Thought's = '_'

Talking = "_"

Native American = {_}

An Action(Ex. Letting out a sigh) = *_*

Projecting thought to another = ''_''

P.O.V Najwa

(September 18, 1862)

I was working in the kids rooms when they came running in, "Najwa! Najwa! We got a letter from Pa!" Alexander screamed excitedly. "Oh really? What did it say?" I was genuinely curious, they only talked about their father a little bit and their mother even less. "Pa says he's in Richmond right now! He also said that he may be able to leave and come and visit us!" Amelia announced happily, even Ava who was usually a downer looked excited. I couldn't help but smile as they jumped around, "Well why don't you go draw something for him if he does come here?" I suggested, their eyes lit up before running off.

(Small Time Skip, sponsored by my lack of ideas)

I walked into their playroom to see charcoal and paper strung out everywhere on the floor. The kids were all focused on their papers barely paying me any attention, I couldn't help but look at Ava's drawing a lot more detailed than the rest. "That's really good Ava! Who is it that you're drawing?" I asked. Ava froze, the rest of the kids took one look at the paper and froze too, except for Alexander, "That's Ma…. I think at least…" Ava sent him a scathing look, I would usually drop it at that but I was too curious.

"Really? Can you tell me about her?" I asked, Ava fiddled with her piece of charcoal for a couple of seconds before letting out a sigh. "I can't remember much for some reason… Ma was super nice though. We had a black family that lived next to us, they used to be our slaves but Ma freed them." I couldn't help but be surprised by that, the only cases I've ever heard of a slave being freed was them paying for their freedom.

"I can still remember Ma's blue eyes and blond hair though… I just want to go home…" Ava said sorrowfully, tears springing to her eyes. I felt bad for bringing it up now, "How about we go get you four cleaned up and get some dinner?" After a few seconds Ava nodded, getting up she trudged out of the room the others following close behind.

(Time Skip)

(October 10, 1862)

I woke up groggy, looking around the room that my masters had given me since I was the kids servant. I tried to go back to sleep but after a few minutes I gave up and decided to check on the kids. I creaked open the door slowly, the candle in my hand lightly lighting the room, I let out a gasp seeing the beds all empty except for the blankets at the end. I ran to the window to see five figures heading towards the woods, four of them the height of the kids. I quickly took off, running to my room to grab a jacket before following them.

After at least four minutes I caught up with them. A tall man in a uniform led the kids away, I could faintly hear the warning bells from the plantation ringing behind me. The kids happily bounced around him giggling silently, the man bent down, grabbing something out of his pocket before lighting it. The candle lit up the area, illuminating the man. I could now tell he was in a Union uniform, he had blond hair and blue eyes, I couldn't help but feel like I've seen him from somewhere.

"Hey, how have my little ones been?" he asked softly, a little smile on his face. Alexander flinged himself at the man, tears streaming out of his eyes, "I've missed you so much…" he said muffled by the clothes as he buried his head in the young man's chest. The girls quickly tackled the man too, the man hugged them all, his own eyes filled with tears, "I've missed you all too.."

Pulling back he looked at the kids, "Where's your father?" Ava stepped up this time, "Last note he sent he was in Richmond." The man nodded, before starting to get up, "Ok, let's go." The clicking of a rifle made the man spin around and made me focused on where it was coming from. Standing there was a boy with dirty blond hair and green eyes in a Confederate Uniform, rifle aimed at the man, "I can't let you do that Ma…"

I slowly moved around to get a better view, the blue eyed man stood there with wide eyes before a softer look came over them. "Look how big you've already grown since I've seen you, Mateo." Tears shown in Mateo's eyes and the rifle shook from his unsteady hands, "I didn't want to leave Ma…. None of us did!" tears were streaming down his eyes now. "Pa had to! I overheard Davis and Pa talkin' once! He threatened to hurt all of us if Pa didn't cooperate! We never wanted to leave!" he cried out, "P-please for-forgive us, Ma…."

The man just smiled softly, "Shh, it's fine my baby. I forgive you. I forgive your father too." The man started walking towards Mateo, the rifle that had been pointed up at him was slowly pointing away, shaking the entire time.

"BAM!"

My heart leapt and everything froze, the man slowly looked down starting to cough, blood was quickly turning his blue uniform dark around his chest. A stronger cough caused blood to pour out of his mouth and make him stumble, "Ma…?" Mateo took a step forward, but the man had already started to collapse. "MA!" the children cried out running to the downed man, Abram O'Doherty walked out of the woods a pistol smoking in his hands and a smug grin smacked on his face.

"Over here boys!" he called out, about 12 men came out guns at the ready. Mr. O'Doherty sauntered over kicking the downed Union soldier in the side causing more blood to be coughed up. "Looks like we got ourselves a Yankee Bastard!" "Bit far from the battle don't you think, O'Doherty?" one of the men asked, Mr. O'Doherty nodded, before delivering another hard kick to the man. The children cried out, bringing my attention back to them. They had decided to try and push Mr. O'Doherty off of the man, Mateo still stood there frozen in place staring at the dying man.

Mr. O'Doherty finally having enough of it pushed the children away, "Grab the kids and take them back!" The kids struggled as the men came over and grabbed them, "MA! MA! Ma wake up!" The man was still choking up blood but his eyes were slowly slipping closed, Mr. O'Doherty delivered another sharp kick to the man. Finally it snapped Mateo out of his trance, with a cry he tackled Mr. O'Doherty to the ground. Four men had to come peel him off kicking and fighting all the way. Mr. O'Doherty got up, brushing himself off, "Take them back!" he growled out. The men pulled them all away, the children kicked and screamed, Mateo fought harder, letting out rebel battle cries that almost caused the men to release him.

After they were far enough away, one of the four men left looked to Mr. O'Doherty, "What do we do with the body?" Mr. O'Doherty looked down and delivered another kick, no reaction came, the Union soldier stared lifelessly at the starry sky, blood staining his mouth, "Leave him for the coyotes." Mr. O'Doherty ordered before turning and walking away, the men following after him after a little hesitation. I watched them go before looking back, 'I could make a run for it… But the children need someone..' with that in mind I turn away heading back to the plantation.

The moon was now sliding closer and closer to the horizon, scavengers howled and hissed at each other as they moved towards the smell of blood. A coyote broke through first, looking around cautiously before moving to the fresh meat. It sank its teeth into the flesh of the leg, bunching its muscles to tear the flesh off; it didn't see the hand that broke its neck in one go. The now living man tore the dead coyote off his leg before standing up stumbling some. He looked in the direction of the plantation with sadness before limping off in the other direction.

Author's Note:

Two chapters in a day and wow, I really need to give more happy chapters. But it's not happening now! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and till next time! Peace!

-Azar