Knock

Knock

Knock

"Mother, Mother may I come in? Are you decent?" Peter Cuppin called out to his mother from outside her bedroom door. Mrs. Cuppin, Beatrice. Just faintly turned her head and opened her tired eyes to hear her son, she cleared her throat then said.

"Yes, yes I am, come in dear." Beatrice responded, her voice had been faint and Peter could hardly hear her voice from the other side of the door. But he was certain that he had heard her say yes. So Peter reached for the doorknob, and opened the door a little. He had not heard a word from his mother, no 'Shut the door Peter, I'm Indecent.' So he proceeded to fully open the door. Peter looked over to his mother's bed and saw her laying there, their eyes met and his mother gave him a warm smile. Peter exchanged the smile back.

"Darling, there is no need for you to ask me every morning if I am decent or not. You know where I will be every morning, right here in this bed." Beatrice said to her son. Peter just smiled once more and sat down on the bed near the foot of the bed, he placed a hand on his mother, down by her feet. He came to visit his mother every morning, to see how she was. Mrs. Cuppin had fallen ill a few months back, She started having high fevers, severe headaches and she always complained that her bones would ache. It had gotten so bad that she was now bedridden for two months.

"I guess I'm just hoping that one morning I will find you out of your bed and getting ready for the day," Peter paused" You look better today Mother, I see some colour in your face. Are you feeling any better ?"

"You know what Peter, I think I do feel a little better. I had a good night's rest last night. Perhaps things are starting to change for us Peter. Perhaps one morning you will find me up and ready for the day ahead." Beatrice lied, she lied about feeling better, when she really hadn't. But she wanted to bring Peters spirits up, he had been so worried about her lately. And Beatrice hated when she would see Peter enter her room every morning he would always have a smile on his face for a brief moment but as soon as the smile formed his lips, it was already gone when he noticed his mother still laying in her bed. Sadness and disappointment would take the place of his smile. Josephine, Peters sister, on the other hand, would only stay in her mother's room for short periods at a time. Where as Peter would sit down and speak with his mother for as long as she was able to keep her eyes open. Beatrice wished more than ever that she could just get better, for her and her families sake.

"But for now Peter, you need to start worrying about yourself. I know you will be going off to fight soon, and while you're here at home I want you to enjoy yourself." Beatrice paused, Peter just nodded. It had been his idea to enlist in the beginning, but as time went on and Peter began to see his mother become more and more sick, he started to worry more about her. He started to wonder if enlisting had been the right choice. One side of him wanted to go off and fight, but the other half wanted to stay at home by his mother's side.

What if Mother dies when I'm off at war ? Would she ever forgive me for not being there by her side ?

These questions ran through Peter's mind often, but it was to late now. He had already enlisted. And there was no going back. But Peter knew one thing for sure, if he would not be at home for his mother, then he would be there for his friend Gabriel. If he was to enlist.

"A few days ago" Peter heard his mother start "Your father came to my room and told me some news about the Martins. Your father has told me that Miss Selton has invited you over to dinner tonight." Beatrice smiled.

"Yes, I meant to tell you yesterday morning, but seeing as Father has already told you, there is no need for me to explain. Josephine was quite excited when she learned of the Martins arrivals, it's been quite some time since she has seen Annie. I myself was happy to hear from Miss Selton that the Martins would be staying at her estate for a few days, Although I hear Annie will not be leaving with them." Peter finished.

"No?" Beatrice said curiously.

"Josephine told me that her aunt Charlotte has decided that Annie may stay with her for however long she wants." Peter gave a slight smile, and Beatrice noticed this.

"And I assume, that Josephine is not the only one who was happy when she learned of Annie's arrival, Peter." Beatrice gave another small faint smile, Peter knew what his mother meant, and he had to admit she was right. Peter was happy to hear that all the Martins would be arriving in Charles Town, but Annie stood out in his mind. And he had to admit, he was nervous and excited for the upcoming dinner he would be attending that night. Peter gave a small laugh before he replied.

"Yes, well, I do look forward to tonight's dinner." Peter said, slightly changing the subject.

"I'm glad to hear that, I would love to attend tonight's dinner, but. Well I can't go to dinner in the state I am in now, your father had also told me that Miss Selton had originally invited all four of us to come to dinner. But she had not known that I am still rather Ill. He also told me that he declined the invitation when you told him about it, because of me. He wishes to stay home and look after me along with Josephine and Martha" (Martha, being the Cuppins maid.)

Peter thought for a moment, was his mother trying to tell him that she felt as though she was a burden to the family? She had certainly not been. And Peter wanted her to know this.

"Mother" Peter paused "Do you feel like you are a... well a bur-"

"Burden... A burden?" Beatrice answered, Peter looked at his mother blankly before he gave a small nod. Beatrice's face slightly dropped, a small frown formed her lips. Her eyes diverted from Peter's gaze.

"Well, at times I do, and I- I just wanted to apologize if I-" Beatrice stopped talking when she heard Peter interrupt. Peter grabbed his mother's hand, and squeezed it gently.

"Do not apologize for something that's not your fault, you did not choose to become Ill, It just happened and there is nothing Father, Josephine and I can do to free you of this illness. This is in Gods hands. But don't you ever feel you are like a burden to this family. It is my pleasure," Peter paused." Our pleasure, to help you recover, and take care of you in the meantime. You took care of Josephine and I when we were ill or just needed your guidance, Mother. Now it's our turn to take care of you."

"How glad I am to have a son like you Peter" She squeezed Peter's hand "I am truly blessed to be apart of this family. I love you. Your Father, and Josephine, so very much. A Mother's love is so powerful Peter. And even if I am to leave-"

"Mother." Peter interrupted

"Shh, Peter please, let me finish." Beatrice replied. Peter said nothing and decided to listen to what his mother needed to say.

"And even if I am to leave this world, whenever that may be, just know Peter. That even in death my love for the three of you will go on forever. I won't really be gone, I will be there to watch you and Josephine grow. And if you are ever feeling alone in this world know that I am there with you." Beatrice finished she could feel her tears glaze over her eyes, she tried as hard as she could to not cry in-front of her son. And Peter himself now was finding it hard trying not to cry in-front of his mother, as to not upset her. Peter just rose from the foot of the bed and walked towards the head of the bed. He leaned down and took his mother into a warm, long embrace. Beatrice gently wrapped her arms around her son and held onto him as tight as she could.

"I love you Mother." Beatrice heard her son whisper in her ear, she just closed her eyes and smiled as a few tears fell from her eyes and rolled down the side of her cheeks.

Annie and the rest of her family walked up the stone steps of the assembly hall, it was as if she could feel some sort of heat from the sun beating on the steps, she could feel that heat reach her hands. It had already been a stifling hot afternoon in Charles Town. Annie was rather thankful that her aunt Charlotte recommended her to bring her fan along, to cool herself off. Annie reached deep in the pocket of her dress and pulled out her fan, opening it she began fanning herself.

"It is quite hot today, isn't it?" Annie heard her aunt Charlotte say.

She watched as her aunt pulled out her own fan, and started waving it about. Annie nodded.

"Oh yes, I can hardly stand the heat at times, with all the pieces of clothing we wear, it's a wonder how we are still standing." Annie complained, Annie reached the top of the stairs. A man was waiting there, he stood there holding the door open for anyone who wished to enter the assembly hall. Annie nodded her head and thanked the man for holding the door open for her and her family.

"You're Welcome" Annie heard him reply.

"Indeed, I find that this type of weather can put me in a foul mood, I stay indoors mostly during the day when it's hot like this." Charlotte lowered her voice into a whisper. "Let's just hope your father's mood isn't as foul as mine when it comes to the heat. because if this levy is to pass, and Gabriel enlists, we must stay clear of your father." Charlotte finished

"Yes but, I don't think Gabriel will, last night I had heard Gabriel and my Father arguing. Arguing about Gabriel wishing to enlist, he begs and begs for Father's permission. But my father refuses to give it to him. Gabriel will not go against his wishes" Annie replied.

"I think Gabriel and your father woke the entire house last night. You may think Gabriel won't enlist, but. If you were listening to the same argument we all were last night then you know Gabriel will go against your father's wishes, he is so persistent that Gabriel is." Charlotte answered her niece. Annie sighed, she knew her aunt was right.

"Yes, well we will see. For my father's sake, I hope the levy fails to pass."

"Annie. War. I know you dislike it so, but is that because your father does? What I mean is, do you hate war because you have learned to hate such a thing from what your father says about it? Good things can come from war dear, our country need to be freed from British grasps, and the only way it can be, is for war to happen. We need young men to fight for our freedom-"

"I guess it's both, I've heard so much terrible things about war from my father. But at the same time, I do know that war needs to happen to regain our freedom. I have this fear though aunt Charlotte. I can hardly stand the thought of Gabriel, my father or Thomas joining the war. What would happen to them, what horrible and terrifying things would they have to do and endure. I just don't want to lose anyone else in our family aunt Charlotte. You understand." Annie finished.

Annie's eyes widened slightly when she noticed James Wilkins standing not to far away from her. She could feel her cheeks redden already.

"Yes, of course I understand, I feel the same way as you do sometimes. But I try not to think of those sort of things. I don't like to hear of what our brave soldiers have to witness, and from what I have heard I would never want to witness first hand of anything that goes on, on those battlefields." Annie said nothing back to her aunt Charlotte as they had gotten closer to James Wilkins. Annie stopped and turned around to her aunt Charlotte for a moment, her aunt had looked confused, until she saw Annie pull out a handkerchief. Annie looked around to see if anyone had been watching, she then started dabbing her face of any oils and sweat created from the heat outside. She wanted to look presentable in front of James.

"Do I look fine?" Annie sighed "Oh my this weather is making me unsightly indeed." Annie complained as she stuck her handkerchief in her pocket quickly.

She looked around hoping no one other than her family had seen her dabbing her face free of any sweat or oil. It would be quite embarrassing. Annie heard her aunt give a small laugh.

"My dear you look beautiful, do not fret," Her aunt assured her "Now let's find ourselves a seat shall we." Charlotte took Annie's arm gently and started walking through the crowds of people in the assembly hall all standing around and chatting with one another. Annie looked beside her to see that they were walking away from James, Annie stopped again.

"Aunt Charlotte."

"Yes?"

"May I go and speak with James Wilkins for a moment?" Annie asked, Charlotte looked passed Annie to see James talking with two other men. She would hate for Annie to wander off, get lost and not be able to seat herself with the rest of the family. Charlotte then nodded her head to Annie.

"Alright, you go ahead, but don't speak with him for too long, the meeting will begin shortly and we will all have to take our seats." Charlotte replied

"Yes, aunt Charlotte, I will join you again shortly." And with that Annie turned around and began to walk towards James, she cleared her throat. She was getting closer now, but he hadn't noticed her nearing him.

Bang

Bang

Bang

"Would everyone care to take their seats the meeting will now commence."

Annie sighed to herself when she heard the Gavel and Judge She knew she would have to make her way back to her family again to be seated. She wished that she could have at least got to say hello and asked James how he was doing today. Annie watched as Wilkins and the two other men broke away from one another and took their seats, everyone was starting to find their seats and Annie was still awkwardly standing by herself. She turned around to see if she could find her family, but she didn't see them anywhere. Now she wished she would had just stayed with her aunt Charlotte.

"Annie, we're right here!" Annie heard her brother Thomas shout from somewhere, she turned her head to the right and saw Thomas with his arm in the air, trying to get Annie's attention. Annie felt a sense of relief, she then began excusing herself and making her way over towards her brothers and aunt. Annie finally seated herself beside her brother Thomas. While Benjamin Martin took a seat in the first row of the assembly. The whole room was quiet and everyone was now seated.

"Our first order of business!" The Judge said loudly, another man stood up and waved his fan in the air.

"And our last is we vote a Levy!" He shouted back. The many people in the assembly hall roared, they shouted and yelled. Annie could barely make out the things that had been saying, because they were all shouting over one another.

"Order! Order!" The Judge raised his voice back to the man, things seemed to be already getting out of hand.

"Our first business will be addressed by Colonel Harry Burwell of the Continental Army" The people quieted down and took their seats again.

"Colonel Burwell." The Judge finished. Annie spotted Colonel Burwell standing up from his seat which was situated at one side of the room he looked back and gave a nod to the men who were sitting amongst him. Then proceeded to walk forward, he looked around examining the audience.

Annie caught a glimpse of Gabriel from beside her, he straightened his back, leaned a little forward and had an anxious look on his face. Gabriel bit his lip slightly, then released it. Gabriel didn't take his eyes of of Colonel Burwell. There was a dead silence in the room except for the sound of Annie's fan that was making a whooshing sound from the air, as she flicked her wrist.

"You all know why I'm here," The Colonel paused. "I'm not an order, and I would not try to convince you of the worthy-ness of our cause." He paused again, still there was a dead silence. Everyone listened intently

"I'm a soldier... And we are at war. From Philadelphia we expect declaration of independence, eight of the thirteen colonies have levied money of support of a Continental Army," Harry Burwell said, he then raised his voice slightly. "I asked that South Carolina, be the ninth." He finished. The silence was finally broken from the same man who had protested against the Judge earlier. The man stood up and his booming voice echoed.

"Massachusetts, and Virginia may be at war. But South Carolina is not!" The man shouted, then people started shouting again.

"Here, Here" Some of them shouted, while others disagreed.

"This is not a war for the independence of one or two colonies, but for the independence of one nation!" Colonel Burwell said loudly over the shouting crowd. Annie looked down at her Father, she saw that he was just sitting there. Still in his chair, she didn't even see his head shake or nod. It seemed to Annie that her Father had just been sitting there, silently, wishing that the assembly would be over with. Annie quickly then snapped her attention to James Wilkins when she heard his clear his throat and begin to speak. She listened closely and was interested as to what he was going to so say.

"Yes and, uh, what nation is that?"

"An American Nation!" Annie heard and saw Mr. Howard from the other side of the room quickly stand up and say, rather angrily. But she heard the hint of pride for their country he had in his voice.

"Here, Here" followed many voices.

"There is no nation and to speak of one is treason." Wilkins replied, calmly. Annie diverted her eyed down to her lap, Annie didn't know what James was talking about

"There is no such nation and to speak of one is treason."

America is a nation. We are a nation Annie thought to herself. What side is James on?

"We are citizens of an American nation." Mr Howard retorted, Annie nodded her head slightly. She agreed with Mr Howard.

"And are rights are being threatened by a tyrant three thousand miles away." Mr Howard finished. Benjamin Martin thought for a moment before he decided to say something himself.

Annie, Gabriel, Thomas and even their aunt Charlotte had to take a second glance, when they realized Benjamin Martin was now getting up from his seat to say something. Annie thought her father would simply sit there until the assembly was over.

"Would you tell me please Mr. Howard, why should I trade one tyrant three thousand miles away for three thousand tyrants one mile away?" Benjamin asked. As soon as he finished his sentence the entire assembly hall had bursted out in a laughter.

Thomas looked over to Gabriel, waiting for him to say something, he had a look of humility on his face. As well as Thomas. Annie herself felt a little embarrassed from the people in the assembly hall laughing at their father's re-mark.

"An elected legislature can trample a man's rights as easily as a King can." Benjamin continued, Annie heard Gabriel from beside her say

"Father" in a low, gruff voice, it was as if Gabriel hopped their father would hear him and recognize the humility from his family and stop talking. Few people let their laughter escape from their mouths.

"Mr. Howard looks so ashamed of Father." Annie heard Thomas say, she looked over to Mr Howard to see a disappointed look on his face. He just said nothing and sat down back in his seat. It was like Mr Howard was hoping Benjamin would back up his argument against Wilkins, but to no avail.

"Captain Martin, I understood you to be patriot" Colonel Burwell stated, Benjamin thought for a moment then replied to Colonel Burwell.

"If you mean by patriot am I angry about taxation, without representation. Well yes I am." He paused and took a deep breath. "Should the American colonies govern themselves independently? I believe they can, and they should," Benjamin raised his voice slightly for everyone to hear. "But if you are asking me if I am willing to go to war against England, well then the answer is most definitely no!" Benjamin finished.

Annie looked over to her brother Gabriel, he almost looked like he was going to be sick from their Father's response. Colonel Burwell could be seen quickly lowering his head in utter disappointment. And as for Annie, she didn't know what to feel, should her father help the cause, or should he not. From the laughter of the people and the looks on her brothers, aunts and Colonel Burwell's faces, it seemed as though he should. But as Annie thought more and more about this, she could feel that sense of fear rising within her. The fear of loss, the fear of not knowing if the ones you love will return home back to you.

"This from the same captain Benjamin Martin whose fury was so famous during the wilderness campaign?" A man from the other side of the room with a curly blonde wig and a blue jacket asked curiously. Few seconds had passed until Benjamin answered the man.

"I was intemperate in my youth."

"Temperance can be a convenient disguise for fear." The man retorted back to Benjamin. Before Ben could say anything else, Colonel Burwell's voice could be heard.

"Mr. Middleton, I fought with Captain Benjamin Martin under Washington, during the French and Indian war, there is not a man in this room. Or anywhere that matter to whom I would more willingly trust with my life." Burwell replied. Annie nodded her head. Annie could feel a sense of pride for her father after what Colonel Burwell had stated and the replies of.

"Here, Here!"

"Are you actually proud of him right now, he is humiliating me. How could he do this knowing full well that I wish to serve for this country and protect its people." Gabriel sneered clearly embarrassed, Annie's mouth opened slightly and she furrowed her brows.

"Gabriel" Annie said quietly. He just looked at her with a blank look on his face and then turned his head back to the middle of the room where Colonel Burwell that been standing. Annie couldn't believe Gabriel said such a thing, he had rarely disrespected their father before. But Annie decided not to argue with Gabriel then and there, so she sat in her seat quietly and listened for the next voice in the room to speak out.

"There are alternatives to war. We take our case before the King we plead with him" Benjamin spoke out.

"Yes we've tried that" Burwell responded.

"Well then we try again and again if necessary to avoid a war!" Ben shouted. Anger lurked in his voice. He looked at Burwell as if Burwell was clueless, as if he didn't know how to prevent an outbreak of war, as if Benjamin himself could do a better job.

"Benjamin, I was at Bunker Hill," Harry Burwell took a few steps forward in silence then proceeded to speak." The British advanced three times and we killed over seven hundred of them at point blank range and still they took the ground! That," he shouted. "Is the measure of their resolve!" he paused. "If your principles dictate independence, then war is the only way," Harry paused and turned to walk away. "It has come to that!"

"Here, Here!" Men and women in the room shouted.

"I have eight children..." Annie looked around to see if anyone was looking at Gabriel, Thomas and herself from their Father's response. Annie noticed there had been only few people she had caught looking at them. But one in particular stood out and that was James Wilkins. Annie quickly diverted her eyes to her lap when she made eye contact with James. James just then turned his head back to the front of the room. Not knowing if Annie was ashamed of him for what he had said earlier, or if she was just embarrassed after she caught him looking at her.

"My wife is dead." Benjamin took a breath.Why did he have to mention Mother? Annie thought to kept her eyes on her lap and her head low.

"And who's to care for them if I go to war?"

Charlotte lowered her eyes, and her head. She felt as if she hadn't existed, like Benjamin hadn't acknowledged her at all. She could do it, she could take care of the children. Even though she had no children herself she knew she could do it. So why did Benjamin not acknowledge her, she felt slightly hurt now.

"Wars are not fought, only by childless men." Harry said, Benjamin nodded his head in agreement.

"Granted...But mark my words...This war, will be fought not on the frontier, or on some distant battlefield. But amongst us. Among our homes, our children will learn of it with there own eyes. And the innocent will die with the rest of us. I will not fight," Benjamin shook his head slightly "And because I will not fight, I will not cast a vote to send others in my stead!"

People in the assembly hall turned and looked at one another, whispers could be heard.

"He's a coward" Annie heard an older man say in-front of her to a man next to him, the other man nodded. Annie wanted to say something, this made her angry. Her father was no coward.

Are people so oblivious to the fact that Father has served for our country before, and just simply refuses to fight against England now because he doesn't agree with such a thing. Annie thought to herself.

Annie knew she couldn't say anything to the man in-front of her as much as she wanted to. If she did, she would be ignored, or told off because she was "Simply a young women who knew nothing of war."

"And your principals ?" Harry asked.

"I'm a parent I haven't the luxury of principals." Ben finished. He sat down in his chair and endured the numerous shouts of men and women from around and behind him. Gabriel couldn't stay any longer, he had to leave the assembly hall. Annie tried stopping her brother, she grabbed the sleeve of Gabriel's jacket. He just jerked his arm from her grasp and left the rest of the family behind. Thomas himself went to get up to follow Gabriel but their aunt Charlotte quickly grabbed Thomas's hand and pulled him back down to his seat. He looked at her surprised that she hadn't let him join Gabriel. Annie wished she could leave herself, but knew her aunt would disapprove. Annie wanted to get away from the sounds of shouting and yelling people around them. It had been her first time attending an assembly, and she hoped it would be her last time ever attending such a thing.

"Gabriel, please, reconsider joining the war!" Annie shouted to her brother Gabriel. Annie had found him waiting in line, waiting to enlist. And without his father's permission. Annie was glad she had decided to leave the assembly hall earlier to find where Gabriel had gone to. Before her father, aunt Charlotte or Thomas had. She would hate for any of them to catch Gabriel enlisting. Her aunt and father would be disappointed, but Thomas on the other hand would be encouraging him, or even enlisting himself.

"Annie, please, leave me alone." Gabriel said in a monotone voice, he hadn't even turned around to face his sister. Annie stood there and thought about what her father had said the other night to Gabriel. Annie went to say something back to Gabriel but stopped when she heard a boy shout out from the doors of the assembly hall.

"Twenty eight to twelve, the levy passed!"

Everyone was cheering, some were even firing their guns in the air, Annie's sighed and her shoulders slightly slumped. Now she knew Gabriel would be going off to fight. Annie looked at her brother to see that he had a large smile on his face.

"But, Gabriel remember what Father said last night, he told you that you shall not enlist without his permission. Please don't go against Father's wishes." Gabriel said nothing and kept looking straight ahead of him. It was almost his turn to enlist.

"Gabriel?" Annie said helplessly. She knew she would be unable to stop him from enlisting, and she feared that even her father would fail to stop him. Gabriel then finally turned around to look at his sister, her mouth was slightly open and her brows furrowed a little as she waited for his response. Gabriel had a blank look on his face, but even though his face had been emotionless, Annie could still tell what was probably going through his mind, she knew he didn't care about a word he said.

"It doesn't matter what Father thinks or says to me any more, don't you understand Annie. This is what I wish to do. And I won't have you or Father tell me that I should not enlist and not fight for our country."

Annie didn't know what she should say next, she knew there was no way she could stop Gabriel and she knew now that there was no way her father would be able to either. Annie lowered her head and said nothing, Gabriel said nothing as-well. He waited until it was his turn. The man in-front of Gabriel finally finished enlisting and now it was Gabriel's turn.

The young soldier behind the table went to hand Gabriel a quill, but stopped when both Annie and Gabriel turned their attention to their father who was now standing beside them.

"You intend to enlist without my permission?" Benjamin said with a low monotone voice.

Annie looked up to her father's face. His expression was blank, but she could tell he was very disappointed with Gabriel actions. How dare he disobey him.

"Yes I do," Gabriel said flat out. There was a pause "Father, I thought you were a man of principal?" Gabriel questioned his father.

"When you have a family of your own, then perhaps you will understand." Benjamin replied. The young soldier at the table grew impatient and so did the others waiting in line behind Gabriel. The young soldier outstretched his arm holding the quill out in front of Gabriel.

"Sir." the young man said, he paused then cleared his throat "Would you please sign your name here, if you are wishing to enlist." The young man said.

Gabriel gave him a quick nod and then turned his head to look back at his father.

"When I have a family of my own, I won't hide behind them." Gabriel said with a cool tone in his voice.

Annie could hardly believe what he had just said to their father, Benjamin himself was taken aback. Gabriel just turned to take the quill from the young soldier, and continued to enlist.

"Gabriel." Annie said before her father gently took her arm and lead her away from Gabriel. Annie could tell her father just wanted to find their aunt and Thomas, so they could go back to Charlotte's estate.

As Annie and her father made there way through the crowds of people that were standing around outside of the assembly hall they noticed Charlotte and Thomas looking around the crowds themselves, trying to find Annie and Benjamin. Benjamin called Charlotte's name and raised his hand to get her attention. Both Charlotte and Thomas noticed the two and walked towards them.

"Where is Gabriel?" Charlotte asked as she looked around, trying to see if she could spot Gabriel anywhere. Benjamin looked to the ground, cleared his throat and then lifted his head to look at Charlotte.

"He's enlisting." Benjamin said quietly, but loud enough for Charlotte to hear. Charlotte just gave a small nod in response.

"Well shall we get going then?" Benjamin asked the three.

"Yes, I think that would be a good idea, come." Charlotte said as she lead the way through the crowds of people. Annie, Thomas and Benjamin followed closely behind. Gabriel who was standing a few feet away noticed the four leaving. When he had joined up with them, not a word was spoken. Not until they arrived back at Charlotte's house.