A Madman's Lullaby & Cheshire Tales by Robby Richardson - HTML preview
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THE END
The Final Surrender
By
Robby Richardson
- A LITTLE MISCHIEF NEVER HURT ANYONE -
One year to the date past April 1865.
One year from disaster, a time to be thankful to be alive.
Born from the rifle, born from the battle.
Born from the struggle and a violent debate.
Emblazoned across American soil from mere political turmoil.
Some would say cyclical in its fate wrapped in liberty like snake coils.
A country torn and reborn then reborn and torn through fire and smoke.
Calvary and artillery…
Espionage and militia citizenry…
Officers and infantry…
From gut wrenching defeat to gallant victories left for memory in books of history.
Death and bloodshed extinguished the hope leaving tragedies harder to cope.
Some say…
It was the cost for freedom they tout from either a blue or red coat.
To honor the rights of states and preserve a way of life.
Some say…
It was the cost to keep the house standing not dividing.
To keep the flag uniting and social fabric from untying.
To free from bondage a people’s heartfelt crying.
A constitution necessary to uphold, a republic to mend.
Different states seceding and not torn to shreds.
Expected short stretch no more than a legs stretch.
Would this war stretch from a mere season into all the rest?
In the end…
As the growing fears turned to years.
An attempt came at snatching hope back.
An end believed to be in a court at Appomattox.
A promise made between blue and gray…Grant and Lee
A time for healing, a time perhaps for a nation to relax.
However, some refused to surrender on bended knee.
To keep the fight alight from every corner.
A surrender some would never agree.
True to the founding belief of the succession and necessity to secede.
And that is where our tale begins with Anna, Jack, Hicks, and Margret May.
Set out for a little mischief on that warm fateful day in May of 1866.
Two happy couples set out on the horizon for adventure fantasizing.
The old wagon Anna and Jack were riding was borrowed.
A secret they all wished to keep hiding.
Laying in the wagon bed behind them.
Tossing around with the food bits, sleeping sacks, and tent pole sticks.
Lay the couple of Margret May and Hicks.
“Oh, camping under the moonlight should be such a fun night.
Nothing but starlight shining bright down upon us.”
“Oh Jack, your teasing tongue flutters my savannah vapors makes me forget I’m your Anna.”
“Surely this camping trip would be sweeter if it was just like this wagon…a two-seater.”
“Jack, my dear you hush up now you know she is family that Margret May.”
Playfully patting his flirty hand to end, Anna turned to her sister in the wagon bed.
“Hey May bring the horses to the tree line and don’t get lost in the sticks with Hicks.”
A shy thin girl appearing out of this world…out of place, courage deluding.
With a flirty simple smirk and a flick of her wispy black hair evidently thankful to be included.
Any time alone with her Hicks especially in these forested and rural sticks.
Away from prying eyes of a rural community of miniscule size.
Whispers, spread rumors, and the town was full of em’.
CLOP, CLOP, CLOP, CLOP…
The sound of the horse beats as Hicks and Margret May both lead the way off the trail they beat.
The trail becomes thicker, becoming a trial for the daring.
Until Anna and Jack break through to a clearing.
The waving grass so fine seemed to bring so much peace surrounded by a thick tree line.
With a Nee from the horse, Hicks and Margret May seemed to agree.
“I think this is far enough outside town, huh?
This far away is sure to provide just enough fun.”
“What would Ma say if she knew the truth.
That we snuck away from the church group and decided to go CAMPING to boot!
Forget the weekend retreat and snuck away with our men.
Have some uninterrupted alone time with them.”
“Oh, Margret May put your worries to bay.
How can one worry so with the guarantee of a starry show?”
“Anna, you’re always getting me in trouble with your secrets and schemes.”
“Oh, Margret you’re one to pretend, acting like you ain’t where you exactly want to be.”
The world grew in a warm glow with the blush that she showed.
Her cheeks grew red and the flutters of doves swooning through her head.
When her eyes smiled at Jack did her heart feel butterfly’s kiss.
“Just remember, we need all this to be back by tomorrow’s early noon.
If Reverand McCune finds the horses and wagon gone an early search, I presume.”
Hicks piped from the back, “Especially his horse Ol’ Blackie she’s quite attached to me.”
“Reverand McCune would never travel this far for man or beast.
At least, let’s not forget why we broke out to find peace.
To keep our relationship stout…to be together alone is what this was all about.
Not on some church retreat and feel complete finding Jesus with nature under your feet.”
With the horses tied to the trees did they all nestle with ease.
The peace of the moment to find peace in the present.
A welcome addition from a time grieving from bloodshed and violence redefine one’s meaning.
A historical moment that encompassed all beings and feelings.
The rivers of blood seemed to dry instead of multiply.
A time to rediscover to heal the broken and redefine.
Reverand McCune promised they’d find it where the world was still true.
In nature where God’s sky still shines blue.
They built a small fire and erected their tents.
Settle into a night they hoped to never forget and when the sun was still high.
“Hicks were you able to nick some of your cousin’s moonshine?”
“I got a small jar of his newest batch for the little plan you and Anna hatched.”
“Well let me see did you keep it in the wagon bed come show me my friend.”
By the fire Anna did sit lost in her head, while wood crackled over the firebed.
The scars of the past like stones uncast build and amass soon unsurpassed.
Nature could not take out what the war had ripped out.
Succumbing to a fear of that continuous oncoming dread.
That dread that always filled her head when times were low.
When those parasitic thoughts that fed on her fear could grow.
And while every day the world moves on.
The picture of their family still lies incomplete, and the heart ache just repeats.
Gone might be the piece and the thought too gruesome to think or speak.
Reconstruction of the destruction, but reconstruction of what was lost.
Irreplaceable was the cost of what was truly lost.
The cost over her and Margret May’s younger brother Henry Cary’s unknown end.
Conscripted into the Confederate Army of Georgia in March of 64’.
The last time she had seen him he was saying goodbye out their front door.
With a wave from his horse, his young life on a new course.
Anna could still see Margret May in tears from the porch.
Mother’s thin arms wrapped around her so strong for comfort and support.
Dad waved from his crutch, tears in his eyes from the hug that he had to unclutch.
A veteran himself and had paid the cost, he whispered.
“How much of my blood shall be shed for a foolish dream we all once had?”
He shifted on his one good leg and for his son’s safety he would beg.
Picking up his wooden crutch waving it towards the thick thrush.
“I would give my other leg and swear by my faith just to have him come home safe.”
The memories began to flood causing a mess of distress.
Anna dabbed at her tears and began to repress.
Taking a deep breath and began fluffing down her ruffled dress.
“Hey Anna, would you mind if I sat and joined you?
You seem so alone and lost in your head.
Oh no, what’s wrong?
Have you been crying again?”
“You could say that Margret May!
Henry’s face is in my thoughts and consistently renews.
We traveled far and risked so much just to get away.
I refuse to let it consume my time here with you and my Jack.
But I can’t hold back…I can’t seem to escape.
The why’s and where’s of Henry Cary this day.”
“I’m sure Henry was sent afar probably out west.
Lots of miles to cross and hills to trek.
I’m sure home is his course, and the course is direct.
So, I keep him in my heart and in my heart is where he’ll stay.
Remember our promise to accept the good of getting away.
Going away can be good, good for the soul, possibly good for a wedding propose.”
The area grew warmer anew and not something the small fire could do.
“Why not sister dear, aren’t those the words you wish to hear…or have they already been heard?
You ARE of age and the war is over!
Aren’t we all trying to turn new leaves over?
Why not seize one before it smolders?”
Anna’s head turned to the wagon painted a light powder blue.
Faded from the kicked-up dirt and years baking under savannah’s sun.
The faded powder blue contained a single white star, Union Corp Badge.
Eroding on the edge where boots meet near the ledge.
Every corner cannot hide what still reminds the cost to some.
“The war doesn’t feel gone for so long.
Jack keeps telling me what’s done is done and it’s time to move on.
Besides it just doesn’t seem fair to be so happy when Henry’s life is so unaware.”
“So, Jack’s marriage proposal was a fail?”
With a quick little smirk and a bite of her nail.
“He hasn’t asked his efforts did not avail.”
They watched their mister rights attend to the horse’s one final time tonight.
“My guess is he’s waiting for the right moment Margret May.
Although when that is who knows it…a month, tomorrow, today?”
“Well, why not tonight dear sister, why not now? Under moonlight’s shimmering brow?”
“Oh, Margret May, such sweet truths like honey suckle upon your lips.
How about you and your man Hicks?”
“He still promises to take my hand, but with Sherman’s march his farm took it harsh.
With his Pa being gone, he seems so far, lost in his thoughts, too far is too far.”
“He’ll come back just like Henry. They’ll all come back.
I refuse to believe this war can take everything we want to come back.”
“I’m thankful for the time with Hicks. Hopefully, he’ll come back after this trip.
A night under the stars with his friends and his girl…a bit of relaxation is just the trick.”
CRUNCH… CRUNCH… CRUNCH
Jack and Hicks approached in hushed whispers did they shush.
Approaching the fire with a jar in hand that Jack passed to his Anna.
She took it with a sideways glance and suspicious look.
“I should call you a chef because you both seem to like to cook.”
“And what does that mean my sweet Anna?”
“Oh, Jack Sawyer you know the answer and you wish us both to get hammered.
Hicks getting moonshine under the moonlight, and you hoping to cook up some quality time.”
An eruption of giggles between the pair as Margret May began to blush her purity easily known.
“I could never break my vow until marriage and being betrothed isn’t yet marriage.”
“Don’t knock it, don’t be keen with your purity oh sister dear it might be just what you need.”
“I’ll tell you what my Margret May needs…I’ll tell you what she needs on the double.
It’s got Ol’ Hick’s personal guarantee.
A little of this moonshine and her main man to snuggle.”
Laughter erupted around the campfire everyone preparing for many others.
- MOONLIGHT, MOONSHINE, & A STRANGER -
BOOM… BOOM
The sound of the revolver with the smell of gunpowder.
Come war, come like dogs they call to her.
It cracked like a whip, cracked the dusk air.
Mischievous teenagers with moonshine and a little education there.
A dangerous combination in such a rural location, a crystal-clear situation.
Clear as the targets, clear as the revolver tries to mark it.
They shot at them with a…
POP and a CRACK
POP and a TING
Did the jars and bottles explode with a…
SMACK and a PING
SMACK and a DING
Followed by deafening ear rattling rings.
The fire grew larger the more wood they piled on top of her.
The fire dazzled their smiles and light stretched for what seemed like miles.
The night still young far from dawn despite the small mason jar being half gone.
Under waking starry skies had a contest did arise.
A simple concept created in simple contents.
The old back woods Jar Test.
Margret May and Jack were out and out right quick.
No barn, no deer, no target, no nothing could they hit.
One did emerge and passed the test.
Hicks stood impressed clearly out done and out best.
His target true with only one out of two.
Anna, who surprised the few by hitting two out of two.
“How are you such a good shot?
Whose secrets from whose mind were you taught?”
Anna smiled, temporary revolver holder handing it back to its owner.
“Henry taught me, he was always a crack at such a young age.”
“Have you heard any news? Or any word been spread to the homestead?”
“He’s aim was so true and conscripted into the Confederacy did he flew.
Flew off to some battlefield somewhere who knew?”
The seconds ticked… TICK, TICK, TICK!
The generating hesitating in his face began resonating.
A simple twitch… FLICK, FLICK, FLICK!
Under piercing gaze did his hesitation begin to fade.
“I heard rumors through the grape vine…just gossip and rumors heard over time.
The whispered clatter from the usual backroom chatter.
The mayor recalled some of the youngest regiments to come back.”
“Hicks my friend, how could you withhold that?
If you knew something…ANYTHING…you should have told me.
Not let this torment of our brother’s unknown fate hold me!”
Hicks’s mood was calm, and the revolver didn’t trouble her.
A sheepish look followed by an internal guilty shrug.
“Maybe you’re right Anna, maybe you think I’m no more a slug.
But give hope to the hopeless, no Anna that made no sense.
Give you hope when no hope could be found.
Give renewed hope to your grip of balance on an unsteady course all for an unreliable source.
Find you nor richer or poorer all for a mere rumor.”
Anna watched Hicks gaze to his friend whose empathy reflected back.
On Hicks’s shoulder they fell, and she knew he had meant well.
She understood he didn’t want her to get her hopes up.
In the end, she knew hope doesn’t often overfill cups.
“Anna all I know or heard is nill.
They were posted up near a prison in Andersonville.
A Camp Sumter, but I don’t pretend to understand it a little."
Anna’s eyes burned, but the pain was hard to hide or subside.
But did the prick from the flower still not sting.
CLAP…
Jack, preventing the moment growing colder consoled his friend with a smack on the shoulder.
“She’s knows you meant no offense let’s not forget we’re all best friends.”
“Now that the war is all over, it all now doesn’t make sense.
If he has not come back yet, then I am the one that’s dense.
And you know the cruel joke…the cruelest of tricks?
I can’t remember a reason, a reason from secession to since.”
“Anna, I found nothing, so I thought nothing, so I said nothing.
I meant no ill will at causing your ill will.
There’s no reason to get all shook up.”
CLUNK…
Another log drops on the fire…
ROAR…
Another eruption of fuel to the fire…
The light illuminated the surrounding area.
The only source of light in a growing darkness stretching eyesights.
Until there came a loud…
CRACK from a SNAP from the SWISH of the grass.
Hear the running of feet…
THUMP, THUMP, THUMP…
Hear the beating heart beat…
BUMP, BUMP, BUMP…
Feel the teenagers terrifying feelings begin to awaken, begin to hatch.
Eyes attach to a man emerging from the dark with the skin color to match.
Eyes wide with terror leaking water from his eyes.
Covered in mud, covered in filth, clothes are disheveled as if coming from the hills.
“Help me…” he cried.
“Help me…” he begged.
His hands did extend possibly hoping to find a friend.
“Put out the fire, you must put it out now!
I said OUT…not down…the light and noise will bring them around!”
He began to rush towards the flames before Hicks caught him.
“Who the hell are you? Where’d you come from? What trouble have you brought in?”
Jack’s questions were useless as Hick’s struggled in confusion.
The wild man began to shriek attempting at renewing his running.
“They are coming! They will find me!
Please stop fighting and somebody HIDE ME!”
POP… BANG…
Jack’s fist collided with his head and the crazed man fell limbs spread.
“Oh my god Jack, you killed him, he’s motionless, he’s dead!”
“No Anna don’t get too far ahead, he’s just knocked out cold.
Now Jack grab hold and find out what tales this night has left to unfold.”
It started with the…“who…who…who?”
It continued with the…“what…what…what?”
It followed with the…“huh…huh…huh?”
With a twitch and a jerk, the stranger’s body trembled like an earthquake.
Eyes shot open and did the mystery man fully awake.
The darkness of the young night high above him.
The silent night was swallowed by the crackling fire’s light.
The man shot up from his unconscious slumber with a rub of his head.
“Sir, we need to talk about what was said?”
“Ignore that Hicks, this man is strange to us possibly dangerous!”
“I’m NOT dangerous, you all need to hush.”
“Hush…WHO are YOU to US to trust?
YOU are the one that emerged from the brush.
A mystery thrust from the thrush.”
“My name is Hicks, that was my friend Jack, and these are our girlfriends.
And we mean you no harm, but you scared us to our nerves end.
That should be that and enough is enough.”
“My name is Carter…friends call me Cart and where to start.
I’m making my way up north to change my future and course.
I came with my family and out emerged substantial insanity.
From the depths of leafy canopy causing absolute calamity.
They soon became separated from me when danger came to loom.
There came a thunderous CRACK followed by an explosive BOOM!
“M-my f-father was shot dead just ahead of me, while making our chance to escape so readily.
I saw my pa unsteadily sway as something chased me away.
With hurried feet did I set out to be free.”
“Well, what did you see?”
Carter paused staring into the fire licks, staring as if lost in the abyss.
“I heard the whispers in the dark.
Their fingernails scrap across the very tree bark.”
I watched shadows jump between trees.
Dark figures watch me and disappear with such ease.
The constant apparitions in the night watching me between the trees and leaves.
He stopped and began to pout dashing his head from side to side trying to discover.
"How long have I been out?
How long have my eyes been closed?
In my absence and unconscious state, they could have drawn close without haste.”
Jack’s gentle hand appeared to calm the man.
Holding Cart in place bringing a reassured calm to his body and face.
“Guys maybe we should go back give this nature a full retreat.
Safety should be a priority that we seek and go back to our church’s nature retreat.
Safety would be assumed with the others and Reverand McCune.
If somebody or something is out there and bringing gloom.
We should be leaving and leaving soon.”
“By the higher forces, we’re not going anywhere, especially in the dark Jack.
We need to wait for daybreak before we start back.
Let’s just get some rest I think by now trouble would have shown itself.”
“I think someone should keep watch Hicks someone whose top notch.
Keep a safe situation from being botched.”
“To that plan I am no fan young man, you all don’t seem to understand.
We must run and hide or grab your horses to town and just ride!”
“Carter with this darkness your fate and ours you would barter?
Are you heartless? I don’t think it would be wise to part with this.
There’s no sense in bumbling and stumbling all through the dark night.
You’re safe in numbers and safe with the group.
Let’s all get some sleep, tuck in tight, and leave at first daylight.
Jack, you take the gun for it’s our best play.
If Anna’s aim is most straight than into her hands that gun my stay.”
- SOMETHING IS OUT THERE -
CRACK…
The fire slowly burning to embers letting light illuminate a few nearby grassy timbers.
Anna’s eyes fluttered, her lips sputtered, then puckered from dehydration she suffered.
However, it wasn’t the thirst that pressed upon her first.
The thirst was not cause for her unease or fright.
She rose from her sleeping sack and rubbed her eyes to rub away those sagging sacks.
CRACK… SNAP… SMACK
Eyes traveled around the waving canvas flaps as her eyes waved right past.
The sounds of footsteps walking past her tent and walking around the fire they went.
The stillness of the night seemed to amplify.
CRUNCH… CRUNCH… CRUNCH
Expressed the oppression of an encroaching possible hellish event.
Heart beating in her chest and gripped her breath clenching her breath.
Were these the apparitions and the encounter Carter tried to prevent.
Her eyes landed on Jack still in his sleeping sack.
Seeing the terror in his eyes reflected right back.
She was about to speak enough to fill play scripts.
Muteness struck her silent when his finger hit her lips.
His eyes traveled around the front of the canvas tent.
He risked a chance to sneak a glance.
Watching mysterious dark cloaked figures circle the dying embers.
Their examination was cyclical, a Luciferic ritual.
They blended in the night and like a satanic dance on the flames.
Jack returned his head without a rouse and heard Anna mouth quiet as a mouse.
“Is…it…an…animal?”
Shaking his head, “People…a few.
It ain’t Carter or Hicks from what I conclude.
Where is Hick’s revolver?
With that in our hand this problem can be resolved by it.”
Searching the sack bed did Jack’s hand hit cold metal lead.
He pulled it up and spun the wheel with a WHIR!
That was when everything outside the tent ceased to stir.
Silence returned despite a lone cricket giving out a lone little tone.
TWEET… TWEET… TWEET
Although by Jack it was left unnoticed becoming too focused Examine the wheeled chambers he counted the brass, “One, two, three…”
Three shots he informed her, but her nerves did not stir.
Nothing but the silence and stillness did the world around them still occur.
They waited with breath abated seconds ticked in adrenaline anticipating.
Then out from nothing did fingers do touch.
Across the canvas followed by a…
CRUNCH… CRUNCH… CRUNCH
The revolver raised high and trigger did his finger grip.
The finger to his lips and revolver towards the tent canvas slips.
He took a deep breath and gave one last look to Anna who shook.
He clicked back the hammer and emerged with a clamor.
Raising the revolver only to discover.
A raised handed Hicks only too eager to surrender.
“Whoa there, it’s just me there my friend Jack no need to attack!
I didn’t mean to wake or disturb you from your sleeping sack.
I guess that you heard me when I was coming back.”
Jack was dazed and confused with a complexion as white as a ghost.
“Where were you, Hicks? You let the fire die down! You left your here post!
Top notch I wouldn’t trust you to take care of a goat!”
Hicks raised a finger, “I just went out to piss and come back to this!
You screaming in my face and MY revolver being waved all over the place!
I told you to keep that with Anna…
What didn’t you understand a-huh, why don’t give me the revolver?
Before someone gets hurt possibly my Margret May.
I don’t want to involve her.”
“Someone will get hurt! WE will get hurt…ALL get hurt!
From the dangers out there that lurk, I watched them search.
A journey around our campfire and grounds they took.
You didn’t see them? You didn’t hear them?”
“Maybe you were dreaming Jack…seeing shadows in the night?
I saw nothing and Carter slept quite undisturbed from where his body lay curled.”
Carter shook on the ground paralyzed under incredulous fear.
The thought that the attackers that had killed his family.
The actual reality would drive a man to insanity.
They had the opportunity and motive.
They HAD their moment with their opponent.
The torment of their executioner judgment towering over him.
Slit his throat so ferocious at any point that little notice consumed his focus.
The postponement of his fate between him and the man behind the pulpit.
“Despite the fact your brain can’t wrack on whether they were here, or they weren’t.
Go ahead and search it for strange persons.
You still left us with Carter whose trustworthiness to me relates to a merchant.
I am sure Carter feels the same!”
“I’m just glad I have some place safe to lay.
Lay until the morning with you fine folk.
Lord knows, I’d probably be swinging from a rope.”
About to speak, but did his words fall flat with the sound of a…
CRACK…
Bodies and eyes trembled as Jack raised Hick’s revolver.
Carter raised from his feet his paralyzed mind no longer holding him to his seat.
His eyes grew wide as an internal fear grew that he could not hide.
His head swiveled with a trembling quivering fear,
“It is them…they are here!”
Ignoring Carter’s warning with a voice growing stronger every second transforming.
“Whose ever out there show yourself!
We mean you no harm that is our purpose…
remain silent and you’ll know what hurt is!”
Margret May came to life with an eye rub and a yawn.
“Hicks, what is going on? Why all the ruckus it’s not even dawn!”
Without a glance, his hand quietly steadied her shoulder bracing for the notoriety in her anxiety.
“May, my sweet, I need you alert and on your feet.
Remain calm for something lurks in the grass most tall.”
“Jack, my love, maybe it’s just an animal that makes that sound?
Probably some rabbit or deer is just poking around?”
“How can you say that after what you just heard…what just transpired?
Aren’t you inspired to inquire…mere…CURIOUS about what has conspired?”
“Jack, I am telling you I have been up all night!”
“They WHY Hicks did you not continue to feed the firelight?”
Hicks was quick to see Margret May’s eyes flick.
Although, hope was gone from his eyes that read wrong.
Hicks had been caught in his own web, his own lie…an easy tell.
And that’s when Margret May knew her mistake as well.
“Show yourself or at least make yourself heard!
Say SOMETHING before someone gets hurt!”
The silence was quieter than the grave.
Jack straightened himself growing more bold…more brave
He turned with a confident smirk.
“I think they’re gone…shown their worth.
Dust to dust to become one with the Earth.”
KA CHING… KA BOOM
Came the sounds, the piercing sounds, the sounds of lightning, the sounds of BOOM!
The sound of death and dismay…calamity and doom.
Small orange fires erupted from within the dense darkness.
It expelled something through Jack leaving him heartless.
Anna screamed with fingers trembling on her lips.
Frozen in place, the kiss from a lover’s cold emotionless kiss.
Carter fell into a fit of struggles and shakes.
Blood gurgling from between Jack’s lips forcing the ground to quake. It took a lifetime…
For him to fall…
For the revolver to fall…
For his chin to fall…
His body to droop, the still smug smirk imprinted for false hope to dupe.
The silence of the world pressed on Anna’s lungs.
As she watched her world fall far from where she’s from.
Her world grew cold, and lost all hope, before his last words were told or spoke.
“Anna, we need to go! We can not stand still! We need to head for the hills!”
- A PAST THAT NEVER DIES -
With a CRACK and SNAP of the tree branches that part.
With pumping lungs and the racing of hearts.
The start of a marathon to get as far from where they start from.
Anna’s mind lost in terror and thought.
The path wasn’t easy to decipher, wasn’t easy to follow.
Every decision wrought with guilt causing her soul to wilt.
Escape with Hicks and follow or stay with Jack and wallow.
What had Jack died for?
Why wallow in sadness and pity?
Why continue to run when emotions are low?
Why does my heart feel so hollow?
Her uncontrollable sobbing blinded her behind sopping tears.
Fears of the unknown, to where unknown, a cheer just for hoping.
Groping through the overgrown forest and leaves…
Desperate to leave…
Desperate flee…
Desperate for the need that safety and security could bring.
“Stop pulling Hicks, I’m not arguing with you needing to lead.
I’m out of breath and steam needing time to grieve!”
Ignoring her protests, did Hicks continue to pull best.
Unable to see if her sister Margret May had followed them on their way to escape.
She wiped away pained tears to see Margret May was nowhere near.
The darkness must have swallowed her whole.
With a whimpering pained cry at the thought of her never coming home.
“Margret May where have you disappeared this night so close too day?”
Gasping for breath, choking, and struggling for more precious air.
Hicks placed his hand over Anna’s mouth, “Be quiet and stay right there.”
The tree provided cover, it seemed to hide them well.
Their ears continued to listen waiting for their pursuers’ tell.
His hand released slowly as he struggled with his composure.
Praying his breathing wouldn’t be an overexposure.
“I just want to hold ya…hold me. Who or what killed my Jack?”
“I don’t know Anna, but you ask as if someone told me.”
His finger did meet with Anna’s trembling lips behind trembling breaths silent to keep.
“Don’t make a peep I can hear their footsteps creep.”
Anna’s eyes were wide trying to feel secure in Hicks’s grip.
However, she found no comfort with her breath drawn in, the closer the footsteps drew in.
CRUNCH… CRUNCH… CRUNCH
With the hope to be discreet the soft dirt where heel and ground meet.
Did little to hide the stalking of feet.
Hicks tucked in with an adjust, he dare not look, but try he must.
With a look of warning did he find the strength to answer his curiosity exploring.
His hand released and around the thick tree did he sneak a peak.
Shadowy figures moved through the dark…blending one with the night.
Although only did he spot a couple, he saw their hunting pace, they were in the face of trouble.
They moved like shadows from tree to tree.
Search through the underbrush and thickest of thrush.
The discovery of their location was a must.
An unmistaken familiar clicking sent Hick’s heart to ticking.
Rifles being prepared to bring a final and fatal end of despair.
“I-I-I think they are going to pass if we stay quiet and hold fast.”
Anna’s voice was quiet, gone a tone of nice replaced with fear that came from mice.
“W-what do we do? I want to go home!”
“Home we will go and go at a snap at first chance.
Although first we’ll have to make it back to camp.
Grab the horses and run as fast as we can.”
“What about Margret May? I can’t leave her out here all night and all day.”
“We won’t have the chance to search Anna.
We don’t have the time!
Who knows how long they’ll search until it is us, they find.
We might get only one shot.
We can’t be a dunce, opportunities like this might only come once!”
Hicks stood with his back to the tree trunk preparing to run.
Gathering his strength for what had to be done.
Taking Anna’s hand bridging the gap between discourage and encourage.
“We must gather are courage…make our break when they sweep that ridge.”
“I don’t know if I could just LEAVE my sister Margret May.”
“I loved Margret May too! In fact, I was close to asking for an I do.
But that doesn’t matter, I know what does…our survival that’s true!
I know my Margret May and to the horses she’ll make way.
If not then I’ll stay, I don’t think I can stray from my sweet Margret May.
For her my life I would lay.”
Anna stared at her sister’s future betrothed,
“There’s one thing I need to say.
If something should happen only one of us needs to get away.
Only one needs to get a message for us to be safe.
Get back to the church troupe and round up a mob group.
Search for the murderers compile justified justice for Jack…that’s fool proof!”
“Now is our chance the time has come. We need to take this opportunity to run.
Grab the horses and set straight courses to grab law enforcement sources.
They move through the dark like evil forces.”
Hicks peers around the tree to catch a dark figure disappear beyond where light could see.
Disbelief set in his stance, a distant CLICK from guns returning to holsters.
“They’re soldiers…”
Anna could hear the tremble in Hicks’s voice.
“What…”
“They’re soldiers Anna or at least that’s what it appears.
I don’t know, with the darkness they disappear. It wasn’t so clear.”
“Hicks they are in our rear let’s get the horses and get out of here!”
Anna grabbed his shoulder, and they began to run ducking behind a boulder.
They grew bolder and moved out to where the forest began to thin.
Ran until the waving grass could wave again.
As they crept forward an eerily orange glow illuminated their way forward.
It glowed as if a portion was set ablaze.
A distant light displayed to guide their way.
A crackling from somewhere as Hicks scouted the tall grass like a hunter waiting to poach.
He waved them both down further, a lurker on whose own campsite they encroached.
The grass grew thinner as the light grew brighter.
The smell did linger as the crackling grew bigger.
The wagon they borrowed from the church cast shadows forevermore like ravens on perch.
The wagon from the church set alight with no horses in sight requiring renewed search.
Anna trembled in a paralyzing whimpering fall to her knees uttering heavenly pleas.
A seal of her upcoming grim fate.
Realizing that an easy escape no longer appeared to take shape.
“NO, NO, NO, NO,” came the frantic cries from Hicks.
Bounding through the remaining waving grass and breaking dead sticks in his path.
“We should have never stolen the wagon from Reverend McCune.
We should have never come out here to try and heal our wounds.
It was wrong…an error.
A miscarriage of judgment…should have known better.
All it brought was wreckage…all I wanted was Jack’s proposal of marriage.”
The wagon crackled…
The floating embers sprinkled down like snow in winter.
The blazing fire radiated an eerie gloom of the impending doom.
The dark and dismay approached without delay.
CRUNCH… CRUNCH… CRUNCH
Followed by the raspy breaths of…
HUH… HUH…HUH
Out of the darkness, out from where the tall grass sway.
Emerged an uninjured Margret May.
She was rattled and jittered, utterly hindered, and bewildered.
Her hand outstretched from within her simple ruffled dress streaked red with bloodshed.
Weak and withered her eyes gave a frantic look defined.
“Anna…my Hicks…your alive praise to God your ALIVE in front of my eyes I do find!
I knew you would come back when separated I ran off and did hide.”
“Margret May your alive…my life…y-you’ve survived!”
Hicks ran to his Margret May and embraced her in place.
His fingers examined and lovingly investigated her face.
“I feared that I lost you!
Feared what a life would cost without you!”
The wagon’s large embers continued to bring dire thickening with the flurries of fire.
“The horses they’re gone Hicks my love!
We’re finished, we’re done!
We won’t get far on foot and can’t wait till they come back.”
“The lord has heard your plea for a need in sending back our steed.”
CLIP CLOP, CLIP CLOP, CLIP CLOP
Ol’ Blackie trotted his way forward with a nervous nay.
Hicks grabbed a hold of its reign with a calming hand he displayed.
The fire crackled and their wagon did buckle.
It collapsed within itself and crumbled into rubble.
Ol’ Blackie did rear back which threw the girl’s back.
“Easy Blackie, easy, please you’re our only hope to get back.”
The horse sensing Hicks’s pleas or sensing his need steadied its hooved feet.
With a snort and bray still wary of the fire moments from becoming carried away Hicks was already placing his Margret May high upon the horse despite Anna’s dismay.
“The horse will take you both. Now pledge me this oath.
That you will go home and bring me hope…”
“Please my Hicks, don’t say your goodbyes.
I can scootch up and slide behind.
If you stay, I’m afraid that the cost is what Death is expecting you to pay.”
“As long as you’re safe I can live with the choices I make.
Now hurry we may not get another chance to make our escape.”
Anna scrambled up onto the steed finding a comfortable spot for a seat.
While Margret May longed at her Hicks seemingly unable to leave.
“Please May don’t start with your pleas, can’t you see the horse can’t fit or take three.
We’ve got even bigger trouble on the horizon.
I see the soldiers approaching on other horses riding.
Now YAH mighty steed, ride into the night Ol’ Blackie flee!
Blackie launched forward disordering the order.
Anna’s world become more blurred.
As Blackie appeared to purge her off his back seat and she slid free.
Anna yelled out, “CATCH ME!”
Hicks caught her in a scramble as they both fell into a tangle.
Margret May screamed in fright as Blackie disappeared into the night.
The two rose spinning unable to stay hidden.
The grass began to singe intensified by the wind in the night.
The wagon’s fire light blanketed hope by covering the area with smoke.
With nowhere to go and lost at the helm.
The licking grass passed the flame from stem to stem.
Through the fire appeared three mysterious men.
Dressed in gray from uniforms back in the darkest of days.
And placed like a hat, a deteriorating brown sack.
Faded yellow on display included with the fraying military jacket inlay.
They approached rifles slung but revolvers withdrew.
Calling out “HALT…”
Their horses began to circle, determined to end their nightly pursuit.
Faded gold buttons and stars on their lapels.
A familiar flag from the past displaying stars and bars…real rebels with a rebel yell.
Their dark horses unafraid of the growing orange light reflected in their black eyesight.
“Get behind me Anna,” trembled Hicks as he raised his fist.
Directing her to move to his back, to better protect her for fear of an upcoming wrath.
The front horse pawed at the ground kicking up dirt all senses on high alert.
“Who are you? What are you doing? You’re the ones we’ve been pursuing.
You think that your friend will be able to run…be able to hide?
Our mission must remain secret protected with our very lives.
Which mean that you all can no longer survive.”
“You killed my Jack? What, OH WHAT have we done to deserve this attack?”
“WE will ask the questions you hear? What are you doing all the way out here?”
Anna trembled into Hicks’s back as he replied back.
“We are here on a church retreat…to heal our wounds and let our baggage release.
Hold onto a way of life until deemed obsolete.
Feel complete with finding Jesus with nature under your feet.”
The man behind the sack mask mocked,
“Church retreat…what shepherd would lead such an astray flock?”
“Reverand McCure…”
“You sure…”
“Yeah, I’m sure…”
“Your revolver be Union I’d take that to the bank.
My guess is your name be Billy and you be a yank.
Billie Yank I see your Union star through the wagon’s powder blue paint.”
Hicks’s eyes fixed on the dirt-stained gray uniform.
The other two soldiers moved in closer, a perimeter began to form.
“I ain’t no Billie Yank, and I take great offense.
My pappy served with the tenth!
Her brother served with the local regiment…”
“And where do you serve with your nurse?
Who is your commanding officer for your present military course?”
“That is not something often heard, but I never got a turn and Anna is not a nurse.”
“We have sacrificed everything…given everything…continue to give everything.
Even in the darkest of hours when our purpose begins to sour until our finest hour.”
“And killing my friend Jack is part of that glory by the higher power!”
“YOU should not have trespassed on Confederate land!”
“I am afraid I don’t understand!”
“The enemy that has been sent to me.”
“ENEMY…her and I are NOT part of the Union!
Are you ALL in denial?
The war is over and has been for a while!”
“You are not from the south. You can not be!
A true southerner never forgets his yell.
War ain’t over just cause YOU BOTH tell.
If what you speak is true, why we are here, why we fight…”
“Do you even REMEMBER WHY WE FIGHT!
Or in this case why we FOUGHT!”
Hicks roared, growing more agitated with his sass.
“I do young man with balls bright as brass!
To honor the rights of states and protect our way of life.
If you’re from the south, you would never forget that rite.
Why did your family fight?”
Peaking her head from around Hicks’s back with a tone weakened.
“My brother was conscripted but that does not diminish or make our causes uneven.
His pa went, my brother still went, and the cost STILL ain’t spent!
The reason they fought was one and it was lone.
In the end, Georgia is our home.
My Pa lost his leg in Secessionville please let us live to tell.
P-p-p-please, grant us rescue, we’re all stars and bars.
We’ll be gone, gone and oh so far…”
CLICK… CLICK
Rifle locks clicked as trigger fingers did itch.
Anna’s final pleas were lost to the breeze.
But did she proceed…
“Farther than apparently the rescue from a wish on a star.
Oh, I wish he could hear this and know how much he is missed.
Oh, Henry Cary come back to Flint River valley.
Whether stuck in a prairie or some savannah just come home to your family and sister Anna.”
THUMPF…
Feet hit fast as the smallest soldier’s feet hit grass.
Dismounted from his horse as his hands if by some unknown force.
Removed the burlap sack mask as he asked right back.
“Anna…y-you said Anna?
Anna from Reverend McCune’s Chapel?”
He moves forward stealthy and slow as an approaching jackal.
“A name that brings my very soul to grapple.
I do too have a pa who lost a leg at Secessionville.
Pray do tell that your name is short due to belle?”
“Annabelle, but only my brother and mother call me that.”
“Annabelle from Americus in Sumter County?
Don’t clown me with lies or drown me in doubt down deep.
You know me…you recognize me…see what I see.”
Anna’s bottom lip quivered as the truth dropped fully delivered.
“H-Henry, is that you?
Please say that its true!”
They embraced in a hug so tight that guns raised high.
“I thought you were lost brother dear, gone for all time!
Why did you not come home? Why was your fate so unknown?
Why were you gone for such a long time?”
“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you on the ride.
Our family will be whole…together again.”
“It doesn’t matter Corporal! They could spill the secrets and reveal our location!
Our mission is to keep things running until Davis thwarts the Union.
Until I hear different from our reunion with…”
“With who…whose the one that gives you your orders?”
“Commandant and Captain Henry Wirz.
Young man, what business of it is yours?”
“He’s dead…”
“Dead…”
“Dead…you’re awaiting orders from a hanged man dead.”
“How can this be?”
“It was in D.C.!”
“You lie…and what does it matter?
All this chit-chat and chatter?”
“It DOES matter Major…t-t-this be one of my sisters!”
“And who will miss her Corporal, never forget the mission!
Orders are orders now follow!
We don’t choose which to obey you coward!”
I need every man and shot, and the cost is worth more than we got.”
“There is no more war! We have no more reason to fight!
We behold to no man or mission,
When the conditions are beyond recognition.
I don’t recognize this war anymore.
Let’s make it right…let them ALL live this night!
It’s time to put down our rifles in the meaning of what a white flag promotes.
Waiting on orders and a future to the memory of ghosts”
“Henry, what are saying? What are you obeying?
What are these orders your life was worth paying?”
A rifle was raised towards Henry Cary.
Wondering if he should test his commanding officer’s aim, dare he?
“You will NOT reveal our assignment Corporal!
Our objective be clear, by anyone or anything we can NOT be detoured or deceived.
We are active duty until we are relieved!”
Tension mounted as the seconds ticked by for the group.
“Major, the war is done there is no more fight to be won.
We are the last of a country and you better wake up and see!
That country like are orders exist only from memory!”
The Major turned to the other remaining soldier.
“Sergeant, we’ve got a traitor that wishes to meet his creator.”
The soldier gave a quick whirl from his other side.
He relieved a brown noose already ready and tied.
Anna gulped knowing without her brother’s help.
She knew that noose was meant for herself.
“NO…”
Henry muttered, tossing his sack mask to the flutters and sputters.
Henry Cary withdrew his revolver making emotions hotter under the collar.
“I am DONE…
Done with the mission…
Done with the waiting…
Done with the masquerading…
Done with us being out here on our own.
I am going home.”
BANG…
The Major’s revolver had erupted exploding in a flash.
Hicks took the first shot collapsing in the grass.
Anna had no time to scream, no time to react.
BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG
Hell had arrived as the world erupted in white light.
Anna fell to the dirt floor hearing horses rear and the blood pour.
It all happened so fast her world forever changed with a blast.
Hands covered her ears curled into a ball.
Through the firestorm she heard her brother calling for her, unable to ignore.
Anna saw the horses had fled, the Sergeant and Major appeared spent.
Anna crawled to her brother clenching two bullet wounds.
Blood poured from his mouth, “I guess there will be multiple tombs.”
“Don’t say that brother dear, you will be fine!
I just need to find us a ride and in no time, we’ll have you to a doctor don’t you dare decline!”
Henry spluttered blood as he chuckled.
“That’s a shocker you make death sound like just a mere struggle.”
Henry grew pale as the blood leaked like a hole from a pale.
His eventual mortality and demise either couldn’t deny.
“At least, we’ll get to say goodbye just one last time.”
When to their surprise the Major awoke.
He stirred with a mortal groan evoking a bloody cough like choke.
“Go…” he bellowed.
Go…” he pushed her away.
Horrorstruck he reached towards her pressing his luck.
“N-n-not t-that w-w-w-way!”
Watched helplessly as she tearfully made her escape.
The Major rose clenching his face preparing to chase.
Henry tackled him impeding his way.
He gurgled blood from his mouth, no breath was allowed.
No doubt both their final hours had come.
Anna ran to escape she ran until her lungs would break.
The only one left and alone from friends and one God forsakes.
She ran until she heard a groan and an ache.
She paused for a moment to take notice and claim.
A wooden floor gave way and Anna knew she had made a mistake.
The forest held a secret, that a mere body could bust through.
However, the floor still…miraculously withstood.
The boards were so rotted that one false move was easily understood.
The wood floor planks did tremble and shake.
Groan and moan like the branches that swung from above.
The rising sun promising serenity but instead something abhorrent.
A dozen men were strung up overhead.
They hung drooped shouldered with no mourners.
The decaying remnants of lost and forgotten Confederate soldiers.
Gray uniforms disintegrating under the hot sun.
Not one, but two crows cawed above from the hung bodies.
A sinister spot absent from what God sees.
CREAK… CRACK… CLUNK
CRASH… SPLASH… SPLAT
A little whiplash as Anna fell straight down fast.
A mysterious hole, where did the world go?
“AH”…“OUCH”…“DAMN”
A pain when Anna’s body slammed on her own ankles with a sickening BAM!
The electric shock of the pain disrupted her very brain.
Her hands gripped at her skin hoping to soothe the pain within.
Her muddy fingers wiped the tears from her eyes.
The loss of loved ones and now the pain from the fall.
It was too much to handle and then came a rattle.
Through the ebbing darkness, its occupants shuffled out of startlement.
They were thin to the bone, but still appearing to go on.
Dressed in tattered rags of clothes from uniforms past.
Crutches and bandages with dirt covered hands.
Expressionless eyes from men timid as lambs.
A lone man emerged from the shadows.
On tiptoes as if approaching the edge of plateaus.
Still wearing his Union jacket, his tattered blankets scattered random maggots.
Their humanity either taken, lack it, or couldn’t stand it.
They acted as if they were from another planet.
The man was near bald and pale with a face sunk into his own skull.
Rubbing the top of his palm, his life’s will on the lull.
Anna’s ankle appeared broken, crumbling under pain in shocked revulsion.
“AH”…dirty clothes and wet sodden dirt floors.
“EEK”…from the bugs that creep to the one barred door they keep.
“BLECK”…the mice poke curious heads around wooden beds.
“W-who are you?”
He said in a frail voice no more a whisper.
“W-who are you?”
Anna replied back, gripping her ankle and careful where to put her hand at.
“Who I am is irrelevant. I have been imprisoned for so long.
What I was and what represented me was irreverent.
Confined behind wooden logs and metal bars.
My service is forgotten.
My rank is meaningless.
My name is insignificant.”
His sunken eyes grew wide as he moved closer into the light.
Anna succumbed to his almost hypnotic stare.
“My name is Anna. I was running from the soldiers.
Soldiers that don’t seem to realize the war is over.”
An eruption of noise from around the room.
“The…war…is…o-over?”
“Yes, can you tell me who are?”
Anna rose from the floor steadying herself on the bedpost.
Noticing a small window with wood bars no man could fit through.
The man struggled in his brain with the dead weight.
His brow furrowed trying to recall, trying to find the plans to rebuild what was lost.
“W-w-we are the remaining prisoners of Andersonville.
The one’s too valuable, too crafty at their skill.”
Or one’s with answers to questions still left unfulfilled.”
“You’re free to go! The guards are dead!
Your life of torment and hell is at an end!”
Her smiling reaction was not met with the same reaction.
The reaction of her reaction caused a reaction to their neighbors’ reaction.
A worried wave of woah reverberated around the circular room.
The morning sunlight began illuminating the room up wide.
The ceiling was broken with her escape path being up too high.
Too big to jump, too big to climb.
“H-how many did you kill with your time outside?”
The old man asked his voice near broken…withered from unuse.
“Three…”
“Is this a ruse?”
The eruption of murmured whispers and hushed protests.
The prisoners grew with their unrest as Anna shook her head as if she knew best.
“Yes, the war is over and has been for a while.”
“Yes, the war is over, and I see you’re no pretender.
Then this is true, this must be the Confederacy’s final surrender.
However instead of our savior, all I feel is death has sent her.
No guards means no keys.
No keys means no escape.
No escape means no food.
No food means no good.
And you see now where that puts you.”
Her eyes flicked from left to right.
Watching the circle of prisoners enclose the circle around her tight.
“Well, maybe another guard or somebody else will…”
She began but her courageous protests did not instill.
Filled with hunger, chops were licked, and hands were rubbed.
“You’ve seen the only other guards.
They are strung up above.
Your presence here is not loved.
Food will be scarce, and our fighting will be fierce.
But delay that time your life can provide.”
Anna shrieked certain of the danger she was in, and now only had worsened.
The prison door blocked and surely locked.
Throwing away caution, Anna scrambled up towards the only other option.
Heaving her body towards the window.
In the end, what was the minnow to the shark?
“Get her…” did the old man bark.
Anna’s adrenaline fueled scrambled up onto a wooden bed.
Luckily getting a boost from someone’s lunging body.
Foggy & groggy…
Sloppy & floppy…
A guaranteed plot sure to fail and folly.
Her shoes scraped the dirt wall desperate to escape it all.
Gripping the wooden bars with her hands outstretched.
Underneath wretched hands were outstretched.
Her hand reached true to clear a way through.
Break the wooden bars would take strength of Gods.
Dirty fingers gripped the corners of her mouth.
The furrow of her brow, mouth opened wide in one horrorstruck howl.
Hands grabbing her face and pulling at her waist.
Forever forsaking her to her final resting place.