Abigail I.
Four days have passed since they were marooned on this strange new place, and it was only getting stranger by the hour. Looking over at her son who was peacefully gazing at the surrounding countryside, Abigail internally worried for her family's predicament - family being little Jack, John and herself specifically.
The others, she viewed as comrades, friends by nature and fellow nomads in search of wealth and prosperity. As the situation currently stand the gang had neither, yet that failed to deter them at all. Different place, same objective; survive no matter what.
Taking in the fresh, cool air from thru nearby coastline, Abigail thought back to her dear John. How he and the boys were out there on a mission to escort a pair of travelers to a safe destination, how Dutch hoped that upon safe delivery they could regain their footing with some form of reward from the local town leadership. Whatever the case may be a whole day has passed by. This town or as the older gentleman had declared with a straight face, this castle, was a four-hour ride away, yet a whole day had passed, and the others were not deeply concerned for the wellbeing of their brothers.
Hosea was in charge and keeping the peace with Charles and Sadie assisting in any way possible. Bill, Javier and Lenny did their part of guarding the camp and the others went about with their given tasks and obligations. Grimshaw was still ill with a cold fever, at her age that unexpected cold swim couldn't be any good for her. Without the camp madame barking out orders, the girls where less then inclined to do much, but in such a fire situation that they all found themselves in they still did their part
"Jack don't wander off you hear! Stay close to camp." Jack liked to explore and would most times lose track of his surroundings and end up far from his original spot. It had already happened more than once.
"Yes mama." The four-year-old replied, busy playing with a large stick he found.
After making sure he was within range of camp and eyesight of everyone else, Abigail stood up from her spot and walked over to the designated inventory section where Pearson was handling all that was both valuable and useful for them. Not much was gathered, but they always found a way to turn the unusable into usable.
"It's crazy. Too crazy to be true." Uncle had slithered over to the camp cook, and both were in conversation as Abigail approached. "Yet not too crazy to be a lie either."
"Well, you tell me then Uncle. What exactly is the truth then?" Pearson was clearly irritated with the older man, who much to Abigail's surprise was quite sober, no alcohol had been rescued from the wreckage. While she couldn't stand drunks, John being a clear example, at this moment she sure wished there was some around to quench the gang's sullen atmosphere.
"Don't matter what we think, all shall be revealed on its own. Hope the boys find us some fine brandy, my lips are dry and I'm itching to find a proper bed to lay down and relax on." Uncle mused, always a smile on that odd, lazy human being.
"Hey Pearson, got any dry rags to spare?" Abigail asked.
"I may have a spare Abigail, it's hard for all the cloth to dry off in this coastal weather, sun has barely shown up since landfall." The cook handed her a small rag and focused back on Uncle. "Don't you got anything better to do?"
Leaving the men be she walked over to Hosea who was sitting on the campfire next to Grimshaw who remained bedridden, the cold still keeping her down. It was a rare sight to behold, such a strong-willed woman as Susan Grimshaw be brought down by a fever. Abigail did her part and looked after the sick older woman, too many duties for her, but never did she complain about it, unlucky other people roaming the camp.
"Abigail, where's little Jack at?" He warmly greeted her.
Hosea had always been kind to her, worried for her and made sure they always had everything at their disposal. In other words, he was the father she never had-also fit the appropriate age that her real father would have. No matter the situation at hand she could always confide on his wisdom more than anyone else in this gang.
"He knows better. How's she doing?"
Hosea sighed and stood up form his spot with a low groan, "Susan is still too weak to be herself. The fire is keeping her stable, but some good proper medication is what she needs right now."
Both walked a few feet away and spoke with full trust and sincerity. "I know, I know. I'm worried for them too." the elderly outlaw smiled at her, having correctly guessed, Abigail's thoughts. "Before it would be another simple run of the mill job... this time however...all bets are off as to what we will all confront onwards from here."
"I don't know what to make of all of this Hosea, I mean...what is all of this? Europe? Some British territory? Forgive me for not being fully invested in the story the locals have been proclaiming as fact. It makes no sense!" Abigail let her fears known, allowing her tough mask to slip before the seasoned outlaw and smartest man she's ever known.
"I understand... it's all too much to take in. We just need to move out from here as soon as possible. Hope that Dutch and the rest of the boys come back with lucrative information and much needed supplies to aid in our turmoil. Until then however, we need to stick together and not let despair tear us apart...from within and among us." Both parted ways-Hosea sitting back down next to Grimshaw and Abigail trailing along the makeshift camp grounds.
XxXxX
More hours passed by and still no word or appearance from Dutch, Arthur and John, hell even Micah all by himself arriving to camp would have lifted everybody's spirits. Bill was already complaining about being stuck in camp and wanted to get out there and be useful in any other shape or form than just standing around looking mean and tough, the others were sharing the same sentiments as well. The only ones with a clear head on their shoulders were Hosea, Charles and Sadie and chose to be patient about the situation in hand. Abigail for her part was just worried for her son's basic needs and for the safe return of the man she loved.
"I'm telling y'all I may have zero understanding of where we may be or what the actual hell is going on, but the moment we reach a town I'm drinking the whole saloon dry." Abigail listened to Karen rant over her desperate need for alcohol, rolling her eyes in response.
"I just want to buy me a new dress, these ones are all ruined." Mary-Beth motioned to her tattered clothes, "The clothes on that sweet young girl sure were nice... I hope she is okay."
"I sure do want to move to a better location, get a proper camp running, but with Grimshaw out of commission..." Tilly added.
"That old hag will make it through, she'll be back to yelling at us all in no time." Karen responded back.
Abigail shook her head at their small-talk, just listening and not engaging, too focused on her own thoughts. Charles had spoken to Hosea about heading out and tracking them down, so if after another hour or so passed by then Charles would be off. Sadie wanted to join, but too many fighters gone would leave the camp vulnerable. "What says you Abigail?" She looked over at the other girl's, all focused on her.
"You've been awfully quiet." Mary-Beth said.
"The sooner the men get back the better we can find our bearings and move on. That's all that matters. All this crazy talk about kingdoms and castles is none of my concern." She stood up and left the girls behind as she went over to Jack who was hanging out with Uncle and a downhearted Reverend. "Stop pestering those two Jack." grabbing her son they walked over to Pearson to get some small cuts of venison for Jack to eat.
"We got a rider!" Lenny's voice boomed loudly for the others to hear.
The gang let out a sigh of relief as the man approaching on horse was none other than Dutch Van Der Linde himself. Getting off his horse, Dutch was greeted by his family, all swarming him with many questions, questions he now has the answers for.
"What's the situation Dutch?" Bill asked.
"Where are the other's?" Charles spoke next.
"Where's John, Dutch, is he alright?" Abigail pushed past Swanson and Karen to be up and center.
"All will be answered! I promise, but right now, we need to move people." Dutch yelled out with Hosea now by his side.
Hosea held Dutch by the arm, "Hold on Dutch, you are moving to fast. Give us something. What did you discover?" Dutch calmly patted his longtime friend on the shoulder with a chuckling smile, the signature smile the most infamous outlaw in the United States still alive always wore with pride. Behind them two individuals showed up, both males and clad in leather brown.
"Gentleman do no be alarmed please. I have acquired the kind services of the local folk. We got wagons filled with the supplies we desperately needed!" Dutch explained to the whole gang before him, "We are moving out of this spot and onwards to better pastures."
"Momma where is dad?" Abigail looked down at her son and asked herself the same question.
XxXxX
The small bar of gold that Dutch took with him was apparently worth more than it's U.S. equivalent as it had singlehandedly managed to purchase enough tools and supplies to recreate their old caravan but even better. Four simple wagons being pulled by two horses each, a driver on each the last one carrying essentials and the first one sacks of potatoes and corn. The three crates of firearms were each placed on a wagon each. Dutch alongside Hosea lead the caravan away from the desolated spot they've been sheltering about for the previous days since making landfall.
Abigail alongside Jack rode on the second wagon alongside Grimshaw, Sadie and Pearson sitting shotgun next to the native driver.
"So this 'Kingsroad' leads all the way to the capital you say?" Pearson conversed with the driver.
"Aye, from King's Landing all the way to the Wall far up in The North was this long road created. Good thing we ain't traveling to the capital, that trip would take us a week to complete." the local man happily explained.
"Do you know about the United States of America?" Sadie raised her voice, Abigail saw the quizzical look on the woman. Guess she wasn't the only one still doubtful of the place and time of this country.
"Never heard of it. Is that your town's name? Sounds to long and strange doesn't it?" The man responded with a shrug, "Anyway, we were told that your party got shipwrecked off the coastline of the Bite. I am grateful to the Seven that you ended up on the mainland instead of one of the Sisters, nothing but savage cutthroats it's inhabitants are."
"What the fuck." Abigail heard Sadie muttering to herself. Abigail herself was just as confused, her denial about this new world still strong within her, yet the more time passes by the lesser and lesser her stubbornness began to fade away and, in its replacement, this new reality became truth.
As they all rode in formation, Abigail wondered of the new life they would be having in this new country. Not state, not county, they were now trapped in an entirely different place. At the very least they now had the bare essentials to survive, now all they had to do was settle down and prosper. No more America, no more Pinkertons, rival gangs and pestering bounty hunters constantly looming over them. Even if the reception was cold and unwelcoming, she hoped for the better in the upcoming days. This lead her back to the others still out there.
As Dutch had explained. John, Arthur and Micah had been assigned a mission by the local Lord. A mission that if carried out successfully they would now be in good graces with the ruling family of this region. Dutch hoped that they could form a relationship and continue being employed for gold and silver which apparently was the currency of the government used here. Abigail scoffed for Dutch was anything but a tamed servant, he was just bidding his time before graciously robbing the people blind and laughing about it afterwards around the campfire with a cigar in one hand a bottle of whiskey on the other. All she cared for was that John was safe and well, he may be a neglectful father and a moron, but he was her moron and desired to see him prove himself to be better than what he currently is.
Small chapter but just like Chapter 1 in the video game the gang is relocating, and the open world is now accessible. Slow and steady now. There are still a couple of individuals who will take part in this New Americana.
Miko 56 - I facepalm once realizing I could have made that joke. I'll save it for a future chapter.
thoughts.59 - mmm'kay
betmen123 - I appreciate that mate, but I'll stick to this format. Don't want to overstretch myself all around the place, done it before and it wrecked me.
Devin Devin - Thanks mate, I've been longing to write this down since last year. I do hope to give it justice and expand the clashing of these two worlds with fine writing.
dominickwarcimaga666 - Shame.