Fade To White - Sequel to Fade To Black

The Marquis' Facade

 Clementine sat idly in the back of the carriage, unhappily sandwiched between the cargo again. George was still getting settled into the cart, paying no mind to anybody or anything. Liza stood on the porch looking sour, her arms crossed in disapproval. Even after receiving news of Jackson's deployment George insisted Clemy leave with him no later than the next morning. They were heading toward Le Marquis plantation where George had overheard some slaves had escaped just a couple miles north up the road. Clementine knew this was good news- they could find these slaves and direct them back home, telling them all the safe routes. It was the reason she decided to go on this trip. But her heart was heavy with guilt and anxiety and she could only think of the letter she wrote that almost certainly lay in the hands of Jackson. She was sure he would take back every kind word he wrote in the letter once he read hers and she couldn't bear the inability to stop it from happening. She began to regret it all, claiming this whole trip had been some grand scheme but in truth was just a childish way to rebel. Jackson had been right, it was foolish to be out in the open, exposed to any kind of danger, to any kind of hatred that may come their way. He was right to always be worried about her, and she was wrong for never worrying enough about him.

        Liza came up to Clementine to say goodbye, trying not cry about the circumstances. "Clementine, be safe please! Just think of everyone you love before you do anything reckless. My brother already made that mistake, i don't need another person to worry about. My heart is just too tired. " She said. She then glared at George. "Be wise Clementine. Think of Jackson now. Think of what he's sacrificed for you. Just make my brother proud." She kissed Clemy on the cheek and Clemy hid her tears, trying to remain strong. She tied the white bonnet she borrowed about her head to hide from the searing sun.

        "C'mon. It's time to get a move on." George said. He looked down at the women as he straddled his seat and whipped Wolf into attention.

        "Bye Liza. Kiss the girls goodbye for me. And their Daddy too. I'll be back in no time." Liza stepped back from the cart as they began to roll out from the yard. Clementine waved and waved and waved because 'goodbye' didn't feel like a goodbye and she wasn't ready to leave. Slowly Liza and the house were swallowed by a tunnel of trees that shaded the road from the sun and made the sweat on Clemy's arms and legs cool. It was silent between the two of them once again. That aching silence that gnawed at the ears and made the mouth want to open just to break the silence.

        "Don't worry it's a short trip. You won't be cooped up back there for long." George finally said. His cold demeanor had changed back to his timid and boyish voice, and sometimes only the crack of the whip challenged that softness. Clementine inched around so she could crane her neck to see him. His hair looked windswept and the bridge of his nose a rosy red. His skin was freckled and scorched like desert ground but his eyes were piercing blue like fresh lagoon water. Clementine had to reacquaint herself to his face, having shied away from it during the stay at Liza's.

        "Where are we going again?"

        "Le Marquis. A notorious plantation up in these neck of the woods. Heard some men say it's more of a prison than a plantation. Rich master too. He's got French family all through the south but he does business with the British Colonies. He's rather uppity compared to most round here." He explained.

        "So some slaves ran off and we're trying to find 'em? What makes you think they haven't made it up near your side of the way? It's common sense with slaves- you don't run down, you run up. What's the plan?"

        "The plan?" George seemed delighted to elaborate. "I'm going to meet this Marquis and offer him my 'services' to find these runaways in return for a hefty payment. He'll tell me where he thinks they've run off too and of course, he will never be hearing from us again."