Chapter 20
Butte Meadows, Nebraska - May 1874
Rage, a white-hot inferno, coursed through Gabrielle's veins as she stormed away from the McCloud house. Every harsh word exchanged with Violette, every pent-up frustration of the past weeks, erupted in a torrent of blind fury. She ran, not caring where her feet took her, the only thought was a desperate need to escape the suffocating weight of responsibility and her sister's resentment.
Hours bled into night, the once vibrant sky darkening into a vast expanse of inky darkness. The air grew crisp, carrying the first whispers of the approaching chill. Finally, Gabrielle stumbled to a halt, her lungs burning, her body trembling. She looked around, disoriented, and a spike of panic lanced through her. The familiar landmarks of Butte Meadows were nowhere to be seen.
Lost and alone, a bitter wind whipped at her exposed skin. She cursed her temper, the fiery anger now a cold ember of regret in the pit of her stomach. Shaking off the paralysis of fear, she forced herself to move. It was her only defense against the unseen dangers lurking in the darkness.
The full moon cast a pale, ethereal glow on the landscape, revealing a narrow, rocky path that snaked ahead. Relief washed over her as she followed its meandering course, praying it would lead her back to civilization.
"I don't need to hear it from you too." The growl of her empty stomach, a sharp reminder of her foolishness, drew a self-deprecating chuckle from her lips.
Consumed by self-pity and a churning stew of emotions, Gabrielle strayed from the path without realizing it. The cliffs, shrouded in deceptive moonlight, appeared suddenly before her. One misstep, a misplaced foot, and the ground gave way beneath her.
A choked scream tore from her throat as she plummeted downwards. The world became a dizzying blur of rocks and sky. A searing pain erupted in her leg as she landed, the force of the impact knocking the wind from her lungs. Gasping for air, she clawed her way forward, the rough rock tearing at her raw palms.
Pain and fear intertwined in a desperate dance, fueled by the surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins. But the ledge, once secure, began to crumble beneath her trembling fingers. A wave of nausea washed over her as the ground beneath her gave way.
Her life, in all its precious chaos, flashed before her eyes – moments of joy and sorrow, triumphs and failures. An unexpected warmth bloomed in her chest – a fleeting thought of Violette. For a brief moment, she was happy her sister had found her brother because now she would have someone to take care of her. To watch out for her. To love her.
As the rushing water closed over her head, Gabrielle felt a strange sense of calm descend upon her. The fight was over. This wasn't how she imagined death. There was no fear, only a quiet acceptance. The darkness that followed was not terrifying, but a gentle embrace, a release from the burdens she had carried for so long.