Snippet #2812207

Arthur Talbot. Benji’s eyes seemed locked with the taller man’s, an unfamiliar sensation of warmth starting low and spreading across his skin. It distracted him for a moment, as Arthur comforted Simon, their fingers intertwined in hopeful promise. A fond smile twisted his lips as Benji watched, trying to take the measure of this man who had risked his person to come to their aid. Beyond an exterior beauty that was easy to see, there was a solidness and honesty about him that Benji found intriguing. His sister had always been far better at understanding people, but Benji had a sense for their character that was hard to explain. Darcy didn’t always trust it, but Benji’s instincts hadn’t led him astray with someone’s nature yet. Arthur seemed to him like a towering Red Oak, a strong and most dependable sort of tree, and it made Benji inclined to like him without question. The three of them seemed almost disconnected from the violent world around them in that moment, like floating in a warm haze. So when movement rustled again at the opening of the alley, shattering Benji free of the strange feeling, he…possibly over reacted. Pulling Arthur and Simon suddenly back and behind him, away from the movement he sensed, Benji reached for his knife, and wasn’t particularly inclined to lower it when he saw the face of the first man who joined them.


They were greeted first by a whistle, the older man’s eyes scanning the dead wendigo before dark eyes met Benji’s. “Don’t tell me this is your handwork Lewis, Baby Benji all grown up?” Elias Nash called out with a sly look, his eyes roaming up next to get a glimpse of who was behind him. The boy he recognized, the man he did not. Simon was Tessa’s kid, and with a slight wince, remembered the woman’s corpse as they’d come down the street. Looked like Simon was on his own now, which was no safe thing to be for a kid in Blackwater. It also wasn’t his problem, so like other uncomfortable feelings, he shoved the guilt away. “Where’s that sister of yours? Aren’t you two usually joined at the hip?”

“Hardly your business.” Benji replied coldly. There were a hundred reasons Benji disliked Nash, not least of which was the fact Benji never walked away from the man without feeling condescended to. If it wasn’t outright lying and scheming with the man, you could count on being insulted at least three times in any conversation before walking away, not to mention you’d best check your pockets. His employer was another reason very high on that list. If Elias Nash was asking after Darcy, it was for him, and that thought stirred something primal deep in his chest.

“Relax kid, we’re just doing a headcount. I saw her duck round the corner a bit ago, but haven’t caught sight of her since.” Another, more welcome voice called out, appearing with a donkey drawn cart that had the remains of one Wendigo already piled on. Angus McClain was a gruff old timer in Blackwater. He’s owned his own medical practice supposedly once upon a time, but most of his medical work these days was patching up hunters, amongst whose ranks he was generally counted. Benji had known the man since he was a child, having been a frequent face in the Lewis household until there'd been a falling out with Deacon. Gus had only moved back to Blackwater a few years prior, but there was still affection there for the old family friend.

“Yeah, relax kid. Put that knife down before you hurt somebody huh?” Nash couldn’t resist throwing in another dig.


“Nash, get yer weasel ass over here and help me with this thing. You ain’t gettin’ paid to stand around and talk like you did somethin today.” Gus snapped as he walked over to the monster’s corpse.

“Benji, why don’t you take yer friends here and go find yer sister. People are starting to congregate, and it’s best if ya don’t get yerself caught out here alone.” Gus continued with a pointed look as he and Nash heft the wendigo onto the cart. “The danger’s passed fer now, but there’s a lot of angry folk milling about, ya hear me? I’ll be along quick as I can.” Benji understood his meaning. People weren’t often comfortable with revenants at the best of times, when they were scared and angry that discomfort could turn into something else much more dangerous.

“Of course.” Benji nodded at the older man’s warning, carefully putting the knife away before turning back to Simon and Arthur, extending his hands to grasp theirs as he turned them to the other exit to the alley. “I think it’s best we go this way.”


------------

As the last of the danger seemed to have passed, the people of Blackwater began to emerge. From the wreckage of some of the damaged shops, and other hiding spots, more and more anxious faces ventured out, trying to get a glimpse of the aftermath from the attack they’d just suffered. A quick scan of the area to check over the living people assembled had Darcy satisfied they weren’t dealing with any life threatening injuries at the moment. David seemed to have the most serious wound among them, so once they got a doc flagged down, he’d take priority. Ushering David over to a bench by the saloon, Darcy set her pack down and began rummaging to see what supplies she even had that could be counted as medical. Outside of a needle and thread and spare shirt (Which given the state of her own with the left sleeve torn clear to ribbons, she may be needing herself after a bit.), things didn’t look promising. Another glance down the street, and she could see Doc Anderson was busy with some other survivors, and from the amount of blood she could see from even this far away, it looked like he'd be busy for a while. Gus was also nowhere in sight.

“Hey bring out some clean water, soap, linens, and whisky would you?!” Darcy called out to another hunter she knew in passing as he stumbled out of the saloon. Dale something, shaky hands, but a surprisingly steady shot. He nodded quickly before running back inside to fetch what she’d asked.

“Alright, let’s get that thing off.” Darcy turned back to David, indicating his shirt. “We might be on the waiting list, but we can at least try and get that wound cleaned up.” The requested supplies had just arrived when a woman approached, calling out a greeting and asking after them. Darcy turned to face her and stopped short.

Another one? One glance at the woman’s eyes was all it took for Darcy to know she was now face to face with yet another revenant. Living with one hadn’t exactly robbed the mystique of that whole condition for Darcy, as the Lewis siblings had never exactly sought them out for guidance on Benji’s situation, but it did make her conscious to be polite. Watching how people treated Benji with general unease or outright hostility, changed Darcy’s outlook on some things. There might be some aspects of that whole business Darcy found uncomfortable, but she wasn’t going to flinch away from them either.

“Thanks.” Darcy offered with a hand extended out in greeting, eye contact firmly maintained. “Darcy Lewis. Good to meet you Red.” She continued, giving the woman a full glance over as she noticed the bandaged shoulder. It was good work, whoever had done it, but there were already spots of blood seeping through the bandages, so that wound had to be nasty.

“Are you okay?” Darcy asked, a little incredulous, shifting to take a closer look. That had to be incredibly painful. How was she standing here talking so nonchalantly and asking after them?! Darcy had heard revenents had a pretty high pain threshold, but this was insane.

“I think you should come over here and take a seat. We’ll get a doctor to take a look at that.” Darcy said firmly with a pointedly stubborn look. Picking up her pack to make room on the bench, she patted the spot in a manner more order than invitation.

------

Benji hadn’t really been sure what to talk about as they made their way around to the main street. Darcy had a talent for clever words that reminded him of their creek, flowing, babbling along as it surged and adapted to always find a clear path forward. He felt stilted by comparison, never sure if what he’d said was about to cause awkward silence or offense. Sometimes people laughed, which wasn’t so bad. It never stopped him from speaking, but for one he very much cared about his words' reception. So far, Simon seemed interested enough.

“The trick is to never let the Blue Jays catch on first. They never play fair with the other birds, but the Crows will sometimes bring presents if they decide to stay and like the food enough.” Benji chattered on as they carefully discussed the woods near his home.

“So they’ll just come to your hand?” Simon asked a little awed, both hands held in a gentle grip from his two rescuers.

“Some will. Once they know you better.” Benji amended, not wanting to get the boy’s hopes up too high for a first attempt. Once they made it to the main street, it became clear Gus was right, there were suddenly quite a number of people out on the street. Back by Addie’s saloon, he could see a few familiar faces, his sister’s included, and he was relieved to see she looked relatively unharmed. He navigated them along the less crowded parts of the street, careful to avoid the wendigo corpse and sheriff’s men milling about as they went.

“I’m glad you aren’t too injured.” Benji said by way of greeting when they reached the bench Darcy appeared to have claimed with a pair of unfamiliar faces. He glanced at them curiously with a smile before looking back to his sister, who’d turned immediately to start checking him over zealously for injuries. “I’m not hurt.” Benji said patiently, used to the treatment by now.

”I got worried when you didn’t come back.” Darcy confessed, noting the man with him before turning to the child, the same boy who’d thrown the rock at the wendigo in the street.

“This is Simon.” Her brother introduced solemnly. “He’s going to be staying with us.” He continued with a finality that had Darcy reeling a moment to catch up. He doesn’t have anywhere else to go. Benji’s eyes said, and between that, and this Simon’s hopeful puppy dog eyes peering up at her, Darcy was left defenseless. She gave her brother a slightly sour look, wishing they’d at least had a chance to talk about options first before making big public promises in front of the kid, but her eyes softened when they met Simon’s. “It’s alright kiddo. We’re going to make sure you’re taken care of alright.” She confirmed with a soft smile for him.


“Who’s your friend?” Darcy asked, glancing over at the other man holding Simon’s hand.