Chapter LVI:

The Civil War only lasted for four years. In one more year, everything would fall to pieces. It would all start with another dead body on the property.

The children ran up to my cabin, pounding on the door. Maddie and I were asleep at the time.

“Mr.! Mr.! Get up! Get up!” they screamed. I lifted my head while I was half-asleep.

“What?” I asked. The children ran into the cabin.

“Maddie! Mr.! There’s another body!” one of the little kids screamed. That was enough to wake Maddie and I up.

“What?!” I shouted. I jumped out of bed and ran out of the cabin. I could hear the footsteps running after me. The children caught up to either side of me.

“Where is it?” I asked. Phil, I think that was his name, pointed forward.

“There!” he shouted. I looked in the direction where he was pointing. Sure enough, there was another body lying up ahead. The world disappeared around me as I ran closer to the corpse. The child looked about six or seven years old. This time, the child was black. I couldn’t tell if it was a boy or girl. The feet were dirty. I could see moss between the toes. The right hand was missing just like the other body. I thought I was going to throw up. Maddie froze and fainted. The kids stayed by in fear. That did it. I couldn’t stay with them anymore.

I decided that I would flee that cottage in the night.

I didn’t have anything to pack. I would just leave the gifts that the children made for me. I couldn’t have any ties to me. I’ve stay here long enough. I wasn’t even going to say goodbye to them. I already did enough damage to them. They couldn’t take anymore from me. No, this was how it had to be.

Luna watched me the whole time. I could feel her smirking at my back. I wanted to turn around a strangle her. I closed my eyes and shook my head. I couldn’t focus on that. I had to get out of here. However, she isn’t the only problem.

More and more ghosts keep appearing around my land. They don’t say or do anything. They are always watching me. Part of me wishes that they would speak. At least then they wouldn’t be so creepy. Plus, it could take my mind off of her.

“Mr.?” I heard behind me as I stood at the door in the middle of the night. I froze. I looked over my shoulder. Phil, I think that’s his name, stared at me in the darkness.

“What is it?” I asked. I could see his big eyes staring at me.

“Where are you going?” he asked. I could barely understand what he was saying because his two front teeth were missing. I sighed and lowered my hand.

“Away,” I said. I couldn’t see his little face, but I could tell that he was frowning at me.

“Are you coming back?” he asked. I shook my head.

“No,” I said. Then I walked out the door. And that was it.

I don’t know what became of her other siblings after that. I don’t know if the ghosts got them or if they lived on. I don’t even remember what they look like anymore. But that wouldn’t be the last time that I saw Maddie. Neither would it be the last time I saw Luna either.

Soon, I traded up one war for another one.