Alexander wakes up to a stinging sensation on his cheek. He sits up, certain that another beating is due.
He is face-to-face with a woman with kind dark eyes and hair tied neatly back wearing an apron and holding a cotton ball.
"John, he's awake!" The woman calls into the house.
She turns back to Alexander and dabs the cotton ball, which smells strongly of an acidic liquid, on a cut on his cheek.
Alexander flinches and swats at her hands.
"Now, now, I'm a nurse. I have to keep this from getting infected. I doubt you remember my name, you were pretty messed up last night." She chides.
Alexander nods.
"It's Angelica." She says helpfully.
"Hello, Mistress Angelica. What do I need to do?" Alexander mumbles.
"Absolutely nothing." Angelica says firmly.
"But, James always had things for me to do." Alexander says, surprised.
"You are not at James's house anymore. We are here to help you, " announces a voice from inside the house.
Alexander turns to see that the voice belongs to John, looking very stylish and flanked by the other members he remembers from last night.
"Masters!" Alexander cries, bending into a bow.
"Please stand upright." insists a dark skinned gentleman.
"But sir! I am ready to complete your commands!" Alexander shouts.
"Not in that state." replies a voice with a thick French accent. "You still have a cut on your face, and several more on your back that we saw while you were asleep."
Alexander blushes. "I am sorry you had to see that, masters. I will cover them better next time."
A woman in a pale yellow dress and hair tied back with a yellow ribbon, which is not affecting her curly brown hair speaks up. "No, Alex, we want to see them. We want to help you."
Alexander is sure she is joking. No one wants to see the punishment for useless slaves. Unless he or she wants to make it worse. Alexander is scared he is about to get more scars.
"Don't worry," soothes Angelica. "We'll get James Reynolds back for what he has done to you. Just let us see the scars, we can use them as evidence."
Evidence? Alexander's eyes widen. Are they going to take a case against Alexander? Will he be imprisoned?
Seeing this surprise, Aaron kneels to talk to Alexander. "We are going to sue James Reynolds in court for the harm he has caused you. Please let us help."
"N-no! H-He'll find me! I can't let him find me, he'll take me back!" Alexander panics, being sent into hysterics.
"Alexander, do not worry." John soothes, using his calming southern drawl.
Alexander looks into John's eyes and sees his good intentions. He relaxes, and the group breathes a sigh of relief.
The day goes by in investigating Alexander's scars and creating the case against James. Before they know it, it's time to sleep.
John and Eliza escort Alexander to his bed, with the others close behind. They tuck him in, and then head to their own bedrooms.
Alexander falls into a fitful sleep quickly.
He is twelve years old. His father has just sold him to some men, and Alexander is tugged along with them. He stays for a few days in a
Then, suddenly the men come and bind his hands. They escort him into a car, driving him to a dark building with no windows. He takes a deep breath.
Soon he is on stage, and he sees a man yelling and pointing at him.
"SOLD!" He yells. "To Mr. James Reynolds, for $3000!"
Sold? What does that mean?
He is grabbed roughly after the auction and dragged to a limousine. The man, James Reynolds, whispers threateningly at him.
"You are my slave. You will do as I command. If you do not obey, I will not hesitate to whip you."
Alexander nods, too scared to utter words.
He is thrown in the back of the limousine. They drive a very short distance, and Alexander is pulled out of the car and unshackled.
He tries to make a break for it, but he is very weak already.
The chauffeur runs after him, quickly bringing him back to James, who has gone inside.
"Trying to run away?" screams James. "Looks like you need a whipping!"
The whip snaps threateningly in James's hand, and Alexander braces himself for pain.
But it's nothing compared to what he gets. The whip cuts into Alexander's chest, drawing blood. Alexander can feel the marks on his chest. The whip snaps again and again, and Alexander is feeling hopeless.
He knows 8 years of torture will follow.
But even so, when the whip lands in the same place it has already bruised and cuts into the skin…
Alexander wakes up screaming. He breathes shallowly, trying to regain control of himself. James will whip him for this.
He hears footsteps in the hall, and the door bursts open.
"Alexander, Alexander, are you all right?" Alexander recognizes John's soft, patient voice.
"S-Sorry, it won't happen again. J-Just please don't w-whip me!" He pleads.
"No one is going to hurt you, Alexander. Please calm down." John says kindly, striking Alexander about how pleasant he seems, even at night after being woken up.
Slowly, John coaches Alexander back to sleep. Just before he falls asleep, Alexander apologizes again.
"I'm very sorry, Mr. Laurens. I didn't mean to wake you."
"Please, it's John. And it's okay, I know you had some traumatic experiences. If you ever need anything else, my room is right next to this one, please come over." John replies.
"Okay, Mr. Laurens." acquiesces Alexander.
John sighs quietly, Alexander is so used to formality. But hopefully soon Alexander will feel comfortable enough to call him John.
X
The nightmares continue for several days. Alexander starts to get cranky about how much he is troubled, and about waking John up all the time. John seems unbothered, always coming quickly into Alexander's room and knowing exactly what to do to calm him down.
Alexander is just starting to feel comfortable in the house when one day he walks past the conference room that the group uses for discussions.
He hears John's voice asking a question.
He catches the words beatings, slavery, and I'm so angry from another voice. He vaguely recognizes it as Aaron's.
But then he realizes the voices are raised. He knows what that means. A beating is imminent. And those words are suggestive as well. How could these people do this? He was just beginning to trust them! And John too!
He screams, and is vaguely aware of running footsteps and the door opening.
He sees John, Aaron, and Hercules and Lafayette, who he had not heard in the room, come running.
"Please breathe, Alex. Don't worry, nothing will happen."
But it's too late. He is spiraling deeper and deeper into a panic attack, and John and the other's voices sound far away. He can't be beaten again! He's just healing!
Just before he becomes unconscious, he hears another voice enter, a softer one.
"Alexander, please calm down. Breathe." instructs a swaying figure in a pale blue dress.
Alexander dully recognizes it as Eliza.
He follows her instructions, she reminds him so much of his mother, and slowly falls asleep.
Angelica sighs. "He is physically healing, but his mental and emotional health will take much longer."
The group agrees.
John and Eliza offer to bring Alexander to his bedroom. Eliza takes his arms, while John inspects the lower half of Alexander's body.
They carry him to his room, and set him on the bed. Eliza gently places a kiss on Alexander's forehead, before slipping out of the room.
John looks around to check if anyone is around before doing the same. He brushes a strand of hair out of Alexander's face and kisses his forehead. He admires how handsome Alexander is, despite his situation, before slipping out and quietly clicking the door shut.
X
When Alexander wakes up, dawn's light is creeping under the door. He sits up, rubbing his eyes.
A few moments later, the door opens and Aaron Burr comes in. He perches on the edge of Alexander's bed.
"Alexander, there are no courts for the next six months, but we will get your case in as soon as possible."
Alexander nods, realizing that these people truly want to help him. He is surprised, no one has cared about him since his mother died, and it is an odd feeling.
Aaron smiles, and leaves the room.
Alexander feels more comfortable in this house, and he is able to say whatever he pleases without fear of reprimand. If he says something of mirth, the others laugh and commend him for it. They accept his curt remarks as well, and it is such a nice feeling.
He is 20 years old, but for his whole life he has been abused into having a child's mind. His brain seems to be coming awake, and it is the most wonderful feeling.
X
A knock sounds at the door, and John peeks his head around the frame.
"Hey Alexander! We're going to play a game, want to join us?"
Alexander nods, getting off his bed and following John down the stairs.
"Guys, Alexander is going to play with us." John tells the others, who are sitting on the floor in the living room.
"Yay!" cheers the group.
They make space for him to join them on the floor. He sits, and then they start to play Truth or Dare.
Angelica is dared eat a spoonful of sugar, which is probably not a good idea. Eliza is dared to go and lick a nearby pole that is frozen.
Lafayette tells the truth about a time that he and John got very drunk and danced on the roof of a house, at which John blushes bright red.
Then John dares Peggy to do as many cartwheels as possible while telling a story. She gets through about three before collapsing into an undignified mess on the floor.
Everyone laughs politely, but suddenly stops. Alexander is laughing for the first time since his arrival, amused by Peggy's enthusiasm at such a ridiculous dare.
The group is so happy to hear Alexander laughing, it means he might be coming around.
Alexander's laugh is such a beautiful, tinkly sound that tickles the air. John and Eliza simply stare at Alexander, captivated by his cute laugh. They want to hear it more from this extremely handsome man.
The rest of the evening goes wonderfully, but John and Eliza are scarcely paying attention. They are too busy watching Alexander.
As they get up from the floor to go to bed, Lafayette gently nudges John.
"Il est mignon, oui? Mais il aime toi et Eliza. Tu devrais demander lui ses sentiments."
[He is cute, yes? But he likes you and Eliza. You should ask him his feelings.]
"Please don't, Lafayette. I am gay, I know. Please do not make it more difficult." John says tiredly.
"Non, tu devrais demander. Maybe he likes guys too."
[No, you should ask.]
John shakes his head, going up to his bedroom and promptly falling asleep, where he has random dreams about Alexander. He knows he must ask, he can't help himself.
The next morning, he steps into Alexander's room. Alexander is too startled to form a sentence.
"Good morning, Alexander. I am just curious, isn't Eliza sweet?" He asks, dodging the question.
"Absolutely." Alexander replies, smiling. Then he hesitates.
"But I really like you too. You have been the nicest person ever. And...you are very handsome." Alexander says, looking immediately regretful. "But you are probably straight."
John blushes right away. "Well, I am gay. But you and Eliza are wonderful."
He stands up and opens the door. "See you later, Alexander."
Alexander watches him wistfully. He doesn't know what to do.
X
John tries his best to get Eliza and Alexander together over the next 6 months.
One night, he comes downstairs to Alexander and Eliza kissing in the entryway. They cannot see him.
Even though he has worked so hard for this, John's heart drops a little bit. He knows it is best for Alexander, but he can't help but feel a little jealous.
It has been a tricky 6 months, but it's almost over. And Alexander is feeling much better, he is sure of himself and no longer afraid of everything.
X
When the day of the trial comes around, John helps Alexander dress up formally. Then they get ready and drive to the courtroom.
Alexander sees James Reynolds being led in wearing handcuffs. Upon seeing Alexander, James leers.
Alexander just smiles back at him.
Alexander goes inside to find Aaron mumbling something along the lines of, "Oh, we got Washington. Awesome!"
Alexander looks up at the judge, an elderly but kind-looking gentleman with graying hair. He looks very peaceful, preparing to begin the trial.
Aaron has gone over some of his arguments with Alexander, and Alexander is confident that James will be convicted. Aaron is an excellent lawyer.
The guards leave, and James comes over to Alexander.
"Hey you! I'm gonna getcha! I'll have you back with me in no time." James looks as though he expects Alexander to be scared, but Alexander just laughs.
James scowls and goes back to his post.
The trial goes smoothly, and even though Alexander has seen the arguments, Aaron is even more convincing during the trial.
He points out the scars on Alexander as a major flaw in the defense's position. They have not managed to explain the scars.
Judge Washington asks pointed questions that force the opposition to stumble.
Eventually, the jury is dismissed, and the group goes to take a break.
John claps Aaron on the back. "Excellent work! No one could refute your evidence."
"Thank you." Aaron replies modestly, as usual.
The court is called back, and the jury concedes.
Judge Washington taps his gavel. "Order!"
Everyone falls silent.
Washington reads the verdict.
"The jury finds the defendant…"
The pause seems to stretch forever.
"Guilty as charged, and sentenced to three years in prison."
"Woohoo!" cheers the entire team. Eliza runs over to hug Alexander.
The defense grumbles about "poor witnesses" and "inability to appeal."
James is led away, all the while glaring at Alexander
Alexander smiles, and walks over to John.
"Thank you so much for your help. You are the one who got me out of James's house in the first place."
John tries to say that everything was Alexander's reward for patience and determination, but Alexander has pulled him outside by his collar.
Before John can react, Alexander tugs John's head down to Alexander's face level.
He connects their lips, and John shocks. No one has ever consented to being with him. He is gay, and most people won't accept that. It used to be illegal, now it's legal but still frowned on.
John pulls apart, certain that Alexander is going to be married to Eliza, and that Alexander is caught up in the moment, which he will soon forget.
Alexander looks surprised. "John?"
"Yes?" replies John, almost crying from being teased.
"You are the most wonderful person I've ever met, and I felt giving you something you've been wishing for was the best way to thank you."
John is genuinely crying now, covering his mouth. "Please, Alexander, I'm meant to live alone, I can't…"
"I love you John. And Eliza too. I hope to keep in close contact with you and Eliza and everyone else."
"Thank you, Alexander. I guess one kiss won't hurt." John concedes.
He presses his lips to Alexander's, smiling through his tears while still crying. He feels so right.
Alexander offers John a chance to make out, which John accepts.
Eliza comes running over as they break apart.
"I love both of you." She tells them, possibly ignoring the kiss or not having seen it. "You are free, Alexander!"
Hercules and Lafayette come over with linked arms.
"Excellent, mon ami! What are your plans?" Lafayette asks.
"We would love to have you join us in rescuing other slaves, since you have the experience to help them. You definitely have the option to do something else, if this does not suit you. We go to fancy parties, like the one where we found you, just a note." Hercules offers.
"I would love that, to be useful, since I do not have employment." Alexander replies, smiling at John as he does.
Alexander feels content. He has been employed and free, and it is such a honor. His thirst for knowledge is satisfied as he gets to read and learn more, and James is put away in prison.
The National Manumission Society feels a special connection to Alexander, one that doesn't quite exist with other freed slaves.
Alexander and Eliza are married, and John meets a lovely gentleman like Alexander to make his life amazing.
Alexander makes an excellent addition to the team, he is able to connect with and find several slaves that the others cannot, due to their high positions and lack of knowledge of secret slave passageways.
Precedent gets overturned, and all slaves are set free. Alexander and the Society are remembered forevermore.
THE END!
Sorry the end is rambling, it didn't quite feel right. It technically ends with the trial, but John is too sweet to ignore. This is the second part, my apologies for the long wait. Thank you for your patience.
Annie Samsons, I think I included everything you told me, but if I left anything out, please let me know and I'll rewrite it.
I hope you liked this, please review!
-HamiltonAsparagus ;)