Brandon saw them off. Sam was looking so much better. He had been so tired, he slept through the whole night and into the afternoon.
The hostages that were trapped in the basement were sent to Strawberry for some questioning. Hopefully, one of them could have a clue as to where Colm was.
Once they were gone, Brandon had Cripps and Rose begin packing up camp. It would only be a matter of time before O'Driscolls found their camp after the stunt they pulled.
Brandon had his tent cleared out and Rose was in the process of taking it down, before loading everything onto the cart. The blonde was just writing down some notes to remember what to ask some of the former hostages.
The red head walked up to Brandon and gave him a thumbs up. He looked at her and just sighed, which made her raise a brow.
"That poor bastard…" Brandon muttered. "It's Sam. I just hope he knows what he's getting into. I know how it feels to lose everything, and I know he's twenty-seven, but… he's still got his whole life ahead of him."
Rose looked around, seeing that Cripps wasn't looking, Briefly, she lowered the handkerchief covering her neck. Brandon smiled.
"So you want to help too?"
Rose nodded.
"Good. Anyway, did ya manage to find anything?"
Rose nodded again and handed her partner a wanted poster of Micah Bell. Brandon took it and stared at it for a moment.
"So, it really is him, huh?" He sighed, and tucked the wanted poster in his satchel. "Shame. If he weren't with Dutch's Boys, he could've made us a lot of money. "Anyway, let's pack up and get back to Maggie. Bet Cripps will be excited."
Sam sighed through his nose. Still no Lily. It was night by the time they got back, but he was glad to be back at camp. He was more used to it now, and it wasn't too different than Valentine. He still woke up and went to sleep to the smell of grass, dirt, horses, and other animals, along with the open air.
But he wasn't used to coming back to an empty tent. It still smelled like the many herbs they've picked and medical supplies, but it wasn't the same without her. He didn't realize how long he was just staring at the empty space, before Arthur patted his back.
"You alright?"
"Yeah…" He rubbed his arms, muscles still sore from the fighting and falling down one story. "Is being an outlaw always painful?"
Arthur just laughed. "You get used to it."
The outlaw left Sam to go get settled, and he started to take a little swig of whiskey. He'd rather not stay up another night to get his sleep schedule back in order, when he could just drink himself sleepy and force it back in order… hopefully.
But before that, he needed to talk to a certain someone.
"Get up!" Sam snapped. He kicked Kieran in the shin, which woke him up. He had been sleeping, slumped against a tree with the chickens around him. Of course they scattered a distance with Sam's actions.
"S-Sam?" Kieran whimpered. Sam was standing over him, his cold, colorless eyes gazing down at him.
"Found Seth," said Sam. "He's due to meet the noose soon. And Brandon will make sure of it."
"Um… okay…"
"Now, what was I going to say? Oh yeah! HE KNEW NOTHING!"
Kieran flinched. "W-Well, are ya sure?!" he almost shrieked in terror.
"Well, I broke his hand and almost broke the other one." He shrugged, while Kieran just shook, his hands close to each other. In fact, Sam actually laughed a little. "Didn't even think I could do that." Kieran's blood ran cold at the thought. "And, still, he didn't say a word."
"There ain't much loyalty with Colm," said Kieran, unless you're a higher up. Seth was just like… the top of the bottom, I suppose."
Sam took a swig of whiskey. "I guess so. So, how about you tell me about one of the other men?" He pulled his notebook from his bag, and after reading it briefly, he reached for a paper.
"Can you write?" said Sam.
"Enough to read it, I guess." A pen and paper was dropped onto the grass.
"Then write down what you know about Maclean," said Sam. "He's next. And he'd better say something, because I'm getting impatient." Then he sighed. "Or at least, I can use him to drive the message to Colm that I want some fucking answers."
Kieran crawled a little and grabbed the pen and paper. "O-Okay…" He was relieved when Sam walked away. Yet another night survived with this gang, at least. The night was bringing a chill, and he saw Sam go back into the tent alone. They said that he could stay, but never gave him anything, not even a bedroll to sleep on the floor.
But for now, he was safe from the O'Driscolls and that was all that mattered.
Tilly went into town to get the mail today. Arthur and some of the girls were hesitant about her going due to an incident that happened when they first stepped in Valentine. Sam asked around the camp, and apparently, a gang she used to run with known as the Foreman Brothers were still angry at her. So, they had Lenny and Sean go with her and she came back safe and sound with the mail.
In fact, Tilly even put a letter on the table on Sam's tent. The young man just came back from helping Pearson.
"Hey, Sam," she said. "It's from Lily, so it's bound to be good news."
Sam shrugged. "I hope so. Did anyone give you trouble in town?"
"Well, I think I saw one or two of them, or it could've been my imagination, but Lenny and Sean made sure nobody got too close."
"Okay."
Tilly just gave Sam a warm smile. "She's a sweetheart, Sam. I'm sure she'll be back." Sam forced a smile to ease her worries before she walked away. He hoped she was right.
He went to his tent and sat back down. For some reason, however, he just couldn't bring himself to make it past "Dear Sam," because he feared what would come next. Lily loved Archie. He knew long before everything happened what was going on between them. What would it say? That she was happy? That she wanted to stay? That she was going to give up on their plan to avenge Cliff and that he should, too?
As much as he could, he just couldn't. If he couldn't have justice, he had to get it himself. He was the one who owed a debt to the gang.
All he wanted was for Lily to be happy.
His palms were sweating like crazy, his throat was closing up and all of a sudden his eyes were watering.
"Hawkeson!" John called. "We planning the robbery tonight, or what?"
Sam quickly looked over at John who was at a table with Charles. There was a map set down on it. Then, Arthur walked by, and John was instantly focused on him.
"You want in on this, Arthur?" he asked.
"No," he said, flatly. And he kept walking. John just rolled his eyes, and signalled Sam to join them. The young man set the letter down on top of a medicine chest and made his way over to him.
Arthur just kept walking, like he didn't even notice. After spending the past two or three days with Sam and his business, he wanted to get back out there and make himself useful. Then he saw the letter for the young man just sitting there.
Now, Arthur Morgan tried not to be nosy, at least when it came to the camp, but he saw as it a bit of justice for Sam going through his letter from Mary.
Dear Sam,
Well, it's been a few days since we last spoke. Mrs. Downes and Archie are okay, for the most part. They're both still devastated and I'm doing what I can, but… Well, I just found out that they're gonna lose the ranch and they'll have to move soon. I'm not sure what they're gonna do, but I'm trying to help try to find some deal with the bank. I was never good with money, and you know Daddy usually took care of that.
I'm still at the Downes' Ranch if you want to see me. If Archie or his mom say anything, I'll get them off your back. I just thought we could catch up a little.
From,
Lillian Hawkeson
Arthur suddenly looked over upon hearing yelling. He thought it was about the robbery plans, but it was Abigail interrupting it all. Sam and Charles were looking elsewhere, awkwardly.
"Do we really have to do this, now?" said John. "We're planning something big here!"
"You never seem to have to have time, you fool!" Abigail snapped.
"I'm… I'm…" John stuttered, trying to find his words.
"Mm-hmm?"
John sighed and rubbed his temples. "Listen, Abigail, you… You deserve… so much more than I can manage. I guess… I just don't know much about fathering."
"Oh, it's real easy," Abigail said sternly.
"What do I do?"
"Pretty much the exact opposite of what you have been!"
Sam was just staring down at the table and Charles was trying to make it look like he was just whittling some arrows. They looked at each other, with Sam looking confused, and Charles just shrugging. He was usually quiet, anyway.
John scoffed. "Real funny."
"Oh… Oh, I ain't joking," said Abigail. "You just use that tiny brain of yours, and whatever you think is right and proper, do the exact opposite, then… you'll raise a man!"
"Just like your momma did? Raise a real man, like you?"
Both Sam and Charles flinched at the smack that inevitably came. John nearly fell out of his chair, as Abigail stormed off.
Sam looked at John, who was rubbing his sore cheek. "So… after we move the oil wagon onto the tracks… We were there, when… you know."
John just sighed. "Let's just meet up near the spot where we left it. I need to get out of here. Bring your guns, look mean, and don't forget to cover up."
"Sure. I'll pick up some extra ammo in case we need any."
Charles nodded and was already walking towards Taima. Sam was excited: This was his first real robbery. And he wasn't just going to sit outside and be the getaway rider.
He raced back to his tent almost as fast as his heart was beating, when he saw Arthur putting down the letter.
"Hey, what are you-"
"Well, you did read mine," said Arthur.
Sam scoffed. "That's true…"
"So, what do you think?"
"I… I didn't get past 'Dear Sam'..."
"Why's that?"
Sam shook his head. "Because I'm busy!" He stormed inside and started gathering his guns and ammo. Arthur rubbed his temples.
"I told ya you can talk to us if you need it," said Arthur. "Lily wants to see you."
The younger man had just picked up his new Lancaster, when he stopped at those words. Then, he continued to hoist the repeater onto his back. "I'm busy."
"It's not nice to keep a lady waiting, Sam," Arthur said, as Sam loaded some packs of ammo onto his satchel.
"But it's not nice to keep me waiting, either," said Sam. "She said a few days, but I'm not sure how long she meant by that." He looked up from his desk. "And… I'm… scared of what she has to say…"
"But you're ready to rob a train?"
Sam was ashamed. He couldn't make eye contact with him.
"I guess so…" It didn't make sense, and he had nothing to say in his defense. "But, all I want is for Lily to be happy."
"Sam-"
"I told her not to see him, but she chose to do it anyway, even after Archie told us we were on our own, at my own uncle's funeral. Even after he and Edith villainized me for trying to get them money. I didn't want her to go, but she did." With that, he grabbed the remainder of his stuff and headed towards Aurora.
"But she's your family…"
"Ain't that what you said about John?" said Sam.
Somehow his voice was loud enough to grab John's attention. He was at his tent, also getting his stuff ready.
"That's different."
"No, it ain't. After everything she and I have been through she left me. You said so, yourself. Just like Lily is to me, you and John were family… Could you ever bring yourself to forgive him?" He shrugged. "Because… I know she didn't mean it, and it was kind of my fault for yelling at her, but… I just can't bring myself to forgive her. Lily's a big girl. She can handle herself."
Sam walked past Arthur and prepared to set out. Still, Arthur picked up the letter once more. He ignored it, when John walked past him to get to his horse, knowing he was staring with those judgemental eyes for reading Sam's mail.
It couldn't hurt to check on her… right? At least for Sam?
He was his friend, and whatever stuff was going on between him and Lily was clearly still bothering him. He wasn't even sure he should join John on this robbery, but he didn't want to even be near John, so was he any better, for doing the same thing Sam was doing? Why would Sam want to hang out with John after what Arthur said about him?
And yet, here he was, still thinking about John. About Abigail and the boy that John kind of wished wasn't his. It was maddening to Arthur that John had a woman and child, and had no want for them.
No want for a family.
Or the family that raised him.
Why did he even come back?
Why should he want Lily to come back, if Sam doesn't care either way?
The Downes' Ranch wasn't far from Valentine. Arthur just wanted to see Lily and nothing more, but his mind was still rattling from the last time he was there. He was about to beat a sick man. Sam fired at him and proved his accuracy for a thief. Sam said he was dead, even in his drunken stupor, he knew he was upset. He knew Archie and Edith would be wary of him. Things were different now between him and Sam, but nothing had changed in the Downes' eyes when it came to the outlaw. To them, he was just a strong man sent by the sleazy Herr Strauss.
The ranch was quiet. There weren't any animals making noises or out to graze. Not a worker was working and the crops where Arthur had met the sick man were dry and withering. They were being cleared away, as a woman was at work with a sickle. Her golden hair had been braided so it wouldn't get in the way while she worked. As soon as she saw Arthur coming, she put down her tool and took the woven hat off her head, wiping her brow. It was Lily. Her face lit up upon laying eyes on him.
"Arthur!"
For a family that was more or less destitute, Lily seemed to be doing just fine. She didn't seem hungry, there was color on her face, and she had a healthy glow from working. Maybe Sam gave her some money? Or she stole it? The latter was more likely. It was only telling who she learned it from.
The two were out near the barn, standing inside the empty corral just catching up, while Soleil and LIlly. He let Lily know what he and Sam had been up to, and Lily, in turn, told Arthur what she had been doing.
"But there's not much I can do, now," said Lily. "They're losing this whole place, and… I can't… do anything…"
Arthur sighed. It wasn't like he could do anything either. It also wasn't the best to tell her that the Downes still owed Strauss money, regardless. He didn't even like it, no matter how legal it was, and he certainly didn't want Sam shooting at him again.
"Least you tried…" Arthur said, exhaling the last of his cigarette.
"Hmm." Lily rubbed her tired hands, looking up as Arthur threw the cigarette butt onto the dirt. "Why have you come?"
"Read your letter," he answered honestly. "Sam didn't wanna go, but… I was worried for him. I think it'd give him a little piece of mind to know that you was fine, but he wouldn't listen. But, considering how he is, I don't really blame him. No offense."
"No, it was my fault," said Lily.
"Why did you decide to help them? After everything they did to you?"
"They're my friends. At least at one point, they were. They needed help, and… Sometimes, it's best to just do it, even if they don't want it… or, even if they don't want you."
Arthur didn't know what to say to that. No wonder Charles was so kind to her. She was a kind soul underneath all her deeds.
Lily and Arthur's ears picked up on a noise. The sound of incoming horses and a cart.
"They're coming back," said Lily. "You need to get out of here."
"What?" said Arthur. "If they give me any-"
"Please!" Lily said, pushing him towards the barn. "They'll throw me out if they see you."
"What about Sam?" Arthur hissed.
"I'm not leaving him, but I have to at least help them. Or at least help Archie. Please." Her eyes sparkled. "Just look after Sam for me?"
Arthur understood… somewhat, but her reasons for sticking around saddened him. Even though he wasn't lucky in love because of his life, it didn't mean things couldn't be different for Lily. There was no way he would crush it.
"Okay…" the outlaw conceded. He went inside and approached Soleil, calming him from the sudden entrance. Taking the reins, he led his horse out and away from the barn, opposite from where he came in, thankful that a door was on the other side.
Once he was in the trees, he mounted his horse and rode into the darkness that was casted by the setting son.
He wanted to make his way back to the camp, but he didn't want to just go back empty handed. He spent his afternoon with Lily instead of making himself useful. No wonder he worked himself into exhaustion about a few days ago.
Lily's words were still swimming in his head. As much as he still held these negative feelings for John, the bastard was still his brother. The younger man was never good with feelings, or talking for that matter.
But there was no way he could just let go of what he did. It would be like forgetting what happened in Blackwater, not that Dutch told him much of what happened.
And just like Charles, he made a promise to Lily to keep her cousin safe. That girl had better keep her word.
"Come on, Sammy!" Sean challenged.
"No," said Sam. He took off his blue coat and found a nice black one to borrow from the camp. He also decided to take off his hat, as well, not wanting anyone to recognize him. "Can you please take this seriously? This is why John doesn't want you on this." Sean had been trying and failing to shoot bottles on the draw of his gun.
"Would ya loosen up?"
"Loosen up?" The night was almost upon them, and the gravity of what they were about to do was starting to weigh heavy. Innocent people were going to be involved and they were going to have guns. They were going to rob.
To be the criminals that they were.
"It's ya first robbery and you're more wound up than the O'Driscoll bastard that was tied to the tree."
"Well, I don't… want to kill anyone…" said Sam. He couldn't find himself to let go of Aurora's saddle. "Just… I don't know."
"Ah, ya just have cold feet," said Sean. "Trust me, you're gonna love it when you're in the thick of it. The joys of gunslinging and robbing fools."
Sam huffed. "Well, I do like robbing idiots." Then he pointed his gun at Sean. "So, put your hands up." He smiled and then holstered his weapon.
Sean rolled his eyes. "Well, real funny. Hawkeson. Ya better sleep with your eyes open."
"Yeah, well you're gonna sleep with your chest open, if you ain't careful, boy."
Arthur was then on the scene, pulling on a dark coat of his own and leaving his usual tan one on his horse.
"Arthur?" said Sam.
"Thought you were too tired to join us, old man!" Sean exclaimed.
"Us? You ain't even invited."
"You're gonna need guns and men! The more the merrier."
"Well, seeing as you're here, there's no way I'm leaving the greenhorne with you," said Arthur. "I might as well bring Micah along."
"Compare me to that oily turd again… and you're a dead man!" Sean spat. "Now, come on!" He gestured to the bottles he set up. "Take a shot. Come on, take your best shot, please."
Arthur rolled his eyes. He drew his sidearm, and shot the bottle, before holstering his weapon once more. Sam watched in amazement. "Grow up," Arthur muttered.
It was getting late. Sean continued his practice. Sam was pacing back and forth, something that Arthur would see Dutch do sometimes, and Arthur was just sitting by the oil wagon, still not believing that he actually decided to come on the job.
"Breathe, Sam," Arthur then said. Sam was so lost in his nerves that he nearly jumped three feet in the air. "You won't be able to rob if you hold your breath."
"That's what I've been telling him," said Sean.
"Shut up."
Sam nervously laughed. "How could you tell?" But one look from him said that he was making it obvious. He took some deep breaths and then just sat down next to Arthur.
"I know you well enough, my friend." He handed Sam some whiskey. "Go easy on it. You need your senses."
Sam's heart was going fuzzy at that word again. He smiled and happily downed the drink, while Arthur stood, seeing approaching shadows and then John and Charles came into view.
"Arthur?" said John. He dismounted his horse, with Charles following behind him.
"John," Arthur responded flatly.
"What are you doing here?"
"A feller can't change his mind?"
"He can, but you're not really one to-"
"Hey! There they are!" Sean exclaimed, racing out to meet the others.
"What are you doing here, kid?" said John.
"I'm coming, John… on the job."
"I said you weren't coming."
"Yeah, well Arthur says I am… so come on, let's go." Sean climbed onto the front seat of the oil wagon. "Me and the big cheeses! Ya gonna love it, Sam! Can't wait to slit some bastard's throat!"
"For my sake, I hope you don't!" Sam said, stumbling to his feet. John, noticing the drink, took the bottle away and tossed it in the woods.
"Just stay calm, and follow my lead," said John. "You'll be fine. Nobody needs to die tonight. Now, the train's due to come through tonight, so we need to hurry. Here. Why don't you drive? I'll tell you where to go."
Sam's face suddenly lit up. "Yeah. Alright."
"Gentlemen," Arthur said, once the others were hanging onto the wagon, standing beside the oil barrel. "Let's go earn some money."
With John's directions Sam rode out towards a place that was over the border of New Hanover and went into the state of Lemoyne, with their horses following behind them. The place beyond the border was foreign to Sam and it was the first time he had gone into the down south.
Sam was nervous, but for once he welcomed Sean's endless chatter, much to Charles' chagrin. It helped to at least ease his worries, but the real action was still yet to come.
"Here's good," said John. "Stop the wagon over the tracks."
Sam did as he was told. He brought the wagon to a stop and it was just evenly over the tracks. Everyone got down and Arthur raced over to untie the horses pulling the cart forth and them running into the night.
"Remember," said John. "These are innocent folk. We handle this right, nobody needs to die here."
Sam swallowed nervously. He prayed it didn't come to that. These weren't criminals, or O'Driscolls. These weren't people who had ever wronged him, or even met before. They were innocent.
And yet, something about this was just making him excited at the same time.
"Mr. Marston," said Arthur. "Mr. Smith... Mr. Maguire… Mr. Hawkeson…" He gestured to the trees near the tracks. "Get over there. When she slows… board her."
"And you?" said Sean.
"I'm gonna make sure she slows." The outlaw set his foot on the tracks. Already he could feel the metal rumbling and the rocks shaking beneath him.
"It's do or die, with you… I like it."
"Get moving..."
Sean ran towards the foliage and John followed. Sam just stared, until Charles tugged at his arm to join him. They all hid, while Arthur climbed onto the wagon and stood on top of the oil barrel.
Everyone could hear the train chugging along, saw the light from the front of it cutting through the empty darkness of the night. Arthur pulled up his bandana and the others did the same. Sam's palms were gripping his repeater tightly, knuckles turning white from the hold. For a moment he could clearly see his comrades as the light bounced off the trees and leaves. The wheels screeched, approaching Arthur, but the outlaw didn't even flinch. He got out his repeater and filled the chamber.
Then the train stopped. John grinned, beneath his bandana. His plan was a success.
The engineer stepped off the train, boots hitting the ground as he went to investigate.
"What's going on here?" He hesitated to step forward, his hands slowly reaching up as he saw the armed outlaw standing atop the oil wagon. "What's going on?"
Suddenly, Charles came up from behind the engineer and hit him on the head hard with the bottom end of his rifle. It knocked the engineer out cold.
"Nothing good…" he muttered.
"Come on," said John. Sam took a second to make sure his bandana was secure while it covered his face. The first wagon did have passengers. Charles was searching the engineer for anything useful, while Sean knocked out another guard. "Look mean, and make sure no one tries to be a hero."
"Okay…" Sam whispered.
"Loud, scary and mean!" said John. "Don't hold back."
Sam nodded. Arthur was stepping onto the cart from the front, while John and Sam were getting on from the back. Sean was walking towards the back of the train to find the baggage car.
The rookie outlaw took some deep breaths as he approached the door.
"Let's go!" said John.
"Show time…" Sam muttered. He kicked the door in and held it open for John, who, upon walking in, held up his gun and shot at the roof, causing the passengers inside to scream.
"Everybody stay calm and nobody'll get shot!" John yelled.
A man in the front stood when Arthur walked in. The outlaw knocked him out and he flopped back onto his seat. "Sit down!" he hissed. Sam tried to not flinch at that. Some people looked in his direction and he quickly just glared at them.
"What the fuck are you looking at?!" Sam then yelled. The people then looked away. The young man was glad they couldn't see him biting his lip. John was walking up to the passengers with a bag.
"Let's go…" said John, as people were tossing their money and jewelry to him, "everything you got! Money! Valuables!"
All Sam had to do was guard the door and make sure no one tried anything. Part of him still couldn't believe he was actually here. He was helping to pull off a robbery. The people were just handing it over and he didn't have to be super sneaky about it. It still came with the same amount of anxiety.
"I ain't got nothing."
Though there were still people who were trying to stay strong.
"You wanna have a little chat with Romeo and Juliet here?" said John.
Granted, he probably would've tried to delay them if he was in the passenger's shoes.
"Money, valuables, now!" Arthur yelled. He whacked the resistant man with his rifle. The woman flinched.
"Don't do this," the woman next to the man pleaded. "Just give it to him, Thomas, please!"
Sam's breath hitched at the name. Almost reminded him of Mr. Downes when Arthur went to collect that money. The same day, he drew his weapon, and showed that he was a goddamn man.
He lived with those men, now. Did chores around the camp. One of them helped him tame a horse, defending him from the townspeople that now hated him...
"People like you make me sick…"
"Sick is better than dead, lady," Arthur growled. "And I'm losing my goddamn patience."
Charles even promised to teach him how to use a bow. Slowly, he was being reminded. He helped rob a clinic, he had begun working with shady folk to find the bastard who shot his uncle, they stole that oil wagon… and now, they were robbing a train.
He still remembered. They were outlaws.
Once everyone had been relieved of their valuables, they began to walk towards the back. Sam nodded and opened the door. There was no turning back now. He had to prove his worth, or he would be kicked to the dirt.
Sam swung the door to the next cart open, and pulled out his sidearm.
"Get your goddamn hands up!" he yelled. "This is a goddamn robbery!"
Still, there was some kind of rush, seeing all these rich looking snobs, doing as he commanded, throwing their hands up, and handing over their money to them. Maybe the feeling was sickening to others, but to Sam at the moment, he didn't care.
"You boys need me?" Sean called from the other side of the cart.
"No," said Arthur. "You go ahead and look for the baggage car. Mr. H, go with him. I wanna make this quick."
"Sure," said Sam. He stormed ahead, while the "brothers" collected charitable donations from the passengers.
The young man walked ahead. Arthur stayed with John, strong-arming anyone who resisted.
"Money, NOW! You son of a bitch." Arthur said to a belligerent man, before whacking him across the face with his gun. Sam heard the hit as he exited the cart and walked past a normal coach car.
"Nobody in here, move an inch," said Sam. He held up his gun, only lowering it once he was on the other side and met up with Sean. "You got it?"
"Just a second…" Sean was trying to pick the lock. Once he opened it however, a train guard came out and knocked the red head into the frame, making him fall to the floor. Sam didn't know what to do, but once the gun was on him, he froze, dropping his volcanic pistol onto the floor.
"Don't move!" the guard said, sternly. Then Sean kicked the guard in the shin. He fell on the floor and the outlaw pulled out his gun.
"No, wait!" said Sam.
BANG!
Sam flinched at the gunshot and saw the guard, lying dead on the ground, blood pooling onto the floorboards, as Sean, a man almost a decade younger than Sam, stood and brushed off the kill like it was nothing.
"Hesitate like that again, and there'll be a hole your head, ya idiot!" Sean said, irritably. He picked up Sam's gun and tossed it to him. The rookie fumbled as he caught it in his arms.
"You didn't have to kill him," said Sam. "He was just doing his job."
"And he had a fucking gun! We ain't performing at a children's party, but it don't mean ya can't have some fun with this. Now, go on! This time, I'll stand guard!" And with that he pushed Sam into the baggage car, bag in his hands and a car full of stuff.
"Everything okay over there?" said Arthur.
"Mr. H here, just had a greenhorne moment," said Sean. "That's all."
"You alright?"
"Fine, but I'm seeing double."
"That gives you twice the chance of hitting someone."
"Very funny…"
Sam swore he saw a bunch of tennis rackets on the ground. It was odd. He thought the rich played golf. He got to work immediately, searching the cabinets and chests and finding a bunch of money, fancy drinks, jewelry, and other valuables. It was like a goldmine to him! And they could just take it all?!
"Got everything?" said Arthur. He walked in just in time to see Sam emptying out the last cabinet.
"Looks like it," Sam said, excitedly. "Mine! Mine! Mine!" he chanted to himself while he shoved valuables into the bag.
Arthur shook his head, smiling. "Remember the camp gets its share."
"Yes, sir…" Sam said, rolling his eyes. He didn't see other guards. They must have ran off, and the only one that stayed was more concerned about protecting the valuables than the people. It was infuriating, like what happened in Valentine.
"Arthur, we got a problem," said Sean. "There's two arseholes on horses."
"Shit…" said Sam. This was another part he feared about tonight: the law catching them. "Now what?"
Arthur rolled his eyes. "Stay calm. Get down and stay under cover."
Once they were back outside, Sam ducked behind some crates, and Arthur did the same being next to Sean. Coming from the trees appeared to be two officers. This wasn't anything new to them, but Sam was shaking, and briefly glanced at the dead guard. Again, those officers were just doing their job.
"You men come off the train now, do you hear?" one of them said. "We said you men come out now!"
"There's only two of you, you fools!" Arthur hollered. "We got a whole lot less to don't the two of you ride away? That way neither of you get killed. Goddamn liberties…"
"There's a few more of them turning up," said Sean.
And he was right. Two more deputies on horses were riding up from behind them, with more on the way.
"Me and my big mouth," Arthur grumbled. He saw Sam looking at him, confused and wide eyed. Unfortunately, he was in the big time now. This was what they did. "Okay… let's deal with them."
"What?" said Sam.
Arthur fired the first shot, knocking a man off his horse. The officers started firing back and the other gang members started to fire as well.
Meanwhile, Sam was keeping his head down. He shook, breathing through his tightly held teeth and struggling on what to do. He didn't want to shoot the law, but he didn't want them to hurt his friends, either. Even if he did nothing, the gang would shoot the law anyway. That was what they were, right? A gang. And now Sam was affiliating himself with them.
They were swarming the train and then one of them had a shotgun and shot at the crate Arthur was hiding behind. It exploded, and the outlaw collided with the frame of the doorway and another crate on the way down.
"ARTHUR!" Sam yelled. Somehow, that spurred him to do something. He shot at the deputy with the shotgun, hitting the ground in front of his horse. The horse whined, standing on his hind legs and knocking the officer off.
John and Sean were providing cover, while Charles made his way over to him. Arthur was gripping his head pretty tight. Despite the gunshots and yelling, he couldn't focus and felt disoriented, head throbbing. He felt Sam check his head, and when he took his hands away, there was red on his palm. Arthur's head was bleeding.
Sam grimaced. Not again. Quickly, his mind flashed to that night his uncle was killed, the O'Driscoll that tried to kill Arthur, the night of Thomas' death, and Lily leaving him in the dust. The law was boarding the train and the door on the other side of the car was knocked open.
"Put your goddamn hands-"
BANG!
The deputy that stormed in gasped at the new bullet wound in his chest, before her flopped onto the floor, unmoving. Dead. Sam holstered his weapon, before reaching for Arthur, helping him to his feet. Charles peeked outside, helping the others shoot and make some space, so they could get out of there.
"Arthur, ride with Charles," said Sam. He growled when another lawman was caught in the corner of his eye. He drew his weapon again and shot him, knocking him off his horse. Arthur was in too much pain and in the moment to argue.
After getting on Taima, Charles got onto the saddle, while Arthur hung onto Charles with one hand, and his bleeding head with the other. John took the lead, with the others following behind him. Everyone had their rifles loaded and shot at any law that got near them. They stayed off the roads and just cut through the wilderness.
Once they were far away enough, they ran through a thick patch of tall trees that towered above them. Then, they came upon a clearing, surrounded by water with a giant tree at the center. As far as they knew they were still in Lemoyne. Now that they were away from the law, they could let down their bandanas.
"What is this place?" said Sam.
"I don't know," said John. "But it should do, for now."
Charles and Sam were helping Arthur off the horse and to the tree. He clearly was hit hard. His head was throbbing and he pushed the two away from nausea and threw up whatever he ate today.
"Is he alright?" said Sean.
Sam was quick to get to Arthur again and help him sit, back leaning against the tree.
"No, he clearly isn't!" Sam snapped. "Give him some room."
After getting permission from Arthur, he dug through his satchel and got out his lantern. It still had some oil in it. As much as he felt like he had no right to make Arthur do anything, he needed to look at his injuries. Fortunately the wound on his head was just on the surface, but one look at his eyes told him he was concussed.
"Concussion," said Sam. "Don't fall asleep." Arthur winced as Sam wiped the blood on his wound. "Sorry…"
"Great…" Arthur grunted, through tightly held teeth. He tried to suppress a groan as the wound was touched with a wet cloth.
"Oh, quit your whining, big man," said Sean. "That was fun boys, real fun. At least we made some money."
"You weren't even invited."
"Was that a set up?" said John. "Law turned up real fast."
"Think they followed us from Blackwater?" said Charles.
"Think that lot was just locals," said Arthur.
"I hope so," said John. He paused for a moment, a bit shocked that Arthur actually responded to him normally for the first time in months, but Arthur was hurt and in pain, so he decided not to dwell on it. Sam was the doctor. He'd take care of him.
But they could've died tonight!
Once the wound was clean, Sam wrapped Arthur's head wound with bandages, making sure no hair was over the wound, and making sure it wasn't too tight. Arthur's elbows were sore from hitting the floor, but other than the concussion he should be fine as long as he didn't sleep until sunrise, with someone checking on him every two hours when he did.
Still…
John walked up and then grabbed Sam by the arm, yanking him from Arthur and slamming him against the tree.
"Hesitate again, and I'll take it to Dutch as insubordination!" John snapped. "Do you hear me?!"
"I-"
"I don't wanna hear your goddamn excuses! Arthur or Sean could've been dead, because of your incompetence!"
Sam shot the law. Granted, he could've done it earlier, but he did then. John was right, though. They got hurt because he froze. He panicked like a civilian.
"So, now you care about your 'brother'?" said Sam.
John held up his fist. Sam winced, but didn't scream or yelp. If he was going to punch him, then so be it. He deserved it.
"Do it already…" Sam hissed. He gulped but didn't struggle. He shut his eyes tightly and turned away.
"John, stop it!" Arthur then yelled. "Let him go!" He clutched his head again. "Christ…"
John didn't move. His fist was still raised, but then he sighed and let Sam get back to his "patient," while he went to get a cigarette.
Sam knelt down slowly, and got back to cleaning up Arthur's head wound. It was still bleeding but the flow was starting to stop.
"Sorry…" Sam said, softly. "I almost got everyone shot. A guard could've hit Sean… and I froze. They were just doing their…"
"I know," said Arthur.
"I didn't want you to-"
"I know. Should've just let them take me while you made off with the money."
"Why would you say that?!" Sam then snapped. "You guys are… okay." He couldn't believe he just said that to a group of outlaws, but he was slowly getting used to it. After what happened tonight, was he any better? "And I promised I wouldn't let anything happen to my friends again. Now, hush up, and let me work!"
"Why are ya letting him off easy, old man?" said Sean. "I'm gonna have a right old lump on me head."
"Least you ain't a hole in it," said Arthur. "Or a gash."
"It's not a gash," said Sam. "I think it just nicked a vein, hence the bleeding." He then looked at Sean. "When we get back to camp, I'll find some sugar for that bump on your head. It should help the swelling go down."
Sean then smiled. "What a sweet man. You could learn something from him, Arthur."
"Shut up…" Arthur growled.
After that, Arthur just stayed quiet while Sam checked him for any other injuries. Sean went off to relax with a bottle or two of whiskey, while John got a small fire going. Once Arthur was all patched up, Charles took over watching over Arthur. Sam wouldn't specify why, but he just told them that he needed to walk and grab some fresh air. So he just walked around the perimeter of the clearing they found themselves in. John had a look at some maps and saw this place was known as Clemen's Point.
Sam was still shaken up from what he did. John was counting the money. That was what they came for and they got it. When those rich snobs had their hands up, it filled him with a rush… but then he shot the law.
They were just doing their job.
They were innocent.
He came upon the water and saw himself. Suddenly, he retched at his own reflection, throwing up into the water. He stood back up slowly, rubbing his stomach that still had butterflies in it with a whimper.
What was he? At the moment, he just felt so relieved but disgusted with himself. He fell to his knees and tears came down from his eyes. Yet, he held a fist close to his heart. He couldn't give up. He was tired of others controlling what happened to him.
To his aunt.
To his mother.
And now his uncle.
He couldn't stop until his uncle was avenged. Opening his eyes, tears streaming down from them and onto his cheeks. The stars were out, and as he looked up, something made him smile. Yes, he was mortified at what he had done, but somehow, he also felt relieved. He dreaded this would be the end of him, but he was still here. If anything, it was as liberating as it was terrifying.
It was dangerous.
It was terrifying.
It was bad!
But he was free!
He was free from the expectations of society. To bow down and obey. To do what was expected of him, even when those who were "above" him failed him at every turn and he was just supposed to just take it and move on.
Not anymore! He could do anything. He could steal what he wanted, do what he wanted… kill who he wanted.
He sat there, unsure if he was crying out of fear or joy. Maybe it was a mix of both. He still felt nauseous, but when the tears finally stopped, he was just tired. Still, he was the "doctor" and he had to keep an eye on his "patient."
Slowly, Sam rose to his feet, swaying a little and made his way back towards the big tree. Arthur wanted nothing more than to lay down and try to sleep this off, but Charles kept nudging him or loudly calling his name whenever it looked like he was dozing off.
"I've hit my head before, Charles…" Arthur grumbled. "Let me sleep…"
"It's dangerous right now, you fool…" said Charles.
Arthur just groaned out of frustration, like a child. Charles grabbed one of his arms and rubbed one of his sore elbows. It did feel nice, and Arthur quieted down for a while.
"He's right, Arthur," Sam said, kneeling down to the left of the man, opposite from where Charles was. He took his other arm and helped Charles out with providing this man some relief in the other elbow.
It was rare to have anyone doting on Arthur. He hadn't had this much attention since he was a child. The relief he was getting wasn't unwelcome. He was tired and a bit frustrated, but at least the robbery went well enough, and they had the money. That was more than what he could say about what happened in Blackwater.
"Stay awake, and I'll get a new horse…" Arthur mumbled.
"Arthur, you already got Soleil, remember?" Sam said, gently.
"Dutch promised me once… Still waiting…"
Sam and Charles just snickered. The native man got up to go stand guard, upon seeing that Sean and his lazy ass had fallen asleep. They could go home in the daytime when Arthur was feeling more with it, but for now, Sam stayed at his side, and let the outlaw lean on his head on his shoulder. Out of habit, Sam was rubbing his fingers through his hair, but it didn't seem like Arthur minded at all. He hummed, pleased with the contact, and Charles would be relieved to hear that he was relaxing.
"Arthur?" said Sam.
"What?" the outlaw mumbled. He was nodding off again, but Sam nudged him awake.
"Just a bit longer, then you can sleep."
"Shit… Fine…" he grumbled. He grabbed his journal and attempted to draw a bit more. Sam just shot a glance and saw him sketching a picture of Soleil.
"I thought you didn't want to go rob with us," said Sam. "What changed your mind, anyway?"
Arthur yawned. "It was Lily."
"Y-You saw her? Why?"
"Because you should've… even if you didn't want to."
"But you're here… even if you didn't want to."
"Because…" Arthur's pen lolled onto the page. He dragged the gaze of his tired eyes over to John who was sleeping on a bedroll near the campfire. "He's my brother. Just like Lily is your cousin. I hate his guts right now, but… you know."
The sun was coming up before long. As much as Sam wanted Arthur to stay awake just a little longer, he did end up falling asleep, but he was within the safe amount of time. He closed Arthur's journal and safely put it back in his bag, before carefully lowering him onto the bedroll he rolled out for him. He put him on back, making sure there was no pressure on his head. Sam took off the black coat he was borrowing and rolled up to use as a pillow for him.
John woke up before long thanks to Charles, who was done standing guard for the night. He walked over to see Sam still caring for Arthur attentively, despite how slow and sluggish he seemed. His hands were shaking, and his skin was still pale from earlier. Other than that, his eyes were completely on Arthur. They were away from the law, and his head was taken care of, but he was still worried.
"Asleep?" said John.
"Yeah, but he should be okay now," said Sam. "I'll change his bandages when he wakes up."
"Good. Now go to sleep."
"I-"
"Can't have the doc passing out on us. Now do it. Or are you questioning me?"
Sam shook his head. "No."
"Good."
The young man sighed. Slowly, he lifted away his hands that had been grasping Arthur's arm since he started trying to help him with the soreness, but the outlaw wouldn't let go of his wrist, and he mumbled something like a child: A clear message to stay. He sighed, and pulled up another bedroll, but found it a bit comforting to know that Arthur seemed to mean it when he said "friend." Or maybe it was just the concussion talking.
Sam laid himself down slowly. Past the joy and despair, he just found himself confused. This was how it would be now. He had gone past just being a thief and there was no going back. He didn't want to think about it and just closed his eyes, his nose pressed into Arthur's upper arm.
He was a killer.
A murderer.
An outlaw.