Amity and Hector were riding in their carriage on the way to Fajardo. The heat and humidity was brutal. Amity was constantly fanning herself to keep cool. The two had a light discussion about their studies in Europe, What they liked to eat and their fav books. It became quite apparent that in spite of their shared love of jules verne they had little else in common. However Amity was quite afraid as her mother warned her that if she sabotaged a match with another suitor the next one would be arranged and Amity

would have no say in the dreaded the thought of that. So she knew she had to make this relationship work. As the carriage made their way towards Fajardo they were halted by a group of soldiers beside a broken wagon. As they were halted Hector looked to Amity and said.``One moment my dear, allow me to handle this." As he went out to see what the issue was. As he climbed out he saw the soldiers were trying to fix a broken wheel. The issue was they were undermanned as 2 of the soldiers meant to escort this

supply wagon had fallen ill and the garrison couldn't spare extra."Captain, I beg of you. Please help us with this wagon. We can't allow its supplies to fall to the rebels. " The soldier exclaimed. Hector looked at the situation. As much as he wanted to get to Fajardo to have his proper date with Amity, his duties as a soldier took priority. Returning to the carriage He informed Amity that they would be delayed while they assisted in repairing the broken supply wagon."It's alright Hector, I understand completely." Amity said

as the men went to work fixing the carriage. Hector sent 4 of his troops to act as lookouts. One in each direction. The men went to work repairing the broken carriage. It took time given the heat and humidity but in 30 minutes they had managed to repair the wagon. "Thank you Sir." The soldier exclaimed as they managed to get it back on the road."No problem. We should move together. Strength in numbers should ward off a potential rebel attack. You men wait till we get off to move on ok." Hector said as he

returned to the carriage. The soldiers all began returning to their horses except for one who was nowhere to be found. Though Hector didn't seem to notice."I hope that wasn't too long my dear." Hector said as he closed the carriage door.``No it wasn' that long Hector." Amity said before the sound of gunfire was heard and the carriage driver slumped over. "Guerrillas!" A soldier shouted before falling to gunfire. Hector looked down at his holster and grabbed his .44 Smith & Wesson Model 3 revolver he instructed

Amity to lay low and stay put unless he said out he had no visual on the enemy. They were hidden by the surrounding nature. The men had 0 clue where to fire only when a shot rang out. "God they have repeating rifles." A soldier said before a shot went right between his eyes. Hector ordered the men to form a circle to cover all directions. By now they were just 5 of them left standing when suddenly 8 rebels wielding rifles and machetes charged the soldiers screaming VIVA PUERTO RICO LIBRE. Hector saw one

approach and aimed his revolver and with one well placed shot the man fell to the ground. Another was slashed in the throat with his sword. However the rest of his men were not faring so well. Just 2 were left. "Retreat!." Hector ordered and the men began running back to San Juan. Amity in this commotion knew she had to run. Opening the door she fell into a pool of blood. Terrified beyond belief she picked herself up and ran into the wilds of the countryside.

She lost her sense of direction as she Hid among some trees waiting for this nightmare to be over. Soon the sound of gunshots faded. She wondered what happened to Hector. She feared capture at the hands of the rebels. Such savage people they must have been. Barbaric and devoid of culture she thought to herself. She sat hiding among the trees for an hour. She Hoped Hector would come with help to save her. Soon she heard the sound of footsteps. At 1st she thought it was Hector bringing help but then she

recognized it as one of the rebels. Grabbing a loose branch she was determined to not give up without a fight even if the best she could do was knock one out. She wouldn't get the chance. The rebel fired a shot off in the air. "I know you are hiding among the trees. Come out and I won't harm you." The voice said. Amity realized she had no choice. Climbing out from behind the tree she was met with the barrel of an 1866 Winchester repeating rifle carbine. As Amity got a closer look at the gunman she realized it

was not a man but a woman before her. She wore muddy boots. Her pants were tattered and worn. She wore a basic wore a pava hat to keep the sun off her head. Besides her rifle she had a sheath for her machete and a holster for a revolver. "Come on, follow me." The woman said and Amity obeyed. Fearing for her life. As they approached the main road the sound of her fellow rebels could be heard as they picked the dead clean of loot."Hey Gus i think i found a pair of boots your size." One said as they tossed a

pair of boots towards the other. "I hope so, my feet are getting beat up from the ground." The other man said as he compared the boots to his own foot. "Anything good boys?' The woman yelled to the two of them looting the wagon. "Just the usual guns, ammo and medical supplies. Though the carriage had these cigars." The pale one said as the other one who had a very dark complexion was putting on the boots.``Ah they are a perfect fit. Thanks Hunter." Gus said. Amity was quick to deduce the man was a

freed woman grabbed a cigar biting off the back before lighting it with a match. "Take what we can back to camp. Burn the rest." The woman said, taking a puff of her cigar."Yes Captain." The two men said as they dragged the dead bodies towards the carriages. "Wait, these men deserve a proper burial." Amity said, trying to be reasonable. "These men are nothing but butchers and thieves." The woman said as she spat at one of the corpses. Suddenly another 2 female soldiers returned from chasing the

survivors. The woman grew quite concerned when she saw that one had been shot in the arm. "Vee are you okay?" The woman said, rushing to inspect the wound. "Luz it's nothing but a grazing shot. I'll be fine. You worry too much sister." Vee said, wrapping the would in a clean cloth rag. "Nonsense we will hike to Naguabo and get you a doctor

to patch you up." Luz said as Vee handed her rifle over. "I told you and Hunter to ditch Spencer for the Winchester. That slow rate of fire was gonna get you killed." Luz said as she took a puff on her cigar. "I like the stopping power. 1 round and they're dead. Those Winchester bullets just don't pack the punch." Vee said. "Luz we lost Chamaco,

Antonio and Pedro." The other woman said, causing Luz to take hat off. She then muttered the words "Vaya con Díos." As Hunter had packed what supplies they could carry on their horses he Looked over to Amity."What are we gonna do with her?" Amity was terrified at the prospect of what would happen to her. Her faith lay squarely in the hands of Luz. "We take her with us. She must see what crimes her family has committed."