So valuable I'm doing it again with chapter two.
As you read please remember two things.
1.) This chapter hasn't been edited for grammar or punctuation. Yes I know I need help desperately with this, it has never been my strong point. (any volunteers?)
2.) Don't be afraid to be harsh in your comments. I wont get better if I cant take my medicine. I've got a tough skin and can take it.
Chapter 2
An eight year old boy should never be asked to sit quietly as his mother’s life fades before him. Tzack prayed ever so hard that she would not die. He promised God he would be good and always do what his parents said if only she would not die.
Each passing moment her breath became fainter as her life slip from her piece by piece. After what seemed like an eternity the fog finally lifted. Mr wilks placed mother in his wagon and wheeled it up the road to where the Cohen family was hunkered down.
Pa was not there when they arrived. Emily, Rachel, and Sarah came running to the wagon as soon as they saw Tzack.
“Where’s your Pa?” Mr Wilks asked.
“He went into the woods to look for Tzack and Mother as soon as the fog lifted.” Rachel answered.
“Damned fool, ain't got no sense” Mr Wilks said “Your mother’s in the wagon” He pointed a grimy finger to his wagon.
Rachel cried out in shock when she peered down on mother. Tzack too was surprised by the paleness of her skin and her sunken cheeks that were so plump and full only a few hours before.
“If your Pa don’t get back soon, if he ever gets back. I’ll guess I’ll be take’n your mother to Rough River, me self.” His voice was flat and unemotional.
Tzack hoped desperately for his Pa to get back soon. The idea of Mr Wilks taking Mother anywhere alone made him nervous.
Pa soon walked out of the forest dragging the goat on a rope behind him. He showed some relief when he saw Tzack but quickly asked. “Is your mother here?”
“She is in the Wilk’s wagon and might DIE!” Sarah said as she ran to father and she burst into tears.
Father rushed to the wagon he did not hesitate when he saw the state of mother. “Get everything out of our wagon, and hurry” He said to his children.
He left mother and helped heft all of the heavy items. And with the help of Mr Wilks and the Wilks boys the wagon was quickly emptied.
Father ever so tenderly picked up mother and brought her to their wagon, and placed her gently inside.
“Emily you ride in the back with you mother” Father directed “Mr Wilks would you be so kind as to bring my children with you.”
Mr Wilk’s shrugged “It might cost me a bit to feed them and such ...” He said trailing off.
“Take anything you want from that pile.” Father said pointed to their possessions scattered on the side of the road. “Rachel you stay with your brother and sister and take care of the animals.”
“But what about our stuff.” Rachel protested
“Rachel none of that stuff would matter if your Mother was dead.”
Abashed Rachel nodded.
Father hopped on the wagon seat and flicked the reins and he was off, faster than Tzack had ever seen the old wagon go before.Sarah was gripping Rachel tears running down her cheeks. They just stood there like that the three of them hoping it was not the last time they would see their mother alive.
Tzack only turned away when he heard Mr Wilks rummaging through their things. He hated to see the corse man carelessly touching each item as he assed it’s value and then tossed it to the side. Soon the whole WIlks family was standing around the small collection of items.
Mr Wilks picked up the long knife that father used for skinning animals. He pulled it out of it’s sheath and ran his finger along the sharp edge. “Seems sharp enough, here son for you.” He said and handed it to Sanbar.
He open the barrels of food, peered in once tossing the lids aside. “Nothing good in here” He said.
Mr Wilk’s moved to mother’s fine chest. The chest had always been with them as long as Tzack could remember. But Mother had never opened it, and refused to answer any questions Tzack had had about it.
“Aint this a beauty” Mr Wilks said running his fingers along the hand carved top. He moved his hand to the ornate lock and pulled. Tzack couldn’t help but hold his breath he had wanted for so long to see what was inside. The clasp didn’t move. “Damned thing is locked.” Mr wilk’s said. “Pallus, get me the hammer from the wagon.
“But Mr Wilk’s” Rachel said stepping forward from behind Tzack “That’s our mothers”
“Well she aint got much use for it now, now does she” And he laughed a sick laugh. Sandbar joined in with his father sharing in the sick joke. Even Bunny who clearly did not really understand the joke made a few short chortals. Mr Wilks smiled encouraged by his children “If she does live, which don’t seem very likely, I saved her life and she be oughing me a thing or two. I’m sure she would be more than happy to give me whatever be in this chest here.”
A new wave of tears broke forth from Sarah. And Rachel Scowled “What a cruel thing to say.” She said putting her arm around Sarah again.
“Aint nothing but the truth” Mr Wilks said and he laughed again.
Pallus returned with the hammer. “Won’t take but a few stikes with this thing to get it open.” Mr Wilks said hefting the hammer.
Mrs Wilks stepped out in front of the chest. She was visibly shaking.
“Get out of the way woman” Mr Wilks cried lifting his hand to strike her.
“Maybe we could find a key” Mrs Wilks said ever so quietly, as she coward before the blow.
Mr Wilks Paused and frowned. “It would save the chest now wouldn’t it. Where’s the key?” He asked turning to Rachel.
She looked frazzled and unsure what to do. She gazed around as if there might be someone else there who could help her.
“Tell me where they key is” Said Mr Wilks his words coming out in a smooth slimy tone. “You wouldn’t want me to ruin your mothers lovely chest. Aint that right Sanbar.” and he winked discreetly at his son.
Sanbar picked up on the cue. “Sure, sure” He said walking over to Rachel a swagger in his youthful step. “We aint gonna do noth’n to what’s inside, beautiful. We just have a look see here.” He put his muscular arm around Rachel’s shoulder.
Rachel blushed and turned her head to the side. She looked as if she were fighting an internal battle “Okay” She finaly said biting her lip.
Rachel rummaged in their pile of things for a bit and then produced a lovely china doll.
“Daddy I want it” Screeched Bunny.
“Quite child!” Mr Wilks said roughly.
Rachel lifted up the dress and pulled out a key that lay pressed against it’s back. She handed it to Mr Wilks. His hand shook as he moved towards the chest.
Furious Tzack lunged at Mr Wilks. How could Rachel let him get at whatever was inside the chest. Tzack was little but his aim was true and he knocked the key out of Mr WIlks hand and flew into the muddy slop by the side of the road. Tzack ran to the spot where the key had fallen and stomped around in an attempted to hide the key.
Mr Wilks angrily grabbed Tzack and threw him harshly to the side. “Damned child” He said.
Tzack landed hard hitting head against one of the discarded barrels. The world spun around him. “Help me find the blasted key.” Mr Wilks screamed to his children.
Tzacks vision cleared and he saw Rachel scowl at him as she walked over to the mud and bent over to help in the search.
He was surprised to see that even Sarah had joined in on the search. Didn’t she even care that the chest was mother’s and that this awful man was going to take all of her precious stuff?
He stood up and felt his head where a large lump was forming. He was so angry he wanted to scream. But he held it in and stood staring hatefully at the crowd rummaging in the mud. Only Mrs. Wilks stood quietly by, averting her eyes when she saw Tzack looking at her.
The group was a mess when they finally stopped looking. Mud cover their hand and fronts of their clothing, but there was still no key.
Mr WIlks had work himself into a rage. He was muttering things under his breath that Tzack was sure him mother would disapprove of. He reached for the hammer that now lay by the side of the chest. He raised it and this time Mrs wilks did nothing. Tzack cringed as the first strike hit and then another and another. But the lock did not brake. Other than faint dents on the work work the chest looked untouched.
Mr Wilks turned on Tzack, hammer in hand, death in his eyes and suddenly Tzack wished he had not knocked the key out of Mr Wilks hand.
“You boy” Mr Wilks said. “Have caused me a lot of trouble.” He raised the hammer high. “I have half a mind to teach you a lesson you’ll never forget.”
“Pa” Pallus’s voice came from by the chest. “I got it open. I picked the lock”
Tzack realized that he hadn’t been breathing as a rush of oxygen filled his lungs.
Mr Wilks glanced maliciously down at Tzack. “You lucky boy” and he walked over to the chest roughly pushing Pallus aside. “Now lets see what we got in here.”
Tzack held his breath when the sturdy lid was lifted.The look of excitement on Mr Wilk’s face was soon replaced by a look of disappointment. He reached into the chest and pulled out a beautiful cream and pink lace dress. Without even a second glance he through in the muddy road beside him.
Rachel shrieked and quickly moved to pick it up.
Mr WIlk’s pulled out a few more items of clothing casting them to the side. Then came a pile of papers which he glanced at briefly and then cast aside. “Worthless” he said.
He rummaged around in the bottom of the chest lifting each item out and casting it to the side. Finally he pulled out a metal box about the size of a large book. “This looks promising” He said. The metal looked soft and Tzack wondered how someone would make something so perfect and smooth like that.
Mr Wilks tried to open it, pulling up at the top. It did not budge. Mr Wilks swore and grabbed the hammer. Slamming it against the box. Tzack thought it would crumple under the hammer strokes. But the box did not even suffer a dent.
Mr Wilks placed the box and hammer under his arm and picked up a couple of other items. “I’m going to be in the wagon nobody bother me. We are going to camp here tonight.” He directed.
Afraid, Tzack waited until Mr Wilks had left to come any closer to the chest. Pallus and Bunny were rummaging around in it, while Mrs Wilks looked lacklusterly on. Sarah was picking up the papers thrown about and Rachel was holding the dress close to her feeling the lace in her fingers.
“That dress would look good on you” Sanbar said eyeing Rachel.
“You think?” Rachel said shyly.
“Sure, you should put it on.” Said Sanbar.
“Okay” Rachel said trying to hid a smile.
Rachel walked past Sanbar and into the forest. Sanbar’s gaze followed her as she did, looking her up and down like he was assessing her value. He looked after her until she disappeared, standing up to get a better view but sat back down disappointed. Tzack stepped out in front of him.
“I don’t like you looking at my sister.” He said
Sanbar laughed. “Well that ain’t my problem kid.”
Tzack stamped his foot and glared at Sanbar. Sanbar lauged again. “You’re one feisty kid ain’t you.”
That made Tzacks stomach boil. He picked up clod of mud and threw it at Sanbar.
Sanbar ducked easily, and his mood quickly changed. “You better watch it kid. Ain’t no telling what might happen to a boy who don’t respect his elders.”
“You’re not -” Tzack began to say but was interrupted by Rachel who had returned.
“What do you think?” She asked shyly.
“Oh, it’s lovley” Sarah said a small stack of muddy papers in her arms. “And to think we never even knew mother had that dress”
It was long and elegant, lace tracing a vine of flowers of varying size over the entire dress. Tzack had never seen anything so lovely.
“Humph” Said Sanbar frowning “It ain’t that great. I’ve seen better better in the capital” and he turned away.
Rachel’s demeanor changed she looked as if she had been punched in the gut.
“You’ve been to the capital?” Sarah said looking wide eyed.
“Yup.” Said Pallus joining in the conversation. “We used to live there before Pa -”
“Pallus!” Mrs interrupted.
Pallus looked at his mother “Before we had to move I mean.”
“I’m going to go exploring” Said Sanbar standing up “This is boring.”“I’ll go with you” Said Rachel hopefully.
Sanbar smiled that unnerving smile that Tzack hated. “Then I’m coming too” He said staring defiantly at Sanbar.
“Nobody is going out there” Said Mrs Wilks.”Not with what has been going on in there lately. We will stay here, make camp, and get a good night’s rest before we leave tomorrow.” She looked sternly at her boys. “You don’t know what is out there. I’m not talking about some slimy slider neither. We ain't be leaving our home for no reason. I’ve heard the stories and it chills me to my bones”
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