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"Teaching some sense back into the boy," Caleb replied matter of factly, brushing his hands together like he'd knocked dust off a piece of furniture. "You said it yourself, he's a smart boy. So he oughta know why you left him and Mary. And everything you just said was the truth that he himself knew."
Jamie looked up, flustered and indignant. "You don't know anything about me!" He rubbed his forehead, glaring. "I ain't takin' advice from outlaws. Don't even know what you are," he spat at Caleb.
Caleb raised his hand again. Jamie flinched.
Arthur burst out laughing. "Christ, you two." He shook his head, the tension bleeding from his shoulders.
"I know more than you think," Caleb said, his voice calmer now. "And I know running away to hide behind some made up philosophy is a coward's choice. You think you're choosing your own path, but you're just clinging to the first group that made you feel like you belonged."
Jamie flinched at that. The words hit home. He didn't respond right away, just looked away toward the cliffs, jaw tight.
Arthur watched the exchange quietly, then stepped beside Caleb and placed a hand on Jamie's shoulder again, gentler this time.
"We ain't here to drag you back, Jamie. I meant that. But Mary… she deserves to talk to you. Face to face. You can tell her everything you're feelin'. You owe her that much, don't you?"
Jamie hesitated. "She said that? She… she sent you?"
Arthur nodded. "She did. And she's been worried sick, not knowin' what happened to you. If you want to come back here after that… fine. But you gotta give her the chance to talk to you, the same way you gave these Chelonians your time."
Jamie's lips pressed into a thin line. He was still shaking, whether from nerves or fury or indecision was unclear. He closed his eyes for a long moment.
For a heartbeat, Jamie hesitated. Then, with a choked sob, he threw his arms around Arthur. "Okay... okay."
Arthur stiffened, then patted his back awkwardly while letting out a chuckle. "Yeah. Okay. It's okay, kid."
Caleb watched the two with a measured gaze. The whole moment reminded him again, that this world wasn't just a game anymore. Jamie was no longer a script. He was a boy, caught in something he didn't fully understand, craving answers in a world that rarely gave them kindly.
Caleb stepped aside, giving Jamie space to mount the dark brown horse after the hug with Arthur. Arthur readied his own, glancing back at Caleb.
"You coming with us?" Arthur asked.
Caleb grinned. "Wouldn't miss it for the world. I wanna see what kind of trouble you two get into next."
The descent was quieter than the climb. Jamie rode with Arthur, his earlier defiance replaced by exhaustion. Caleb kept his horse a short pace behind, giving them space but at the same time ensuring he could hear what they talked about. The air smelled of pine and distant smoke, and the steady clop of hooves filled the silences between words.
Jamie, still visibly tense from the emotional confrontation, glanced toward Arthur. His voice cracked slightly when he asked, "Did I… was I a terrible fool, Arthur?"
Before Arthur could answer, Caleb's voice floated from behind, sharp and dry. "Yes. Yes, you have been a terrible fool. A full who believe in Chelonian nonetheless."
Jamie twisted in the saddle, his face flushed with fresh indignation. "I wasn't askin' you, mister!"
Arthur let out a laugh that sounded more like a bark. "Christ, Caleb. Let the boy alone."
Caleb grinned, clearly enjoying the tension now that things had cooled down. "Alright, alright. I'll keep my mouth shut. My honor."
Jamie huffed, shaking his head and looking away, though a slight smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, almost despite himself.
Arthur turned back to Jamie, more thoughtful now. "I don't know enough about all that, Jamie. But I do know this, there ain't no shame in wantin' a better world. Just gotta make sure you ain't lyin' to yourself about how you're gonna get there."
Jamie's shoulders slumped just a little. He nodded, staring ahead at the trail. "I missed you, Arthur… I really did. Are you and Mary… sweet on each other again?"
Arthur snorted, almost choking on the breath he'd been about to speak. "Oh no… that's a long time ago, son."
Behind them, Caleb stifled a chuckle, unable to resist a knowing grin. With him in the picture now, well, that "a long time ago" could be null and void.
He'd seen their chemistry firsthand in the game, and with Mary still showing a soft spot, maybe it just needed a little push. Of course, only if Caleb decided to give that nudge. He still hadn't made up his mind about that yet.
The rest of the ride to Valentine passed in quiet, contemplative conversation. Most of it, Caleb had heard before, the familiar dialogue between Arthur and Jamie from the game. But now it had weight, substance, on the conversations due to its realness.
When they arrived in Valentine, the town was bathed in orange dusk. Caleb, Arthur, and Jamie rode down the main road toward the train station. The familiar whistle echoed from the tracks, a long, steady cry that marked the train's imminent departure.
They dismounted, hitching their horses to the post outside the station. Caleb took a moment to pat Morgan's neck, whispering a soft "Good girl," before turning toward the building.
Arthur and Jamie walked up the wooden steps side by side, with Caleb trailing behind, still silent, his sharp eyes watching Jamie's every movement, not out of mistrust, but something more distant. Observational. Protective.
They pushed through the left double door, stepping into the waiting room. The faint sound of ticking echoed from the clock on the wall, blending with the murmurs of departing passengers and the scuffling of boots across old floorboards.
Then came the voice.
"Jamie! Jamie!"
They all turned sharply to the left.
Mary was already standing from her chair near the window, arms wide open. Her eyes shimmered with relief as they landed on her younger brother.
Jamie froze for only a moment before bolting forward. He threw himself into her arms like a child who had been lost for years. Mary held him tightly, her voice shaking with emotion.
"Come home… please," Mary whispered into his shoulder. "You've… Father's been very sad."
Jamie stiffened. He pulled back slightly, jaw clenched and expression soured as he muttered, "Father wouldn't know sadness if it died in his bed."
Mary didn't press. She just looked into his eyes and nodded softly. Looking at that, Jamie glanced at the floor, then sighed.
"But I'll come home... for you," Jamie added, and the words seemed to lift a weight from both their shoulders.
Mary smiled, her hands over her heart. "My boy. My sweet boy."
Arthur found a bench near them and sat down heavily, his shoulders relaxing for the first time in hours. Caleb stood beside him, arms crossed, watching quietly as the reunion unfolded.
Then, the whistle blew again, closer now.
"All aboard!" the conductor called.
Mary looked toward the platform, then turned back. "Come on, we can't miss this one," she said softly.
She grabbed one of the suitcases near her seat and handed it to Jamie. "Here, dear."
Jamie nodded and took it from her. She picked up the other, then turned to Arthur, her expression warm and full of gratitude.
"Oh, Arthur. Thank you. Thank you so much."
She extended her hand.
Arthur stood, but instead of shaking it, he gently took the luggage from her hand. "It's good to see you, Mary."
Mary opened her mouth to say more, but her eyes landed on Caleb, and a flicker of confusion crossed her features.
"Oh… and who's this?"
Caleb stepped forward slightly, offering a casual nod and a half smile. "Name's Caleb Thorne, Miss. Friend of Arthur's. Just helped for a bit nothing more."
Mary's gaze flicked between them, lingering on Arthur, then offered her hand, still clearly surprised. "Well, thank you too, Mr. Thorne." She hesitated, then added softly, "Take care of him, won't you?"
Caleb took her hand gently. "Anytime," then he smirked. "Someone's gotta keep him from brawlin' in every saloon we pass."
Arthur shot him a glare, but Mary laughed, a bright, unexpected sound. "Some things never change."
Then she led Jamie toward the train platform with Caleb and Arthur following them. The two of them walked side by side, their silhouettes outlined by the golden light pouring through the windows.
As they reached the platform, the hiss of steam and low murmur of departing passengers filled the air. Jamie stepped onto the train first, carrying the suitcase with a newfound maturity in his steps. Mary followed just behind him, her skirt brushing lightly against the wooden planks of the platform as she hesitated for a moment.
Mary hesitated at the steps, turning back to Arthur with her suitcase clutched tightly in both hands. Arthur stepped forward, extending his hand toward her.
Mary took it without a word, her fingers curling around his rough, calloused palm. He gave her a firm but careful hold, steadying her as she stepped up into the train car. For a moment, their eyes met, hers shimmering with unspoken words, his guarded but soft.
He handed her the remaining luggage next, brushing the dust off the handle before letting it go.
Mary turned to enter the car, but paused. The moment lingered.
"I've…" she started, then stopped. Her eyes glistened slightly, her throat working before she found her voice again. "You're… Oh, I know you'll never change... I know that."
Her face said more than the words ever could, expectation, sadness, affection, longing, and an old, unhealed hurt. It was all there, painted across her features like a ghost that refused to be forgotten.
Arthur looked down. He couldn't look at her. Not directly. His heart beat hard in his chest, and his gaze wandered left, then right, anywhere but into her eyes.
Not when it felt like she was peeling back layers he'd spent years hardening. Because if he did, if he let himself see the look on her face, he knew he might get on that damn train with her and never look back.
But that wasn't his life. Not anymore or so he thought.
Mary's lips pressed into a thin line and she turned finally, stepping into the train car. The door closed behind her with a soft thud, and moments later, the conductor's whistle cut through the air again, sharp and final.
Arthur stood frozen for a beat, until the hiss of the pistons and the rolling thunder of the train's departure filled the station. He turned to look at the window, and through the glass, he saw her, Mary, seated beside Jamie. She stared back, her lips parted, one hand pressed to the window as if she were trying to hold onto the moment just a second longer.
Arthur's jaw tensed. He raised a hand as if to wave, but stopped halfway, letting it fall. He just watched.
Then, a familiar presence stepped beside him.
Caleb.
He didn't say anything at first, just stood next to Arthur, arms folded, his eyes reflecting understanding. A beat passed between them, silent but weighty, until Caleb patted Arthur lightly on the shoulder.
"The train's gone," Caleb said, his voice low. "But I get it if you still wanna take your time."
Arthur shook his head slowly, breathing in through his nose before letting it out in a long sigh. "Nah… let's go."
They turned from the platform, boots thudding lightly against the weathered boards as they stepped back into the open street, where the last orange rays of the setting sun painted Valentine in hues of gold and blood red.
As they walked back toward the horses, Caleb glanced sideways at Arthur, then gave him a half grin. "Well," Caleb said, drawing the word out, "maybe I got somethin' that'll help take your mind off Mary."
Arthur arched a brow. "Yeah? What you mean by that?"
Caleb's smile widened slightly as they reached the hitching post. He began untying Morgan's reins while he spoke. "When I was waitin' for you at the saloon, I overheard somethin'. Ranchers and drifters run their mouths when they drink, y'know? Turns out there's a bank wagon. Makes its way to Strawberry 'round the same time every day. Gets robbed every few days. Always the same path, same damn guards. Bank ain't smart enough to change the route, just hired more muscle."
...
Name: Caleb Thorne
Age: 23
Body Attributes:
- Strength: 7/10
- Agility: 6/10
- Perception: 8/10
- Stamina: 7/10
- Charm: 5/10
- Luck: 6/10
Skills:
- Handgun (Lvl 2)
- Rifle (Lvl 2)
- Firearms Knowledge (Lvl 2)
- Past Life Memory (Lvl MAX)
- Knife (Lvl 1)
- Blunt Weapon (Lvl 1)
- Sneaking (Lvl 2)
- Horse Mastery (Lvl 2)
- Poker (Lvl 2)
- Hand to Hand Combat (Lvl 1)
- Eagle Eye (Lvl 1)
- Dead Eye (Lvl 1)
- Bow (Lvl 2)
- Pain Nullifier (Lvl 1)
- Physical Regeneration (Lvl 0)
- Crafting (Lv1)
- Persuasion (Lvl 2)
- Mental Fortitude (Lvl MAX)
Money: 964 dollars and 93 cents
Bank: 320 dollars, 4 gold bars, a large bag of jewelry, and 3 gold nuggets