The next morning Daniel is petting his horse "Listen boy, we will be going on a long ride. I want you to rest well while we wait for Ashly and do your best" Daniel whispers to his horse, "You are the best partner anyone could ask for. Sorry that my dirty and ugly hands are on you boy" Daniels left hand has a few cuts that are healing properly. "I promise you that as soon as we are done with this mission. I will buy you proper food, enough to keep you full for months"
"What a nice and caring owner" Gael says as he approaches "Didn't expect me to visit so soon? I am here to talk about a few things we couldn't yesterday" Daniel turns and bows to Gael who smiles at him and pulls out a knife "This right here is John, he is a very trustworthy tool. I used him to save my life more times than I can remember" Gale hands it to Daniel who refuses at first "Don't worry, I know you will bring him back safe and sound. Make sure to not lose him, he is like a son to me" Gael says
"That you sir it means a lot, it really does" Daniel holds the knife with one hand and Gael hands him the holster "I'll make sure he is returned to you without a scratch" he puts the knife on the hoster and straps it to his waistband.
"Don't worry about any scratches, John is ment to be used. Scratches just shows how much of a hard worker he truly is" Gael laughs a bit "You look tired, is it because of my constant visits?" Gael asks
"No sir, it's just that it is really early that's all" Daniel says "I appreciate your visits and wanting me to do my best" Daniel puts his bag on his back and asks a question "Sir about the hat, what is it suppose to do exactly?" Daniel says in a respectful manner
"Well this was started by the old boss, he made it so Ashly wouldn't be punished. He loved her very much, and this was an excuse because she was great at cleaning. He told us this was a harsh punishment, but we all know he wanted to go soft on her" Gael says as he takes out a cigar and lights it on "Ashly was the only one who got punished by this method more than twice. Everyone else had two chances and if they screw up again" Gael then mimics a gun "Dead, he was too light with his punishments anyways. Never knew how to handle troublesome men until it was to late"
"Oh I understand it a bit then, the old boss must of been very kind then" Daniel says "But why did ask me to burn the hat if it was yours. I mean I'm not telling you to not, it's your property after all." Daniel walks behind Gael who is now taking a stroll
"Well that wasn't my hat, it was of the old boss" Gael says as he takes the cigar out of his mouth
Daniel is shocked by this "But you respect the old boss, and it's insane to destroy the last physical reminder of him" he says and Gael stops and begins to whisper to his ear
"Listen, I'm tired of Ashly being the favorite. I'm tired of her being allowed to have more leverage than everyone, just because she looked like his dead daughter. This hat punishment is over you hear me" Gael says in a more authoritative tone and Daniel nods "Listen Daniel, Ashly messed up five times already. I won't allow a sixth and that's why I ask of you to kill her" Daniel is surprised by his order "I want you to only kill her if she messs up alright, things are dangerous and she is making them worse. Do you understand what I'm asking of you?"
"Yes sir, I understand very well" Daniel says in a barely confident voice "I will kill her if she messes up, as soon as she does" Gael smiles as he makes his promise
"Great Daniel, I knew I could rely on you. Also I no longer am following any rules that Bruno left behind." Gael then leaves and Daniel stays in his spot for a little while
———
On the other side of the town Ashly leaves Dale's shop holding more bullets "Man, I really need money, that's basically all I had" Ashly says as she begins her walk back to the spot Daniel was "Maybe I should visit Lucas after this job. I will ask him for money and he will definitely give me. More than enough actually, he is a reliable person after all" Ashly says grinning
Ashly in the distance spots Daniel and Gael speaking. She sighs a bit and prepares herself for another lecture of his and begins walking to their direction. As she approaches Gael has already left Daniel and he spots Ashly "Ashly, I have high hopes for this mission. Be more careful as this will be dangerous" Gael says smiling at her.
"Yeah I know, I only mess up every few years anyways. This won't be different, I'm one of the best you have" Ashly says as she passes Gael
"Listen Ashly, you been living here for to long. You haven't done a lot to be called one of the best. I do believe if you weren't a girl you would've been kicked out a long time ago. Remember that the old boss was to soft on you, because I won't" Gael says but Daniel interrupts them
"Ashly it's time to go, we don't want to waste anymore time" Daniel says as Ashly gives Gael a stare "We are prepared after all, no need to waste any more time" Ashly begins to walk with Daniel. Daniel manages to avoid a situation that he probably can't control "Ashly don't tell me you're being this troublesome already"
"Don't worry a darn thing, it's nothing much to worry about" Ashly says as she turns to look at Gael who is staring at her. "Il show him that I am better than he thinks I am. I will have him apologize to me in front of everyone" she says
Ashly begins to get on Danial's horse "This is my horse, his name is Dusty. I know it doesn't sound like a normal name but this is what he was called by his previous owner." Daniel says as he helps Ashly get on his horse. He then gets on his Dusty and they begin to move "I feel a bit uncomfortable having a woman ride on my horse." He then turns to Ashly "I mean that I really care for him and I can't risk anyone hurting him. I mean no ill intent with my words" Daniel clears his throat
"Yeah, Idon't care what you think about your insecurities. I just want to get this job done as soon as possible" Ashly says as she looks back at Greenside "I would've ridden on a different horse, but the owner wasn't there. Could of made this much easier and less uncomfortable" she says as she tries to hold on without adding pressure to her stomach
"You know, canned food here doesn't taste as great as in other places" Daniel says trying to make a conversation "I mean what person allows this to be sold to people, no wonder it's cheap and abundant"
"Yeah I know right, feels like I'm eating spoiled mush. Honestly that would probably taste better and be more safer to consume" Ashly says, she tries to hold in her breath. Her stomach hurts again, it's probably from the fact that she hasn't taken must rest. "I want to leave this shithole all together and never look back. "
Daniel notices Ashly's shift in tone and can tell her grip has loosen. He decides to not say anything about it "Yeah I know how you feel, I also want to leave this place completely. It sucks living off what I get paid. My horse can barely get enough and sometimes I don't eat so he does" Daniel says
Ashly takes a deep breath "I don't trust you at all, I mean it and I won't lie. You don't seem like a person who is worth trusting. Whoever Gael says is trustful, I immediately get suspicious." Ashly says to Daniel who stays quiet for a while
"I can see why you feel that way, after seeing how much you despise the boss and all." Daniel says
"I don't just despise him, I absolutely hate him. That jerk deserves everything bad that happens to him. I wish I could see it happen, to see his smirk disappear forever" Ashly says in an angry tone
Daniel thinks to himself on how Ashly seems to be unstable "Calm down there Ashly, don't get to tensed up right now. We still have a long ways to go, and a bad attitude won't help." He says and Ashly looks away from him
"Sure, whatever you say." Ashly says as she tries to calm down. She hopes her injuries heal faster as the pain is too much to bear. The horse's galloping makes it feel worse, she wants to rest and sleep. This job will most likely pay very well, and she hopes that with the money she gets, she would spend a whole day inside a room.