After i helped hunt, i stayed in the kitchen to help Mr Pearson, when I noticed Dutch walking toward the horses. Arthur was with him, boots crunching over the snow. They were talking (it looked more like arguing) about The O'Driscolls and revenge being a luxury they could't afford. Then I saw Lenny, Micah, Bill, and Javier following behind.
I stood up and called out "Where you all headed?"
Dutch turned his head a little but didn't slow down "O'Driscoll business." he said like it was nothing "Stay here, son. You'll be more help keeping an eye on things."
He turned right back to Arthur like I wasn't even there.
I nodded to myself "Right. Of course."
I wasn't angry, well, maybe a little, but I got it. I hadn't proved myself yet. Catching rabbits, telling stories to a kid and not falling off a horse doesn't make you part of the gang. Well, not really.
I watched them saddle up and ride off. Dutch in the lead, Arthur right beside him. And the other following behind them.
I sighed, i needed to find something to do.
Then i got an idea, it's a second chance, i still have my wrecked body from my old life, but maybe i can try to do what i didn't do in years, exercises. After all, in the late 1800's early 1900's people exercised everyday, there wasn't gyms or martial arts dojos but people where more healthy physically than in my old world, and they didn't have all the comfort we have either, so if i have to live here, i better try and get better as fast as i can.
So i took a spot where the snow was more packed than powdery and dropped to the ground before starting to do push-ups.
I started counting "1… 2… 3…"
By twenty, my arms still felt fine, but I was already having difficulties breathing. Just that old familiar squeeze, in my chest.
I sat up, wheezing a little. Snowflakes melted on my forehead.
Next were squats. Easy enough.
"One… two… ten… twenty." i breathed through my mouth.
Then i laid down on my back for sit-ups, my arms up in front of my face, my hands clenched into fists.
Each time I sat up, I punched the air. Up, right punch, left punch, down.
I repeated the motion, by thirty, my throat started to burn a bit. By fifty, I could feel heat all around my body despite the snow.
Then i restarted and redid everything.
When i sat up the final time, i dropped to the snow covered ground, wheezing like I'd run for miles. My breath came in short, ragged bursts, my throat dry and tight. I knew that feeling. No matter how many times it happened, it never got less frustrating.
"Dylan?"
I looked up. Mary-Beth, she was looking at me with a mix of concern and curiosity. Abigail and Jack where beside her, and Karen, Tilly and Miss Grimshaw where a bit behind them.
"You alright?" she asked as she stepped forward.
I nodded, still catching my breath "Yeah. Asthma. It's fine."
"Asthma?" Jack repeated, scrunching his nose.
"It's a breathing thing." I said "Cough, cough, cough... Means my lungs don't work great when I push too hard. Like… it's kind of like breathing through a tiny straw. Or sometimes not breathing at all. Cough..."
Jack gasped "You can't breathe?! Ever?"
"No, no, I can breathe. Just not as good as most folks when I do stuff like this. It's one of the reason why I had to quit martial arts. I used to love it, too."
"Why is there smoke coming off you?" he asked.
"It's not smoke." I told him "It's steam. That's heat from my body hitting the cold air."
"That's so cool!" Jack said, eyes sparkling.
Then he looked at Abigail "Mama, can i smoke too?"
Karen snorted, nearly choked laughing.
Abigail's jaw dropped "Jack! That's not smoke, it's steam. And no, you absolutely cannot smoke!"
"You wanna try squats?" I asked.
He nodded excitedly.
I helped him get his feet shoulder-width apart and told him to always have his back straight.
He dropped down like a frog and nearly tipped over.
"Not like that." i said, stepping closer.
"Don't hurt yourself." Abigail approached him.
"It's fine." I told her "He'll learn. It's good for him."
Mary-Beth tilted her head "So what exactly are you doing?"
"Just working out." I said "Push-ups, squats, sit-ups. Keeps me in shape. I used to do it a lot before the asthma got worse. Had to stop for a while."
"Looks… tiring." Karen said, half-smiling.
"it is. But it's good for the body. Strength, balance, breathing, loosing weight. I used to do martial arts, before. This kind of training kept me grounded."
Tilly raised an eyebrow "And you do this… out in the snow?"
"Yeah." I said "Cold keeps me from overheating. Less chance of passing out and to have headaches."
Miss Grimshaw grunted "Well. It's strange, but I suppose it makes sense."
"And what are those martial arts you talk about? Is it something about war?" Mary-Beth asked.
"Not really, Martial arts, they're mostly from Asia. They were created a long time ago for defense, like if someone got attacked by animals or other people. Some styles focus on targeting weak points, pressure points, joints, that sort of thing. Others are more… aggressive. They're meant to break bones, crush the enemy." I explained while regaining my breath a bit.
Karen raised a brow "Charming."
"Where I come from." I continued "We turned some of them into sports. Less violent, more for show. But… Accidents happens."
Tilly crossed her arms "And you used to do that?"
I nodded "I loved it. But my lungs couldn't keep up. So I stopped. Started working out instead but as you can see from my poor shape, i had to stop that too, and eating less was a no go for me."
Karen teased "You tryin' to impress someone, or what?"
I smirked "Not really. But if I happen to, I won't complain."
That made her laugh again, and Tilly rolled her eyes, grinning.
"You girls are welcome to join." I offered with a smile.
Karen laughed "Not out here freezin' my bits off, no thanks."
"I'll pass." Tilly added with a grin.
About an hour passed before I heard the horses returning. I stood up from the woodpile I'd been reorganizing just to stay busy and made my way closer to where the others were arriving.
Dutch, Bill, Lenny, Micah, and Javier rode back into camp. Snow clung to their coats.
I walked up just as they were dismounting.
"Where's Arthur?" I asked, looking around.
Dutch glanced at me, his jaw tight, voice smooth like always, but his eyes weren't smiling.
"He's... wrapping up some business." His tone was clipped "Should be right behind us."
"Everything alright?" I asked, trying not to sound like I was prying.
Dutch didn't answer right away. He just patted his horse and handed the reins off to Javier before turning toward his cabin "Everyone inside. We need to talk."
I didn't push. Just followed them in with the others.
Inside, Dutch stood near the little table, dusting snow off his coat "We found dynamite. And Colm O'Driscoll was planning to rob a train… A train owned by a certain Leviticus Cornwall."
I think i heard the name somewhere but i'm not quite sure, i think he was one of the main antagonist in the game, Fuck! Why didn't i play the game more?
"We took the explosives." Dutch continued "And we scattered a few of those O'Driscoll bastards across the hills while we were at it."
About five minutes later, I heard another horse pulling in. We all stepped outside to see Arthur riding in. Someone was slumped over the back of his horse, tied up and half-frozen looking. Dirty, shivering, face bruised and bloodied.
Arthur dismounted, lifting the guy off with one arm and keeping him on his shoulders.
Dutch came out right behind me. He stared at the tied man with an amused disgust look.
"Welcome to your new home…" Dutch said with mock cheer "Hope you're real happy here."
Arthur stood the guy up fully, still gripping his arms from behind.
"Want me to make him talk? "Arthur asked.
Dutch raised a hand and shook his head "Oh no. Now all we'll get is lies."
Then he approached the guy "I got a saying, my friend... we shoot fellers as need shooting... save fellers as need saving... and feed 'em as need feeding. We're gonna find out what you need."
He turned and started walking off "I can't believe it." he shouted amusingly "An O'Driscoll in my camp."
Kieran started protesting as they tied him to a post "No! I ain't an O'Driscoll, mister! I hate that feller!"
Dutch didn't even glance back "Oh, whatever you say, son."
He stopped beside Arthur, watching as the captive was secured "Well done, Arthur."
Arthur shrugged "I'm just sorry we missed out on Colm."
Dutch's eyes narrowed "Oh, there's time enough for that. "Then he looked toward the rest of us "Now, I gotta figure out if we can hit that train."
And with that, he stepped inside again.
I turned and approached Arthur "You alright?"
Arthur gave me a side glance "You askin' 'cause you care, or just tryin' to get in my good graces?"
I smirked "Bit of both."
He chuckled then looked at me, then he reached behind his saddle.
It was a revolver. It looked used but still functional, old-looking, dark finish, wood grip, and a leather holster, still dusted with pine needles and grime.
He handed them to me "Took it off one of the O'Driscolls, ain't need it no more. Figured you might. You ever shot one?"
I took the gun and slipped the holster belt around my waist "I know how to shoot."
"Thank you." I said finally.
Arthur just gave a short grunt "Don't thank me yet. First chance you get, clean it. And don't wave it around like you're some damn hero."
I couldn't help but smile a little and give the military salute but exaggerated "Yes, sir."
He smirked "Don't start that either."
Then his expression softened, Arthur clapped a hand on my shoulder once then turned and walked off toward Dutch's cabin.
I buckled the holster to my belt and sat down near the edge of camp, i looked at the gun he gave me, Thinking about the future, do i follow them knowing i'll probably have to kill peoples? Do i just leave at some point to maybe just try to live here ?
Well, if i have to live in the early 1900's i should consider that killing people is normal unless they're innocent. The thing is, do i really wanna do this? I mean, i've never killed anyone. Animals, i understand, you have to eat to survive but humans?... i guess i'll have to do with it. let's hope i won't vomit after seeing a bit of blood.
[So, What did you think of this chapter? I didn't have a lot of time, for the past few days i've restarted the game and try to finish it in 100% but you can be sure to have at least a chapter per week (mostly during the weekend), anyway, right now it's 3AM i'm gonna sleep, have a good night everyone!]