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Chapter 38
Bill Williamson's lips curled into disdain. He wasn't an idiot. None of these fools realized this. And he saw the disappearance of half of the gunslingers. As the hours passed, Bill's apprehension grew, as did his thoughts.
What better way to deal with the fallout and gain Dutch's trust if Morgan was trying to break everything apart? Maybe he could take Morgan's spot soon and finally get the respect he deserved.
Nevertheless, he approached Dutch's tent, ready to lay out his suspicions. But as he got closer, he overheard quiet voices—Dutch's voice with Hosea's laughter. Bill paused, peering through the flap of the tent. Dutch was sitting close to Hosea, their hands nearly touching as they spoke in hushed, relaxed tones.
Bill's gut twisted, and he took a step back, clenching his jaw. 'Here I am worried 'bout the gang, and he's too busy enjoying himself to see it.' He shook his head in disgust and turned on his heel, deciding he'd take his suspicions to someone else.
He found Javier on the edge of the camp, scanning the tree line with an intent gaze. Javier looked up as Bill approached. "Bill. You look like you're 'bout to set something on fire," he muttered.
"You haven't seen Arthur, have you?" Bill asked, his voice tight.
"No," Javier replied with a grimace. "And if I did, I wouldn't be rolling out the welcome wagon. As always, he's above all of us."
"Exactly!" Bill snapped, feeling a flicker of validation. "He's got no loyalty left. I'm telling you, Javier, he's gonna sell us out. Maybe he already has." Bill's eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "We're going to probably get swing if we don't figure out what he's planning."
Javier, arms crossed, let out a low breath. He ain't a fan of Arthur these days either. But Javier, though he shared the distrust, still cared 'bout Arthur deep down.
"I hear you, Bill," Javier said cautiously. "But I'm not about to go chasing after him. Arthur does whatever he wants, and Dutch hasn't given the order."
But Bill wasn't listening. Arthur Morgan had vanished without so much as a word, and to Bill, this was just another sign of Arthur's carelessness for the rest of them... after convincing Dutch to stop doing what brought money in.
'Traitor,' he thought bitterly. 'Always thinking he's better than the rest of us.'
"Maybe you should relax."
Bill wouldn't let it go. He set his jaw, turning back toward Dutch's tent. "He needs to hear this from me."
Javier just shook his head, watching as Bill stomped back toward Dutch's tent. Bill pushed his way inside, finding Dutch and Hosea both looking up, surprised at his abrupt entrance.
"Dutch," Bill said, his tone urgent, "Arthur's gone. He took off without a word."
Dutch leaned back, exchanging a glance with Hosea. A flicker of annoyance passed over his face as he slowly got to his feet, releasing Hosea's arm. "Bill," Dutch said with a measured tone, stepping away from the other man. "Arthur is out there doing whatever he wants. He's dependable."
Bill's expression tightened. "Maybe once, Dutch. But he's different now. Always questioning you, thinking he knows better than any of us."
Dutch sighed, shaking his head as though trying to brush away a pestering jester. "Bill, if he's out there, he's got his reasons."
"His own reasons," Bill bit back. "And who's to say those reasons don't end with us getting strung up?"
"Are you doubting me?"
Bill still recoiled slightly at that tone.
Unrelenting at his discomfort, Dutch took a step forward, his voice hardening. "Bill, that's enough." He glanced over at Hosea, who gave him a reassuring look, then back to Bill. "Arthur is one of us. Now, unless you've got something more than hunches, I suggest you let him be. You're interrupting now."
'I'm interrupting?! I'm interrupting?!' Bill felt the sting of Dutch's dismissal, his frustration boiling over. But he knew better than to push further. With a final glare, he turned on his heel and left the tent, leaving Dutch and Hosea behind.
Back outside, he found Javier watching from the shadows, a smirk on his face. "Didn't go well, huh?" Javier said, crossing his arms.
Bill's lips pressed into a tight line. "Dutch is too blind to see what's right in front of him. We got to do something."
Javier shrugged, leaning against a tree. "Maybe. Or maybe he knows Arthur better than you do. Either way, I ain't going after him."
Bill glared at him. "Oh you t... you'd just sit here and do nothing?"
Javier gave him a long, steady look. "I'll keep my eyes open, but I'm not going to chase after shadows. And I'm not going to question Dutch."
"Thanks for your help," Bill replied sarcastically, barely able to keep his agitation at bay. He needed to walk away or else he would have inflicted harm on the man.
Bah, these idiots... Was he just the only one?
No, he'd needed an ally.
He found one of the few gunslingers who he might be somewhat friends with.
Sean looked up as Bill approached, arching an eyebrow and grinning slightly. "You look like a man on a mission, big man."
Bill smirked, taking a seat beside him. "Might be I am, Sean. Just thinking... we're looking a bit thin around here lately, ain't we?"
Sean frowned, glancing around the camp. It was true that things felt emptier. "Sure, folks come and go all the time," he muttered. "But nothing unusual 'bout that, is there?"
"Maybe," Bill replied slowly, choosing his words with care. "But think 'bout it. Arthur's out on his own a lot more. We barely see him in camp lately." He leaned in, his voice dropping to a murmur. "It feels like half the gang is losing it!"
Sean's brow furrowed as he considered Bill's words. "Arthur's been helping Dutch with jobs, hasn't he?"
Bill gave a nonchalant shrug. "Maybe. But then, Dutch don't seem too worried 'bout where half his men are either. Last time I saw him, he was too busy sitting around with Hosea to care." He shook his head in mock disappointment. "Funny, if you ask me."
Sean rubbed the back of his neck, glancing around camp as if expecting someone else to weigh in. "You think there's something we don't know 'bout."
It was not a question. Bill tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Just find it strange, is all. We're a gang, supposed to be looking out for each other. Yet here we are, half of us staying loyal, and another questioning Dutch."
Sean's hands clenched. "Well, I don't like it either," he muttered. "What do ya reckon we oughta do?"
Bill leaned back, his gaze steady. "We keep our eyes open. We go into town, find that damn Morgan, and... take care of him."
"What are you talking 'bout, big man?" Sean asked, his eyes slowly growing.
Bill shrugged. "Ain't it obvious? Morgan is trying to break us all apart!"
"Arthur is as loyal as they come," Sean weakly defended.
"Not anymore. You saw him questioning Dutch too. We cannot let Dutch's gang fall apart!"
"Bill..." The same frantic look from weeks ago was back in his eyes.
"You ain't loyal to Dutch, boy?" Bill'd thought for a moment. "If they were still here, them Callander boys would have done something."
Silence passed for a moment. Sean's look became haunted before a sigh came. "What are you planning, big man?"
Bill stared at him.
"You know what we must do. Since Dutch ain't got the heart to do what must be done, we have to help him." Sean didn't move after him, not at first. "Come on, kid."
"I'm coming. I'm coming." Sean grumbled but followed. He bit his lower lip hard. Bullocks. He could think of better things to do throughout the day.
'What the hell am I doing?' He thought to himself, throwing a glance at his piece in his holster...
Arthur tensed slightly at the sight of Bill. Williamson already had his gun out and pointed it at Arthur. Beside him, Sean stood. And Arthur couldn't resist from eyeing him for a moment. Just what the hell was he doing here?
It didn't matter, not now.
"Don't know what you're going on 'bout this time, Bill." Somehow, Arthur managed to maintain control. "Think you must've misheard. Ain't that right, brothers?"
A chorus rang out, trying to calm Bill down.
But the gun didn't lower.
"Oh-ho, don't think I'm that idiotic, Morgan. Knew there was a rat. Micah and Dutch thought someone talked 'bout the Blackwater job, and with your attitude, it's the only thing that makes sense."
Arthur's stomach twisted as Bill's gun almost nudged his temple. Damn, when had he been so easy to catch unawares? Arthur was one hell of a gunslinger, prepared for the outcome of everything, but Bill was a military soldier before he was dishonorably dismissed from the army, and he had been so distracted, so...
Lenny, John, and Kieran all gripped their weapons. The three aimed their weapons at the man, while Charles kept his weapon lowered, clearly not wanting things to get worse. Most likely, he was the most level-headed here, even as the situation continued to escalate far too quickly.
"That's not necessary," Charles said, his voice strained even now.
"Bill, put the gun down!" Kieran barked. "Don't be a fool! You're outnumbered! Both of you!" He looked at the hesitant form of Sean briefly. "Sean, did he tell you how he wanted to kill Arthur? He'd plotted with Micah. Come on, think for yourself!"
Sean's eyes widened at that, and they fell on Bill in horror.
"MacGuire is on my side, boy!" Bill cackled. "You ain't going to convince him!"
"Fuck you to hell, Bill!" Lenny growled. "I'll kill you!"
"No, stop," Arthur pleaded, not wanting anyone to die here.
"You weren't on the boat, Morgan," Bill continued. He approached, finger on the hammer, ready to pull back. "Weren't nowhere to be seen. You were safe. Imagine that. And you took that O'Driscoll boy in, probably making up some lies. Ain't it strange how he's never loyal to Dutch?" Williamson paused, grinning, though there was no levity in it, and Arthur thought 'bout everything. "Colm is dead due to you, but Dutch have suffered so much betrayal recently. You treat Dutch without respect, and you somehow hold a bigger title."
Bill had been so ready to torture Kieran, too. He had assisted in the death of the Irishman standing next to him, believed John was the traitor, and trusted Micah. Micah, of all people. Just thinking about it deepened Arthur's anger. Bill could have helped them. Him and John the other time. He could have done something, anything. But he didn't, cause he was a fool
"I don't think Dutch'll trust you, Bill."
"Just let it go, you fool!" John added without contempt, his hand tightening around his weapon.
Williamson scoffed, completely ignoring John's statement. "And how's he gonna react to you wanting to ruin everything he's built up?! We can't have any rats around!"
"And what 'bout you, Sean?" Arthur asked, hurt but resigned.
The Irish flinched at his words... "Aye, sorry Arthur, money is money. You won't suffer," he replied slowly, his voice shaky. 'Oh god. Sean too. Sean would have sided with Dutch if he'd lived last time.' Betrayal rid deep in his heart. All of this led only to this: where another brother would betray him. For someone like Sean follow Dutch into madness. And above all, for it to end like this! Much sooner! Yet while Arthur could have retaliated, he just couldn't do it. He couldn't ignore their... Their connection.
Damn, the idiot looked troubled before he finally said, "Are you going to take the shot, Bill?" He asked, staring at Bill. "Why hold back on us now? You've got the gun."
It was then that Sean looked at him deeply, and saw his eyes locking onto him in despair. He could see Bill shaking slightly, clearly not in the right state of mind either.
Still, Arthur'd wanted to keep Sean safe. He could hear the rest moving behind him. He just couldn't let Sean die again. His life was meaningless. He didn't have many years left now that Arthur thought 'bout it. But Sean was too young. Maybe the boy would find out the truth 'bout Dutch when he was gone.
"Hesitating now, Bill?" Arthur asked.
"I ain't hesitating!" Bill snapped back, but the sweat creasing his brow told a different story. The man had suddenly realized what this all meant, and it was weighing on him. He might have pitied him if Arthur wasn't at the end of his weapon. "Sean, what if we need him?" Bill asked, shaking slightly. "What prevents them from killing us afterward?"
Sean glared. "Oh now you can't do it, big man?!"
Bill's face stressed, "It's four against two!"
"Bill, Sean, you're trusting someone Dutch's known for six months over two men he's known for twenty years?!" Lenny growled. "Come on, you both know this is not right! Put your guns down and let's talk!"
Sean looked like he was 'bout to vomit.
"I can't back down now! We can't just pretend this never happened! It's too late!" Bill roared.
Arthur knew Bill was right. They all understood this. There was no way his loyal friends were going to forget 'bout this, and now it seemed like the final betrayal had come full circle.
John stared pointedly at Bill, "Let him go, and we'll let you leave. This doesn't have to come up between us ever again." Surely, Marston didn't think that was going to work, but Arthur couldn't blame him.
"Now I can't do that, John," a faint tremor was in his voice.
Still, nothing happened.
"Bill..." Lenny stated, stepping closer. "Don't do-"
"Step back!" Bill growled, turning his aim away from Arthur on Lenny, taking a few steps to now aim at both Lenny and Arthur, Sean falling further back. "You ain't able to do nothing, kid!"
"Sean... you're my brother," Lenny stared at Sean. Always able to keep a straight face. "Don't let him do this. Help us!"
"Sean, you know despite Morgan always mistreating you, he always looked to you as a little brother!" Marston pleaded. "He was the one who planned to come after you, not Dutch! No, Dutch was too busy springing together another goddamn plan, probably writing another rehearsed speech 'bout your death!"
Sean stared back, and anger was in his eyes. He stared between Bill and Lenny, before finally looking beyond.
They all just stood there, staring, waiting. No further action was taken for a long moment. No one dared to fire, for they knew that the situation was fragile. Even Bill in his small brains...
And for a moment, it seemed that time was endless.
...Finally, the next move was decided.
"Goddamn it," Sean sighed, reaching for his holster and pulling out his own revolver. He swung the blued steel in the direction of Arthur, seeming to be possessed by fire. "Together."
Arthur stared down the barrel of the gun. Somehow, knowing that Sean would make it a quick shot through the head, and it would be over, unlike Bill who wanted to no doubt make it painful and would aim for the ribs. This was all he was made for. To be betrayed and tossed aside like a dog. He would be able to get more out this time at least. There was no way Charles, Lenny, Kieran, and John would go back after this.
"What are you doing?" Bill asked, anger in his voice as he aimed between Arthur and Lenny...
"What I have to," Sean answered with an underlayer of seriousness that almost no one ever heard in his tone.
Arthur stared at him, sadness in his eyes, "Sean..."
"I'm sorry," Sean said truthfully, holding his piece tighter.
The honorable gunslinger kept his eyes open. Everything was drained of color yet again, back to the yellow. Arthur heard the hammer click. And finally, the world came back. No, he couldn't risk it, he thought. He couldn't risk all he'd done so far. Not for Bill. Not for Sean either. Maybe it ain't just Dutch who was destined to go crazy. But if they'd wanted this to happen, it had to. This shouldn't be happening. Not due to Micah's manipulation.
Time slowed.
And his hands inched to his holster...
And the gunshot went off, cutting through Arthur's senses. The bullet sailed through the air, coming quickly and mercilessly in the direction of its target.
Bill missed.
Arthur didn't know how.
Even the worst gunslinger couldn't miss such a close shot.
No...
He didn't miss.
The expected gunshot never went off.
The right side of Bill's face exploded from the deadly gunshot, blood splattering like a bottle of beer, staining his grey trousers, boots, and plain white shirt, along with his long, brown leather jacket. The five grimaced. Bill collapsed.
There was no doubt 'bout it. Bill Williamson was dead before he hit the ground.
He'd seen only Sean, Lenny, Hosea, Molly, Grimshaw...
And Bill!
Who killed him?
Marston could have decided to take this luck.
Lenny would have been able to get a well-accurate sniper's shot.
Charles would have shot him like prey.
Kieran could have taken his newfound luck.
But no, all of their guns were still poised, quiet like the night sky.
Sean stared, and suddenly, all present became aware that his gun was smoking. Visibly, the gun was now trained on where Bill was just standing.
It was at that moment Arthur realized Sean was never intending to kill him or changed his mind.
For a moment, Arthur felt that none of it mattered. Sean had just murdered Bill. Perhaps he shouldn't be angry. The fool'd saved his life.
Just as suddenly, he became aware of Marston's weight on top of him, Kieran likewise on top of Lenny. The damn idiots could have gotten shot. But Arthur's attention was on Sean. What happened to him? What spurred this change of heart? Now...
No, he couldn't feel angry towards him. It wouldn't be right. There was only one person.
Micah.
Micah.
That rat bastard, Micah.
And possibly Dutch.
Sean was terrible at making decisions sometimes. He was young. He didn't think straight at points. Oh, he knew 'bout Arthur's doubts and ain't like it. He ain't exactly been subtle. But unlike Bill and Javier, he was a lot more emotionally attached to Arthur to cut him loose. Maybe, this would allow Arthur to explain everything-assuming that Sean didn't just go crazy and decide to kill everyone.
After a few more seconds of a terse silence, the Irish holstered his weapon, took off his cowboy hat, ran a hand through his hair, took an unsteady breath, controlling that rising feeling of "I-need-to-get-fuck-now-and-damn-the-goddamn-world," and stared back at Arthur with a coldness that made even the older gunslinger freeze for a second, speaking with a voice drained of emotion and the comedic flare it usually had:
"Get up."
Author's note: Looks like Sean finally landed a shot on someone the first time, huh? Could have done it a bit sooner.
In all seriousness, sorry to all the Bill fans, but I wanted someone to finally be killed after all the close calls and scares. I feel like I can't make everyone survive. It was either him or Sean or both (I had actually considered that for a while). And I decided Bill was the perfect candidate: anything could have happened if Sean waited a few seconds later. I feel like Sean killing Bill felt symbolic since he accidentally got him killed in the game. Yet, I do feel surprisingly more sad than I thought I would since he did have a good relationship with Cain. He did defend Arthur against Micah when he made fun of Arthur's condition before they blew up the bridge in the Vanilla game. If it had taken a bit longer, maybe Arthur would have gotten him to lower his gun. Yet, still, Bill grew up in a tough world, he might do it. Plus, he was panicked. A gesture from Arthur and a shot could go. Maybe, in another life, he could be saved, but not this one.
As for Sean, he was one of the few people who recognized how stupid it was to try to play both sides in the Grays/Braithwaites saga in Rhodes. He said of Hosea, "He's a great finagler of nothing," and even though he was completely correct, Arthur scolded him for saying that. They didn't get anything from either family; the only reason you get a nice bit of cash at Clemens is because you do the Valentine bank heist with Bill. I think Sean isn't as smart as Lenny and Charles but acts dumber than he actually is.