Liberty kids: Henri meets Jolene

Chapter nine (Jolene's point of view)

I enjoyed my visit with Henri and Gilbert, an old and close friend of my father, though I barely remember him. Yet he was such a decent man to acquaint with, and I could clearly see he was well respected. I'd never knew a Nobel man could be friends with a humble man like Papa.

Yet as they left, the loneliness came back, enveloping me in a dark, miserable mist. Also what came was the realization that tomorrow was the sixth anniversary of my parent's death. Every year when this day comes, it's like my heart being ripped out of my chest all over again.
It's a day I dread most and would wish to skip. I remember that fateful night like it was yesterday. Me, Mama, and Papa were sleeping soundly when suddenly two British men came and torched our cabin. Father got up to realized our house was a-blazed, and woke me and Mama up. My parent's main priority was to get me out of there. I didn't want to leave them, but they told me I had no choice.

I was crying and begging to stay with them as they embraced me. Mama wrapped her favorite red Shaw over my shoulders, soothing me with her sweet voice.
Papa comforted me as well, saying, "Don't cry my doux ange. Everything will be alright. Ne pleure-tus pas Jolie fille."
I'll never forget those last words papa spoke to me;
"If me and your mama don't make it, just know that we will always be with you, deep inside your heart and all around you. Please, be the strong brave girl that we know for us. Je vous Amie, my wolf cub."
He and mama hoisted me out the open window and urged me to "courir! Run as fast you can."

Ran I did, but not without looking back, wishing they were  behind me. With Mignon tagging along, I ran deep into the woods enough to where the men won't spot me.  From my hiding space behind a bush, I looked on at the burning cabin, pleading silently that they would make their way out. But they never did. After several minutes, the cabin collapsed in a flaming pile of wood.
I sobbed harder than I ever did in my life, knowing deep down inside that my parents were gone forever, and that I was all alone, with no where to go.

I remembered crying for the rest of that night, clinging onto to the only precious things I had left of Mama and Papa. For the following days that was all I could do, cry my eyes out, wandering aimlessly with no direction or purpose. The only company I had was Mignon, but even he couldn't fill in the gaping hole Mama and papa left.
But suddenly out of the blue, I was snatched by one of men that killed my parents, dragged by force into a life like a slave. It was nothing but pain and despair for me, and I just don't have the heart to talk about it.

I was now on the floor of my cabin, holding on to my father's hat, remembering those final moment I had with him and mama. Mignon sat in my lap, trying to comfort me. I tried so hard not to let the tears fall from my eyes as the hours crept closer, like a bank of dark storm clouds invading a sunny blue sky.
I will try my best to get through this unbearable coming day, but I'm not so sure if I'm able to.  I just want it  to be over with quickly.