Thursday's Child (Out of Time #5)
Page 25
Simon took out his gun and waded into the murky water. He held his gun up to keep it dry and turned back as Elizabeth followed and then Eli, his shotgun held over his head.
Thankfully, the water never got above his waist. If it were much higher, Elizabeth would be swimming instead of walking. Although, walking might have been a generous characterization. With each step, their feet sank into the soft bottom. But that was hardly the worst of it. Fallen branches, snags and submerged logs and rocks made each step treacherous. God only knew what sort of snakes and creatures called this place home. They stumbled their way through the water following the narrowing path left in the doctor's wake.
Simon heard a gasp and turned in time to see Elizabeth nearly disappear under the water. Simon tried to grab her, but he was too far away. Eli was closer and grabbed her arm, helping her right herself. She swept her hair from her face and spit out the fetid water that had gotten into her mouth. “I'm all right,” she said and they pushed on.
Eli frowned and shook his head. In his haste to help Elizabeth he'd let his shotgun dip into the water. Long green slime hung off the barrel. He looked at Simon in apology. They both knew the gun was likely useless now. That left them with only Simon's pistol.
It was exhausting work, pushing through the heavy water, having to yank each foot up out of the mud as the mire sucked it down. Simon's legs burned with the effort. Worse yet, the trail they were following was disappearing. The swath the doctor had cut through the algae was reforming, the two sides rejoining. Just as it was nearly completely impossible to see, they reached a bank.
Simon managed to get himself halfway up it before turning back and helping Elizabeth climb the short, but steep slope that led to what passed for dry land in a swamp. Once she was safely up, Simon followed, Eli close behind.
The rain had mercifully stopped, but it was of little comfort now. It was good to be out of the water, but it also meant the end of the trail they'd followed. They tried to find some sign to follow, some path, but it was no use.
They stood helpless until the clouds above parted, and a pale haze of light from the moon shone down through a break in the trees. Simon could hear the river in the distance. Birch's landing couldn't be far.
“There!” Eli said. Simon turned and saw a dark figure in the distance, no more than twenty yards away. Eli ran forward and raised his shotgun. Simon heard the hammer fall, but there was no spark, no fire. With a frustrated grunt, Eli tossed the gun aside.
They hurried after him. Simon could just make out the doctor as he weaved his way between the trees. The doctor stumbled, swore and regained his footing. They were close now. The doctor turned back and saw them. He made a sharp turn and waded into another pool of water.
Simon raised his gun and called out, “That's far enough!”
The doctor stopped. His back heaved with the effort of his flight. His gun dangled from his right hand as he stood in water up to his thighs.
Elizabeth moved between Simon and Eli. They stood on the shore of the little island as the doctor slowly turned around.
“Drop your gun!” Simon said and pulled back the hammer on his pistol.
The doctor ignored him and continued his slow turn.
Simon squeezed the trigger.
Nothing.
The doctor laughed and raised his gun as he faced them. “You've got to keep your powder dry,” he said.
He trained his gun on Elizabeth. Simon could tell that the doctor knew what he was thinking, that he was calculating the odds of the doctor's gun working after what they'd been through. “Is it worth her life to find out?” he asked.
Simon's silence was answer enough. The doctor smiled. “Good. You just stay right where you are and old Doc Walker is going down the river.”
The doctor took a step backward and shook his head.
Simon was about to say something, but stopped when he heard something he couldn't quite identify. In his periphery he could tell that the others had clearly heard it too, including Doctor Walker.
It started out as a whisper that floated all around them. It grew in intensity as voice after voice joined it until it was a chorus of voices whispering in the dark.
“The water will take you home.”
They all turned, trying to see where the voices were coming from, but they were coming from everywhere. Simon reached for Elizabeth's hand and gripped it firmly in his.
“The water will take you home.”
Doctor Walker took another stumbling step, up to his waist now. He glanced back at them, frightened, but determined. And then, suddenly, a hand shot up out of the water and grabbed his arm. He struggled against it, but the grip was as iron as the manacle around its black wrist.
The hand squeezed his arm until it trembled and the gun fell into the water.
Another hand reached out from the murky water, and then another.
“Help me!” the doctor cried, but none of them could or would come to his aid.
All Simon could do was watch in awe and terror and disbelief, as more hands with iron shackles and thick black chains reached up out of the water and grabbed at the doctor. They clutched at his clothing and gripped his arms and legs. And pulled.
He began to sink down into the mud, the water coming up to his chest now. He gasped and his eyes shot wide open, the whites caught in the now bright moonlight. “Help me.”
Simon watched as the hands dragged him down into the water. The whispering voices surged as they took him completely under. As the surface of the water stilled, the voices faded.
A final burst of bubbles disturbed the water and then all was still and silent.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Elizabeth's everything hurt. She was cold and tired and muddy. She was also fairly certain there were leeches involved, but she didn't want to think about that. She shivered at the memory of the doctor's last call for help. Despite his, what she could only describe as evil, it was still shocking to have watched him die. It was justice and she was glad for that, but it wouldn't help Mary. Not now.
They found Jacob, Louisa and Rose exactly where they'd left them. Jacob lifted the musket and waved it in their general direction as they approached. “Who dere?”
“Easy there. It's us,” Eli said as they came out of the woods.
Thankfully, they'd managed to find a path back that didn't involve wading through the swamp again. The adrenaline of the chase was wearing off and the exertion from the day started to take its toll.
Jacob came to Simon and handed him the watch and key. “I didn't touch it.”
“Thank you, Jacob.”
Elizabeth leaned into Simon's side and he wrapped an arm around her and she laid her hand on it. He gave a slight groan and she pulled her hand away. His bandaged arm was filthy, and she could see red seeping through the dirty gauze.
She stepped away and held up his arm. “Oh, Simon.” He hadn't said a word about it. Who knows when he'd torn his stitches?
“It's all right,” he said and pulled her back to his side.
For a moment, they watched as Rose and Eli embraced, then awkwardly separated.
“It's over,” Eli assured her. “He won't bother you again.”
Rose smiled and knelt down in front of Louisa. She pulled her daughter to her and there in the darkness, just behind the child, was Mary. She was barely visible now, just the faintest image of who she'd once been.
Rose saw her and her eyes widened and then spilled over with tears. She held Louisa in her arms, but she spoke to both of her children. “It's time to take you home.”
Rose reached out to Mary, who raised her ghostly hand.
“My darling child.”
Their fingers touched and Mary glowed brightly for the briefest moment.
Mary turned her head and looked at Simon and Elizabeth and smiled.
And then, she was gone.
Elizabeth drew in a sharp breath and felt Simon's arm tighten around her shoulder. She didn't bother to wipe away the tears that rolled down her cheek
s.
Rose gasped and hugged Louisa tightly with both arms.
“Are you all right?” Eli asked in confusion.
Rose stood and took Louisa's hand. She looked at Elizabeth and then back to Eli. “We will be,” she said. “We will be.”
~~~
When they arrived back at River Run, the fire had been put out. Between the hard work of the slaves, the neighbors and the heaven's rains, most of the house had been spared. The damage had been limited to the upper floor. It would take time to rebuild, but it would be whole again.
They'd all cleaned up as best they could and spent the night at the Millers'. By then, Doctor Parish had come to see to James. His injuries were serious, but he would live. Where and how, would be up to Rose. Elizabeth knew what she'd do with James if he'd been her husband, but he wasn't and his fate was not up to her.
Simon's arm was cleaned and re-stitched. It was even more painful to watch than the first time and Elizabeth's stomach roiled at the sight, although, the shots of swamp juice she'd swallowed the night before might have had something to do with it.
The following morning, Simon and Elizabeth went back into town to give the Harpers a chance to recover. They were welcomed back to Cypress Hill and spent the day taking antibiotics and convalescing.
The next morning, it was time to say goodbye.
“I hope you'll come back to see us sometime,” Catherine said as they stood out front waiting for her carriage to be brought around.
“I'd like to,” Elizabeth said, very much meaning it, but knowing it wouldn't happen.
“Think of all the trouble we could get into,” Catherine said to her with a wink.
Simon looked to the heavens. “God help us.”
Catherine frowned as her carriage pulled up. “Are you sure you have to go? Where am I going to find a new cohort?”
“I'm afraid, I'll have to do,” the Colonel said as he came out of the house and instructed Abraham to put a box into the back of the carriage.
He shook Simon's hand. “God speed.” He turned to Elizabeth and narrowed his eyes before bowing, a slight smile cracking his stern face. “Miss Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth stifled a laugh and curtsied. “Colonel.”
“Thank you, for everything,” Simon said to both of them, but his eyes lingered on Catherine. She nodded and smiled in return.
“We should be going, Cat,” the Colonel said as he opened the carriage door. “Those boys at the orphanage won't learn discipline if we set a bad example by being late.”
Catherine pulled Elizabeth into a hug before turning and climbing into the carriage. The Colonel followed her in and closed the door. Elizabeth waved as they drove away.
Abraham appeared beside them. “Your trunks are ready whenever you are, suh.”
“Thank you,” Simon said, and then held out his hand.
Abraham looked at it unsure for a moment and then took it.
“Thank you, Abraham,” Simon said as he gave it a firm shake. “For everything.”
Abraham nodded, clearly moved by the sentiment. “Thank you, suh.”
~~~
They made the drive up to River Run for the last time. Construction had already begun on the damaged portions of the house to bring it back to its Antebellum majesty.
Elizabeth tried to take everything in. She wanted to commit the scene to memory because she knew she and the world would never see the likes of it again.
Jacob led them through the house and out onto the back veranda. “Miss Rose is in the garden.”
They walked down the back steps and into the garden, but Rose was nowhere to be found. They ventured a little deeper into the yard. Simon nodded toward a figure off in the distance.
Rose was standing over a freshly dug grave in the family cemetery.
“We've come to say goodbye,” Elizabeth said.
Rose looked up sadly, but smiled. Her eyes fell back to the ground. “We had her brought home yesterday afternoon,” she said. “They're carving a stone for her. With her true name.”
Elizabeth slipped her hand into Simon's and looked down at the small grave. She felt a tightness in her throat and a melancholy only lifted by the knowledge that Mary was finally home.
She cleared her throat. “The flowers are beautiful.”
“I came to put these flowers here,” Rose said, holding out a bouquet of roses, “and found these already here.” A small patch of deep blue forget-me-nots blossomed in the dark soil.
Beside her, she heard Simon let out a soft breath. It was a sigh of release. Elizabeth nodded to herself. Mary was at peace.
Rose laid the flowers on the grave and gestured for them to follow her back to the house. As they did, Eli appeared leading Louisa around on her pony. The girl laughed and Elizabeth smiled.
“She seems to be doing well,” Simon said.
Rose looked out at her daughter and Eli and something in her eyes lightened. “She is. Children are inspiringly resilient, aren't they?”
They climbed the stairs to the veranda and looked out over the estate for a quiet moment before Elizabeth said, “I'm sorry it all came to this.”
Rose took a deep breath as she looked out at her daughter and Eli. “Life is a crucible. We are either broken by it or our bonds strengthened.” She turned to them. “James will be taking a long trip to facilitate his recovery. Elijah will see to things while he's gone.”
Rose watched them for a minute before turning back and resuming her role as the perfect Southern lady. “Where are my manners? Would you like some refreshments?”
“No, thank you,” Simon said. “We should be going.”
“It's time we moved on,” Elizabeth said.
Rose smiled and reached for her hand. She squeezed it once and her eyes filled with fresh tears. “Godspeed.”
She smiled one last time then walked over to join Eli and Louisa.
Elizabeth and Simon stood on the porch, arms around each other's waists, and watched the remnants of a family try to rebuild anew.
After a minute, Simon held out his hand. “Ready?”
She knew he meant ready to leave, but suddenly it felt like more than that. They weren't just leaving the past; they were stepping into their future, one that, until this trip, Elizabeth had never worried over. Old Nan's prophecy echoed in her mind. It is your burden.
Elizabeth sighed. Rose was right. Life was a crucible, and it either broke you or made you stronger. And she and Simon were always stronger together.
She took his hand. “Ready.”
Whatever fate had in store for them, they would face it and overcome it. Together.
THE END
NOTE TO READERS
Thank you for reading Thursday’s Child; I truly hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
If you enjoyed this book, please consider posting a short review at http://www.amazon.com/author/moniquemartin
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ALSO BY MONIQUE MARTIN
Out of Time: A Time Travel Mystery (Out of Time #1)
When the Walls Fell (Out of Time #2)
Fragments (Out of Time #3)
The Devil's Due (Out of Time #4)
Thursday's Child (Out of Time #5)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Monique was born in Houston, Texas, but her family soon moved to Southern California. She grew up on both coasts, living in Connecticut and California. She currently resides in Southern California with her naughty Siamese cat, Monkey.
She's currently working on an adaptation of one of her screenplays, several short stories and novels and the next book in the Out of Time series.
For news and information about Monique and upcoming releases, please visit: http://moniquema
rtin.weebly.com/
Follow Monique on Twitter: https://twitter.com/_MoniqueMartin_
Like Monique on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Monique-Martin-Author/132268193491541
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
NOTE TO READERS
ALSO BY MONIQUE MARTIN
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
NOTE TO READERS