November 12th 1776

It's Emilia's birthday today. Oh joy...

Luckily, however, I was not invited to her party. That was hosted in the house I live in. In fact I want even allowed in the house. That I lived in. And to top it all off, the weather has changed rapidly and the air has grown chilly.

Well, won't this be a fun day!

I decided to go to Ezekiel's barn, which is where I am now. He has a small fire going that the two of us are sitting around. His siblings are off running throughout the barn.

We have a blanket I brought draped over the both of us. I plan on leaving it with him.

"Alice," he says. "Do you think the three of us will make it past winter?" I've been wondering the same thing. It doesn't seem possible, especially with their poor health as of now. However, I heard from Elder that there is something very important being built in the next town over.

"I heard that there is an orphanage being set up not far from this town. I think you should go there."

"I'm not so sure about that," he says. "It is most likely being set up by the British. Who knows what they will do to the children there."

"You may be right," I say. "Just promise me that if things become too horrid you will go there."

He turns too me. He isn't thin as a month ago. He's still very pale but that could very well be from the lack of Sun recently. "Since I know you aren't going to rest until I do, I promise I will go to the orphanage."

"Thank you," I say. I was going to say more but Ezekiel stopped me.

"Someone is coming. Quick, we need to hide!" He quickly puts out the fire and we run to a ramp. "Jeremiah, Mina! Come quickly but be quiet." The two three year olds run as fast as their young legs will carry them towards us. I pick up Mina and Ezekiel grabs the other. We jog up the ramp and crouch down behind a hay bale.

"Who's in here," a disturbingly familiar voice sounded. "Show yourself now!"

"Brother," Mina says. "Why are we hiding?" I would like to know the same thing.

"There are too many of us," he answers. "Only three people are allowed to gather in public."

"I'll leave then," I say. "I'll sneak away so you don't get into trouble."

"No, that's too dangerous," he whispers. "Just stay here and be as quiet as possible."

"Show yourself now," the man's voice commands. It is Sea. Now knowing this, I hunker down even further.

He fires a gun which causes Mina and Jeremiah to scream. Ezekiel mutters a curse as he stands up and reveals himself to Sea.

"That is not all of you," he says. I can almost hear the wicked smile on his face. "Make the rest stand. Quickly! I haven't all day!" I stand and shudder at the sight of Sea. Ezekiel and I take the two young children's hands and walk to where he can fully see us.

"So this is where you went, Alice," Sea says.

"Yes sir. Is there something you need?" I try to keep the fear out of my voice. I'm not successful.

"Yes, actually. Could you tell me why there are four people here when the legal limit is three?"

"We didn't realize young children applied sir," Ezekiel lies. We both knew very well. Sea turns his cold, blue eyes towards Ezekiel.

"I have an idea on why Alice is here but boy, can you tell me why you are here?"

"We have no where to go. We don't have a home." His voice is even and lacking emotion.

"Then you should go to the orphanage in the next town over. Now! Get a move on. Alice, you stay here with me." I can feel my heart beat faster. He wouldn't, I think to myself. Not here.

"Excuse me sir," Ezekiel says, "but I don't know how to get to the next town. If it isn't too much to ask, could you please escort me?"

"It is too much to ask," Sea says. "Now hurry along. It's getting late." He looks at me the way he had two months ago. I close my eyes and say a prayer. Ezekiel steps forward.

"Sir, it will be dangerous for me to take these two young children so far so late at night alone. We can easily get lost. Please sir-"

"No," Sea says cutting him off. "Now go before the day ends anymore." Ezekiel looks at the soldier then turns to hug me.

"I'm sorry," he whispers in my ear. "Stay strong. Please." So he knows. He knows what Sea has done to me. Or at least what he is about to do to me.

Ezekiel takes his younger siblings by the hands and less them out of the barn. Sea stands there a minute before walking towards me. My heartbeat increases as I step back. He isn't having it, however. Sea grabs me by the waist and holds me still. He tilts my chin and pulls me into a kiss.

When he finally pulls back, he whispers to me: "Alice, it's been too long. Much too long. Take off your dress now." I do as I'm told because there's nothing I can do. Nothing I can do but accept it as he takes claim to something that should have never belonged to him.