A Sudden Decision

Chapter - 06

Richard's smile was fleeting as he looked at Jacob, a look of betrayal etched across his young face. The boy's wide-eyed innocence had been shattered in the span of minutes. Richard sighed inwardly. Jacob was a good kid, with potential, but he couldn't afford to get sentimental now.

"Guess this is goodbye, lad," Richard said, his voice carrying a note of finality. He gave a slight nod to his accomplices, and the men moved toward the side door of the bank, their escape route planned to avoid the main street where more trouble might await.

As they reached the door, Richard turned back to address the room. "Everyone, stay quiet and stay put, or we'll be back to make sure your mouths stay shut permanently," he said loudly, his voice hard and menacing. The threat hung in the air as they exited.

Jacob stood in the midst of the chaos, his world crumbling around him. He watched as one of the security guards stirred on the floor, groaning as he got up and stumbled toward the side door, intent on pursuing the robbers. Driven by a mix of fear, guilt, and a sudden surge of adrenaline, Jacob found his feet moving before his mind could catch up.

Outside, Richard stood alone in the dimly lit alley, scanning the shadows for his two companions who were supposed to bring the getaway carriage. He didn't hear the security guard approach from behind until it was too late. The guard tackled him to the ground with a thud, causing Richard's revolver to slip from his grasp and clatter across the cobblestones.

Pinned to the ground, Richard struggled to fend off the guard's furious punches. Each blow landed with force, and Richard's attempts to shield himself were futile. The scuffle was intense, a desperate flurry of limbs and grunts echoing in the narrow alley.

Suddenly, the guard pulled a knife from his side pocket, raising it high above his head. Richard's eyes widened with fear as he watched the blade descend, aimed directly at his chest. Time seemed to slow, and he could do nothing but brace for the inevitable.

A gunshot rang out, piercing the tension. The guard's eyes widened in shock as he looked down at the growing crimson stain on his chest. His strength faded, and he collapsed lifelessly on top of Richard. With a grunt, Richard pushed the heavy body aside and looked up to see Jacob standing there, Richard's revolver trembling in his hands, his eyes wild with shock and fear.

Richard slowly got to his feet, wincing from the pain, and moved toward Jacob. "That... thank you, son. Thank you for helping me. Now, why don't you put that gun down? We don't want anyone else getting hurt." His voice was calm, soothing, as if speaking to a frightened animal. When he was close enough, he gently took the gun from Jacob's hands.

"I don't know what happened," Jacob mumbled, his voice shaky. "I didn't want to kill anyone. It all happened so fast."

Richard understood the gravity of the situation. The sound of the gunshot would surely attract attention, and soon the law would be upon them. Just then, his two friends finally appeared with the carriage, their expressions tense.

"Come on, get on quickly!" one of the men called out.

Richard began to move toward the carriage but then stopped and looked back at Jacob. He owed the young man his life, and Richard was a man who always paid his debts. "Son, if you want a new life, if you want to be free... if you want to live life the way you want to, then here's your chance. Get on the carriage with me, and I promise you, I'll give you a life worth remembering."

Jacob's mind wasn't in any position to make such a big decision, so he followed his heart, and his heart was telling him to get on that carriage. He stepped forward, nodding to Richard.

Richard's face broke into a relieved smile as he clapped Jacob on the shoulder. "Good choice, lad. Let's go."

Jacob climbed into the carriage alongside Richard and his men. As the carriage jolted into motion, racing out of town, Jacob cast one last look back. The town receded into the distance, and with it, the life he had known.

It took a few hours for them to get far enough away from the town that they were sure they were safe. The carriage turned onto a narrow path that snaked through the dense woods, the wheels creaking as it descended downhill. The trees formed a thick canopy overhead, their branches interwoven, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The path eventually opened up to a small clearing nestled in the heart of the woods. It was a tranquil spot, surrounded by towering pines and oaks, their leaves whispering in the gentle breeze. The clearing was adorned with wildflowers, their vibrant colors standing out against the earthy tones of the forest.

As they came to a stop, the four men disembarked from the carriage. The two men accompanying Richard eyed Jacob with curiosity and a hint of suspicion.

"You gonna introduce him to us, boss?" one of the men asked, his tone rough.

"I didn't know we were picking up strays, Koen," the other man added, his eyes narrowing.

"Koen?" Jacob muttered, confused.

Richard, or rather Koen, scratched his head before addressing Jacob. "Richard was just a temporary name for our stay in Pine Ridge," he explained. Extending his hand for a shake, he said, "Koen de Vos, at your service." Jacob shook Koen's hand silently, still processing the revelation. "These two men you see before you are Nathan Griff and Jonah Reid."

Nathan was a big, burly man with a square jaw and thick arms that bulged beneath his rough-spun shirt. He had a scruffy beard that covered his chin. Nathan wore a wide-brimmed cowboy hat tilted slightly forward, casting a shadow over his brown eyes. A rifle was strapped to his back, complementing the pistols holstered at his sides.

Jonah, on the other hand, was of average build, his features sharp and his eyes dark and calculating. He, too, wore a cowboy hat, though it was more worn and tilted back, giving him a slightly rakish appearance. His clothes were dusty and well-worn, evidence of a life on the move. Despite his less imposing stature, there was an air of menace about him, a sense of unpredictability.