Chapter 10: Not Expected

The British troops had managed to hide behind a wall and take fire. Afterwords the American troops finally retreated. With over 300 of their troops wounded and 70 dead, the King decided to head back to Europe but commanded the men who were in good shape to stay at the fort.

The King walked up to his ship slowly on the wooden steps that overlooked the battle scene. He paused at the top, spotting something in the distant fog that had been hiding-a ship. It had no colors but was traveling with great speed south.

The King turned to his assistant.

King: What is that? (As he starred at the ship)

Assistant: Our cargo ship sir.

The King scratched his chin for a moment and then looked down below where his troops were hauling in the cannons and helping the wounded.

King: (shouted down to them) Men! (They immediately paused what they were doing and looked up at the King) I congratulate you on our successful trip! Now we have proven to this bloody nation once again who we are! (The King raised his fist up to the sky which was followed by silence in the crowd) (After a second he speaks again) For reaching this point, I would like to declare an act of rebellion! (And then finally added in a more menacing look) For starters. . . (His arm pointed in the distance) fire at that ship.

The troops moved with speed hauling the cannons to the hills that overlooked the sea. They stuffed in the gunpowder they had into the large cannons, directing them at the distant ship. A cannon fired. It hit center-on causing the ship to sway unevenly. Once the America troops had heard this they scrambled outside of their camp and looked down out at this valley below. America and Washington joined them, both a bit confused. They all watched as the second cannon was fired and it hit the ship's mast and fell over. America finally connected the dots.

America: (screamed out) what the h*** are they do-!

A nearby soldier clapped his hand over America's mouth. The King glanced up at the hill where the Americans stood and shouted loudly and with great triumph:

King: This is an act! (He shouted, his gaze seemed to be trying to find America) To prove that we no longer will ever, (another cannon blast) be trading! For we now have a war on our hands that will put my name in history for the generations to come! (Another blast) That will serve as a reminder to those who even some close . . . to never mess with a King.

With the last words the ship had started on fire and was now falling apart very rapidly. The glow of the flames was enough for the King's men and had stopped firing and were now bringing the cannons back to the ships. The American troops watched from the hills as the whole ship set aflame while the King got onto his ship the last of his men had got on the rest. Soon they were gone.

The remaining British troops departed for their camps, perhaps in celebration, and all was quiet for a moment. The smoke had risen up to the east where the rest of the ships has disappeared and slowly, the ship was sinking.

The American soldiers looked quietly at one another and then at America, who seemed to be in a pitiful state, had not said anything but continued to stand by the boys that surrounded him.

Washington stared at the remains of the ship. His expression had gone blank. There were wooden boards that had started flouting further out to sea along with crates (now slightly burned) that had originally contained the supplies. He looked carefully at the items, his gaze going up and along the remains of the ship.

Then his eyes blinked. He squinted down at the sea hard. Something was coming gradually toward the shore-a boat? Washington took out his scope and eased it along the waters. Finally he closed it.

Washington: (staring down at the remains) By God. . . (Awed)

He shook America alert beside him and ordered his troops to follow him as he set out to the shore on his horse, galloping wildly. They followed him, though confused, trying to keep up as he continued on down the hill and into the sand of the beach. Washington glanced out at the sea then to his troops who were gasping for breath.

Washington: (shouting) Get in the water! (His horse shook its mane and snorted while pacing back and forth as Washington talked)

The troops beside America did so without thought. The smoke had spread all across the ocean, making the troops disappear instantly. America stood where he was staring up at Washington who was now concentrating entirely on the sea that lay in front of him. He hadn't bothered to ask the General what was going on and wasn't sure what to expect at this point or perhaps never wanted to.

The sound of strokes was beginning to draw closer, as if someone was rowing out in the middle of the sea. Then a figure broke through the endless smoke-a row boat. The troops were surrounding it, pulling it in the water from along the sides. America started to make out faces-a man was inside the boat rowing only completely covered in smoke. It was the servant he had met earlier. They all reached the shore and had to remind the servant that he could stop rowing, which had had continued to do even after they touched land. The troops helped him out of the rowboat, for he seemed to be trembling a lot, and had him sit down in the sand. Then the rest of the troops went into the rowboat and carried something else to shore.

America: Britain! (Rushed over as the troops laid him down in the sand)

Britain was also covered in smoke but it was still obvious just how pale he was. His wound had been patched slightly and seemed to have stopped the bleeding.

America: (knelt down beside Britain, shaken by the sight of the wound had a hard time concentrating) Can you hear me?! (Waited for a second then starts shaking him, still without any response) C'mon you got to keep-I'm sorry, just-you need to get up! (Panicking after no signs of movement)

Hands trembling, he put two fingers up against Britain's temple and waited. After a minute he removed this hand and tried again, then again and again until he was trembling all over.

Someone had started crying out loudly, America tried to block out the noise but then came to realize that it was himself and his troops around him were desperately trying to pry him from Britain's arm. Washington started shouting to the others to quickly find a doctor while mounted on his horse. Finally the last of the ship had sunk.

He could hear voices. They kept going in and out as if in harmony and then would fade again. For a long time it seemed, the world stayed black. Why it continued to do this he wasn't sure. It was like he couldn't think. Nothing made sense. He would then try to make sense of it but something kept pulling him down. Though what was it? He still wasn't sure. He couldn't feel anything nor hear anything. Most of the time he just did not care and simply ignored this entirely, but how could he?

Soon he found his chance; nothing seemed to be pulling at him so he continued to strive. What for or where to, he wasn't sure yet. Somehow he could sense he was getting closer. . .

Britain opened his eyes to see something colored a deep brown. He blinked. It was bright to him either way. He felt something smooth and glanced down at his hand-a blanket? It took him awhile to realize that he was in a bed. The sun was the reason the ceiling was so bright and that nobody seemed to be in the room. He swallowed, then found his throat was parched, He attempted sitting up but it resulted in coughing and a great deal of pain to even move at all. Britain bit his lip, trying to lean against the head of the bed but found he really couldn't do he continued to lie in the bed, now in pain. He didn't think anything was broken but he was sore. He tried moving his arms a little. They seemed rather weak, but fine. Then tried his legs-Britain's eyes shot wide open and glanced down the side of the bed.

America sat in a chair but lay with his arms stretches out, crossed, supporting his head as he slept on top of Britain's legs. Britain stared at him for a moment then his eyes darted to a small table next to his bed. It contained a small meal on a plate. Britain wondered how long it had been there.

Britain immediately reached for the plate and had managed to eat all of it in under five minutes. His hunger surprised him. How could he be so hungry?

The thought lingered for a moment as he rested his head back on the pillow. After a few minutes he was asleep.

End of chapter 10