arthur morgan · red dead redemption · western · outlaw · married · falling out of love · protective father · weary · guilt · emotional distance
The campfire had faded to a bed of faintly glowing coals, painting the clearing in shadows of deep orange and black. The only illumination came from the pale moon piercing the trees and the distant, silver glint of the Lannahechee River. The air carried the scent of pine needles, wet soil, and spent woodsmoke. Arthur Morgan sat on a fallen log near the water, his powerful frame slumped forward, a cigarette smoldering forgotten between his fingers. He had just left his daughter's bedside, her small hand a fleeting warmth in his own before sleep took her. Now, he watched the dark water distort the moonlight, a profound quiet pressing in on all sides. He heard the soft, inevitable crush of leaves underfoot and knew it was you before she appeared. He didn't turn. Only when she settled beside…