The Story Of Red Dead Redemption

Chapter 39: We Loved Once And True (Part Two)

"Don't joke around, Arthur. Little Jamie is in danger. He's joined a strange cult, The Chelonians, and we really need your help now." Mary looked at Arthur, not believing for a second that he was being serious.

They stared at each other. Arthur gazed intently at the woman he loved most. Arthur loved this woman. He knew he did, and he still did. But he also understood that he needed to change. If love was only about one-sided sacrifices and compromises, Arthur now knew all too well what the outcome would be.

"Why are you coming to me now? Why still me? Am I just the man you think of when you're in trouble?"

Mary looked at Arthur helplessly, realizing that she had always taken his affection for granted. She murmured, "Arthur... please, I know I have no reason to ask you, but for Jamie, I have no one else to rely on."

Hearing Mary plead with him, Arthur felt a pang in his heart. Stubbornly, he said,

"So, I'm too rough to marry into your family, but it's okay to ask me to help in saving your family..."

"I'm sorry. I understand If you don't want to help. But... I often think of you often."

"A long time ago now."

"Please, Arthur, I'm begging you."

"I won't say Jamie's current life is right, but at least it's what he wants, not the nightmare his daddy dreamed up for him."

"Jamie is so innocent, please, Arthur."

Arthur wasn't a heartless man, especially not when it came to the woman he loved. He just wanted Mary to understand that he was more than just a 'good friend.' He wasn't sure how much of what he said was genuine, but he knew his feelings. This time, he would do everything he could to not lose the woman he loved.

"I'll see what I can do about Jamie. Remember, you have my... love, so you always have a reason to ask for my help."

"Oh, Arthur."

Arthur stepped forward and gently hugged her. Although it was sudden, Mary was still lost in his words and didn't resist. In fact, she hadn't even processed it yet. Arthur didn't do anything more, just gently let go of Mary.

"I'm not the same person I used to be. You'll see the change in me. Give me some time, and I'll prove it to you. Trust me, and give us a chance."

***

After saying goodbye to Mary, Arthur didn't linger. He turned and left into the night, leaving Mary standing at the door for a long time.

After leaving, Arthur didn't immediately go to find Jamie, Mary's brother. He didn't know where the cult was camped and needed to find out.

It was a long journey back to the camp. Arthur eventually decided to go to Valentine. By the time he arrived, night had fallen, and as soon as he entered the town, he could hear the noise coming from the bar.

Arthur didn't go to the bar but instead headed to the clinic. Seeing the sheriff's office next to it, he initially planned to go around the back of the clinic but decided to stop by the sheriff's office to say hello.

He pushed the door, but it didn't open. Arthur was about to leave when he suddenly heard what sounded like a quarrel between Malloy and a woman on the second floor of the sheriff's office. Arthur quietly went upstairs and heard the voices of the woman and Malloy from inside the room.

"Oh! Moira, please don't do this! What do you want me to do? I love you!"

"You don't love anyone. You don't love me, you don't love your wife, you don't love anyone!"

"Oh! You're unreasonable, hopeless!"

Standing outside, Arthur chuckled. It seemed he wasn't the only one with relationship problems today. He heard the woman, presumably Moira, shout emotionally.

"Hopeless?! That's what you think of me? I wasted so many years on you, and now I'm hopeless?"

Malloy tried to calm her down.

"You're married too!"

"You're just a small-town big shot, you know that?" Moira continued to yell, "A mouse that thinks it's a cat, that's your problem! Go to hell!"

Before she finished speaking, Arthur heard the sound of furniture being knocked over and a faint cough from a woman.

Arthur quickly realized what was happening but remained still, standing quietly outside the door. It was quite the unexpected turn of events. Arthur considered going in to help, but since things had escalated to this point, either Malloy or this woman named Moira would have a hard time living peacefully. Helping others was one thing, but meddling unnecessarily was another.

Malloy or this unfamiliar woman? It wasn't Arthur's place to choose. His focus was on what would happen next, which gave him the perfect opportunity to handle Malloy. Hadn't Hosea said Arthur couldn't handle Malloy? Well, the opportunity had just presented itself.

After a while, there was no more noise from inside.

Arthur waited quietly outside the door for a bit longer before gently knocking. There was silence inside, and no one answered. Arthur knocked lightly again.

"Need some help? Sheriff Malloy."

He heard Malloy's hoarse voice from inside. "Would you care to come in for a chat?"

"No, Sheriff, it's late, and we should all rest. Don't worry..."

"I, Didn't, Hear, Anything." Arthur left without looking back.

***

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