BANG!

Lily let out a scream and suddenly, the O'Driscoll slumped over, and Arthur managed to push him off. After picking up the hat that fell off his head, he stood and saw that there was a bullet hole in the center of the dead thug's forehead. A direct hit!

"Shit…" Arthur muttered, stumbling to his feet.

"Arthur!" said a voice. "Are you okay?!"

"Up here, Dutch!" Arthur called. He turned around upon hearing Lily. Following the sound of soft whimpering, he saw Lily staring at her cousin. There, he saw who had fired the shot.

Sam was sitting there, gasping softly for air, shaking. His eyes were wide open, silver eyes staring at the body that now laid on the floor. The volcanic pistol was in Sam's grasp and was still pointed forward, like the enemy was still standing. The empty shell the bullet was from was now on the floor nearby. A small trickle of smoke floated up from the barrel.

Another clap of thunder made Sam gasp sharply. He was frozen. He didn't even see Lily and Arthur approach him. He could barely speak, let alone think.

"I shot…" he rasped, between hiccups of air. "I shot him… I…"

"S-Sam…" Lily whimpered.

"Hey!" Arthur suddenly rushed towards his side. He was frozen like a statue, even when Lily was near him and Arthur had knelt down in front of him. To Sam, it was like he wasn't there. "Hey! Kid! Calm down! You had no-"

When the next round of lightning had hit, Sam's eyes were frozen at the sight of the body that laid before them. The light left his eyes, before sliding shut, and he slumped against the couch behind him, gun falling to the ground with a clank.

"Shit!" Arthur cursed again.

"Sam!" Lily cried, rushing to his side. She tried shaking him. "Sam! Get up! Sam!" She gathered him in her arms, rubbing his back, sobbing, only gaining a small bit of relief to hear his breath and his heart still beating.

"What do we do with them?" said Arthur.

"I'm not sure," said Dutch.

Arthur gazed at the pair. The man who cared for them was dead before their eyes… and for a moment, he felt a sense of familiarity. The poor girl sobbing in loss and worry… but mostly, the image of Sam's blank stare as he saw the dead O'Driscoll he shot.

His first murder.

The outlaw felt his mentor place a hand on his shoulder, providing a small comfort. He was pulled back to reality. He stood and took a step forward, the floorboards creaking. The sound alerted Lily and she turned to him with a tiny yelp, eyes reddened from crying and tears streaking down from her eyes.

"Please…" Lily pleaded. She moved her body covering Sam like a blanket or a shield. "Don't hurt him…"

"It's okay," Arthur said, gently. "I… It's okay."

Dutch nodded, seeing what Arthur wanted. "You'll come with us…" the gang leader said. He reached out his hand. Lily flinched at first, a small yelp leaving her as Arthur gently took hold of Sam, leaning his body against his.

"He'll be okay," said Dutch. "You'll come with us. It's okay." He helped the young lady to her feet, while Arthur lifted Sam off the ground. The young man groaned as he hoisted him over his shoulder.

"I can't leave him!" Lily pleaded, as she reached out for Cliff.

"We need to get you both to safety. Do you have anything for camping?"

Lily nodded and just covered her eyes, sobbing quietly. The gang leader took a moment to grab the camping supplies for their tent, before leading her outside and to the back of the clinic. Arthur did his best to get the unconscious Sam into the saddle of his horse. Lily was watching closely from the back of the Count, while Arthur had Sam lean forward on the horse, his breath still heavy and sweat gleaming on his face, as the outlaw got his feet into the stirrups. Then, he mounted the horse and had Sam lean back against him, with an arm around his waist.

Dutch got into the saddle. "Let's get you out of here. Grab on."

Lily sniffled, but held onto Dutch.

It only took until sunset to get back to camp. The storm from the night before had subsided, but Sam was still a bit wary, occasionally looking up at the parting clouds.

By the time they were back both Sam and Arthur were tired. Dutch told them they could take it easy when they were finished packing up their things. Sam had almost forgotten about how they were leaving until he saw half the camp had been taken down. He knew his reservations about all this, but it wasn't like one person was going to stop this. They couldn't stop this, after the whole mess in Valentine and the talk of Pinkertons.

Sam finally finished packing things, and then wandered around the camp for a bit. He didn't know where they were heading, but he guessed he would have no choice in the matter, anyhow. He owed Dutch his loyalty, and a man like him wouldn't let him off a debt he owed… but hopefully, it would never come in the form of a beating. He just didn't know what to do with himself, other than just stay with the gang now, and be his uncle's vengeance… even though he promised he wouldn't lose himself in it.

He sat down at the table, treated himself to some stew and a bottle of whiskey. Anything to help numb the pain in his chest from panicking and the embarrassment of it all.

"Alright there, Samuel?"

Sam nodded, looking up to see Sean taking a seat at the table. "Yeah…" He finished the last of his stew, and was now just concentrating on his drink. "So… we're really leaving this place, huh?"

"Well, if what Dutch said is right, it ain't like we can stick around here no more," said Sean. "That okay with you, or what's happening?"

"Just… I've never lived anywhere else, okay?" Sam mumbled. "I've visited West Elizabeth and been past the border into Lemoyne, but that's as far as I've ever gone."

"Ah, all places feel a bit of the same after a while." The Irishman sat down across from him. "You won't even know the difference."

Sam just hummed a little in response. Sean just grinned.

"You've never left home before, have you?" the redhead went on. "Never left ya mother's home?"

"She's dead."

"Father?"

"You tell me."

Sean just laughed. "Well, there's a lot out there ya haven't seen," said Sean. "You should count yourself lucky to be traveling with us, especially with Sean MacGuire at your side."

Sam nodded and reached for another bottle of whiskey. He took the cap off and placed it on the table.

"Why's that?" Sam shut his mouth, realizing that he was asking questions at what seemed like the biggest chatterbox in camp. He took a deep drink, realizing he'd probably be there for a while.

"Well, it's like me ol' Da used to say…"

Lily had snuck away from camp, but not without reason. After hearing what happened in Valentine, and knowing that they were moving, she knew she had to just take what she could and go.

The town was still on lockdown with a curfew in effect, but the girl wasn't alone. Charles made sure they entered town discreetly, leaving their horses in an alleyway behind some buildings on the street, before they entered the ruined clinic.

"Just stand guard and make sure no one comes in," said Lily.

Charles nodded. He sat down in a chair by the front of the door, vigilant but unseen. He didn't talk much, didn't ask questions. Part of her knew that she was just trying to take as much of home as she could.

Lily went upstairs. The bowls in the sink from the last dinner she served her father were still in the sink. Dust was settling on the surfaces and it saddened her that she couldn't just take it all with her. So she went into her room, grabbed some clothes and stuff that she still wore, and other things from her father's room, mostly some ties he always wore and medical books. She walked over to the couches and picked up her father's wedding photo. She turned back behind her, remembering all the times they had sat together, like a real family. Now, it was empty and an old blood stain was on the couch and the floor… tainting the whole thing.

Lily went back downstairs to collect her father's medical degree. It was framed and stood proudly behind the counter facing the front door, so customers could see. She also went into the back and grabbed more medical tools, taking them all and packing them away.

The bag she brought with her was full, and she had one more look around the backroom. Like Arthur had told her, the safe where they kept all their money was empty. She didn't care about that, anymore. It wasn't like she needed it. Even if she had it, where would she go? Even if she went with Archie, she couldn't live with herself if she left Sam behind like his parents had.

More of the same was in here. She had no idea that her father had been obsessed with Dutch and his gang, and wondered if she would ever find out why. She decided to take down as much as she could in case any Pinkertons walked in and used the knowledge Cliff had gathered to their advantage, wanting to let Dutch or Hosea decide what to do with it all.

The giant bag Lily brought was full by the time she was done. She approached Charles, her boots making the dirty floorboards creek. The place was filled with memories, even the dirty floor.

"I think… I have everything," she spoke quietly.

"Are you sure?" said Charles.

Lily just nodded. She moved her foot, wiping dirt on the floor. "It's so dirty now…" She gave the first floor of the clinic one last glance. "Daddy was so adamant on keeping everything clean… snapped at Sam for keeping his room messy." She sighed. "We bickered all the time, but we had fun…"

"You were really brave… to leave Archie for Sam," Charles then commented, his voice gentle. He took another glance at the place, seeing some light from outside bouncing off the shiny counter, despite the dust. "Sometimes, all we can do… is walk away from everything we know."

Lily was still lost in her memories, but Charles gave her all the time she needed.

"Well, good-bye old home," she spoke, softly and solemnly. "Maybe someday we'll return…"

"But wait… I wanna know how that ended!" Sam whined, his voice slurring. Dutch had dragged him away from the table after he caught him and Sean laughing too loud. It was mostly Arthur and Hosea who complained.

"Two people get shot, and no, Sean didn't shoot them," Dutch told him. "We had to step in, because he's an idiot and we don't need another."

"I'm stupid enough," Sam snickered. He covered his mouth and burped, a bubble of alcohol coming from his mouth.

Dutch just chuckled. "Maybe. Now, come on. We've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow."

Dutch led the drunken young man to the bed. He still pouted like a child, whining when Dutch sat him down and pulled his boots off, along with the rest of his clothes. Once he was in his union suit, Dutch laid him down gently, while he still grumbled but Sam knew with how he was, he wasn't getting up until he slept. His hat was removed, being placed on the table, nearby.

"I'm sorry, Dutch…" Sam mumbled. "I'm such a mess… I didn't mean to put Arthur in danger."

"Don't worry about that," he said. "Arthur is fine, and so are you. There's nothing to worry about." He pulled the blanket over him. "You're still young."

"Not really…" Sam's voice was getting more and more soft, his eyes sliding shut. "I'm… twenty-seven."

The gang leader patted his head. "I know, but still… Unlike the boys, you grew up safe in a small town away from all the dangers you could have faced out here." He took a seat on a nearby crate, taking a deep breath before sighing. "I… I suppose… I hope I can thank your uncle one day… for… taking care of you… I… I guess you're wondering why-"

Dutch stopped himself, as soon as he heard Sam softly snoring. He was clutching the pocket watch from underneath the sheets, gently.

The man looked up, seeing John walking by Abigail and Jack. They were asleep, and John just walked past her and the boy without a second thought with a drink in his hand. Dutch could only sigh. He thought he raised John better than that.

The man gently ran his fingers through the sleeping Sam's hair.

"Good-night, son."

The next day was upon them before too long. Dutch woke up in his tent, like usual, and noticed Molly cuddled up next to him, her arm splayed over his chest. He arose without a second thought, waking Molly, who just sat up and leaned against him.

"Something wrong, Dutch?" she said, warmly.

"It's morning, darling," he said. "I gotta get the camp moving."

"Right now?" she said, sweetly, placing her head on his shoulder.

"Yes, now." He gently pushed her away and stood. Molly sighed. Usually, he wouldn't have been so eager.

"Are you okay, Dutch?" she said.

The gang leader sighed. "Yes. Just… I have to think of the camp first, Miss O'Shea."

Molly nodded. "Of course, Dutch." She smiled, and he smiled back… but when he turned and left the tent, that smile faded.

Lily had already gotten up to check on Sadie, and tended to Aurora's injuries. Hopefully, no bounty hunters wouldn't notice that when they were traveling to the next camp… wherever that may be. Sam had remained asleep, undisturbed. Dutch walked in and sat down near him. It seemed like he had slept through the entire night, but it was kind of disappointing to see that he needed to drink in order to sleep through the night. Either that, or to forget whatever Sean yapped on about last night.

Dutch just sat down in the same place he had been last night, and Sam was still fast asleep. He sure as hell needed it and so did Arthur, but he was so stubborn. He was already up, getting some last minute chores in, and making sure everyone had what they needed. It seemed that he was more eager to move than Dutch. He had somewhat grown attached to this place, but moving came with the job.

"So John," Dutch said, as soon as he saw the young man walking by. He stopped at the sound of his voice. "I was talking to little Jackie." John took a step forward, slightly intrigued. "That's a fine boy you got."

John shrugged. "If he's mine."

"Course he's yours," Dutch insisted. He glanced over at Sam and ran his fingers through his hair. His heart fluttered with the small sigh he let out. "It's the truest of gifts, a child." The gang leader's eyes landed back on John. "Yet you push him away."

"I ain't no kind of father. I wish the boy no harm, but… well, you know how we live."

"We live free."

John just shrugged and walked off. "If you say so…"

Dutch soon woke up Sam, making sure he helped the other gang members with getting everything loaded onto the carts. Meanwhile, while he was plotting where they were going next. It appeared that Hosea had finally gotten the memo, because he walked up to him, judgemental and skeptical, as usual.

"So… we keep heading east," said Hosea. "Is that the plan?"

"For now."

"And when do we stop, when we reach Paris?" Hosea asked, outraged.

Dutch looked up from his map. "Oh, that'd be nice, join the Commune? We stop when we find someplace sensible, shake them that's following us and lie low."

"This is lying low?" Hosea remembered Dutch said the same thing while they were up in the middle of the mountains. Lying low? But then, he decided to rob that train. "We've turned into a bunch of killers, I mean it. We ain't even got the delusion of being anything but a bunch of killers."

"We are just trying to survive, Hosea. We don't have a choice," Dutch asserted. Hosea was already getting up to leave. "This'll end soon."

"Damn right it will!" Hosea snapped, before he walked out. He brushed past Sam, apologizing by patting him on the arm before leaving.

"Uh, is he okay?" said Sam.

Dutch scoffed. "Just constipated as usual. How are you doing?"

Sam showed off his left hand. The bandages were finally off and he had his gloves back on. "Much better," he answered. He took a moment to think, looking around the tent. "Just… yeah."

"Arthur… told of what you got into the other night," Dutch informed. "I'm… terribly sorry about your friend."

The young man just sighed, held out hands for a brief moment. "I… Well, it's done… I guess. So, where are we going?"

Dutch nodded and gestured to his map, allowing the young man to take a look. "Micah told me of a place we can lie low. Look here…" He pointed to a place just past the New Hanover border. "Dewberry Creek, he says."

"It's a bit open," said Sam.

"How you mean?"

"I passed by there when I went with Arthur to get him a new horse. The creek is mostly dried up and is pretty open. I don't think it'd be good in a rainstorm. Why don't we go here?" He pointed further down south. "Arthur, John, Sean, Charles and I hid there after we robbed that train. It's pretty well hidden and surrounded by water and trees.

"You sure?" said Dutch.

"It's the furthest in Lemoyne I've ever been."

"Hm. Well, if you say so, but… Arthur!"

Arthur was over in seconds. "Yeah?"

"Sam saying something about a hiding spot you hid after the train job?"

"Yes, uh… Clemen's… Point, I think?"

"Well, maybe you and Charles can go take a look, clear off anyone you find, before the whole lot of us move in, looking so conspicuous."

"And how we gonna do that?"

"I don't know. Start dancing?"

"Looks like I've turned into the goddamn errand boy."

"You have turned into my son… you worry, because I worry. We are just the same."

Sam turned to Arthur. "I'm coming, too."

"Are you about that?" said Dutch.

"I mean…" Sam let out a sigh. "May I go with them?"

"I don't mean it like that. I just wanted to know if you were okay."

The young man shrugged. "I'll live. I just… want some fresh air. Maybe scope the new area we'll be heading to?"

Dutch chuckled. "Well, yes, you may."

Sam smiled. "Thank-you, Dutch." He turned to Arthur and followed after him. "Hope you don't mind."

Arthur shrugged. "Why not? You sure?"

The young man rolled his eyes. "Yes, I'm fine…"

Soon he and Arthur mounted up with Charles. Aurora was still recovering from the incendiary round that burned her, so Lily told him to take Adonis, instead.

Charles was quiet and normally kept to himself, but for some reason, he seemed to perk up a little around Arthur.

"So, we're moving again?" said Charles.

"We have to," said Arthur. "And fast. We'd already pushed our luck too far before that mess we just made in Valentine."

"Ah. That didn't sound good."

Sam just sighed, but kept his sights straight ahead. The three of them had a general idea of where Clemen's Point was. They were going off the path and heading over the hills and crossing over the tracks, making sure they weren't being followed.

"You okay?" said Charles.

Sam turned to him. "Why does everyone keep asking? What about Arthur? He keeps getting into trouble, too."

"You're quiet. More than ever."

"Just… don't feel like talking… I thought you of all people would know what that would be like."

"It's not me. It's Lily. She's worried about you."

"Well, it's my job to worry about her, not the other way around. I've successfully cut off all my ties to Valentine, like you don't have any ties to anywhere. Guess I'll just become as cold as the rest of you."

Arthur chuckled. He and Sam both knew that wasn't true, though. "Guess so. But remember that we've got bigger things to worry about than one town."

"So we're heading south?" said Charles. "I've only known Dutch for a few months, but… the way he talks, I never thought I'd see him wanting to head south."

"Right… and I know by now, there ain't no lying low."

"There's too many of us for that."

"And, there ain't no way Dutch is gonna just… hide away in a cave somewhere. Goes against everything he stands for. That'd be admitting we're nothing more than low-down criminals."

"Which… we are."

The three eventually made it back onto the path, the afternoon sun shining down from above. They knew they were almost there when they came up on a sign that simply said, "Lemoyne". If they remembered correctly, all they had to do was travel down south to find Clemen's Point.

"Have you seen what a Pinkerton looks like?" Sam asked, curiously.

"Just damn government toys in suits," said Arthur, "thinking they're above everyone for having government money in their pocket. They told me they killed Mac right in front of little Jack."

"Hm. I guess I should be surprised, but I'm not. If they're in the area, why didn't they do a thing about the shit going on in Valentine?" Sam sighed. "I guess that's how it is. Even the United States government is out for themselves."

"You're just realizing that now?"

"Well, it never really sunk in until now, you know?" Sam said, with a shrug. "Back then, I didn't have to worry. It was just money, animals, doctoring, nonsense, and fun times." He gestured to the trail and they turned right heading into the thick trees they remember running into after robbing that train. "Blissful ignorance, I guess. Didn't know while I was being an idiot, my uncle was trying to protect me and Lily."

"Well, even if I didn't really have much to say for parents, I can say it's their duty to protect their children, even if Cliff was just your uncle," said Charles.

"Yeah…" But he's gone now. He had to protect Lily, himself, in this unforgiving world. "At least Jack has more people looking out for him than any of us."

"That's true," said Arthur.

They came through the tree into the clearing that was Clemen's Point. It was almost just the way they left it.

Almost.

A small camp had been set up. There were a pair of tents still standing, a wagon, and a few crates and barrels, along with a small lit campfire. The three outlaws dismounted their horses and took a look around.

"I don't see anyone…" said Sam.

Charles pointed to the fire. "Fire's still lit. Someone's nearby."

Then, the two heard muffled screaming. Over some crates, they saw a finely dressed man hogtied and gagged on the floor.

"What the hell?" said Arthur.

"Oh my god!" Sam called, running over. "Are you alright?"

"Sam, wait! He might be-"

Sam was already untying the gag from the man's face, but once it was off he shouted.

"Vorsichtig! Vorsichtig! Es ist eine Falle!"

Suddenly, the three could hear gunshots coming from behind them. Arthur grabbed a hold of Sam and pulled him behind some barrels.

"Take cover!" he yelled.

Once Sam caught his breath, he pulled out his Volcanic Pistol, seeing the men coming from the trees.

"I see three coming this way!" Charles yelled.

"Goddamn it, Sam!" Arthur yelled. "Look what you got us into."

"Can we worry about that until after they're dealt with!" Charles yelled from behind a few crates. He had a sawed-off shotgun, and was shooting anyone who got too close. "Look out! Riders coming in!"

Arthur raised his aim with a rifle leading his shots, while Sam pulled out his Lancaster Repeater and took care of anyone on foot. Charles was brave, pushing up when he could to get close with his shot-gun.

Soon, there was one left, but he was turning around on his horse. But a bang that rang out so loudly, Sam swore he went deaf for a moment. Arthur had hit the straggler in the back of the head.

"Well, that's them dealt with," said Charles.

Sam stood up, ran up to the foriegn man, and untied him. He didn't seem injured, other than a few cuts and bruises, and was just shaken up.

"Are you okay, sir?"

"Sprechen sie Destsch? German?"

"Sorry, no," said Sam.

"Now go on," said Arthur. "Get out of here. Go, we need the land. Go."

Slowly, Sam turned to Arthur. He was appalled. "Arthur-"

"Get the hell outta here," he then raised his voice.

"My family!" the foreigner then blurted out. "Nearby…"

"Where?" said Charles.

"Not far…"

Arthur turned to Charles. "Ain't no business of ours. I don't even speak his language."

Sam just scoffed. He wasn't like this the other night. He didn't know what to say, but Charles, who was usually more quiet, did know.

"You ain't as tough and dense as all that," he said, sternly. "Let's go." He gestured for the man to follow them.

"Here, mister," Sam said, gesturing to his horse. "You can ride with me." He hopped on Adonis first, not even batting Arthur an eye. The outlaw rolled his eyes and got on Soleil.

The man pointed where to go. It was somewhat back the way they came, taking a detour towards Dewberry Creek.

"Why did they take you?" said Sam.

"Geld," the man answered. "Money. Meine Familie hat ein Goldminengeschäft. Sie wollten Lösegeld schicken."

Sam just nodded and pretended to understand the other half of that.

"How did someone even come up with them words?" said Arthur.

Soon they were near the dried up creek. There, they could see a woman and two children near a cart. The foreigner slid off from the back of Adonis and ran towards them.

"Schatz!"

The woman turned around and covered her mouth. The two children behind the woman were shocked.

"Andreas!" the woman called out. She ran towards him and they embraced. "Ich dachte du wärst tot…"

"Ich war es fast," the man said. He went over and hugged his children, as well. "Wunderbar!"

"Ihr seid tolle Männer…" the woman said. And with that she guided her children to the cart.

Sam felt his heart fluttering. Somehow, he was a criminal, a killer, and he still managed to do something good. It felt… nice. Somehow, he felt… better. Maybe… somehow… he could do it some more. He wasn't sure where it would take him, but…

"Ich habe etwas für dich."

Sam snapped out of his thoughts and saw the man walking back up to him with something in his hand. He awkwardly reached out and the man placed the item there.

"Danke schön," he said. "Thank-you."

The man turned away to his family, and Sam gasped, seeing a gold bar in his hand. He smiled as the man rode off in the wagon with his wife and children.

"Holy shi-" He paused when Arthur swiped it from his hands. "Hey!"

"I'll take that," he said, a smile on his face. "Guess it was a pleasure."

"Nuh-uh!" Sam snapped, snatching the gold bar back. "He gave it to me!"

"You got us in that shootout in the first place."

"We would've had to kill them anyway," said Sam. "Besides, you were just going to send that man with a goddamn wife and children on his way."

"We're wanted men, Hawkeson," Arthur hissed. "We got Pinkertons breathing down our necks. We should be moving camp, not running off on some wild goose chase."

"Come on, Arthur," said Charles. "That's not how you are." He took the gold ingot from Sam. "We'll get this appraised and split the money, you fools." The two walked to their horses, leaving Arthur to catch up with them.

"Well," Arthur said, "maybe you don't know me as well as you think you do."

"Miss Grimshaw, Mr. Pearson… put everyone to work. Make this place a home."

Dutch and the others were soon at the new secret spot for the camp. It was in Lemoyne and surrounded by water and trees. The wagons pulled in and Dutch jumped off the one he was riding in to greet Arthur, while Charles and Sam were taking in the scenery by the lake, both remaining pretty quiet.

"Well, I don't know where the hell we are…" said Dutch, "but, we are going to make the best of it."

A few days later…

Arthur helped around with getting everyone set up. Strauss was the one with the medical wagon, so Sam and Lily's tent was set near his for easy access to supplies. The Austrian mostly stayed quiet and read books, so hopefully, he wouldn't be too much of a bother. The girls were set up together, along with Abigail's tent which was to the side of them. Pearson's wagon was set up near the center of camp, a fair distance behind one of the thickest trees. Dutch, John, Arthur's tents were set up next to one another.

Everyone was settling in nicely. Jack seemed to like it more than Horseshoe Overlook, taking to splashing in the water. Already people were poking fun at John's lack of ability to swim, though.

Sam kept his distance from Arthur at that time, but often had good chats with Charles. Arthur was observing them, when the Native man approached Sam in his tent with a strange loop thing with tassels and feathers.

"Thought you could use this," said Charles.

The young man carefully took it in his hands. "It's beautiful…" he commented. "What is it?"

"It's a dreamcatcher."

"I've heard of these," said Lily. "Do they catch good or bad dreams?"

"Bad ones," said Charles. "They keep them away."

Sam blushed. He guessed his nightmares still hadn't gone unnoticed. "Thank-you, Charles."

"Figured it was the least I can do… for taking my side the other day."

"I would've either way," Sam smiled, regardless, "but you're welcome."

We fled the county and headed even further south and east, camping by a lake.

This is pretty much new country for me. And I guess for Sam, and everyone else. Though, I wouldn't be surprised if Trelawny has been here before. Charles, Sam and I saved a family of Germans who were in the process of getting themselves killed.

We're on the run. We've got Pinktertons on our tails. We've been through a whole lot. Sometimes, I wonder where it'll end.

Sam and Lily have been through a lot, as well, and I can't forget Mrs. Adler. Their whole lives uprooted by killers and thieves, and for what? Money? Thrills? They didn't deserve it. That's our code… but, I still wonder if that really makes us any better.

And despite all of that, Sam still wanted to help those folk. I didn't think he'd have it in him. But Charles? He would've done it, no matter what.

He's a better man than me. He does not need to think to be good. It comes naturally to him, like right is deep within as opposed to this conflict between GOOD - EVIL that rages within me.

If only we had fled west out of Blackwater, we could be free now, out where we belong beyond civilization with the savages and the animals.

Here, we won't ever be at home.

"Hey…"

Arthur closed his journal. He was sitting in his cot after another long day of setting things up in camp. Charles had kept his word. They got a good chunk of money from that gold bar and gave some of it to the camp and split the rest evenly three ways.

"How's things?" It was Lily who had come up to check on him.

"Fine," Arthur responded.

"Did you and Sam have a little spat or something?"

"I don't think so."

Lily nodded, closing her eyes briefly. "I heard about those… Germans."

Arthur shrugged. "Well, it's over and dealt with. I don't see the problem."

The young lady placed her hands on her hips. "I… didn't expect it, is all I'm saying."

"How you mean?"

"Well, both you and Sam, actually. I didn't think he would actually put himself in harm's way like that to save someone he didn't know… but I also didn't think you'd turn away someone in need."

"I'll tell you what I told him and Charles," said Arthur. "Maybe you don't know me as well as you think you do."

"I'm just saying…" Lily began. She walked over to his side and sat down on the cot next to him. "The man who saved us that night, didn't just leave us there. I know you care about us. You made sure Sam was okay, and even let him rest on your cot until I had my tent set up."

"That was Dutch-"

"I was scared that night, but I didn't forget. You told me to come with you, not Dutch. I know you're worried about the law and the Pinkertons, but I just… Well…" She rubbed her arm awkwardly after trailing off. "I guess… I don't know you as well I thought."

Arthur sighed, running his hands through his hair.

"I'm sorry, okay?" he then said, "but… I want us to get out of here."

"You mean back out west?" said Lily. Her voice became more gentle.

"This ain't nowhere like home," Arthur stated. "We're further east of the Grizzlies than ever, and… things are changing. It's their rules or be damned with you. I'm just… trying to keep things together… find a path forward, like Dutch and Hosea… like you and Sam. So… sorry. Okay?"

Lily just smiled. He was stubborn. He was a killer, but… somehow, she knew he was kind, despite it. He was just in a… weird predicament. Too bad that wouldn't do much in the face of the law, but then again, she's killed people, too. She reached out and just patted Arthur on the knee.

"I'll let him know you said that," she said, before standing up and walking off to check on Strauss.

Arthur sighed, debating whether or not to relax at the campfire, or stay in the solitude of his tent. He didn't know.

That night when he met Sam, he could just leave the two of them there, especially with their guardian dead. Cliff was a kind man and didn't question his scratched up hand, or how muddy he had been. He just wanted to help him.

And now he was dead…

While a criminal like him still lived…

He at least found solace that Lily and Sam were raised by a man who cared for them as children… that was more than he could say for himself…

That little boy never thought he would see that man again. He felt bad, not being able to thank him for saving him from those bullies.

But all of that changed, when he was left with no choice.

BANG!

The boy was struck speechless, realizing what he had done, as his father laid on the ground, blood pooling around him. He remembered hearing that his "friends" would be over soon.

But that mattered little.

He was dead.

His father was dead.

The gun he held dropped to the ground, and all he could do was try to breathe, but his breaths were getting faster and faster.

And then he was running.

The boy ran out into the po-dunk town he lived in. Some of it was up on a hill, so it made sense that some of the homes were a bit elevated. It was raining that night… just like the night Sam and Lily lost Cliff. The boy knew his father's "friends" would find him dead…

And they would know that he did it.

He hid in a space underneath the house, cowering in fear as he heard voices. It was probably them. They were getting louder, and then he heard footsteps. The young teen covered his eyes, body shaking violently, and tears streaming down his eyes, horrified at what he had done. He covered his eyes, as sobs wracked his body. Even if he survived, what would he do? He didn't know. Either way, he was done for.

And then, that man showed up.

The boy could see his figure walking by, as he gazed through the cracks of the crawl space. The teen accidentally made a sound from his crying, and covered his mouth. He backed away as his eyes turned, facing towards him. For a moment, the child feared that he had been spotted.

"Hey, you!"

More men caught up with the dark-haired man outside. It was them: The men who he often saw his father hanging out with.

"Did you see where that little brat went?"

The stranger raised a brow and then nodded calmly. The boy closed his eyes, fearing that it was the end.

"He went that way, gentlemen."

And to the teen's shock, he had pointed the exact opposite direction of where he was. The men listened and they were gone, but then the dark-haired man just walked up and lifted a few planks, taking away the boy's cover.

The child yelped, backing away and covering himself for a hit.

"It's okay…" the man then said.

Looking up, the teen looked into the man's eyes. They were brown, almost amber. He sensed something behind the kindness, but he welcomed it, nonetheless.

He crept his way into crawl space slowly and closed up the small gap.

"I'm scared…" the boy whimpered.

"I know…"

The pair heard voices again, and the man flinched when the teen threw himself at him, putting his arms around him and hiding his face in his chest. The man patted his back and stared back outside as other men passed by. Soon, they were gone, but they decided to stay hidden until they were sure they wouldn't come back.

"It's going to be okay, son," the man said, wiping the tears from the boy's eyes. The child looked up at him, eyes still sparkling with more. "What's your name?"

"Arthur…"

He remembered him, comforting Lily, while he took Sam from the ruins of their home. Maybe that was why he was quick to rush to his side. Like that man, he wouldn't leave them for dead…

And Arthur wouldn't, either…

The man who had found him all those years ago, smiled warmly.

"My name is Dutch."

America was changing, but no matter what, he couldn't lose the people he built this life with.