(This fanfic is about the film The Patriot, but for this fanfic to work I have changed a few facts. Firstly, Colonel William Tavington does not die. Secondly, Ben Martin does. Thirdly, and this is the largest difference, the Americans do not win the way and so their country remains in England's clutches of control. So, if you're going to read this fanfic bear in mind these three facts. Now, I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. It's not very good though as unfortunately the plot is mine.

Also I do not own The Patriot or the characters within it, just so y'all know.)

Chapter Six

"She's gone." Marie informed Tavington once she'd returned. She had searched the room and the house, but Susan was not around. Marie had dreaded telling Tavington. She was right to do so.

"Idiot" Tavington scolded, pointing his gun at Marie, ready to shoot her.

"No please, sir, don't kill her. Mrs. Jenkins has done no wrong. She only showed this stranger hospitality." Mr. Simmons begged for Marie's life. Tavington considered this request. He put his gun away. Marie sighed gratefully.

"Fine." Tavington said. He turned to everyone. "If she returns, send someone to my manor to inform me." He announced his order. "You should all know where I live because you should all know who I am."

The villages turned to each other and began to whisper; yes, they knew who this man was. He was the famed man who practically won the war for the British. Oh, how the villagers hated this man. They wouldn't disobey his orders though, for none were that stupid. If they saw this woman, they would tell him. If they did see this woman though, they probably wouldn't know it though, as only Mr. Simmons and Mrs. Jenkins had met the young girl.

Tavington, pleased they'd heard his orders and were going to obey them, turned his horse and sped away from the village, followed by his men.

"What are our orders William?" one asked.

"It was her. Fiona Shawman is Susan Martin. I'm sure. Why else would the woman disappear? She knew I was there, and she left. All we have to do now is find her. She's close by, I know it. Let's split up and find her." Tavington told them as he stopped his horse. The men followed suit. He pointed in three different directions. "Each of you go one of those ways. Make sure you're close enough to each other to change directions if one of us finds her." He ordered. The men obeyed and went off in different directions.

Tavington took the fourth direction, which went right behind the village.

That was the precise route Susan had taken.

Breathing heavily, Susan was running from the village, unseen. She knew once in the forest, she'd be a lot safer. Her bundle was in her arms and her dress was restricting her long strides. She hitched it up and continued to run, the long grass scraping her calves gently.

Suddenly, Susan heard a horse. She turned her head as she ran, and saw Tavington, and he saw her.

She swore loudly to herself and continued to run. The horse could outrun her easily, but she had the upper-hand. She was metres away from the forest.

She could hear Tavington's horse galloping after her, and she could hear his voice shouting.

"This way men. Come back. She's running to the forest. Behind the village. Hurry!" Susan guessed he'd sent the other men off in different directions and that he was shouting for them to come after her. She knew this was true when saw a horse coming from the left about the same distance away as Tavington. Susan realised Tavington's men had heard him. She swore a second time, but by now, she was in the forest.

Here, it would be a lot easier to hide. She continued to run, careful not to trip, as she searched for a tree she'd be able to climb.

Eventually she found one, just as she heard several horses entered the forest.

She threw her bundle of clothes into the tree and, thankfully, it got stuck liked she planned it to. Then she started to climb; happy that she'd been a tomboy growing up and had therefore learnt to climb trees.

After about thirty seconds she was securely in the tree's upper branches, looking down below. She was hidden by the dense leaves. She slowed her breathing, praying she wouldn't be found.

She sat watching, waiting for Tavington and his men to pass.