H E R ~ A R T H U R M O R G A N

three; robbed by masked men

"she was not like
everybody else
simply because she did                                         
                      not care about things.                                                        
                         instead her heart
   yearned for new
places, people and
experiences that would
inspire her to become
greater in spirit and
live as freely as her
heart loved"
~ jose chaves

___________

Christoper and Cheyenne Washington stood at the front door to the Washington Manor as their two children stood before them, bidding them a farewell. They were going away on one of their business trips and would not return for one week.

"We will return in exactly one week."Christoper announced as he snapped his head towards their bags, ushering Fredrick to grab them and carry them out to the wagon that was waiting for the two adults. "Safe travels mother and father!"Gwendolyn called to her parents as they rode off away from the Manor; Jacob stood next to her as they waved their parents goodbye and with a smile he announces to his sister about a date he has with Penelope.

Gwen stopped walking causing Jacob to bump into her and she turns on her heel to meet his eyes. "Jacob....is—is it alright if you reschedule with Penelope and we go riding? Like when we were kids."Gwen asked in a soft tone as her fingers gripped the fabric of her dress nervously. Jacob stood and stared at her for a moment, his brows furrowed in thought. He let out an exasperated sigh with a nod, motioning with his hand towards the stables.

A small smile tugged at the corner of the younger girls lips as she walked swiftly ahead of her brother, excited to finally go riding again. She wasn't sure the last time she was able to ride her horse, Onyx. He was a black Arabian horse, a gift for her 13th birthday. Jacob's horse was a Grey Turkoman named Silver Dollar. Not the best name I suppose...but he loves that horse, though he would never admit it outloud.

___________

Gwendolyn

I smile at the sight of Onyx as I gather his saddle to saddle him up. "Hey boy."I murmur petting the side of his neck as I kiss his head softly. "You ready to go on a little ride?" I turn my head to look at Jacob watching him talk quietly to Silver Dollar, sneaking in a few pats. I smile to myself at the sight turning my attention back to Onyx as I swiftly pull myself up onto his saddle.

I get myself settled and comfortable giving
a small pat. Gripping the reigns in my hands we trot over to where Jacob was waiting, already mounted on his horse. But he was missing his tuxedo jacket and was left in his white button up shirt and black bow tie. "Ready?"Jacob questions as he grips Silver Dollar's reigns in his hand. "Hyah!"Jacob shouts snapping his reigns and they take off out of the stable.

"Hyah!"I shout with a snap of my reigns following close behind him as we ride past Finn, the stable boy who cared an awful lot about the horses. "Mr. Jacob! Miss Gwen!" Finn shouts waving his arms frantically as he tries to chase us down but failing.

It turned into a nice ride after we got away from the Manor. The cool breeze felt nice as it blew through my hair. "Do you ever dream of another life?"I spoke up after a moment of silence. I knew I shouldn't have asked when Jacob turned his head and gave me a surprised look as we trotted through the city, "no I don't...why would I Gwen? We have everything we need."Jacob replied with a shake of his head wondering how I could ask such a question.

I sigh reaching my hand down to pat Onyx's mane. "Jacob....I want adventure..."I trailed off unsure of the right words to say. He would never understand...neither would mother or father. "Gwen—"he opens his mouth to say something but gets cut off by the sound of shouting. "Somebody stop them!" A shopkeepers voice booms out pointing to two men who wore bandanas over their faces and were running down the street; towards Jacob and I.

The two men rush over stopping us from going any further. "Sorry ya ain't gonna like this but....give us ya horses."one of the men's raspy voice called out from under his bandana as he pointed a revolver at us. My heart dropped and thumped heavily against my chest as I held my hands up infront of me feeling frightened being held at gunpoint. "O-Okay."I stuttered out as Jacob reached his arms up to help me down off of Onyx; his eyes never leaving the strangers.

The two men kept their guns pointed at us as they mounted our horses and took off in one swift motion. I stood there in shock watching them disappear. What the hell just happened? I felt Jacob slip his hand into mine and give it a small squeeze. "Is that enough adventure for you Gwen? C'mon we need to alert Finn."he murmured as he pulled me along down the road in the direction the masked men took off.

I let thoughts of what Finn and Frederick would think flood my thoughts as Jacob and I strolled back to the Manor. How would we explain this to Finn? Let alone Fredrick. He would be so disappointed knowing I left the manor without a guard. Even if I did leave with Jacob. I gave my brothers hand a gentle squeeze as we neared the gate to Washington Manor.

"Who goes there?!"one of the guards loud voice booms at the sound of our approaching footsteps. "Gwen and Jacob." Jacob announced with a sigh and the gate opens so we step inside greeting the guards who stood on duty. "I'll alert Finn...you talk to Fredrick he has a soft spot for you"Jacob uttered as he began making his way to the stables. I waited and watched until his retreating figure disappeared into the stables. Shit. I gripped the bottom fabric of my dress in my hands as I walked swiftly up to the door feeling nervous butterflies erupt in the pit of my stomach.

We could've been killed. I thought as I pulled the door opening and taking a step inside, making sure it clicked closed behind me. I stared up at the grand staircase wondering if Fredrick was even in the Manor. "Fredrick?"I called out softly as I took soft strides towards the staircase. "Miss Gwendolyn." Fredrick appeared out of the dining area with his arms crossed behind his back and a disappointed look on his face.

He already knew. I felt my shoulders slump at the look on his face. I opened my mouth to explain but he held his hand up to stop me. "I am not going to explain how you two could've been shot or worse...killed. We have a guard with you at all times Miss Washington for you and your brothers own safety. You both are part of a wealthy family...now I must contact your father and explain the situation; please go to your room" The disappointment in Fredrick's voice never faltered and he never broke eye contact letting me know he was serious.

"I will send someone when dinner is ready."he called after me as I made my way up the staircase and to my room. I plopped down on my bed after I changed into one of my cotton nightgowns. I wasn't hungry or in the mood to speak to anyone so I just went straight to sleep. While drifting off to slumber I couldn't help but wonder; how did Fredrick find out so quickly?

Authors Note:

Shitty I know😭 I'm sorryyyyy and I know the images still aren't showing up😵‍💫

Criticism is accepted thank you lovely's🥰