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When Jackson and I arrived at Macclenny we were greeted with a warm welcome of deadly stares

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When Jackson and I arrived at Macclenny we were greeted with a warm welcome of deadly stares. we rode in on some horses we 'borrowed' from a man about 50 miles back. but as you may see the people of this town were not the nicest. I stopped my horse for a moment

"excuse me," I asked a man walking down the street "I'm looking for Mr. Barron, I heard I could find him here" 

"he's about 2 blocks to the right, but I would keep a watchful eye on your friend there... people don't take too kindly to his kind around here" I rolled my eyes

"will do," I said nodding my hat to him, and we went about our day

"I hate it here, it's like being in a town full of Anthonys" Jackson complained I chuckled "you see the way they look at me, it's like I slept with every one of their wives" 

"well it's only noon who knows what will happen" I chuckled and he kicked me

"It was one time, I didn't even know Anthony back then" we both had a good laugh before arriving at Mr. Barron's workshop. we hopped off our horses and headed inside the shop. a bell rang overhead as we walked through the door. a man behind the counter on the right side of the store looked at us

"How can I help you, gentlemen," he asked I removed my hat

"good day sir, I was wondering how much it'll be to buy iron nails and steel rivets in bulk," I asked

"yes as well as saws, hammers, and other tools" Jackson added

"yes sir I have all that information here"

~~~~~~~~

food, sleep, and water

these are some of the things going through my mind at the moment. i haven't slept or eaten in hours, the aches and pains in my body were only getting worse. I had a run-in with some racist white people while walking through the woods lucky for me I was able to kill them before they could hurt me, but I didn't escape unscathed I had a cut on my left arm and one on my right leg. I ripped some of my shirt so I could stop the bleeding. however I could feel myself at my breaking point, I looked to the sky and saw it was late in the day I had maybe an hour until the sunset. a while back I passed a sign on the main road saying that I was in Florida, so at least I know I'm close to safety. I tried to keep walking along for about an hour but I eventually collapsed onto a tree

"AHHHH" I screamed realizing I landed on my left arm I held it as tears ran down my face.

"come on princess you can't give up now" I looked around to that voice, it was his voice, but why would he be here. that's when he appeared in front of me, almost out of thin air. 

"luke" I whispered he kneeled down and placed a hand on my cheek, I held his hand and leaned into it.

"keep going for me princess, you're so close" I closed my eyes as I felt him kiss my forehead but when I opened them again. he was gone. I looked around to where he could have gone too, and that's when I saw him walking away. I struggled to get up but once I had my balance I followed after him but he kept walking, it felt like he kept getting faster.

"Ow," I yelled, I limped the best I could to keep up but it wasn't working so I mustered up as much strength as I could and started to run after him

"Luke, please don't leave me" I barely choked out I could feel tears running down my face

please

~~~~~~~~

after about an hour or more of negotiating with the blacksmith on prices, we came to an agreement. once that was taken care of and we had everything we needed, Jackson and I headed to grab something to eat. it was getting later in the day so we got something quick and started to head back to st. Augustine, so we could make it back before nightfall. because I know after dark out here is not for the faint of heart, but as we were making our way back we were about 10 miles outside of Macclenny when...

"ahh"

"what was that, "I asked Jackson, we both stopped in our tracks

"what was what," he asked me confused I held up my hand for him to be quiet after a few seconds a rustling in the trees could be heard

"it's probably a rabbit or something, come on we need to get back," Jackson said going ahead of me, I looked out into the trees a little longer before following him.

 "I'm starting to think that the trees are beginning to make you crazy" he chuckled

"Jackson I really think I heard something"

"Yeah, you heard trees and little woodland critters, maybe you should stick to the ocean, aye" 

"Ow"

"Are you okay?" Jackson asked looking back at me, I looked at him confused

"yeah why do you ask" 

"didn't you just say 'ow'" he asked me I chuckled 

"looks like the trees are getting to you too" we continued our talk about who might be crazier until the sound of rustling trees and snapping branches stopped our conversation

"Still think it's a rabbit," I asked slowly putting my hand on my gun, we listened to the woods as whatever was running through them was headed straight for us and it was coming fast. the rustling got louder and closer as we stood there, to the point whatever was running was right upon us. I could feel my heartbeat quicken as my hands started to sweat, I'll be honest I haven't felt like this in a while, my hands were shaking to the point I couldn't control it. I took a big gulp when all of a sudden it went deadly quiet, the running had stopped. I glanced over to Jackson, and he shrugged his shoulders

someone came running out of the tree line scaring me, Jackson, and themselves we all screamed we both pulled our guns out ready to shoot before I realized that it was a girl she was laying on the ground covering her head, the clothes she had on were ripped, bloody, dirty and wet. I put my gun away before telling Jackson to do the same.

"Please, please don't hurt me" she pleaded I looked at her for a moment before getting on the ground to her level. 

it couldn't be, how could she be here, she shouldn't be out here. but I know that voice, I would never forget her voice.

"....Elizabeth" she stayed in her same position for a moment before slowly uncovering her face and sitting up, that's when I was met with those beautiful brown eyes that I missed so much.

"luke" she looked at me like she'd seen a ghost, next thing I knew her arms were wrapped around my neck she held on to me afraid to let go, I didn't know what to do I just hugged her back. I held on to her tightly as if I was afraid she would disappear again, I could feel the tears run down my cheek as I held her. the wet sensation on my shoulder as she cried, her body was shaking, she felt fragile and cold. I hugged her tighter as she cried more, lord knows what she's been through, where she's been all this time.

"Elizabeth..." I couldn't even finish my sentence she just cried more, after she calmed down a little she let go of the hug and looked past me to Jackson who was sitting on the ground to the left of me. Tears peeked into her eyes again as she tackled him for a hug too. I could see Jackson wanted to say something but didn't know where to start. trust me I had a thousand questions going through my mind as well. but the main question is 

what happened?

*****************

FINALLY damn :D




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