All I can see are their boots, but I can tell these men are savages. They’ve been at it non-stop ever since they broke into the manor. Rummaging through drawers, overturning furniture, and occasionally ferreting out one of the residents from their hiding spots.
They found Maria, the cook, first. From the sounds of it, she tried to ward them off with one of her copper pots, but it didn’t seem to do any good. She was still screaming when they dragged her out into the courtyard. Only the harsh bang of a pistol could silence her. The footman, scullery maid, and laundress met the same fate. I pray that the servants who lived outside the great house had more time to escape. Huddled under the bed, I draw myself smaller as a man runs past, stomping down the stairs two at a time. There’s a distinct rattle of porcelain before a newly heated exchange. Cringing, I realize they’ve most likely just destroyed my favorite vase. It’s a shame. The one with the little, blue flowers was always my favorite. “We ain’t here for no picnic,” the same man continues to yell, switching languages. “Leave that.” Shiver runs through me.
How I ended up here was the biggest question on my mind. Like Christopher Columbus, I too burnt with the desire to set sail to the vast and discover new foreign land. It was my mindset that got me here. A few months ago I sailed across the pacific sea after I saw how much praise Christopher Columbus got for being an invader. I wanted the same affection for me. I ordered my man to buy a ship that was the biggest on the market and we would sail. I took the blessings of the Spanish royal family before sailing away for a journey. I should have known better that since I was on an official journey, I would have competition. I saw a French warship sailing on our way and I did the biggest mistake ever, I ordered my men to fight. But when my men won, it was much of a defeat for us. We settled our ship on an island close to the French islands. When I thought my glory would be celebrated here, I was instead insulted. I had invaded a sacred lands of both the French and the British, an island that was forbidden to invade. I gave up all my titles and sailed to the west coast of Spain to live in peace but it was no good use. They had hunted me down.
When a shotgun fired I screamed out of a nerve. The man revealed me under the table and dragged me away. One of the French men came up to me and beated me up. Before he did anything else, he pointed his shotgun on my forehead and fired.