Two Tricky Orphans
1877

Thump. The ground was dry when the  man fell backwards. A young duo stood defensively. One seemingly protecting the other. The eldest had semi-long dirty blonde hair with dazzling blue eyes. He kept one arm up, guarding his other half as the two slowly backed up away from the man. The youngest was a girl. With brown hair that reached just below her shoulders. Her blue eyes flickered worryingly around for a moment, before mumbling in the eldest's ears.

"I managed to swipe what I could. Enough for food tonight." She said as quietly as she could. Keeping up the act of the fearful child. An audience had started to form, as she glanced around for any openings they could bolt to. "We should get outta here before someth'n bigger goes down. Maybe that old shack again?"

The eldest was now also watching his surroundings. The man he shoved down was not pleased, annoyed by the rat-like children. He had finally gotten back up to his feet, dusting the dried dirt off his clothing. A glare flicked towards the kids, as the man began to clench his fists tightly.

"You're going to be sorry for that kid. Both of you-" he was cut off as the girl pulled the boy away. Both of them bolting away from the crowd. Easily weaving through and running through the desert-like town. They kept close together, escaping the view of their antagonist they best they could. However the man seemed faster than most of their unfortunate targets. It wasn't an easy escape this time. They scurried through what little buildings they could. It wasn't a big town, only ten to twelve buildings built up. Not many were building in the west of America just yet.

They were cornered. There was no where left for them to run to, and this guy wasn't giving up. The trio glared at each other. The kids watching the older man the closest. His fists were still clenched and his odor was horrific. He wore a dusty white, now mostly brown, shirt with jeans. He looked more brawn then brains. However that could be used to their advantage.

"Now y'all are going to pay for messing with me tonight." He started slowly approaching the two. "You rats ain't getting away this time." Another step. His dusty shoes clamping on the dried ground. He halted, a hand falling on his shoulder. When he glanced over his shoulder a couple of men stood there. The one with the hand on him seemed the older of the two. A lean man with neat blond hair and gleaming brown eyes. His companion had deep black hair with a growing mustache on his face, his own brown eyes searching. A smile plastered on his face.

"Excuse me sir. Apologies for the children. They are quite a handful to deal with." He started, turning the man a bit to get their attention off the two. He reached out a hand with a smile. "Alfred Lafonde at your service. Trust me there I'll be sure to punish the two severely at dinner tonight. Do take this apology please." The man grabbed the at antagonist hand and nodded to him. The man looked to Alfred in confusion before glancing at the kids. Both still seem on guard but his scoff was noticeably audible.

"Just make sure they stay out of the way next time." He relented. Before shoving himself away from the four. He left them alone. The two older males looked down at the children. Interests peaked from seeing them throughout the town. The oldest narrowed his eyes at the two men in front of them. Why did these men help. The youngest crossed her arms and glared. She didn't like the way these men look. But they may have some money with how well they dressed.

"Who are you two?" She started, breaking the silence. The older men blinked at her, intrigued that she had a voice now. No fearful look in her eye like they had saw out in the streets. "And don't give that 'Al Lafney' or whatever I know that's all show."

"Who cares Amelia." The oldest looked over the men that helped them. "How much?" The men's attention turned to the boy. Who completely ignored them as Amelia looked over the goods she swiped of the man.

"$2.34. And a silver watch." She showed, a proud look in her eyes. "Didn' even feel me unclip it from his wrist. This'll get us some food tonight Arthur." She started. Glancing back over at the two men with a look. Still waiting for the answer to the question she asked.

"Dutch Van der Linde." The other started first this time. Stepping forward with a smile on his face. He showed of his friend who introduced himself earlier as Alfred. "Alfred here is actually Hosea Matthews."

"Where's your parents, kids?" Hosea brought up, confused why these two kids seemed to run about snatching goods from the towns folk. The two glanced at each other both looking back at the older men both of them saying different things at the same time.

"Dead." Arthur said. While his sister, Amelia, went "None of your business!" The two looked at each other yet again. Eyes sharp with a small glare. Amelia just rolled her eyes and uncrossed her guarded arms. Hosea and Dutch watched to two. They shared a knowing look before Dutch beckoned the two.

"Why don't you two come with us? Let's get you warm for the cold tonight." He started motioning to the two. The two looked at each other, seemingly sharing the same thought. Go with. If they cause problems rob 'em blind. It was always hard trusting the people of the land however they made their way through enough. They could take care of a couple of old crooks. Plus, it did get bitter cold at night in the dry lands. The two nodded at each other.

"Sure." Arthur spoke for the both of them. Following the two to saddle up on their beautiful horses. They started with a trot, as they left town it turned into a gallop. It was a long ride, as Amelia rode with Hosea and Arthur with Dutch they took in the view of the land. The dry air was displeasing, but the view was still beautiful.

They came to a slow stop up at the camp. A woman seemingly making something in a pot that hung over the fire. The good smell filled the dry air. Two tents were pitched up, and the campfire was inviting. The woman looked up from the stew she was making and waved them over.

"Welcome back." She stated noticing there were more heads than usual. "I see we have visitors. Suppose its good I made extra stew tonight, but I wouldn't be surprised if you stuffed your face again Dutch." She joked as the two older men helped down the children. Dutch gave out a hearty laugh as he hopped from his horse.

"Good one Bessie, but if you didn't make your stews so good, I wouldn't be stuffing my face full of it." Dutch started glancing over to the two children. "This is Bessie Matthews, Hosea's other half."

Amelia searched the horizon. Eyes drifting around in curiosity. Arthur just nodded to the older woman, introducing himself alongside his sister. "Arthur Morgan. . . This is Amelia. We're twins." He stated nudging his sister to look over. All she did was nod, keeping quiet as she gave a small smile.

"Pleasure to meet you both. Are you hungry?" She asked to which both of them nodding profusely. She gave a small laugh and led the twins over to the stew pot. Offering a bowl of her infamous stew. A wagon was stowed nearby, seemingly full of supplies that kept their small camp going.

The two sat close together, keeping their face down in their stew as they slowly ate. Amelia worked up the courage to talk first, trying to break such awkward silence. She lowered her bowl looking up at the people, they still knew nothing about.

"So, why did you help us?" She waited impatiently for the answer. It was not often that kids like them were helped by the bystanders. Miscreants scattered in the towns. Hiding in wagons to head to the next place where their victims would be found.

"You reminded us of. . . Well, ourselves. Nabbing from those who deserve it." Hosea was the one who answered at first. As Dutch finished his stew he continued with his own few words.

"You both seem like smart kids. But there's much more you two could be doing. You see, me and Hosea got an understanding. We steal from the rich and help the poor! Something like them Robin Hood books you know?" Dutch had stated, earning a confused look from the twins.

"Whose Robin Hood?" Arthur asked, confused on what he meant. The three adults looked at each other. Wondering if these two could read at all anyway.

"Do you know how to read?" Dutch started, not really answering the question. Both Morgan twins shook their head. "Perhaps we'll start there." He mentioned, still confusing the kids.

"You two have no home do ya?" Hosea asked gently. Again, the heads shook. Hosea seemed sympathetic. "You two can stay with us then, better to stay as a group then being alone out in that scary world, yeah?"

The twins looked at each other. For now, they knew that these three were their best bet of survival, and they knew that it would be the greatest thing to have happened to them. They agreed. They were going to join the camp.

Time passed and more people started showing. Dutch found a loved one, Miss Susan Grimshaw. They were romantically involved for a bit, before they had a falling out. Sometimes relationships just don't work out. However Miss Grimshaw still decided to stay with the camp.

Over the time both Hosea and Dutch had shown both of the twins how to read and write, and even how to shoot a gun and go hunting. They kept on robbing the rich and giving to the poor with their cons. Encouraging the Rich to buy fake shares of a gold mining company, along with some oil companies scams as well. Eventually Dutch found a new woman.

Miss Annabelle, the love of his life. An angel that he always saw. She joined the camp, loving how they ran, making sure the poor folk did well in their lives. The west was the place to be. Full of gullible souls who fell in every trap the con-men set. It was a wonder how they got their wealth in the first place.

That's when Arthur found a stray pup. Copper, he called him. The twins were sure to care for him, Arthur having more of a connection than anything. Amelia was more of a cat person herself, but Copper always had a spot in her heart.

It had been a year now since the two were scooped up by Hosea and Dutch, and the town was starting to get heated. Slowly the law were starting to catch wind of what the con-men were doing and they had to start packing and move.

Up near Illinois, they planned. Hoping to con a few more rich folk up there. They were going to easily slip through the fingers of the ignorant law. None of them ever know the wiser. Amelia was sitting in the back of the wagon, prepared to take off yet again on their journey. She was sketching things in a leather bound book.

"Did you get all your stuff packed?" Miss Grimshaw started, slightly annoyed with her just sitting around. Amelia looked up from her drawing.

"Yes Miss Grimshaw." She said with all the respect she could. As Hosea and Dutch were like their lost fathers to the twins, Miss Grimshaw was like the cranky mother. But she always meant well.

"Maybe you should help Bessie pack up the foods then yes?" She suggested, looking over to where Mrs Mathews was packing. Hosea was helping her seemingly as all his things were packed as well.

"Of course Miss Grimshaw." Amelia said, slightly through a gritted smile. Closing her book and putting it into her satchel. She hopped off the wagon, slightly stomping over towards Bessie packing up the provision wagon. "Do you need help Mrs Mathews?"

"Oh, no dear, me and Hosea got everything just fine." She started, glancing over towards where Arthur was, helping Dutch pack up his things. Amelia scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"Miss Grimshaw wants me to help you. Is there something. Maybe just to hold so it looks like I'm good?" Amelia begged. Bessie just smiled down at the young teen. Bessie just glanced over at the horses.

"Perhaps you can go make sure the horses are fed and brushed? They have quite a journey ahead." She had suggested, knowing that Amelia was fond of the animals. Amelia nodded in thanks, nabbing the horse brush nearby, and heading over to where the few horses they had were.

Amelia wasn't quite big enough yet to ride a horse alone. Usually she'd have to beg Dutch or Hosea to take her riding on one. But she cared for every one of them. She stumbled over some pebbles as she made her way over, but she worked up and made sure each horse had a nice brushing. Along with feeding them a few handfuls of hay from the hay stacks they had.

Eventually the camp was fully torn down, and the horses were tied up to the wagons. It was time for them to head north. Into less deserted place. Perhaps more of a score could come from it, one where they can help even more. The caravan started a slow movement. The ride was going to be a long one.

The family was starting to grow. With Hosea and Dutch bringing in the Kids, with miss Grimshaw, Bessie and Annabelle the women outnumbered the men. However that was all about to change. The growth of the Van der Linde gang was just a family of 7 for now. But soon it was about to grow.