Eliza is knitting a scarf for their new son or daughter when a knock sounds on the door. She stands to open it. On the other side is a young officer, looking too young to have a command position. Eliza supposes he is a messenger.
"May I come in, please?" He asks timidly. "I bring news of your husband. "
"Please do." Eliza replies, immediately concerned. "Has something happened?"
"General Washington was expecting correspondence from him three days ago, but he has not yet arrived at camp. Three of the men closest to him have gone searching.
"But they expect him unharmed?" Eliza asks, knowing that despite being upset, yelling at the messenger will do no good.
"Yes. He is expected to be safe. We have not yet heard back from the searchers."
"Please do your best to bring him home safely, I wish to tell him of his son or daughter." Eliza tells the messenger, touching her stomach gently.
"Of course, ma'am." The man smiles as Eliza opens the door to allow him out.
Eliza sighs as she closes the door and settles back into her chair. She picks up the knitting needles once more. Well, there is nothing left to do but wait.
X
Alexander is rudely awoken by the sound of the cell door clanging against the wall.
Benedict Arnold comes back in accompanied by an officer dressed in red.
"Ah, what now?" Alexander mumbles, grouchy at being woken from sleep and not much caring about respect.
"We'd all prefer if you showed a little respect, Alexander. Or George might suffer." Benedict sneers.
"General Washington?" Alexander sits up, wide awake. "What have you done to him? And does he know that you have joined the British?"
"I'm pretty damn sure. I set off cannons near his home one morning, so he probably knows. And your father-in-law didn't tell you I switched sides? I fought him plenty of times." Benedict laughs unkindly.
"What about General Washington? You know I won't speak about him or his plans." Alexander insists.
"Oh, don't worry, I have something in mind for him. You just rest up. You'll need it for interrogation later." Benedict laughs maliciously as he gestures for the officer to follow him and shut the door.
A few hours later, officers that Alexander has never seen before come in and grab his arms and legs.
"Where are you taking me?" Alexander asks.
No one bothers to answer.
X
George paces back and forth. What could possibly be keeping John, Lafayette, and Hercules?
Perhaps they found him and had to rescue him and treat any injuries before heading back to camp. But if that were the case, George would expect a letter. It was unfair to do this without George's permission.
Oh, never mind that. George's mind reprimanded. All that mattered was finding Alexander and returning him to camp. George would never forgive himself if something happened to Alexander.
X
John swears. Why can't they find the ship from close up?
Lafayette had seen the ship from the harbor, but now that they were up close it was hard to tell. The flag had been changed, to avoid attacks from colonial ships, which made it even more difficult.
John knows that he must keep his particular affection for Alexander under wraps, since Lafayette and Hercules would likely not take kindly to such information. However, John is extremely concerned for Alexander's safety.
John is about to ask Lafayette if he knows which ship for the 5,000th time when he hears Lafayette's distinctly French accent.
"Mes amis! Je vois le bateau!"
John's heart soars. Lafayette has seen the boat!
"There's the porthole he must have thrown the paper from!" exclaims Hercules, pointing to a very small porthole on the side of the ship.
They steer the boat over to the window, and tap gently on it to rouse Alexander, but not enough to alert the other officers.
There is no response.
Well, that's that. Please review with suggestions!
Jessie B: It is lovely to see you back at the story. You are absolutely right, it is Lumiere. I knew something looked weird. Thank you so much for bringing it to my attention.
-HamiltonAsparagus ;)