Fade To White - Sequel to Fade To Black

Bad Liars

I worried all night about Sara and the twins. For all I knew they could be lost in the swamp by now, but I knew better than that- those kids new the swamp like the back of their hands. I also was disturbed by the presence of the militia men who stayed overnight. They were very quiet, hadn’t caused a single ruckus all night and to me that seemed unlikely for a group of soldiers. Their General bothered me immensely but because he was a man of power I kept my distance and held my tongue.

It was nearly dawn when I heard a small rasp on the front door. I got up from my bed, walked through the eerily empty house and answered the door, finding the General standing in his undergarments, holding out a rusty tin cup, shivering in the cold morning weather. I reluctantly invited him inside and lit a match to light the dark kitchen as he sat himself at the head of the table. “You wouldn’t happen to have some coffee?”

“It’s rather expensive these days, but I’ll see if there’s a few beans left.” I replied, opening the pantry and blindly searching for his coffee. I didn’t like the way the man acted so entitled, walking in as if he owned the place. Eventually I found a small sack of coffee beans and boiled water, and grinded the beans on the counter.

“You don’t have a family?” He asked, when the air had grown stale.

“No, I don’t.” I lied.

“Well you must!” The General stood up then and began to walk around the kitchen. I peered at him over my shoulder, gripping down on the pestle.

“Well, I apologize but I do not have a family. Does this disappoint you?” I asked, irritated.

“No, but I am curious. A young man like you… why haven’t you remarried?”

I stopped crushing the beans and turned to looked at the man. “Have you come for coffee or to investigate? If it is the latter then please leave. If not then let’s stop this and you’ll get your coffee.” The General then shut his mouth and waited for his coffee.

I served him his coffee and stood in the center of the kitchen, looking for his approval on his face. He seemed so right at home I felt like the guest. “What about you? You most certainly have a wife? So why would you commit your life to a war?”

“I thought we decided to stop asking questions.” He said blandly.

“Oh. But I’m curious.” I smiled to myself.

“No,” He said, looking at me wearily. “I don’t have a wife, or children, or anybody else.” I was taken aback by his brashness and regretted my rude remark. He continued, “My girl… she’s dead.”

“She’s… dead? I asked.

“Yes. And do you want to know how?” He looked at me with fresh tears in his eyes, and a distant stare that looked right through me, into the past and into his memories. I wasn’t sure if I should say yes. “Well?” he pressured me.

“Yes.” I muttered.

“She was hung. Right in front of me. The image is still there. I can imagine her death sometimes. What it must have been like to have been strung up into the tree like some sort of animal. She was so beautiful… and just when I thought I had her.” His eyes looked dead and I tried to soak up his words that continued to spill from his mouth, and they were so shocking it took me time to process it completely.

　

“How did that happen. It’s not usual for women to be hung.”

“Maybe not for women, but for slaves it isn’t unusual. You must know that, you own a plantation yourself.” The General smiled darkly.