Chapter 13
“No,” you whisper. “No! He can’t be!”
“Oh darling, but he is,” laughs Bill. “I found him about two miles from town, collapsed, sunburned… Hell, he’s probably been out there at least- When did he stop coming around?”
“Four nights ago,” you murmur, eyes downcast, biting back a sob.
“Thank you, Y/N! Three days then. Hell, he was probably headed back into town to see you! Isn’t that too bad?”
“Bill,” you choke. “You don’t know he’s dead. He isn’t dead, he can’t be.” Bill chuckles, arching an eyebrow.
“Want to check for yourself, Y/N? Go ahead. Hell, anything that will grant you some closure, you know. Anything that’ll help you move on.” Ignoring Bill’s comment, you slowly walk up to Otto. His strong, capable form has been reduced to nothing.
“Oh, Otto…” you whisper tenderly, gently running a finger along his sunburned, blistered cheek. “I’m so sorry.”
“This is the fate of the outlaw, Y/N,” tuts Bill. “To die alone, and be dragged in like a mangy animal for a sheriff's bounty. Aren’t you glad you managed to avoid that pain, sweetheart? I mean, with him gone, you’re free to start again. You made the wrong choice before, but now you have the chance to turn back time and choose correctly. So what do you say, Y/N?”
Without removing your hand from Otto’s cheek, you look up at Bill, fire burning in your eyes.
“Fuck you,” you hiss, and you spit at his feet.
“You little whore!” he shrieks. “You will marry me!” His face is beet red, and like an enraged bull, he stomps in anger.
“I will never marry you, Bill.”
“You WILL! Someday soon, your dad will die. Then, where will you go? An unwed spinstress, on a school teacher's salary? You may THINK you have a choice here, but all roads lead to me! BILL ANDERSON!” he cries.
“I’d rather die,” you murmur, voice dripping with venom. You turn back to Otto. His eyes are closed, framed with dark, delicate eyelashes. His soft, dark hair sticks to his forehead in sweaty curls. You take his hand, which is cold and calloused, and squeeze gently, letting out a sob.
And he squeezes back.
“Otto?” you gasp. His eyes flutter open, and he looks around in panic and confusion. Then, his eyes lock on you.
“Y/N? You-”
“HE’S ALIVE?” screeches Bill. “He can’t be! He’s been out in the sun, bleeding out, no food or water-”
“Y/N, I’m so sorry. I was wrong. I came back for you, but I was too weak. I stopped to rest, and well…” he chokes, voice soft and raspy.
“Hey, shh,” you reassure, taking his face in your hands. “It’s alright. You’re going to be ok. I will-”
“I wouldn’t speak so soon, sweetheart,” scolds Bill.
“Bill, you can’t-” you begin, but he cuts you off, shaking his head.
“He attacked me, you see. He wasn’t well, probably the dehydration and hunger setting in. He was like a rabid animal! You see, I had no choice but to act! I had to defend myself, as well as this poor, confused young woman…”
“You couldn’t! Bill, killing him won’t make me marry you!” you protest.
“Unfortunately, you’re right about that. So, I propose a deal,” he sighs. Otto leans into your touch, eyes fluttering as he drifts in and out of consciousness.
“Y/N, what is he-” Otto chokes out. “Don’t- don’t listen to-”
“What’s your deal?” you ask, glaring up at Bill.
“Since your explicit consent is, in fact, required for marriage, I’m willing to cut you a bargain. Here’s my deal. You marry me, happily ever after, three or four little ones… And I let him go. Hell, I’ll take him to a hospital a few towns over. You can come with me, and see that I’ve done so. He lives, I don’t tell the whole town about your little affair, you don’t become a homeless spinster, and I, well… I will marry you. Seems like a fair bargain, does it not?”
“Y/N, don’t!” says Otto softly. “You can’t ruin your life for me, I’m not-” he protests, but your mind is already made up.
“I’ll do it.”