As an orphan who once survived by working in small frontier saloons and brothels, Abigail had always relied on her ability to read people. Ever since an old man introduced her to the Van der Linde Gang, she had lived by observing expressions and sensing intentions.
And when it came to reading hearts, Abigail believed no one in the gang surpassed her.
"Abigail, you know…"
Mike Walker looked at her quietly. "Back in Blackwater, when I saw Dutch shoot that innocent girl in the back… I suddenly understood something."
"No matter how much we claim to have ideals, at the end of the day, we're just outlaws."
"No education, no real culture. Only the pressure to survive lying, stealing, robbing… whatever it took to live another day, and hopefully live better."
"That was the past for me and Davey. I believe it was the same for you and John. For most of us in the gang."
"We can't change the past, Abigail… but what about the future? Are we going to live like this forever? And then let little Jack walk the same path?"
Abigail's expression changed.
As a mother, Jack was everything to her.
And Mike's words cut straight into the fear she kept buried:
What kind of future does Jack have with a gang like this?
Seeing her face, Mike knew her heart had wavered.
If anyone in the entire gang wanted to leave more than anyone else, it was definitely Abigail.
In the game, not many players liked her at first. She always seemed difficult, always thinking about her small family instead of the gang.
But precisely because of that, it showed how deeply she valued her home, far more than the outlaw life.
Mike continued:
"Don't you feel it? The times are changing. Technology is improving, more farms, more towns, businessmen from the East, immigrants moving west."
"Once, our biggest enemies were the O'Driscolls… but now? Bounty hunters and Pinkertons are forcing us into hiding. If not prison, then the gallows."
Abigail nodded repeatedly, fear flickering in her eyes.
Everything Mike said resonated deeply.
She didn't know much, she wasn't educated but if she could choose a respectable life, who would willingly join an outlaw gang?
Did she want to leave?
Yes.
But she had no skills, and with Jack in tow, survival would be nearly impossible.
Returning to her old profession?
Never. Not with Jack in the world.
"Mike… are you preparing to leave?" Abigail finally asked, testing the waters.
"I just have ideas. No one knows the future," Mike said calmly.
"But one thing's for sure if Dutch insists on robbing Cornwall's train…"
He didn't finish the sentence, only shook his head.
But Abigail already understood.
If Dutch went ahead with the robbery and they were chased again by Pinkertons and bounty hunters…
Then the gang's future would be nothing but darkness.
"But if we leave… what could we even do?" Abigail asked, pretending to worry, though she was secretly testing him again.
After all, in her eyes, the Callander brothers were born outlaws. If Mike's idea was simply to form a new gang, that was no different from staying.
And compared to the Van der Linde Gang with Arthur, Javier, Charles, and even Bill any new gang would be far weaker.
Mike shook his head gently.
"With better railroads, more towns, more immigrants… opportunities keep growing."
"And even if nothing big comes of it, we can still run a small farm. Sure, we don't know how but don't forget the person we saved recently who does know."
Abigail blinked.
"Mrs. Sadie Adler?"
She didn't even realize there was hope in her voice.
Sadie knew how to run a farm; it was her life before tragedy struck.
And for Abigail… a quiet farm, a small home, a safe life for Jack
it was a dream she had barely dared to imagine.
Mike smiled faintly.
"Anyway, let's stop for now. No one can predict the future. Back in Blackwater, we made plans too…"
Abigail's expression stiffened.
Right Blackwater.
Dutch had promised them a future, a real plan. Hosea and Arthur had targeted a real estate scammer. Everything was set.
Then Dutch suddenly listened to Micah, split the gang in two, and robbed the damn ferry instead.
And now here they were
hiding in a blizzard, Jenny dead, Davey injured, John nearly eaten by wolves…
and everyone else barely alive.
A seed took root in Abigail's heart.
Hope mixed with fear.
But it was there.