Darrell's Fate

Part 2- Chapter 1

Darrell gave his heart to Hannah and so did the family, especially Jeff. Although Jeff beat her the night of the capturing, he focused his eyes on her like that of a kids lost toy. Everything she had done so far, like the laundry, cleaning, cooking, and other woman chores; it ticked him off. Hannah tried her best to stay out of his way and not speak around him. Trying her best just couldn’t do it. She was Jeff’s scapegoat, grudge, and lost connection in the world of fate.

Darrell and Hannah were unofficially married through the family. Still living in old house occupied by George, Ma, and Jeff, they hoped to acquire it one day when the parents died. It was just tradition. Darrell was the next in line to take over the farm, and Jeff being younger, needed to move out eventually. But no one seemed to hurry him.

The parents were hopeful of Hannah. Being their daughter in law, they looked excitedly forward to the presence of many young grand kids. Darrell wanted sons, for labor, but still they all saw how Hannah acted distant.

It had been over two weeks and Darrell reminded her of the deal. She said she would stay, the realization of what they spoke of, engraved in her mind.

Hannah had subtle hints of escape. When hanging sheets up to dry, she scanned the area for routes; when feeding the chickens and doing the butchering, she took notice to where the butchering tools were and if she could hide any.

Still searing her thoughts how Jeff beat her that night and Darrell did nothing. In fact no one cared. When the wounds were healed that night, they praised her for returning and joked about her scars.

 “Oh Hannah,” ma said, “You’ll learn soon, we did what was best for you. Don’t mind Jeff but mind his fists, just remember you need to be loyal to Darrell.”

That statement never left her mind. It was stained, burned, and imprinted in her memories. Repeating it in her mind throughout the days, she felt like a broken record. Hannah felt lost and it tore her up, but knowing she couldn’t be seen crying, she hide in her room when no one else was around to let it all out.

In her days of marriage, little was spoken between her and the others, just the necessities. Other than that, any other talk of a nearby town, news, or even livestock was shushed by George.

Knowing she needed to get out of this frantic relationship and bondage, Hannah knew patience would be her best friend. She had to be very wary of what or how she did anything. Because when the day ended, and although Darrell cuddled with her until she fell asleep, they still held the gaze at her; the gaze that any moment she would jump up and run. Especially Jeff who always undressed her with his eyes, his eyes of gleaming steel that had so much hate.