A/N: Okay, so this is just a little late. Okay, A LOT late. Anyway, I am officially 14, as of two days after Christmas. Thats not important right now, this one-shot is. I hope you enjoy and... Merry LATE Christmas my beautiful readers! Oh and, HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Ravenswood. I DID however, buy the whole 1st season on Amazon! Too bad I don't have the internet at my house, ugh, that sucks. Oh, and I also don't own any of the exact quotes that I got from the Revival episode, WHICH I watched on Amazon today. I am sooo glad they give me the options of Captions.

Chapter 12: The Pact is made and Running Away, 1917

Summary:

"Foolish men trying to save the children from the war that other men started. Had I known Caleb and Miranda were there, I would have gathered them up and left town."- Esther Collins, 1917.

What if she did know they were there?

"Miranda, dear, could you take the bread out to the carriage? I need to talk to Mr. Rivers." Esther said. She looked at the Grocer with a pointed look.

Thomas, having known what Esther needed to talk to him about, sighed before smiling at the confused young teen. He handed Miranda the basket of bread before turning toward the girl's mother.

Miranda nodded and followed her mother's orders, only looking back once. She was setting the basket of bread into the carriage when someone tapped her on the shoulder. She looked around before meeting brown eyes. She sighed with relief, "Caleb!"

"The one and only." He smiled at his girlfriend, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"I'm pretty sure that there are other boys in the world with the name, Caleb."

"Ah, yes, but how many Caleb's have you met in Ravenswood, hmm?" He leaned against the Collins' carriage carefully, remembering the last time he did that their family horse moved, causing him to fall on his butt.

"Only one... So far." Miranda had a teasing smile resting on her lips while she petted her horse.

"I hope you're not going to replace me anytime soon." Caleb mocked.

She let out a fake gasp, "Never!" She really did mean it though, no one could replace Caleb.

"Good!" He laughed. He moved closer to Miranda when she didn't answer. "Miranda?"

The girl broke her gaze away from the Grocery and let out a small smile to her boyfriend. "Yes?"

"Are you okay? What were you staring at?"

"Oh, nothing."

Caleb looked at her pointedly. "Miranda."

She sighed, "It's really nothing to be concerned about. Well, I guess it is, but, it's just I'm curious as to what my mother sent me out for. I mean, she said that she needed to speall with you father, but, I can't help but be concerned about what. And-"

"Miranda!"

Miranda looked at him. He had a look of concern on his face now. "What?" She mumbled.

"You're rambling."

"Sorry."

"If you're so concerned as to what they're talking about, why don't we just go see?"

Her eyes widened, "What?! No! That's eavesdroping!"

The mischievous glint in his eyes seemed to widen as a smirk rested on his lips. "It's not like we haven't eavesdropped before, right?"

"Yes bu-"

"I'll get Henry to watch over the carriage, if it makes you feel better."

Miranda thought over it for a moment before sighing in agreement.

Caleb smiled and took hold of her gloved hand before guiding her across the street where the small diner was. They walked in and Caleb soon caught sight of his little brother. "Wait by the door ok?"

Miranda nodded and watched him leave her side. She saw the two brothers talk for a moment, watching as a mini argument break out as the younger brother seemed to refuse. Then she saw Caleb take out his wallet and watched as Henry smirked and took the $.25 cents out of his brothers' hand.

It was only when Caleb and her made it back across the street did Miranda ask him. "Did you seriously just bribe your little brother."

"Yes." He groaned.

"Was that your allowance?"

"Unfortunately, yes." Caleb opened the door for her and walked in after her.

Before they could get any further however, their parents both walked out of Thomas' office. When Esther caught sight of Miranda and Caleb at the front, a look of concern crossed her face.

"Miranda, what's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing. Just, I came in here to tell you that we would have to leave soon, so we won't be late for lunch with Father." It's a good thing that Miranda remembered, it gave her a good excuse.

"That is right! Come on Miranda." Esther took her daughter by the elbow and guided her out of the Grocery.

Thomas looked at his son as Caleb watched Miranda climbed into the carriage. "Caleb..."

The 17 year-old looked at his father, "Yes?"

"What are you doing here? I thought you had to go to the Library today?"

"Mr. Davis let me have an early lunch break today and I saw Miranda so, I had Henry watch their carriage and came in here to buy something."

"Why didn't you just eat at the diner, since you had to go in there in order to talk to Henry?"

"I just wanted something here, that's all. But, now that I think about it, I will go eat at the diner. I'll see you at home." Caleb hurried out of the Grocery.

He hated being interrogated.

One week later

Caleb checked through all of the recent records, flipping through the pages of the huge book on the stand, a man had asked if he had any late books that he had not turned in. "What's your name sir?"

"Jason Matthews."

Caleb immediately turned the pages to the 'M'. He scanned through the names until he found a Matthews, Jason. He scanned quickly before shaking his head. "No, sir, you do not. However, this book here is due tommorrow." He showed the man the book that was checked out under his name.

"Thank you.."

"Caleb."

The man smiled and shook the boy's hand before leaving.

As the hour went on, Caleb had answered many questions to those who passed by. Just when he was about to go on his lunch break, someone tapped him on the shoulder. He sighed and turned around, but soon smiled when he saw who it was.

"I would like to check this book out, if you don't mind." Miranda gave him a smile, the book in her hands held close to her chest.

"I don't mind, at all. Well, I don't mind being a few minutes late for my lunch, as long as its for you. If it was Luke, I would've told him to leave me alone."

She let out a laugh before following him as he started to walk away. He guided her towards the large book and opened it. He turned the pages until he got to the 'C' page. He found a blank space and wrote in her name. "What book are you checking out?"

"'Through The Looking-Glass'"

"Ahh, Lewis Carroll. You know, a lot of people said he was crazy himself. Some even say that he was put into an Asylum, and that's where he wrote the stories." Caleb said as he signed it in.

Collins, Miranda.

Lewis Carroll, Through The Looking Glass.

"And, there you go."

Miranda smiled, "Thanks Caleb."

"You are welcome."

She laughed and started to leave when Caleb called her back. She turned back around. "Hmm?"

He walked up to her and pulled her close. He leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Let's meet tonight, after curfew. I have something to show you."

Miranda looked up at him before smiling, "Okay. The doors right?"

Caleb nodded and nudged her toward the door. He smiled at her before walking away.

10:30 P.M. That night.

Miranda laid in bed, waiting for her parents to go to bed also. Her eyes were wide open, staring at the ceiling. She started to wonder why Caleb wanted her tonight, and then her thoughts turned to what he wanted to show her in the first place.

Her bedroom door suddenly opened, and Miranda quickly shut her eyes. She heard footsteps approach her bed and then she felt lips touch her forehead.

"Goodnight dear." Esther carressed her daughters cheek before leaving the room once more.

Once Miranda was sure that her mother wouldn't come back anytime soon, she threw her bedsheets off and sat up. She slipped on her shoes and stood up, heading over to her vanity. She sat down and started to set her hair up into a bun. She was considering getting a haircut, she'll have to save up her money if she wants a nice haircut.

There was a knock that came from the inside of her closet. Miranda quickly stood up and rushed over to the double doors. She pulled them open and smiled as a hand pulled her inside. She pulled closed the doors while Caleb pushed the other two open.

He was the first to jump down and when he landed he picked himself up. He turned around and motioned for her to jump and caught her when she did.

"Where are we going?"

Caleb smiled and took her (ungloved) hand in his. "I can't say it's a surprise soo... I'm just gonna say that we're going to have a very late picnic."

"O-kay." She smiled uncertainly and followed him.

After walking for awhile in the park, Caleb suddenly turned, and started guiding Miranda through a small path. Soon, they stopped in a clearing, where there was a huge tree and a little picnic was set up.

After eating and chatting, it was almost 12 in the morning.

"You know, Miranda, I actually had something planned, well 2 somethings I hope."

She rose an eyebrow in question, "What?" She watched as he dug through his pants pocket. When he withdrew his hand, he quickly closed his hand into a fist.

"Caleb, what did you plan?"

He gave her a quick kiss. Then he took a deep breath.

"Caleb, what-"

"Willyoumarryme?" His words were all jumbled as he said it in a rush.

"What?"

He took another deep breath. "Will. You. Marry. Me."

She stayed silent for awhile and now he was getting worried.

"Miran-"

She cut him off by a hard kiss to the mouth. She soon pulled away, leaving him gasping for air.

"Yes."

A smile spread across Caleb's face, he didn't need to hear her twice. He kissed her again, deeper than before. And as the kiss got deeper and deeper, Caleb slowly and carefully leaned Miranda down onto her back.

"What's wrong?" Miranda questioned, Caleb had taken hold of her hand, and when she looked up at him, his eyebrows were furrowed.

"That's my father's automobile,"

"Henry's got ours." She said, seeing her own father's automobile, remembering that Henry had asked to take it out that night.

"Isn't that your family's horse?"

They walked foward, hand in hand. Though Miranda let go of his hand briefly so as to stroke her horse. They walked up together, toward the small house, shack is more accurate.

They were packing the picnic up when Miranda heard the music playing, Caleb didn't seem to hear it at first, as he was still putting back on his clothes. After she asked him if he heard, they decided to investigate.

Now the couple was walking up the steps toward the door. Caleb opened the door to a large enough crack so that they could both see. Miranda couldn't see much, from what she couuld see, it was a meeting of some kind.

"You will find the words on page 36." A man said.

The woman that sat at the very back, close to the door, stood up. "This isn't right!"

"Sit down Esther. You shouldn't even be here. Thi is man's business." A different man said.

"It's about the children."

"Mother." Miranda whispered, her eyes were wide, shock coating her voice.

Caleb turned around, a finger to his lips. "Shh."

"And that makes it woman's business!" Esther continued, hoping beyond hope that she didn't just hear her daughter's voice.

"A mother's heart is a tender thing. These good men are trying to spare every mother in this town," The man paused. "War, is a beast!" Hee slammed his fist down on the table in front of him.

There were various agreements throughout the room.

"It consumes the young!" The man took a small breath, trying to calm himself. "I offer a shield, for the children of the righteous."

"Trading lives? Making pacts?! That's not God's way." Esther exclaims.

Caleb and Miranda stood outside, trying to understand what the meeting is about.

"Oh? You speak for God?" Said the one who had told her to sit down.

"I speak for the children." She said, her voice raised. "It's your vow but they'll be the ones to pay!"

"The men decide what's best for the women and the children. That's the way it's in the Bible. Right, Reverend?"

"From Genesis to Revelation." Said the man, who Caleb and Miranda now know as the Reverend.

Tears were welling up in her eyes and, desperately, Esther turned towards the man who had sat next to her. "Thomas Rivers, you know this is wrong."

A soft gasp escaped from Caleb, and Miranda raised a hand to his back.

Thomas met her eyes for a moment before looking away, "Esther, you know what's happening over there. It's a slaughter! Now the boys in this town are heading right into it." He tried to make her see reason earlier that day, but Esther Collins was always a stubborn one. "Ravenswood has suffered enough," He said softly. "We need to sign this pact." Thomas whispered.

Tears ran down her cheeks as she stared at the man before her.

Various replies filled the room.

"Perhaps it's for the good of us all."

"We've all had so much war sister."

The Reverend let out a smirk and he called after her before she left, "Oh, and Esther. Make sure to tell your husband that I'll be needing his signature soon. Now, as I was saying. You'll find the words on page 36."

Esther stormed out, the lamp swinging in her grip. She stomped down the stairs and was about to make her way toward her horse before she stopped. She turned suddenly, and came face to face with the two people that she did not want to see tonight.

Caleb held Miranda closer to his front, knowing that they had been caught.

"Miranda! Caleb! What are you doing here?!" She shouted in a whisper. She ran over to them and took hold of their hands. "Oh! Never mind. Come with me, we have to leave here." Esther dragged them over to the carriage.

Caleb helped Miranda get on before hauling hims self on too.

"Hurry, hurry!" Esther climbed on and took hold of the reigns.

Then, they were off, Esther hoping to get them out of Ravenswood safely before the pact was signed.

A/N: What d'a think? Good right? Pretty long too. Oh well, I hope you all enjoyed. If your not wearing green, your gonna get a pinch.