Frontier Love
"Troy, wait up." thirteen year old Gabriella Montez giggled.
Fourteen year old Troy Bolton was leading his best friend through their small town. The year was 1846 and Troy and Gabriella were enjoying their home on the frontier. Troy had just broken his best friend out of her lessons. The two had been inseparable since they were young children. It was rare for townspeople to see one without the other.
"Are you capturing me and then forcing me to ungodly things?" Gabriella asked as they came to a stop in front of a large tree.
"No, I just wanted to give you this in private without all the townspeople looking on." Troy said as he pulled something out of his pocket. "I made this for you out of a few of those tin soldiers we used to play with when we were children."
"Troy…" Gabriella said as she looked at the simple locket he made for her. "Will you put it on for me?"
"It's not much and I know it's not as nice as the one the lady who was passing through was wearing, but…" Troy started to say as he put the necklace around her neck.
"It's perfect, Troy." Gabriella said turning in arms. "I love it much more than the other locket because you made it for me. Thank you."
For a few hours, Gabriella and Troy played and walked along the riverbanks. As the sun was setting, they returned to their homes. The Bolton and Montez families lived next door to one another. Both families enjoyed spending Thanksgiving and Christmas together every year. Both parents were waiting for their children's wedding to another. Already, Benjamin Montez had to turn down potential fiancés knowing he wanted his daughter to be able to marry the young man she loved.
That evening, the town was settled inside their homes for the night. Most families were just sitting down to dinner. The Montez family was among them. Benjamin and Elizabeth Montez sat at either end of the table.
"I heard that young Troy sprang you from your lessons early today." Mr. Montez said to his daughter.
"I'm sorry, Papa." Gabriella said. "You know how persistent Troy is."
"Yes, I know." Mr. Montez chucked.
Gabriella and Mrs. Montez laughed as they went back to their dinner. All of a sudden, a Native American war cry filled the air. The sounds of windows breaking and terrified screams echoed though the once quiet town.
"Stay inside." Mr. Montez ordered his wife and daughter.
He grabbed his rifle and threw the door open. The whole town was being ransacked by Native American warriors. One native stopped in front of him. Mr. Montez raised his gun to fire but the Indian was too quick. The tomahawk landed squarely in his chest before he could fire a single shot. With him out of the way, several savages swarmed into the house. Gabriella and Mrs. Montez screamed loudly. Mrs. Montez stood in front of her daughter to protect her. Before Gabriella could comprehend anything, an Indian warrior grabbed her and began pulling her towards the door.
"No!" Mrs. Montez screamed trying to pull Gabriella back before an arrow went through her heart.
"Mama!" Gabriella cried in terror as she was pulled out the door.
The Boltons were holding their own in protecting their home. Lucille Bolton was locked in the basement for her protection. Jack Bolton and Troy were using their rifles to shoot any oncoming savages. All of a sudden, one of the warriors let out another cry and soon all the warriors were running back into the forest.
"No!" a voice cried, a voice Troy knew all too well.
Troy turned to the Montez house just as Gabriella was being dragged out. Gabriella screamed loudly when she saw her father's body. A chief warrior rode up on a horse and stopped in front of her. Gabriella struggled to get away.
"No! Let me go!" Gabriella screamed loudly as she was placed on the horse in front of the warrior. "Please!"
"No!" Troy yelled as he took off after Gabriella on the horse. "Gabby!"
"Troy!" Mr. Bolton yelled.
"Gabriella!" Troy shouted as he tried to catch up.
"Troy!" Gabriella screamed as the horse and she disappeared into the forest.
"I'll find you!" Troy promised in a shout. "I'll find you!"