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Chapter 25

With the lack of the Pinkerton Agents, there was no haste to move on from Horseshoe Overlook. Unfortunately, this gave Dutch and Hosea even more ideas. Even with the least stressful situations, neither, especially the former, couldn't help but get them into loads of trouble that would certainly attract their attention. While Cornwall might not be interested in chasing after them, Arthur've reasoned with the Pinkertons playing law and order for a civilized society.

In some ways, Arthur'd understood. They'd needed cash to stay on their feet, and with the law closing in on them, Arthur knew it was only a matter of time as much as he'd enjoyed this.

"Arthur," Hosea summoned, moving over to him lounging alone in a small seat, "Dutch has another plan."

Arthur couldn't help a sigh as he stood up and moved over to the tent, following behind Hosea. Notably, Dutch weren't alone. Micah was next to him. Javier too. He really didn't like the amount of time they had been spending together since Colter, but he'd presumed with him questioning Dutch, that wasn't to be unexpected.

"Son," Dutch nodded. "I have been discussing it with Mr. Bell and Escuella here-"

He glanced briefly at Micah and Javier.

"Yes?" Arthur asked, his gut feeling clenching up.

He proclaimed, "We decided we are going to rob the bank in Valentine."

Arthur froze. Last time, Cornwall and the Pinkertons started roaming around, and they had to postpone that robbery. Even afterward, it was Bill of all people who planned and Ms. Jones who played the good role of a distraction. But this time, it was going to be through more firepower. He couldn't blame Dutch too much for this as well. At the end of it all, Cornwall was holding back the Pinkertons, even though they'd still wanted them to swing Blackwater.

"You're alright, son?" Be it he viewed it as hesitancy or reluctance, a reason to question his plans all the more, Arthur didn't know.

"I'm fine, Dutch," Arthur responded, noticing both Dutch and Hosea were eyeing him with similar looks.

"We are going to separate into two groups," Javier spoke up. "Arthur, you're going to go with Micah and I. Dutch is going to go with John and Bill."

"We will be holding the hostages," Dutch declared with finality, "you three will be going in and getting the money." He raised his voice, "Now, listen, folks, we have planned for this robbery. With this money, we'll get one step closer to paradise. We must remain strong. I need you all to work together."

The speech concluded and they all gathered up their equipment. While it irritated him slightly to know that he would be working with Javier and Micah, Arthur didn't see a reason to protest. He'd made sure his horse was prepared before he pulled on the reins, taking off right with Micah and Javier catching up.

"You have been acting pretty different lately, you know that, Morgan," Micah spoke in an obvious tone to get under his skin. "Always going behind Dutch's back, now talking to Marston a lot more. What do you two got planning?"

"Shut up," Arthur said flatly.

"I'm just pointing out that you should have more faith in Dutch, Morgan, after everything he'd done for you," Micah responded, and Arthur knew exactly what he was doing. The goddamn bastard was subtly luring Javier in. The Mexican clearly didn't like his attitude while they were in Colter and it was starting to grow into actual resentment, with fewer and fewer conversations happening between them.

Arthur found it increasingly difficult not to put a bullet through Micah right then and there. Damn it, shoulda done it to both Dutch and Micah back in Colter before they went to the Adler's ranch. He'd guessed he'd thought he could tolerate Micah's taunts along the way.

"He does have a point. Why are you always doubting Dutch, Arthur?" Javier echoed. Of course, Javier have already burnt the bond that once meant a lot to Arthur, but it still hurt. The moment Arthur'd rightfully questioned Dutch and where things were going, the Mexican didn't even care.

"Javier, since Micah has been riding with us, there's nothing but trouble. Stirring things up all the time, getting in Dutch's ear. Encouraging him to kill that girl in Blackwater." He was trying to reason with Javier. All that came was a cold mask and another stab of betrayal 'cause Javier wouldn't ever think for himself, not when it came to being a follower.

"Ah, you are still on 'bout that," Micah dismissed, rolling his eyes. "She was just a girl who wouldn't stop squealing. Dutch did us a favor in putting her down. She would have lured the law to us, cowpoke."

"I'm more careful after Blackwater. You two went on that bloody massacre, bringing the law right on us, and getting Jenny, Mac, and Davey killed." Arthur gritted out, glaring at the rat piece of shit who he'd wanted to lunge at and remove off of that goddamn horse already.

"Ah, you think I'm bad, Morgan? Them Callander boys were a bloody bunch. They went out in their flame of glory." Micah countered without care. "Jenny was useful," he licked his lips, his face darkening, "I'm speaking from experience."

"Shut your goddamn mouth before I shut it for you!" Arthur hissed.

Soon...

He'd just needed to make sure it didn't lead back to him...

"Oh, don't get mad, Morgan," the rat bastard laughed. "You and the widow..."

"Leave her out of this," he replied, surprised by the surge of overprotection crawling through his spine at that moment.

"You know you had your own fun before," Micah replied, "what are you doing now with her anyway? She should be shared!" Several cackles vibrated out of him.

"You don't know what you're fucking talking 'bout so keep your mouth shut before I'll put a bullet through your eyes," Arthur threatened, though he knew Micah got what he wanted. He'd been successful. With the control he had over both Dutch and Javier, it was obvious what his plans were.

Wouldn't win the fight in physicality. Would do it by destroying the gang, taking his losses, and running before Arthur or either of them would even know what was happening.

What was the next plan Micah was going to cook up?

Or Dutch and Javier even? He didn't know how far any conspiracies of theirs went. Very likely, Dutch would begin to talk 'bout the possibilities of a rat and looked at both him or John as the ones responsible.

These thoughts wouldn't leave him as he continued the ride. Damn it, he wished he pressed to remain with Marston instead. Their bond was getting better lately. At the very least, the conversation ended there.

They'd arrived on the opposite sides, taking their supplies, and pushing on their horses to run off for cover.

"Now, listen," Dutch said as they all gathered up in front of the bank's doors and began putting on their bandanas, "we go in, incapacitate the guards. Arthur, you go to the back. Any questions? Disagreements?"

None came.

The leader of the Van Der Linde gang kicked the door open and shot his revolver in the air, causing all of them to look within, and fall onto the ground, raising their hands.

The guards pulled out their guns, only to be put down instantly by Micah.

A woman screamed at the bloodied sight, causing John to shout. "Silence! Now! I said silent, woman!" He aimed his revolver at her head, and she put a hand on her mouth, whacked sobs escaping her, but she tried to calm herself down before she ended up shot.

Arthur turned his revolver on the teller, his voice lacking conviction. "Give us the key, and no one gets hurt."

The teller tossed him the key and he walked over and unlocked the door. He moved in and pushed him on the arm, leading him to the vault, though much more gently than last time.

"Make it easier for yourself and open the vault," he commanded.

The teller looked terrified, scrambling over and trying to open the vault with shaking hands. He took too long, adding to Arthur's stress of the situation, and forced bark of command to hurry up.

Unfortunately, his timing couldn't be worse.

Micah walked in, his sneer across his lips. "He still ain't open the vault?!" He walked up and slammed his fist against his side. "Open the vault! Open the goddamn vault now!"

Arthur gripped Micah's hand and growled out, stopping him from inflicting further injury, "I got this."

"Are you trying to make us swung, cowpoke?" Micah directed his question to Arthur. "You're taking too long. He needs to-"

"It's open," the teller managed after a shrieking episode.

Arthur glared at Micah for a moment before sighing and looking at the teller.

"What do we have to open the lock boxes?" Arthur asked much more softly, knowing the answer.

"T-the manager does that."

Micah slammed him against the nearest wall, making him groan and grip his head. He smirked in satisfaction and turned to Arthur who could only glare helplessly. Marston walked inside next, checking to make sure everything was okay.

While he looked slightly displeased, Marston didn't argue. "I'll make sure our friend behaves himself, okay, Arthur?"

Arthur nodded after a moment of hesitation, not wanting the poor man's brains to be splattered on the ground.

"I'll blow them up." Arthur stated, planting dynamite on the boxes.

"Hurry up in there, amigo!" Javier shouted from the outside.

"I'm moving as fast as I can!" Arthur snapped back, on the fifth lockbox.

"Ple-please, let me go. I won't say nothing I swear." The teller pleaded.

"Shut up!" Micah snarled, kicking him in the side again, making him groan.

Arthur exited, coming to the rat's side, waiting for it to blow.

When the familiar "BOOM" echoed, the boxes were opened, and Arthur scurried in, looting the safes for all of the money. Plenty of which to move on. He would have to hide away some of the cash. It would not be clean money, Arthur knew, but it was the only way to stop all of this.

By the time he exited, they had a good amount of money. Too much for Arthur to even count.

"This is Deputy Aiden Pulaski of the Valentine's Sheriff Department!" A voice bellowed from the outside. "We've you surrounded. Lawmen are everywhere. You ain't getting out of this one so you might as well put your guns down and come out with your hands up."

"I am ready to get the hell out of here whenever you all are!" Bill murmured to the rest who gathered up.

"If the shooting starts, you're all dead!" The deputy barked.

"How we're going to do it this time, Dutch?" John inquired, staring at their leader.

Ever the fine speaker, Dutch couldn't wait for his moment to shine yet again. Holstering his weapons, he walked out and put his hands up.

"Please, all of you, we represent the society that is still breeding. We're not killers. We're not thieves." Arthur almost had to scoff as he followed behind him. "We are only... trying to make a living. I'm sure all of you understand this."

As John, Javier, and Micah followed behind them, Arthur looked at a few of the lawmen who were aiming their guns in his direction.

"We all have one thing in common. We wish to survive. To live. To make a living for ourselves. You may all view me as a madman. Me and my associates here." Dutch nodded. It was the signal. "But I insist for you to consider my words."

Ultimately, having no choice, Arthur gripped his weapon as time slowed yet again. He raised his revolver and cocked back the hammer. The Deputy's eyes went wide as three bullets came sailing in his direction. It hit, twice in the arms and another time in the stomach, forcing him to drop behind the cover, bloodied.

Damn. Someday, this would all stop. Someday, he wouldn't be killing folks and would have to live with the shame of following Dutch's bidding,

They moved through Valentine, shooting at whoever got in their way. Arthur did his best to avoid killing folks, but the others weren't as gentle.

They made it to their horses, Dutch being the first one, with Bill and Javier also on theirs the next. Micah was the fourth. Arthur made sure Marston made it before swinging on top of Ryan, still shooting at those who were crowding around them on their horses or the ground.

Somewhere along the way, he gripped his pistol instead. As they took off, the retreat was not as close as last time. There were still some reinforcements, but they were put down with sufficient ease if not by Arthur then Dutch, Javier, or Micah.

The former remained at the front, leading their retreat. When no more was coming past the train tracks, Dutch nodded in approval.

"Alright, good job, men, we pulled that off!" He praised in satisfaction, eyes glistening with pride as Arthur disembarked from his horse and began passing their cuts. "But right now, it's best we ride separately. Don't head directly back to camp and make sure you aren't followed."

He had a good amount. He would have to go get his own collection box, and would have to find a area where to hide it and not have Dutch find out.

Also, look like Valentine ain't going to be planned by Bill and Karen. This meant more events would happen.

He almost groaned.

Why it had to be him instead of Marston sent back?