𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 ─ arthur morgan ✓

¦¦ 17 ¦¦

Third Person

Around a month later, everyone had been laying low. Not going on any big jobs, just small homestead robberies and the occasional stagecoach. Arthur had now fully recovered, being able to join in on some small jobs. The gang had not come across the law, O'Driscolls nor Lemoyne Raiders. Everyone was getting fed and watered properly and no one was dying, so everything was ok.

°×°

Arthur, Adeline and Hosea have been sent to rob a small homestead out in Cumberland Forest, not too far from camp. The trio rode out and found the place with ease. As they dismounted their horses and hitched them to trees, they stealthily approached the house.
"Right, there are four guards out front. I suggest we take them out silently in case there's more," Adeline whispers as they crouch behind a rock.
"How though?" Arthur asks, peeking over the top of the rock then back as Adeline.

The woman takes out four throwing knives, passing one to Arthur and another to Hosea.
"With these," she says, holding the tip of the blade between her thumb and index finger. Arthur and Hosea nod as Adeline takes out two more knives just in case they miss.
"3, 2, 1, now," Adeline counts as they all throw the knives at once. Adeline hits her targets in the head as they fall dead on the ground. Arthur hits his target in the shoulder and Hosea throws his knife just past his target's head.

Adeline goes straight to plan b and throws her two spare knives at the two men before they turn around, both landing in the back of their heads. The bodies thud to the ground face down as Arthur and Hosea look at Adeline in pure disbelief.
"Never knew you were that talented," Hosea says, looking at the four dead men then back at their murderer.

Adeline just smiles as she motions for the pair to follow her in to the house. They oblige and move quietly to the rather quiet homestead. Arthur peeks through the window with Hosea as Adeline collects her knives from the dead men.
"All clear," Arthur announces as he opens the window and climbs through. He helps Hosea through and Hosea helps Adeline through.

The three search through the homestead, finding a bunch of valuable jewellery and a few stacks of cash here and there. Adeline finds a dusty photo frame on the fire place. She picks it up and wipes the glass with her sleeve, examining the photograph.
"Looked like this son of a bitch was married," Adeline says through the house, looking at the photo closer. The woman was holding a small child in her arms.

Adeline sighs and places the frame down on the fire place again. A small whimper comes from the room next to Adeline's. Instinctively, she puts her hand on her revolver as she slowly makes her way to the sound. Another whimper comes from the room as Adeline peeks her head around the door frame. A small child was sat in the corner, her ankles and wristed tied together with a cloth gag in her mouth. Tears were flowing down her faces and pure pain overtook her eyes.

Adeline instantly holsters her revolver, holding her hands in front of her as she approaches the child slowly.
"It's ok, I won't hurt you I'm here to help," Adeline says, kneeling by the girl and cutting the ropes from around her wrists and ankles as well as taking the gag out of her mouth.
"Arthur, Hosea, we got a slight problem here," Adeline calls out as she lifts the girl's shirt slightly, revealing a bunch of cuts, scars and bruises.
"What's-- oh," Hosea comes in to the room followed by Arthur.

"We can't leave her here," Adeline picks up the shaking girl and looks at the two men.
"We got no choice," Hosea approaches the girl slowly, grabbing her little hand.
"What's your name, sweetheart?" Hosea asks softly as to not scare her.
"S-Scarlett," the girl replies, her shaking slowly dying down as she lets Hosea hold her hand in his.
"How old are you?" the older man asks, searching Scarlett's bright blue eyes.
"4," she replies simply.
"You know where your mom and dad are?" Adeline questions, looking down at the girl in her arms.
"D-daddy says ma's in the sky, with grandpa, and daddy just went outside with his friends," Scarlett starts quivering again as Adeline holds her closer.

The three share a look, already knowing what they had done. Arthur looks over Adeline's shoulder and out of the back window.
"We got company," he warns, gently grabbing Adeline and Hosea's shoulders. They turn around and see four men riding up on horses.
"They're some of the bad men," Scarlett says, her voice breaking as if she were about to cry.
"It's ok, we're leaving now and you're comin' with us," Adeline soothes, speed walking out of the front door and covering the young girl's eyes so she doesn't see the bleeding bodies on the ground.

Hosea and Arthur follow closely behind her, glancing back occasionally. Adeline places Scarlett just in front of Buell's saddle as she mounts up with the other two.
"Hya," all three softky urge their horses in to gallops, speeding away from the homestead.
"Where are we going?" Scarlett asks, holding on to whisps of Buell's mane with her small hands.
"Somewhere safe where no more bad men can hurt you," Adeline says as her, Arthur and Hosea slow in to a trot.
"Will daddy come back?" the young girl asks innocently.

Adeline glances at Arthur and Hosea, not having a clue what to say.
"He's in the sky, w-with your ma and grandpa," Hosea speaks up, guilt laced jn his voice.
"Oh," Scarlett whispers, silence falling amongst them. Scarlett takes in the scenery around her very obviously never been taken out of her home.

"Who's there?" Sean shouts from the trees as Adeline, Arthur and Hosea ride back in to camp.
"It's just us!" Adeline shouts back, shooting a small smile in Sean's direction as they ride past him.

The three outlaws hitch their horses and Adeline takes Scarlett down from Buell, holding her on her hip. They go over to Dutch, who was stood just outside his tent.
"Dutch! Dutch, we just been an' robbed a homestead and found this poor soul there," Adeline says, looking at Scarlett with sympathy in her eyes before looking back at the dark haired leader.
"You poor thing, good job you taken her, she looks proper beaten up," Dutch slightly lifts Scarlett's shirt to reveal the scars, cuts and bruises again.

"Who's gonna take care of her? Proper care, I mean," Arthur asks, stepping forward. Dutch thinks for a moment or two, looking around camp before his eyes land on the couple before him. A smile makes its way on to his face, as well as Hosea's.
"I think you two would be the best," Dutch's smile widens as he gestures to Arthur and Adeline.

The couple share a look before looking down at the now sleeping girl in Adeline's arms. They look back at Dutch with smiles on their faces. Adeline speaks for both of them, "I think we can handle it."