Southern Helle (An Interracial Romance Story)

Chapter 18

~Helle~

We raced to the plantation. Even full throttle and with short stops, we made it back to the plantation by sunset. We passed small little villages, and scattered houses and farms. The wind blew against my searing skin, soothing it slightly.

The thought kept drifting in my mind about the man that I shot and killed. He's lying in the grass where no one would look for him. Even after his soul wafted out of his body, I felt compelled to kick him. That was more for Mr. Morgan than for anything.

Tears ran down my cheek for Mr. Morgan. The wind blew them away. I tried to rest my head against August's back, but we bounced too much for me to find a comfortable position. So I sat up right.

The wooden gate of the Belle Plantation filled my view. The same guard that taunted me the day I was carted off climbed out of his post.

August reared the horse up and jumped over the short gate. "Hey," the man shouted. August would've kept going if he didn't hear the click of a shot gun.

"Come back here or I'll blow a hole in that horse's ass." The man threatened.

August slowed the horse down and turned us around. "Well, the horse already had a hole in its ass. It's called the asshole." He joked. He chuckled at his own joke, but the guard was less than amused.

My eyes flickered between these men. August, as usual, acted as if he never had a care in the world. As if, he didn't have me, a fugitive, clinging to his waist.

"August, oh, I am sorry." The guard said as he yielded his gun. "Why didn't you just wiat for me to open the pike."

"Eh, you know I'm one for dramatics." August replied. The guard nodded. "Well, I'm sorta in a rush, Brandon. I'll see you later."

"Wait, who is this?" The guard questioned about me. August looked over his shoulder at me as if he forgot I was there.

"This is Abigail." August lied. "I've been courting her for a while, and I'm trying to bring her home to meet my father."

"Why didn't bring her in a carriage?" He questioned.

"Don't you have work to be getting back to? It doesn't require questioning me, the heir to this land, your future boss, about insignificant things such as carriages." August fought back.

I snickered internally as the guard rumbled on his words about how sorry he was.

"Enough, I at least know what changes to make once my father passes away." The guard shuddered, and walked sullenly back to his station.

"You're not really going to fire him, are you?" I asked August as he steered his stallion towards the house.

"I might, but only if he does something serious. I just wanted to get him off our backs." He explained. I squeezed his hips, and we trotted on.

We passed fields where slaves were working hard. My people planted indigo seeds. Guards sat on tall chairs to catch any slip ups.

We drew the attention of some slaves. There were guards on the ground to whip them back into shape. I cringed away. Too many memories swelled with that sight. I tucked my face into August back so I wouldn't have to witness that anymore.

The white house went from this little speck to this expanse before me. I never really realized how big the house was.

People were milling about, but no one really looked to watch us. John was at the side of the house slipping the hedges. The grass was still growing out of control. I smiled internally.

I was actually relieved to be back here. I caught a glimpse of what the world was like on the outside of those gates, and I didn't like it. I know this place. This is home.