by P A Minyard
He tried to sleep that night, but the ache in his chest became unbearable and his heart kept skipping beats, making him feel anxious. He wondered what would happen if he just ignored it. Then he wondered what would happen to Daniel if he just walked away. “Would another Beloved come along and save him?” he thought. “How long would
Daniel have to wait?” No matter how many times Jonathan played out the scenario in his head, there was one thought that kept repeating over and over. “How can I leave him when I know in my heart he would never leave me?”
The boys woke to the sound of reveille, but Jonathan was already up. He went through roll call with them one last time. There was confusion and excitement all about the camp. The soldiers were told of their assignments; they would leave that day. As everyone rushed around trying to gather their belongings, Jonathan quietly slipped through the gate unnoticed.
He walked right into a firestorm. It was Day 3 of the Battle of Gettysburg, and the fighting had reached a fever pitch. It was overwhelming. Amidst the cannon fire and rifle shots, the howls of men charging to their deaths and the groans of the dying, Jonathan could feel the confusion and fear. The deafening thunder of the raging battle was too much to absorb. Shells exploded overhead as the Confederates tried to soften the Union stronghold. Jonathan dropped to his knees and placed his hands over his ears.
He was at the back of a large group of soldiers fortifying a ridge where they could fire down upon an advancing Rebel line. The Union soldiers seemed undeterred, but Jonathan could still see their legs shaking. All had sweat pouring off their brows. They had been fighting for some time, and by the look of all the empty cartridge boxes, they were nearing the end of their ammunition.
Jonathan dropped to his belly and crawled along the ground until he had a view of the battle. He could see the Confederates trying to break through the Union line to no avail. The ache still pained his chest. Benedict had to be nearby. He watched as the Union soldiers advanced to meet their counterparts, swarming them.
He could see an officer barking out orders and waving a saber at the back of one of the lines. It certainly looked like Daniel. Jonathan broke from the ridge and charged down the hill into the fray without fear and without thought. There was Daniel, shouting with unbridled ferocity at a soldier to get back in line, fix his bayonet, and charge. The soldier was wounded and out of sorts. He was in no condition to continue the battle that they had practically won already. Jonathan knew his brother would never treat his soldiers in this manner. It had to be Benedict.
Jonathan rushed Benedict, knocking the saber from his hand and swinging him around.
“He’s done with battle. Can’t you see that?!” he shouted.
Benedict’s anger was halted by surprise at the sight of Jonathan. He could feel Daniel’s shock as well.
“I sent you to hell, boy!” Benedict growled from deep within his belly. “You should have had the good sense to stay there.”
Their confrontation went unnoticed as the battle raged around them. “I’ve come for my brother,” Jonathan called out. His heart and mind were racing out of control. “Release him now, and I shall go easy on you.” Benedict looked at him with surprise once more, then howled a wicked laugh, shutting his eyes tightly with the utmost amusement. He turned around in a circle several times, shouting into the air.
“Is this the best you can do, Bernard, hiding behind a boy who’s clearly out of his depth?”
Then, suddenly, Benedict rushed Jonathan, hoisted him in the air, and just as swiftly, slammed him into the ground. Jonathan’s whole body shook with pain. He struggled to his feet. He couldn’t afford a lengthy fight. He tried to ignore the part of him that wanted to run away.
Daniel’s heart broke as he helplessly watched his little brother try to keep his legs beneath him.
Benedict wrung his hands together, relishing the moment. “This isn’t a game, boy. No matter what Bernard told you, I will not go easy on you.”
“You would be wise to remember that as well,” Jonathan shot back. He was breathing heavily and his mouth had gone dry.
“I dare say, Daniel, he’s as cocky as you were,” Benedict said, looking down as he addressed himself.
“But his heart is far more pure,” Daniel replied. He knew he had to help Jonathan by distracting Benedict.
“Silence, Daniel! If his heart is so big, it will be that much easier to rip out,” Benedict snarled, advancing on Jonathan. “Let’s see what you’re made of, boy.”
Benedict rushed forward and grabbed Jonathan’s right wrist, twisting it backwards and forcing Jonathan to his knees.
“Painful, isn’t it?” he gloated. “It’s a submission hold. What a shame your brother never taught it to you.”
Jonathan felt his wrist about to snap, and the pain made his eyes water. In desperation, he thrust his left fist and landed a blow to Benedict’s groin. The demon doubled over, releasing him. Jonathan grabbed the rifle of a fallen soldier near him and swung it as he rose to his feet. The butt of the gun caught Benedict square in the jaw and sent him flying sideways.
“Give back my brother!” he shouted. “I will not ask again.” Benedict rubbed his jaw gingerly and spit blood onto the ground.
He pushed himself vertical and stood motionless momentarily, giving Jonathan a chance to strike. But Jonathan did not see the opening and missed his opportunity. Benedict then lunged so quickly that his movement was barely detectable. He snapped Jonathan’s left arm at the elbow and began twisting at his forearm. Jonathan cried out in agony.
“Stop this, I beg you!” Daniel called out.
Benedict closed his eyes and, moving his face near his victim’s, took a deep breath. The ecstasy of Jonathan’s pain shot into Benedict’s system like a drug, and he could feel it coursing through him.
“How could I possibly stop now,” Benedict exhaled, “when torturing this one is so delicious?”
He released Jonathan, who fell back on his ass.
Tears streamed down Jonathan’s face. He wasn’t sure how much more he could endure, and it became difficult to concentrate.
Before Jonathan could get his bearings, Benedict hoisted him from the ground again and into the air. Jonathan kicked him in the gut with all his might, forcing the demon to let go. Jonathan landed sideways on his broken arm. The shot of pain almost caused him to black out.
“Feisty little bastard, aren’t you?” Benedict coughed. “I shall take your power and make it my own.”
“Come and get it,” Jonathan replied. He was beyond fear now; rage had taken over. He scrambled to his feet. The shouts of men and roar of gunfire that was deafening earlier were no longer detectable to his ears. It was as if there was no one else in that field except him and Benedict. He charged Benedict, hoping to knock him to the ground and open the scar upon him.
But Benedict was too swift and far too experienced. He grabbed the boy by the throat and threw him headfirst into a rock. Jonathan lost consciousness momentarily. His body slumped in a heap. He lay on his side, motionless. Benedict approached the body and kicked the boy viciously several times to be certain he was unconscious. He felt Daniel’s distress and reveled in it.
Jonathan never moved. He was awake, but only barely, and he was aware that Benedict was about to finish him off. The demon reached down and turned him over, confident that this was the end.
“That’s my brother!” Daniel shouted with all his heart; with every ounce of his soul; with every piece of his being. It rattled between Benedict’s ears and caused him to pause. Jonathan saw the hesitation and opened the scar upon the demon.
There was nothing Benedict could do to stop his power from being taken. He hopelessly tried to free himself from the scar’s grasp, but his efforts were to no avail. The power was no longer his to command. He cursed Bernard’s name with his final breath.
Daniel, for his part, freely let go of what power he had. He felt relieved. As his power dissipated, so did his consciousness, but the love for his brother and for
his family came with him to the other side. There was a momentary flash of blinding light before he finally left the earthly realm.
Jonathan was broken and battered. He was gasping for breath and blood was running down the side of his head when Bernard came to him. Jonathan’s eyes were like slits, but he could see his guardian angel.
“How’d I do?” he choked.
“You truly are an amazing young man,” Bernard replied.
“What now?” he asked, barely clinging to consciousness.
“You must give back the power,” he said.
Bernard pulled Jonathan upright.
Jonathan’s body shuddered as pain shot out in all directions.
“I will,” Jonathan said.
Bernard steadied him as Jonathan’s head fell to one side and his chest thrust toward the sky. A flash of brilliant, blue light streaked up into the clouds; the power returned from whence it came, and Jonathan fell back into Bernard’s arms. His eyes were shut and his breathing was shallow.
“I’m here,” Bernard said. “I promised that I wouldn’t leave you.”
“I see a young man,” Jonathan whispered. “His face is so gentle. He
wants me to go with him.”
“He is by far the Father’s most compassionate servant,” Bernard replied. “Take his hand, Jonathan.”
As Jonathan’s body went limp, Bernard pulled him tight against his chest. He knelt there on the battlefield, holding the boy as soldiers retreated to their respective sides. Those who walked by bowed their heads at the sight of a comrade mourning the loss of his friend.
Days after the fighting had ceased, many in the press corps came to document the outcome of the battle. Buck had been hired to take pictures of the grisly scene.
He was walking along the battlefield, taking photos of the fallen, when he came upon a most unusual sight. Two bodies were side by side, a major and a private. They lay prone with their heads turned toward each other, and the major had his hand across the private’s back. It was Daniel and Jonathan. They had died side by side, facing the enemy. As taken as he was with the scene, Buck could not bring himself to shoot the picture.
EPILOGUE
May 5, 1863
Dear Beth,
I have never told you how much I love you. I took you for granted, assuming that all sisters are as gentle and caring. I miss you very much right now.
I found Daniel but was unable to convince him to return. He holds the values of honor and duty in high regard, and they have led him to where he belongs.
I’m sorry that I disobeyed Father and deceived Duff. My actions are surely causing everyone great concern. I want you to know that I believe with all my heart that my place is at Daniel’s side. I have chosen to stay and fight. I hope you all can find forgiveness for me, especially Duff. He would never have allowed me to leave if he’d known my intentions.
Keep me in your thoughts as I hold you in mine. Give Mother and Father my love, and tell them to take comfort in the knowledge that they have raised their sons well.
All my love,
Jonathan
Beth gently placed the dried periwinkle upon the paper before carefully folding the letter, which had been folded and refolded so many times. She set it on a small stack that was next to the photo Mr. Buckberry had given her of Jonathan sitting next to Daniel. In the two years since she had lost her brothers, the letter and photo became permanent fixtures on her dresser. She looked out the bedroom window at the peaceful scene that lay before her. The mountains of northern Pennsylvania were thick with trees, the lush green stretching as far as the eye could see. The air was crisp and clear as evening approached. It was a far cry from what Daniel and Jonathan must have faced.
Duff came up from behind her and kissed her neck as he placed his arms around her waist.
“Did you put the boys to bed?” she asked.
“Daniel and Jonathan have had a full day,” he replied. “They went to sleep without a fuss. Your parents have a knack for keeping them well entertained.”
“Mother and Father have grown very attached to our boys,” Beth said as she turned her head back toward Duff. “It seems the twins spend more time here than at their own home.”
“I half expect them to whisk our children away when we’re not looking,” Duff laughed.
“Whatever would we do all alone in this big house?” Beth teased.
“Yes, whatever would we do...?”
Duff pulled her close and kissed her.
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