Revolutionary Love {The Patriot Fanfiction} Part 1

Chapter 16 ~ Running

Four days passed since I was able to steal a kiss from William, one that, even if it were to shut him up, meant more than it seemed. Kissing him was one thing - having been kissed back was another. 

After the ship, however, exploded in the harbor, the entire fort had been under high security; the entire place under close watch. It was said to have been the works of William's 'Ghost'. That meant Benjamin and Gabriel had to be close... very close.

As I sat out in the garden the day that marked the fourth day without seeing William, I relaxed. The air wasn't as tense as it was everywhere else. For some reason the garden was my sanctuary for escape. A place Sarah and I would go to during the day. We had begun spending more time together after the ball - long lost sisters I liked to think.

I soon found that I'd even aid her with washing off the dinning-ware after meals to mainly get my mind off that night of the ball.

After William got me safely into the room we mutually shared to some extent, he snapped. Putting me under scrutiny as if I knew something he did not. How could I though? What did I have to hide? He shouted and did in fact almost raise a hand to me. But he froze before he'd hit me. I didn't know if it were the fight he was winning against his inner monster he nurtured all those years ago up, or if his feelings for me were too strong. Either way he then told me Cornwallis had needed him for a raid somewhere up north.

I hadn't seen him since he stormed out that night.

"What do you have there?" A voice came from behind me, placing their hands on my shoulders gently while leaning over me - causing me to break out of my trance. Instantly I jumped to my feet and turned to face the person who had entered the garden when my back was turned.

"Oh gods, Captain, you scared me! Please make yourself better known next time!" I scolded James when I noticed it was him, letting the book fall to my side in hand.

"Terribly sorry, Hope." Captain Wilkins' tone sounded very amused at my words and I could only shake my head.

"Can I help you with something then?" I asked, almost as if I were annoyed, before making my way across the clearing of the garden when he didn't respond. I was to leave but Wilkins' next words froze my steps.

"I desire to propose to Sarah..." Wilkins blurted out, causing me to stop in my tracks as I was about to leave.

I twirled around to find him rushing over to where I stood. "Pardon?"

"Please Hope, you are her good friend, a mate she trusts and a friend of my own. How am I to...?" James' voice trailed off, not having to say any more.

"Honestly I'm speechless..." I replied, biting my lip as I glanced from his uniform back to his eyes. What was I suppose to do? What was I suppose to say to him? I knew James was a great man and I knew Sarah admired him as he did her. But it seemed so soon... In 2012 we didn't marry within a couple of months or weeks usually. But who was I to judge his doing?

"Please Hope. If you can help me with this, I can help you leave the fort. I can give assistance to help you leave." James was now pleading, but nonetheless he had my attention.

Was he about to negotiate my escape?

What could I say to that?  "You can... help me go back to my family?" James nodded faintly as he came closer. I really wanted to be with them, even after all that had happened. But I wasn't sure if I could leave William.

"I know where a friend of the Martin family lives, and I can take you to their village." James added. "You'll be safe there, safer there than here, and I know Benjamin Martin visits regularly." He was trying to make sure I understood that I could trust him and when he mentioned Benjamin's name, I was sold.