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The Invention Of Uncertainty, Chapter 1This story may contain adult content. |
| Written by Kasi | |
| Monday, 23 June 2008 | |
 One couldn’t see the sunset through the opaque dust; we are only to assume an orange glow, its luminous streaks penetrating the surrounding clouds. Altostratus ripples in the sky would make for a memorable vision. Not tonight, not any night. These cumbersome carriages and their wooden wheels have seen better days. Days where traveling form village to village was exciting, I enjoyed it as a child, now these places all seem the same. Each township with its own trading post, allowing natives to trade their loom woven materials and animal hides for pennies. A few streets lined with well built homes belonging to wealthy businessmen and their families. A lodge for hard working men from out of town to buy a decent meal. The railroad development that has stretched its veins across the barren land in an attempt to connect capital cities to the states they feverishly fought against just a few years ago, seems to have made it to every municipality before we have. My discontent is unbearable, almost. We moved through the town of Sharsville, it's rare to find a need of laborers anymore; we tried to remain hopeful, and we needed campground for the night, same as the day before. A small voice trembled at my side, “ I hope Josiah finds work here”. “Me too” I said, being careful not to show my doubt. All thoughts were suddenly broken by roaring voices that bounced off the store fronts that lined the street. The carriages slowed to a stop. Countless men had blocked the narrow avenue making it impossible to pass. One stood out amongst the rest waving his pistol, boisterous and drunk. Other men stood behind him as if to condone his behavior with stern faces, ready to draw their own weapon if the mood should strike them. Ella and I peered out of the carriage trough its canvas veil. We had made it a game when we were younger to cover our ears and read each other’s lips, this an effort to better understand each other while the horses ran at full speed, sending the carriage colliding with stones and rough earth making it impossible to hear. “Can you tell what he is saying”, she asked. “No”, I replied, “he moves too rapidly”. We both jumped with horror when the first crack of a pistol rang in our ears. Josiah held the reins tightly as the horses moved restlessly, trying to free themselves. Everywhere onlookers swarmed like bees, taking refuge. Women picked up their children and ran, while younger men stayed within earshot to entertain their curiosity. My brother being one inched off of the carriage. “Josiah, don’t leave us here” I shouted. “ I need to speak with the others, you and Ella come with me.” He tied off the horses while gently speaking to them, calming their nerves. We made our way to the next carriage with familiar faces. Seth and Juliet were siblings too, traveling with their mother. All the nomads in our tribe of three wagons are the product of war. Our fathers killed by men defending their state, in a heated battle for slave rights in a territory that they did not own. Growing together and keeping each other alive, we have traveled vast lands following the sunset looking for the unfamiliar and possibly a new home. Josiah sent Ella to the third wagon; to further shield her from the violence. This wagon belonged to Lucas and his younger brother, Alby. The two fought constantly revealing their lack of male guidance, but all the same they were strong and would be capable of defending themselves or a female if needed. Their mother died two years ago from a combination of cancer and ritual bloodletting, as their father and two older brothers never came back from the war, giving us more in common that we ever wanted. This was a sensitive subject never to be debated, “ This war displaced our lives and made orphans of the children that compassion had created.” Lucas would say to whom ever asked of their situation. The man with the gun seemed to loose all sanity and aimed his pistol at innocent bystanders. Jessamine heard him clearly this time,” I’ll shoot any of ya if you don’t free my son, right now.” As if to say they have had enough, two men behind him inched closer, one grabbed the man’s shoulders while the other reached for the gun. Freeing the pistol from the crazed man, and bringing him to the ground in a dusty arrest. The man tried to wiggle free, but couldn’t. Nothing had been wounded except the innocent presence that had filled that day before they entered Sharsville. Soon the street was open again with passing horses, and the resonance of voices. Josiah and Seth went in search for a proper place to camp, leaving the women behind with the last wagon. Lucas looked at Jessamine as she walked toward him, a single look would say more than a single word could ever express. "Will you help me, or not?"
To Be Continued.
Copyright 2008 Kasi |
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 05 July 2008 ) |
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