Ade (whyimhot) wrote in summerview, @ 2019-03-05 21:32:00 |
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Entry tags: | complete, eugene renault, flashback, gabrielle renault |
Late Dec 1803
Eugene-Baptiste & Gabrielle-Ange
Renault Plantation • 1500 Complete • Medium (implied war) |
Gabrielle had always been raised to walk with confidence. To hold her head up high and be proud of the family she came from. To believe that their family stood above others because they were exactly where Jean-Baptiste wanted them to be at the moment. They were on the threshold of crossing the line into becoming one of those families that had the word "Great" attached to it when it came to certain matters. Not just powerful, or wealthy, or secure. No, they were close to establishing a legacy that came with pomp and circumstance. And for a long, long while she was certain that she bought into it. She was raised to be the perfect daughter that would one day secure an important marriage. One that would help her father's legacy, and have many children to further it forward into the future. Everything she had ever been taught, even down how to control her gifts was towards that purpose. The ugly truth of it was that she hadn't minded. Even looked forward to it. To run her own house in all that statement meant. Looking back on it now, Gabrielle honestly wondered how she could have been so blind to everything.
Maybe blind wasn't the right term for it. No. It certainly was not the right term for it. She had given her compliance, and while she had not been cruel, she knew that did not matter because she did not do anything to stop it either. Gabrielle was not a mean spirited person, and would hardly harm a fly if she did not have to. She offered smiles to everyone, and tried to be a decent person. Regardless, the damage had been done, and the revolts intensified. Her eyes had been opened, what seemed like, a little to late. And all for what, really? To secure a legacy that would have gone to her younger brother before she even got a chance at it. To make her parents happy by being the perfect girl they wanted her to be. True, she had found joy in making them happy, to meet some level of approval. Who did not want that? But now, as the noise and chaos started to become louder, and in the mixture of emotions coursing through her, foolishness was among them. It wasn't because she was sure that today would be her last. Even if she did have a little hindsight to throw in at the moment. She had started to see things in another light slowly, perhaps too slowly, since news spread to them of the beginnings of the revolts. Her family had done irreversible cruelties, even at the base of enslaving those that were deemed less than worthy. Gabrielle had been taught with very little exemption, that they were not even people. They were property to be used as her father deemed necessary. And now standing here in the parlor, Gabrielle could feel the tight knot in her stomach making her want to wretch. Ignorance was no excuse. How could it be. And there was no way she could ever make up for it. There was no 'fixing' this. Maybe, the only thing she could do was die with a little bit of honor. A question that had been plaguing her. Could she really turn on her own family? The people that raised her, taught her, kept her safe, and she presumed, loved her. They had done terrible things, and she did not put herself apart from them. But her brother, Etienne, was going to turn into her father someday. Just going by the last few years, they were already of the same mind. They were all on that road and there was no denying it. Maybe the only way to make it better and at least stop the cycle was to sacrifice themselves. Gabrielle could not stop the rest of the world, but maybe she could stop it here. Make sure her family never harmed anyone else. The only thing it would cost was the utter betrayal to her parents and brother. The truth was, she had no idea what she was going to do. Only that she was frozen in her spot, shaking, tears running down her cheeks and unable to shake herself to get to their hiding spot. That is when the door was flung open and she was shocked out of her stupor when she whipped her head around to see her half-brother, Eugene-Baptiste standing before her. Yes, she could not help but think, this is where and how I die. That as much shown on her face as it softened. It was pure recognition, and there was no attempt to stop it. She would not fight back, she honestly looked as if she wanted to ask him if he would just make it quick, that she knew she didn't deserve it, but would ask anyway. Perhaps even say she was sorry, even if might not mean anything. "I-" she started, the words stuck in her throat. "I can help. I know where they are hiding." Her heart was hammering in her chest and she felt like she felt faint, something she rarely felt. *** There had been no confusion what Eugene-Baptiste was born to do. He was not a creation of accidental means. His mother, after all, could not be impregnated with her meaning for it to happen. And she could not have been enslaved without her wanting to be. She could persuade herself free if she desired. She was stronger than any of the men who had taken her. Hell, for years, she had fought against the slavery trade in Africa to keep people safe. But she was taken from the inside to start something from within. To internally combust the slave trade with other succubae and incubi. And with her going to a fae lord, her life was made more convenient. Her son had become an incubus. And an attractive one at that. His features were just fair enough and the man susceptible enough to allow him to watch over the child rather than sell him or send him back to the fields. And while Gene-Baptiste knew it was not fair to those who met far worse fates, he knew his job. He had literally been born to do this one thing, and that was to aid the others. He had soaked in everything. He had learned French and music. He was well-spoken and mild mannered to those he met. He kept his head down when told to and was always polite to his father’s wife and children. But his allegiance was always to his mother. He allowed himself to be doted upon. To me cherished in a way that should have been obvious that it was under a persuasive hand if not for his own skill and that of his mother. And he learned the weaknesses. Their prides. How to get messages from the ladies who worked in the big house to the men in the fields. How to get to the fields themselves when it mattered to talk among them. He as part of their culture. Worshiped as they did. He learned the Gullah dialect from those who came from the Carolinas and broken English. And he had been punished for his transgressions as many were. But he was able to get his way back into his father’s favor. Just enough to not be a threat when the first parts of the rebellion became a whisper. It was not long before that flame hit their plantation, though. And it was quick that Gene and his mother snuck away to join the forces of revolt. He made friends with those in charge and his mother helped free those who were locked away or chained. But their own plantation was one they had to come back for. It was isolated compared to the three major ones to the West. Those fell faster as the tidal wave crashed over them. And when they turned to his home, there was nothing but planning on his mind. He felt nothing in regard to eliminating his father and his wife. His half-brother was nothing but a weak, self-serving fool. And he tried to not think of Gabrielle-Ange. The one who seemed more inclined to stay safe than to make a say in anything. She was not innocent by any means, but she was someone who he had connected with. Grown to adore as much as he could. To feel a pang of worry as he knew what fate she would meet when his mother found her. He was told that the family had locked themselves in the manor when news of the revolt heading their way broke. And so, he had made his way there. Ready for a fight. And he paused when the door swung open, musket in hand, to find his sister standing in the parlor and crying. It was a moment that he knew would be one to look back on for the rest of his life. The submission in her eyes when they normally shown with a brightness and intellect mocked by the low standing of women in the world. How she looked as though her fight was long gone. This was not a woman attempting to protect herself or her family. It was a lamb who led herself to slaughter, looking him in the eyes. His hand gripped the gun harder and he swallowed and prayed she would not make him end her. Then she spoke and Gene inhaled sharply. He knew she was fae. She could not lie. And there was something in her submission that said it was not misleading him. That she was not placing her life on this offer but resigned herself to the fate so many other nobles befell. He tried to swallow, but his throat was dry. “Ellie-Ange,” he asked in a gentle tone. He needed her to answer him directly. “Are you leading me to them, not to stop me, but to help me?” His eyes watched her with a dying fire in them. Afraid that she would not be able to answer this and do nothing but force his hands, while also hoping she would say yes. ******* In a way it was almost worse that it had been Gene that had found her. In some ways it was for the best, because at least she had a small chance to doing something right before the end. However, the small flashes that came to her brain of slipping him a sweet when the adult in the room wasn’t looking, or leaving some salve she had made for him in the attic because she noticed he was hurting. He’d always been polite to her, and she never saw any reason not to be that back. They weren’t the best of friends, but, even despite him being the product of her father and another woman, she couldn’t hold it against him. It wasn’t his fault, he didn’t choose to be that product. She did what she was told by her mother and never got too close, but, he was supposed to be family too. He had their father’s name, and he was given a plan. If the most she could do was try and give a smile now and again, well, it had seemed like something at the time. That fraction of the moment that it took for those to find their way into her head made her think that maybe it wasn’t enough, and she didn’t want to argue that. But it seemed it was enough for him to not outright murder her where she stood. A small mercy, she supposed. Gabrielle wiped her face with her palm just out of a need to do something with her hands before clasping them at her front tightly to keep herself from shaking like she already was. No, she would go through this with trying to be as brave as she could be, one last good thing before she met her end. And really, it was only on some blind hope that she had to believe she was doing the right thing in giving up her family. The right path was never an easy path, that much she knew, but right now it just felt impossible and that no decision was a good one. No, that was not true. In her gut she knew what was the right thing to do, she just wished it didn’t hurt so much. Bad people did good things sometimes, just like good people did bad things sometimes. She had to try and think about this objectively, and with a clear of a mind as she could. Something that felt equally impossible when he said her name the way he did. No one ever called her that save for him. It had always made her feel a bit special and maybe it was a sign that he still did care a little for her. Even in some small way, she supposed if he hadn’t she would be bleeding out on the floor by now. The brief pause in her tears ended and her mouth tightened and her brow furrowed in a way that made her look like she was resolving herself to something. “Yes.” she replied looking him in the eyes. While her voice was soft, it sounded determined, as if she had made her decision and was going to see it through. “I want to help you.” she nodded and took a hesitant step forward, only slightly closing the gap between them. Gabrielle didn’t move much farther than that, as she felt like her legs might give out under her as she continued to claps her hands together to steady herself. “They’re in two spots, my mother and Etienne are in one place, father is in another. I was supposed to join him, I can take you to either of them. They’ll have small weapons, I might be able to get them to open the door without them shooting you.” honestly, she had no idea if that would work. Or if Gene had a better plan. Or if she was best to just tell him where they were and she would stay where she was to be dealt with no or later. She still didn’t expect to live through today, that much was abundantly clear, but she didn’t sound like she was questioning her decision to tell him either. “Gene,” she paused, looking down. “Just let me do one good thing before it’s over.” she nodded her head. Everything in her tone said that she meant that, that she believed she was doing the right thing by giving up her family, as painful as it was. Because the very sad truth was, she did love them, just like as much as she was allowed to, she loved Gene too. But she also understood the greater good, and this, this was for it. She did not think herself a saint, not by any far stretch of the imagination. But she did know she was doing the right thing. “I know you have to do what you have to. But...if you could find it in your heart to just...make it quick? I know it’s a terrible request and I probably do not deserve that mercy, but, the truth is I am afraid, and I don’t want to be afraid anymore.” It was clear by her tone and the way she wouldn’t look up that she wasn’t speaking about her family, but rather herself. She knew that she didn’t have a leg to stand on when it came to them, and really, by giving them up she had lost all rights to ask for them not to suffer. And really, she thought she didn’t have that right to begin with, after everything they had done. She barely felt right asking it for herself, undeserving as she was, at least she tried, and she braced herself for what would come next. ***** She had always been a glimpse, a glimmer of what could be. A kindness. A purity. She had all the features and posture of a woman in her rank. The appeal of her family. The fairness of her skin and bright eyes. She was, as one could say, perfect in those regards. However, he also knew the ways she had been different. There was no malice in her eyes or contempt when she looked upon the slaves she was held above. Gabrielle, if anything, looked sad. Empty. Something he knew all too well, and it was a hole that slowly was filled by this mission of his, the goal they were accomplishing. So, when he asked her to be honest, he feared she would have to create a new hole in his life. One he knew he would not fill. Eugene did not care for her. Not the way he cared for his mother. Nevertheless, he knew there was something important about her. Something he needed to hold dear and clutch to in this violent and unforgiving world. It was the longest pause he had ever experienced as the blonde before him composed herself enough to speak. He had watched her wipe away the tears but stayed away in case. His hands holding the rifle tight and his eyes set on her intensely. And when she answered, that one word was as good as gospel. He felt the tension pulling at his neck melt away though his body and down his limbs. Eugene-Baptiste let his rifle arm relax and the muzzle pointed out and away from her. The man took slow, careful steps forward as to not frighten her, but his eyes were no longer sharp and piercing. They were calm. Gentle. Scared as well. In this moment, he had to choose whether or not he could take care of this innocent and easy kill now, or if he would hedge his part of this endeavor on one soul he could not kill. One light he did not want to have snuffed out. He watched her, his eyes looking at all of her features now. He knew the words coming out were truth, now. She couldn’t lie. It was not fair to her that he knew this. But a man should use all of his tools if he can. When they were staring at each other, her neck craned upwards and his looking down, Gene bent to the side to rest his muzzle against the end table beside them. With his hands free now, there was no way to stop or hide the shaking. He looked at her curiously. His eyes could not focus on one feature that helped him make a choice for or against. She would turn her back on her family. Fae were loyal. But his mind clung to how she addressed Jean-Baptiste as father and not just her father. And he realized she was being loyal. She was being true and acting on what she thought was right. That maybe the spark he thought he saw in those small tokens left among the house were real. That to her, he was not an unfortunate mistake. Gene looked at her hands quickly before his eyes flickered back up to her face and he cocked his head to the side. She was leading him to her family to end their rule. His hands dwarfed hers as one took the set of hers clasped in between them. His other hand cupped her chin gently and he offered a smile. It was sad, one that was filled how an understanding of what this would cost her. He felt that pain every day he stayed in the manor rather than among his people. The sting and ache of the right thing meaning destruction anyway. He could understand and rationalize that. It was in his nature, as he learned, to accept what is best for him and be okay with that. He did not want that same sting to burn away at her. As Gene-Baptiste looked at his sister, he vowed that she would not be permitted to suffer this again. His thumb brushed away a tear before he bent down and pressed his lips to the top of her wonderfully styled hair. How she looked pristine and the ideal image of the lady of a house was beyond him. There was a war right outside on the front steps, yet she looked as though her moment in the parlor was waiting for a friend, who had written days before with the promise to call that afternoon. She was wasted on their father and his foolish ideals. After a moment of sitting there, lips to hair and his eyes closed, Gene stepped back and looked down at her again. The hand holding hers squeezed gently with an unspoken promise. “Tell me where to find Jean and wait here for my mother. She will be right behind me.” For the first time in years, his contact with a white person was not hinged on passing a sense of persuasion through his body and into theirs. Gene released her from his light hold and removed his jacket from him, only to drape it over her shoulders. “Tell my mother I am after the lord of the house. If she refuses to follow you, Stay here resolute and I shall return to you. Do I have your word?” ******** It wasn’t until Gene had lowered his weapon that Gabrielle felt like she could breathe again. Or at least breathe in the sense that she was now actively aware that she was not holding it waiting for the end to come. She was still waiting for the end, but at least it seemed for the moment, he was giving her the space to at least give her this one last thing. A small mercy in her mind that at least she could find a little comfort in it. And then he did something curious, he set down his rifle and came towards her. Clearly perplexed she watched him for a moment briefly seeing the little boy he once was walking towards her. Gabrielle was barely ten years older than he was, but she remembered him as a little child, a handsome child turned into a handsome man that now stood before her. She watched his face, studying his features and not for the first time. It was true that they didn’t much look like siblings at first glance, but the way their jaw line sloped into their chins, and the creases that formed under both of their cheeks, by that way at least they were connected. She searched his eyes for some kind of giveaway, some sign of what was happening. She watched them soften, maybe with a bit of relief, perhaps a little bit scared even. He was very much a man now, but she still saw a glimpse of that little boy she adored from afar. He kept moving closer to her, slowly and she didn’t flinch, if only because her body seemed to still be in shock at the moment. Gabrielle was very aware that he was still strong and capable, and it could very well be that he was treating her like lamb before the slaughter. Always wanting to go at a lamb with calmness so they did not see it coming, so they didn’t cry out in panic. But watching him, she did not want to believe that it could be true. There was no fire in his eyes right now, maybe some sadness, which was just enough to keep her on edge and from getting too comfortable in the moment. He reached out to take her hands gently and she could feel them shake a bit, and gently held on to stop them both from doing it. She looked at their hands for a moment in the silence his so large and rough while her’s were so small, the contrast of tones, and yet, they were still siblings. It amazed her that someone like this could come into her life and play this crurital role right now, and yet, they had been not allowed to even really be friends. There was so much she hadn’t been allowed to know about him, and now she felt stupid for not finding ways to ask. She had never seen Gene as an unfortunate mistake. Perhaps a little jealous when he was born, but no more than she had felt when Etienne had been born. Right now standing here with him she couldn’t help but be glad for it, and not just because it allowed her to try and do the right thing. But because she was actually proud of him. Terrified and heartbroken as she was, he wasn’t just being passive. He was showing how strong and capable he really was, he was doing what he believed in. She could tell that he really did believe in this with all of his soul and that was something that no matter the circumstance she had to admire. It made her proud that there was at least one person in this family that would actually bring honor to the family. Even if she might not be around to see it come to pass. Gabrielle easily nuzzled into his palm a little bit when he wiped away her tears and she looked up at him feeling her throat tighten, trying to understand what was happening. A part of her almost desperate for some kind of comfort, even is he felt it was foolish. All she could really get was a vague notion that he understood. She refused to use her gifts right now and read his emotions, she did not think this was the time or place. Not to mention it might ruin anything between them right now, that and she was told never to use any sort of influence on family. And well, Gene was family. But she didn’t really need to, just from reading his face she could tell that he understood, even on some base level what she was trying to do. That was enough for her in this moment. He would at least grant her this, and the look on her face spoke volumes of how grateful she was. “Thank you.” she whispered as she felt the gentle squeeze of his hands and him leaning forward to kiss the top of her head, doing her best to hold it all together. At least if this were to end, she knew that she would not suffer, at least not by his hands. Gabrielle felt like such a coward, but at the same time, everything was too overwhelming and the little glimpse of hope that things were ending, was enough to make her calm down a little more. She nodded at his request after clearing her throat and once more her eyes returning to his earnest face. “He is in the cellar below the kitchen. He probably has locked himself in there, and with the access to the outside he would use it to slip out if overrun.” She told him all of the details that she could remember, hoping that it would be helpful in some way. In truth, she had only picked up this from her brother because she had just known the basics. She missed the contact when he pulled away, but when he draped his jacket around her she pulled it closer to her like a favorite shawl. She studied his face for a brief moment, not wanting him to leave, but still, knowing that he couldn’t stay either. She nodded in agreement before starting to speak again. “You have my word. I will tell your mother where you are, and help her in anyway that I can. If she will not allow me to join her, I will stay here and wait for you.” She watched him start to walk away. “Gene,” she added in to his retreating back feeling the need to say it. “be careful. You’re the one that needs to survive this.” the tone of her voice so so genuine and probably the most steady since he had burst into the room a few minutes ago all with a sad little smile on her face. And with her brother gone, Gabrielle slipped her arms into his jacket and still held it closed against her as if it were a shield. Gene was one thing, his mother was another. In truth the woman made her uneasy sometimes and she wasn’t sure why. She had learned a long time ago what both of her parents did by inviting slaves into their chambers, and she had gone numb to it. She knew that if she questioned or even asked, it would be met with disdain and a response that shut the conversation down quickly. But Gabrielle-Ange also understood where Gene got his strength from, and it was from his mother. And just because Gene had shown her mercy did not mean that his mother would. In truth, she didn’t know what would happen, but, making good on her promise she stood there waiting for the other woman to arrive. She knew it wouldn’t be long before the other woman arrived, but it felt like time was insisting on moving slower as she did so. Instead of pacing the room she found herself taking down her hair, just to have something to do to keep her mind occupied. Instead of thinking how close she could be to laying out on the floor. When the other woman did arrive she held up her hands in a sign of peace and to show she was not carrying any weapons. She did not move from her spot and she had to clear her throat before speaking. The woman was as, if not more, intimidating than her son when she walked into the room. “Gene-Baptiste is after the lord of the house. I promised to tell you where my mother and brother are.” As long as those few moments had lasted waiting for her to arrive, Gabrielle was thankful it had not been longer. She did not allow herself to think and feel more about all of this. No time to rethink or evaluate or try and convince herself she was wrong. Not that she thought she was wrong, more so that she tried to go numb to giving up the people she did love. “I can even lead you there if you like. Etienne will have a small weapon, and will probably be protecting my mother.” she offered and swallowed hard as she laid out exactly where they were in the manor, and any possible exist that her mother and brother might be able to escape through. Gabrielle stood there, swallowing hard, and hoping a little bit that she did not have to go. The guilt that bubbled up inside of her was enough, she did not need to see the look of betrayal on their faces. She knew deep down she could withstand it, because she had to, but, that did not make it any easier. ***** He listened as she spoke with the calloused pad of his finger brushing along her cheek gently. It would be easy to get in there. He moved faster than his father, after all. And he was far stronger. The door in the basement was not terribly strong. He could break it down easy. And while he was scared to leave Gabrielle on her own up here, giving her the jacket was not just to give her something to cling to. It was his, the scent was unmistakably his. And there was no scent of his own blood or the rush of fear on it. Adrenaline, yes as there was a war on outside. But wearing it was a sign that she was protected by him. That she was willing to help him, and he had accepted that offer. It was a pact, one that was more inline with her lifestyle and heritage than his. Incubi like Gene-Baptiste were not tied to keeping their world, but he would exist for her. Eugene breathed in deep and relaxed. He catalogued her now. The way she did smell now that the fear was subsiding. He would know it now if he caught it in the air. “He will not outrun me,” Gene-Baptiste promised. “I will take care of him and return. If you are not here when I am back, I shall wait. If my mother does not believe you, then wait here for me to return.” The man pressed his lips to her head again and let out a long breath. They were so close to being done. There were so few plantations left, and Francois had made it to the capital by now. Soon it would be over, and Haiti would be free from slavery. His brown eyes looked over Gabrielle and worried what that would mean for her. It would be a bridge to cross when the smoke cleared and the dust settled, perhaps. When the echoes of war were silent, he would find a way to protect her. To give back what she gave in that moment. His thumb finally stopped their slow, gentle caresses and he exhaled heavily through his nose. “You were always far too grand to sit in their shadows, my angel,” he told her gently. “Stay strong, and I will return.” It was hard to move toward the stairs, but he had to have faith. That she would be trusted. That he could get this finished. Even if shot, he had a better chance of surviving. The rifle felt lighter in his hands now. The weight of ending his Ellie-Ange’s life was no longer a threat to him. He was pacified in that regard. Now, he needed that rage back. The burning anger that boiled within. The wall of his father’s scent, a damp marshy tone after a strong rain, hit him. It did just that. Enough to feel the fire start over as he neared the cupboard his sister told him of. He could open the door. But that was foolish. It would make him lose his surprise. So, he watched and waited. He listened for the shuffling feel on the stone ground and finally caught the slightest sign of the man’s feet under the door. Gene finally had his target. His mother had come in not long before the shot was fired and had seen Gabrielle. Her smaller frame wrapped up almost delicately in her son’s jacket. A shocking cobalt tone against Gabrielle’s porcelain skin. She knew the girl was a fae. And her son would not have trusted her without due cause. So she took the chance on this. And followed her to were her brother and sister stayed. And then she told the young woman to wait outside, There was no need to witness what was about to happen. Zoputan could handle that on her soul. There was far more than just two there already. A ledger that would never be cleaned. Gabrielle, however, would suffer enough with her knowledge of at least helping. So she had the girl wait at the stairwell with a knife in her hands. Just in case. Not long after Gene’s gunshot echoed in the basement, two more sounded from the room where the other two were. The succubus collected the young girl and brought her downstairs, where her son was pacing. Eugene turned sharply at the second step from the top’s creak and froze. The two women made their way back and Eugene rushed to them, pressing his forehead against his mother’s and a hand to the back of her neck and then turning to Gabrielle. “Is there anything you wish to take from this place? We are moving to the capital next.” He looked up to his mother from his sister’s eyes. “I received word from the Isos. Francois moves tomorrow and I need to get to him.” As he spoke, the faintest lights drifted out the door as the war fae faded through the veil again to pass the message along. --- So much of her life had been spent doing as she was told, following a plan, and training to be the person that her family wanted her to be. Only finding time to enjoy the things she actually did when her other tasks were complete. Her life had been far from miserable though, she found joy in most things she was trained in, and she was proud that she could call herself ‘accomplished’. However, even with all of that education and lessons her mother had always told her that she was too soft hearted and she needed to be stronger than she was. In this moment, staring down at an impossible moment the irony was not lost on her. Here she was because of her soft heart, trying to do the right thing and it would mean the end of the people who told her that she was too soft. Gabrielle-Ange could not get into a place yet where her heart was hardened by what she was doing, but with Gene’s help, she was at least calming down a bit. Physical touch had always been good for her, and really, for her to help others with theirs. But for the first time in a long while she was reminded how nice it was to have something like this. She was still scared, and struggling to hold it together, but she at least felt safer. By no means out of the woods yet, but, safer nonetheless. A little bit of hope that maybe she would see the sunrise tomorrow. As he spoke she nodded her head in understanding staring at a spot near his collar bone trying to just process his words. When he called her his angel she had to close her eyes for a moment. No, she was no angel. And if she had been she had fallen long ago. She should have said or done something years ago. Anything. Gabrielle had no inclination to what that something would have been, and really, maybe there hadn’t been much if anything she could have done. She was only a woman after all, and her father was a powerful man. So even though she it stung when her brother called her that, there was a tiny spark of hope that she wasn’t totally lost after all. That maybe if her brother could think that she was redeemable then maybe she could be. She did not feel above her family. Perhaps though, given the chance, she could maybe rise to that. Be that person that deserved those words. She finally looked up at him her eyes open and wide, gently squeezing his hands. “Do not worry about me, go and do what you need to. I will see you again soon.” she tried to reassure him, more of a hope than anything else. If he was going against their father than he did not need to be thinking about her. While she might not believe in herself at the moment, she believed in Gene, and that was enough for the moment. The amount of faith that was being put into her at the moment was staggering, she couldn’t help but think as she quietly lead Gene’s mother to where her mother and brother were hiding. She was focusing on ever step she took, ever movement, trying not to listen for any sound that might give away that the deed had been done, and even more, not trying to think of the what next. At first Gabrielle wanted to refuse the knife that was given to her for her own protection, afraid of what might happen if someone else came upon them. However, she did not argue with the other woman, knowing that would waist time and held it limply in her hands. She gave a sad little nod as she quietly adjusted in the stairwell with her back against a wall to keep herself from collapsing. She bit down hard her lip when she heard the first shot go off, her gut feeling like it had dropped to the floor and she covered her mouth with her one hand to stop herself from making any noise as she heard two more shots follow her heart aching terribly. It was over and she’d done this. It was the right thing to do, she kept trying to tell herself, a struggle she knew that she would be battling for a long time to come. She tried to stop herself from thinking of the kinder and softer moments between them, those little sparks of joy that had found a way nestled into her shattering heart. No, this was not the time. When she was alone she could mourn. But she was not in a place that she could do that and still expect to get out. If she did she might as well just drive the knife into her heart right now. She tried to take some deep breaths and let them out slowly to steady herself, reminding herself she could do this. She had a promise to keep. She too could be strong. Her head was pounding and before she knew it she was being lead back down the stairs by Gene’s mother and she quickly handed off the knife again, not wanting to take any chances. There was a little relief when she saw Gene unharmed and waiting for them. It was over. That was what this meant. This part of the journey was over, and she could figure out what that meant. Even if she didn’t have the faintest clue at the moment. When Gene asked her if there was anything she wanted to take, it took her a moment to come out of her daze and she nodded. “I will be quick. I will not hold you up longer than I have to.” and she ran off not seeing a need to be quiet any longer. She ran into her father’s study and opened up the desk and stuffing some fininatal papers into them, along with some other important documents. It took a moment but she was able to unlock his magic revealing a false bottom and took out a small wooden box. It looked plain and ordinary, but inside she knew there to be some precious jewelry inside. She knew he had boxes and investments all over the place. She knew that it didn’t have much, and in truth she didn’t want much, but it might be enough to either help or get her passage somewhere. Or maybe Gene could use all of this to help his cause or himself. After all, he was the only surviving male of their father’s house. As she stood up to look for something to place them all in, she saw a small family portrait. Part of her wanted to grab it, but she knew she couldn't. This part of her life was over. She had to forget them and move on. She had to find a way to come to peace with everything and having their eyes staring back at her would never allow her to do that. Gabrielle found a bag on her way back to Gene and his mother and shoved everything inside. She moved as fast as she could, and gave a small nod, she was ready to go, realizing that she had no idea where she was to go in the first place. All she really knew was that she couldn’t stay here. “Please, let us go.” she said in a soft voice, but sounding resolute as the numbness of the shock started to sink in. “Whatever I can do to help you, even if it’s fade away, I want to help.” she was trying so hard to offer up a kind smile, but she knew that it fell flat. Not because she did not care, but because she was overwhelmed by everything. ----- Eugene could see the trauma on her face. Maybe it would have been kinder short-term to finish her. But there was something deep down that made him feel like that was harsh. Shallow. Normally, it was not a feeling which caused him discomfort, but it did now. She seemed so fragile. So scared to handle what her life had given her. It was why the man held her so close to his chest as soon as he could grasp her. Hold her close. His mother was not one who needed the support or comfort. This had been her choice. She had been one of the first to be in on this plan. And there was a joy for the woman to see it coming to fruition. Gabrielle had been dragged into this by no fault of her own. And despite the anger and hatred he felt for all that were in this position above him, Gene-Baptiste knew this was not her doing. That she was better than what her family forced her to be. The man let his fingers drag through the fine, baby hairs on the back of her neck. When she left to gather her things, Gene felt his mother’s eyes on him, so he looked up and met them head-on. There was a concern in them. A fire burning. A worry that this would hurt their final goal. And Gene understood. Gabrielle was not a fighter. She was wearing a long, multiple-layered dress in the Caribbean heat. But he set his jaw and met the stare head-on. He would not leave her now. She chose her side, and she was family. Finally, his mother relented and closed her eyes in exhaustion and frustration. “I hope you know what you are doing,” Zoputan muttered in her native tongue. “I will not leave her, Eugene countered as she shouldered his rifle and looked toward the direction she ran. “Gabrielle is intelligent. She will not be in the way.” “For your sake, I hope so,” His mother told him. She leveled her son with an even stare before walking out the door. She made no acknowledgement to Gabrielle returning before the older woman exited the building. Gene-Baptiste, however, looked at her and reached his hand out for the bag. After a moment, the man guided it from her shoulder and onto his. He would move faster with it. With it settled, Gene once more pulled his sister to his chest and pressed his face to her hair. “Do not go far from me,” he warned her. “If I cannot hear you, it is too far. Stay where I can protect you. Where I can see you.” Gene looked down at her and waited for the acceptance of his plea to flash through her eyes. When it did, Eugene sighed and nodded. With his wide hand on the small of her back, he guided his sister out the door and toward the capital. One last battle. |