Turn:Burr's Story

Turn:Part One

Red, blue, things became blurry when put on the spot. Knowing the person you love is with another, knowing that your side might be the losing side. I contemplate switching, but if I were to be caught I would be hung for treason. The night was young as I laid down to sleep after a long day in the cold winter air. Thoughts swirl in my head, red or blue, red or blue, red or blue.

After a while, I couldn't take the argument inside myself anymore. I shook off the thin blanket before rising to my feet. Taking a deep breath, I walk out into the frozen winter night. Snow was still falling from the sky, adding to the few inches already covering the ground. I listen as my feet cause the white flurries to crack under my step.

Reaching the edge of the camp, I turn back once to watch soldiers settling into tents before the big storm hits tonight. Cuddling close together so that they don't freeze. I wrap my cloak tightly around me as I find the makeshift stables to find Mercury. Letting her out, I saddle up and head out into the darkness. No light, no plan, just a getaway ride to avoid the destruction coursing through my head. I couldn't possibly betray my country, yet maybe I could.

I pulled on the reigns causing Mercy to slow her pace. I had been riding for an hour now.  The moon now full and round in the sky providing just a little light before the blizzard took affect. I glanced around at the trees, realizing I didn't know where I was. I was lost in the forest, with no one to hear my cries of help.

Was this my punishment? Was this what I was served for even thinking for a second I would want to betray my fellow patriots. That I would walk to the other side, let the blood of my fellow soldiers come at the swipe of my blade, the shot of my gun.

No, I could allow that to happen. Taking my hat off, I run my fingers through my hair. I watched as dark clouds began to fill the sky, and white flakes began to fall. I steered Mercury back towards where I thought the camp was, but I was wrong. The wind had begun to pick up, but there was a light. A faint light in the distance. I began to trot towards it, I was too late to realize it was coming from a group of enemy soldiers.

Had I ridden that far that I had crossed the borders. Surely not, maybe these Redcoats were on the wrong side of the lines. I wouldn't know the answer. I woke up in a cell. It wasn't really a cell, more of a horse barn, but who's to judge in a war where resources are limited.

"Name and rank." The man before me was tall, with a slight British accent. I noted a small braid running down his right side.

"Name and Rank." He asked again.

"Burr.....Aaron Burr. Lieutenant Colonel." I coughed realizing I would probably be hung as a traitor to the British crown.

"What was your purpose of being on our side of the line this evening?" The man asked. I took note of his rank, major, interesting. Shivering, I took my cloak and wrapped it tight as I could around me. That was before I realized it was wet. They must've knocked me out before dragging me to camp, allowing for snow to cover my back.

"Sir, I asked what your purpose of being on our side of the border was..." He stared me down trying to answer the question for himself since I was not speaking. He noticed some papers in my boots and quickly took them.

"What's this? It seems we have a little insider on our hands. If you would except of course." The major gave me a devilish smile, insisting something else if I did not agree.

"Fine, I'll be an insider. That's why I came anyways. To leave the Patriot side." The major gave me a look of confusion.

"You want to leave?"

"Yes." I replied taking a deep breath. What was I doing? How could I do this? Turn on my fellow patriots like this. Turn their victories and wins into sorrow. We were already having a hard enough time. It's the middle of winter, we are short on food, on supplies, on soldiers. If the camp was to  be attacked right now, we would fall. The patriots would crumble like dry bread.

"Yes, I want to leave. The patriots will never win, and I don't know why I thought they would. It was stupid to join them."

"Make a pledge to the king. Make a pledge pleading your loyalty to the crown."

"I Aaron Burr, pledge my loyalty to the crown of Britain. To defend it with my life against all odds." I stated.

"Welcome to the Redcoat army." The major smirked, and winked at me before walking out. I glanced around the barn, trying to figure out what to do next. I could just walk out into the camp, although that might not be the best choice.

I heard the door open to the barn. A different Major walked in and motioned to follow him outside. I followed, seeing in his hand a fresh new redcoat jacket. Once I got to the door, he gave the jacket to me.

"How will this help me gather information within the Patriot camp?" I asked him. He just stood there before tearing the jacket as if it had been
ripped from the back on a Loyalist running away. He shoved the jacket into my arms and lead me to Mercury.

Mercy was in a warm snug barn with a bunch of other horses. I felt the warmth, sighing as it felt good compared to the freezing barn I had previously occupied. I was lead to my horse and given the saddle back.

"Where am I?" I asked.

"Outside New York City."

"Thank you." I nodded to him, getting on the horse and riding off.  I saw that the storm had passed, but snow still filled the ground. The sun was beginning to peek up from the east. I knew I had a long ride ahead of me, but I was prepared. Physically prepared. Mentally, that was a whole different story. Do I tell Washington about the camp I know of or do I betray my country for the crown.

I finally decided, I keep getting ignored and passed over. It's time for those who denied me to feel my revenge. I was given a cloak before I left. I pulled it tight around me trying to block the cold winds.

Hours had passed before I arrived to the camp. Soldiers were hustling and bustling around the camp. I watched as two low ranks ran into each other before falling to the ground. They both grabbed their papers, now wet by the snow that they landed on.