The Immigrant

Chapter 23| November 21- November 23 1798

Traveling through the night I finally crossed into North Carolina. It was only about a day and a half until I reached Charleston. I strained myself to stay awake as the air was humid and stars filled the sky. I traveled through some small farming towns as they slept in their warm, cozy houses.
Dawn approached as the faint glow of orange lit up the sky. I slept for about an hour along side the road under some brush. I groaned as I woke again. Eyes heavy, body sore. No matter how much my body ached I had to get to Charleston before Friday. Drowsy I got up, feeding the horse who pawed at the ground next to the road. My stomach ached for food as I pulled a loaf of bread I bought form a town I passed last night.
The south was certainly different from the north. The various hills petered out into long flat fields. Most of the tree were still had their leaves, while brush became more tick and lush.
Carts rolled past, most drawn by slaves as they transported goods along the road. The day brought new light in the south. Fields upon fields of working slaves scattered across each direction of the road. They shoveled and picked anything they could harvest from the dying crops. Many were young children who wore heavy packs on their backs as they grunted every time they moved to another bush, their eyes saddened with pain. I took a deep breath as I looked onward with fear and sympathy for the people.
The hours crept by as the fields became more dense of land further south. Afternoon sprawled in as clouds began to form overhead.
I was deep in thought, thoughts about Burr crept into my mind. I tired to shake them away but I couldn't help but think of what he said. I certainly deserved better, the years since I set foot in New York I've been working my ass off just so I could make a change in this constantly growing nation. I cursed how Burr didn't see any potential that I sacrificed for. That my family put their own lives at risk so I could rise up and strive for greatness people will look upon centuries later.

Meanwhile
The road stretched for miles as Burr grumbled to himself. The sun was slowly sinking between the tress as they wearily made their way to Richmond. Exhausted they found an Inn which they could stay at.
Burr was peacefully sleeping when a scream awoke him.
"Fire! Fire!" A women from outside the building shrieked.
Burr stumbled out of bed as he looked around. The room smelled thickly of smoke as he saw flames dance in the hallway through the crack of the door.
"Damnit." Burr hissed as he opened the door.
Flames licked his hand as a burning piece of wood feel in front of him. Burr grimaced in pain as he held his bloody hand. He looked quickly down the hall as thick black smoke shadowed the end of the hallway.
"Burr!" Hamilton's voice called from the stairs at the other end of the hallway, Philip at his heals.
Burr gave them a reassuring nod as they walked down the stairs and hopefully towards the entrance. Burr followed the hallway walls as smoke filled his lungs as he coughed trying to get rid of the burning feeling that ate at his lungs. The fire seemed to engulf the whole building as Burr's vision became less as he stumbled down the stairs. He could see the entrance of the building as he picked up his pace. All of a sudden a loud crack sounded overhead as the floor above him gave away as it crashed down blocking the entrance in a hellish inferno. The fire spread into the main lobby as Burr looked frantically for an exist. His lungs were swallowed in pain as his vision became darker and darker. Burr saw a slight crack between the burning wood. Burr steadied himself as he crawled his way through the whole. The whole building felt like it was about to collapse as it creaked loudly. Burr rushed out of the entrance just in time as a large portion of the building collapsed into flaming ruble.
Burr gasped for air as he chocked and sputtered his vision coming back. Both Hamilton and Philip rushed to his side.
"God god Burr, just in time." Hamilton breathed as he looked back the burning building.
Burr's voice rasped as he spoke.
"I guess sleep isn't on our side tonight." Burr said.
The three men walked away form the building as they stood under a tree watching the fire department try to extinguish the engulfed building. Burr grimaced in pain as he forgot about his burned, bloody hand. Philip was ruining around the street trying to settle down the startled horses.
Hamilton eyed Burr's injury.
"Are you alright?" Hamilton asked looking at Burr's sweaty face.
Burr nodded.
"I'm fine." He growled tucking away his injured hand.
A few minutes later Philip came back with the horses, his face flustered, breathing heavily.
They mounted their horses as they slowly passed the building. The innkeeper was barking orders at the fire chief who was frantically trying to put out the fire.
With a rude awakening they made their way down the same old road through the daunting night.