Everlasting Family

Silas Korba- Chapter 9

Orange, Virginia- 1864- Silas Korba

Chapter 9

North and I left the moment we were sure we would not be spotted or questioned as to what we were doing. We made record time and were just on the outskirts of our hometown when something in the woods caught our attention.

North noticed the noise first, but I was close behind him. "What is that?" I ask, inching forward with North.

"It sounds like someone who is injured," he whispers, holding up his gun.

We don't have to say a word to know that we are both wondering if this is a trap. Treading lightly, we make our way to the noise but nothing could prepare us for the sight of our childhood friend lying on the cold hard ground.

North and I rushed to Lucian, shocked we had found him. I am unsure if I am more surprised that we happened upon him or that he is in such a horrid state. "Lucian! What happened? How badly are you hurt?"

Lucian coughed a few times, trying to speak. He finally found a bit of energy and whispered to North and myself. "Don't bother," he tells us as we attempt to find the source of his bleeding. "They made certain I would not survive this."

"No," I deny his words. "We will help you, Lucian. You will be back to your old self in no time at all."

Lucian shakes his head again, groaning as the action causes him pain. "Please take care of them for me, I cannot trust anyone else with my family. Please do not let them get to my family," he begs, tears slipping from his eyes.

North is blinking suspiciously, as am I. Neither of us know what to do. "Lucian, you will be fine. We will take you to a doctor, they will help."

Lucian begins to shake his head, stopping when the pain is obviously too much. "Please just take care of them. Promise me."

North chokes on his words as he speaks, losing control of his emotions. "I promise, Lucian. I swear I will do everything I can to keep them safe. I'm so sorry, Lucian. I am so fucking sorry."

"Hey," Lucian scolds North. "This is not your fault. You guys did the right thing when you left. I wish I had followed, but this happened for a reason."

"Lucian..." I whisper, unable to find the words I need.

He smiles softly and nods at me. "I know, Silas."

Taking a deep breath and letting out a pained cough, Lucian looks from North to myself before taking our hands and continuing to speak softly.

"Thank you for being my friends, for being my brothers. Now go to my wife. She needs you more than I do. Tell her that I will always love her, tell my son that he was the best thing I ever did and I will watch over him always."

With his final words, Lucian's eyes close and he is gone. Neither North nor I move from our spot on the cold ground as we cry over the loss of our friend, our brother.

"We need to get to Mary, North," I tell him quietly after the sun begins to rise. "We need to keep our promise."

North simply nods before standing. Neither of use speak as we go about making a small grave for our friend. Neither of us feel right about leaving him here. North uses a large rock to dig a hole just big enough and I use some sticks and smaller rocks to mark the site. If we are able we will come back and give our brother a proper burial.

Just before we leave, I notice North take the chain with a small pendant that Lucian always wore. He placed it around his neck and we rushed to get to Mary before we were too late.