The Necklace
I ran. That is all I can say. I ran. The
screams and smell of burning flesh surrounded the church, the burning flesh of
my parents was among it and I could not bear it. The smell surrounded me and I
vomitted, and being a young lady, I ran. I don't know how long I ran but when I
got into the woods some tree or something snagged my dress and I fell. It was
then that I saw my reflection in the water. My hair was quite messy and my eyes
tearstained, but I saw that I was still the girl, no woman who was married to
Gabriel. I was still married and my husband was in danger. Personally I wished
I had not left me father or mother, what kind of daughter was I to let them
die? I would not hurt my parent's memories though; I would do what they would
want. They had died without freedom, and I would not do the same. Never.
I slept quietly as though it was my last
night. The tears, I didn't allow them to overtake me. Before I slept though I
said a prayer for my family, and for the soildiers, mostly for Gabriel, my
dearest love.
I woke up late that morning, and I knew
that the soldiers would likely return today, so I walked back up to the church,
almost with a force from above which I assumed to be my parents. I saw the soldiers
there. I tried to call out but my voice was gone from crying. I saw Gabriel
pick up something inside the church. My necklace. O god, he thought I had died.
He jumped on his horse and took off. I finally made it up the hill and with the
last of my energy shouted," Gabriel!"
I remember very little about that, but now
I am in a small room, Gabriel I believe is the person next to me, and his
father stands above. Some of the soldiers killed themselves I think. I am sure
they wonder how I survived. They will know soon. My voice is gone, from crying
maybe, and I can't speak. Gabriel tells me things. He said that his father let
the troops off for a while, and he mostly tells me he loves me. Soon I will be
able to speak and tell them everything, but for now I cry softly. Gabriel is
alive, the soldiers are okay for now, but my family is still dead. Gabriel is
putting something around my neck. It is the necklace. The presence of love is
around me. I will survive, and freedom will reign!