Chapter Text
You left.
You mounted your horse and left by evening, had to find something to prove your worth in camp, they think you're weak, stupid, unable to fight for yourself.
'She can't fight, Hosea. I seen her in action and she wouldn't even hurt a fly.'
That's the last thing you heard him say one night after you came back with supplies. Sadie apparently fought better than you did and it filled you with shame and disappointment in yourself.
Arthur took you in when you were a kid, long ago. They pretty much rasied you, since you were a teen. He taught you how to ride a horse, to hold a gun, and took you hunting sometimes. And you grew fond of him, it was a simple admiration at first but as the years passed, it developed into a one sided crush.
And from a simple crush to sleepless nights wishing you were with him. Kissing you, touching you, loving you.
You know that his past isn't very trifling, but maybe some day you'll make him forget about all of them, Mary, Eliza...
But he didn't give any signs that he's interested, and that made you want him more. But not now, now you're proving yourself to him and the other fools who think you're too weak to be running with a gang of outlaws.
A week passed and the weather here is roasting, it's a damn miracle if it ever rained down here. The flies and mosquitos didn't help at all. You been tracking this cabin for some time now, heard it had some goods and possibly money.
The air in Lemoyne was thick and damp, it was hot. You left quietly while they were busy eating dinner, you only told Mary-Beth about this job.
The shack should be just southeast Scarlett Meadows, which isn't very far now. You tucked the map back in your saddlebag and pet your mare,
"Not too far now, Missy." She leaned into your touch, you gave her a small spurr and she set into a steady gallop, "Hya!"
Sweat trickles down your forehead and the heat bearing down on you. The sound of insects buzzing is a constant and unwelcome companion, adding to the already oppressive atmosphere of the region.
After riding past Eris Field, according to the map, you see something up the hill, surrounded by trees, and logs that appears to be the shack you are looking for...
You pulled the rains and brought the horse to a halt, looking over the cabin and it didn't seem to be quiet. It sounds like a party. You dismounted and hitched to a nearby tree, making sure your revolver is loaded, just in case.
You don't want anyone to die here.
You've put on your bandana, making yourself look a little bit intimidating at least. (It didn't work)
"You got this." You whispered to yourself, taking a few steps before someone bursts out of the front door. You quickly hid behind one of the logs. The man seemed drunk, and from the look of him he isn't from any gangs that you've ran into before.
Despite coming all the way here, you're still a bit shaken. You never took a life before, but you were a good thief. So how are you gonna do this without being spotted and killing any of them?
The drunk went out to the woods, he seemed to be taking a piss. Maybe if you threaten him he'll tell you where the money is. And they will all surrender!
Good idea.
You've seen Arthur do it many times before, and it looked so easy. Of course it would be, he was a man. And you? Just a scardy cat who lives on others' efforts.
You sneaked behind him, pointing the gun right on the back of his head - in spite of being short - you pulled the hammer, *click*.
"Hands up." You rasped, trying to sound threatening. The man didn't break a sweat, continues to take care of his business.
"I said put your hands up!" You said loudly, louder than you should be. Whoever is inside will hear and come running here.
He slowly moved backwards, putting his hands up in defeat, still facing away from you. He laughs, the son of a bitch. Your finger twitches on the trigger, you were no cruel girl but his nonchalant demeanor is getting to your nerves.
"You gonna tell me where the money is?" You spoke again, a little quieter now, "or should I just blow your brains out?"
"S-Sure, I'll tell you."
Well this was easy.
Your eyes widen in surprise, ohhh those fools are gonna be sour when they hear this.
I-It's just behind the house," He explained shakily, "I'll s-show you."
"Move then." You believed him, letting him lead you to the basement in the back.
You followed the drunk man behind the cabin, your heart racing in your chest. The air down here was musty and stale, lit only by a few flickering candles.
"There," The man gestured to boards under the house, "It's all in there."
You step closer to the chest, examining it closely. It looks old and sturdy, but it had no lock.
You knelt down to examine the place, which was a really dumb move.
Confused, "What the hell is this?" you demand, "Where's the-"
Just as you turn to him, a hard blow hits the back of your head, sending you sprawling to the ground in a daze. Your revolver flying across you, you can't reach it if you tried. The world spins around you, your vision fading,
"Boys! We got ourselves a plaything," You hear him just as everything goes black, "and a pretty one, too." Then you fall into unconsciousness.
-
Back at camp, they were gathered around the fire, Tilly was sewing a rip in her dress. Arthur just arrived after his mission with Uncle. He was tending to his horse, brushing and feeding the stallion.
He looks around and notices that one of the horses is missing. Arthur approaches Tilly, concerned plastered on his face.
"Hey Tilly, you seen that girl anywhere? Her horse is missin'." He asks in concern.
Tilly shakes her head, a feeling of worry beginning to take shape in her chest.
"No, I haven't seen her for a while now. I thought she was with you."
Arthur frowns, "That ain't like her. She's never just disappeared for no reason before."
Tilly sets aside her sewing and stands up, "You think she's alright?" She asks, her concern growing.
Arthur's expression darkens, his mind racing with possibilities,
"I don't know," he admits, "But I got a bad feeling about this."
As Arthur and Tilly are discussing your disappearance, Mary-Beth approaches them, her expression serious.
"Arthur, I think I know where she went."
Arthur looks up, a glimmer of hope in his eyes, "Where?"
-
You slowly start waking up, your mind fuzzy and head throbbing. You groggily open your eyes, finding yourself in a dimly lit room. As your vision clears, you realize that you're lying on a musty bed, your wrists and ankles tied with rough ropes.
A gag in your mouth.
You try to move, but the ropes bite into your skin, keeping you firmly in place. As your mind starts to clear, you begin to remember what happened. The basement, the empty chest, the man's mocking voice, and then the blow to the head...
"Let me check on our little sleeping beauty." You hear a voice from the other room then, the door to the room opens, sound of laughter from the other men growing before he shuts it.
The man from before walks in, a wicked grin plastered on his face. He approaches you slowly, his steps heavy against the wooden floorboards.
"Well, well, looks like the little mouse is finally awake."
You try to struggle against the ropes, but it's no use. The man chuckles, enjoying the sight of you struggling helplessly.
"No use fighting, pretty little thing," he shakes his head, "You ain't going nowhere."
He stands over you, his gaze crawling over your body. "You know, I was meaning to this while you were..." He pauses, a smirk playing on his lips. "...passed out."
The man looks you up and down, his eyes lingering on your tied-up body. His hand goes down to his crotch for a moment, your eyes looking away from his disgusting form.
You got yourself into this and you're dealing with the consequences.
"But thought you'll sound pretty screaming..." he circles around the bed, his gaze never leaving your form, "and struggling..."
The man pauses, looking down at you with a twisted grin. He reaches out a hand, trailing his finger across your cheek. "I wonder, how loud can you scream?" He leans in closer, his face inches from yours.
His hand unbuttoned his pants, you can see his arm moving but can't tell what he's doing. Your heart skips a beat, a wave of terror washing over you. You're helpless to move, bound tightly by the ropes.
"Don't even think about struggling," he growls, sensing the fear in your eyes, "You're mine now."
With a swift movement he tore open your shirt, buttons flying across the room, leaving you in your chemist. It defined your breasts firmly, his eyes glued to your exposed skin.
Your breath hitches in your throat as you try to cover yourself, but it's pointless. The man stares at your body, his eyes roaming over your exposed flesh in a way that makes your skin crawl.
"Look at you," he says, his voice dripping with lechery, nasty hand reaching to touch you, "so pretty."
A noise from outside, followed by gunshots can be heard.
The man freezes, his attention torn away from you. He listens intently to the sounds coming from outside - gunshots, and voices shouting. He looks towards the door, a hint of concern on his face.
"What the hell...?"
He glances at you for a moment before walking towards the door, leaving you tied up and defenseless on the bed.
Then you heard him, loud and intense,
"You're the only one left! Give it up now!"
Your heart skips a beat as you recognize the voice - it's Arthur.
The man at the door tenses, clearly recognizing the voice as well.
"Arthur...?" You whispered to yourself.
The man hisses, his hand gripping the door handle. He opens the door, eyes going wide as he stares at the dead bodies of his friends laying on the wooden floor.
"Shit...I give up! Don't shoot! I'm unarmed!" His voice that was a deep and dangerous a moment ago is now small and scared.
"Tell me where she is before I put a bullet through your head."
Oh, how happy you were to hear his voice, a wave of relief washes over you.
"J-Just inside!" He says quickly, holding his hands up in defeat.
Arthur moves, taking the steps inside while still aiming at him, making the man step back.
"Sit." He gestured to the chair, "and if you move, you'll be reuniting with your buddies there."
He swallowed hard and nodded, taking the seat and waiting patiently.
Arthur bursts into the room, his gaze taking you in before he looks away at your indecent state.
"Christ..." He approached you quickly, pulling his knife to cut you free. He sliced the ropes at your ankles then your hands.
As the ropes come undone, you feel a rush of relief and gratitude. You try so hard to not cry, holding tears inside as the tension and fear finally eases.
Arthur cuts the ropes around your wrists, finally freeing you from the bed. He helps you sit up, but his gaze stays averted from your half-naked state.
You cover yourself as best as you can, trying to preserve some sense of modesty. But you can't help but feel exposed and vulnerable, especially under Arthur's gaze.
"You alright?" Arthur asks in concern, finally looking into your eyes.
"Y-yeah," you manage to stammer, your voice still shaky with fear and emotion. "Thank you."
Arthur nods, a hint of relief in his expression, "I'm just glad I got here in time," he says gruffly, looking away again.
You nodded, looking to find your gun. You found a lock box beneath the bed and grabbed it, opening it to find another double action revolver, it looks worn but with some gun oil it should look as good as new.
"Come on, let's get outta herep." He walked you out of the room to the man still sitting there.
"Wait, there's money...it's why I came here-" You explained shakily, trying to maintain balance.
"Alright then."
You follow Arthur out, grateful for his presence and protection. The man sits there, still in shock from the previous events, his eyes darting between you and Arthur.
His gaze lingers on you, taking in your appearance. You can feel his eyes roaming over your exposed skin, and you instinctively cover yourself, trying to shield yourself from his leering gaze.
Arthur notices your discomfort and steps closer, blocking the man's line of sight.
"Eyes on me, pal," he growls, a warning in his voice, "And if you wanna live you tell me where that money stashed."
"Alright, alright, under my pillow on top of my bed. Just take it and let me go."
Arthur points his gun at him again, then looks at you, "You'd want that?" He asks you.
You hesitate, your mind torn. Part of you wants to let the man go free, to move on from this terrifying experience. But another part of you, the part that's still trembling with fear and adrenaline, craves justice.
You nod, wanting nothing more than to put this nightmare behind you. "Yeah," you reply, your voice shaky. "Let's just get it and go."
"Go," he holsters his revolver, "Get outta here, and never come back." He says gruffly, voice threatening.
The man doesn't need to be told twice. He scrambles to his feet and runs out the door, disappearing into the darkness. Arthur watches him go, his expression stern.
Confused, but eager to find the money, you walk back to the room andl approach the bed. As you lift the pillow, you find a small, unassuming cloth pouch neatly tucked under it. It looks worn and a bit dirty, but it seems heavy and full.
You pick up the pouch, feeling the weight of the contents inside. "This must be it," you say softly, holding it up for Arthur to see.
Arthur's eyes light up as he sees the pouch in your hand. "Well, I'll be damned..." he mutters, a hint of satisfaction creeping into his face.
"Looks like our job here is done."
"Yeah," you agree. "Let's just get out of here."
You head for the door, eager to leave this place behind forever. But just as you reach for the handle, Arthur's hand on your arm stops you.
"Hey," he says softly, his hand still on your arm, Arthur's gaze locks onto yours, "Did they..." He hesitates for a moment, as if struggling with the words he wants to say. "Did they hurt you, or...?”
You knew exactly what he meant. And thank the lord he showed up when he did. That memory would haunt you forever if it did happen. You shake your head fiercely, refusing to give voice to the fear and trauma you'd felt at the time.
"No," you manage to croak out, "No, they didn't."
Arthur studies you closely, searching for any signs of deception. But your gaze remains steady, your expression resolute. Finally, he nods, seemingly satisfied with your response.
"Good," he grunts, his hand dropping from your arm to cup your face, "’cause I wanna be the only one doin’ this.” And the next thing you know, his lips are on yours.