Chapter 4
Lexington and Concord
Connor's POV
I didn't understand her actions. I slowly touched my lips and wondered if it meant anything.
I'm being foolish. Of course it didn't.
However, I couldn't help wishing that it did. Either way, I knew I needed her with me. I wanted her with me. We came to a group of men and I saw the one I thought to be John Parker. That wasn't what caught my attention.
"Pitcairn!"
Sisika looked over and narrowed her eyes.
"Disperse ye damn rebels!"
They started firing and I pulled Sisika to the ground. There were more of them than there were of us. I got up quickly and pulled John Parker back.
"They are not coming back! You will have to make due with those who remain." Sisika told him.
"Don't you lecture me girl on how-"
He stood up and shouted for them to return fire.
"Ratonhnhake:ton! I can get close."
"NO!"
"You need to get to Concord and warn the others. Show this to whoever leads there. Should be a man by the name of James Barrett. Go on now! Take her with you."
I grabbed Sisika by the arm and pulled her away. We found a horse and she put her arms around my waist.
"Hold on."
She heeled the horse and we went as fast as we could.
"Help! They're taking hostages!" someone cried.
Someone fired and Sisika fell off the horse. I turned but she shook her head.
"Go! Go now!"
"No!"
She stood up and tackled a redcoat.
"I said go! Warn Lexington!"
It was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I turned around and kept riding. I couldn't get there fast enough. I pulled on the reins and jumped off.
"Blood has been spilled in Concord. There are more coming. The Regulars are on the march." I said.
"You don't say? Why do you think I have men up here. Go home, before you get yourself killed. I've enough to worry about without some green boy playing hero."
He turned away and I glared at him.
"I'm not going anywhere. Someone very important to me is down there fighting. If I fail her, I'll kill you."
He stopped and looked at me again.
"I can vouch for him."
I took out the letter.
"John Parker as well."
I walked forward.
"Where's Revere?" I asked.
"Captured?"
"What?" I hissed.
"Fear not. That man is no stranger to sticky situations. He'll be fine. I'm sure of it."
"Ahem!"
We looked at Barrett.
"You ladies finished gossiping? Parker seems to believe you're not completely useless. So I suppose there's a thing or two you might be able to help with…"
"No. First I must find Sisika."
"If you don't help she'll die before you can get to her. When the fighting starts, we'll need to hold those positions there. They're critical to the defense of Concord. Good boys, not used to soldiering. They need someone with experience to direct them. That something you can do?"
I nodded.
"You best be telling the truth."
"You have my word." I said firmly.
"Then I suppose all that's left to do is wait."
He walked away and I looked back towards Concord.
"Sisika…"
Sisika's POV
More and more were coming. And endless tide of red and white.
"Miss! Come this way!"
I looked a woman in a storm cellar. She was waving frantically.
"Close the door! They will see you! NOW!"
She did as I said and I ran. I had to get to Ratonhnhake:ton. I ran as fast as I could, my lungs were burning. I could see a group of soldiers ahead.
"Ratonhnhake:ton! Ratonhnhake:ton!"
"SISKA!"
He jumped off his horse and ran out to the bridge. I fell in his arms and he ran us back to the Patriots. He put me down under a tree.
"Rest. Let me take care of this."
I nodded and he got back on his horse. I watched as he gave orders to the Patriots. He was a true leader. Soon enough I heard Pitcairn call for them to fall back. I smiled and stood up.
"We did it! They're falling back!" said a man.
They all started cheering and Ratonhnhake:ton came back to me.
"Are you hurt?"
I shook my head.
"No, just out of breath. The people of Concord are as safe as they can be."
"Good, but this isn't over yet. Come."
I nodded and ran with him. We reached a man wearing a red coat. There were dead bodies all around. I sighed and shook my head.
"It takes a true monster to do something like this. At least they're gone now."
"I should've struck when I had the chance. Do you know where Pitcairn could've gone?" Ratonhnhake:ton asked.
"Back into the withered bosom of the British no doubt. So that they may regroup and plan his next atrocity."
"We won't let that happen." I said.
He looked at me.
"You must be the girl he so desperately wanted to get to."
I looked at Ratonhnhake:ton, but he did not look at me.
"We need to find him. Every day I wait, more people will suffer." he said.
"Chin up friend. Many who should have died today live because of you and your woman here."
I looked out over the bodies again.
"And what of them?" I asked.
"We do the best we can with what we've got."
"It is not enough." Ratonhnhake:ton told him.
"Hm. It never is."
He pat his arm before walking away. I knelt down next to a young man and pulled knife from his chest. I closed his eyes and sighed.
"They will be avenged." I said.
"Yes."
John Pitcairn I will find you…and I will kill you.