Hey everybody, sorry it has been so long since I have updated, but writer's block really sucks. As of lately though, all of the new COTC fics have really inspired me to get my butt back to work on this one. So for all of you who have read, reviewed, and urged me forward...this is for you. Apologizies in advance for this being so short.
RAIN ON THE SCARECROW
John Mellencamp
Scarecrow on a wooden cross
Blackbird in the barn
Four hundred empty acres
That used to be my farm
I grew up like my daddy did
My grandpa cleared this land
When I was five, I walked the fence
While grandpa held my hand
Rain on the scarecrow
Blood on the plow
This land fed a nation
This land made me proud
And son, I'm sorry there's no legacy for you now
Rain on the scarecrow
Blood on the plow
Rain on the scarecrow
Blood on the plow
The crops we grew last summer
Weren't enough to pay the loans
Couldn't buy the seed to plant this spring
and the farmers bank foreclosed
Called my old friend Schepman up
to auction off the land
He said John, it's just my job
and I hope you understand
Hey calling it your job ol' hoss
sure don't make it right
But if you want me to
I'll say a prayer for your soul tonight
And grandma's on the front porch swing
with a bible in her hand
Sometimes I hear her singing
"Take me to the promised land"
When you take away a man's dignity
He can't work his fields and cows
There'll be blood on the scarecrow
Blood on the plow
Blood on the scarecrow
Blood on the plow
Well there's ninety-seven crosses
Planted in the courthouse yard
Ninety-seven families
who lost ninety-seven farms
I think about my grandpa and my neighbors and my name
And some nights I feel like dyin'
Like that scarecrow in the rain
Rain on the scarecrow
Blood on the plow
This land fed a nation
This land made me proud
And son I'm sorry
there's just memories for you now
Rain on the scarecrow
Blood on the plow
Rain on the scarecrow
Blood on the plow
There was a long silence. "I...I...How?", Sarah asked finally, exasperated. She peered closer towards the windshield for a closer look. Job pulled her back roughly, protectively, and looked at her sternly. "I don't know how. Do you want them to see us?" He let out a slow breath and turned his attention back to the awful vision in front of them. Sarah was shaking her head in disbelief. "But Isaac killed him...", she stopped in mid-sentence and looked at her brother with dread, "What if Isaac is still alive? What if...?" Job looked back at her trying not to show his dismay. "It's possible. Right now, I guess I'd believe anything...but we better get out of here and get rid of the car for now somehow. We can go back to the house for awhile." Job slowly put the car in reverse and started to back out onto the main road.
Malachai had noticed the intruders, but said nothing to the girl. They had not interrupted now, so he would deal with them later. He turned back to the now weeping girl. His limited patience would not allow him to feel any compassion towards her and her tears were starting to make his stomach turn. Under any other circumstances, he might have struck her. But much like her need to gain answers to her questions, he needed to gain her trust if she was going to fullfill her purpose.
He came to her side and watched her face. She had already slipped off the watch and was turning it over in her hands, staring out at the water, tears sliding down her cheeks silently. He took her hand and held it out over the drop-off. She looked at him with hesitation. Malachai nodded and gently forced her fingers open. Christine gasped without realization as the watch plummeted to the water's surface and submerged. The shallow splash echoed in her ears.
He released her hand. It was done. The first step to bringing her back into the fold. He hid a smile at this thought. She didn't seem to have the slightest inkling that she was in danger and he wanted it kept that way--until it was too late--and then she would have no choice--she would have his son. The very reason why he had tried to stop she and her mother from fleeing. The very reason he had been tempted to sacrifice her mother to He Who Walks Behind The Rows after he had learned about her baptism at the false church. It won't matter for much longer, he thought, she will learn she cannot escape her destiny.
"Did you say something about...about the sun?", Christine asked in a timid voice. Malachai looked directly at her, startled out of his thoughts. She watched him carefully. He looked disheveled, almost as much as herself. His eyes narrowed and he looked at her hard.
"Come...there are some people I want you to meet." Malachai said, avoiding her question. Christine looked at him funny but he hadnt noticed. She was sure that she had heard him say something about the sun. She started to follow him back towards town. Her tears had stopped but she couldn't help thinking that all of this was a lot stranger and harder than she ever could have imagined.
As if on cue, Malachai slowed his pace and took one of her hands with his. He clasped it tightly in a possessive way that she didn't entirely mind.
Okay, guys...I warned you this would be short. Next chap should be up within a week or so. Promise) R&R please!