Limits of Infinity

Outside, Virginia’s air was heavy and pressing. The men and boys working on the houses were struggling in April’s dampness. Little beads of sweat rolled down their cheeks and necks and they secured bits of straw on the roof.

Children were giggling and smiling, like nothing was wrong, as they rolled the big wooden hoop over the dirt. The sweet smell of bread flowed into the air as Mary passed the Abbott’s house. The blacksmith’s knockings and clanging of iron bustled through the air, but its presence was so strong, it was comforting; protective.

Through all the action, no one paid any attention to the small 15 year old girl who scampered along, blending in with the rest of the crowd.

Now how to get out? she questioned. This was going to be difficult.

At each corner of the fort, guards stood up above everyone on lookout, armed with muskets. They stood silent and strong, like a statue, just waiting. The main door was at the south end, right in the middle of the two corners.

Trying not to draw suspicions, Mary began to hug the wall and walked around the perimeter of the fort. As she walked, she dragged her finger along the wood, catching all the rough edges and splinters in her hand.

Walking along, she couldn’t help but compare herself to the wood chips. Both of them were stuck in this place, restricted as to where they could move. They were trapped, unable to escape this place, no matter how hard they tried.

No, today is going to change that, Mary shook her head, grabbing her hand back to her side.

Turning around the southeast corner of the fort, Mary couldn’t help but look up at the men above her, standing with their guns, looking down on her. One nodded his head, calling out “Hello, Miss.” Mary just waved back, not stopping for a chat.

I don’t have time to waste, she thought, I have to be back in a while, or my pot will overboil.

Excitement of adventure and curiosity overtook Mary like a raging fever. There was so much out there in the woods, in the world, for everyone to see. Being cooped up in this tiny fort wasn’t fair. It was like pulling the covers on the bed over her head and never coming out. She couldn’t see anything; she couldn’t hear anything. She was oblivious to what was going on around her; what the world was really like. There was so much to explore and find, yet everyone lived in fear.

Not me, Mary thought with a smile. I won’t be afraid.

Slowing her pace down, Mary panned the settlement. The men with guns in the corners were focused on the woods outside the walls, watching for Savages. The little kids scampered around, laughing and playing, not paying attention to anyone around them. A woman carrying a basket of bread crossed the fort and entered a house. Men and boys sawed at tree lumber, creating boards for new houses to be built.

There’s so much they’re missing, staying here all the time. Don’t they want to know what’s just beyond this prison? Mary wondered, turning around to check behind her, keeping her hand on the wall as a guide. Walking backwards, she saw the eastern wall and a couple houses.

Nothing to worry about, she told herself, suddenly getting anxious. No one is going to catch you.

As she turned around, Mary noticed just how close she was to the door. Ten more feet. Seven more feet. Five feet. Three steps.

The hinges on the door had it propped slightly ajar. Mary reached out her hand and wrapped her fingers around the edge.

This was it. Just pull the door, she instructed herself. Slowly; quietly...

“What are you doing?” a voice behind her cut into the mood like an ax into a stump. Mary jumped back and turned around to face the voice.

A boy, not much older than she, stood looking impatient. His breaches showed off small calves and long legs. His white shirt was crisp and in order. He looked so put together, so tall, large, intimidating.

“Uhmm,” Mary staggered out, trying to come up with an excuse.

“Well?” the boy urged.

“Where did you come from?” Mary breathed, stepping back.

“You were too busy watching your back to see what was right in front of you,” he pointed behind him to a big pile of wood, a saw lying on the ground. “So what are you doing?” he looked at the door.

Mary didn’t answer; she just looked away, afraid to answer. Upon glancing to the left, she noticed one of the guards staring right at them, his eyes sending shards of glass that stung with intensity. He was waiting for one of them to slip.

Pulling her eyes back to the boy in front of her, Mary began walking away from the wall. She didn’t know this guy, well, sure, she’d seen him around when she was delivering a bowl of soup to a sick patient, but that didn’t mean he had to know what she was up to.

“You never answered me,” the boy said smartly, not moving from his spot as the girl walked past him.

“I don’t have to,” she turned back to face her, glancing over at the guard for another moment. His eyes were still locked on the pair. The boy noticed her gestures and turned his head quickly, noticing the man watching them. He snapped his eyes back to Mary and jerked his head, signaling her to follow him.

Don’t do it, don’t do it! her conscience screamed, but the boy in front of her just waited patiently. He didn’t look like he would take any of Mary’s attempts at escape.

Just like every day of her life here in Virginia, she was trapped.

The boy led Mary to his wood pile and spun around the face her. The guard seemed to have gotten bored with the two and gone back to watching for danger.

“Why were you trying to go outside the fort?” His question was demanding, quick and sharp, like a knife cutting into the truth and wonder. His eyes pierced into hers as Mary internally shrunk with humiliation. She wasn’t supposed to get caught. She wasn’t supposed to be in this position.

“Why do you care?” she shot back.

“Because you’re a lady and it’s dangerous out there,” he motioned to the woods, trying to keep his voice from raising.

“Dangerous for whom? I’ll bet you’ve never been out there, so how would you know what’s unsafe and what’s not?” she began getting angry.

“Have you listened to anything Captain Smith has said about the woods? There are Indians out there!”

“No, have you been listening? Captain Smith doesn’t seemed too concerned about the Indians; why should I?”

“Because you’re no more than two yards tall and you’re a little girl. What would you do if you got attacked?” he smirked.

“I can handle myself,” she argued.

“Until a savage jumped out from behind a tree, right?”

“No. I don’t understand why you’re so afraid of them. I haven’t given them any reason to be angry with me so why would they attack me?” The boy was quiet. “I’m sick of this place,” she looked around, “not being able to see farther than a few houses is terrible—it’s like being in jail. This place is so big, there is so much to see, and I’m just too confined here. I want something bigger.”

“So you’re going to risk your life for that?” the boy questioned, staring intently at the girl before him.

“If I gain freedom, then yes; it’ll be worth it.”

“But you can’t just—“

“I can do whatever I want,” she cut him off. “Now, I don’t even know your name, so why are you trying to tell me what to do?” Her voice sharp and impatient.

“I’m Thomas Heath,” he said with dignity. “So now that you know who I am, will you please listen to me?”

“No,” she answered quickly. She turned and started walking away, still upset that she had been caught.

“Wait a moment,” he caught up with her, “I don’t know your name, now, do I?”

“Mary Durham,” she spoke. “Now can I go, please?”

“Go on,” he allowed. “But I will be watching you, Mary Durham,” he warned.

Walking away, Mary heard Thomas pick up his saw and begin to chop wood. Stupid boy, she couldn’t help but thinking, worrying about more than his own self. What a waste of time.