the street.
Despite the lights in the city of Saint Denis, the street she ran down was still dim as she followed the thugs into the alley. The closer she got, the louder the voices got.
"I said I don't have it yet!"
"Does it look like we give a shit?! When we say we want it, we get it! One way…" There was a chuckle. "Or another."
"You stay away from my mother!"
Another laugh. "Or what?"
Lily rounded the corner and saw two O'Driscolls pinning Archie against the wall. Frankly, that was all she needed to see.
Click!
"Let him go! Now!"
The pair of O'Driscolls turned their heads to face Lily.
"Ha! Or what, little girl?"
A shot rang out. It hit the mouthy O'Driscoll in the shoulder. His buddy let go of Archie, rushing to his writhing friend.
"You want one, too, little boy?"Lily mocked, her eyes wide opened, and crazed, as she tilted her head. She didn't need a response. "Get out of here!"
"You got lucky, boyo…" the uninjured O'Driscoll hissed. And with that, he helped his friend onto his feet and they two fled away into the darkness of the alley.
Archie lowered his hands as he sat against the wall. He finally brought himself to look up, ignoring the dirt and how scuffed up he was.
He saw her. She lowered her gun, holstering it with the movement and grace of a seasoned gunslinger. She… was wearing pants? Even so, Archie knew those golden locks of hair, that beautiful figure, those pure lips and calm eyes of hazel.
"L-Lily?"
Still hopelessly bound by the doctor's oath, Lily rushed to Archie's aid. He didn't look like he was seriously hurt. Her touch was so familiar, despite how she looked, and the same was for Lily with how Archie felt when she touched him upon examination. It was familiar. It was home.
This was wrong.
"What happened?" she asked. There wasn't a greeting. She didn't rush to him for affection, like she did while they were still living in Valentine. She didn't smile when she met his gaze, either. It was still wonderful to hear her voice. No matter how flat and quiet it was, it was still heavenly to him.
"They were mugging me," Archie answered. "You… you-" He was still shaken up about how Lily handled herself.
"I spared them out of respect." Lily stood up upon seeing Archie not having serious injuries and helped him to his feet. His heart sank as he stayed this close to her. There was alcohol on her breath…
"Thank-you," Archie said, dusting himself off. "I… Momma and I have been traveling around the past few months. It… hasn't been easy."
Lily's heart sank, as well. It was sad to know that, even more so that it was probably at the hands of the gang she now ran with.
"Maybe… you could help…?"
And at once, that feeling in her heart vanished.
"Are you out of your goddamn mind?!" Lily nearly shouted. Her voice made Archie flinch. It hurt. It was as if the warmth in her eyes vanished in an instant. She didn't want it, as she had none for him. "I have my own problems, Archie!" Her voice was still as beautiful as it was scary. "Maybe you don't understand, but I have people to look after."
"I'm begging you!" Archie pleaded, when Lily turned her back to him. "I know I weren't so… kind when we last spoke, but…"
"I'm apparently good enough to help, but not good enough to be with you."
"Lily!"
Lily took a shaky breath. Everything in her mind and body was screaming at her to shout and throw hands. She wanted to make him feel how she felt and still did.
And still, a kindness in her heart shined through. Her hand reached into her bag and threw a clip of money at Archie's feet.
"I can't see you again, Archie," Lily answered.
Archie rushed over to pick up the money. When he got back up, he saw Lily leaving.
"You can't see me, or you don't want to?" said Archie.
Lily couldn't - wouldn't hear it. She would not have her heart broken again. She kept walking.
"Good-bye, Archie."
Lily gulped and used her deep breathing, trying desperately to hold back the tears. She wiped them away and made it back to the saloon. The warmth of the bright lights and the noise welcomed her back in. However, Sadie was the first to approach her.
"You alright?" said Sadie.
Lily just nodded. "Don't worry about it."
"Okay, good, because we need to get upstairs."
"What?!"
Now that she mentioned it, Lily did notice that all of the girls weren't on the first floor anymore. Sadie led her upstairs, threw the halls and onto the second floor balcony. Where there appeared to be some yelling.
"I didn't know! I swear!" Molly pleaded.
"Come on, even an idiot like you would've known she was in trouble!" Karen yelled back.
"I ain't no idiot! I don't spend my days getting black out drunk, like you!"
Karen went for a slap, but her arm was caught by Lily. The other girls looked and saw her.
"Enough!" Lily shouted. What the hell happened up here?"
"We've got a problem!"
Miss Grimshaw stormed back up, using the stairs on the outside. "It's Tilly!"
"Miss Jackson?"
"She's been taken by one of them Foreman Brothers she used to run with!"
"Yeah, and Molly here, just told the bastard where Tilly was!" said Sadie.
"He put a bloody gun up to me head!" Molly yelled.
"Yeah, and when he went for Tilly you didn't even try to stop him!" said Abigail.
"What the hell was I supposed to do?!"
"All of you shut up!" Miss Grimshaw yelled. "We ain't got time for this nonsense! What we do have time for is the nonsense we're going to cause when he get to her and those bastards!"
"Sh-Should we go back and get Dutch and the others?" said Mary-Beth.
"Hell no!" Sadie spat. "We waste time, they could get away. I say we have more than enough of us to get her back."
Lily nodded. "She's right. Everyone, back to the wagon and on the double! We're getting Tilly back. Lead the way, Miss Grimshaw."
"With pleasure!" Grimshaw announced. She was the first to storm back down the steps. THe others followed, hooting and hollering, as they did.
"Jack!"
Arthur led the charge up the stairs and to John's room. Sam, Dutch and Javier were right behind him. The outlaw swung the door open, he and the others ready to aid the little boy.
However, that wasn't the case inside.
Jack was on the bed, with his knees pulled up to his chest. John was there, with a snake in his hands, completely unphased.
"Relax," John said to Jack. "These ones are everything, and they don't really like hurting anyone."
Jack looked at the snake in question. It didn't even look phased to be in his father's grasp. It seemed curious about Jack, as well, its tongue sticking out, occasionally. Finally, it was enough to make the young lad giggle. The sight even brought a smile to John's face, if only a little. Then he saw the open door.
"What's wrong?" said John.
"Everyone at the door suddenly looked like a bunch of spooked deer.
"Just… checking on Jack," Arthur answered, rubbing the back of his head. Sam kicked his feet, while Dutch adjusted his hat, and Javier looked to the side with his hands on his hips.
"I'm fine," Jack was already happy again, letting his legs swing back and forth off the edge of the bed. "Pa catched the snake."
"There a… reason for the rescue party?" said John.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to yell."
"It's okay, kid," said Dutch. "You saw trouble and made noise to get our attention. That's what you're supposed to do."
"We'll, uh… leave you both to it," said Sam. The other men agreed and left the pair alone.
"Hey, how about I let our friend go outside and I'll get Cain to help you feel better," said John.
Jack nodded excitedly. "Okay!"
Meanwhile, the others walked away from John's room.
"Alright, but what are we gonna do about Cornwall?" said Sam.
"Everyone just needs to stay calm," Dutch said, firmly. "Soon we'll have no need to worry about him, the O'Driscolls or the Pinkertons."
Lily couldn't help but feel responsible for Tilly as the carriage raced down the trail towards roads. If she wasn't trying to drown her sorrows in wine, or racing out to pointlessly speak to her past, she could have stopped Tilly from getting kidnapped. Come to think of it, Tilly had been nervous when she approached them earlier.
Still when the night was over, Lily would make sure Tilly would no longer need to hide. She made sure her fellow ladies were locked and loaded with their knives and guns.
"She's just a young girl!" Abigail yelled. "What the hell do they want with her?!"
"Don't matter," Sadie said, checking the ammo in her revolver. "They won't need nothing when we're done with 'em!"
"Everyone shut up and listen!" Miss Grimshaw said, sharply. "Tilly spoke to me in confidence." Everyone except Lily, who was driving the carriage, looked in Susan's direction. "She killed one of those Foreman boys, but she was defending herself. She fled and fell in with us after that."
"Tilly?!" Mary-Beth said, with raised eyebrows.
"Yes, Tilly! She ain't as sweet and innocent as you think, but like I say, she was defending herself. I Just hope we can get to her in time"
Lily took a left in a fork in the road. It had been a while since they weren't constantly surrounded by trees. "I think we're almost there, miss."
"I swear if they've touched a single hair on that girl's head, I will eviscerate the sons of bitches!"
The girls were shocked and silent. Susan really did care about them.
That only fueled Lily's need to go after these bastards. "Yah!" And she whooped the horses forward.
The house wasn't far ahead, and it was just outside of Rhodes. Apparently, the Foreman Brothers had a place there called Radley's House. It was kind of rundown with some greenery growing around it, but it looked like it got the job done. There was a man on the porch, armed with a repeater, after all.
"There's a guard," said Lily.
"What the hell do you want?" said the guard.
"You on the floor!" Sadie shouted. She shot him before Lily brought the carriage to a complete stop.
"Now get in there and find our girl!" Susan shouted, as everyone rushed off of the carriage. Well, everyone except Molly…
Lily shot the lock and kicked the door open. Another man was inside the kitchen.
"What the hell do you think you're-"
The next sound was that of thunder, when Karen came in and blasted him with a shotgun. Dishes and other things fell against the wall and the floor with him. Abigail ran in and checked one of the rooms and then moved to the next one, but the door was stuck. Mary-Beth ran up and tried to push it open with her shoulder.
"Like this!" said Lily. She kicked the door near the knob and swung open. Tilly was on her knees, her hands behind her and tied to the frame of a bed by another guard.
"What the-"
Sadie shot the fool in the head before the thug in there with Tilly could even finish his sentence.
"Tilly!" Lily cried as she ran to her.
"Tilly!" Mary-Beth yelled, stopping in the doorway.
"Tilly!" Karen said, joining her.
"She alright?" said Abigail.
Lily cut the ropes and helped Tilly stand, taking the gag off her mouth. She was covered in dirt and had a few bruises, but she looked okay. "You okay?" she said. Her heart sank, knowing how it felt to be tied up and helpless."
"I thought they was… I…" She paused as Lily wrapped her arms around her.
"Oh, Tilly!" Mary-Beth called. She rushed in with Karen, both embracing her, as well. Even Abigail came in to give her some much needed affection. Tilly was just relieved to be around familiar faces.
Grimshaw pushed past the other girls. For once, she was gentle as she guided Tilly out of the room. "Oh, come along, miss."
"What the hell did those idiots want?" said Sadie.
"It was Anthony Foreman," Tilly said, her voice still shaky. "He thinks he owns me."
Lily gulped, but kept listening. It didn't stop her hands from forming fists and her brows from furrowing.
"I remember," Susan growled. "Where is he?"
"He went out with some of his boys," said Tilly. "There were five of them, I think."
"Well, we killed two of them here…" Lily thought for a moment. Then she ran outside through the back door. Three men were riding away on horses.
"There they go!" Sadie yelled. Luckily, the two dead men left behind a pair of horses, as well.
The clock was ticking. Sadie and Lily mounted the two other horses. Then, Miss Grimshaw ran out, and hopped on with Lily, gun in hand. Lily had no time to ask questions and just led on with a gallop.
"Girls, stay with Tilly!" Susan ordered the others. "Anyone approaches, shoot 'em!"
Tilly picked up a repeater left abandoned on the floor. "Don't worry," she said. "I'll be just fine! Now catch that bastard! I ain't done with him yet."
"Which one is he?" Lily said, as she and Susan rushed into the forest.
"She told me!" Miss Grimshaw said, holding onto Lily with one hand and a Cattleman Revolver in the other. "Now, let's go!"
Sadie led the two, having seen them go over a hill and through some bushes. She shot one of them while they were going downhill. The other two riders were riding along the edge of the lake.
"They trying to make this easy for us?" said Sadie.
Lily growled. She had a gun out, and enough of men doing what they want with women emotionally and physically. It took a few shots before she remembered to lead her aim and got the next man. She sped up and so did Sadie, closing in on the last coward standing… er, riding.
Lily reloaded the chambers and spun it around once it was loaded before taking aim.
"No, Lily!" said Grimshaw. "Let's get him alive! Tilly should have the last say."
"Then allow me!" Sadie declared. "Hyah!" She spurred her horse forward and passed by Lily and Susan. Lasso in hand, she threw the rope forward and yanked the last man off of his horse. He hit the ground hard, and Sadie raced over to tie up his arms and legs.
"I promise you, you don't want a war with me!" the man growled.
"With who?!" LIly dismounted and marched over to the man. He yelped when she kicked him in the side. "A coward who steals a young girl in the middle of the night?!" She kicked him again. "You think you can come for her whenever you feel like it!" Another kick. "String her back and forth, like a goddamn yoyo?" Lily pressed him into the ground, her boot on his back. "Well?!"
All she got in response was the man wheezing and coughing.
"Alright, Miss Hawkeson. Let's save some for Tilly," said Miss Grimshaw.
Lily huffed. She reached down and grabbed the man's hair, lifting his head with a small hiss. Grimshaw walked over for a closer look. "This the bastard?"
Susan nodded. "Yeah, that's him alright. Now, let's get him back to Tilly, so we can have a nice chat."
Sadie chuckled. "With pleasure."
Sadie and Lily worked together and got Anothy onto the horse Sadie was riding on. Miss Grimshaw took the steed that he fell off from to get back, saying he wouldn't need it anymore. The man in question was both angry and confused where this group of women came from, but frankly, Lily was not in the mood to answer said questions, and it also meant that Tilly did a great job and didn't talk.
Tilly was with the other girls when returned. She was sitting on the porch with Abigail and Mary-Beth, while Karen was stepping back and forth with a shotgun.
Lily and Sadie dragged Anthony Foreman off of the horse and to the front of the house. The pair dropped Anthony onto the dirt like a bag of trash.
Tilly could barely look at him. "So he's still alive, then?"
Lily crossed her arms, also apparently unable to look at him. "Unfortunately, yes."
Susan reached down and pulled at Anthony's hair, making him look towards Tilly. "You see this girl?" she hissed as the others surrounded him, guns ready, knuckles cracking and heeled boots ready for stomping. "You leave her alone."
"She killed my cousin!" Anthony spat.
"Your goddamn cousin had it coming, Anthony Foreman!" Tilly shouted. She rose up from the steps and stormed to him.
"I don't care if she shot your daddy and cooked your momma for breakfast!" Miss Grimshaw roared. "She's mine, she ain't yours." And she pushed his foul head away from her hand.
"Yeah!" Mary-Beth cheered.
"She's ours, ya moron!" Karen added.
Anthony kicked and struggled, but to no avail. He looked up at Tilly for a moment, the anger faded. Sure, Lily didn't know the details of the whole story, but she guessed it was up to Tilly at this point.
"We was family, Tilly Jackson," said Anthony.
"You Foreman boys ain't no kind of family I want," Tilly growled.
"Kill him, Lily!" Susan yelled.
Lily stepped on Anthony's back, the force making the air leave his lungs upon impact. She held out her gun, aimed at his head, and the Foreman leader shook upon hearing the click of her weapon.
"Is that what you want, Miss Jackson?"
Tilly looked down at Anthony. She had been hiding for so long, but this was her chance to be free of him. However, she took a few deep breaths and dusted herself off.
"I want him to go away," she said, "and tell the remaining of his cousins and the clowns he runs with to leave me alone!"
"Or kill him…" said Sadie. "Save us the bother?"
"I-I'll leave you alone," Anthony said, immediately. "History… is done. I promise."
Tilly just kept staring down at him. Eventually, though, she just sighed. "Get me out of here. I don't wanna see this fool again!"
Lily lowered her gun. "Don't make me regret this, Anthony Foreman." She holstered her weapon and cut the man free. He ran off into the woods without another word.
Sadie stepped forward with her gun. "Or we could-"
"Sadie!" Lily immediately dragged her along to the carriage.
Miss Grimshaw placed her hands on Tilly's shoulders and guided her to the carriage. "Let's get you home!" The other girls followed her back to the carriage. It also appeared that Abigail and Mary-Beth got some fine pickings in the house, because one had a wad of cash and the other had a few shiny watches and rings.
Lily sighed and boarded the carriage from the back. "Sadie, how about you drive? No running people over this time."
Sadie rolled her eyes, but listened. "I'm fine." And she got on the front with Miss Grimshaw. Everyone else got in the back with Lily and they started their journey home. Lily decided to patch up Tilly the best she could until they were back in Shady Belle.
"Thank-you," Tilly said, as Lily started wiping the dirt off of her arms and face first. "All of you."
"Of course, Tilly," said Mary-Beth. "We wouldn't leave in the hands of a maniac like that."
"Yeah, no thanks to Molly," said Karen.
Molly shot Karen a look. Karen wasn't even phased, which just further pushed the redhead to stay quiet.
"Well, at least we made some money," Abigail said, waving the money around. Mary-Beth put the rings on her fingers and multiple watches on one wrist. Some of the girls were cheering. "And we found a good stash of it in the fools' chimney."
Chatter was exchanged among one another. It made Lily smile, the doubts she had about Archie felt far away with them around. It wasn't easy to just "forget about him", but she knew they meant well.
Sadie found the path soon enough and they were back on the road and heading away from Rhodes. Everyone, especially Tilly, were exhausted. The lantern they had, provided a gentle warm light that helped Lily and the others relax.
Once Tilly was cleaned up, Lily put bandages on any scrape or cut she had from trying to fight off the Foreman Brothers, promising to get her some fresh clothes once they were back.
"Well, let's not ride back all quiet, now," said Miss Grimshaw. "Let's sing a song, ladies."
"Oh, I've got one!" said Mary-Beth.
And as their voices filled the air, Lily was finally able to genuinely smile tonight. She joined along, admiring the stars above.
All she needed was Sam and her new family…