As Maddox and Kaiden started plating the table, Old Miller finally came through the back door. He didn't say anything but his eyes conveyed a different story. Maddox could almost hear him say 'traitors, how can you guys leave me all alone back there'.
-Dinner Table-
"Oh would you look at this. What's the occasion? You would think it's one of our birthdays with a full course meal like this ahahaha" grinned Old Miller.
"Thank Maddox, if it was up to me you would be eating nothing but coal today" said Mrs. Miller narrowing her eyes.
Maddox replied "got the chicken from Mr. Cask, he said it was on the house."
Old Miller turned to Maddox nervously trying to change the subject.
"Well done kid, you're really fitting in to Redhold Town now. Knowing that big brute Cask, I can only name a few people he would give discounts to."
"I've actually been meaning to thank you guys for awhile now. I just got lucky Mr. Cask treated us to dinner this time" said Maddox.
"Oh please, stop with the humble talk. I'm sure you done something good for Mr. Cask to take a liking to you this past month" chimed Mrs. Miller.
"I just….. can I ask you something Mr. Miller" asked Maddox turning the mood a bit solem.
"Go ahead kid, ask me anything" replied Old Miller.
"Why did you all help me out, tend to my wounds, and even housed me this past month. No offense, but this town isn't really the type to give hand outs to anyone. Any other person wouldn't have even looked my way. I just… I don't understand." said Maddox trying to hold back the tears rushing into his eyes.
Old Miller paused for a moment, reminiscing about the past, before saying "you know folks around here just tryna get by. I was once your age, young, reckless, and bold. Tried not to find trouble but trouble always found me. Found myself in worse state than when I saw you countless of times. I've done did a lotttttt of bad things back then. Now as I've gotten older, I realized what truly matters. And it's the people around this table. I try to do good every single day of my life. Maybe it's my conscience telling me to pay back all those things I did in my youth. When I saw you lying down in that dirt road, I saw my younger self in you."
"Still don't know why I married him. But now I'm stuck with him." chuckled Mrs. Miller.
"Don't know much about you Maddox, but I know you're a good kid. Everyone in Redtown has their own stories, but I can speak for everyone when I say you've been the best company we've had around" said Mrs. Miller trying to soften up the mood.
Even Kaiden, who usually likes tinkering more than talking said "that's right Maddox, I've thoroughly enjoyed talking to you about my inventions this past month".
Maddox finally couldn't hold his tears back and just let them flow. "I just… I want to thank you folks for everything. I don't think I would have survived this past month without you guys".
The rest of the dinner became lighthearted. Old Miller cracking his usual jokes while Mrs. Miller rolled her eyes. Even Kaiden who's usually quiet chimed in here and there. In which the conversation turned into Kaiden's new invention, the Trailblazer.
After about an hour, the Millers and Maddox finally tidied up and got ready for bed before Maddox stopped Old Miller.
"Didn't know if I should say this in front of everyone so I been meaning to talk to you alone. Sheriff Stockton was looking for you earlier, I asked him if he needed me to give you a message but he said he needed to talk to you personally. Is everything alright Mr. Miller?" said Maddox.
"Don't worry about it kid, just a little issue, nothing me and Stockton can't handle. I'll talk to him tomorrow. Get a good night's rest" replied Old Miller who clearly didn't want to dive deeper into the subject.
"Alright sir, goodnight" said Maddox and headed towards his room.
In his room, Maddox kept movin and turning, thinking about many things. This past month has not been easy. He was a regular high school student going to school, running track and field, playing video games. If his mom didn't sign him up for boxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes when he was younger, Maddox wouldn't have had any type of confidence trying to survive in this world. And in all honesty, he still didn't. The only thing that's giving him a sliver of hope is the system that he unlocked when he came into Ironridge.
'Well no point in thinking about it. My situation isn't gonna change. Tomorrow, I'll try to level up my skills and hopefully unlock a mission or even better unlock a class' thought Maddox.
-Midnight-
Maddox, in deep sleep, felt a nudge. Gradually waking up, he sees Old Miller and Mrs. Miller.
"Shhhh…. Stay quiet. I don't have much time to explain everything." said Old Miller pointing to his mouth to stay quiet.
Maddox still half asleep tried to assess the situation. He saw Old Miller and Mrs. Miller in full gear carrying revolvers in their holster.
Old Miller carried a rifle in his back while Mrs. Miller carried a shotgun in her hand.
"Wha.. what's going on. Why are you guys carrying weapons" whispered Maddox.
"I can't explain everything. The Big Bang Bandits are here. I want you to go get Kaiden and head out towards the back. Sneak out and be very quiet. Grab the horse in the back of the barn, start riding east towards the Sheriff's office and notify Stockton" said Old Miller.
"Here this is a six shooter revolver. Don't point it at anyone unless you're intending to use it." said Mrs. Miller handing him a silver revolver, the standard that most people carried in Redhold Town.
Maddox, finally realizing the severity of the situation, replied "wha.. what about you guys?".
"We're gonna draw their attention. Give you guys time to sneak out and notify the Sheriff" said Old Miller.
"What?? That's absurd. God knows how many people they got outside and you two will try to take all of them.That's suicide" said Maddox frustrated at what they were trying to do.
"Kid, listen to me. We'll be fine, this ain't our first rodeo. They won't dare to come inside the house unless they know it's completely safe. We'll distract them from inside, just long enough for you guys to go get Stockton" said Old Miller.
"Please Maddox. We don't have much time." said Mrs. Miller.
Without responding, Maddox got dressed and hurried to the other room and woke up Kaiden.
He tried to explain the situation to Kaiden in which the latter downright refused wanting to stay with his parents and help out.
It wasn't until Old Miller came into the room and explained the situation again that Kaiden reluctantly agreed.
Kaiden got dressed and put on his boots that still had the Trailblazer attached to it from earlier.
Finally, they started heading into the back door. Before they could go, Mrs. Miller stopped Maddox and said "Please keep my son safe".
Maddox not knowing what to say could only nod in response before heading out in the back.
The two teenagers burst out sprinting from the back trying to attract as little attention as possible when they heard gunshots coming from inside the house.
Halfway through the barn they heard a shout coming from the left "don't let them get away".
Without warning they saw two guys come sprinting and chasing them. One of the two stopped and fired two shots barely missing Maddox.
By the time they got into the barn, both were sweating profusely. Maddox told Kaiden to go get the horse while he keeps the two bandits occupied.
Maddox headed towards the side of the barn's entrance waiting for the bandits. As soon as one of the bandits entered, Maddox without hesitation aimed the barrel towards the bandit firing two shots. One bullet hit the chest while the other straight to the temple killing the bandit instantly.
As soon as he did, he heard four gunshots outside the barn. In which he rolled to the side trying to dodge but one still grazed him in the shoulder.
"That's six, you fucker" shouted Maddox coming out of the barn. The bandit tried to reload his revolver but before he could, a shot to the temple stopped him in his tracks. When the bandit collapsed, he heard a ding and a system notification popped up.
Killed two Bandits +10 copper Hydrex to bounty. +10 copper Hydrex to inventory.
Without skipping a beat, Kaiden came out of the barn riding the horse in which Maddox grabbed his hand and mounted the saddle.
Kaiden rode as fast as he could towards the Sheriff's office while they heard gunshots in the background.
"Mom, dad" please stay safe.