53 - The Start of the Downfall

                                    

                                          
"Everyone, get ready! We have a big day ahead of us!" Dutch called over the balcony to the large house in the centre of camp, looking down at everyone who was either doing chores, eating or drinking. 
Natasha was sat with Charles, Swanson and Hosea having small talk until Dutch's voice projected over them. 
Natasha looked up to where Dutch was, his eyes already pinning her down to which she looks away quickly, feeling uncomfortable by his daring gaze.
"How you feelin' about this?" Hosea looked to herself and Charles, coughing slightly into his hand.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Charles mumbled, sipping the remaining contents of his coffee before pushing himself away from the table.
Hosea watched Charles walk away whilst Swanson leaned his head against the table, snoring softly with a bottle of whisky in his hands.
Poor thing, Natasha thought to herself as she looked at the self-deprecating 'mand of God'. 
"What about you? You okay?" Natasha looked away from Swanson, her mind feeling puzzled and confused.
"I'm okay, I guess. Just nervous."
"Uh-oh, whenever you're nervous we all know something bad is going to happen." Hosea stated, a frown appearing on his face although he was somewhat trying to defuse the tension around camp as the likes of Arthur, John and Javier etc scrambling around, making sure that they're bringing enough ammo and supplies with them if needed.
"I'm sure it'll be fine, but hey, Hosea, can I give you a suggestion?" She asked shyly, looking around camp to make sure nobody was listening.
"What is it?"
"Don't make Lenny go... please?" 
Hosea frowned once more and looked over to the dark skinned boy who was cleaning his repeater, leaning against one of the wagons. "Lenny? Why not? He's a good shot?" 
"I know he is, but..." She sighed looking over at him, her gut twisting and turning. Something just didn't feel right. "If things go sour in Saint Denis, we need someone calm to get the rest of us out. He may be only what, nineteen, twenty? But he needs to look after the older folk and the women. Sadie, Pearson and Susan won't be able to cope by themselves. And don't get me started on Sean."
Hosea listened intently before softly. "Are you sure?"
"Positive. You and Abigail are going to cause a distraction whilst myself, Arthur, Dutch, Micah, Bill, Charles, John and Javier are going into the bank, that's enough. If there's too many of us riding into Saint Denis, it might look odd." Natasha exclaimed, taking a sip of her water and standing up, knowing she had to go and get ready.
Hosea did the same and looked to Lenny and then back to Natasha. "He won't be happy about it.... But I'll let him know. Thank you." Hosea rested his wrinkled hand on her shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze before he left to speak to Lenny.
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"You excited, Micah?" Bill asked the blonde outlaw whilst tying the laces of his shoes which were propped up on one of the boxes.
"Excited about what?" Micah mumbled, not in the mood for small talk unless it came from someone in particular but he wasn't going to admit that to Bill, or anyone.
"About seeing Natasha?"
"What you on about?" Micah frowned, putting his beloved pistols away in his gun belt which he hid under a white suit jacket with gold lining along the lapels of it.
"Well, I went with her yesterday to get her outfit for today, she looked incredible if I do say so myself." Bill smirked, earning an odd look from Micah as well as Arthur, Charles, John and Javier as they stood by.