This is a story inspired by the "Assassin's Creed 3: Rise" trailer. The epicness of the colonists saying, "When I-". This is about the pastor. If you haven't seen the trailer I highly recommend you do so just to understand what this is, I guess. This is not historically accurate and it may take some imagination because I'm not sure what was what exactly. Hope you enjoy. Review or P.M. :)
When I Ask God to Look the Other Way
Chapter 1: The Continental
May, 1775. One month after the battles of Lexington and Concord.
The sun shone brightly on the small town in colonial Massachusetts. The town had heard of the battles and knew war had begun. Many were divided. Some left to join the British army while others left for the continental army. Some stayed and decided not to get involved. Little did they know the war was on their doorstep.
Pastor Benjamin Smith knelt before the large cross hung in the church. His head bent in silent prayer. He was well liked by everyone in town despite his refusal to say which side he was on. He would always claim the same thing, "I am on the side God deems worthy to win." Some would say that that excuse wouldn't please the British but he would just shrug and go about his duties. Benjamin looked at the cross.
"Father," he murmured, "Why must this world be filled with violence? Did you not die so that we may see the light?"
He bowed his head again. His lips wordlessly praying. Benjamin was in his upper 50's. He always secretly complained of his knee acting up everyday. Something that happened in his past that, when asked, he wouldn't speak of.
"Lord, guide us in these dark times," he said, "Amen."
He slowly stood and moaned as his knee pained him. He grabbed it and massaged the pain away. He said a swift prayer for help through the day and went to the back room of the church. It was Sunday and he had to make sure everything was ready for today's sermon. He sat at his desk and looked at his notes. Yes, everything was ready. The door opened. A young, strong teenager of sixteen stood in the doorway.
"Samuel," Benjamin acknowledged.
"Father," Samuel said, "Everything is set up."
"Good, good." Benjamin smiled.
"Father?"
"Yes?"
"There's… talk," Samuel said looking at the ground.
"Talk of?" asked Benjamin.
"That the red coats- The British army is moving this way."
Benjamin frowned whenever his son had labeled the British and always told him not to get involved.
"And?"
"People are frightened Father."
"God will protect us," Benjamin said confidently.
Samuel nodded and took his leave. Benjamin smiled. His son always made him proud.
"If only you were here Mary," Benjamin said looking up.
Benjamin stood before his flock. The people smiling and nodding at the message. The worship always enjoyable. He looked out to them.
"God is with us in these dark times. He will see us through and He is always-"
The door to the church broke open. A man wearing a continental army uniform stumbled inside blood soaking his clothing. Women screamed and hid the eyes of their children.
"Samuel, help him inside my office! Doctor White please join us. Everyone please stay calm and go to you homes!" Benjamin's orders were quickly carried out.
Benjamin cleared his desk off as Samuel and the doctor placed the bleeding man on it. Doctor White tore open the shirt and looked at the wound. His stomach was bleeding profusely.
"Rags, Samuel. Get me rags and my satchel. Its by the third pew," White said calmly.
The continental soldier was gasping loudly. The blood gushed all over the desk. White placed pressure on the wound with his hands. The soldier yelled in pain. Benjamin grabbed the crucifix around his neck and prayed over the man. Samuel came with the rag and satchel.
"Okay, Samuel. Listen carefully. With a rag I want you to cover the wound and apply pressure. We need to stop the bleeding. Can you do that?" White's words were urgent.
Samuel nodded.
"Ben I need a bowl or a pan with water. Quickly!"
Benjamin ran and did so. White opened the satchel a removed various tools.
"What's your name?" White asked the man.
"I… I…"
"Calm down, sir. You need to stay calm or the bleeding won't stop. Deep breaths. Come now. Inhale. Exhale. Good. Good."
The man took shaky breaths and calmed himself.
"Now your name," White said as he took a scalpel from the satchel.
"I'm Matthew. Private in the continental army," the man said painfully.
"Okay. Matthew, I am Doctor White. This is Samuel and Benjamin. We're going to help you. Okay?"
The man nodded.
"Ok. Remember deep breaths and stay calm. I need to see what we're dealing with okay? Samuel step aside and be ready to apply pressure again."
Samuel was surprised by how the doctor kept his cool. He moved and watched the doctor look at the wound. He shook his head and muttered something unintelligible.
"Matthew, stay calm. This will hurt but we need to get this bullet out understand?" said White.
Matthew's eyes widened in pure terror but he nodded and closed his eyes. He whispered, "God help me." White took the scalpel and made a wider cut. Matthew screamed as the blade cut through. He grabbed forceps from the satchel and began hunting the bullet. He searched and pulled out a metal shard. White entered the wound with the forceps again. Matthew was crying out louder now. A couple other bits of metal were placed in the pan of water.
"Samuel apply pressure now."
Samuel acted quickly. Benjamin kept praying over Matthew asking for strength and continued guidance for White. White began threading a needle.
"Benjamin I need you to clean the wound. Quickly!"
Benjamin washed the wound as best he could. White then came with a needle and thread and began sowing up the wound. Matthew was crying and begging God for help. White ended the operation by cauterizing any openings in the wound. At this point Matthew was unconscious from the pain. White sighed.
"He'll be okay. He'll wake in a couple hours. Its important we talk to him. See what he knows."
Benjamin nodded and made the sign of the cross.
"Just like old times huh?" White said.
Benjamin ignored that and hoped Samuel wouldn't bring that up later. They left the office and let the soldier sleep.
"Benjamin we need to be prepared in case things go wrong here," White said.
"I know," Benjamin said.
"Let me know when he wakes up," White said and walked to his small home.
"Father?" Samuel said, "What does he mean 'Just like old times?'"
"Don't worry about it," Benjamin said walking back into the church.
Samuel watched his father go, the knee affecting him in the form of a limp in his step. Samuel prayed for help in the times ahead as he watched the sun begin to dip below the horizon.