NOVEL NEXT Chapter 9: Chapter 9
Chapter 9: Javier Escuella
At the cliff edge, Javier and Arthur tied their horses to a rock and slowly descended the platform.
"Help! I'm here!" John's voice could be heard faintly from below.
Arthur briefly considered the possibility of an avalanche, but they were at the mountain's peak, so it wasn't a concern.
Standing there, they could see a vast sea of clouds covering the mountaintops. If not for the snowstorm, the view would have been breathtaking.
Even in the night, with John's continuous cries for help, Arthur couldn't help but take in the scenery.
"Help me!"
Javier said, "There's no mistake. He's down here. We can make it down the edge."
Rubbing his face, Javier was freezing despite his layers of clothing. The temperature at the mountaintop was bitterly cold.
"Careful, there's a ledge here." Javier jumped down and carefully felt his way forward.
They descended several ledges, crouching low to pass through a narrow rock crevice, narrowly avoiding a slip on a cliff. Once they stabilized themselves, they realized John's voice seemed to be above them. They climbed up several platforms.
"I'm here!" John's voice echoed.
Javier, leading the way, called out, "We're coming, John!"
It was freezing. Though they could hear John, it felt like they were never getting closer. After a strenuous climb, they stopped in a narrow gap between two rock faces.
Javier, breathing heavily, turned back and asked, "You alright?"
After a day of travel and only a few bites on horseback, Arthur wasn't feeling well.
"Here, have a drink." Javier pulled out a flask, took a swig, and passed it to Arthur.
"This snow is unbearable. I'm Mexican, for goodness' sake."
They rested in the sheltered gap, taking a break from the biting wind. Javier looked up and said, "Hey, Arthur, remember the stagecoach robbery in Nevada?"
Arthur nodded, taking a swig of the flask. "Yeah, a traitorous guard in Reno tipped us off."
Javier continued, "When we opened the door, it was full of women and children."
"I remember. Despite the wealth, it was all women and children."
Arthur remembered that moment. Javier had persuaded them to let them go.
Javier, lost in memory, looked angry yet helpless. "We let them go... and then, I read in the papers..."
"...the O'Driscolls robbed and killed them on the road."
Arthur didn't know that part.
Perhaps that was the reality of the West. Idealistic outlaws either fell into scum like the O'Driscolls or struggled to survive, unable to protect themselves.
The harsh environment pressed everyone. Even those who called themselves outlaws, their pursuit of freedom came at the cost of countless innocent lives.
Facing Arthur's silence, Javier continued, "We all know Dutch and Colm O'Driscoll were once close."
"They parted ways due to differing ideals. They are entirely different. Arthur, I love this family. Dutch is an idealistic leader. I am loyal to Dutch, and I consider everyone my brothers and sisters."
Arthur was shocked by Javier's words.
"Javier..." Arthur didn't know what to say.
"Listen, Arthur. It's because we stick together that we survive in this messed-up world. Trust Dutch. I know I shouldn't say this, but Arthur, Dutch needs you. This family needs you."
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Javier took a big gulp from the flask Arthur handed back and said, "Let's go. We've rested enough. If we delay any longer, John might freeze to death." To ease the awkwardness, Javier joked about John, whose cries for help hadn't stopped.
Arthur nodded. "We move on. I'll think about what you said."
They stumbled out of the gap, calling John's name loudly to guide him.
"I'm here! At the cliff edge."
Hearing John, Javier shouted, "That's John! We're coming!"
In the night, Javier and Arthur jogged towards the cliff edge. John's voice echoed well in the valley.
Arthur worried they were taking too long, but it seemed unnecessary. Impatiently, he shouted, "Enough, stop yelling! Marston."
John Marston. Arthur had always called him Marston, not John, when he was annoyed.
Looking down from the cliff, Arthur saw John leaning against the cliff wall, looking miserable under the moonlight. A deep claw mark on his face had torn the flesh, but luckily, it hadn't reached his eye.
His leg injuries weren't clear, but he couldn't move it.
Arthur said, "You've really made a mess of yourself."
John looked up at them. "I never thought I'd say this, but it's good to see you, Arthur Morgan."
"You don't look too good."
Arthur jumped down and examined John's injuries. Seeing that John couldn't move except his mouth, Arthur hoisted him onto his shoulder and passed him up to Javier.
"I'm freezing to death, Arthur."
Arthur smiled. "Don't die just yet. Abigail and Jack are waiting for you."
Climbing back up, Arthur took John on his shoulder again. He looked up at the moon, surrounded by the vast, snow-covered mountains.
In the snowstorm, a long trail of footprints slowly disappeared.
***
Hi guys,
I really need your help with putting this story out there.
So starting from when the rankings get reset (Monday +8 GMT), there will be rewards for your support.
For every 100 Power Stones, you'll get 1 Bonus Chapter.
For Every 100 Collections, you'll get 1 Bonus Chapter.
So, don't be stingy when the time comes and let there be a rain of stones