Blood Wars: The Beginning

By S. J. Hughes

Blood Wars: The Beginning, tells the story of two brothers journey through their new life, one a Vampire the other a Werewolf. While in the shadows a dark prophecy is being fulfilled as the Banished Kings children seek the artifacts to resurrect him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 28, 2009
• ISBN: 9781462833955

S. J. Hughes

Shane Hughes first became interested in writing in the third grade. He reads Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror and etc. He lives in New Mexico looking towards a strange future.

Book preview

Copyright © 2009 by Hughes, S.J.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in

any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without

permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

68131

Contents

CHAPTER ONE

The Beginning

CHAPTER TWO

A New World

CHAPTER THREE

New Friends, Old Enemies

CHAPTER FOUR

The Hunt

CHAPTER FIVE

A New Life

CHAPTER SIX

World War I

CHAPTER SEVEN

World War II

CHAPTER EIGHT

Lycan Battle

CHAPTER NINE

A New Life

CHAPTER TEN

Deceit

CHAPTER ELEVEN

A New Alliance

CHAPTER ONE

The Beginning

Doctor Victor Von Veg’Gan you were given one order and that order was to keep an eye on the Miller woman, said a hooded figure enraged. Do not worry I have the situation under control, said the doctor fearfully. Under control if she gives birth to that child before he awakes then you will pay, said the figure. I am about to send my new creations out. They can track her down and bring her back before he awakes tonight, said the doctor. Where are these creations, asked the figure? This way, said the doctor waving his right hand.

The hooded figure followed the doctor down into the first section of the basement. Here they are, said the doctor waving his hands in front of five suits of armor. What is this, their just suits of armor, said the figure looking around. Not exactly come forward my children, said the doctor. Crack, Crack, Crack, the suits of armor started to move towards them. The suits of armor stopped right in front of the two. Now do you see, said the doctor. That is it moving armor, asked the figure? These armors are a new bread of Lycans at my command, said the doctor. You brought Lycans into this castle, said the figure angrily. No I did not bring them into the castle I made them here watch, said the doctor raising his right arm and pointing at the middle armor. You transform, said the doctor. The middle armor started to twist, crack, and melted inwards in the end a metallic Lycan stood in front of them. As you can see they are under my control and they are impervious to silver bullets as well, said the doctor walking around the metal Lycan with his arms held outwards.

Alright I will give them a trial find her and bring her back alive if they fail you will be punished, said the figure looking into the doctor’s eyes. Yes sir you heard him here is the woman’s scent now go, said the doctor holding a scarf in front of the armors. The other four armors transformed then all five of the armors howled with a metallic synthetic howl. The Lycans turned and ran up the stone stairs and out of the castle.

The armors ran for three hours until it started to rain. The Lycans started run faster when they spotted a figure in the distance stumbling through a forest. The Lycans howled and started to stalked the figure when it became clear it was the scent they where looking for. The woman turned her head when she heard the howls and saw metallic figures in the distance running towards her. She stumbled some more and tried to run as fast as she could when she tripped on a tree root and slid down a muddy slope and landed in a mud puddle.

The woman stumbled to her feet and started to run again when she heard the creatures coming from both of her sides. She ran until she found herself in a clearing when she saw a Monastery in the distance. She ran for the monastery when she heard the creatures getting closer when a strange metal crunch came from behind her. She turned around and saw metal looking wolves behind her frozen from rusting.

The woman about five feet four inches, three feet long black hair, wearing a green dress, with white ruffles around her collar, and white boots, stumbles to the entrance of the monastery gate about to give birth to her son or daughter. As she steadies herself, she starts to walk towards the monastery again.

When she finally reaches the monastery she collapses in front of it. The doors to the monastery open and a monk about five feet, eight inches, wearing brown robes covering his hair, sees the collapsed woman on the ground, he yells for the other monks to come and help. Hey guys theirs a woman out here that needs our help, said the monk. Two more monks similar to the first appeared at the gates and saw the woman lying on the ground; they walk over to the woman, picked her up gently and took her in to the monastery. The monks took her to one of the rooms and placed her on a cot. Gregory stay here and watch her, I’ll go and try to find Marcus, said one of the monks. The monk turned around and headed out of the room, while Gregory stayed behind to watch over the woman.

The monk who left earlier to find Marcus returned with another monk who was about an inch shorter than the other with a limp. Where is she, asked Marcus. Over here, she has not moved since we laid her on the cot, the monk said. Thank you Matthew, please try to find Doctor Henry. He is still in the monastery, said Marcus. Matthew left the room to look for the doctor while Marcus exam the woman to make sure she was not injured during her trip to the monastery.

About an hour later Matthew returned with Doctor Henry, a middle aged man with gray hair, wrinkles on his face, about five feet, three inches, wearing a white night robe. Marcus, Matthew told me what happened. Please let me take a look at her, said the Doctor. Marcus leads him to her. Well doctor what do you think, said Marcus. Hmm, well lets see, she has some abrasions on her arms, a cut on her face, and it seems she is about to give birth, said the doctor. Alright, Matthew I need you to boil some water, Jake I need you to get some clean sheets, Marcus we need to make some room for the birthing, said the Doctor.

After everything was taken care of the doctor was ready for the baby to come. The woman woke up and Where am I, she asked. You are in the Cortez Monastery, please relax your about to give birth. What is your name, asked Marcus? The woman relaxes and says My name is Susana Miller. After she finished the doctor begins, Matthew waits outside the room to give the doctor room. Two hours go by, when Matthew hears the voices of two babies crying. Gregory walked out of the room with both babies in his arms. Matthew, Doctor Henry would like us to clean the babies while he wraps things up, said Gregory.

While Gregory and Matthew clean the babies, the doctor and Marcus walks out of the room with worried looks on their faces. I’m sorry Marcus I did everything I could, but she will not make it, she lost too much blood, but she said some thing strange before she went. She said don’t let them hurt my babies, any ideas, said Doctor Henry. No, she was alone when she showed up, we will take care of the children and give her a traditional burial, said Marcus. What are you going to name them, asked the doctor. Well the oldest we will name after our founder John, and his brother we will name Vincent, and there last name will be Miller after there mother, said Marcus.

I see, I will exam the babies then I must get to bed, I have to catch the coach tomorrow, said the doctor. Thank you, Gregory will stay and keep an eye on her, and Matthew will take care of John and Vincent, said Marcus.

Five years later, John was playing in the courtyard of the Monastery with the other kids in the Monastery, while Vincent was reading one of the manuscripts, when Marcus was heading towards a building known to all the residents of the Monastery to be off limits but to Marcus and Matthew. Vincent went up to Marcus and asked, What is that? and pointed to a strange silver box Marcus was carrying. Just an Antique the Vatican wants us to care for while they clean, said Marcus, Now Vincent why don’t you go play with the other kids, and finish your studies later. Marcus headed towards the building and Vincent took off towards the other kids.

Eleven years later, John and Vincent both six feet tall, with black hair, and wearing brown robes are busy doing there chores when Marcus comes out of the building and heads towards them. John, Vincent, I have news for you. John you have been accepted to go to New York College, and you Vincent will start your training to be a priest in one month, said Matthew.

Congratulations John, New York is a long way from here though, said Vincent. And to you to Vincent your going to be a priest like you wanted, said John. Vincent will you please come with me to the kitchen, asked Matthew?

While Matthew and Vincent head to the kitchen John finishes raking the yard. When John sees the new monk Victor (who’s about five feet, four inches, wearing brown robes), that arrived last week Victor was heading to the off limits sector of the monastery. John follows Victor to let him know he is in a closed area of the monastery. When John reaches Victor, he sees that Victor is trying to break into one of the rooms in the area.

John walks up to Victor and says, Excuse me, but this area is off limits to every one but Matthew and Marcus. I’m sorry I thought I saw a stranger go in, said Victor Please come with me Victor, Marcus was looking for your earlier, said John. Yes of course, said Victor. John leads Victor to Marcus.

Vincent is in the kitchen starting the afternoon meal when the door opens and a boy pokes his blond head through, he is between six and seven years old. Is the meal ready, asked the boy with hunger in his face. The meal will be on time like usual Jeremy, said Vincent. Ok, I’ll let every one know, said Jeremy then he leaves and the door shuts behind him. Vincent starts to take the meals to the dining hall when he sees John and Victor heading towards Marcus’s office.

Vincent continues to the dining hall with the meals, when he enters he sees boys and girls ranging from four to sixteen years of age. They looked up at him and smiled when they saw that dinner was ready. Every one was sitting and waiting at the tables waiting to eat, when Marcus, Matthew, John, and Victor walked-in and headed for there seats. Every one prepared to listen to Marcus usual prayer. When Marcus was finished with the prayer, every one began to eat and talk among them selves.

After dinner Vincent, John and two of the children took the plates and silver ware back to the kitchen while a couple of other children cleaned the dining room. While Vincent is taking the trash out he notices, Victor heading towards the out of bounds area. Vincent finishes puts the trash down and follows Victor, he finds the door open and hears footsteps coming from the other side of the door. Vincent runs back to the main building to get Marcus or Matthew. When Vincent, Marcus, and Matthew arrive at the door, they see the door is still open. Okay, Vincent stay here just incase he comes out, while me and Matthew will search inside, said Marcus. Marcus and Matthew walk through the door while Vincent leans against the door, waiting.

About an hour later Marcus and Matthew return with worried faces. Vincent please returns to your room, said Matthew. I have not finished my chores yet, said Vincent. You may finish them tomorrow, but for now please, your room, said Matthew. As you wish, said Vincent and he head for his room. I do not understand why they would come for it now, asked Matthew? I do not know, but we must let the Vatican know about this, said Marcus. But I thought the Vatican sent Victor, asked Matthew? So did I Matthew, so did I, said Marcus. Matthew and Marcus closed and locked the door then went back to their rooms. Matthew went to sleep while Marcus wrote a letter to the Vatican. The next day Victor’s room was found empty and a messenger left the monastery with a letter for the Vatican.

A month has gone by and John is preparing for his trip to New York when there is a knock on his door. Come in, John said looking at the door. Vincent enters the room with Marcus. Are you ready the coach is here to take you to New York, said Marcus. Yes I have finished packing sir, said John. I like you to have this for luck, said Vincent handing John a cross necklace. Thank you, said John as he took the necklace. John, Vincent, and Marcus walk out the main door and head for the stage coach, while the kids and the other monks wave goodbye to John. The drive a five foot, three inch tall, brown hair, wearing a brown cowboy hat, a brownness tan duster, old dirty shirt and pants, and snake skin cowboy boots, opened the door while Vincent places John’s luggage onto the roof of the coach. We will see each other again, said John with his head out the window, and the coach drives off.

The monks and the kids went inside while Vincent and Marcus stayed and watched the coach drive off. Marcus places his right hand on Vincent’s shoulder and spoke. Do not worry Vincent, he will do fine and you two will see one another again, said Marcus and removes his hand from Vincent’s shoulder and headed to his room.

Vincent stays there for another few minutes then heads inside to start his daily chores. In the kitchen while Vincent is working with some of the kids on preparing lunch for every one, Matthew came in. Hello every one how is the meal so far, asked Matthew? Fine sir, said the kids together. Will you please excuse me; I would like to speak with Vincent alone, asked Matthew? Yes sir, said the kids while they watched Matthew and Vincent leave.

Out in the hall Matthew said to Vincent, Vincent Matthew and I have been summoned to the Bishop in New York City for a few days you will be in charge until we get back, said Matthew. Sir are you sure you do not want one of the older monks in charge, asked Vincent? Vincent this will be part of your training now please return to the kitchen and finish the meals, said Matthew and walks away. Yes sir, said Vincent and returns to the kitchen.

During the ride to the outpost John sat in the coach watching the scenery going by. The bushes, cacti, and other plants flashing by in a blur, he saw a couple of coyotes, jack rabbits, pheasants, and other animals he never seen before during the trip. He saw hawks, buzzards, crows, and some unknown birds flying in the sky. John was reflecting on the events that led him to his decision on becoming a lawyer when he heard the coach driver yell down from the driver seat that they have arrived. Five hundred miles from the monastery the coach stops at a rest point for the night so the horses can be changed and the driver and passenger can be feed and rested. John opens the door to the coach and sees a shabby looking dobby inn, a pen holding some pigs and cows, a pen for the horses, and a coup with a couple of chickens in it. John got out of the coach and took his luggage from the driver and heads towards the small shabby inn. John helped the driver get down from the coach and they both headed towards the inn. John opens the door to the inn and they both went inside. Inside the inn looked larger than the outside, with a small kitchen, a long table with at least ten chairs around it, a small iron stove with a pot on top of it. Four people, a woman that looks like she is in her mid sixties next to the stove cooking, a kid between nine and ten, another woman about her thirties, and a man who looks about twenty-three. The child is playing with a wooden toy train, the young woman is sitting by the long table eating what looks like enchiladas, potatoes, pinto beans, and rice, the old woman is behind a counter in the kitchen cooking, and the man is sitting in the corner of the room. They all looked up and squints their eyes to the sun shine, when the door opens and the two strangers walk in. John walks over to the table and sits down, while the coach driver walks over to the counter and talks to the woman.

Hey woman good to see you again, I’ll be heading to Portland, West Virginia tomorrow, said the driver. I see, and then what Bob, said the woman. Velma, I’ll be heading back here to stay, said Bob. Sure you are, just like you said last time, said Velma. Look is the rooms ready and we need some food as well, asked Bob? The rooms are ready and you’ll get the food when it’s done, go take care of the horses you old coon, said Velma and she went back to cooking. Bob walks over to where John is sitting and sits down next to him. The food will be ready in a little bit. And the rooms are upstairs so while the food is cooking why not take your stuff and put it up, said Bob. John got up, picked his luggage off the floor and headed to his room. Inside the room was a small wooden cot, with a pillow and a blanket, and a window. John placed his luggage on the cot, left the room, and then went down stairs. John sits back down in his seat and waits for his meal.

Velma walks over to the table with two enchilada plates and sets them down next to John and Bob. John takes his plate from Velma and said Thank you miss. The name is Velma Sanchez, young man, and call me Velma ok, said Velma. Thank you Velma, my name is John Miller, said John. Bob took his plate from Velma and started eating. Velma bowed her head then walked back to the stove to fix her own meal. John bows his head and said a short prayer then starting eating his meal. After the meal was over John helped Velma clean up the kitchen and wash the utensils and the plates while every one else, except Bob went to their rooms. Bob went outside and put the horses in there pen to rest. After some words between John and Velma, he went to his room while Velma sits down in a rocking chair in the living area of the inn watching the fire in the stove and listening to the wind blow outside.

Back at the Monastery everyone was getting ready for bed when there was a loud knocking coming from the front entrance. Marcus came outside and started towards the door when he hears a howling coming from the other side of the door. Marcus reached the door and went to open it when Matthew came outside and said, Do not open the door Marcus. With a bewilder face Marcus asks why. It is alright Marcus please go to bed I will see who it is, said Matthew. Yes sir, said Marcus and he head back to his room.

Matthew opens the door and greets the person on the other side. Welcome to the Cortez Monastery Charles, said Matthew. Thank you Matthew, where is the artifact that I asked for in the telegram, asked Charles. Charles a five foot, two inch man, with short brown hair, and wearing a black cloak. I am sorry Charles; the item in question was stolen a month ago by some one claiming to be from the Vatican. Matthew and I have been summoned to New York for a debriefing about the situation, said Matthew. I see and now the Alpha will be very mad with me, said Charles, I am sorry Matthew orders are orders you will be returning with me tonight and they are to come with us, Charles pointing at the monastery behind Matthew. If those are the orders then so be it, said Matthew stepping out from in front of Charles. Charles walks in and stands next to Matthew while men who dressed as soldiers walk in and heads towards the door. While they gather up every one, tell me about this imposter from the Vatican Matthew, said Charles. He arrived last year with a sealed letter from the Vatican; the letter had the right signatures and the right notary from the Vatican. He was here to study and keep an eye on Marcus for some reason that is all I know. He was caught a while back trying to sneak into the building holding the artifact by one of the orphans who is now on his way to New York for school, said Matthew. And did you ever find out what happened to this Victor, asked Charles? No sir he was gone after he stole the artifact and his room was empty when we went to search it, said Matthew. I see . . . , said Charles, but cut off when they heard the soldiers dragging out every one from the Monastery. Line them up for transport, shouted Charles. Yes sir, said a soldier.

John was in his room getting ready for bed when he hears a strange voice coming from the hall. John walks over to the door and cracks the door open a little to peek out to see what is going on. He sees the man he saw earlier talking to an unknown assailant in a language John never heard before. The assailant was five feet, three inches tall. He looked like a Spaniard with blonde hair, strange looking clothes that John has never seen before. The two seem to know each other, but don’t seem to be getting along though. John closes his door and heads to his bed to get some sleep. During the night John awakes suddenly and hears a strange howl in the distance. After the first howl he hears more howls coming from the same direction as the first howl, the howling seems to be going south in the same direction as the first howl came from. John goes back to sleep and woke up four hours later and started getting ready when he heard a very loud scream coming from outside, John throws his door open and runs outside and saw that two of the four horses pulling the coach where killed by what looked like wild animals. Velma was holding a shotgun and staring south of the inn. Bob was standing over the corpses of the horses with a bewildered look on his face. The woman was at the side of the door holding her crying child and the man was nowhere in site. What happened, asked John? Wolves, said Velma. Wolves, I don’t think so. These marks are too big for damned wolves, yelled Bob from the corpses! There wolves did you not hear the howling last night, said Velma. Yes I heard the damn howling, but this looks more like a bear attack, said Bob. Bear, Bear, there are no fucking bears around this area. You stupid old coon, yelled Velma. Bob walks over to the stage to get it ready for the trip to the next station. The child has stopped crying, the woman is sitting in a rocking chair watching the commotion, John heads back to his room to get his stuff, and Velma walks around the inn to check the area out. On his way back to his room John ran into the man coming out of his room.

What is all that commotion outside, he asked. There was an attack, said John. Was anybody hurt, he asked. Only two horses, they think it was a bear attack, said John. Well at least nobody was hurt, he said. My name is Jacob McRever, said Jacob. I guess we will be heading to the next out post together, said Jacob, then he went back into his room. John went to his room to get his stuff and headed down to the kitchen for breakfast. In the dining room everybody was already there. Velma was cooking, the child was back to normal, the woman was watching her son, Bob was cleaning his shotgun, and Jacob was sitting at the same spot the day before.

After breakfast everybody was getting there luggage ready for the trip when Jacob went back up stairs. It seems he will be leaving tonight when the next coach gets here, said Velma. Bob led John, the woman and the child to the coach, and Velma followed. Bob got up on the coach and John started handing the luggage to him. After the luggage was stored on the coach rack, John opened the door to the coach and held it open and helped the woman and the child into the coach and they sat down. John got in and shut the door, while Bob was getting the reigns ready. Velma handed John a back of food for the trip then she gave Bob a nasty look and said, Take care of them or you’ll have me to deal with me you understand, and she turned around and headed back towards the inn. As the coach disappeared Velma closed the door and turned and saw a sight she never saw before. In front of her was Jacob, but with blood red eyes staring right at her. Before she could even breathe Jacob jumped and ripped her throat out.

During the trip the woman introduced herself to John. My name is Rachael Malcomne and this is my son Jim, said Rachael and Jim looked up at his mom saying his name. My name is John, said John. We are going to West Virginia to live with my parents since my husband died last month, said Rachael, What about you John? I’m going to New York for school, said John. Mommy when will we be home, asked Jim? Soon Jim, soon, said Rachael. John watched the scenery go by, while Jim slept and Rachael was looking out the window as well. Bob was on top driving the coach when he pulled the coach over for a pit stop. Alright everyone get out and stretch your legs, while I feed and water the horses. We will be at the next post in five hours, said Bob. Bob got down from the driver seat and started to take care of the horses; while John helped Rachael and Jim get off the coach. Jim walked around the coach while Rachael stretched herself, and John closed the door and took out some food so Rachael, Jim, Bob and he can have a snack before they left. Jim came over and sat down on the ground next to his mom. John gave Jim, Rachael, a sandwich and went over to Bob and gave him a sandwich as well. Everyone ate there sandwiches and drank some water. They rested about an hour before Bob told everyone to get back into the coach. Five hours later they came to the next post outside a small town called Portland, West Virginia. Were here Jim, see there’s grandpa waiting for us, said Rachael. Rachael and Jim started to wave to grandpa. A five foot, seven inches tall man; with three inches short whitish-grey hair, wearing dirty brown farm clothes, standing next to the post, while a horse drawn buggy sits behind him. The coach came to a stop and John got out and help Rachael and Jim get out of the coach. Bob handed down their luggage and then got down from the driver seat. John took the luggage and laid them down onto the floor. Jim ran to his grandfather, while Rachael comes to pick up the luggage from the ground. John picks the luggage that Rachael could not pick up and takes them to the buggy. Bob undid the horses from the coach and led them to the stall near the post. When John got to the buggy, he saw Jim sitting in the buggy while his grandfather standing next to the buggy waiting for Rachael. Rachael and John reached the buggy and Rachael introduced John to her father, while John placed Rachael’s luggage into the buggy.

John this is my father, Henry Thomas Johnson, said Rachael, Dad, this is my friend John Miller he’s going to New York for school. Nice to meet you John, said Henry. Nice to meet you Mr. Johnson, said John. Bob walked over to the group and said Well the coach will not be leaving until tomorrow at noon, so you’ll need to find a place to stay until then, and then he headed towards town. John you can stay with us until tomorrow if you like, said Rachael. He can stay, but he will have to stay in the barn, we don’t have room inside though, said Henry, Your brother and his family are here for the summer. The Barn will be fine sir and thank you, said John. John helped Henry and Rachael into the buggy before he got in. The buggy rode a little to the south of town towards the Johnson farm. The buggy came to a stop near a shabby barn next to a brown house. Outside the house were three kids playing while a man and two women sat on the porch of the house. The two of the children were identical twins, short blonde hair, four feet, eleven inches; they are about nine years old. The third child was a six year old girl, four feet even, long brown hair. The two women on the porch, one is five feet, two inches; long white hair, she was around her fifties. The other woman four feet, ten inches long brown hair, she was around her forties. The man was five feet, eleven inches, short blonde hair; he was in his late forties. The folk on the porch sees the buggy stop and everybody climbing out of the buggy. The children see them and run towards them and are yelling grandpa, grandpa. Henry sees them and waves to them while he helps John carry the luggage towards the house. The man and the two women on the porch sees the children run and yell and gets up from the porch and walks towards the arrival from town.

The three on the porch and the children met the group half way. Hello everyone, said Henry, This is John he will be staying with us tonight and will be leaving tomorrow on the stage. John this is my son Michael, his wife Susan, his kids Jake, Thomas, Francine, and my wife Clara, said Henry. Hello, said John bowing his head to them. Hello, said the group. The three kids took off to the house with Jim, while the other walked towards the house with the luggage. While the ladies were in the kitchen getting dinner ready, Michael and Henry were in the living room talking, and John was out in the barn getting his sleeping area set up for the night. John just got done setting his bed roll down when Jim came in and said, Dinner is ready John. Thank you Jim, I will be in, in a minute, said John. Jim left the barn and headed back to the house. John finished setting up his bed roll, and then he left the barn and headed towards the house. John was sitting at the end of the table eating and listening to everyone talk.

After the meal John helped Rachael, Susan, and Clara in the kitchen, while the kids went to there rooms to play. Henry and Michael were in the Living room talking about the coming fair. After John, Rachael, Susan, and Clara were done in the kitchen the ladies went to the living room to rest and John went to the barn to get his bed ready for the night.

In the monastery the soldiers have rounded up all the folks living there and lined them up in a row. This is all of them sir, said one of the soldiers. Thank you, now orders are orders lead them to the wagons outside so we can move out, said Charles. Matthew what is going on here, asked Marcus? Quite, said Charles back handing Marcus. The sun will be up soon and we will be on our way to your new homes, said Charles with a sinister smile.

After John was done he went and sat on the porch looking at the stars and thinking when he heard the door to the house open. He turned around and saw Rachael stepping outside with two cups of tea in her hands. She handed one to John and sat down next to him on the porch. Rachael spoke to John and said, So what are you thinking of John. Not much, just wondering what the future holds, said John. And what does the future holds for you, asked Rachael? Do not know a future as a lawyer or a teacher. What about you, asked John? I see, me I will probably stay here and work on the farm with my parents while Jim will go to the school in town, said Rachael.

They discussed the future for about an hour and a half, then John handed his empty cup to Rachael stood up and helped her up then he said good night and headed towards the barn. Rachael said good night and headed back inside.

About two hours later at the post a strange looking coach arrived and a man in a strange outfit got out. He was about five feet, eight inches, wearing what looks like a black hooded cloak covering his entire body and hiding his face. The stranger walks towards town while the coach vanishes.

Six hours later John wakes up and gets ready for the trip to New York. Ten minutes later after John has every thing packed and ready to go he hears a knock on the door. He turns and sees that Francine and Jim at the door of the barn. Breakfast is ready John, said Jim. Thank you Jim I will be in, in a minute, said John. Jim and Francine leave the barn and John hears Francine giggling. John gets up, left the barn and headed towards the house.

After breakfast John, Rachael, and Henry went into town to get ready for his trip to New York. They arrived at the post ten minutes later. John saw Bob getting the coach ready. John got out of the buggy and Rachael followed. Rachael walked John to the coach while Henry stayed in the buggy. At the coach John gave Bob his luggage and opens the door. John got in and closed the door. John stuck his head out the window and Rachael smiled. I hope we will see each other again, John, said Rachael. Me too, said John. Time to leave, said Bob. John waved at Rachael and she waved back, the coach pulled away from