Silent Screams (The Patriot Fanfiction)

Chapter 7

Emily POV

We ride, for seemingly forever though I know it's not. We approach a small town with a church in the heart of it. Three dead men hang from nooses on a dead tree just outside the town. I can see from there blue overcoats they were rebels. Dark clouds and fog gives off an eerie feeling. I readjust myself on the horse and look at the small town ahead. Crows caw and fly out of the tree with the dead men hanging in them. Gabriel stops for a second and looks up at the tree. I can tell he's thinking the exact same thing I am. I can faintly hear people singing hymns from the white church in the center of the town. We both roll off of Gabriel's horse and make our way inside the church. We walk in just as they all sing, "Amen,". One girl in a green dress must have heard the door open and looks straight at the both of us. Is that Anne? No it's not Anne. She moved when I was young. We used to be the best of friends but she moved when I was twelve. She was my only friend besides Danielle.

Gabriel and I walk down the likes of pews as everyone sits.

"Reverend, with your permission, I'd like to make an announcement." Gabriel says politely. I nod next to him, flicking my braid off my shoulder.

"Young man, this is a house of God."

"I understand that, Reverend. I apologize," He says peering up at the Reverend with his brown eyes. "The South Carolina militia is being called up." Gabriel says making his voice louder.

"We're here to enlist every man willing." We look around for a second. There are a lot more people here than I expected there to be.

"Son, we are here to pray for the souls of those men hanging outside."

"Yes, pray for them, but honor them! By taking up arms with us," I say speaking for the first time all day.

"And bring more suffering to this town?" A man in a powdered wig stands up and asks.

"If King George can hang those men, our friends, he can hang anyone of us." Another man sitting on a pew says looking around.

"Den Scott," the young lady in the green dress says. "Only last week I heard you yell for two hours about independence. Mr. Hartwick, how many times have I heard you speak of freedom at my fathers table? Half the men in this church, including you father and you Reverend, are as ardent patriots as I. Will you now when you are needed most stop at only words, when you are needed most? Is that the sort of men you are?" I can see urgency in her eyes though I stand far away from her. Her voice sounds familiar and then I realize it is Anne. Wow I've missed her but I can't do anything about it now. Later, I'll say hello later. When times are less urgent. All of the men and women look down at the floor and each other. I look down at her.

"I only ask that you act upon the beliefs of which you have so strongly spoken and in which you so strongly believe." She looks around, eyes landing on Gabriel. He nods and smiles a bit. I look around.

"Who'a with us?" I ask loudly. One man stands. Gabriel nods to him in appreciation. Then another man stands. An another. And many more after that. We both smile at Anne in appreciation. All of us exit the church. Men say there goodbyes to there children and wives and gather the things they need. I find try to find Anne. I finally see her.

"Anne?" She turns. I'm not sure if she'll remember me or not, but I'm hoping she does.

"Emily?" She walks towards me and hugs me.

"I thought that was you," She says rubbing my back. "So what are you doing here?"

"I'm not quite sure actually." She laughs. We hear Gabriel talking to her father.

"May I have permission to write Anne?" He asks loudly. Anne's father always has been hard of hearing. He was in the French and Indian war and lost his leg along with most of his hearing.

"Yes, you may. Have permission to write me." Her father lets out a loud "oh".

"Well I must go but I hope you don't mind if I send a few letters myself."

"Of course I don't. I hope to see you soon." I smile at her and she smiles back. Gabriel and I walk away side by side. He doesn't ask how I know Anne which I'm glad for. Then I may start to cry because I'd have to tell him of my sister as well, I'm not ready for doing that yet.

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Double update! :)