Forget (Colonel William Tavington story)

Chapter 9

"My little Sunflower," Nathan Castevet bowed and offered his hand to his daughter, "May I have this first dance." 

Marianne giggled and nodded her head, dancing with her dad. Little Bella, 4 years old with a blue collar around her neck, barked and pranced around the father and daughter. Samuel, who was a 4 year old boy, Natalie who was 13, both laughed and continued to have a good time. Luanne Castevet enters her daughters bedroom and smiles at her family. 

"Marianne," Luanne called out, "Nana's here." The little girl grinned and ran out of the room, her puppy in tow. 

"Nana!" 

Alexandra turned to her granddaughter and smiled, picking her up, "Oh my little Marianne! I missed you!" 

"How's England?" She asked, hugging the grey-haired lady. Alexandra smiled and kissed the top of her head. 

"Beautiful as always, I can't wait for the day you'll get to go with me..." 

"Soon Nana?" 

"I can't promise soon but..." She pulled out a Sunflower necklace and put the chain around Marianne's neck, "I did bring you a gift." 

"Oh Nana! I love it!" The little girl grins, "It's beautiful." She lifts the charm up and looks at it. 

"I'm glad you like it, my Sunflower." She kisses the top of her head, "When you wear it, know that I'm going to always be with you. Even when I'm away." 

Bella barked loudly, lifting up the covers of Marianne's bed. The three siblings turned over in bed before waking up and seeing the distressed dog, the Spaniel barked again and left the bedroom to wake up Nathan and Luanne. The couple woke up and the smell of smoke and burning wood filled their senses. Marianne tied a robe around her and woke up. 

"Mother? Father? What's going on?" Marianne rubbed her tired eyes and yawned. Samuel was being held by Natalie. Luanne and Nathan looked out the window and saw men throwing torches and trying to break down the door. Servants ran into the room and saw the Castevets, they were frightened. 

"We need to get you out of here as quick as possible." 

"What in the hell is going on?" Nathan asked as they heard a loud crash. 

"Local Militia are trying to break in, they want you all dead." 

"Take the kids first," Luanna says, pushing her children forward. Natalie looks at her mother and tries to protest. 

"Mother! We're not going without you!" 

"We'll be right behind you," Nathan said, "We promise, now go!" He yelled as they heard the shouting of men. The kids run off, Natalie held on tight to Samuel and Marianne, trying to be the older sister and protect them, Marianne tripped on a root from a tree and fell over. Samuel and Natalie were grabbed and forced on their knees along with Luanne, Nathan, and some servants. 

Marianne hid in a big bush and felt tears well up in her eyes. 

"Nathan and Luanne Castevet," A man said aloud, "Any last words." Guns were pressed to their heads. Nathan looked up, a stubborn look in his eyes. 

"God save King George!" 

Sounds of gunshots filled the area, Marianne cried out, catching attention. She took off running into the woods, branches scrapping her face, she tripped and fell, tumbling down a small ravine and hitting her head against a cobblestone road; knocking her out instantly. Blood dripped from her head and onto the stone road. 

Marie woke up screaming, tears running down her face, and a very thin layer of sweat covered her body. Tavington shot up and saw her crying and panting, he gently placed a hand on her shoulder. She was shaking. 

"Hey hey hey," He whispered, "What's wrong? Did you have a bad dream?" She didn't respond to him, she just shook and laid back down, nuzzling her head into the crook of his neck. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close to him. He rubbed her back soothingly and kissed her forehead. Marie cried in his arms, it felt so real. Tavington continued to rub her back, trying to get her to calm down to the best of his ability.

"It's okay, I'm here. Nothing's going to hurt you... not while I'm around."