Chapter Text
Getting Revenge
~.~ Roselyn ~.~
I never knew my life could change so drastically because of one man. A man who changed my life...for the worst. I have hated Jack for years for what he did, and still, I have not had the privilege of putting a bullet through his heart. Every day I wished to find him and teach him the lesson he had earned to put himself in the grave. I anticipated the day when the last thing he would see would be his own blood-saturated shirt and me smiling as he slowly fades into darkness...into his miserable and gruesome death.
The year was 1872, located in Washington D.C., U.S.A. Jack Tanton was a low-life piece of scum who was the sheriff of our town. However he came to own that title was beyond me. He seemed to be a respected man around these parts. Everyone seemed to like him; everyone but me. I always thought there was something off about him. It seemed I was right.
The way he looked at my Mama whenever he would see her did not sit well with me. There was lust in his eyes. He would watch her in church services, while she walked through town, while she went to buy bread...you name it; he was there. It seemed that for a long time I was the only one who noticed it. I mentioned it to Pa one day and he shrugged it off, saying, “He is just looking out for everyone and making sure they stay safe.”
Over time I could see Pa keeping an eye on Jack. What I said to him became more and more apparent over time. The way Jack became bolder and started talking with Mama more and more. I could see worry growing on Pa's face. He eventually warned her to stay away from Jack. By that time, she could tell that something was wrong with the whole situation. The way Jack talked to her became more intense and occurred more often. She even reminded Jack she was a married woman.
I still remember that day when Jack came to my house. Pa had been out that day. I had been playing with my doll Lucy just before asking Mama to play hide and seek with me. She agreed. I went to hide and waited for her to come and find me, as I lay hidden under her bed. Suddenly there was a knock at the door and she went to answer it.
“Jack, what brings you here?” Mama asked in surprise as he stood at the door. “Oh, hush now. I think we both know the answer to that question,” he said huskily, with a stupid sly grin on his face. She stood there in silence. “I noticed your husband has stepped out. Where is your daughter?”
She hesitated for an answer, then chose to remain silent for a short moment. “Matthew will be back shortly. What do you want?” She finally uttered. A disgusting and menacing smile slowly crossed Jack's face. “I do not think we really need to play these games, do we Margaret Cartwell?” Jack asked. She shut her mouth, surprised by his blunt remark. He slowly advanced toward my mother.
She backed away as he came closer to her. I was helpless laying under the bed. What was I to do? I remained a coward and silently started tearing as I watched him advance towards her. I held Lucy tight for comfort as he pulled Mama close to him. She struggled to become free but it was no use; he had a strong grip on her.
Jack tried to kiss my mother. She resisted. I suddenly heard the sound of the front door opening. Pa was home! I was relieved to know that he would stop Jack from harming Mama, or so I thought. When Pa saw what was happening, he spoke up.
“What are you doing?” Pa asked, confronting Jack. Jack was startled to find Pa home so early. An angry expression crossed Jack's face as he released his grip from my mother. He quickly reached for his gun to shoot my father! Pa quickly reacted and stopped Jack's hand from pointing at him.
They struggled with the gun and shuffled around. A moment later the gun went off...BANG! There was a ringing in my ears from the loud gunshot. The sound of the gun had frightened me and I realized I was closing my eyes tightly. I snapped back into reality when my father let out a loud moan. My eyes were open at that point and I heard my father call out in agony, “Noo!”
My eyes quickly darted over to the right to find my father's face in torment. He fell to the ground on his knees. Where was the blood? My eyes searched again. There was nothing. It was then that I realized he was looking out in front of him at my mother.
I quickly looked to my left and found my mother falling on her side to the ground. My father called out again as we both watched her hit the ground with a thud. “Nooo!” As he went to get up to head toward her, he noticed Jack step up close to him from his right side. Pa froze and looked over to find Jack pointing a pistol toward him. “Look what you made me do!” Jack raged. Fear swept over Pa's face as Jack cocked his gun. I looked away and closed my eyes as Jack pulled the trigger. BANG!