Echoes of Dark and Light

by Chris Shanley-Dillman

  “At least you sent his body home,” Jonathon sneered, ignoring me. “That is the only shred of decency you inherited from the Dove name! You should have heard Mother cry.”

  I could see Jonathon’s words sinking in, slowly devouring Toby’s heart and mind. I had to do something.

  “Toby, let’s get out of here, now!”

  He blinked, refocusing on me. I had most of Robert’s weight leaning on my shoulders; I knew he wouldn’t be able to stand much longer. Toby seemed to realize that as well.

  “Okay, next step,” Toby spoke loudly for everyone to hear. “I’m going to keep this gun on the lieutenant while Bobbi and Robert exit over the railroad bridge. No one moves, no one touches the telegraph. As soon as they are safe on the other side, I’ll release Jonathon.”

  I stared at Toby in confusion, waiting to hear the rest of his plan, like when he would cross the bridge as well.

  “I’m afraid your scheme has a few holes in it, little brother,” Jonathon scoffed. “As soon as I’m released, your Yankee friends will be rounded up and sentenced to hang. And you—”

  “That’s why,” Toby interrupted, “I’m offering myself up in trade. For their freedom, you’ll get me.”

  “Toby, no!” I tried to get him to look at me, but he averted his gaze.

  “Do we have a deal?” Toby demanded.

  The captain spoke up. “What makes you think you can trust this turncoat? He’d probably just as soon shoot you as spit on you.”

  Jonathon attempted to shake his head, but the pistol to his temple impeded. “This traitor is a complete failure as a Southerner and a brother, but to his credit, Toby never lies.” He mulled the offered trade, and then nodded. “Okay, it’s a deal; you in exchange for their freedom.”

  “No! Toby, I’m not leaving you here.”

  He reached out to grab my arm and pulled me in close. Whispering in my ear, he said, “This is our only chance; you have to get Robert out of here. And as far as the deal goes, I don’t lie, but that’s not true of Jonathon. As soon as he’s free, he’ll have troops hunting you down, so move fast and find shelter.”

  “Then bring Jonathon with us; let’s all of us leave together and use him as a hostage.”

  Toby shook his head. “This way is better; with me as part of the deal, Jonathon will be somewhat distracted. And by not taking a lieutenant hostage, the Rebs won’t be so fanatical in their search. Now go.” He gently pushed me toward the bridge.

  “Toby, no—”

  “Bobbi, for once in your life, let someone else take care of you! I’ll be fine.”

  But the look in his eyes said differently. And the hungry-for-revenge glare on Jonathon’s face confirmed it. Toby would not be fine.

  “Go!” he yelled.

  Okay, I’ll go, for Robert’s sake. But I will be back! I hesitantly took a few steps toward the bridge, terrified to lose eye contact with Toby.

  “Hey,” my pa injected. “What about me?”

  “What about you?” Toby shot him an annoyed glare.

  Pa crossed over to stand in the middle of the family reunion. “I’m leaving, too!”

  “You aren’t part of the deal,” Toby dismissed him.

  “You can just stay out of this. I’m their pa, and they will not leave me behind!” He shoved me with considerable force.

  My feet caught up in my skirts, and I tumbled to my rear, landing hard on a stone that would surely leave a bruise. Robert, without any support, sunk weakly to his knees. The captain acted quickly, tackling Pa to the ground before the situation blew out of control.

  Toby nodded a thanks to the captain while Pa continued arguing face down in the sand.

  “You’re my kids! You can’t leave your own kin behind in his hell hole! You owe me!”

  At that exact moment, I finally saw Pa clearly for the first time, a pathetic coward who squeezed people dry of anything useful, offering nothing in return, and tossing the shriveled, dried up remains aside like a rotten raisin. A quiet, calm courage swept through me. I climbed to my feet, even somewhat gracefully given the circumstances, and then helped Robert to his wobbly legs. Then I turned to Pa and looked him straight in his sand-clotted eyes. “I think about all you’ve done to my family every single day of my life. Now it’s time I let the poison go. So, for everything you’ve given me, I give you one thing in return: my forgiveness.”

  “Forgiveness?” Pa spat. “What good will that do me?”

  I shrugged. “Do with it what you will. As for me, it means letting go of my anger, my mistrust, my guilt and you.” With that, I turned my back on him. With Robert leaning on my shoulder, we slowly shuffled toward the railroad bridge. As I passed Toby, I met his eyes again, his beautiful brown eyes appearing almost black in the descending dusk. We didn’t say anything out loud, but we spoke mountains, of trust, of friendship, of the future. I held onto his gaze for as long as I could, and then turned my sights towards freedom. Lanterns spaced out along the bridge glowed bright like stars, guiding and showing us the way.

  True to the lieutenant’s word, so far at least, we met no resistance of any kind. We took it slow, one step at a time, knowing we had to save our strength and breath for when we reached the other side. I, too, had no doubts that the lieutenant would issue orders immediately for our arrest, despite his promise to release us. We would have mere seconds to get back to Cora and her uncle’s house without being seen, or we’d risk their lives as well. I even considered avoiding them all together, but with Robert’s condition, I knew we had no choice. And then, with Robert safely in Cora’s capable hands, I would return for Toby. I didn’t yet know how, but I knew for certain, with every ounce of honor in my heart, that I’d get him out of the prison safely.

  Or die trying.

  We stepped up onto the railroad bridge, where I paused to readjust Robert’s weight on my shoulder. I took a steadying breath as we began to cross, moving in and out of the circles of light glowing down from the security lanterns spaced out along the bridge’s length. The crossing required a bit of timing and balance, my brother and I working together to make sure all of our feet stepped securely on the support beams and not into thin air. The James River rushed by below us, and I could feel the cold, damp air encircling my bare ankles. I had no desire to feel her frigid waters against my skin.

  As we neared the far side, I chanced one more glance behind me. I could just make out the mass of people gathered in front of the guard office in the darkness. One of the shadows would be Toby, and in a matter of seconds, his angry, vengeful brother would have Toby in his control.

  One tiny sob escaped my clamped lips, but I covered it with a barked “Let’s go!” as we stepped off the bridge and broke into a clumsy run.

  Two seconds later, shrill whistles pierced the air over the island, and my heart clenched painfully at what could possible be happening to Toby. But right then, I had to get Robert to safety and I forced my mind to the priority task. I knew we only had as long as it would take for the captain to send a telegram across the river, and then Rebel soldiers would be combing the streets for us. Still, I resisted a straight line escape to Cora; if someone should see us, we would be endangering Cora and her uncle’s life as well.

  We shuffled through the darkened streets of Manchester, keeping to the shadows and avoiding the populated taverns. My muscles quickly grew painfully exhausted with half of Robert’s weight supported on my shoulders. Fear mixed with exertion to leave me gasping for breath and my heart hammering in my chest. Every third step or so my feet entangled in my long skirts, tripping both of us; what I would have done for a pair of trousers.

  A low, rolling siren began wailing, lashing at our heels, and I knew the Rebs would quickly follow. No more time to waste. We bee lined it to Cora’s

  I didn’t bother knocking, kicking open the door with a battered slipper and bruised foot.

  Two shocked faced whipped around from the fire-lit kitchen table. I managed to utter one word.

  “Help.”


  Cora and Mr. Davis leapt into action, dragging us into the warm room and closing the door with a click of the bolt.

  “Rebels?” Mr. Davis asked.

  “On our tails,” I gasped.

  He nodded and strode over to a large cabinet against the far wall while Cora pulled the heavy drapes closed over the front window. Heaving with every muscle, Mr. Davis dragged the heavy oak cabinet away from the wall revealing a dark hole. Mr. Davis waved us over, and Cora quickly took position on Robert’s other side. Grabbing the spare lantern on the side table, Mr. Davis led the way down the tiny, hidden staircase into the cellar. Ducking my head, I hobbled awkwardly sideways down the narrow steps into the damp, dank darkness. A single cot took up one wall and a set of chairs stood along another wall. Mr. Davis set the lantern on a small rough-cut table and disappeared back up the stairs. Cora and I gently settled Robert onto the cot, and then I gratefully stood straight, stretching out my cramped muscles.

  “Toby?” Cora asked quietly.

  I had to suck in a gulp of air to steady my voice before replying. “He traded himself for our freedom.”

  She nodded once before following her uncle back up the stairs. I knelt down on the hard-packed dirt floor and peered into Robert’s face.

  “You still with us?” I asked.

  He attempted a smile, but it wobbled something fierce. “Best I’ve felt in months,” he whispered.

  Cora quickly returned carrying a pitcher of water and a chipped basin. While she placed them next to the lantern, Mr. Davis tossed down Toby and my traveling bags. I jumped up to move them out of the way, and Cora ran back up the stairs. She quickly returned carrying an armload of bandages, a bar of soap, a clean pair of britches, a cotton shirt, a jar of salve and a few other items I couldn’t quite see. Mr. Davis descended on her heels carrying a steaming pot of soup, a couple of mugs and a loaf of warm bread clutched under his arm. Without a word, he deposited his stash and then quickly climbed the stairs again this time sliding the heavy cabinet back in place, entombing us in our tiny square of safety.

  He’s done this before, many times.

  I felt a bit closed off, confined and claustrophobic, but at the same time, safe and protected, like a squirrel snuggled up in her winter den. A squirrel with a hungry fox waiting at the door. Cora got right to work, pouring a mug of thick broth for Robert with strict instructions to sip slowly. Then she began examining her patient, cleansing his wounds and applying salve. I stood to the side, feeling awkward and useless. Before she got very far, an angry pounding on the front door demanded immediate attention. Cora quickly blew out the lantern, leaving my eyes scrabbling for sight in the dark cellar.

  Overhead, my ears picked up on Mr. Davis’ usually quick and light steps slowly crossing the plank floor.

  “I’m coming, I’m coming,” he called in response to another frantic pounding on the door. A muffled click of the lock, a protesting creak of the hinges…my heart climbed into my throat and I forgot to breathe.

  “Good evening, gentlemen,” his voice drifted down through the floor boards. “What can I do for you on this chilly autumn evening?”

  A gruff impatient voice answered, “We’re looking for two escaped prisoners from Belle Island. A tall man wearing rags, and a woman in a pink dress. Have you seen them?”

  “A woman in a pink dress?” Mr. Davis replied. “Why in the blue blazes would the Confederacy be holding a woman prisoner on that island?”

  “Never you mind that! We’ve orders to search every home and business, and to make any arrests necessary if met with resistance.”

  “Do I look like I’m resisting? Come in, if you must. I was just cleaning up my dinner. Would anyone like a cup of coffee?”

  His offer ignored, three sets of heavy boots stomped across the floor, dispersing into the various rooms. Dust drifted down through the cracks, riding on faint, flickering beams of light from the kitchen hearth.

  “Sir! I found a traveling satchel filled with a woman’s belongings!”

  I turned to look at Cora, just barely making out the whites of her eyes held open wide with nerves.

  “Those belong to my niece, and I’m sure she would appreciate it, as would I, if your men wouldn’t ruffle through her delicates.”

  “Your niece?”

  “Yes, my niece. Her father, rest his soul, just recently passed away. My niece is passing through on her way home for the funeral. She had to temporarily leave her post as a nurse on the battlefields.”

  I noticed he left out for which army.

  “A fine contribution for a woman to make, fine indeed,” one of the younger men commented.

  “I agree, one hundred percent,” the gruff, commanding officer spoke. “And I’d like to personally thank the young lady for her commitment to the cause. Just exactly where is she at this late hour?”

  “Weren’t you listening, man? She’s a nurse. And you know how scarce medical personnel are in these times, what with everyone either off fighting in the war, tending the wounded, or burying what’s left over. Soon as she stepped in town, word got out. Right now she’s off delivering a baby. I walked her over there myself this afternoon. Of course, you know how birthing is; it could be hours before she’s done.”

  A moment of silent tension dripped down from above, and I reached over for Robert’s hand.

  The brusque commander finally spoke. “Okay, men, this house is clean. On to the next.”

  The heavy footsteps disappeared outside, followed by a firm closing of the door and the reassuring click of the bolt. Mr. Davis crossed the room, stopping not at the cabinet, but at the fireplace, where from the sounds of it, he set about banking the fire for the night. Then I heard him pull out a chair and settle his weight onto the creaking wood rungs. Minutes passed, the rustle of a newspaper, the clunk of a coffee mug on the table, the reverberating rumble of a man’s gas exchange against a hard seat, the wafting odor of rotten cabbage…

  Nearly an hour passed by my rough estimate in the darkness with no sun, stars or timepiece to go by before Mr. Davis pushed back his chair and crossed to the front of the room, maybe to look out the window. By that time, I had about crawled out of my skin and paced a foot-deep trench in his cellar. I knew we had to sit tight or risk everything; however, I couldn’t get Toby out of my mind, Toby helpless against an angry, vengeful, maybe slightly insane, brother.

  The cabinet scraped across the floor, casing a weak beam of light down the steps. Blinking against the sudden brightness, I met Mr. Davis as he descended holding a lantern high. I handed him our extinguished one to relight, and then turned to check on my cell mates. Robert lay curled on his side, deep asleep. Cora sat near his head, picking him over in the dark, a bowl almost filled with dead lice and fleas. With the return of the lantern’s flickering light, she set the bowl aside and continued her patient’s exam.

  “For now, they are gone, but you’d all best stay down here for added safety. Besides, doesn’t look like that fellow will be up and around for awhile anyway.”

  We all turned to look at my sleeping brother, so thin, so pale, so weak.

  “How is he, Cora,” I asked, hating the wobble in my voice.

  She sighed. “I won’t lie to you, Bobbi. He’s in rough shape. However,” she paused.

  My sinking heart grabbed onto her dangling rope.

  “Except for extreme malnutrition, exhaustion, exposure, irritations from the vermin infestation, and the remnants of a lingering cough, I can’t find anything physically wrong. And with some proper care, I don’t see why he shouldn’t make a full recovery.”

  Waves of relief washed over me like diving into the chilling waters of Lake Superior on a scorching August afternoon. Robert will be okay!

  But I couldn’t let myself splash in the lake too long. Toby needed me. When Mr. Davis returned upstairs for more food and a fresh pitcher of water, I turned to Cora and demanded help.

  “Get me out of these torturous contraptions!”

  As Cora helped me undress, I q
uickly filled her in on the events leading up to our arriving at her door. She listened attentively, never once interrupting and reacting with horror in all of the right moments. Revisiting the facts reminded me of the impossible task ahead. But stripping out of the itchy lace and imprisoning undergarments brightened my outlook considerably, and sucking in a deep breath for the first time in hours helped even more. Still, I knew the odds stacked high against me and I had to act fast. Mr. Davis returned with supplies in time to catch the tail end.

  “…so I hate to leave you so soon, but I need to go.” I pulled on my cap and then finished dressing by tucking my Colt into my waistband and slipping my knife down into my boot.

  Cora looked up, surprised. “You can’t mean to go tonight? The city is swarming with Rebels out searching for you! It’s suicide!”

  “Naw, the Rebels are out looking for a gal in a pink dress. Besides, I can’t afford to loose anymore time. It has to be now.”

  “Your friend is correct, Cora.” Mr. Davis sat the pitcher of warm water down on the table, steam rising gently in the cool cellar air.

  “But Uncle, it’s far too dangerous!”

  “My dear Cora, life is dangerous, even just crawling out of bed in the morning. The other day, I got up and rammed my toe into the dresser. Smarted something fierce.”

  “I hardly think it’s fair to compare a toe stubbing with throwing oneself into the throes of the enemy!”

  “And I don’t find it fair that you should underestimate your friend and her abilities. Of course the task ahead is going to be tough, but tomorrow when the train schedule starts up, the Rebs can and will ship that boy anywhere, making it near impossible to find him. But as for tonight, it’s a safe bet that the boy is right where you left him.”

  “In the middle of a highly guarded Rebel prison camp smack dab in a swiftly moving and frigidly cold river,” I said, grinning. “How I love a challenge!”

  Cora looked at me, disbelief dangling her jaw open, until the humor won over and she burst out laughing. She quickly muffled the noise with her hands, glancing over to see if she’d disturbed her patient, yet Robert slept soundly.