Charries!
Elizabeth-
Belle-
As the early morning sun peaked through the opened curtains, Elizabeth blinked her eyes to find Raechelle carrying a tray, the silver barley hidden by food. Elizabeth sat up and grinned, smoothing her long blonde hair. Raechelle set the silver tray on her lap, and then exited the room, returning minutes later, only this time her arms were covered by pale blue fabric. Elizabeth immediately knew it was a dress.
As Elizabeth nibbled the warm, fresh bread that was covered in Strawberry jam and smooth butter, Raechelle got out Elizabeth’s dreaded corset and the curlers. While she was still eating, Raechelle put the curlers in her hair, Elizabeth holding back tears as her hair fluttered to the floor. Elizabeth sighed, eating a bit slower now. She knew someone important was here.
As Raechelle tightened the lung-crushing corset around Elizabeth’s waist, Elizabeth, her curiosity overtaking her whole body, Elizabeth questioned”Who is here this time?” Many people had been coming and going lately, mainly potential husbands for Elizabeth. Raechelle sighed, pulling the strings tighter. “A family friend” Was all Raechelle was allowed to say although she knew.
Elizabeth walked down the stairs minutes later to find her parents sitting with the Ements. Her best-friend, Claire, looked at her and gave a weak grin. Something was wrong. Elizabeth sat down on the chair that had been squeezed in between her mother and father. Her dad was holding his pipe and her usually perky mother was silently looking at her hands. Now Elizabeth knew something was wrong. She opened her mouth to speak but her father glared at her.
Mr. Ement stood up and glanced at his wife, then to Mr. Aleose. After Mr. Aleose gave a miniature nod, Mr. Ement cleared his throat and motioned for his son, William, to stand up. Elizabeth’s heart stopped. She immediately knew what was happening.
The rest of the day was a blur. The only things Elizabeth could remember were her parents and the Ements telling her she was getting married to William in a month. Then she remembered slowly climbing the stairs and entering her room. Minutes later, Sam, The stable hand and Elizabeth’s close friend, entered and then Elizabeth fell asleep, wrapped up in a quilt with him sitting on the bed beside her.
When Elizabeth woke up, Sam was gone and in his place were Mrs. Aleose, Claire and Raechelle, standing next to her bed. Elizabeth sat up and as Claire reached down and hugged her, then exited the room, she held back a tear. When the sound of carriage wheels had disappeared, Mrs. Aleose repeated what Claire had done. Finally it was Elizabeth and Raechelle left alone in the seemingly huge room. Raechelle hugged her friend and then helped her get dressed in a worn, pink dress, an everyday outfit. Raechelle opened the door and walked down the hall to the kitchen to help with dinner. Elizabeth strolled out and turned down the stairs, heading for the elaborate front door. Elizabeth stopped. No matter how many times she saw this door, it still amazed her. Even after fifteen years. Elizabeth turned the gold door-knob then headed towards the barn, lightly shutting the door.
Elizabeth slid open the heavy door and an overwhelming amount of smells and feeling came over her. First, she was hit by the smell of horses and Alfalfa. After a minute, sweet grain and leather entered the mixture. Finally, the sensation of mare’s milk touched her nose. Elizabeth put a foot on the packed-dirt floor and millions of memories flooded her mind. Her dad showing her the barn. Meeting Sam. Getting Belle as a present. Spending countless hours watching the foals grow. Sleeping in the hay loft with Claire as a birthday present. As the memories touched her heart, she looked up and saw Sam, brushing down his chestnut mare Maggie. “Good girl” Sam cooed, patting her copper neck. Maggie nickered and nosed Sam’s blonde hair, his hazel eyes twinkling. Elizabeth smiled, letting the pair enjoy the moment. Winchester and Remington, her dad’s German Shorthaired Pointers, came up, carrying the remains of a duck held between them. Elizabeth laughed and scratched them behind the ears. She watched the brothers trot off to large tree to hide from the blistering midday sun.
By now, Sam had walked over. He immediately noticed something was still wrong. “Belle misses you” he tempted, knowing she would want to ride. Belle was Elizabeth’s chestnut mare, and recently she had been too busy to even come out to the barn. Sam had eaten with them every night this week, and he had come to her room, so she had seen them. Elizabeth grinned and took long; quick steps towards belle, then offered her a fresh carrot from the bucket by her stall. Belle sniffed it, and then greedily ate it. She snorted warm air on Elizabeth’s arm, raising the mid-length sleeve into the air. Elizabeth laughed and scratched the perfectly white star on the mare’s forehead. Sam silently walked over and into the stall, grabbing the clean tack from the stand in the middle of the room.
Sam tacked Belle up in record time, and then exited to the small room where he slept. Same reached under the bed, pulling out rough looking shirt and pants that Elizabeth had made for riding. Sam handed the clothes to her and tacked a protesting Maggie up while she changed. Belle reared from excitement when she saw Elizabeth changing, while Maggie, a more experienced horse, rolled her eyes at the sight.
“Ready?” Elizabeth asked, leading Belle outside and behind the barn, hidden from view of the large house and servant’s quarters. She put a boot in the cold stirrup and jumped on the ground with the other, building up power. After a moment, Elizabeth swung her leg over, lightly sitting on the worn saddle. “Ready.”Sam replied, perched on his saddle. Elizabeth walked from behind the barn, holding the jumping mare back. Belle reared, almost unseating Elizabeth. Elizabeth giggled like a kid in a candy store. Belle pounded the ground on the way down, and Elizabeth spurred her forward. Belle shot forward, all of her energy being used to push them towards the dense trees, which were about three miles away.
Belle nickered in enjoyment, devouring the ground with each strike of her feet. Elizabeth laughed, her hair flying behind. Her hat had fallen off near the barn.
Close behind, Sam was nervously looking around. Last time Mr.Aleose had seen them together Sam had almost gotten fired. Finally, they reached the cover of the trees and both Sam and Maggie relaxed as they weaved through the trees, wondering where Elizabeth was going.
Elizabeth leaned down close to Belle’s neck, letting the wind fly over her back. Belle was dripping with sweat when they stopped by a creek in the middle of a large clearing. Elizabeth dismounted, splashing the icy water on her hot face.
Sam dismounted next to her, letting Maggie sip the crystal water. By the huge smile on Elizabeth’s face, he could she had forgotten her worries. At least temporarily. “So how is Belle?”He interrogated, letting Maggie graze on the long, sweet, summer grass while he drank the creek water.
“Amazing” Elizabeth cooed, petting Belle’s soaking neck. “That ride. It almost made me forget……………….” She stopped.
“Forget what?”Sam regretfully pushed, seeing the pain in her eyes.
“For a while, it made me forget that I’m marrying William.” Elizabeth blurted. Sam stopped sipping the water. He was speechless.
“I…….I….I’m Sorry” he said, standing up.
“Its fine” Elizabeth verified, mounting Belle. “We had better go” she moaned, never wanting to leave. Elizabeth had to go riding with William tonight anyways. She spun Belle around, trotting home. Elizabeth deeply wished she wouldn’t get in trouble for disappearing for an hour.
When she got back to the barn, Elizabeth changed in the feed storage while Sam put Belle and Maggie in the pasture. “Good Bye” Elizabeth stuttered, hugging Sam. She knew the visits between them would be shorter and fewer. Sorrowfully, Elizabeth exited the barn and began walking home.
When she got inside, Raechelle was standing at the door, holding a glass of water. Elizabeth took it and sipped it, walking upstairs with Raechelle close behind. Once inside her room, Raechelle helped get Elizabeth dressed for dinner with William and together the two girls sat in silence until the white carriage pulled by a pair of sparkling bay horses arrived.
Elizabeth kissed her mother and Father good bye and then hugged Raechelle. She took a deep breath and walked out of the house, down the small steps and onto the stones. Elizabeth mumbled a quiet thank you as William helped her into the carriage, then sat down across from her. As the horses trotted away from the only home Elizabeth had ever known, a tear slid down her cheek.
William Ement was tall, dark and what some girls would consider handsome. He had short hair, the same color as his sister, Claire, and Stormy grey eyes. As a young man in his early twenties, many girls in town would faint if he even looked at them. Not Elizabeth. She hated him. She hated how he was stuck up, Narcissistic, snobby, stupid and a jerk. Elizabeth wondered where they were going as the carriage crept up a hill. Elizabeth crinkled her nose as she was tipped out of her seat and next to William. She looked around and realized it was William who was the source of this awful, skunk-like smell.
The carriage slowed to a stop and William got out, offering his hand to Elizabeth. She glanced at it, then reluctantly took it, glimpsing around. They were on top of a steep hill, next to a huge, new house. A little ways down and across the road, there was a large barn and area for the carriage. Elizabeth forced a smile as she realized that this was her new home-Her home with William. William led her inside, mumbling words. The house was big-five rooms, a large kitchen, servant’s room’s, a parlor, a living room, a dining room and a dressing room, all with powder rooms in them. Finally, upstairs, there was a large room with a large feather mattress.
“And this is our room” William announced, making a production of opening the double doors.
“Very nice” Elizabeth whimpered as enthusiastically as she could.
“One more surprise” William said, leading her downstairs. He grabbed a bag from the table in the kitchen and a picnic basket that sat next to it. He exited the house, pulling along Elizabeth. He walked behind the house to a patch of flowers and grass. William set out the blanket robotically and Elizabeth realized her had kept looking at a paper in his pocket-a list of what to do and when to do it. She rolled her eyes, nibbling on a sandwich from the full basket. William reached for the bag.
“Close your eyes” he commanded, glaring. Elizabeth did and she sighed.
“Ok. You can look” Elizabeth’s eyes flew open and she saw a ring, a necklace, and a bracelet, all covered in diamonds. William grabbed her hand, slipping on the ring and latching the bracelet. He handed her the necklace, then moved to help her “Thank you” Elizabeth mumbled. William stood up, offering a hand. He collected the bag and basket, walking inside.
“There’s clothes inside.” he declared, setting the bag and basket down on the couch. William leaned down, kissing her cheek, then immediately walking outside to the barn, where he emerged ten minutes later riding his midnight black stallion, Colonel. The pair galloped down the road, leaving Elizabeth in the house alone. She marched up stairs, changed, then curled up on the feather mattress, falling instantly asleep.
At about midnight, William came home. He was drunk and stunk like alcohol. William took off his shirt, and then climbed in bed with Elizabeth. She slid out of it, walking on the ice cold floors to a room down the hall. Five minutes later, he came in, angry.
“Why did you leave?”He slurred, blocking the door with his massive body.
“I don’t know.” Elizabeth responded, curling up in the bed. William came up and hit her face, then grabbing it with both hands before lying down. She waited until William was asleep before getting out of bed and left, blocking the door with a trunk. She grabbed one of his coats and shoved it into the bag. Then Elizabeth grabbed the jewelry, putting them in the bag underneath the coat. Elizabeth figured she could sell them. She snuck out the front door, heading to the barn. She found Colonel, still tacked up. The horse snorted when he saw her. She mounted and, after letting the bays go, galloped off towards what she thought was home.
Minutes later, she dismounted in her barn. “Sam” she swore, banging on his door. After untacking Colonel, she led him behind the barn and smacked his shoulder, sending the stallion galloping to the trees. Elizabeth turned back to the barn, finding Sam standing there dressed and yawning.
“We’re Leaving” She said, moving to tack up Belle.
“What? Why?” Sam mumbled, rubbing his eyes
“I’ll explain later” Elizabeth said, walking to tack up Maggie. Sam moved to help Elizabeth. Elizabeth sighed and walked back to Belle, patting the star on her face. Then Elizabeth walked to the feed room, scooping grain into a bag. Sam had finished and was putting more grain in the other with a horse rug before offering a handful to both horses. Elizabeth mounted, waiting for Sam. He mounted, walking behind her. Elizabeth walked out, immediately getting engulfed in moonlight.
Not wanting to be seen, she squeezed Belle’s sides, sending the tired mare galloping. Elizabeth crouched low. The cool night air nipped her face and bare arms and the wet grass soon covered Belle’s hooves and lower legs with water. Elizabeth headed for the clearing. Carefully avoiding the deep rabbit hole, Elizabeth dismounted when she saw Colonel in the trees. She clicked her tongue and the stallion approached. Elizabeth tied Belle’s halter around his nose. She knew Belle had to go back with Sam. Holding Belle with one hand and Colonel with the other, Elizabeth walked to the clearing, tying Colonel to the fallen tree.
When Sam finally arrived, Elizabeth shot him a sorrowful glance before taking the two bags from him. She hugged him and kissed Belle’s nose goodbye. “I’ll bring food tomorrow” Sam vowed, mounting Maggie. Belle looked back and nickered, then walked home with Sam and Maggie. Elizabeth fed Colonel some oats before she drifted off to sleep in the horse rug.
The next morning, Elizabeth woke up to the sound of “I found Footsteps” She quickly tacked up, shouldering the bags. Elizabeth spurred Colonel on after tucking her beach-Blonde hair under a hat. She practiced a deep, male voice then shouted “She went this way!” Elizabeth galloped away from the clearing, heading east from its northern location.
When the search party broke for lunch at the Aleose’s house, Elizabeth walked to the barn. When she saw Sam and Belle were gone, Elizabeth mounted Colonel, Cantering back to clearing. She dismounted when she got back, and then drifted into a dreamless sleep.
A twig cracked and Elizabeth’s eyes flew open. Colonel’s ears flicked back and forth. Suddenly, he stopped and went back to eating the sweet grass. Elizabeth stood up and looked around, finding nothing. She sighed then went back to get firewood.
Once she had a nice firewood pile and a small fire going, Colonel’s ears flickered and he reared. Suddenly, William emerged, followed by his friend Michael Pinet. Both of the men had devilish grins on their faces and were swaying slightly. Elizabeth looked at the thing in William’s hand. She ran to Colonel, mounting the frightened horse bareback. Suddenly, she fell to the ground dead. William had shot her. A single bullet to the back of her head. By now, Colonel was galloping madly. William picked up the gun again and shot each of his legs, then in the lung. Satisfied, William and Michael walked off. They never noticed Claire and Sam standing in the trees, both witnesses to the crime.
Thirteen year old Lizbeth sat straight up in bed. That was the third time she had had that dream. The face in It-Claire-Was her great, great, great, great, grandma. She was fifteen over two hundred and twenty years ago. Lizbeth looked at her clock. 4:30 AM on Saturday. She sighed and got up, adjusting her short pj pants and tank-top. Rubbing her blood-shot eyes, she walked down the hall. Digging around on the couch, she found the T.V. remote. Lizbeth lazily flopped down on the couch, turning on the LG flat screen. After searching both the recorded and live shows, she settled on her favorite show, Bones. After the introduction, she felt that she wasn’t alone. When she looked around, she didn’t see anyone. Turning back to the show, she ignored the feeling that was always present in her house.
When the credits ended, she stood up, walking the short distance to the back door. Lucy and Charlie, her black lab puppies, jumped up on her before claiming the couch. Her mom’s Shiba Inu, Milley, yapped and begged as she poured a bowl of Lucky charms. Lizbeth smiled and got a Rawhide down for her and the now peaceful puppies. Just as Lizbeth sat down in front of NCIS, her mom dragged down the hall. After getting a cup of coffee, she sat down, knowing by the look deep in Lizbeth’s eyes that she had had the dream. Suddenly, besides her mom, a fifteen year old girl appeared, dressed in boy’s clothes. The girl smiled.
“So you’re the one who shares my name.”She clarified, walking over. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Elizabeth Mary Aleose. And you are Lizbeth Mary Aleose Amenity. And you have been chosen to help me”
“What?”Lizbeth questioned. Her mom looked at her.
“Are you talking to me? I haven’t said anything “
“Sorry mom “Lizbeth apologized, putting her bowl in the dishwasher. Lizbeth jogged to her room. After the playful puppies entered, she shut the door and turned on KIZN-Kissn 92 on her radio. Her favorite song, “How bout them Cowgirls” By George Strait turned on. Lizbeth moved to her closet, taking out jeans, a shirt and her custom converse. When she turned around, Elizabeth was sitting on her bed. Lizbeth jumped and Lucy barked.
“So this is what you………..Wear.” Elizabeth groaned, looking at the boot-cut jeans and short sleeve IN-and Out Burger shirt.
“Y…..yes “Lizbeth said, looking at the rough looking clothes. Elizabeth sighed, disappearing. Lizbeth shrugged, putting on her pants and shirt. Lizbeth sat down on her bed, slipping on her shoes. Suddenly, Elizabeth appeared, wearing a pale-blue ball gown, her hair curled.
“This was an everyday outfit for me. Now get up and follow me.”
Minutes later, Charlie, Lucy, and Milley were on leashes and Lizbeth and Elizabeth were heading to the park.
“So I suppose you are wondering why I picked you.”Elizabeth suggested, absently twirling her hair around her finger. Lizbeth stopped by a creek and sat down, letting Lucy and Charlie splash. Elizabeth looked in horror.
“You’ve had the dream. Now I’ll tell you more.”The girl sat down next to her and Lizbeth felt a rush of cold air.
“This is the creek in my life-the one I was killed nearby. Your house, however, is where I was killed. Directly below your room to be exact.” Lizbeth shuddered. Suddenly, Lucy started barking. Lizbeth looked around, seeing no one. Not even Elizabeth. Lizbeth stood up and felt a cool grip on her arm.
“Don’t. Move” Elizabeth hissed in Lizbeth’s ear. After a minute, the hand was gone. Lizbeth looked around, and then sprinted home, her dogs following. She ran into the house and put the dogs in the backyard. Once they were playing, she walked to her room and lay back on her bed, drifting to a light sleep.
After she had been asleep for ten minutes, she felt two pairs of cold hands on her face and neck. Instantly, Lizbeth’s eyes flew open and she saw two people- Elizabeth and a man from the dream. He looked about sixteen. Elizabeth started giggling and walked to the boy, leaning against him. Together, the couple started laughing. Lizbeth sat up and glared. She walked down the hall and saw a note on the counter “Lizzy-Gone to the store. Be back soon. Love mom. “Lizbeth crumpled the note, throwing it away. She turned on her heels, finding herself face to face with Elizabeth and the boy. The boy extended the hand Elizabeth wasn’t holding.
“Sam Elwins.” He said, smiling.
“N…..N…….Nice to meet you “Lizbeth said, shaking his hand.” I’m Liz-“
“I know, I know, Lizbeth Mary Aleose Amenity. “Sam smiled, returning his hand to Elizabeth’s side.
“So, how am I going to help you?” Lizbeth asked, curling her legs up to her side on the couch.
“Honestly, I don’t know.”Sam replied, sitting down on the chair next to Elizabeth.
“You just have to help us……… Finishing dying I guess. ”Elizabeth summarized.
“Ok, How?”Lizbeth said, staring out her window. A black Ford Truck pulled up. “Great.”Lizbeth mumbled, walking outside to the car to help her mom.
“Thanks” Lisa said, handing her some bags. Together, they walked inside, setting the groceries on the counter. After Lisa put them away, Lizbeth walked outside and whistled. Lucy and Charlie ran up, wanting attention. Lizbeth put them inside and walked down the stairs, looking for Milley’s white coat.
“Milley!” she yelled, not noticing the two ghosts standing beside her.
“How can we help?”Sam asked, causing Lizbeth to jump.
“I don’t know………”Lizbeth admitted, finding a hole that went under the fence. Lizbeth jogged to the garage, grabbing a leash. Then she got on her bike and pedaled off, heading towards the park. Sam and Elizabeth appeared beside her. Lizbeth didn’t notice and searched around, stopping at every white bump she saw. Finally, just as she looked around the last white rock, She saw Milley. Milley was growling at something behind a bush. Lizbeth walked forward and Sam went ahead. He stopped then smiled. Lizbeth walked up, glad she was distracted. Without looking up, Lizbeth clipped the leash onto her. As she stood, Elizabeth swooped past, running into her. Lizbeth collapsed, and then looked up to find a familiar face smiling.
“Hello Lizbeth. My name is Claire Pinet. Your Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, grandma.
I can try and find pictures of Elizabeth, Sam and Lizbeth.
