"Can't sleep?" Talon asked, taking a sip of hot tea.
Finn simply shook his head. Maximus, seated beside him, seemed to shrink into himself, lost in his own thoughts. The boy's face was marked by exhaustion, but there was something deeper there too—the weight of everything that had been happening.
"They're going to come back, aren't they?" Gideon murmured, poking at the embers in the fire.
Finn stared into the flames. Something deep inside him told him that, yes, they would. The Blacksculls never left loose ends. And the Caldwells were in their way.
Maximus sighed, glancing at his father. His voice was hesitant, thick with uncertainty.
"Are we always going to live like this? Running, killing, hiding?" he asked, his expression a mix of anger and confusion.
Finn remained silent. He had known this question would come, but he didn't have an answer. Talon, however, took a deep breath and leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees.
"I'm going to tell you something, boy," Talon said, his voice calm yet firm. "I didn't start out in this life. I had a family. A small farm, good land… but one day, the king's soldiers came and said they needed our land. My father tried to resist. They killed him in front of us and threw his head into a well. My mother…" He paused, his fists tightening. "They did horrible things to her. And they left me alive, just to watch."
Maximus stared at Talon, his eyes wide. Finn knew this story, but he had never heard Talon speak of it in such detail. The hunter gave a bitter smile.
"I didn't choose this life. But the world gave me two options: die or survive. And I chose to live. The only thing that kept me going was revenge, the need to hunt down those who destroyed my family. But over time, I realized revenge didn't give me anything back. It only turned me into something… worse." Talon's gaze locked onto Maximus. "You still have a choice in who you want to be. Just don't let the world choose for you."
Maximus swallowed hard. The silence that followed was heavy, filled only by the sounds of the wind and the crackling fire between them.
Finally, Finn spoke, his voice hoarse and low.
"I wonder the same thing, Maximus. Every day." He looked at the boy, his eyes reflecting the firelight. "I got into this life to protect the ones I love. To have something I could call family. But sometimes, I wonder… if this loyalty is leading me straight into a hole I can't climb out of."
Gideon let out a heavy sigh, placing a hand on Finn's shoulder.
"The world isn't fair, Finn. But you're still here. That means you can still choose your path."
Finn didn't answer. He only looked at Maximus, seeing the reflection of his own inner turmoil in the boy. Maximus turned his gaze away, but Finn could tell his words had struck deep.
The storm wouldn't be long in coming, but around that campfire, they all knew that the true battle was within each of them. And maybe, that was the hardest fight of all.
The cold wind cut through the camp, making the flames of the fire flicker. Finn pulled his coat tighter around himself and watched Maximus. The boy still stared at the embers, lost in thought.
Gideon looked up at the sky, eyeing the heavy clouds on the horizon.
"I think we better rest up for a bit," he said. "Tomorrow, we'll need all the strength we can get."
Finn nodded, though he knew sleep wouldn't come easily. There was a weight on his chest, something he couldn't shake. It wasn't just the fear of the Blacksculls or the king's soldiers. It was the fear that Maximus might be right. That this life was all that was left for them.
Talon stood up, dusting off his pants.
"I'm going for a walk. Make sure we're alone."
Finn nodded. He trusted Talon. If anyone could sense danger before it was too late, it was him.
Gideon was the first to move, heading toward the small hill where they had tied the horses. Maximus hesitated, glancing at Finn one last time before getting up and heading to his makeshift tent.
The silence settled over the camp. Finn remained, watching the fire consume the last of the wood. His mind was full of conflicting thoughts.
Then, a distant sound caught his attention.
He quickly turned, hand going to the grip of his revolver. At first, he thought it was just the wind whistling through the trees. But then he heard it again—a branch breaking, footsteps careful in the darkness.
His instincts screamed. Someone was out there.
Without making a sound, he rose and retreated into the shadow of a tree. His eyes scanned the darkness beyond the fire. The night was treacherous, and anyone sneaking through the camp knew it.
The footsteps stopped. For a moment, everything was still.
Then, a whisper.
"Finn…"
His blood ran cold. The voice was weak, almost a breath on the wind. But he recognized it.
Leo.
Without thinking, Finn drew his weapon and moved into the darkness.
When he finally saw the young man stumbling between the trees, his heart skipped a beat. Eli Mercer was covered in blood. His clothes were torn, one of his eyes swollen shut. He breathed heavily, struggling to stay upright.
"They…" Leo tried to speak, but coughed up blood. "They're coming."
Finn hurried to him, catching him before he collapsed.
"Who, Leo? Who did this to you?"
The young man gripped Finn's arm tightly, his face contorted in fear.
"The Caldwells… they know where we are."
A cold shiver ran down Finn's spine.
Finn held Eli before he collapsed. The young man was battered, his face covered in dried blood and dirt. His breathing was ragged, labored.
"The Caldwells…" Eli murmured, trying to stay conscious. "They know where we are."
Finn's heart tightened. He scanned the surroundings, making sure no one else was nearby. The sounds of the forest seemed normal, but that didn't mean they were safe.
"Can you walk?" Finn asked, gripping Eli by the shoulders.
The young man weakly nodded. Finn helped him to his feet and led him back to the camp.
As they entered the circle of the firelight, Maximus and Gideon stood immediately. Talon, who had returned from his patrol, furrowed his brow at the sight of Eli in such a state.
"What the hell happened to him?" Talon asked, moving closer.
"The Caldwells took him. And they know where we are." Finn replied, his voice heavy with urgency.
Gideon cursed low under his breath, while Maximus looked at Leo in horror.
"We need to warn Cain and Harvey." Gideon said, already preparing to head toward the leaders' tent.
Finn nodded and followed. They quickly made their way through the camp to a large canvas tent, where Cain and Harvey were gathered, speaking in hushed tones about the gang's plans.
When Cain saw Finn and Gideon enter, he raised an eyebrow.
"What now?" His voice was calm but authoritative.
Harvey, beside him, studied their worried faces and straightened in his seat.
"The Caldwells found Leo," Finn said, getting straight to the point. "They know where we are."
For a moment, silence hung in the tent. Cain crossed his arms thoughtfully, while Harvey looked down, grinding his teeth.
"Damn sons of bitches," Harvey muttered.
"So it's settled then." Cain finally spoke, his voice resolute. "We leave at dawn."
Finn nodded, relieved not to have to convince anyone.
Harvey leaned forward, his gaze fixed on Finn and Gideon.
"We're heading south. I know a perfect place down there."
Finn nodded, absorbing the information. A more remote place, less watched by the king's soldiers. But it also meant a long and dangerous journey.
"Alright. I'll spread the word." Gideon said before heading out of the tent.
Finn looked at Cain and Harvey once more.
"This isn't going to end anytime soon, is it?"
Cain gave a small, bitter smile.
"It never ends, Finn."
Harvey stood and gave Finn's shoulder a reassuring pat.
"But as long as we have each other, we still have a chance."
Finn didn't respond. He simply left the tent and looked up at the sky.
Dawn would bring a new journey. But it would also bring more danger.
The first rays of sun broke through the canopy as the gang left the camp behind. The cold morning wind stung their tired faces as the horses trudged over the uneven terrain.
Leo, still battered, rode alongside Finn, trying to keep pace. Finn cast worried glances at him from time to time, but the young man insisted he was fine.
Cain led the group, with Harvey beside him, both silent as they followed the path southward. The tension was palpable. They all knew the Caldwells could be lurking, but there was no choice. Th