I - Outlaws from the West

The Grizzlies, USA

1899

Freezing.

That was the only word on my mind right now.

We had just escaped Blackwater and fled to the mountains when we got caught in a violent snowstorm. Davey was dying and we had no shelter, no food, and little hope that we would survive this.

I had been sent to scout ahead with Arthur, my brother. Dutch sent us to find anything that we could use as shelter. We're currently on our way back to the caravan to report that we had found an old, abandoned mining town.

Arthur: Jonah?! Are you listening?!

My head snapped up when I realized that my brother had been yelling over the whistle of the powerful wind.

Jonah: No! But I am now!

Arthur: You hear anything about what happened on the boat in Blackwater?

Jonah: Nothing. You?

Arthur: Nothing.

That's why we had to leave. Dutch and Micah were running a job. A boat that was carrying a lot of money, it was supposed to be quick and easy, in and out. The law turned up real fast. We barely got away. But nobody knows what really happened except for the people on the boat and they won't talk. After another long while of riding, we finally reached the caravan. I could barely hear Hosea talking to Dutch but couldn hear well enough to know what they were saying.

Dutch: Arthur! Jonah! Any luck?

Arthur: We found a place where we can get some shelter. Let Davey rest while he… ya know.

Jonah: It's an old mining town. Abandoned. It ain't far. Come on.

Arthur and I turned our horses back the way we came and led the group back to the old town.

- Time Skip -

Hosea and I opened the door to the main building with our guns out, ready for anyone who might try to attack. Once we had gotten a good look and determined that no one else was here, Hosea called to the rest of the group.

Hosea: Bring him in here!

I moved a piece of furniture to make way for everyone as Abigail walked in, closely followed by Bill and Arthur who were carrying Davey on a makeshift stretcher. After that everyone quickly piled in.

Ms. Grimshaw: Ms. Gaskill, get that fire lit quick. Ms. Jones, bring in whatever blankets we have. Mr. Pearson, see what we got in terms of food.

The three quickly went to their tasks while everyone else huddled together.

Abigail: Davey's dead.

I bowed my head. Everyone knew that he wasn't going to make it, we just all thought that he had a little more time.

Reverend Swanson: There was… nothing more you could've done.

We put coins over Davey's eyes, not that I believed it did anything.

Hosea: What are we gonna do? We need supplies.

Dutch: First of all, you're gonna stay here and you are going to get yourself warm. Now I sent John and Micah scouting out ahead. Arthur and I are gonna ride out and see if we can find one of them. Jonah, best you come to.

Jonah: In this?

I waved my hand towards the thin wood that was the only thing protecting us from the harsh weather that lay just beyond it.

Dutch: Just for a short bit. I don't see what other choice we have.

Dutch turned to the group of people that were huddled and shuffling about the room.

Dutch: Listen… Listen to me, all of you for a moment… Now, we've had a rough couple of days… I loved Davey… Jenny… Sean, Mac; They may be okay, we don't know… but we lost some folks… Now, if I could…

He gestures towards Davey's lifeless corpse.

Dutch: Throw myself in the ground in their stead… I'd do it… gladly… But we are going to ride out, and we are gonna find some food. Everybody… we're safe now. There ain't nobody following us through a storm like this one. And by the time they get here, well, we're gonna be long gone. We've been through worse than this. Mr. Pearson, Ms. Grimshaw, turn this place into a camp. We may be here a few days. Now, all of you. All of you! Get yourselves warm. Stay strong! Stay. With. Me. We ain't done yet!

He turns around and picks up a lantern, opening the door to face the cruel weather.

Dutch: Come along boys.

Hosea hands me the lantern he was holding before I walk out the door, once again consumed by the freezing climate of the snowstorm. I close the door on my way out, standing next to Arthur.

Dutch: We ain't run into them yet. So they both must've headed down the hill.

Arthur: Sure. Hey, I ain't had time to ask. What really happened on that boat?

Both Arthur and I looked at Dutch expectantly.

Dutch: We missed you two. That's what happened. Come on.

Me and Arthur looked at each other with skepticism and confusion but followed Dutch as he started to walk away. Since this started, we haven't gotten a straight answer from him.

Charles: Hey! You need horses?

Charles walked up to us with his head down to avoid the cold air hitting his face. He led 2 horses behind him.

Dutch: Oh yah. And Mr. Smith, get yourself indoors. You need to rest that hand.

Dutch and Arthur got onto the horses. I whistled for my horse, Lucifer, and he came running.

Charles: I'll be fine.

Dutch: Get indoors, son! I… We need you strong.

We rode out of the town and followed a path for a while. I didn't pay much attention to the conversation between Arthur and Dutch because I was caught up in my own thoughts.

Dutch: You two are the only ones I can rely on right now. Wait, is that someone coming towards us?

I looked up but couldn't see anything. We all came to a stop and held up our lanterns to try and get a better look.

Dutch: You up ahead! Who's there?

We waited a bit longer before a face was revealed.

Dutch: Micah.

Micah Bell, the worst person I have ever met. He is a cruel man and for some reason Dutch let him join the gang, much to my and Arthur's dismay. We both hated him. I'm sure most people in the gang did.

Micah: Gentlemen.

Dutch: Found anything?

Micah: I think so. Found a little homestead down thataway.

Dutch: Okay. Anyone home?

Micah: Sure. Place is blazing with light and noise. Sounded like a party.

Dutch: Let's go see.

Micah: Follow me.

Micah turned his horse and started leading us down the path to his findings. Me and Arthur shared an annoyed look and followed.

Micah: How's Davey doing?

Dutch: Ah, he didn make it. Nor did little Jenny.

Micah: That's too bad. Daves was a real fighter. Both of them Callander boys is, or… was.

Dutch: Yup.

Micah led, Dutch followed behind him. Arthur was behind Dutch and I covered the rear.

Micah: And Mac and Sean?

Dutch: We don't know.

Micah: Quite a business…

There was a short pause in the conversation where I finally got a small break from Micah's voice.

Dutch: I'm glad you're alright, Micah.

Micah: Always.

Jonah: Arthur, ask him if he's seen John.

Arthur nodded.

Arthur: Ask him if he's seen John.

He passed the message to Dutch.

Dutch: Hey, have you seen John, Micah?

Micah: Didn't see much of anything once the storm came in.

Dutch: He hasn't seen him.

The message was passed back down to me.

Jonah: He'll be fine. Things always turn out right for that boy.

Dutch: I hope… Mac and Sean are still out there somewhere too. Hey, Arthur, Jonah, let me take the rear, you two move up.

Arthur and I moved up, him now behind Micah and me just behind him, with Dutch at the rear.

Arthur: You sure about this, Micah?

Micah: Mr. Morgan, I never thought I would be so pleased to see your face. Been kind of… lonely out here. Where's everyone else?

Arthur: Old mining camp, back up the hill.

Micah: Huddled around a fire waiting for daddy to put food on the table. I've said it before, we've got too many mouths to feed.

Arthur: Well we got a few less now, so you should be happy.

Micah: That ain't fair, Arthur. I earn my share. You think it's unreasonable to expect the others to do the same?

I decided to change the subject before Arthur got too irritated with Micah.

Jonah: So, this house… you speak to the people there already?

Micah: Ah, the other Morgan. No, like Dutch told us… look, but don't talk to no one. Just following orders, you know me. I'm a good boy.

Jonah: Right…

Micah: Okay, let's keep it down now, gentlemen. It's just up ahead.

Dutch: Snuff and stash those lanterns, boys. Best you three lie low on this.

We came to a stop at the edge of a small cliff that overlooked the small ranch. Light could clearly be seen coming from the inside of the house.

Dutch: Okay… let's head down there.

We rode around the cliff to a part where it sloped downwards and followed it down to the ranch. That's when I really started to feel the effects of not eating for days. It wasn't anything I couldn't handle but it was still there.

Dutch: Let's hitch up here.

We made it to the entrance of the ranch where there was a rock with three hitching posts in front of it. We hitched our horses and dismounted. Dutch led us in a line to the house.

Dutch: Let me handle this, we don't want to spook these fine people.

Micah: Sounds like quite the party.

He wasn't wrong. As we got closer the sound of music got louder.

Dutch: You three, get yourselves out of sight… One lonely man is a lot less intimidating than four nasty looking degenerates. Arthur, Jonah, in that cattle shed to the left. Micah, get down behind that wagon in front.

Arthur and I quickly made our way to the shed while Micah got down behind the wagon and Dutch continued to the house. We got down and watched the scene play out.

Dutch: Hello?

?: Shut up, Billy! Shh!

The music came to a stop and was silent for a moment.

Dutch: Excuse me? Hello?

The door opened revealing a man holding a lantern.

Dutch: Oh well, hello friend.

?: What you want?

Dutch: I am very sorry to disturb you. Uh, my friends and I, well we got ourselves into, some… trouble up the way. Lost in the storm.

More men walked out of the house.

Dutch: Ah, gentlemen.

Micah: Boys… boys, we got a problem. There's a corpse right here.

Micah whispered the distressing news. He lifted the sheet that once covered the wagon and revealed a dead body. Arthur and I looked at each other and then at Dutch. We noticed more men come out of the back entrance of the house. They were slowly circling around to the front with their guns out.

Micah: Boys, there's a body in the wagon.

Arthur: Yah, we hear you, just… keep your eyes on Dutch.

?: Hey… I don't believe it. Come here, partner. Come here!

Dutch moved slightly closer. I pulled out my gun and took aim and when they saw what I was doing, they did the same.

?: It's goddamn Dutch Van der Linde you morons! Colm is going-

Before he could finish I shot him in the head. But I did catch the name he said. Colm. As in Colm O'Driscoll. Our rival. These men are O'Driscolls. A gunfight broke out and bullets were flying. Dutch got to cover quickly and started shooting back as well.

Micah: Watch out! One up top in the window!

I looked up and saw an O'Driscoll with a rifle in the top window.

Jonah: How the hell did he even get up there?

I mumbled to myself but kept shooting. I aimed at the O'Driscolls head and fired. He went limp and fell from the window and into the snow outside.

Jonah: Damn, I'm a good shot.

I smiled to myself and aimed at another one. I missed.

Jonah: And I spoke too soon…

Arthur: You crack me up little brother.

Arthur laughed and I just rolled my eyes. Once we had gotten all of the O'Driscolls, we came out of our cover spots.

Micah: We've got a runner! You see him, Jonah?

Jonah: Yah! I've got him!

I jumped over the half wall and ran after the O'Driscoll that was getting away. I realized that I wouldn't be able to catch so I pulled out my revolver and shot him. He fell into the snow and stopped moving. I spun my revolver and put it back in its holster.

Jonah: I'm still a good shot.

Dutch: That's my boy, Jonah. Good shooting.

Jonah: Told you.

I looked at Arthur and stuck my tongue out. He rolled his eyes and smiled.

Dutch: Goddamn O'Driscoll boys here? Why?

Micah: I don't know, maybe same reason as us.

Dutch: Micah, go bring the horses closer to the house. Arthur, Jonah, let's go search the cabin.

We followed Dutch and entered the house. It was warm and smelled like food.

Arthur: Smells like a party in here.

Jonah: Yah, when was the last time we had a party?

Dutch: Turn the place upside down, grab as many supplies as you can. We need the essentials. Food, medicine… whiskey.

We searched everything. I found some salted beef, canned vegetables, and canned fruit. I also searched a medicine cabinet and found some opened Health Cure.

Jonah: Place is dry and warm. Maybe we could move the women and Jack down here.

Dutch: Maybe. We'll see how they are when we get back. I don't really want us to split up.

I nodded and continued searching. Dutch exited the house and went to his horse to put the supplies in the saddle bags. I picked up another can of vegetables. The effects of not eating came back but stronger this time.

Jonah: I'm starving.

Arthur: You should eat something now. Get your strength up for the ride back.

I quickly opened a can of fruit and scarfed it down. It tasted good and calmed the sensation of hunger.

Jonah: I feel better already. You want some?

Arthur: Sure.

I tossed another can of fruit to him and he opened it and ate it slower than I did.

Arthur: Grab anything you think we can use and meet us outside.

I nodded and he left the house. I wandered over to the fireplace and looked at all of the pictures above it. I saw a particular photo of a man and a woman. They seemed to be dressed for their wedding. I flipped it and it had a little note on the back

'Jake and Sadie Wedding - September 7th 1896'

Jonah: Poor bastard was married too.

I mumbled to myself. I walked closer to the door and found some Oatcakes that Lucifer would like by the door. I then walked out of the house to join the rest of the group.

Dutch: Micah, Arthur, keep looking for stuff. Arthur, go see if there's anything in that barn. Micah, you search the cabin, see what we missed. Jonah, watch the horses, make sure nothing spooks them. Wouldn't want to be stranded here.

Jonah: Sure.

Arthur and Micah left while me and Dutch stayed back. We stayed quiet and did what we needed to do. The silence was broken by Arthur yelling in the barn. We quickly made our way towards the barn.

Worry flooded over me as the sound of Arthur yelling got louder as we got closer. When we made it to the barn, we saw Arthur covered in mud and an O'Driscoll. They were in the middle of a fistfight.

Dutch: What's going on?

Arthur: This guy just jumped me!

Jonah: Oh, did he now?

I watched my brother and the O'Driscoll continue to fight. The worry had left me when I realized that it wasn't anything serious. My brother was going to win.

Arthur punched him and threw him on the ground.

Arthur: Sneaky little bastard… should I kill him?

Dutch: No… Not yet… Find out what they're doing here, and where Colm is.

I then made my leave and walked back to the horses. I watched over the horses and waited for everyone. I saw the O'Driscoll that Arthur was dealing with run away as Dutch made his way back to the horses. Arthur came out soon after leading a horse.

Dutch: You let him go, huh? Saw the little bastard scurrying off.

Arthur: Yah, figured he won't get far in this anyway.

Jonah: That looks like a decent horse, you should keep him. You need to hitch him, he's already skittish.

Arthur: I think I am gonna keep him.

He led the horse to a hitching post and as soon as he hitched the horse yelling and screaming came from inside the house. I was confused because it was a woman screaming.

?: Get away from me!

The screaming continued as Dutch, Arthur and I ran to the house.

Dutch: Micah, what the hell do you think you're doing?!

Micah: She's an O'Driscoll!

Arthur and I finally made it into the house and saw Micah and a blonde woman in nothing but her nightgown circling the table. She looked scared and confused.

Micah: Look what I found in the cellar! Wild thing ain't you?

The woman threw a bottle at him which he easily dodged.

Jonah: Leave her alone, Micah!

Micah: I wasn't doing nothing. She's one of them O'Driscolls.

Jonah: No she ain't, Micah! Look at her!

The woman picked up a knife and pointed it at Micah, who just seemed to be having fun with this.

Dutch: Miss, miss, are you...

At that moment Micah flipped the table. A lantern that had been sitting on the table fell onto the ground and it burst into flames. The house had caught on fire.

Arthur: You fool, Micah!

The woman, now defenseless without the table, backed against the wall. Micah continued to advance on her. The woman lunged at him but Dutch pulled Micah back before the knife could touch him. He put his arms up in surrender as Dutch pushed him back and Arthur pushed him away from the situation. While they were doing that, I moved towards the woman.

Jonah: Miss, everything is alright. We mean you no harm. Don't mind Micah, he's an idiot.

I slowly approached the woman. She slightly calmed down but was still on edge, the knife was still pointed at me.

Jonah: Miss, just calm down.

I kept approaching her until I was right in front of her. I could see that she was starting to calm down. When she lunged at me with the knife, it didn't have as much power as one would expect. I quickly redirected the knife to the side and put my other hand on her shoulder. She still had a wild look in her eye, but she was significantly calmer now.

Jonah: Miss. Come on, it'll be okay.

She slowly started walking towards me. She let me lead her out of the building with my hand on her back. She glanced at the fire that was spreading quickly but quickly looked away.

Dutch: We need to get out of here, and quick.

Jonah: Come along, miss.

We hurried out of the door and I led the woman to my horse.

Jonah: Are you okay miss?

The Woman: They came three days ago… and my husband, they…

She broke out into tears and I couldn't help but feel bad for her. I pulled off my coat and draped it over her small form. It was too big and worked more like a blanket for her. She looked up at me.

Jonah: Wouldn't want you getting sick on us now.

I whispered and smiled down at her. She returned the smallest of smiles.

Dutch: Okay, miss. You are safe now… and you can't stay here.

As he said that, something inside the house fell and made a loud noise. We all looked back at the building but quickly turned away again.

Dutch: You come with us.

Jonah: It's okay, alright? We're bad men, but… we ain't them, so… it's okay.

I lifted her up onto my horse while everyone else mounted their horses.

Jonah: We'll keep you safe until you decide what you want to do.

I mounted the horse once I knew she was secure and we rode off. It had come to my attention that I hadn't asked her for her name and had been calling her "Miss" this whole time.

Jonah: What's your name, miss?

She stayed quiet, probably caught up in her thoughts. She had just gone through a lot and I would be acting the same way.

Jonah: Miss?

The Woman: Adler.

Jonah: Adler?

The Woman: Sadie Adler. Mrs… I… he… he was my husband.

- Time Skip -

We rode back into the camp. Lenny was guarding the entrance.

Lenny: Hey, somebodys coming!

He loaded his gun and aimed at us. He lowered it when he saw that it was us.

Lenny: Looks like it's Dutch. Hey everybody, Dutch is back

Hosea, Ms. Grimshaw and the rest of the women came outside.

Hosea: How'd you get on?

Dutch: Micah found a homestead, but… he weren't the first. Colm O'Driscoll and his scum, they beat us to it. We found some of them there… but there is more about apparently… scouting a train.

Everyone crowded around to help us off of our horses. Tilly took my lantern so that I could dismount. Once I was on the ground I helped Sadie off of the horse and took the lantern back. The other women tried to get closer to her but she backed away and stayed close to me.

Hosea: That's the last thing we need right now, Dutch.

Dutch: Well, it is what it is… but we found some supplies, some blankets… a little bit of food… and this poor soul, Mrs. Adler.

Dutch gestured for Sadie to walk to him when she followed me closer to the group surrounding him.

Dutch: Ms. Tilly, Ms. Karen, would you warm her up… give her a drink of something.

The women reached for her but she backed away towards me.

Sadie: I appreciate it, I really do. But I would be more comfortable staying with Jonah, if that's alright?

I was shocked to say the least. Why would she want to stay with me? I nodded and shrugged.

Jonah: I'm okay with it.

Dutch: Then it's settled. Mrs. Adler will stay with Jonah… I need some rest. I haven't slept in three days. I want someone on watch with these O'Driscolls about. Jonah, you take watch after Lenny. Bill, you go after Jonah. Javier, you're after Bill. I want you boys to alternate. No one is out here for longer than an hour.

We all nodded and Ms. Grimshaw walked up with a lantern in her hand. Molly lead Dutch to his room.

Ms. Grimshaw: You're over here… Ms. O'Shea will show you the way. Mr. Morgan, we put you in a room over here. Jonah, you and Mrs. Adler can stay in the room across from Arthur.

Arthur & Jonah: Thank you, Ms. Grimshaw.

Sadie and I followed Arthur to the building we would be staying in.

Ms. Grimshaw: Mr. Bell, you're with the fellers over there.

Micah: Wha- How come Arthur gets a room and I get a bunk bed next to Bill Williamson and a bunch of darkies?

Hosea: Get yourself to bed.

The three of us walked into the building and quickly closed the door behind us.

Arthur: Good night. Jonah, Mrs. Adler.

He nodded to us and left to his room. Sadie and I went to our room.

Jonah: Alright, you can take the bed. Here's an extra blanket.

Sadie: You can take the bed if you want…

Jonah: No, it's okay. With the O'Driscolls about, Dutch wants people out there to keep watch. I'll probably be coming in and out.

Sadie: Is Dutch your father?

Jonah: No… might as well be though. Hosea and him practically raised me and Arthur.

Sadie: And Arthur is your brother?

Jonah: Yup. Now, you should probably get some sleep. I'll be in here until Lenny comes to get me.

She nodded and layed down as I sat back in a chair and put my hat over my eyes. Lenny came to get me soon after and I spent my time outside until I left to get Bill. Once he began taking watch I quickly made my way back into the room and sat down again. I lit a lantern to provide some warmth. After some time of not being able to sleep, I noticed that Sadie started moving around before quickly sitting up in the bed. She was crying. I moved to sit next to her. She hugged me and cried into my shoulder.

Jonah: Hey, it's okay. It's alright. You're safe.

She continued to cry into my shoulder and I just held her. I felt so bad that there was nothing I could do to help her feel better about the situation. If I'm being honest, there was nothing I could do to help myself feel better about the situation. After a few minutes the door opened slowly and Lenny poked his head through.

Lenny: Hey Jonah, sorry to interrupt but I'm going to go inside now.

Jonah: Alright. Do you think you could ask Arthur to cover my shift this time?

Lenny: Sure.

He left and closed the door. Sadie continued to cry into my shoulder for another long while. After a bit, she calmed down and pulled back.

Sadie: Sorry.

Jonah: No, it's okay. I understand. I'll go tell Arthur that I can take over.

I stood to leave but Sadie caught my sleeve.

Sadie: No. Stay. Please?

Jonah: Alright.

I nodded and Sadie pulled me back down to the bed. She made room for me and patted the spot beside her. I took off my coat and my boots and laid down next to her. Honestly, it felt a bit awkward but comforting at the same time. It also made me ten times warmer than I was in the chair. Before I knew it, I was fast asleep. Throughout the night, Lenny came into the room to notify me that it was my turn to take watch. I dreaded getting out of bed and leaving the warmth that Sadie gave off. Each time I came back in, I decided to not disturb Sadie and just slept in the chair.

END OF CHAPTER 1 - Outlaws from the West

Word Count: 4,634