Lafayette's plan was simple. And yet, it could work. It's funny how sometimes the simplest of plans always seemed to work best. The one thing I was kind of iffy about, was the fact that I had to support Jefferson. Not fully support him, but I had to say that staying in the rebel's base and not running away is a good idea. Which it is not. And I will never truthfully admit that it was a good idea. But for Laf's plan to work, we had to stay behind. We also had to provoke the British, which is why the two of us are standing out in the desert, about an hour away from the rebel's base in the forest.
"You don't really know what you're doing, do you?" I shout over the roaring wind, tossing our hair and shirts this way and that, and also stirring the sand around our feet, throwing it in the air, and nearly blinding us.
"That is what's fun about this plan! We make it up as we go," Lafayette responds, covering his face with his arm. "But I do have a general idea."
"Oh really? I'd like to know now before I die please." I say, somewhat sarcastic. We're both quiet for a moment, until Laf shakes his head.
"Okay, I lied. I don't really have any idea what to do," Laf admits, then seeing the look on my face, hastens to change his response. "Fooled you again! O-of course I have a plan we- um- we wait for a British truck patrolling the desert."
"Okay," I say, testily. "Then what?"
"Then we- we steal their cargo. Or something. We just make them upset, and then- then they will go back to the Captain and be like," he suddenly does a really bad impression of a British accent. "'Hey sir, some badass rebels just messed with me.'" I raise my eyebrows, higher than humanly possible. "And then the Captain'll be like: 'Oh no, better go attack them to make sure they're not getting stronger!' After he comes along, we just make sure he gets the letter somehow, and then gives it to John, and then boom! Message sent. See? Told you I had a plan."
"Right," I say, as though I was humoring a toddler you just gave me the incorrect answer for a math equation. "Or we could just hitch a ride on the patrol truck, back to the mines, break into the Captain's base, and talk to John in person." Laf stares at me, his eyes widened.
"Oh my god I'm an idiot. That's brilliant." he says with genuine awe and surprise.
"Thanks. I try." I answer. And so that's how we formed our, not-so-brilliant-plan.
"It's so hot. I feel like I'm dying." Lafayette moans. I want to say something back, but that would only make it hotter. Sweat runs down my face and back, as we both lay behind a particularly large sand dune. We've been laying here for two hours, but no truck has passed by.
"It's almost noon," I remind him, adjusting my cast because it's digging into my chest. "It's only going to get hotter." Laf groans, and then rests his head on his arm and watches me. "What are you doing?"
"Let's talk to make the time go by faster." Laf says. I burst out laughing.
"Really? Come on Laf, we're trying to break into the most dangerous place in the world right now, and you want to talk?" I snort.
"I'm not kidding," Laf mutters, blush creeping into his cheeks. I don't think that's for the weather. "Herc and John used to make fun of me for wanting talk sometimes. But it does make the time pass by and you get to know the other person better." He turns his head to look the other way. "It's fine if you don't want to."
"Laf I'm sorry," I apologize, placing my uninjured arm on his. "We can talk."
"Really?" he exclaims, whipping his head around again. "Well in that case I have a question."
"Shoot."
"I didn't want to ask before, because you were upset, but when you said you loved John-" I place my hand over his mouth, cutting off his words. I can feel heat rising in my cheeks, and I know it has nothing to do with the desert.
"Never mind." I mumble, and now it's Laf's turn to laugh.
"Aw you're blushing. You know, you don't have to be ashamed because you love someone. Honestly, you could do a lot worse than John." Lafayette tells me.
"Yeah I know," I mutter. "Like Jefferson. Ew, wait. I don't even want to think about dating him." I stick out my tongue to show my distaste. We both chuckle at that, and, you might have not guessed it, but talking does pass the time.
The sun is setting when we decide that no patrol truck is coming today. Laf and I debated weather we should stay during the night, but we ruled it out. Mostly because we'd probably fall asleep, and miss the truck, or the truck would find us. Also, people would notice we're missing.
So we arrive back at the rebel's base when it's dark, promising each other to wait again tomorrow. The moment we set foot in the base, a girl runs up to me. I've seen her around before, and I swear I've heard her name somewhere, but I can't remember at the moment. This girl has tan skin, dark, curly hair and full red lips that match her shirt.
"Oh sir, I was so worried when I couldn't find you today!" she immediately says, rushing up to me and standing to close. Much. To. Close.
"I um- well, I'm fine. Don't worry about me," I stammer. "Ms..."
"Maria. Maria Reynolds." she says, and then something clicks in my head. This was the girl that showed us where the base was when we first arrived. But I don't know what else to say, so both of us just stand there until...
"We just decided to spend the day in the desert, y'know to get some sun." Lafayette comes to my rescue.
"I bet. Your cheeks are all red." she giggles, and pokes my right cheek. And I can feel myself going redder. It's not because I suddenly have feelings for this girl, but honestly, she can't expect to be almost brushing noses with someone and them not having a reaction.
"I'll make sure to use sun screen next time." I say, and she giggles again.
"Well it's good to know you're okay, Mr. Hamilton." she smiles and then walks off. The moment she's gone, Lafayette raises his eyebrows at me.
"Maybe you should use sunscreen." he says.
"Shut up. You know damn well why I couldn't say anything." I shoot back at him.
"I know, I know," he says, rolling his eyes. "Tomorrow Alex, we'll find Herc and John. That's a promise."
YOU ARE READING
Years of Dying
Fanfiction~Sequel to Mines~ John Laurens was captured by the British, and was taken away from everything that he loved. Furthermore, when the Captain approaches John with an offer, but not any offer, an offer to work alongside the British, John accepts. His l...
