Bloody Forest | Louisiana, 1873

https://youtu.be/rtydO2NV1_A The year is 1873. The sun has become a rare sight in the sky. The overcast and gloomy fog shows the most callous side of Fall. Jessie and his friends had lost track of their opponents for a long time. In the meantime, their hunt has led them into the deep woods of Louisiana. Fate certainly did not have anything good in store for them. Even nature seems to have conspired against them as heavy rain falls out of the sky. A thunderstorm is brewing above, and wild animals are pestering them wherever they walk.

Today is just one of those days. Downpouring rain intensifies to an indescribable thunderstorm. The band was forced to search for shelter right before they reached their destination. A small lumberjack settlement nearby the road to Montgomery would have to suffice. They jungled-up and ignited a fire to gain a bit of protection from the cold, wet environment. A pig they‘d shot earlier in the day is impaled and barbecued over the blaze of their fire. Only hunger is worse than the cold.

Two of the men guard the camp against unpleasant surprises while the rest of the exhausted men try to get some rest. Meanwhile, rainfall has become less intense. Distant rolling thunder and lightning that suddenly brightens the sky above, paint the scene of the dark forest. However, this doesn‘t make it any more pleasant.

Suddenly, different noises mix into the scenery, one of the men believes he hears voices in the dark, cursing and shuffling as they approach.

As tense as a man possibly can get, one of the guards stares up the path. As a thunderbolt illuminates the gloomy night, he suddenly sees a group of roughly eight figures tediously walking on the drenched path towards them. As the group gets as close as about fifty meters, the guard rubs his eyes in pure disbelief. They‘re the ones they were looking for! What now? Being alone, he wouldn‘t stand a chance against the approaching might. Eventually, he hides behind a rock, with his heart in his mouth and a clump in his throat. If he’s spotted, he’s as good as dead.

Seconds become hours, as sweat drips down his forehead. They‘re so close that he can hear every word very clearly. He clutches his colt with his sweaty hands, almost breaking the stock. The next seconds will decide his fate. „Shit weather, shit forest. Everything is shit here.“, he heard somebody say, „As soon as we reach the settlement, we will fill up our supplies and get ourselves some horses. Maybe we’ll even find a carriage!“ Another mumbled, „The inhabitants won’t be too understanding, especially since we have no intention of paying them.“ Laughter breaks out and another man says „If anybody retaliates or tries to give up trouble, we’ll do what we do best. Slice them up or hang them! There are heaps of trees here and far too few decorations!“ Laughter breaks out again. As the group distances itself someone is heard yelling „As a sweet farewell gift we’ll light their huts right under their asses!“ The laughter rages again as the group walks out of earshot.

Relieved, the guard breathes softly and the tension dissolves a little. At least he has remained undetected ... He sneaks back to the camp as quickly as he can to alarm his companions of what he’d just witnessed. The murderous plan must be prevented, no matter what! Jessie and his companions immediately grab their weapons, as much ammunition and dynamite as they can carry, and set out on a manhunt. This time none of these unscrupulous freaks will get past. They'll all be mercilessly crushed! In hopes of preventing a bloodbath involving innocent lives, Jessie and his companions rush with their guns cocked and loaded, trying to get to the murderous bastards before they reach the settlement.

If they can not reach the killers in time, all hell will unravel on the poor unsuspecting residents and a beastly massacre will unfold.

Jessie and his companions want to prevent that by all means! Will they be successful? Only the next few minutes will tell. This is a matter of life and death…