Evelyn sat at the train station bench, grasping Annabell tightly with her nose buried in the girls hair as Abigail, Sadie, and Tilly conversed amongst themselves quietly, going over their belongings and mapping out plans. As of now said plans were to flee to Strawberry with the vague suggestion of BlackWater hanging in the air. She felt so hollow, replaying her goodbye with Arthur over and over in her head. She cursed God, cursed Dutch, and cursed Arthur as well. How could he leave her? Why couldn't he look passed his damn honor and run away with them? They could find someplace far away and settle down, away from the rest of the gang, away from the ghosts of their past. She sighed, eyes glazing over with tears as the train loudly announced its approach to the station. The girls gathered their items together, saying goodbye to their horses one last time before they took their leave. She scoffed, another thing she loved she would have to leave behind. She wondered if Athena would realize she'd been abandoned and her heart panged painfully at the thought. Sadie approached her and offered her a hand which she accepted, Annabell staying wrapped around her as she rose from her seat. The train rolled to a stop, letting off a handful of working men and their families before giving the go ahead for the women to get on. Tilly handed the conductor the money in exchange for their tickets and the women and children filed on, Evelyn taking up the back. She set Annabell down, letting the girl decide where she wanted to sit and smiling slightly as she made a bee-line towards Jack. She herself sat down next to Sadie who gave her hand a soft squeeze. She returned the gesture with a faint smile.
Looking ou the window she could see the sun was long gone and she could just barely make out Athena who stood tall and patiently at the hitching post, waiting for her return. The conductor walked down the aisle, checking everyone was properly seating and making his last call. Something heavy weighed on Evelyn's heart. Something wholly wrong and terrifying. Evelyn clutched at her chest, shaking her head. What was she doing? How could she be fleeing when Arthur was still out there, fighting for their freedom, for hers and Annabell's future? As the conductor made his way back to the front of the train Evelyn shot up. The train began moving, slowly putting forward and Evelyn knew she had to make a run for it before they began speeding up to much. She dodged Sadie's hand attempting to catch her, to make her stop, and she ignored the cries from Tilly and Abigail telling her to wait as she bolted towards the exit. Before she looked back she made eye contact with Sadie who fumbled after her. Sadie took one look at Evelyn's expression and hesitated, freezing in place with her yand outstretched towards her closest friend. She sighed, retracting her arm letting it fall back to her side.
"I will be back, I promise. Just please look after my girl until I get back. I need to find Arthur, Sadie." Evelyn pleaded. She didn't have much time. Sadie nodded, though her teeth were grit and everything in her screamed to stop Evelyn and force her back into her seat. "I'm sorry. I'll find you in Strawberry!" Evelyn apologized, taking one last look at her friends and daughter who she loved so dearly before hopping off the accelerating train, stumbling before catching her balance and looking back. Abigail looked out at her through the window, the train was going too fast now if they even thought about following her.
"Be safe and come back, you hear!" Abigail shouted after her. Evelyn nodded, turning away and running towards her horse. Athena neighed at her happily, standing still and letting the woman mount her swiftly. Evelyn sorted through Arthur's satchel, unfolding a map and scanning the regions. Arthur had scribbled on it, circling areas of interest, namely Beavers Hollow where they held up camp. The places they had previously sought refuge at were circled then later on 'X'd out. She found her location, Emerald Station, and followed the roads with her finger that she needed to take. With a resolute nod she stowed away the map and kicked Athena into a hard gallop. She'd be at their camp in two hours if she made good time. From there... she was unsure, but she knew she had to at least do something, she couldn't leave the man she loved to sacrifice himself.
Arthur Morgan you damn fool.
Night had long fallen upon the sky, obscuring the roads and making it somewhat difficult for her to traverse but the sky was mercifully clear and the moon was bright enough she didn't feel the need to light her lantern, adding the comfort of not drawing extra attention to herself as she ran like the devil himself was on her heels. Athena remained as durable and trustworthy as ever, never once faltering and seeming to understand where they were headed once they got near the camp, no longer needing to rely on her rider to direct them. When the campsite came into view Evelyn gasped, pulling her mare into a stop. The camp was deserted, coals were kicked out of the campfires likely by hooves, nearly every tent was knocked down, crates were bashed and debris littered the campsite. Evelyn dismounted, leading the mare who shook with exhaustion and thirst to the watering trough. Evelyn left the mare to drink to her full.
Walking through the camp it was hauntingly desolate and abandoned. She scanned the grounds for any sign of life, finding her tents lantern and lighting it, its warm light flickering and illuminating the darkness around her. She walked towards the cave, towards Dutch's tent that had been spared the same treatment as the rest when a rustling to her right had her pulling out her revolver and pointing it towards the sound.
"Evelyn?" Came a deep masculine voice. Kneeling on the ground was Charles, who looked up at her in shock. Evelyn gasped as she looked at what was at his feet.
Grimshaw laid stiff and lifeless on the cold ground. Evelyn holstered her gun and ran towards them, falling to her knees in front of Charles.
"Charles... Miss Grimshaw..." she whispered, placing a hand on the ghostly pale woman's head. The man shook his head gravely, lowering it in despair as he closed the deceased woman's eyes.
"She's gone. What happened here?" He asked Evelyn who attempted to wipe away her tears. She shook her head.
"I-I don't know. The Pinkertons came while the men were gone, me and Abigail hid Tilly and the children in the cave with Miss Grimshaw. They arrested us and took us to Van Horn, where Sadie and Arthur saved us. Arthur... he..." she let out a sob, Charles leaving his spot to come and wrap the woman in a comforting embrace. Evelyn gripped his shirt tightly, gathering her bearings before pulling away.
"Arthur, he sent me and the rest of us who remained away to the station in Emerald Ranch. Then he left, came back here. I was on the train heading to Strawberry before I hopped off and ran here... Charles, we have to help him!" She begged, clutching his shirt in her fists and pleading with him. Charles rested his hands on hers, nodding.
"We will. Are you sure you want to come with me?" He asked her, sighing when she nodded fervently. He stood up, helping her to her feet. He looked down at Grimshaw's body, he would come back and give her a proper burial when this was all over. He whistled to Taima who trotted towards the pair. He helped Evelyn onto the back of the horse before mounting himself. He took Evelyn's lantern and held it low to the ground to illuminate the dark soil. A mess of tracks littered the outer bounds of the camp, heading down towards Roanoke ridge. There were double the amount than there should be, Charles assumed they must've been confronted by more of Milton's men. He tried to ignore the gnawing guilt of not being there to help Arthur and John filling his chest. They rode in silence as Charles scanned the ground and Evelyn kept a look out for signs of life in the woods and on the road, hoping to catch a glance of Arthur, Moonlight, or even Dutch. She scowled, if she ever saw him again she didn't know what she would do. The tracks lead them further into the woods, the area getting hilly as they ventured down into the valley. They knew they were on the right path as they saw bullet holes and craters and burn marks left from explosives, following the evidence of battle until something large and dark blocked their path. With horror Evelyn gasped, barely waiting for Charles to pull his horse to a stop before she scrambled off its back and ran towards the figure.
Moonlight. Arthur's beloved dappled thoroughbred mare lay on her side, neck stretched out and still, Arthur's saddle angled awkwardly and scuffed up. She fell to her knees at its side, her shaking hand stroking the soft fur as she buried her face in the mares long dark mane. Charles joined her, his head low, chin resting on his chest as he mourned the creature. Evelyn sobbed into the mane, shoulders shaking. She thought she'd run out of tears by now as she whispered comforting words and apologies to the mare who couldn't hear her any longer. She was long dead, and Evelyn grieved at the thought that she died alone and scared, much like Miss Grimshaw. Charles placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Come on, Arthur has to be close. He couldn't have gotten far without his horse." Charles spoke low and gently to the distraught woman. Evelyn nodded and placed a kiss to the horses muzzle before rising and following Charles. They opted to leave Taima as the terrain lead them up a cliff side. By now the sky was beginning to lighten, the sun starting to rise. They climbed up the hillside, eyes sharp and alert. Evelyn breathed heavily at the exertion, she was exhausted, hungry, and scared lifeless. The adrenaline from the past 24 hours was beginning to wear off, and she was beginning to feel the effects of not eating or sleeping. Charles helped her along, keeping her right side up with a strong arm anchoring her. She gave him a grateful nod as he once again caught her as the rocks slid out from under her.
"Evelyn, you need to rest. I can continue on my own." He insisted. She shook her head, continuing on without making sure he followed, which he did.
"I can't leave him Charles. Even if he's..." she trailed off, unwilling to speak the words into existence. Charles shook his head and kept silent. He looked ahead, they were approaching the edge of the cliff, the tracks showing three sets of boots, and a scuffle. Something glinted in the scarce sunlight, Charles approaching it to get a better look. A revolver. He looked past it, gesturing for Evelyn to quietly follow him as they followed the cliff side, bearing right.
Ahead of them, sat up against the rocky ledge was Arthur, his face beaten nearly beyond recognition basking against the rising sun. His chest heaved slowly and harshly, his breaths audibly rasping with a cloud of mist escaping his lips in the frigid air. Charles cursed under his breath and ran towards the battered man, Evelyn hot on his heals. They crouched in front of him, Charles quickly reached for his stash of medicine in his satchel while Evelyn examined him and held his hand.
"What... What are you two..." Arthur attempted to ask, being cut off by a coughing fit. Evelyn shushed him as Charles got to work disinfecting and bandaging his wounds.
"Quiet, just let us take care of you." She scolded. Arthur huffed weakly and let them work on him, lifting his left hand to stroke her hair. Charles finished bandaging him and sat back to examine Arthur's condition. He was beat up, weak, and sick. The next twenty-four hours were vital and would determine if he would make it, meaning they had to work fast to get him treatment. He sighed and crouched down to Arthur's level, bracing himself to lift him on his feet. He was much lighter than he should be he noted. Arthur coughed, spitting blood onto the ground and did his best to hold his own with as Charles lead him to Taima. The horse's ear flicked towards them at Charles soft whistle and she positioned herself to be mounted. Charles gestured for Evelyn to get on first which she did, then instructed Arthur to get on infront of her. With a struggle and help from Charles and Evelyn Arthur weakly slid into the saddle, letting his body fall back and rest against Evelyn's chest.
Charles took hold of Taima's reins to lead her back to the desecrated camp where Evelyns horse awaited them, appearing refreshed and energized from her rest. Charles had an idea of who to go to for help if they were even willing to offer aid after everything that had befallen them by Dutch's actions.
"Come, we need to ride fast and hard if we're to get to help in time. I'll take Arthur and you can follow behind if you think you can make it." Charles spoke, breaking the silence. Evelyn nodded, gingerly sliding off the saddle from behind Arthur. As she mounted her own horse she examined her closely, searching for any signs that she had already been pushed too far. Athena appeared alert and ready much to her relief. It would be risky to push the mare too hard and have her go lame when time was of the essence. If push came to shove she was willing to commit horse theft to spare the poor mare from such a fate. Charles called to her from a few feet away, he'd positioned himself behind Arthur who had his head hung low to his chest with a weak grip on the saddle horn. To her relief she could see the outline of his shoulders rising and falling in steady breaths.
"Are you ready?" Charles asked. Evelyn nudged her mare forward with a nod and the trio took off with Evelyn bringing up the rear. As they rode off away from their last camp Evelyn did something she hadn't done in a long time. Something she'd thought she'd forsaken for the rest of her life.
She prayed. Well and truly prayed, for Athur, for Annabell, for Sadie, Abigail, Tilly, John, Jack, and Charles. For everyone who she'd come to love so fiercely.
AN: Sorry for the wait, I guess I just didn't want it to end. We have one more chapter after this!