It was a warm summer night when the doorbell rang. I was in the living room reading my favorite book, The hound of the baskerville.
" Elizabeth, can you answer the door?" Came a shout from upstairs. I put the book down and flattened my skirts. The bell rang a second time just as I reached the main hallway. So impatient, I thought to myself. They must have been in a great rush. Reaching forward, I grabbed the silver handle and swung the door open.
"Hello?" I answered. A man stood outside, clad in the standard military outfit. His face covered in scars but with a look of responsibility.
"Good evening Miss." He replied. "I am here to deliver a letter from the Army's main office, I assume it is about your father."Diner turned to lead in my stomach as I grabbed the letter from the soldiers rough hands.
"No, my brother, but thank you." I quickly stated. "Goodnight then." The man said and he turned on his heel and left. My body felt heavy as I shut the door.
"Who was it?" My mother's voice rang out from the top of the stairs. I looked up and stared at her. Her face fell and she slowly walked down the marble staircase, my younger sister Mary, in tow. I looked down at my now trembling hand, the letter seemed to taunt me. The white paper shone in the dim candlelight of our chandelier.
"Elizabeth.... just open the letter. We can handle it." My mother barely forced out. Nodding, I fit my longest fingernail under the flap and tore open the letter. A small yellow slip of paper fell out. Picking it up, I started to read.
Dear Ms.Harper,
I am sad to inform you that lieutenant Jacob Harper , born on April 5 1849, has been killed during the battle of Resofenhiem on June 18 1867. Enclosed is his war medals.
Sincerely,
The army of Erastus
Tears of pure sadness trickled down my cheek and as if on cue, you could hear the rain start to pour. As if the heavens themselves mourned his death.
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2 years later
The sun has just gone down and I was already running through the dark and cold alleyways of 89th street. It is the only road I can take that evades the Recruitment patrol and gets me home faster at the same time. I hear the shouts of people as they scramble to hide from the RP just like me. More cry's and sounds of boots on the pavement signal that I should probably run.
Dashing down the cobblestone alleys the sounds of marching footsteps grow ever so close. A command was shouted, barely audible over the sounds of the wind rushing around me. I took a left, then a right and ended up on the street my house is on. I looked around for the RP. When I didn't see anyone and the shouts sounded more faint, I dashed. Right across the road and up the brick steps. I swung open the door and quickly shut it.
"Elizabeth Grace Harper! Where have you been??!!" I slowly turned around to see the angry face of my mother.
"It's past dark Ellie, where were you?" Mary my younger sister asked. She was sitting in the foyer a look of concern plastered on her.
"I was distracted by a street magician and lost track of time. I did not get caught though. I traveled the alleyways."I replied, it is not good to be caught by the patrol. They hunt down people a sundown to recruit them for the army. I know what your probably thinking, why don't they just ask around. Well, the army is a little bit different. The grab anyone over the age of 12 to work for them. Boy or girl.
"That is no excuse young lady! If you had been caught, I don't know what I would do. I have already lost one child I am not going to lose another." My mother hissed. I sighed and began to take off my shoes. She started to speak but Mary tugged on her arm. Then, Mary pointed her thumb at the kitchen.
A growl was heard coming from her stomach and I stifled a laugh. My mother's eyes softened and she smiled.
"Time for super anyway Elizabeth." I grinned and started to walk down the hall ya . Towards our dining room.
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It doesn't take a lot to make me cry, but around the anniversary of his death the waterworks just start flowing. Anything and everything could make me cry, his old room, his baby photos, event his favourite meal. So, this week never was my favourite.
"Elizabeth? Please child, come out of your room." My mother pleaded through the wooden door. " It has been three days already. You haven't eaten a single thing." I moaned, no way am I coming out. To many things could set me off. I remember last year, my moms glass jars flew off the walls and onto the floor and Mary sat there with me as I bawled my eyes out for a very long time that day. That was when I found out I was a magician. The army kills for people like me. They did that to my father, killed him when he and my brother stayed home after me, Mary, and mother went to go shopping at the market. Then they took him away. I never saw my brother again, not even his corpse. We were forbidden to even hold a funeral. We were very close, him and I are only 3 year apart so we stuck together like glue. I believe he was around 13 when we found out and 14 when he was taken. I was devastated then and it's worse now.
"What's wrong mom?" A small voice came through the door. The thumping of footsteps came down the hallway. Then, bang bang bang as someone pounded on my bedroom door.
"Ellie get out here this instant or so help me I will break down this door!!!" Mary yelled as she continued to pound on the door. I groaned.
"Go away before I break you, little mouse." The pounding stopped and the thump of even more footsteps, louder this time, headed away from my room. I started to change. There are more than one ways to get my feelings out than being cooped up in this room for the whole week. Not to mention I am extremely hungry and I believe a simple evening in the town will do. I wore a blue evening dress with same colour bodice, off the shoulder with tight sleeves and gold lining all around the outfit. It matched with white gloves and a blue and black parasol. I am certainly taking the bold side of things but , I'm not taking any chances to have my sister help me when she herself is mad. Quickly, I threw half of my hair into a braid then pinned it at the top of my head in a crown and left the rest cascading down my back (See picture). My brown hair always contrasted with my blue eyes, which none of my other family members have. Hoisting up my skirts, I climbed through the open window and down a wooden ladder I use for going up to the top of the house. I flattened my skirts and started to walk out the back gate. The roads were filled with horses an carriages i
