The Unforgivable War

It was the year 1748 and he awoke to mocking birds singing their morning lullaby, the sunlight streaming through the window, caressing his beautiful violet eyes, and the soft breathing of Isie, his wife, next to him. He delicately threw the sheets atop her and stumbled out of bed. A long day awaited them both, so it was best to start as soon as possible.

The morning whizzed by and soon Isie was bathing herself with the warm water that he had boiled for her, while he was rushing to get ready. Today would be, both his and Isie’s, first day at work. This would be the fifth job they have had in a month and they were literally praying to the Lord that they would be able to stick with this one.

Just a few weeks before, he had luckily crossed paths with his close friend, William Wellington, who was a wealthy man and knew of the economic status of Vincent. He had willingly offered Vincent and Isie a position to work on the local plantation, and Vincent gratefully accepted. It would be tedious work, no doubt, but it was said that it would pay very good money.

However, he still couldn’t shake off the bad feeling that had consumed him within the past few days. He couldn’t help but think about those tormented eyes of William, staring back at him with nothing but desperation, as he told him about the open positions of his plantation. He kept wondering why he was so shaken by his own plantation. There were rumors of a war that was soon to break out, but he knew that William was a strong man and wouldn’t lose his state of mind for such things as this war. He feared it had something to do with the plantation, and he didn’t want Isie being involved if his feeling was correct.

Just then Isie had walked in dressed and ready to go, with her long coffee hair dangling below her shoulders. He couldn’t help but hold back a smile. She was beautiful.

“What?” He saw a smile spread across her face.

Still smiling, he spoke, “Nothing. Don’t worry about it love. Ready?”

“Ready”. She then took a hold of his hand and he led her out of the house into the sun filled front yard. Trees and flowers littered the yard, as the birds flew just above their heads, chirping their morning hellos. The plantation was within walking distance, so he had decided to walk with Isie towards their new beginnings.

After about twenty minutes of walking, both he and Isie were sun beat and fatigued. He looked over at his wife to see that she was beat red from the afternoon sun, but still managed to carry a smile. It was things like this that he loved so much about her. They had finally arrived to the plantation, and soon headed to the main building that was dead ahead.
As they passed employees working on the fields, Vincent couldn’t look away from them all. It seemed as if they all possessed a secret so dark, it would ruin humanity if it were revealed. As he looked further upon him, it struck him that they were all… beautiful.

“Pardon me.”, someone had exclaimed. Vincent looked over to who he had run into, and it was none other than William himself.

“William! I’m so glad to see you!” He embraced William, and was soon filled with bliss at seeing his old friend.

“Ah Vincent, and who is this?” William looked over Isie uneasily, as if fearing that she had no place here.

“Oh excuse me William, this is my wife Isie. She came along as well, if that’s alright.” He desperately wanted for William to say it was. They needed all the money they could get if they still wanted to live in their house.

“Nice to meet you William. I’ve heard so much about you from Vincent. It seems you’re all he wants to talk about.”, Isie managed to say that in one breath while still holding that adorable smile of hers.

‘Oh Isie, what am I to do with you.’ He had thought to himself while holding back a smile.

“Well,” It seemed that William was flattered at what Isie had said. “I assure you that you are just as welcomed here as my friend.” He patted Vincent warmly on the back just then and soon was leading them into the school-like building.

“You see,” William had continued while walking through the front door. “This building used to be a school, but the government ceased to see the good in it so they converted it into a plantation office. I preferably would have had it stay as a school.” Williams tone at this was anything but pleasant.

‘What are you hiding William?’ Vincent contemplated over this.

“’Ello there William. Good to see ye again!” That voice, it seemed to rumble the building as he spoke. Vincent looked over to where the sound came from and was astonished at what he saw.

A man, or what looked like it, was dressed in a tight fitting suit. He held a cigar with his massive lips and a patch hid his left eye. He seemed to look like he weighed well over 200 pounds. Just then the man wobbled out of the seat he was sitting in and trudged over to where Vincent, Isie and William were standing.

Frightening as the man looked, Isie couldn’t hide her terror and grasped onto Vincent as the man neared her. Vincent grasped onto Isie as well and finally found his voice to say, “Hello. I’m Vincent and this is my wife Isie. We’re seeking jobs on your fine plantation.” He was sure he made just enough emphasis for the oaf to know to back off.

“I see then. Well we ought to find a job fer ye and yer pretty little lady ther’ shall we?” The oaf eyed Isie in a most disgusting way that he had to bite back the feeling of socking this giant in the groin.

“Dis way please.” Finally the man was leading the three out towards the plantation.

“Behave Vincent. We don’t want you being punished now do we? Please just do as he asks and everything will be alright.” William seemed scared to tell the real truth to Vincent, but he could do nothing else but believe him.

“William… I’m worried about Isie. You saw how that idiot looked at her.”, he hurriedly whispered this, as for Isie not to overhear. The truth was, he was more than worried. He was furious, and wanted to report this so badly but knew that the government would care less.

“Don’t worry Vincent. I’ll take care of her for you. Just take care of yourself from here on out. This place is nothing what it looks like.”