Do Not Seek Absolution
Series Metadata
Listing Series
-
Tags
Summary
A collection of stories set before the events of RDR2.
The rifle feels heavy in his hands; still. He wonders if he’ll ever get used to it. Used to this. The way his breath seems to get caught up in his lungs every time the tip of his index finger brushes against the trigger. The manner in which he cocks his head slightly to the right, trying as hard as he can to collect himself. The weight of the stock on his shoulder, pushing against his flesh and bones. The nervous twitch of his right leg, and above all: the fear.
Series
- Part 1 of Do Not Seek Absolution
-
Tags
Summary
A collection of stories set before the events of RDR2.
“There you go again, acting like it’s all about you.”
Arthur sits up in his bed, stretching his arms in front of him, head still clouded from the night’s sleep. For a moment he wonders if Hosea’s voice belongs to a dream, but Dutch’s lifeless laugh settles the matter. It’s real. Hosea is back from his escapade.
Series
- Part 2 of Do Not Seek Absolution
-
Tags
Summary
A collection of stories set before the events of RDR2.
It’s the shaking that gets him first. There’s a tremor in his soul, in his flesh and in his bones. A fine layer of sweat covers his forehead. The whole place should be drowned in silence but his sobs pour out of his mouth like a chant. He’s been kneeling for an hour and it hurts like hell but he is numb to the physical pain. His breath comes out of his lungs like scorching fire and he’ll get bruises from the way he’s been digging his nails into the skin of his palms. The faint light of the morning sun is filtered by the stained glass windows and he wishes he could buy some more time in that holy place. But time is merciless, just like the gushing wound he’s seen on Dutch’s flank.
Series
- Part 3 of Do Not Seek Absolution
-
Tags
Summary
A collection of stories set before the events of RDR2.
He throws the man’s unconscious body on the ground just like he would with the carcass of a deer. It hits the dirt with a dull sound and the man whimpers, now half awake. Two days. It took him two days to find him in that Saloon and to bring him back to camp. The sun is high in the sky and it hurts his tired eyes and his heart is aching so much that he’d rather rip it off his own chest with his bare hands instead of enduring the pain for another minute. It’s silent. Too silent. The thought of Hosea burying Dutch while he was away scares him.
Series
- Part 4 of Do Not Seek Absolution
-
Tags
Summary
A collection of stories set before the events of RDR2.
“You’re getting soft.” Dutch’s tone had been feather-light.And from where he stood, Hosea had been able to understand that he had no intent to hurt him. He was just stating a fact. Something he hadn’t been able to name himself. It was the night before they had robbed the Coleville bank. They had rented a small room at the local Saloon. Dutch was putting on his boots, sitting on the edge of the double bed. He had tried to convince Hosea to go out with him in order to drink but the older man had refused. He had always considered fooling around the night before a big score being bad luck.
Series
- Part 5 of Do Not Seek Absolution
-
Tags
Summary
A collection of stories set before the events of RDR2.
“Does it hurt?”
“Nah. It’s fine.”
Fine. It’s fine. Everything is always fine. He’s been lying to him for a while now. And he wonders why he still does it. What kind of horrible truths has he been hiding from him? From them. Hosea tried, at least a few times already. But nothing came out of the boy’s mouth, apart from the usual “No, Sir” and “I don’t wanna talk about it” followed by silence. He seems to open up only when Dutch talks to him. But despite his growing curiosity, Arthur doesn’t say anything. He just cuts and cuts until John’s hair gets shorter.
Series
- Part 6 of Do Not Seek Absolution
-
Tags
Summary
A collection of stories set before the events of RDR2.
He is scared, terrified, and the way his heart beats inside of his chest makes him all jittery. He notices that Hosea’s hair has gotten longer now, and that his time spent basking in the sun with Bessie gave him a few freckles around the nose. Arthur suddenly wants to go back to the little cottage. Go back to simple things, to an easier life. Bessie would probably know what to say. She’s always had a way with words. Making them less blunt, less hurtful. Prettier.
Hosea’s hand goes from Arthur’s shoulder to the nape of his neck, similar to the way Dutch’s did when he last saw him, but this time there are no ill intentions hidden behind the action.
“Afraid?” Hosea asks.
“Nah. I'm fine.” Lies.
Series
- Part 7 of Do Not Seek Absolution