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“ C’mon girl.”
Arthur pats his horse before climbing on. He had run from the law, again. Wasn’t his fault to be fair. It was all a sit up. Wrong place wrong time. As the story goes. With sun down and everyone settling down. Arthur figured it safe enough had back to camp without drawing attention. Arthur hums to himself as he rides through the open plains. He sees a few foxes running pass chasing a rabbit. Arthur’s horse stops immediately.
“ What’s wrong girl?”
His horse whines taking few steps back. Arthur grabs shotgun and lantern. Must been a cougar close by. “ You’re alright girl…” Arthur assures getting off. Never safe in great open at night. Arthur keeps his gun close as he walks away from his horse. He spots couple dug up holes. One had body in it. Fresh one and he’s alive.
“ D-Don’t shoot!”
Arthur narrows his eyes at the man. His clothes are torn like he got shot at. Possibly burned in the process. “ Hell you doing in there?” Arthur ask keeping gun pointed. The man looks like he’s on the verge of a breakdown. “ These group of men they robbed me- beaten me! Threw me in this damn ditch!” The man cries falling to his knees. Arthur had high suspicion it was the O’Driscolls. Damn bastards.
“ Please sir I need help! They gone come back for me I know it!”
The man reaches into his pockets. “ They didn’t take everything from me!” The man pulls out three gold coins. Real gold coins. Different type of money even from Blackwater. “ D-don’t let them hurt me no more…” Arthur stares at the money. It had its value, hell Dutch- they needed the money. The man looked so sorry..All he got was three coins and clothes on his back.
“ Keep your money.”
“ What..”
“ Just follow me, before I change my mind.”
“ God bless ya sir! Y-You a good man.”
Arthur coughs a bit. Ain’t nothing good about him. Just a big ugly mean man that occasionally helps others out. “ What’s ya name?” Arthur asks leading the stranger to his horse. “ Remmick.” Funny name Arthur thinks. “ I’m Arthur. You got anywhere else to call home, Remmick?” Arthur moves to the lantern so he get better look at Remmick’s face. His face didn’t look too banged up. Save for dirt and dried blood. Judging by sad look, almost glowing light, in Remmick’s eyes he didn’t have a home. Arthur thought about taking Remmick to the camp. He fit in no doubt. Dutch and Hosea good sorta that stuff out..most of the time. Arthur remembered he still needed to bust Micah out of jail. He can wait a little longer.
“ Where we going?”
“ Saloon. I need a drink, ya could use some.”
“ You offering me a drink?”
“ I suppose. Ya got dem coins. First drink can be on me.”
Arthur slides his gun back on the saddle. He hooks the lantern on after. Arthur turns around and Remmick is staring at him very coldly. “ Somethin’ wrong?” Arthur asks Remmick is drooling, a lot. “ I’m just really thirsty..” Arthur keeps his guard up. Hand on his hip and close to his holster. Perhaps Remmick was sick and all. Hopefully he didn’t have some sort of infection. Arthur decided Remmick couldn’t come to the camp. Either everyone died because of Remmick. Or poor bastard get gun down before sun came up.
“ Let’s get ya some water and maybe see a doc-“
Remmick lunges at Arthur as Remmick bites into his neck. Arthur guns grabbing his gun shooting Remmick three times in the chest. “ aRgh! Get off me!” Arthur manages to kick Remmick off. Arthur stands up one hand on his bleeding neck and other holding his gun. Crazy bastard gone mad. Remmick chuckles licking his hand.
“ Oh Arthur, your blood don’t taste right..”
Arthur fires a shot that Remmick easily dodges. “ The hell are ya!?” Arthur grunts using his bandanna around his neck to stop the bleeding. “ I can help ya, just as ya did for me.” Arthur shots again hitting until he was out of bullets. Remmick stood tall as if he wasn’t filled with bullets. Arthur needed to escape. He’ll return to camp once Remmick was dealt with.
“ Dutch ain’t gone last y’know..”
Arthur goes still, he’s starting to feel woozy. “ Your whole family..one by one they’ll leave or die. You know this. I know too.” Arthur slowly backs away as Remmick walks towards him. Arthur couldn’t process how Remmick knew anything about Dutch or others. “ We can save them, Arthur. Make the family stronger. I lost mind..yours would welcome me greatly.” There’s sadness in Remmick’s eyes only briefly. Arthur leaned on side of his horse.
“ We can go back to Blackwater if ya join me. All that money, free land, happy under the moon and stars. You don’t got long Arthur. Let me save ya.”
“ I’m gonna have..to disagree with ya,,”
“ Why’s that? Don’t go lyin now. I’ll know.”
“ You ain’t worth the god damn trouble!”
Arthur pulls his shotgun shooting Remmick he flies back. “ Take me home girl!” Arthur shouts climbing on his horse spanking her to run. Arthur held on even as his vision gave out.
“ Arthur?”
“ He’s waking up!”
“ Give him some space c’mon now!”
“ Arthur! Son speak to me!”
Arthur groans touching his face. “ I’m alright,,” Arthur manages to get out. He opens his eyes seeing Dutch and Hosea looking at him. He rubs his neck and winces at how sore it was. “ Jesus Arthur did you fight with a fuckin’ animal??” Arthur hears Sean laughing behind the tent. “ You look like an animal! Arthur hears Lenny shout. “ Ah hush both of ya! Arthur what the hell happen we found ya bleedin bad!” Hosea asks helping Arthur up. “ I don’t ‘member much,,,” Arthur mumbles rubbing his forehead. He need a drink badly. “ Whatever it was bit ya good, son. But you’re home now.” Dutch smiles patting Arthur’s back. “ Is it bad?” Arthur asks extending his neck out. “ Charles said it’ll heal. Long as ya don’t pick at it. Leave nasty scar I’m afraid.” Hosea answers and Arthur just hums.
“ By the way found this in your pocket.”
Dutch holds out two gold coins. Arthur gives out a chuckle in disbelief. “ What’s so funny?” Arthur shakes his head taking the two coins. “ Damn man in hole that’s what.” Dutch and Hosea glance at each other in confusion and concern. Arthur just glad he never brought Remmick along. That man ain’t right.