Encantober | Day 3 | TragedyÂ
Alma clutched her babies close to her chest. All three asleep thankfully as the journey carried on; hours past since they had left the city, every part of Almaâs body ached and burned but she knew that they couldnât stop and rest, not yet as they led the way in the dark with the candle as their only light through the trees.
Up ahead, she could see the glistening of water,
âHow far must we go?â Señora Guzman asked, sidling up beside her, her new husband in tow but with a babble of children close. The woman was only 5 years younger than herself, but it was clear to see the woman had managed to save a good few children before they had run; theyâd no doubt have to do a run-down see if their parents had been part of the leaving group with them.
âAs far as we need to.â Pedro spoke, âonce the trees get thicker, we have better chances to hide and rest. If we see a river, we cross it. Rough terrain, we take it. If thereâs a way to hide our tracks, we take it as well.â
Alma winced at the thought; the idea of getting wetâŠor uneven floor. It ached a lot between her legs and she was sure sheâd soon bleed through her cotton padding soon. Childbirth of triplets was almost too much for her body but she had to keep her strength up and keep going.
âWhatâs that sound?â
They paused, if a little but Alma felt the fear in her throat as she realised the distant thumping was getting closer. Thumping of hooves against trodden down grassâŠ
âGo! GO!â Pedro shouted and no one else needed to be told twice; the back already moving. Feet splashed through cold water, before Alma forced herself onwards with Pedroâs guiding hands egging her onwards.
Water soaked through her boots and into her socks, making her gasp out as her aching feet was swamped with the rush of cold, tingling up her legs that made her waver as the rover bed was inconstant . Her skirt dragging a little but soon enough, her feet met solid ground and sloshed up water onto the bank. Pedroâs hand pushed her upwards as she hissed and faltered.
âKeep going, my vida.â He urged.
Fear pumped adrenaline through her veins, trying to work her legs, the fabric of her skirt flapping against her legs
One of her babies mewled, stirring now with the change of pace but Alma had no time to try and hush; no point now they were all found.
Pedroâs pace slowed, hesitating in the corner of her eye.
âPedro..â her head turned, her heart in her mouth as he stopped; the people following kept going because why stop? Why did Pedro stop? âWe have to go!â
Pedroâs head tilted to her, his eyes going soft. âI have to try.â
His hands cupped her face, pulling her into a kiss but Alma blinked. âPedro!â Her eyes could see the men in the distance by their pinpricks of torchesâŠ
A soft kiss was delivered to each of their tripletsâ head.
His bag abandoned to the floor; forcing her to leave it as she staggered back, her eyes welling because she knew what he was going to do. But⊠she didnât want him to go. To leave her; to leave their children. He alone wasnât enough. Pedro was unarmed.
âAlma, Move.â Señora Guzman pulled at her arm, pulling her with the crowd, but she could only see Pedroâs form disappear, reaching the river and began to wade acrossâŠ.
This had to be a bad dream.
She was back at home in bed and pedro was looking after their three babies.
âIâŠI canât.â She shook her head.
Guzman looked at her with a wide gaze but Alma couldnât tear her gaze away as the four men. Reached the bank.
If Pedro was bargaining, she couldnât see it⊠only the rise of their weapons.
She could have only imagined the wet sound; too far to actually hear it. Pedro was there. Next he wasnâtâŠ. seeing him disappear, it was like all the energy had been sapped away with himâŠ
Alma didnât see when Guzman pulled her babies from her arms; quickly realising she wasnât going to be moving, even as the man crossed the river and thundered towards her.
Alma knew it was futile in running, they were dead by morning anyway. Just like Pedro. Only a miracle would save themâŠ
Her empty arms wrapped around the empty baby blankets; some part of her relieved someone had the strength she didnât. If there was a chance; it was theirs. Her body was too weak.
Her eyes closed as the thunder shook the ground.
She could hear the sharp calls of the men, urging the horses to be quickly. So Alma imagined Pedro at her side, how he had been hours before as she pushed their first baby out; seeing him almost faint as little Julietaâs squealed in displeasure of her new environment alone on their bed sheets.
Her eyes opened once, tiredly but only in time to see the first manâs horse come to a step, brandishing the bloodied blade ready.
If they said anything, she didnât hear it.
âCome on, one more push!â Pedro called in her mind. âyouâre doing wonderful!â
Alma closed her eyes again, preparing herself. She wasnât the first⊠butâŠbetter the last. A miracle for her babies, sheâd give her own life for that; for her babies to live. Alma didnât see the swing before she was struck.
The candle light beside her fallen form grewâŠ
hehe yep, a Tragic ending; it took Alma to sacrifice herself for the magic, not just Pedro. The tripletâs survive.
I plan to repost this on my side blog @casitafallzâ with my fracture AU (that version is an AU version of this with a different ending. so donât be too surprised