Bring Me to Life
Note : I do not own The Patriot or any of its characters. I do, on the other hand, own Helena, which came from my mind.
No one agreed more than Helena that this war was uncalled for. Why were we rebelling against the British? The taxes weren't that high. And the king had the right to tax them. After all, he had been the one to send them off to America. Given them the right to go. And now we were fighting them. Fighting our own brothers. What was the point of that?
Often times, Helena would sit for hours and ponder these thoughts. Her mind would split and she could think only of all the poor souls who were fighting for a lost cause. Even with that thought, Helena still sided with the British. So that in turn meant she was a loyalist. A rare breed in this state of South Carolina. Her parents had raised her to be that way. Then again, they had also raised her two older brothers to be loyal, and yet they were in the militia. They had fought a few small battles against the British, with their farmers clothes and cheap guns. Even though Helena's family was rather wealthy, living on a large cotton plantation, they refused to pay for their brothers equipment. And even though they were fighting against the right side, Helena still loved her brothers dearly, and fought for their right to remain living at their home. But on this night, she wondered whether or not they should be somewhere else. Last week her father had announced there would be a feast tonight, for the British officers, and Lord Cornwallis, which was to be held at their house.
"You boys had better straighten yourselves up before Friday night." Isiah Barker uttered coldly, while pushing his fork into a piece of pork. The oldest son, Christopher, didn't say a word, just continued eating. The younger though, Alexander, opened his mouth quickly. "And why is that, father?" He said sarcastically. Isiah looked up angirly at his son, and pointed his fork at him. "Because we are going to be having a large group of men, and some women, here to honor the British victories we have had, as of late." Glaring at the boy for a few more moments he soon returned to eating. Alexander rolled his eyes and grunted, while Helena and her mother, Elizabeth, remained silent. Finally Christopher spoke up, and raised his eyes just slightly off his food. "Is anyone drastically important coming?" He waited patiently for his father to answer, who looked pleased to be asked the question. "Why yes, actually. Lord Cornwallis himself, and many of the colonels, generals, captains... The high authority men of the army. No soldiers here." He gave a snort of a laugh and then turned to his wife, and then to Helena. "I am guessing you will both dress up that evening?" Helena nodded softly. "Of course, dear." Elizabeth answered.
Oh, that had been quite a night. There had been later arguements between Alexander and Isiah. About midnight they both actually threw a punch, but Christopher had been there to calm them both down. Helena shook her head as she lowered her eyes from the balcony view. She hated it when people fought, especially physically. She hated this war... Hated it more than anything else. It tore her family apart. It tore hundreds, thousands of familys apart. And for such silly reasons. Sighing she looked back onto the evening sky, and the acres upon acres of cotton feilds, which were recently cropped. Now it was almost December, and there were many parties and feasts to come...
It wasn't the Helena was anti-social, she just got nerveous around new people. Women were raised to be seen, and not so much heard. And Helena normally followed this rule, unless deeply provoked. She brushed back a piece of bangs that feel into her face, and then sighed as it feel back into place. The rest of her pitch black hair was now held in an entricate bun behind her head. Small crystals had been placed in, as well as a few thin silver bobby pins. Her dark blue eyes shone, just as the eastern sky was now. Porcelain skin, rather slim figure... If she didn't have the rogue on, she looked almost like a ghost. Thankfully though, she was definatly not be confused as a man... No, unless someone believed men had chests. Her mother on the other hand was rather like a stick, so she really didn't know where it came from.
Suddenly, a knock loudley hit the door and Helena jumped a bit at the sound. "Honey?" A voice called. It was thick with black accent... The woman was more of a lady-in-waiting than a slave. Glenette was like Helena's governess, though she was much to old to have one. Seventeen, to be exact. Soon the knocking ended and the larger than average woman bustled in, carrying a small velvet box. "You stayed dressed, right?" Helena sighed softly and soon stood up, though didn't turn her head away from the view. "Yes Glenette... I'm fully dressed, just as you left me." Chuckling softly, the woman opened the box to revel the diamond and aquamarine necklance Helena had recieved on her sixteenth birthday.
Glenette looked up to the girl, and sighed. "Now come on out of there. Its freezing outside, your gonna catch a cold." Helena though, remained still, watching the road. "Helena!" Jumping again, the young woman sighed and moved out of the balcony, and into her room. With a grunt Glenette quickly closed the French doors that led outside, and turned to the girl. "I know your nerveous-" Helena cut into her sentence. "I don't like parties." It was true, though rather good at talking with those she knew, groups of strangers frightened her. Grabbing the necklace the maid gently placed it onto her neck, and moved behind her. "I know, sweetheart. But your a beautiful girl, and pretty ladies have to go to parties." Helena shook her head as the necklace was latched, and Glenette moved her towards a mirror. "See how pretty you look? It goes perfect with your dress... Ah! Earrings." The woman grabbed a pair of aquamarine earrings and placed them through the holes in Helena's ears.
"Listen to me honey. I know its hard, but you will be fine. If you need to, come to the kitchen. I'll be there. Okay?" She smiled into the mirror, and Helena gave a soft smile back. A few moments after the sound of hooves began to get louder. Someone, or many someones, had turned onto their path. Glenette and Helena moved toward the window, peering out into the now darkness. Yes, many, many someones were arriving. Carriages, single horses, a few wagons even. Helena saw the bright red uniforms vaguely from the lighted torches they were carrying. "Its almost time... Slip on those shoes and get ready to go downstairs." Helena sighed and nodded as she moved to put on the white slippers, which were completely hidden by the flowing white dress.
Taking a few deep breaths she held Glenettes hand and moved to her bedroom door. "It'll be alright, its not too big of a deal." Nodding again Helena felt butterflys form in her stomach as she turned the glass doorknob, and moved into the hallway. Its okay. She thought to herself. Everything will be alright.