I awoke to the sound of the western wind pressing against the shelter we had spent the night in. I lay there awake for a while, bathed in the dim light that streamed in through the planks. It must have still been very early in the morning.

When I finally decided to get up, I pushed myself upright and stood. All of a sudden, my stomach broke the silence with an impatient rumble and I remembered that I hadn't eaten for about two days. That meant today we should probably use some of our robbery money to stop somewhere for food.

"Is that you, Scarlett?" a sleepy young voice asked across the room. Indigo sat up, rubbing his eyes with a groggy smile. "Oh, look, it is you. Good morning."

A grin spread across my face, too. "Good morning, Indigo."

I strode over and sat next to him. "Should we wake up the others?" He whispered.

"No, let them sleep. We'll probably be staying up late tonight," I replied.

"Why?"

"We're going to use some of our money to buy some food at the general store and then we'll go to the saloon for a good time," I explained. "We all need a break."

Indigo's eyes lit up. "I can't wait! I'm hungry and I could go for some fun."

In my opinion, Indigo's too young to drink, so I've kept him away from liquor for the time being. After all, he's only fifteen. I was already skeptical about letting him into the gang. He's like a little brother to me.

In fact, all of these boys have been like my family ever since my parents... Uh... Damn it. I can never seem to talk about the subject. But they... You know... Okay, why don't you just take a guess. But anyway, all of the boys have fallen into this group we have here, and we're happy just like it is. It's our little reckless, broken, but caring family.

And before you ask, no. None of them are my boyfriend or anything. I know that most girls my age are already dating someone, but I don't want things to get too complicated. After all, if it doesn't work out, it might ruin the whole gang.

So we all love each other... Platonically.

"Earth to Scarlett?" Indigo interrupted my trance-like state of thought by waving his hand in front of my face. "You still there?"

I laughed. "Yeah, sorry. Did I miss something?"

He nodded and then jerked his head in the direction of the other guys. "Tangerine's awake."

"Yup." Tangerine said, still not sitting up.

I sighed. "Good. I'm just going to go outside for a while. Tell me if anyone else wakes up."

The morning air was crisp compared to the hot day that awaited us. The pale lilac sky stretched high above, still speckled with faintly visible stars. On the horizon loomed a small cluster of buildings that must be the next town. Everything outside was quiet, and for the moment it seemed like the whole world was at peace.

That is, until Tangerine tapped me on the shoulder. "Hey, Scarlett. My brother's awake."

I chuckled. "That's good, at least now we know he won't wake up the others with that dreadful snoring of his."

I went back inside with Tangerine to see Indigo, Cerulean, and Emerald sitting awake. Amarillo was the only one still asleep.

Emerald cautiously stepped over him to say, "Good morning, Scarlett."

"Morning, boys. Make sure not to wake up Amarillo, he sure does love his sleep."

Emerald saluted mockingly. "Whatever you say, boss."

"Wipe that grin off your face, Em," laughed Tangerine.

"Anyway, boys, I have to get ready. You know," I said.

I went to the mirror and did my daily preparations. I pulled my long, wavy hair into a ponytail without tying it and then tucked all of it into my hat. Next, I put on my leather vest and tugged on my boots. Finally, I grabbed my bandana and tied it around my neck.

Just as I finished, Cerulean poked his head inside and suggested, "Maybe we should wake up Amarillo now."

"Good idea." I strode to Amarillo and gently shook him awake. "Come on, sleepyhead. Time to get up."

"Unnnnghhh," he protested.

"Amarillo. Get up."

"Alright, Scarlett. I'm awake." He sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"Good. We're all going to buy some food today and then tonight we'll hit the saloon."

He jerked upright, as if he had been electrocuted, and said, "Yeah! Count me in, I'm starved."

The other boys came in and Tangerine added, "I think we all are."

As if in response, Amarillo's wide belly rumbled loudly.

With a beaming smile, Cerulean exclaimed, "You heard the man's belly! I guess that means, let's go!"

[A/N] 800 words exactly! Did you guys like today's update? Vote and comment!
P.S. Sorry I updated so late for you Americans 😅