Sirens | An AMC'S Turn: Washington's Spies Fan Fiction

One

Blonde, blue-eyed Liza had the swell of the ocean in her soul. 

Her tresses flowed down her back, trailing behind her like a golden flag, and the men of Williamsburg could not help but stare as she walked by them. She knew the weight of their stares almost as well as she knew the pages of her favorite book. Most young women her age would revel in the attention, but Liza fought with every ounce of her might to not spew insults in their direction. She was a fellow human, not an object of desire, and she hated the reality that she was treated as anything but.

Liza tucked one curl behind her ear and continued walking behind her father, whose jovial steps could only mean that he had an adventure planned. Liza would admit, if she was bound by oath, that her father's "adventures" were exciting, albeit pointless at times. When she was a young girl, her father would bring her and her brothers to a surprise location and that is where they would have their lessons for the day. Mr. Alcott would quiz his children on mathematics, literature, sometimes even science. The memory made Liza smile to herself as she followed her father into the millinery shop. He gestured for her to have a look around while he discussed an order with the shopkeeper, leaving Liza on her own.

A group of young women Liza's age stood at the far end of the shop, looking at swatches of fabric and gossiping amongst themselves. She did her best to not eavesdrop, but a red-headed girl's voice floated over to where Liza was admiring a navy Brunswick with cream trimmings and gold buttons. It reminded her of the Continental uniforms her brothers wore.

"As if the Continental Congress could rule the British people! Heavens, I'm afraid these Rebels are nothing but savages," the red-headed girl said, animating her disgust with a wave of her hand. Liza tried to heed her father's reminder not to pay such talk any mind, and brought her find to her father where he was still in conversation with the shop's clerk. 

"Those ladies are atrocious," Liza whispered to her father, unable to keep quiet. "Speaking of the colonies' cause with such hatred will have them tar and feathered, or worse: on the wrong side of history."

Liza's father gave her a warning look before finishing his purchases. She was not unfamiliar with this expression. Although her father was a well-known Patriot, he erred on the side of civility when it came to Loyalists. He had taught his children to be kind no matter what, but Liza struggled to find compassion for those who insulted the cause she cared so much about. People believed her to be quiet and shy, but that did not mean that she held no opinions nor that her passion for justice and liberty was any less than that of those more outspoken than herself.

The two Alcotts made their way back to their wagon. Liza patted their mare's neck and lifted her skirts to climb up into the wagon. She took a seat next to her father, and opened one of the two books she brought with her. The ride to their home just outside of Williamsburg was unusually quiet, and Liza peeked up from her book to watch as they passed familiar green fields popping with the last of the summer wildflowers.

"What is troubling you, Father?" Liza asked when the silence became too much to bear.

"Your Uncle Richard sent word that there is trouble in Setauket. He wishes to have my assistance in some legal matters concerning Abraham and Selah Strong."

Liza hadn't been to Setauket for a quite some time. At the mention of her cousin and close friend, she ordered the horse to a halt.

"What happened?" Liza queried. Abe had always been troublesome as a child, but he had never done anything to require legal action. The mere thought of her Loyalist uncle handling matters concerning his son meant that Abe most likely had committed treason. A pit of fear began to grow in Liza's stomach, but she ignored it and waited for her father to continue his tale.