RDR2: 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝑻𝒘𝒐 𝑷𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒔

A Trade Between Thieves

Time seemed to stand still - just hovering far enough from utter disaster - after the sharp click of a gun being cocked penetrated the air.

The silence was suffocating as the two stood there, until Arthur shuffled to face the newcomer; arms slowly rising in surrender. Anne mirrored his actions - shaking possibly both from the cold and the stressful situation.

The man was wrapped head to toe in a seemingly infinite amount of layers of clothing. His harsh eyes gazed back at them, one of them clouded over from a cataract.

The gun in his right hand glinted in the sunlight, intimidatingly so. The owner spoke through his bandana, an oily voice seeping out. "That's an interestin' find you got there.... been trailing you two ever since I heard that one," he nodded his head sharply at a petrified Anne, "mentioned somethin' about gold bars. Thought it was too good of an opportunity to pass."

As the man drawled on through his tale in greasy tones, Arthur narrowed his eyes at the figure calculatingly. The cogs in his head spun at a worrying rate, he supposed the man was by himself. He was astonished alone that the man had enough nerve to follow them through all this, by himself even. Even more so that he himself hadn't noticed (Arthur gave himself a mental kick at that). After the initial shock of being run up on faded, Arthur began to relax.

Sure, the man had them pinned in a bit of a precarious position, but it was nothing Arthur hadn't dealt with before. His heartbeat slowed with his thoughts. He knew what to do.

"You sure got a lotta nerve - followin' us up here, buddy," he began in a malicious voice, making slow and sweeping steps towards the man. The stranger held his stare and flicked the gun hand in warning, causing Arthur to stop for a second.

"Look... Partner, I'm just tryin' to make some money same as you. Ain't anythin' to take personal." His eyes danced between Arthur and Anne warily before finally making home in Arthur's direction. Possibly seeing him more of a threat.

Arthur hardened his glare before commenting in a strained voice, "Kinda hard to not take it personally when you're holdin' a gun in my face." He resumed his shamble gradually toward the perpetrator. One step at a time.

As Arthur steadily made his way to the man, making sure each step to be as inconspicuous as the last - Anne jolted the moment with an unexpected cough.

Though innocent enough by itself, the harsh noise was enough to drive the man's beady stare away from Arthur long enough for him to lunge at the perpetrator and knocking his gun out of his hand.

An awkward grapple peppered with punches and kicks between them ensued as the two struggled to achieve the same goal. Arthur pinned a rough hand at the man's throat and used his other to reach for his own gun.

The fight was finally halted at the click of a new gun, held in Arthur's palm.

The stranger let out a nervous laugh before starting nervously, "Look... Look... I didn't mean any harm, I jus' wanted the gold, partner."

Arthur dismissed his excuse with a roll of his eyes before forcing the man up by his shirt, keeping the collar of it fisted in his hand.

He roughly shoved the man forward and retorted back, "Keep callin' me partner and I'll put a bullet in ya." His voice was laced with contempt. He shot Anne a meaningful glance and looked back at the man. "Now walk. Show me to that horse of yours."

The man fixed him with a hesitant glance before stumbling forward. Making long and dragging steps. Arthur kept close behind and Anne ghosted behind both of them. Silently following suite.

A brown horse came into view, its chestnut coat reflected the sunlight softly.

Its ears perked at the appearance of its master and anxiously pawed a hoof. Arthur glanced at it. His best guess was a Morgan, judging by its smaller stature.

"This it?" Arthur asked for reassurance before backing towards it. Gun still trained on the attacker. Anne made nervous steps along with him, glancing repeatedly at the animal. Her eyes were iced over with uncertainty.

He gave the girl a sidelong look before muttering at her, "Now, quick. Get on the horse before he tries somethin'. I'll keep an eye on him while you do it."

She wide eyed at him in response and shuffled to the animal's side. She tentatively put a hand on the saddle horn and flashed another look at the horse's face. Perhaps checking for any signs of attack.

After a few moments of her waiting and heaving herself on by the aid of the stirrup and saddle horn, she sunk herself into the saddle. A relieved expression caught in her features. The attention was focused back onto Arthur and the stranger.

"Alright, partner," he made a point to emphasize the word 'partner' mockingly, "you're gonna walk right out of here and leave me and the kid be."

He continued his statement menacingly, "You try anything. And I'll kill ya. Without a second thought."

Immediately in response, the man nervously shuffled off into a run. Angry grumbling left a trail behind him.

They both watched as he fell out of view and Arthur turned his focus onto a shaken Anne. "You alright there?" He asked with a concerned expression.

Anne reacted slowly, rising out of her daze and replying, "Never better." Her sarcastic voice quivered slightly.

"You sure?" Arthur pushed, his conscience pricked with guilt at the fact she had been put through the mess.

She heaved out a shaky sigh before appeasing his question, "Ya... We should probably go back and get that treasure."

Arthur nodded in agreement and took the horse by the reigns, gently leading it back over into the direction of the treasure.

*

The two horses gave each other a careful sniff before turning their attention away from each other. Arthur and Anne finished up packing what little they had out before making their way over to the animals and seating themselves.

Anne's hand patted at the steed's neck gently and stated matter of factly, "You know... that shook me up more than the wolves did, to be honest."

Arthur turned his head in response and let out a half-chuckle, "Can't blame you, men can be worse than the wolves when they want to be.." he trailed off into thought.

They trekked back over the snowy terrain and into the lush, green scenery as they made their journey back to town. Anne entertained the otherwise, silent air with more songs to which Arthur still hadn't a clue to the origins of.

Arthur and Anne arrived to the town along with nighttime tailing close behind them. They both tied their mounts to the closest hitching post and Arthur peered over at Anne. He opened his mouth awkwardly before deciding to instead to resolving to opening up his satchel.

He fumbled with it for a spell before pulling out a single gold bar. Before Anne could properly react it was pushed into her hand. She threw him a puzzled look.

"That's for...well..." his voice started up uncertainly, "You'll need it a hell of a lot more than me. I reckon you should keep it."

Anne's eyes pondered at the object before pocketing. "I- thanks. You're probably right. About me needing it part." She looked around their surroundings and gave a nervous laugh.

She stared both at Arthur and his horse with a meaningful gaze, "Take care of Walter for me, won't you?"

Arthur nodded his head and an endearing smile creased to the edges of his face as he tilted toward the ground. "Sure, an' you take care now."

By the time he had lifted his head back up, Anne was gone.