FirstLineFiction beta

from Contest #9

It was the thing he’d always loved about her.

Although it was strictly forbidden, Joseph cherished it, and always would. He was only 12 years of age, but when he saw her, the butterflies within him would flutter and quiver and tremble all the same. Joseph knew that his relationship with her was prohibited, he didn’t understand why. That’s exactly why he didn’t stop seeing her.
    “Shh…you have to be quiet Ann. We can’t wake anyone up, okay?”
    “Okay. I’ll be quiet.”
    They crept in through the balcony outside of Joseph’s window. Being quiet was detrimental; if not, it would equal certain disaster. He held Ann’s hand and guided her over the railing, and onto the balcony. He held onto her hand as tightly as possibly. If she fell, that would only bring even more trouble. Joseph knew that he would never let her drop; he loved her too much.
    They stood together beneath a moonless sky, but the flickering flame within his lantern on his nightstand gave them enough light to gaze into each others’ eyes. Joseph wrapped his arms around Ann, and she draped her arms over his shoulders. It was love, in its purest form.
    “I’m sorry that I haven’t come to get you Ann, Father has been weary lately, and has kept a keen eye on me. He went into town today though, so I could sneak you in again.”
    “I’ve missed you Joseph.”
    “I’ve missed you too. I know that we see each other around every day, but we can’t risk having my family find out. I know that most of your family has a good idea, but if my family found out, everything would be ruined.”
    “I’ll hide it, and I’ll be good Joseph, I promise.”
    “Good.”
    He smiled at her, and she smiled back. He ran his fingers over her skin, the thing he loved so much about her. The rest of the night was theirs’ to share, and they did just that. They held hands, they kissed, they read to each other, and they enjoyed every little moment.
-
    “Joseph, get up, get up! Please Joseph!”
    “Uh…huh…?”
    “Please Joseph, wake up! We fell asleep! It’s morning time now!”
    It had never happened to them before. Every night, after they spent time together laughing and living and loving every second, Ann would return to her quarters, and they would see each other again when they could. Things didn’t work out like that this time, and it would have drastic consequences.
    “Joseph, I think I missed roll-call! Get up, please!”
    Ann shook at Joseph’s body, trying to shake consciousness back into him. Her moves were frantic; she was scared. At any moment, her world could come slamming down, shattering into billions of tiny pieces. Joseph threw on his clothes, and led her to the balcony. He peaked out into the hot summer sun, and the commons area was clear.
    “Come on Ann, hurry. There’s no one around right now. Go!”
    She climbed down the balcony, and ran off in the direction of her quarters. As she reached the doorway, she blew Joseph a kiss, and frantically ran inside.
-
    Joseph worried for the rest of the day. Throughout his daily chores, and his schooling and his music lessons, Ann was the only thought that passed through his mind. His mind raced back and forth, in every which direction, until his father finally arrived home. Joseph’s mother rushed in, in a flustered mess.
    “Quickly now Joseph! Go clean up for your father. He is just about to arrive, and there have been problems with some of the workers lately, and he is none too happy. Wash up quickly, and present yourself downstairs young man!”
    “Yes mother.”
    Joseph didn’t want to believe that the problem involved Ann, but he knew that it most likely was. Even as he cleaned up and put a fresh cotton shirt on, his entire body shook in fear. He didn’t want anything to happen to Ann. He swore that he wouldn’t let anything happen to Ann, no matter what his father said. He finished his forced pampering, and headed down that dreaded staircase to the foyer. That’s when Father stormed in.
    “I’m gone for only two days, and I get reports like this? This is a mockery! This is a pure and utter mockery! Do they think that I am some sort of fool? Do they take me as a court jester? They are the fools! They are nothing but a bunch of godforsaken baboons, and I will not stand for this!”
    Joseph trembled in his newly shined shoes. He was seconds away from breaking.
    “I get reports that they are disappearing for hours on end, and that their totals are down 25%! This is a total disgrace to this family name! This will end now.”
    Father stormed out the door and Joseph followed closely behind. He had no choice. He had to do it, not only for his sake, but for Ann. He walked in his father’s shadow, as he shouted out into the commons.
    “Mr. Keating! Mr. Keating! Come here Mr. Keating!”
    His voiced boomed out, echoing like thunder, prophesying the storm that was on the horizon.
    “Yes sir?”
    “Mr. Keating, gather everyone in the area. Those out in the fields are fine, but gather those who are around. Now Mr. Keating, before you join them in what is to come.”
    “Yes sir. I will do just that.”
    He got onto his horse, and started to gallop around the commons, banging on doors and shouting as if tomorrow was never going to come. With Father in his state, that was always a possibility.
    Everyone slowly lurked out of their homes, and from their washing stations, and from the kitchen, and from every nook and cranny possible. One by one they lurked out, until a group of 20 or so were all lined up in front of Father.
    “I want each and every one of you to listen up, and listen up good. When I leave this place, I expect each and every one of you to do exactly as if I was here. You may take advantage of Mr. Keating, but I kid you not, I am no Mr. Keating. If nothing else, I will prove that here today. Now, where is the one that you call Ann?”
    Joseph’s heart wanted to leap up through his throat and out into the open air, but he clenched his teeth, and held back his tears with every ounce of strength. Ann stepped forward, and Joseph barely managed to hold on.
    “Come here girl.”
    She quickly stepped over to Father, keeping her eyes on the ground the entire time.
    “I hear that you think it’s okay to disappear and not do all of your work. Is this true?”
    “No sir,” she squeaked out, like a skittish field mouse. He slapped her across the face.
    “Don’t you dare lie! You’re nothing but a godforsaken animal! I give you shelter, and I provide you with food, and this is how you repay me? What were you doing girl, sitting under a tree all day dreaming pointless dreams? Well, speak!”
    She refused to speak. She knew that if she spoke up, Joseph would be pulled aboard an already sinking ship.
    “I told you to speak! Even my dog can follow my commands! Speak girl!”
    She refused to speak.
    “Mr. Keating, tie Ann up, and bring me my whip.”
    “Yes sir.”
    Joseph’s mind ran wild, but he was frozen in time. An arctic blast had chilled him to the bone, and he could not move.
    “Let this be an example to each and every one of you. If you even think of slacking off, if I even suspect that foul play is afoot, I will bring down my justice upon you like never before. This girl will be an example of that today. Let my message ring clear and true.”
    The whip cracked like an old oak tree, and Ann wailed. That didn’t stop Father. The whip lashed again. She shrieked. He didn’t stop. Each and every one of them stared on in pain, but no one would speak up; they didn’t want to face the same fate. The whip thrashed yet again. He yelled.
    “Stop it!”
    With one swift move, Joseph balled his fist, and met it with Father’s jaw. His stature and size was no match for that of Father, but he swung that fist with everything he had. Father dropped his whip, as Joseph ran to Ann.
    “What is the meaning of this Joseph? You dare to defy me? You dare side with these animals? You may be my flesh and blood, but you are no son to me.”
    “I don’t care Father. I love her! You want to know where she was? Do you? She was with me last night Father, in that house that you cherish so much! We’ve spent many nights together, laughing, and speaking so many words of love! I’ve run my fingers over her ebony skin, and I love that about her. She is unique, and so much more important than you. We’ve even read books together from your library!”
    “You must be ill my son. They can’t read. They were never made to read. They were made to work for people like me. That is their purpose, and that is…”
    “You’re wrong Father. You’re a damn lunatic, and you’re wrong!”
    Joseph slowly cut the ropes from Ann’s hands, and helped her to her feet as she collapsed.
    “This is the decision that you are making Joseph, to side with them? You’ll never be allowed back here. You’re no longer my son Joseph. Go live with those dogs. Send everyone back to work Mr. Keating, I’ll be out monitoring the fields.”
    Joseph led Ann inside one of the stable, and tended to her wounds as a small crowd gathered around him. They all spoke words of kindness to him as he bandaged her.
    “Master Joseph, we are so proud of you.”
    “Joseph. Please just call me Joseph.”
    He smiled at them, and smiled at Ann as she weakly looked into his eyes.
    “Are you ready Ann? We have a long road ahead of us.”
    “Of course.”
    Joseph led his mare from the stable, and helped Ann to climb up on him. Joseph held the reigns as he commanded the horse to go. He held her sable hand in his, and they never looked back.

back to Contest #9