In the Time of War

Chapter 2

I took Arabella inside her house. I told her to stay there while I go talk to my Momma. I told her I would take care of it and all she had to do was take care of her siblings until I got back.

I ran straight for home. Straight through the woods, dodging tree branches . I could feel the leaves brushing against my bare arms. I knew by the time I got home I would be covered in bruises and cuts. I didn't care, I was going to help Arabella. All the sudden I ran into something hard and fell right down, landing on my bum. I heard a deep chuckle and knew who it was immediately.

"Hello love, lovely to see you again." Mr. Daniel reached out to help me up. I just shook him off and got up while rubbing my sore bum. I really wasn't glad to see him. Why was he out this far in the woods anyway?

"Hello Mr. Daniel" Not making eye contact, I looked around for an escape route. There was none. I looked up at him defeated. I was trapped here.
" Oh there's no need for the formality," Mr. Daniel said. "Please just call me Daniel."

" I fear that would be most inappropriate Mr. Daniel." I told him. " That would imply we were friends, and I assure you we're not."

" But Miss Ruth, if you would give me a chance, I'm sure we would become great friends." He told me with a glint in his eye I've only ever seen once. When my Momma and Papa looked at each other. He looked at me with love. Though there's no way he loves me. We've only met one other time and I was anything but polite to him.

" I don't think that would be the best idea. We come from two completely different worlds. You know how the times are now. My mother wouldn't be fond of me even talking to you." I've completely forgotten about apologizing. When I saw him with that slave owner it appalled me. I really don't ever want to talk to him. It's keeping everything in me not to slap him right now.

" Well than I should have a talk with your mother then. I'm sure if she met me, she would change her mind." He took a step forward. I shook my head at him. He wouldn't give up.

" I really should be going. Goodbye Mr. Daniel." I gently brushed by him, but before I could leave he grabbed my arm. It all happened so fast one minute I was trying to get away from him and the next he was kissing me. I immediately pushed him off.

I turned and ran. He just kissed me. That was not okay. Should I tell my mother? She might freak out and never let me go out of the house again. But I couldn't keep it from her. She would find out anyway, but right now Arabella is important. I need to help my friend.

My house finally came into view and I felt a new surge of energy. I don't know if it was for Arabella or for Mr. Daniel but I was going to take advantage of this power surge.

In two minutes I got to my house and Momma was already outside waiting for me.

"What took you so long? I was getting worried." Momma told me.

" I was with Arabella... The Auction... Workers... They took her papa. What do we do, Momma?" I was out of breath. I decided I would tell her about Mr. Daniel later. I couldn't put more worry on her now that she knows about Arabella.

" Oh my. Get your brother we have to go over there and get her and her siblings. I don't want them at their house alone. The auction workers might come back and take her, too." Momma sighed. She's been tired the past few days. Her eyes have sunken in and she's walking around with her shoulders slouched. I'm not sure what's wrong, but it must be big. She always tells me if something is bothering her.

I ran to get Marcel in the room we share together but he wasn't there. Where could he be? He was in the woods when I was coming home. He wasn't in the kitchen. Or the living room.

I started searching around the house. He wasn't in his favorite spot by the big tree outside papa carved into. He wasn't by the well or the garden.
All the sudden I was yanked backwards with a hand over my mouth. I tried to scream but it was muffled by the hand. I immediately thought it was Mr.Daniel and tried to get away as fast as I could. I wiggled my way through in a few seconds and was confused. Mr.Daniel was obviously strong and I wouldn't of been able to get away that fast unless he let me and the man was fighting as hard as he could to keep me still. So, it couldn't be him. The only way to find the culprits was to look so I did.

I was relieved when I saw it was just Marcellous, but then worried again when I realized something must be wrong for him to frighten me like that. He put his finger to his lip to keeps from asking the dozens of questions running through my mind. I kept quiet knowing it was serious.

My brother pointed out in the distance. I could see auction workers. They were walking towards our house. I whispered to Marcel to get Momma and he slipped away quietly to warn her. I buried myself deep in the shadows to mask myself even more. I knew that the workers had dogs that could sniff people out. So I rubbed grass and dirt around me to mask the scent. Marcel should be back with Momma any minute, she'll know what to do. She'll get us out of here safe and sound.

No matter how much I tried to talk myself into believing that, I was still frightened. Frightened I would get hurt. Frightened that Momma or Marcel would get hurt. I can't live without either of them. I already lost my papa, I can't lose one of them too.

In my short amount of time waiting for my mother and brother were away, I started thinking about Daniel. Why did he kiss me? He doesn't even know me. We are complete opposites.

I just now remembered about Momma saying he wants a slave. Maybe that's way he kissed me! So I would keep my guard down and he could take me to be his slave. The more I think about it the madder I get. He gets me so mad, but I'm still drawn to him. But if people find out I could be killed. Stuff like that was forbidden. I wish he would just leave me alone.