I remember that day... It was a peaceful night. I had just put my younger brothers to rest. I had went outside, to ride my horse, Buttercup, in the soft night breeze. I was almost to my favorite spot, beneath the old willow. That's when it happened. A small fire started up near the wheat fields. I rode Buttercup back to the farmhouse. It was already ablaze. I tried to open the door, but it was locked. I ended up bashing the door open by my shoulder. Only to witness a burning ceiling beam fall on Ma. I cried and tried to help her out. She told me to run to my brother's rooms, and help them out. I nodded and leaved the kitchen, wiping away tears on my sleeve. I ran to my baby brother's room, to find he had suffocated with the smoke. By now, I was crying so hard. I ran to Johnathen, my young brother, who at the time was but a twelve years of age child. I heard a shout from outside and a gruff voice cheering. Soon, the voices were coming up the steps. I jumped out the window, with Johnathen on my back. He shouted out when we made the fall. A nasty looking man covered in scars came up with a blade to Johnathen laughing cruelly. Johnathen froze with fright. Now, I had rolled up into the brush. I screamed and jumped myself at the brigands, crashing into him and knocking the blade out of his hand. I grabbed his blade and stabbed him over and over again, in anger. Even after he had passed on, I continued until Johnathen grabbed my hand and looked at me saddly. I locked on his eyes and could see what they were saying.
"Please. Stop. Do not hurt him more. Let us leave. Please."
I threw the blade away in horror, and whistled for Buttercup. We escaped that day. Where Jaccob had went, is a mystery to me. The man I murdered, he still haunts me, in my thoughts, in my dreams, in my awake hours, and night hours...
((Teardrops can be seen on this page))
