Charles Smith X OC (RDR2 | 16+)

Chapter 16. Yeah... he died.

I watched Lee look around for his mutt.

"Where did he go?" Lee said to himself.

I pretended I was interested in the grass.

"Anika-"

"Yes?" I quickly say, recognizing Charles' voice.

"You seem stressed." Charles said, walking up to me.
I looked him up and down before answering.

"No. I'm relaxed." I lie.

Charles catches my eyes glancing him over and lets out a chuckle.

"Lee still looking for his dog?" Charles asked.

I clenched my jaw and nodded slowly.
The look in Charles' brown eyes said 'you had something to do with this'.  I stayed silent.

"Anika, did you..."

"It was an accident!" I blurted out.

"Oh man." Charles put a hand on his face and then looked at me.

"I thought it was a wolf! Turns out it was just that mutt." I shrugged.

"Well you gotta tell him." Charles leaned against a tree and slid down to a sitting position.

"But why?!" I groaned.

"So you want Lee to continue looking for this dead dog? Alright. Your choice." Charles said.

I groaned even louder and watched Lee look around hopelessly for this mutt.

An idea popped into my head.

"Charlie." I said.

"Hm?" He looked up at me.

"What if we go find a dog just like it and-"

"Anika, that's the dumbest-"

"Shut up!" I growl.

Charles gets up and walks up to me, chuckling a bit.

"If you wanna find a dog just like that other one then you're gonna be disappointed." Charles crossed his arms.

"Stop being so doubtful!" I complain.

I glare at him. His soft brown eyes twinkled in amusement before he winked at me.

"Don't do that." I put on a meaner glare.

"You're cute." Charles walked away but not before he swatted my ass gently with his hand.

"Eek!" I flinch and watch him walk away.

---

For months... Lee has been trying to find his dog. And I haven't told him.

But when I had to, it was at the worse moment.

Me and Abigail were washing clothes that day.

"You and Charles are so sweet together." Abigail commented.

"So are you and Jo-"

"Nah, we're not." Abigail interrupted.

Damn.

"Well you two look really cute when... you argue." I shrug, not knowing what else to say.

Abigail gave a hearty laugh and dunked some shirts in a pail of water.

"How's Jack doing?" I ask, cleaning one of Lee's underwear.

"He's doing great. He's learning to read better." Abigail said in a proud tone.

"How's Lee?" She asked.

"Er... confused. About that stupid dog." I rub some dirt stains out of a shirt.

"It's been two months-"

"Everyone!!!"

Mine and Abigail's head quickly looked up to who yelled. It was Dutch?

"We need to go, now. Pack your shit. Let's go!" Dutch ordered in a firm voice.

I panicked slightly and looked for Lee. He was just as scared as me.
I grab his hand and put him on Spirit.

"Stay." I ordered.

Lee grabbed a fistful of Spirit's mane and looked around him in worry. Running to our small set up, I grabbed everything I could. Finally I ran back to Spirit and hoisted everything on her back, everything stuffed in buffalo skin.

"Okay." I sighed, hopping on Spirit.

I felt a firm hand on my thigh.

"Anika, follow John and Sean to our next camp. Be safe." Charles said.

I bent down just enough to give him a light kiss on the lips. I sat back up and nodded.

Charles smiled a bit and turned around to prepare for whatever is going on.

"Hah!" I called, kicking Spirit's croup with my foot.

I followed, along with half the camp behind me, John and Sean down a trail in the woods.

My adrenaline was kicking in. I felt my heart quicken in almost a painful manner.

I didn't wanna die or Lee to get hurt.

---

---

My eyes were shut tight because of the exhaustion. The ride to our new camp was excruciating.

"Anne?"

I opened one eye and saw Lee.

"What?" I close my eye again.

"We left my pe-"

"No it's fine." I quickly turn on my side.

"But what if he's lonely?!" Lee yelled.

"Shut up!" I growl.

"No! I want my pet to come home! Bitch!" Lee hit my back.

I shot up and looked him in the eyes.

"The dog ain't coming back cause he's dead you idiot!" I shouted.

Lee's eyes watered up.

"Wh-wha-what?" Lee said in a hushed tone.

"Yes! It's dead!" I said and got up to stomp a little ways in the woods.

I pulled my hair and muffled a scream.

"I CAN'T do this! I CAN'T!" I said to myself.

"Lee hates me, father's dead, I don't care about Mother. I hate this!" I kicked a stone and it bounced a little ways.

I sat down in a small mound of grass.

"Rttrtrtrtrt."

I snort at the annoying rattling sound.
Stupid bugs.

I just want-

"Rtrtrtrtrtrt."

I groaned in annoyance.

"Rtrtrtrt." The noise was dangerously close.

My heart froze solid. I looked to my left and that's when I saw it. A rattle snake. It's ugly head was pointed in my direction and was preparing to defend itself.
I slowly tried to get up.

It launched itself at me.

---
:') 

Fact about Anika:
She has beautiful long dark brown hair.