Step Back In time

September 14, 1620

Dearest Mother,

          We have finally arrived to the new world! We are all healthy and well. How are you? I have missed you very much.

         The Mayflower arrived to Plymouth one week ago. It may seem strange to you because we were destined for Jamestown; but some harsh winds threw us off course and we decided to establish our own settlement.

         Upon our arrival we composed and signed a document stating that we will make decisions “for the general good of the colony”. We named it the Mayflower compact. This document has helped us be certain that there will be no guile when running the colony.

         It is imperative that you come join us before King James the first´s soldiers find out we are separatists. I can assure you that you will love the colony and our new home. The fresh air and beautiful wildlife puts everyone in a happy disposition. But beware; your friends and neighbors are not to think coming here is a spontaneous decision. They must think that you got on the boat because you run out of money and had no more options. I must also warn you that the voyage is turbulent and long.

Well dear mother, I must go now! I will be expecting and looking forward to your company. You will finally be free from the Kings persecution!

           With love,

    Your Son, Alexander       

MY LAST BREATH

I wake up to a chuckle, and I know he is watching me again. Clad in his nightgown and holding the lantern. He thinks I don´t know, he thinks I don´t hear him.  When he stands at the door while I simulate sleep for hours; as he pushes the door further and further as slowly as he can. He opens the door gingerly so that I won´t notice.

For eight nights he has done this, but it´s not like it surprised me. I knew he was a mad man from the beginning. The look in his eyes; the way he grimaced every time I looked at him. And yet, I hired him; and for a while it was fine, he took care of me, conducted inventory of my riches, watched the house while I was away. But as time passed, he changed.  He became crazier than ever, watching my gruesome eye for hours at a time. And that’s when I surmised he was planning something; and as the days went on, as he started coming to my room at midnight I derived the obvious, he was going to murder me.

But I wasn´t going to get in the way of his endeavor. For I am old, I have no wife or kids; I am alone in this world and frankly; I am ready to succumb.

So now, there he is at my door, holding the lantern. And I know that today is the day as he opens the lantern ever so slightly and a ray of light falls on my eye. He sees it, and this seems to electrify him as he runs abrasively towards my old dehydrated body. And I know there will be no one to corroborate my murder. But there is no time to fight now. He is here, at my bedside grabbing me by the wrist and throwing me on to the floor in a cursory manner. I allow my self one shriek to say goodbye to this world, and he moves my bed on top of me as I take my last breath.