Prologue

I never loved my father, I always knew that. From the day I was born, he never loved me either. I was born in a small mountain village in West Elizabeth on January 23rd, 1879. My mother always swore she never lived through a colder day than when her first daughter was born. That was also the day my father left.

Now at the age of 20, I hardly look back on such a time. My mother left me alone in this world when I was 15 and I learned how to survive in a man's world. Five years later, with no family and no money left, I abandon Strawberry and the shack that I once called home. I need to find a source of income, but where would a woman of my status find work that doesn't require her to spread her legs for any man with a couple of dollars? The answer was nowhere unless I was willing to break the law. I knew how to shoot, and I guess you can say I'm light on my feet, which makes becoming a thief a good option. But I can't do it alone…. I need people who could protect me in this wild world. For now, I'll keep moving, robbing lonesome travellers whenever I can. My name is Anastasia Fetcher and I am a survivor if nothing else.

Chapter 1

A few months later…

A ray of light burned through my fragile eyelids, I groaned and rolled to the left side on my bedroll. You'd think sleeping under a tree would help block out the sun, but that ain't happening on a day as bright as today. I sat up, looking off to the distant town of Valentine from my small camp. It had to be past 9 in the morning, I've slept in. "Well Ana you always do sleep in after a beer or two, what were you thinking again?" I said to myself quietly through a soft chuckle. I've gotten into the habit of saying random thoughts out loud every now and then, I guess that's what you do when you travel alone.

I stood up and reached my arms out to the sky in a long stretch. I picked up my pocket mirror and fixed up my hair and makeup. My eyes lingered on my reflection. Dark brown eyes, wavy chestnut hair that fell gently onto my shoulders and back. I've always been fairly confident, I knew I was pretty, men told me that when I walked the streets. I can't say that I'm a rare beauty though, just pretty. I brushed down my royal blue dress, it was low-cut with buttons and a couple ruffles at the hem. My favourite dress in all honesty. I put on my gun belt and satchel and headed towards the nearby town.

Drops of sweat fell down the back of my neck. "Just need to save up enough for a horse… walking in this heat, man…" I mumbled nearly silently throughout my quickened breathing. This place looked a lot closer from camp, that's for sure. I had arrived at the main street, time to get down to business. I eyed the saloon, a prime location for robbing men looking for some intimate company. I smirked to myself, today would be a breeze. I subtly entered the establishment, a couple men giving me a glance as I walked by. I made a straight line for the bar.

"My good sir, you got anything that'll quench my thirst on this hot day?" I smiled in a friendly manner to the bartender who returned my request with a nod and soon after a beer. I handed him the money and sipped, waiting to see who would approach me today. "Aren't you just the prettiest thing," a stranger stated. I looked over, typical working man, long brown hair and beard, he smelled a bit foul, he would do just fine. "Why thank you, sir, you're rather handsome yourself," I said as I pretended to eye him mischievously, this would be easy as pie. He reacted calmly to my words, he was falling for my act. "I'm an honest feller, and I like to get straight down to business, why don't you and I go somewhere quiet?" he said as he practically whispered in my ear. "I like that in a man, why don't we?"

He followed me into an alleyway, hidden from most of the town. Once we were further down, he shoved me against the brick wall, pinning my body with what felt like all of his strength. "Woah, why don't you slow down a bit?!" He ignored me, groping my body hastily. I couldn't reach my gun or knife, I tried pushing him off, but he pushed back harder. Fuck this wasn't good. I then realized my only weapon was my head and I headbutted him as hard as I could, he stumbled back, looking shocked and confused. I took the chance to knock him out with my pistol. Lord, that hurt my head. I pressed my palms against my forehead and winced. "Ugh, don't use that move again Ana."

I looked down both ends of the alleyway, I needed to get out before anyone saw me. I looted his bag and pockets, he had about $20. Not bad, not bad at all. I begin to walk quickly so I could get away before the man woke up until I walked straight into a man who was turning the corner, followed by two other men, my face colliding with his hard chest. "Oh, sir I-I am so sorry, silly me, never looking where I'm heading..." I stopped speaking as soon as I made eye contact with the man, he was… well, he was beautiful. Jet black hair, slicked back, brown eyes. I eyed his red handkerchief tucked into the pocket of his black vest.

He returned my startled expression with a calm smile, the kind that makes you envy someone for their composure. "Don't you worry miss, are you alright dear?" His hand grazed the skin of my forearm, a smooth, polite gesture sending chills down my spine. I was about to respond until he saw the cash sticking out from my satchel and the man who seemed to be void of consciousness. He almost seemed to smile to himself. I begin to frantically craft an excuse in my own head until he breaks the tension.

"Seems we've found ourselves a beautiful troublemaker, haven't we boys? My name is Dutch van der Linde, and who might you be?"

A/N: Hi guys! I hope you like this first chapter! I don't have a lot of experience with fan fiction writing so feel free to comment with feedback. I'd really love to hear ideas because I just thought of this idea today. Basically, I'm planning a romance between Anastasia and Dutch but I'm also thinking of making it a love triangle with John as well? Also, just so you all know, I'm not following the exact events of RDR 2, just the timeline and certain events. Please comment!

Disclaimer: I do not own RDR.