​Anticipation

This story is part of the "Finding Your Voice" creative writing series, which you can learn more about over on the Hackschooling blog!

By Taylor Cole
 

​A knock.  A single knock on a door can cause a series of events, for better or worse.  This knock though, it was for the worse.  For this knock would change Lucy Ludington’s life. ​

The year was 1778, Boston.  Lucy was washing the dishes when she heard the knock.  She rushed to the door and opened it just enough for their eyes to meet.  She saw the redcoat.  “May I help you?” Lucy asked. 
​
“There is word going around that someone is hiding a soldier from the Continental Army in their house, I going to have to search your house,” the redcoat demanded. 

“I assure you sir, there is no one else in this house,” Lucy answered. 

“I’m sorry but I have direct orders,” the redcoat stated firmly. 

“From who?  Bring me to them this instant!” she shouted. 
​
​“Ma’am, I need you to lower your voice, if you have nothing to hide, this shouldn’t be a problem.”  Lucy thought to herself, I do have something to hide, but she had to let him in.  “Come in,” she finally said. 
               
As the hours went by Lucy watched the redcoat thoroughly search her house. She knew she couldn’t hide it for much longer.  Her heart was racing in anticipation of him finding it. It seemed as if the ticking of the clock intensified and it was all she could hear.  She laid back in her chair thinking of what might happen to her.  After what they did to her brother and all that he went through, she couldn’t stand the thought of the same happening to her. 
               
After completely searching both floors of her house, the redcoat headed to the basement.  What he found there is what sent Lucy on the run.