That evening at dinner, the children were all silent as they listened to the sounds of the cannons in the distance. Despite Hannah's insistance, Thomas had insisted on eating in his room so that he could watch for any stray soldiers making a move on the house. Benjamin had allowed him this, retreating to his own study while Abigail fed the children. Hannah sat by Margaret and Susan, trying to make the situation lighter and trying to make the children forget the unforgettable. "We're gonna have to fight them off." Nathan said suddenly. Hannah looked up at him, surprised. "Won't Father do that?" Samuel asked, a slight frown on his face as he tried to cut his meat. Nathan merely shrugged and looked at him, a knowing smile on his face. "They'll probably kill us men." He said. Then he turned to the girls and grinned. "And do Lord knows what to you women." He said with relish. Abigail stared at him in horror. "Nathan." She admonished.
"Nathan don't talk about such things. It happens. Believe me it does." Hannah said, getting up suddenly and hiding her blushing face. "Will they come in here Hannah?" Margaret whispered. "Yes they will Meg, and they'll scalp us like the Indians." Samuel chimed in. Susan whimpered and Margaret stared at him in horror. "Don't be so cruel Samuel. Susan, they won't dare do that." Hannah said, casting an angry eye upon the two boys. Suddenly, her hand began to tremble and she dropped the glass in her hand. The glass fell to the wooden floor and shattered, but no one made a move to pick it up. Her face paled as she stared at the doorway. The children stared at her, then followed the direction of her sight. They all gasped.
Then Benjamin appeared behind the person in the doorway, a gun cocked and at the stranger's back. "Slowly turn." He said quietly. The person turned, and Gabriel's sweaty face stood out at him. Hannah ran to the doorway as Gabriel moaned and fell into his father's arms. The children began to cry out and rushed toward him as Benjamin helped him to the bedroom, calling for Abigail. Hannah grabbed a water pitcher and some rags as Thomas thundered down the stairs and rushed into the bedroom. She heard him ask a few hurried questions then watched as Abigail herded him and the other children out. "Hannah, do something! I need to see Gabriel!" Thomas said, running to her. "I can't Thomas! He's hurt. I'm going to help him. I'll come tell you how he is from time to time." Hannah said quickly as she slipped into the room. The children looked at the closed door, then at Thomas. Thomas shook his head and sat down in the living room. Little Susan ran to him and lifted her arms up to him. Thomas sighed and sat her in his lap, her small face settling comfortably into his chest as they prepared to wait.
Early that morning, Hannah walked weary-eyed to the front door with the water pitcher in her hand. She dumped the bloody water onto the grass then turned and jumped as a bloody hand grasped her shoulder. The man in front of her was pale, his face covered in blood from a head wound. Some of the blood had fallen, dripping on his blood red suit. "Please Miss, I need care. Please would you help one of his Majesty's soldiers?" He was the beginning of many, both British and Colonialists. Many of the British detested the thought of having their enemy on the same porch as they, so in order to prevent a massacre, they were placed on the ground. Hannah went from man to man, often boy to boy, red coat or blue coat and comforted them and gave them water.
There were so many, so many ages. One boy looked to be Thomas' age and he drank from the ladle greedily as Hannah caressed his head gently, looking at the missing spots on his hand where fingers would never grow. Many men desired for her to write letters for them, as they feared that they were in their last hour. Many of them were right. Many died and Hannah felt badly because she could not help them. Thomas helped her with her tasks, including the British, though his face was as set as stone as he gave them water. He loosened up somewhat as he spoke to the Colonialists about the war and took down letters for them, pocketing the letters to be given to the Post Rider.
Hannah dumped another pitcher of bloody water on the ground as Benjamin approached her with more rags. "Your son, he's becoming quite the little Post Master." She said with a smile. "Yes he is. Seems to like it." Benjamin replied, watching his son. "He only likes it because he can hear about the war without seeming too obvious." Hannah scoffed as she cleaned out the inside of the pitcher. "That bothers you?" Benjamin asked as he handed her a rag. "Yes it does Mr. Martin. It bothers me. I don't want him to go to war, and I know you feel the same." She said, looking into his face. "You are right. But is it wrong that I begrudge a boy his dreams? You know him well, what do you think?" Benjamin asked. Hannah looked stopped cleaning the pitcher and looked up at him. "He is not my son. And I do not think it a dream to be killed, but if that is his wish, he is so bull-headed there is none who will stop him." She said easily.
"Please Miss, more water." A gasping voice called out from behind Hannah. She smiled at Benjamin, then stooped towards the boy with a water jug. "Yer an angel Ma'am." The boy whispered. Hannah smiled and patted his shoulder gently. He was a Continental and very young. His soulful brown eyes seemed to be almost dead with the pain that his leg caused him. "It'll be alright. You'll see." She whispered. The boy didn't speak, but merely smiled up at her weakly as he gave the jug back to her. "Don't worry Miss. We'll beat 'em yet." He said softly before slipping back into sleep. Hannah smiled and turned around. She walked up the steps as she saw a pale Gabriel emerge onto the porch.
"Are you alright?" She asked, touching his arm lightly and looking at his pale, wondering face. "Yes, I'm alright. What's going on here?" Gabriel asked, his eyes taking in all the men filling the porch and the yard beyond. "The battle that went on last night had more casualties on both sides. It started with one, then they came in hordes. Are you sure you're alright? That cut on your side is a deep one. You really shouldn't be out and about just yet." Hannah chided. Gabriel smiled and cupped her chin with his hand. "Don't worry about me." Hannah smiled. "I'm glad you're home." She whispered. Gabriel's eyes faltered a moment and he smiled wistfully. He looked as though he was going to speak again, but he stopped, his breath catching in his throat.
Hannah gazed at him in concern, then she turned to face what he was looking at. Only then did she gaze in horror at the scene before her. Men, hundreds of them, were walking through the fields towards the house. But they were not just men. They were British. Hannah could barely breath as the chief officer got off his horse and looked about at all the men. To Hannah's surprise, there was a glint of sympathy as he gazed upon them. Hannah took a step backwards as he stepped onto the porch. Strong hands gripped her shoulders and she looked up into the stern face of Thomas. She stood still, his hands on her shoulders, giving her comfort. Hannah gazed suddenly at Gabriel. He had been carrying the dispatches, she suddenly realized. Her hand reached out and grasped his voluntarily. He didn't look up, but squeezed her hand gently as the officer passed them. The officer approached Benjamin, who stood up, his shirt and face covered with the blood of other men.
Hannah held her breath as the officer began to speak, but all he said was, "Thank you, for the care of his Majesty's soldiers." Hannah saw Benjamin visibly relax and she also felt herself do the same. But the pent up fright from the events of the day returned at the sound of footsteps. She, Thomas, Gabriel and the others turned to look at the people approaching. Again Hannah's breath caught in her throat and she felt that she couldn't breath. Unlike the British soldiers here now, these men were dressed in green, but that wasn't the frightening part. Unlike the British officers, these men had no sympathy. "Green Dragoons. The leader there is the colonel." Thomas whispered in her ear. Hannah shivered and her hand grasped his. The leader stared at them with a gaze of flint, his eyes taking in the wounded men, and them. As she felt his gaze go over her, Hannah shivered and pressed closer to Thomas, who held her shoulders tighter. The British officer hurried down to the leader of the men and lifted his hat.
The officer merely stared at him and returned his attention to the numbers of soldiers on the porch and ground.. "Lieutenant, have your attachment take our wounded to our surgeons in Winsboro." Hannah glanced at Benjamin, who merely stared at the colonel. "Fire the house and barns." The family's heads snapped up and they stared at him in amazement as the colonel continued. "Let it be known that if you harbor the enemy, you will lose your home." Thomas' hands dropped from Hannah's shoulders in shock and she took one of his hands in hers, fearing that he should try rush out and try to hurt the colonel out of anger.
The colonel smiled and turned to the slaves that stood by, staring at him. "By standing orders of his Majesty King George, all slaves of the American colonies who fight for the crown, will be granted their freedom with our victory." One black man, whose name was Mark looked at him doubtfully. "Sir, we're not slaves. We work this land. Freedmen." He said, glancing uneasily at the man. The colonel rolled his eyes and began again, this time with less kindness. "Then you're 'freedmen' who will have the opportunity and privelige of fighting in the King's army aren't you?" He asked, his words ending in a snarl. The slaves glanced at the colonel, then they looked imploringly back at Benjamin. Benjamin looked at them with sad eyes, but did nothing.
Hannah looked at Thomas. He was standing next to her now and his eyes were blazing as he stared at the colonel in hate. She gulped and looked away. A soldier walked up to the colonel and Hannah squinted at what he held in his hands. Her breath caught in her throat and she glanced wildly at Gabriel. "It's the dispatches." She whispered to Thomas. Thomas looked up and his face filled with fear as he turned to his brother. The colonel looked at the bag then spoke off-handedly. "Who carried this?" No one answered. Hannah looked at Gabriel, then looked back fearfully at the colonel. The colonel looked about, then at the officer standing by him. The officer stepped forward uneasily, but shrugged.
The colonel's eyes filled with disapproval and he looked out over the crowd. "Who carried this?" He yelled angrily. Hannah held her breath and closed her eyes, praying for silence once more. "I did sir." Her eyes snapped open as Gabriel stepped forward. She made a move to grab his arm, but Gabriel's gaze stopped her. "I was wounded and these people gave me care. They have nothing to do with the dispatches." Gabriel said confidently. Hannah looked at Benjamin imploringly and saw the fear in his eyes as his first-born son stepped up to the British soldiers. The colonel glanced at him then turned to the officer who was looking up at him.
"Take this one to Camden. He is a spy. Hang him and put his body on display." A low sound came out of Hannah's throat and she made a move to rush forward, but this time it was Benjamin who stopped her, stepping forward himself as the soldiers took hold of Gabriel. "He's a dispatch rider and that's a marked case." He said hopefully. The colonel paid him no heed and began giving orders to the soldiers. "Destroy the livestock. Save the horses for Dragoons." He said casually. Benjamin stepped up closer to the colonel's steed and repeated. "Colonel, he is a uniformed dispatch rider carrying a marked case. He cannot be held as a spy." Benjamin said firmly.
"Well we're not going to hold him. We're going to hang him." The colonel said with a cruel gladness. "Colonel," Benjamin began again. "Father." Gabriel hissed under his breath. Hannah looked down at him sharply and she looked at the colonel fearfully. The colonel stared hard at Gabriel, then recognition flitted across his hard face. "Oh I see. He's your son." He said softly. Hannah stared at him in dismay. "Well perhaps you should have taught him something of loyalty." He remarked as he made a move to order the soldiers holding Gabriel to move away. "Colonel, I beg you please reconsider. By the rules of war," Benjamin broke in patiently. "The rules of war?" The colonel scoffed. "Would you like a lesson sir, in the rules of war?" He snarled, cocking his gun and pointing it at Benjamin. Benjamin didn't move or flinch, simply stared at the face behind the barrel of the gun.
The colonel looked at him for a moment, then a gleam came in his eye and he changed the direction of where the gun was pointing. Hannah's breath wouldn't come and she almost choked as she saw that the direction was pointed at her and the children. "Or perhaps your children would?" The colonel asked quietly. The children gasped and clung to Abigail. Thomas stood in front of Hannah and she made a move to push him aside. "Don't. I won't have you dying now." He whispered as she tried to push her away. "Neither will I." She hissed back, forcing him back to her side. "No lesson is necessary." Benjamin choked out as he stood in front of the children.
The officer stared at them haughtily, his cold eyes flickering from face to face. He sighed and uncocked his gun, looking down at the officer who stood beneath him. "Sir, what of the Rebel wounded?" Hannah glanced wildly at the men lying on the ground, completely helpless. "Kill them." The colonel's voice was stern and unmoving. The officer beneath him stared at him in shock. Hannah stood still, staring in horror at the massacre that was sure to come. The boy that she had given water to stared at her, his face was pleading and his eyes filled with frightened tears. Thomas gazed in pent up anger as the soldiers carried Gabriel away and began to tie his hands. Hannah looked at Benjamin as he walked wearily up the steps beside them, his eyes filled with hurt and anger.
"Father, do something!" Thomas said, his voice choked with emotion. Benjamin eyes snapped to attention at his words and he turned fiercely to Thomas. "Be quiet!" He choked. Hannah looked up at Thomas. "It's alright. We'll find a way." She whispered, but Thomas was not looking at her. He was looking past her, at his brother as he was being tied. Tears began to fill Hannah's eyes as she watched Gabriel's frightened face and she turned away. She turned around and grasped young Samuel to her, who was staring at the officers in frightened shock. Suddenly a pounding of footsteps sounded behind her and she whirled around to see Thomas running as fast as he could towards Gabriel. He shoved into the soldiers binding him, sending them sprawling. "Gabriel run!" He yelled, pushing his brother away.
Hannah stared at him in shock, then her eyes flickered as out of the corner of her eye she saw the colonel raise his gun once more. Everything seemed to move in slow motion, the rising of the gun, the frantic running of Benjamin as he rushed towards Thomas, the fear in Gabriel's eyes, the determined stride of Thomas, then the powder of the gun flying everywhere, Benjamin's anguished yell, the convulsion of Thomas' body as the bullet passed through his chest, the twisting of Thomas' gangly legs as they fell beneath him into his father's arms, the yell from Gabriel as he watched his brother fall, the anguished scream Hannah recognized as her own. She ran down the steps and tripped over her skirts, but quickly jumped up and ran to Thomas. He was in Benjamin's arms now, his face becoming pale, his breath coming out as panting as he realized what had happened, his fingers touched the wound in disbelief, his eyes flitting up to his father's face.
Hannah fell to the ground beside the two of them and touched Thomas' hand. His gaze flickered up towards her and he smiled slightly, but it was a smile that reflected the pain he felt. "Stupid boy." The words that came from behind her, filled her with fury and she had half a mind to jump up and kill the colonel with his own gun. But she didn't. She merely choked down her anger and stroked Thomas' hand as his breath came out slower and slower. His face began to get pale quickly and his breath became labored as she gazed at him, tears falling off her cheeks. Thomas weakly reached his hand up and touched her face, then dropped his hand and gazed at Benjamin, his eyes pleading. Tears began to fill Benjamin's eyes as he rocked his son slightly, his eyes staring at his son's. Thomas gazed at him a moment more, before his breath ceased. His face that was contorted in pain but a moment ago, relaxed and the green eyes closed for the final time.
Hannah gazed at him, still stroking his hand, almost believing that he would come back if she kept touching him and if Benjamin kept holding him. But those eyes didn't open any more. They remained closed and the white fingers grasped about her own, were still. No reassuring squeeze came from his palm. Nothing. There was nothing.
"Nathan don't talk about such things. It happens. Believe me it does." Hannah said, getting up suddenly and hiding her blushing face. "Will they come in here Hannah?" Margaret whispered. "Yes they will Meg, and they'll scalp us like the Indians." Samuel chimed in. Susan whimpered and Margaret stared at him in horror. "Don't be so cruel Samuel. Susan, they won't dare do that." Hannah said, casting an angry eye upon the two boys. Suddenly, her hand began to tremble and she dropped the glass in her hand. The glass fell to the wooden floor and shattered, but no one made a move to pick it up. Her face paled as she stared at the doorway. The children stared at her, then followed the direction of her sight. They all gasped.
Then Benjamin appeared behind the person in the doorway, a gun cocked and at the stranger's back. "Slowly turn." He said quietly. The person turned, and Gabriel's sweaty face stood out at him. Hannah ran to the doorway as Gabriel moaned and fell into his father's arms. The children began to cry out and rushed toward him as Benjamin helped him to the bedroom, calling for Abigail. Hannah grabbed a water pitcher and some rags as Thomas thundered down the stairs and rushed into the bedroom. She heard him ask a few hurried questions then watched as Abigail herded him and the other children out. "Hannah, do something! I need to see Gabriel!" Thomas said, running to her. "I can't Thomas! He's hurt. I'm going to help him. I'll come tell you how he is from time to time." Hannah said quickly as she slipped into the room. The children looked at the closed door, then at Thomas. Thomas shook his head and sat down in the living room. Little Susan ran to him and lifted her arms up to him. Thomas sighed and sat her in his lap, her small face settling comfortably into his chest as they prepared to wait.
Early that morning, Hannah walked weary-eyed to the front door with the water pitcher in her hand. She dumped the bloody water onto the grass then turned and jumped as a bloody hand grasped her shoulder. The man in front of her was pale, his face covered in blood from a head wound. Some of the blood had fallen, dripping on his blood red suit. "Please Miss, I need care. Please would you help one of his Majesty's soldiers?" He was the beginning of many, both British and Colonialists. Many of the British detested the thought of having their enemy on the same porch as they, so in order to prevent a massacre, they were placed on the ground. Hannah went from man to man, often boy to boy, red coat or blue coat and comforted them and gave them water.
There were so many, so many ages. One boy looked to be Thomas' age and he drank from the ladle greedily as Hannah caressed his head gently, looking at the missing spots on his hand where fingers would never grow. Many men desired for her to write letters for them, as they feared that they were in their last hour. Many of them were right. Many died and Hannah felt badly because she could not help them. Thomas helped her with her tasks, including the British, though his face was as set as stone as he gave them water. He loosened up somewhat as he spoke to the Colonialists about the war and took down letters for them, pocketing the letters to be given to the Post Rider.
Hannah dumped another pitcher of bloody water on the ground as Benjamin approached her with more rags. "Your son, he's becoming quite the little Post Master." She said with a smile. "Yes he is. Seems to like it." Benjamin replied, watching his son. "He only likes it because he can hear about the war without seeming too obvious." Hannah scoffed as she cleaned out the inside of the pitcher. "That bothers you?" Benjamin asked as he handed her a rag. "Yes it does Mr. Martin. It bothers me. I don't want him to go to war, and I know you feel the same." She said, looking into his face. "You are right. But is it wrong that I begrudge a boy his dreams? You know him well, what do you think?" Benjamin asked. Hannah looked stopped cleaning the pitcher and looked up at him. "He is not my son. And I do not think it a dream to be killed, but if that is his wish, he is so bull-headed there is none who will stop him." She said easily.
"Please Miss, more water." A gasping voice called out from behind Hannah. She smiled at Benjamin, then stooped towards the boy with a water jug. "Yer an angel Ma'am." The boy whispered. Hannah smiled and patted his shoulder gently. He was a Continental and very young. His soulful brown eyes seemed to be almost dead with the pain that his leg caused him. "It'll be alright. You'll see." She whispered. The boy didn't speak, but merely smiled up at her weakly as he gave the jug back to her. "Don't worry Miss. We'll beat 'em yet." He said softly before slipping back into sleep. Hannah smiled and turned around. She walked up the steps as she saw a pale Gabriel emerge onto the porch.
"Are you alright?" She asked, touching his arm lightly and looking at his pale, wondering face. "Yes, I'm alright. What's going on here?" Gabriel asked, his eyes taking in all the men filling the porch and the yard beyond. "The battle that went on last night had more casualties on both sides. It started with one, then they came in hordes. Are you sure you're alright? That cut on your side is a deep one. You really shouldn't be out and about just yet." Hannah chided. Gabriel smiled and cupped her chin with his hand. "Don't worry about me." Hannah smiled. "I'm glad you're home." She whispered. Gabriel's eyes faltered a moment and he smiled wistfully. He looked as though he was going to speak again, but he stopped, his breath catching in his throat.
Hannah gazed at him in concern, then she turned to face what he was looking at. Only then did she gaze in horror at the scene before her. Men, hundreds of them, were walking through the fields towards the house. But they were not just men. They were British. Hannah could barely breath as the chief officer got off his horse and looked about at all the men. To Hannah's surprise, there was a glint of sympathy as he gazed upon them. Hannah took a step backwards as he stepped onto the porch. Strong hands gripped her shoulders and she looked up into the stern face of Thomas. She stood still, his hands on her shoulders, giving her comfort. Hannah gazed suddenly at Gabriel. He had been carrying the dispatches, she suddenly realized. Her hand reached out and grasped his voluntarily. He didn't look up, but squeezed her hand gently as the officer passed them. The officer approached Benjamin, who stood up, his shirt and face covered with the blood of other men.
Hannah held her breath as the officer began to speak, but all he said was, "Thank you, for the care of his Majesty's soldiers." Hannah saw Benjamin visibly relax and she also felt herself do the same. But the pent up fright from the events of the day returned at the sound of footsteps. She, Thomas, Gabriel and the others turned to look at the people approaching. Again Hannah's breath caught in her throat and she felt that she couldn't breath. Unlike the British soldiers here now, these men were dressed in green, but that wasn't the frightening part. Unlike the British officers, these men had no sympathy. "Green Dragoons. The leader there is the colonel." Thomas whispered in her ear. Hannah shivered and her hand grasped his. The leader stared at them with a gaze of flint, his eyes taking in the wounded men, and them. As she felt his gaze go over her, Hannah shivered and pressed closer to Thomas, who held her shoulders tighter. The British officer hurried down to the leader of the men and lifted his hat.
The officer merely stared at him and returned his attention to the numbers of soldiers on the porch and ground.. "Lieutenant, have your attachment take our wounded to our surgeons in Winsboro." Hannah glanced at Benjamin, who merely stared at the colonel. "Fire the house and barns." The family's heads snapped up and they stared at him in amazement as the colonel continued. "Let it be known that if you harbor the enemy, you will lose your home." Thomas' hands dropped from Hannah's shoulders in shock and she took one of his hands in hers, fearing that he should try rush out and try to hurt the colonel out of anger.
The colonel smiled and turned to the slaves that stood by, staring at him. "By standing orders of his Majesty King George, all slaves of the American colonies who fight for the crown, will be granted their freedom with our victory." One black man, whose name was Mark looked at him doubtfully. "Sir, we're not slaves. We work this land. Freedmen." He said, glancing uneasily at the man. The colonel rolled his eyes and began again, this time with less kindness. "Then you're 'freedmen' who will have the opportunity and privelige of fighting in the King's army aren't you?" He asked, his words ending in a snarl. The slaves glanced at the colonel, then they looked imploringly back at Benjamin. Benjamin looked at them with sad eyes, but did nothing.
Hannah looked at Thomas. He was standing next to her now and his eyes were blazing as he stared at the colonel in hate. She gulped and looked away. A soldier walked up to the colonel and Hannah squinted at what he held in his hands. Her breath caught in her throat and she glanced wildly at Gabriel. "It's the dispatches." She whispered to Thomas. Thomas looked up and his face filled with fear as he turned to his brother. The colonel looked at the bag then spoke off-handedly. "Who carried this?" No one answered. Hannah looked at Gabriel, then looked back fearfully at the colonel. The colonel looked about, then at the officer standing by him. The officer stepped forward uneasily, but shrugged.
The colonel's eyes filled with disapproval and he looked out over the crowd. "Who carried this?" He yelled angrily. Hannah held her breath and closed her eyes, praying for silence once more. "I did sir." Her eyes snapped open as Gabriel stepped forward. She made a move to grab his arm, but Gabriel's gaze stopped her. "I was wounded and these people gave me care. They have nothing to do with the dispatches." Gabriel said confidently. Hannah looked at Benjamin imploringly and saw the fear in his eyes as his first-born son stepped up to the British soldiers. The colonel glanced at him then turned to the officer who was looking up at him.
"Take this one to Camden. He is a spy. Hang him and put his body on display." A low sound came out of Hannah's throat and she made a move to rush forward, but this time it was Benjamin who stopped her, stepping forward himself as the soldiers took hold of Gabriel. "He's a dispatch rider and that's a marked case." He said hopefully. The colonel paid him no heed and began giving orders to the soldiers. "Destroy the livestock. Save the horses for Dragoons." He said casually. Benjamin stepped up closer to the colonel's steed and repeated. "Colonel, he is a uniformed dispatch rider carrying a marked case. He cannot be held as a spy." Benjamin said firmly.
"Well we're not going to hold him. We're going to hang him." The colonel said with a cruel gladness. "Colonel," Benjamin began again. "Father." Gabriel hissed under his breath. Hannah looked down at him sharply and she looked at the colonel fearfully. The colonel stared hard at Gabriel, then recognition flitted across his hard face. "Oh I see. He's your son." He said softly. Hannah stared at him in dismay. "Well perhaps you should have taught him something of loyalty." He remarked as he made a move to order the soldiers holding Gabriel to move away. "Colonel, I beg you please reconsider. By the rules of war," Benjamin broke in patiently. "The rules of war?" The colonel scoffed. "Would you like a lesson sir, in the rules of war?" He snarled, cocking his gun and pointing it at Benjamin. Benjamin didn't move or flinch, simply stared at the face behind the barrel of the gun.
The colonel looked at him for a moment, then a gleam came in his eye and he changed the direction of where the gun was pointing. Hannah's breath wouldn't come and she almost choked as she saw that the direction was pointed at her and the children. "Or perhaps your children would?" The colonel asked quietly. The children gasped and clung to Abigail. Thomas stood in front of Hannah and she made a move to push him aside. "Don't. I won't have you dying now." He whispered as she tried to push her away. "Neither will I." She hissed back, forcing him back to her side. "No lesson is necessary." Benjamin choked out as he stood in front of the children.
The officer stared at them haughtily, his cold eyes flickering from face to face. He sighed and uncocked his gun, looking down at the officer who stood beneath him. "Sir, what of the Rebel wounded?" Hannah glanced wildly at the men lying on the ground, completely helpless. "Kill them." The colonel's voice was stern and unmoving. The officer beneath him stared at him in shock. Hannah stood still, staring in horror at the massacre that was sure to come. The boy that she had given water to stared at her, his face was pleading and his eyes filled with frightened tears. Thomas gazed in pent up anger as the soldiers carried Gabriel away and began to tie his hands. Hannah looked at Benjamin as he walked wearily up the steps beside them, his eyes filled with hurt and anger.
"Father, do something!" Thomas said, his voice choked with emotion. Benjamin eyes snapped to attention at his words and he turned fiercely to Thomas. "Be quiet!" He choked. Hannah looked up at Thomas. "It's alright. We'll find a way." She whispered, but Thomas was not looking at her. He was looking past her, at his brother as he was being tied. Tears began to fill Hannah's eyes as she watched Gabriel's frightened face and she turned away. She turned around and grasped young Samuel to her, who was staring at the officers in frightened shock. Suddenly a pounding of footsteps sounded behind her and she whirled around to see Thomas running as fast as he could towards Gabriel. He shoved into the soldiers binding him, sending them sprawling. "Gabriel run!" He yelled, pushing his brother away.
Hannah stared at him in shock, then her eyes flickered as out of the corner of her eye she saw the colonel raise his gun once more. Everything seemed to move in slow motion, the rising of the gun, the frantic running of Benjamin as he rushed towards Thomas, the fear in Gabriel's eyes, the determined stride of Thomas, then the powder of the gun flying everywhere, Benjamin's anguished yell, the convulsion of Thomas' body as the bullet passed through his chest, the twisting of Thomas' gangly legs as they fell beneath him into his father's arms, the yell from Gabriel as he watched his brother fall, the anguished scream Hannah recognized as her own. She ran down the steps and tripped over her skirts, but quickly jumped up and ran to Thomas. He was in Benjamin's arms now, his face becoming pale, his breath coming out as panting as he realized what had happened, his fingers touched the wound in disbelief, his eyes flitting up to his father's face.
Hannah fell to the ground beside the two of them and touched Thomas' hand. His gaze flickered up towards her and he smiled slightly, but it was a smile that reflected the pain he felt. "Stupid boy." The words that came from behind her, filled her with fury and she had half a mind to jump up and kill the colonel with his own gun. But she didn't. She merely choked down her anger and stroked Thomas' hand as his breath came out slower and slower. His face began to get pale quickly and his breath became labored as she gazed at him, tears falling off her cheeks. Thomas weakly reached his hand up and touched her face, then dropped his hand and gazed at Benjamin, his eyes pleading. Tears began to fill Benjamin's eyes as he rocked his son slightly, his eyes staring at his son's. Thomas gazed at him a moment more, before his breath ceased. His face that was contorted in pain but a moment ago, relaxed and the green eyes closed for the final time.
Hannah gazed at him, still stroking his hand, almost believing that he would come back if she kept touching him and if Benjamin kept holding him. But those eyes didn't open any more. They remained closed and the white fingers grasped about her own, were still. No reassuring squeeze came from his palm. Nothing. There was nothing.