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Arthur knew that this was the end.
Whether he died by choking on his own blood, by some random animal, or just from starvation over the next few days... he knew it was going to happen.
Dutch and Micah had already left. He knew that Micah would run, but he had at least hoped that Dutch might stay behind. If not to help him... then to at least be with him. All those years wasted in only a few minutes. Years of blood, sweat, tears, and sacrifices all wasted the moment that Dutch turned his back and walked away.
Arthur almost wished that Dutch had shot him. At least then it would have been quick and he wouldn’t be lying here propped up against a rock as he waited for the end.
God, the waiting was awful. Arthur may not like these circumstances, but he was ready to go. He was just so tired and so devastated by everything that had happened. He wasn’t afraid of what might be on the other side. He knew he deserved any Hell that he would be tossed into, but still... Sister Calderon’s words echoed in his mind, and he couldn’t snuff out that little bit of hope she’d given him.
“Funny you’d said I’d be sleeping with me chest open when it’s your own chest what’s giving you trouble.”
Arthur’s eyes widened, and he slowly turned his head to where he’d heard the voice from. Sean MacGuire was sitting next to him and staring down at him with a fond look.
“S...Sean?” Arthur wheezed.
“Surprised to see me?” Sean grinned. “I did say I love you, didn’t I? You thought I’d leave you all alone?”
“He’s not the only one here.”
Arthur turned his head again and saw Lenny. He looked just as Arthur remembered him. The bright eyed and smiling young man who had helped him time and time again. Lenny reached over and pat Arthur’s shoulder.
“We’re a family,” he said. “A real one, not that fake stuff Dutch was always crowing about.”
“And a father is always there for his son.”
Arthur moved his head one last time, tears springing to his eyes as he saw the face of Hosea Matthews. Hosea sat right next to his head and reached down to card his fingers through Arthur’s hair. Maybe Arthur was just out of it... but he could swear he felt it. It felt... soothing. It reminded him of the days when he was just a child.
“I’m... I’m sorry,” Arthur coughed. “I... I should’ve-”
“Don’t you start that,” Hosea said. “You did everything you could to keep us safe. It was Dutch’s stupidity and our own bad luck that got us. You are not to blame here.”
“At least you stopped when they got me,” Lenny said. “Almost everyone else just ran right by without a second thought.”
“I didn’t... want to just... leave you there,” Arthur wheezed again.
“Shh...” Hosea said. “Save your breath, Son. Just relax now. You’ve worked so hard for us for all these years. You sacrificed so much. It’s time to rest now. There are no more jobs for you to do. There’s nothing else for you to worry about. Just relax now. Relax and let’s watch this lovely sunrise. It’ll all be over soon. I promise.”
Hosea was never one to make a promise that couldn’t be kept. Arthur could feel the strength draining from his limbs, and it was becoming harder and harder to breathe let alone move. Still, he used what energy he had left to turn his head away from the ghosts that surrounded him. He looked at the rising sun.
“One last sunrise, eh Arthur?” Sean said.
“It really is pretty,” Lenny said. “Just relax, Arthur. It’s not so bad.”
“You’ve got us here,” said Hosea. “We’re not leaving you to die alone. We’ll be right here with you, so don’t worry.”
Their voices sounded far away now, and even though the sun was rising... everything was getting darker. Arthur slowly closed his eyes... and he let go.
Lenny had been right. It really wasn’t that bad...