the Light on the HillA Chapter by Cherrie Palmerthe escape to safety
Weary from running, she clung to the old oak and softly cursed the teal dress coat she wore, its fabric seemed to reflect the moonlight. The mighty tree towered in the clearing. Its heavy shadows concealed her. For a long moment, she held her breath, trying to listen for them. The ferocious wind blocked out all sound except the thunders of her heartbeat. The oak’s crisp foliage clapped and clattered together, while those leaves stripped from their perch wildly darted for cover, leaving her hovering against that old tree. Without warning, the light from the moon illuminated her position. Its silvery beams broadcasted her location, compelling her to run once more. The bark of Dane, her dog, could be heard in the distance. A lull in the wind magnified the sound. It wasn’t right, for them, to use Dane against her. Again, Dane barked, this time much closer She reeled, her head toward the sound. Staring into the dark, she searched for movement. Only shadows could be seen dancing in place, motion driven by the wind. Fear and desperation forced air back into her lungs, and she continued her escape into the darkness. Frantically running up a blind hill, she turned her ankle, snapping off the heel of her shoe. Straight to the ground, she collided. The pain in her knee, offset the force of her head kissing the dirt. A hot trickle of blood ran down her leg. At that moment, she realized just how cold she was. One pair of kitten-heeled pumps were tossed aside. She mopped at her forehead as a splash of something wet dripped off her eyebrow. The Northwind carried a bitter bite stinging her fingers. She rubbed her hands together, then puffed hot air into them.
No more time could be spared reflecting; she needed a quick and simple plan. She removed her coat, which screamed out in the darkness, ‘find me.’ She began to drag it on the ground, then tucked it under a log, in hopes that Dane would lead them in the wrong direction. Just like she had seen in a western, she backtracked over her steps until she could cut across a large rock. Maybe, a little misdirection will give her more time. Dane must have done just that, for she could no longer see their flashlights. “What kind of people carry flashlights.” She sobbed. Tingling toes screamed for relief as she cut across boggy soil. Dane’s bark resounded against the wind. He seemed far-off, that thought gave her no peace. A sharp wind pushed hard against her, and she pressed on. The encroaching storm crowded out the moon. Instinct pushed her up the dark embankment. Stocking feet caked in mud moved swiftly, and her whole body throbbed from her fall. What she wouldn’t give to have her Carhart coveralls and winter boots. Those things she had gladly left back home. Back on the ranch in her childhood bedroom. That safe place trimmed in eyelet. Her mind screamed, ‘what else could go wrong?’ With chattering teeth, she considered doubling back for her coat, but dancing lights kept her moving forward.
The man in the brown suit seemed in charge. The air of authority he wore just seemed part of his bespoken suit. His full deep belly laugh captivated her. She stifled a giggle as she listened. That was until the young man with the fading smile fell to the ground, dead. Impelled by a knife, and like a fool, she screamed. She had gone unnoticed until that moment. Now, if she cannot find help, she will not see her twenty-first birthday. November the 19th just a week away, and at this moment, she was betting on never. Her mother’s voice echoed softly. “Nothing good will happen to you in the city. Please, dear, don’t go.” “A light!” A small flickering light at the top of the hill. The pain in her ankle and knee slowed her advance. All the ligaments in her foot had stiffened. Each step came slower. Dane howled, and panic told her to run. Instead, she stopped and prayed. “Please, Lord, protect me from these wicked men, help me get to the light and send someone to help me, amen.” As she opened her eyes, she spied a large stick that she used to steady her stride. Her ankle felt like a bowling ball. Its rhythmic beat rang out. She lightly ran her fingers over it, then returned her attention to the climb.
She pounded on the door as the wind roared. She feared those who lived inside would not hear her. So again, she knocked. “Help me! Hello! Please, someone, let me in!” With little hope of anyone opening the door, she knocked one last time, then cowered against the corner of the doorway for shelter.
Lightning flashed, the wind fell off, and heavy sleet pelted into the doorway. “Well, Edith, who’s at the door!” a man with a hoarse voice and thick accent thundered. His voice mimicked the impending storm, ill-tempered and loud.
“Fern.” “That’s a lovely name, but we need to get you by the fire and see to these wounds.” He bellowed in a full round voice that matched his body. The two worked in unison to carry her to a green divan. Either one of them could have lifted her, but they worked in harmony, gently moving the girl. A country cottage with all its graces surrounded her. Dark walnut beams framed the ceiling, as walls painted in butter-cream set the mood. The light that led her here bloomed from their picture window. Dainty lace curtains let flickering images dance across the room, and the roaring fire quickly worked its magic. Edith tended to her knee and ankle. Fern didn’t know it, but she sported a small cut over her left eye. Marion took a knife to his pipe and worked his way around this mystery. “So, you’ve been in a wreck, have you?” Peering over his glasses as he spoke. She shook her head no, still big-eyed, as she tucked at her wild raven hair, trying to tame it down. She relaxed, sinking into the soft pillows. About to tell them what she had seen when a knock boomed from the front door. Her eyes told him all he needed to know. As he finished packing his pipe, he lit it and bellowed. “Come in if you must!” © 2023 Cherrie PalmerReviews
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10 Reviews Added on April 18, 2017 Last Updated on April 29, 2023 Tags: escaping_dark of night AuthorCherrie PalmerSpringfield , MOAboutI am a published poet and love poetry. After a lifetime of country living, I'm making a move back to town. I find my surroundings a great inspiration to me. I also have two books on Amazon Kindle: .. more..Writing
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