Under the veil of the full moon, Ben stood behind a tree, every muscle in his body bulging, his fingers tense and wrapped securely around Cinnamon's upper arm. With every passing moment, she could feel his breathing intensify. He stared into the forest line, squinting, trying to spot the gleam of a redcoat. She followed his gaze; nothing, only blackness oozing between branches.

She peered back up at him. Tiny bubbles of perspiration beaded his forehead despite the icy night breeze. The concern for his father ate at her heart. She wanted to take him in her arms and kiss the apprehension away. Instead, she collected his hand into hers and held it.

His serious expression melted in a smile. For a brief moment, he tore his gaze from the forest and held hers. Why now? His mind roared. Why not back in camp? Why now when he had to give her up?

Pine needles crackling echoed from the treeline. Cinnamon forgotten, Ben drew his gun and waited for Simcoe.

Silhouettes emerged from the engulfing darkness, like phantoms lurking in the night. As they made their way from the shield of the forest, the moon fell upon them, blushing their skin, revealing their identities.

Simcoe approached, beaming a malicious smirk with two hostages on each side. Even from a distance, Ben and Caleb could read the torture their elderly relatives had endured. Both wore bruises and wounds that would scar them for the rest of their lives.

"Send the girl out and I shall free these traders."

Cinnamon winced, suffering as Ben dug his fingers protectively into her flesh. He did not want to give her up. It was clear as the moon was bright. "No deal! We send them forth at the same time!" Ben commanded, his voice stern and calm, surprising Cinnamon at how well he retained his true emotions.

"Oh you rebels are so hard to please. Alright, deal!" Simcoe baited as though playing a juvenile game. He shoved his hostages forward. "Walk!" It was more like limp. The two men eased forward, limping and grunting from injury.

"Go ahead," Caleb whispered, touching Cinnamon in a fond gesture that meant goodbye.

She stared into Ben's eyes, hers pleading, his longing. Instead of releasing her arm, he gripped tighter, so tight that she would bear his mark for days to come.

"Ben, let her go." Caleb hissed, breaking the enchantment.

Ben swallowed hard, mustering the strength to release her. She held his gaze a second more, just long enough for him to see them bloom with tears before she turned and slowly stepped forward.

As the hostage exchange took place, Simcoe taunted, "you know I thought at first, two for one...I am getting the bad side of the bargain...But then I realized that Reverend Tallmadge and Crippled Brewster together still did not equal the fair Miss. Hewlett, so actually you are gaining the short end of the stick."

By now the hostages were only a few feet from being exchanged. So close so, Simcoe's eyes locked with Cinnamon's glare. He opened his arms. "Come home, dear."

A twig snapped. She stopped. Simcoe lunged forward. "Ben!" she shrieked just as snipers from the trees opened fire.

"Uncle!" Caleb wailed, throwing his body on the old man, but he was too late, his back was already filled with gaping holes. Eyes bulging, gurgling a fountain of blood, he crumpled.

Reverend Tallmadge tried to run into his son's arms, but his wounded legs from being beaten by Simcoe faltered. Ben caught him with open arms just as he fell. "I have you father."

"Son, I…"

"NO!" Ben lamented as his father's skull exploded, splattering his face with blood and brains.

"Cinnamon!" Simcoe shot forward, sprinting to catch Cinnamon as she raced back to Ben. He could hear his men reloading behind him. He seized her from behind and flung her to the ground so that he could shoot Ben before his men had the chance.

Click. Aim. Before the shot hailed, bullets showered the trees, slaying Simcoe's snipers. Simcoe fired, missing Ben. A bullet whizzed by his nose. He shrieked and fled back into the dark forest.

Cinnamon laid on her belly until the Continentals passed.

"Seize her! Take her back to camp!" Ben shouted to Jeffery.

"Ben!" she sobbed, wounded that she was once again being treated as a prisoner. She wanted to go to him. Be with him. Help him.

"Come on, miss." Jeffrey tugged her behind him. She stumbled behind him, peering back at Ben as he and Caleb mourned over their slain kin.