What Happens By Candlelight

Chapter Five: Watching It Burn

The quiet was new to me all of a sudden. For two weeks I dealt with the early morning training that the Red Coats were so adamant about, but now they were gone and all was silent.

When I did wake from my slumber, I stared at the ceiling. I almost missed seeing the men running to and fro, listening to their rotten conversations that no one would dare speak of in the polite company, and I even missed the Lieutenant Colonel's passive gaze when he would simply stare at me during supper.

(Yes, I was forced for some time to start eating my meals with the officers who resided inside the house.)

For some reason, my words had a large impact on him. He was so greatly affected that my brother's had to stop him from attacking another soldier who made a suggestive remark about me.

While I was indeed very flattered at the news and honored that he chose to protect my name, I was also highly confused. I didn't think I had done anything truly significant enough to be granted such admiration, but I was nonetheless pleased to know that I had a chance to complete my latest order.

Of course, that was assuming I would have further contact with him and seeing how the contact with my brothers went, I doubted I'd hear from him or anyone anytime soon, if ever.

My thoughts stopped when there was a knock on my door. I quickly sat up and tied my robe around me, ignoring the heat from the South Carolina sun.

"What is it?" I called as I stood in the middle of the room.

"A letter for you from the British, ma'am." Before I knew it I swung my door open and the letter was in my greedy hands.

"Thank you." I shut the door once more, but my eyes stayed glued to the parchment in my hands.

This calligraphy wasn't either of my brother's nor was it from an uneducated man. Whoever wrote this knew my name, however, and had taken time to perfect the swirls that accompanied it.

Christina Evans-

I am afraid to inform you that your life is in danger. Do not, I repeat for the sake of your understanding, Do NOT go into the town, they will probably come to you before it is all over with. I will be there shortly, assuming this letter arrives on time.

-Gabriel Wright

Who was Gabriel and why was he sending me such a threatening letter? Why would the town's people come after me? Had I done something wrong? He said that he'd be here shortly, but how shortly?

For a moment, I considered the notion that this letter was for someone else, but I could not think of another Christina Evans anywhere nearby.

Perhaps whoever wrote this simply put the wrong surname? It would not be uncommon for a man to receive false information, such as a woman's name, when asking people in town. I had heard of such occurrences happening from time to time, but it just seemed as though I was making up excuses.

With much on my mind, I called one of my maids to help me change and had some workers prepare for the worst-case scenario. Food and important documents were being packed as I paced by the front entryway. I had no clue where we could go should the problem arise, but I had no doubt in my mind that I could make ends meet at the end.

*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*

Three rapid knocks sounded from the door behind me. I jumped, an unfamiliar feeling of fear creeping over me. Was it Gabriel? Or whoever was after me? Perhaps it was just a calling from someone in town?

My hand lifted itself to the knob and turned it, ready to be greeted by the knocker. "Amanda?"

I opened my mouth to question her, but she quickly pulled me outside. "You must go! They aren't far behind me! Come on!"

I dug my heels in the ground as I tried to make sense of her ramblings. "Amanda! Amanda, stop! Tell me what's going on? Did you have that strange message sent?"

She shook her head as tears leaked out of her eyes. "You'll be hanged! They know not of what we do for them, but they do know what you have done for their enemies. For that you are in danger, please, please, heed my words and get a horse!"

I was stunned into silence as she continued to tug on my hand, making a desperate attempt to force me to move faster. She finally stopped and looked up, her gaze locked behind me.

I turned my head and saw an image forever engraved in my mind.

A crowd of men and women came forward, holding torches and guns and swords, and one man even held a noose in his hands. No words escaped my mouth as they rushed forward, entering my home and dragging my workers out, dividing them into different groups.

"An awful lot of slaves for one loyalist." I tore my arm out of Amanda's grip as I ran towards my friends, my guardians, my family. I grew up with these people, and while my father and grandfather may have bought them, that doesn't change the bonds that we have created over the years.

"Let them go! You want me, so take me! Leave them out of this!" There was laughter. The men separated my workers amongst themselves, ignoring my cries and pleas. When I tried to claw my way through them, they shoved me away. I wasn't strong enough to handle them.

"Christina Evans," My gaze shifted to the town's magistrate, who stood tall and proud amidst the chaos. "for crimes against the Colonies, you have been sentenced to a punishment decided on by the people. May God have mercy on your soul."

My screams were drowned out as people set my house aflame. Men took ahold of my arms and began to drag me away. My eyes stayed glued to the flames that licked through the shattered windows, slowly dancing towards the sky, the now smoke-filled sky.

Amanda tried to reach me, but her fiancé pulled her back, her cries falling silent to the people around me.

My hands were tied, as well as my feet. The rope was now strung up on a branch, a noose tied at the end of it. I struggled, but nothing came of it.

I was to die by hanging. No - even worse- lynching.

Then, as if an unknown force was on my side, the people around me became silent, the only sound was that of a horse whining. My eyes followed the gazes of everyone else to see them looking at British soldiers, who were all very familiar to me.

"Miss Evans," piercing blue eyes met my brown in a moment of pure gratification. "I do hope you got my letter, otherwise this terrible mess is all my fault."

His letter?

My eyes widened when I finally understood. I nodded my head, scared that my voice would fail me otherwise. The Lieutenant Colonel nodded back once before turning his attention to the mob around me.

"By order of His Majesty's Royal Army, release this woman." The men who held me let me go, muttering curses under their breaths.

"Christina!" Edward was quick to catch me as I fell. The gravity of the situation finally hit me, as well as the ropes that bond my feet together. Thomas, who kneeled down next to Edward, pulled out a knife and made quick work to release me from the ropes.

When I was free at last, the two embraced me with upmost urgency, each of us horrified of what almost happened.

I felt pale, yet the Carolina sun still beat down on me. "We need to get her out of here," Edward easily lifted me into his arms, taking us away from the now murmuring crowd.

"Bring her here, riding on a horse would be easier for all of us," Without a second thought, or my consent, Edward handed me off to the Lieutenant Colonel, who sat me side-saddle before him.

"Let us be off before they decide to spill any blood."