*see note for more context*

On a cold snowy day, in the middle of December, a quaint little cottage rested in the morning light, puffing bits of smoke into the misty shadows. Everywhere, trees grew thick, and foliage trailed about in an untamed fashion, creating a sort of wild garden. A rope of thick, green ivy climbed the sides of the house, framing the doorway and the windows. Two windows faced front. The first one, dressed with a homely flowered curtain, was to the left of the door; to the right of the door was the second window, its curtains pulled back to reveal bright firelight from within.

I held the flowing bouquet of woodland flowers in both my hands and walked down the aisle at a measured pace. Once I had reached my designated spot, I turned and met the eyes of—no, not my groom. Sheesh. I’m single. I have yet to find a man that is willing to put up with this much sarcasm on a daily basis. Not that I’m looking for a man. Anyways, back to my story. I looked up and met the smiling gaze of my baby sister. Caitlyn looked ethereal in her shimmering white gown, with a cathedral veil trailing yards behind her.

Chapter 8 Suspicions
Dulcina must have been very persuasive in her message to Peter, for I did not see him at all that day. I was more embarrassed than ever before, and I did not go back home till every trace of sunlight was gone.
My parents were still awake, and I dutifully apologized to my father. He responded in kind, though I could still see the anxiety and hurt in his eyes. In hopes of living without fear of another argument, I made a suggestion. “I believe this is just a topic we will continue to disagree on. Let’s not discuss it unless absolutely necessary.”

I was always the proverbial fifth wheel of the many youth sports teams I participated in while in elementary school, yet at the end of each season, I would receive the same trophy as the polished point guard sitting next to me. Those “presents” made me feel special at the time, yet looking back, I realize that I didn’t deserve any awards for my lack of interest in the game. Those awards, exciting as it was to receive them, did not motivate me to listen to the coach, practice more, or put more effort into my playing.

What grand moral is this tale supposed to teach, you ask?

Something was moving in the forest. Beck didn’t know what it was but it scared him.
He bit his lip, keeping himself from crying out with some effort. Of course there was something moving. Plenty of magical creatures lived in the forest, silence would be impossible, day or night.

Once, under sun's last gleaming flame,
I met a purple glow;
At first I could not give it name
(Whose name I surely know).

'Twas in a rich green hollow set,
Awash with sun-kissed leaves,
Where slender stem with leaf-top met
And clustered thick as thieves.

I glanced sidelong; the glow remained
A vibrant purple hue,
Complete with scent as yet unnamed
(Whose scent I surely knew).

Reluctant yet to fully look
And dash the mystery,
Deliberately, I at first mistook
It for a violet sea;

I didn’t want to go to school. None of us did, not even Bud, who loved his books. They told us that Rain Valley School was integrated—whites and blacks, all learning under the same roof, taught by the same teacher—a white teacher. At Faith Baptist School in California, segregation was law. We were taught in the black building, and they were taught in the white one.

You know that time is wasting away
The clock is ticking to start a brand new day
And I'm just waiting here for you say
I need you

I want for you to hold me close
I'm fading here as everyone knows
But the truth remains I'm still here alone
I need you

Can't you see
I'm waiting here for you to find me
Can't you see
I need you

I wonder if you ever passed me by
I wonder if I'll ever get to call you mine
Sometimes it seems like love is just a lie
I need you

When I awoke in the morning, my anxiety returned. Were the Americans still fighting? Was their flag, or the British flag standing? I was eager, yet frightened to know what had happened. Trying to see through the dawn with my own eyes proved to be a challenge, for I could strain them no longer. I earnestly hoped that the horrible, gruesome fight yesterday had not brought the Americans to surrender. Grabbing a spyglass from my pack, I returned to my post. I took a deep breath before I looked through it, fearing that the worst had come.