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No Outlaw

John Wyatt and The Controversy of Loyalty

By Allegedly, James WhitePublished 3 years ago 10 min read
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No Outlaw
Photo by Cayetano Gil on Unsplash

In the middle of a thunderstorm, two men are on horseback, barreling through a well-worn trail. If you ask the townsfolk from Chelsea, they're a couple of vagabonds fleeing the scene of a vicious high noon commotion. If you asked the two men, Johnathan Wyatt and Elias Finch, they're headed east to Sumpter Hill on a job.

As it turns out, both answers are true.

"Strange times, ain't it, John?" Elias asks. "It's 2092 and we're riding like outlaws from the late 1800s."

The furious pounding of hooves and the ongoing storm seemingly drowned out his query but, besides that, John is focused on the task at hand. He didn't want to be caught in this storm, least of all with Elias. With the amount of money that's on the line however, the Redwood Gang's two best gunslingers were chosen to go out on a mission that sounded simple but, to this point, has proven to be much more complicated. Despite his clear distrust and contempt for Elias, it didn't change that they were the most efficient enforcers of the gang. When Harvey gives orders, his devotion to the gang compels him to follow them, no matter how many gripes he may have.

Not one to be ignored, Elias starts to ask again, but louder. "HEY COWPOKE, I SAID, 'STRA--'"

"Will you keep your voice down, you got danged fool? It's like you're trying to get us killed!" interrupts John, through clenched teeth. Elias could hear every word, even through the horses and rain, so he assumes John heard him earlier. While frustration is palpable on John's face, a wisenheimer expression is present on Elias'. John continues, "Actually, saying us suggests you have an ounce of decency in you, so let me rephrase. It's like you're trying to get me killed."

With that statement, Elias' expression turned to a scowl.

To John, Elias is little more than a snake with a gun belt, but worth much less, and he rarely misses an opportunity to vocalize it. For the past eight months, Elias has been called everything from a rat to a "rat shaped like a Judas" by John, and it's apparent that the sentiment hasn't changed over time.

"Easy there, Wyatt," Elias rejoins. "Sumpter Hill isn't far now. If anyone followed us out of Chelsea, they're a long way from home. I reckon if they saw what we did, they turned tail well before this storm rolled in."

"Either way, keep quiet," John says, then points ahead to an elevated tree-line. "We're going to turn into those trees up ahead to set up camp. This weather ain't letting up, so we should get warm, dry, and rested. We'll move into town at first light."

"Sure thing, boss," Elias replies. His general tone of voice is sardonic with a hint of sinister, a colorful combination that only supports John's disdain towards him.

Amongst the trees, the men find a decent spot to make their camp. They hitch and tend to their horses, set up their tents, start a fire, and sit on opposite ends of the flame. As Elias cleans his weapons, John observes the curious black notebook that's caused them more than a few problems since they picked up the parcel containing it from Chelsea's post office.

Bound in black Italian leather, with rounded corners, an elastic closure, and a piece of exposed ribbon likely acting as a bookmark, the notebook was a marvel to John. It looked like an elegant piece of history but brand new at the same time. Regardless of the craftsmanship, he's not convinced that it's worth all of the fuss and feathers to have it now. The notebook came with a small note attached, which read:

"Courier, Return notebook to 818 Lincoln St., Sumpter Hill, New Virginia. DO NOT OPEN. - V. Kuznetsov"

Elias notices John's curiosity and asks, "So, that notebook there? Harvey said there's $20,000 waiting for whoever delivers, is that right?"

"Yep, that's the abridged version of it," John answers.

"Clearly the hail the bullets we found when picking up that thing didn't make the cut."

John stands up to tuck the notebook away in a satchel on his horse. He then looks to Elias and says, "If there wasn't any risk to this, Harvey wouldn't have sent us out to do it. This wasn't exactly meant for us either. It took Harvey being one of twenty or so men hearing a drunk loudmouth bragging about a huge payday for us to get here. No telling how many people know about this, much less how many fools think they can cash in with a piece of iron 0n their hip."

John moves towards his tent and finishes, "I'd just like to get some shut-eye, finish this job, get the money, and get back to Harvey and everyone else, hopefully without incident."

Elias holsters his pistols and, seeing an opportunity with John's back turned, nicks the notebook from the satchel. He quickly resets himself, stands above the campfire with outstretched hands and says, "With a tongue that sharp, I'm surprised you're so dull, Wyatt."

John stops and turns his head to respond, but Elias continues, "You'd tell me you could have $20,000 before sunset tomorrow, and you'd... give it away? I'm disappointed in your lack of imagination."

John, visibly irritated, scoffs at the thought. "You're talking nonsense. Do us both a favor and get some sleep." He begins to walk away again, but Elias isn't done.

"Think about it, cowboy. $20,000 is a good chunk of money. You'd take this back to Harvey, with all of those hungry mouths, those parasites? You'd waste this chance? Tell me, how long do you think it'll last? A month, maybe? You think we'll have anything tangible to show for our effort here when it's all spent up? No. No, I have a better idea."

Elias begins to smile, pleased with the scheme he's about to propose. "Here's what I'm thinking, John. We finish the job, split the take 50/50, then go our separate ways. $20,000 between us will go much farther than $20,000 with everybody," says Elias.

With that, John's irritation escalates to fury. In a rage, with his hand on his holster, he walks towards Elias and responds pointedly, "I've spent the better part of a year listening to your bluster, dealing with your mess, knowing you're a disloyal, untrustworthy, selfish opportunist, and feeling like I was the only one who could see it. I don't know what's gotten in your broken little mind that made you think to show your true self in front of me now, but I'm almost grateful f0r the validation. As a thank you, allow me tell you your future. We'll finish this job, I'll collect the money, and you'll get the cut you deserve. After that? I strongly suggest you put as many miles between us as you can, as quickly as possible. In the meantime, it might just be in your best interest to keep your mouth shut, unless you want your chest opened."

John, still fuming, removes his hand from his holster and motions back towards his tent. He ends his piece with, "Make no mistake, Elias, this ain't mercy. You're just not worth making some poor soul find and dress you up to put you in the dirt."

Elias chuckles softly, then paces around the campfire while saying, "Quite the performance there, partner. You had me going for a second. I get it, loyalty and trust are big, bright lights in your life, blinding you from what's really important." He steps towards his horse, speaking louder to make sure John hears what he has to say. "You say I'm untrustworthy, that I'm a selfish opportunist. Buddy, there's no one better in the world to trust! Don't you understand? You don't have to look over your shoulder or sleep with your eyes open, wondering will I or won't I, because you can have absolute faith that my loyalty is to myself above all else, and I'll always look to do what's in my best interest. I'm a survivor, John. I'm a survivor, and survivors know loyalty is a virtue for the weak and the foolish."

John turns to glare at Elias, who's now more animated. The lightning in the sky is flashing wildly, with an explosion of thunder on the heels of every strike. The scene makes Elias appear more manic, which puts John at alert, and raises the tension in the atmosphere.

"Look around you, John, and pay attention!" Elias shouts, incensed by John's threats and the idea that the reward money would be wasted. He continues, "The age of the outlaw is coming to an end, yet again. Do you believe Sumpter Hill, New Virginia, these places out east is where this new age of law, government, and civilization is going to end? You think running further west is how you'll keep your idea of freedom?" Elias spits into the fire and continues.

"I'll tell you what I know, Wyatt. I know if you're running from something, you ain't free. I know there's only so much of the West left to run to. When this all meets whatever corner you've trapped yourself into, I know you're either going to fit in society or an early grave."

"That's ENOUGH!" John bellows, with his hand at the ready by his hip. "Now I gave you one chance. You won't see another."

Elias reaches behind his back and pulls out the notebook, letting John know he took it. He moves his free hand towards his hip, and stands square to John. "You're right," he says. "It's enough. I tried to help you see that there's more than dying for some loose ideals, in the name of loyalty and not much else. You'd throw away a chance that I'm willing to take, and that's enough of my time wasted trying to persuade you to do otherwise."

A violent crash of thunder is heard, then all is silent until morning.

From the tree-line, one man is on horseback, barreling towards the delivery address in Sumpter Hill. When he arrives, he's greeted by a doorman, who receives the notebook, then guides him towards the sunroom. A middle-aged gentleman, who notices them immediately, springs up to his feet, accepts the notebook from the doorman and greets the traveler with a handshake.

"Ah, I've been expecting you. I'm Vasily Kuznetsov. I received a message that a pair of outlaws picked up my notebook and managed to kill most of the men I sent to Chelsea, to ensure a safe delivery, in the process." Vasily laughs at the situation.

"No outlaw, and no partner. Only me," replies John, stiffly.

"Haha, well I thank you! If you alone can do that, I haven't been hiring the right people for security!" Vasily is simply pleased as he continues to laugh, then he genuinely offers John the comfort of his home. "Please, come, have a seat. Make yourself at home. I can tell you why this notebook is worth the $20,000! I imagine it was a long, uncomfortable ride here, no?"

John rejects the offer and says, "Not to be rude, sir, I appreciate the hospitality, and I'm sure there's a very good reason for the price tag, but you're right. It's been a long, uncomfortable ride, and I'd just like to get paid and out of your hair."

Vasily smiles at John and says, "Very well! Your payment is by the door on your way out. Don't spend it all in one place, my friend!"

John collects a bag, filled to the brim with money, $20,000 in total, and gets on his horse. To the West, beyond Chelsea, is the Redwood Gang's hideout in the valley. To the East there's more settlements, spanning all the way out towards the coast.

It's barely after 7 AM, and while he prepares to roll himself a cigarette, John decides to ride towards the sunrise, and never look back.

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About the Creator

Allegedly, James White

Self proclaimed scientist, French Bulldog fan, player of "The Sims," former 7 year old that wanted to be a space cowboy and Power Ranger (which are basically space cowboys), Gemini/Cancer child, eater of food, and drinker of liquids.

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