Alternate Price of a Child Ending

Chapter Thirteen- When It All Falls Down

As if agreeing to one final effort, the horses broke into a rhythmic walk. Tyree laughed.
“How much longer ‘till we get to Zilpha’s?” Tyree asked.
“Just five miles or so Mr. Tyree. Don’t you worry.”
“That’s good to hear, Merce. I can’t take much more of this unbearable drive.”
Tyree smiled and put his head in his hands. Mercer tugged on the reigns of the horses gently nudging them to a halt and Tyree looked up inquisitively.
“Before we make it to the house I need to tell you something,” Mercer muttered in a barely audible tone.
“Sure, Mercy. Just tell me what’s on your mind.”
Mercer turned to face Tyree and took a deep breath. She knew this was against her better judgment.
“I think I’m in love with you.”
Tyree sat there in silence and utter amazement. He looked her over for a few moments and bit his lip as he spoke to her.
“I think I love you too.” He made his way up the wagon and squeezed in the drivers seat next to her. “Since I met you I have felt like you were something special, and now I find myself thinking of you all the time. I wouldn’t let anyone hurt you.”
Mercer felt her face heat up and she turned her face away as she whispered. “Let’s leave. Let’s take my children and start new.”
Tyree smiled and pulled her face back to him. “Sounds good. We can go to Canada.” Mercer returned the smile and he slowly edged closer kissing her lips softly. He tilted her head to the side and kissed her neck.
“Not now Ty,” Mercer groaned, his lips feeling warm and delightful to her.
“As you wish,” he replied returning to the passenger seat. “When we get to Zilpha’s I will tell everyone and secure some money for us. And I’ll make sure I get enough to get Bennie back. I wonder what your ex-master deems the price of a child.”
Mercer tugged roughly on the reigns and let the horses go as fast as they could. They trotted and the two sat in stunned silence at what was just said, thinking about spending some time together. About fifteen minutes had elapsed when Tyree jerked up from a nap.
“Something’s burning!” he shouted.
Mercer got past a thick brush of trees and gasped as she saw the horrid sight. Zilpha’s house was ablaze and only two people were outside. “No!” She muttered sadly.
A voice rang out as two men with muskets walked towards the wagon. They were laughing and smelled of ash. “You know we couldn’t let all you free niggers live in peace right?” Tyree clenched his fists and Mercer began to cry for her children. “They all burned. Too bad huh? Oh wait, we had to shoot this one drunkard.”
“Bea…” Tyree said through gritted teeth. He reached into his sock and pulled out a small knife.
The two men laughed sinisterly again and loaded their guns. “We killed that other nigger you call Nig-Nag earlier. Imagine the reward we’ll get for returning proof of all your remains. I mean, obviously not nearly as much as for you alive but beggars can’t be choosers.”
“I’ll kill you!” Mercer screamed with tears in her eyes. Both her and Tyree had had enough. They jumped out of the wagon and rushed the men who were just finishing loading the muskets. Tyree ran towards the one on the right, Mercer on the left.
Tyree heard two shots ring out and he ignored the pain in his arm, but as he looked back and saw Mercer hit the ground he was inconsolable. He plunged the dagger into the man’s chest and jumped on the second before the first one could fall. “Why won’t you die?” The white man shouted as Tyree stabbed him repeatedly, screaming nonstop as he did. Both men now bloody on the ground Tyree walked over to Mercer. She was dead, shot through the chest.
“I’m so sorry Mercy. I’m so sorry…” he moaned the pain beginning to settle in. Tears, for the first time in a long time, began to stream down his face. “It’ll be so much better where your going I promise.”
Tyree was so busy letting his emotions out he didn’t hear the first man he attacked reloading. The shot echoed out and he looked down at his chest, his shirt becoming dyed with his blood. He didn’t care. He had nothing left.
Tyree fell to the ground in front of Mercer and he took her cold hand in his. “I’m so sorry” was all he said as his eyes rolled back into his head, the man chuckling to himself. It was all over.