Prologue

Hi, my name is Kathleen, and I am just beginning my 16th year. It is the 12th month of the year 1762 and Christmas was almost here. It’s cold outside as I walk to school with my younger siblings. I am excited to be at school again after mama made us stay home with all the recent Indian attacks in the surrounding areas. Though the attacks have finally ceased I believe mama is still worried for us, though papa says it should be safe to go back now.

I really can’t wait to get to school because I am hoping to see Jacob again because it has been so long since I saw him last. Jacob has the most beautiful blue eyes you have ever seen; though they look at me so rarely but that’s ok I am hoping for more. We are at the age where papa says I can begin to be courted I am so excited I hope Jacob looks at me.

I am disturbed from my thoughts when my 15 year old brother, Thomas, says “Kathleen we are here now, I am going to talk to James before class starts.”

“OK Thomas.” I replied as he walked away. I turn to go and talk to Sara a friend of mine from the community when I see Jacob walking towards her. As Jacob approaches I see Sara smile brightly at him the closer he comes and I begin to wonder what is going on Sara told me she didn’t like Jacob.

I watch as Sara and Jacob talk and laugh together when she knows how I feel for him, why would she do this to me. My eyes slowly begin to mist as I watch him grab her hand and give it a gentle squeeze before releasing it and walking back to the other boys. After he leaves Sara sees me and waves me over, “Oh Kathleen you will not believe it Jacob has asked permission to court me is that not the most exciting thing ever.” Sara gushed in a hurried whisper as I got close enough to hear.

I just smiled and nodded my head. “I must head home to help mama I was just walking my siblings to school before starting the daily chores in preparation for Christmas so I will see you then.” I finished as I turned to walk home with a broken heart.

As I left the clearing the school sat in and began heading back home. The further I got from the school the quieter the area got though I did not notice much for being so lost in thought as I was. I continued walking in ignorance to my surroundings. As I reach the half way point I notice something moving in the woods out of the corner of my eye. I turned to see what was happening only to feel pain in the back of my head before my entire world goes black. I wouldn’t know it then but this untimely event would be the beginning of my new life.

Please tell me what you think. Oh and whether or not I should continue.