Pictures at the Protest (The Virginia Mysteries Book 9) by Steven K. Smith
Author:Steven K. Smith [Smith, Steven K.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: MyBoys3 Press
Published: 2020-12-02T00:00:00+00:00
Chapter Fourteen
As they stepped off the gravel path behind Maggie Walkerâs grave, it felt like the forest had swallowed them. A few trees and branches had been cut down across the first few yards into the woods, but after that, it seemed like no one had touched the place for decades. He had that sense again, like heâd had when they drove in, that theyâd entered the land that time forgot.
They walked along not so much of a path, but a trail that might have been little more than what animals used to get through the woods. The ground sloped down gently, and everything around them was green. Lush ivy spread across the ground like a blanket, but it also clung to the tree trunks and branches like it was determined to take over, choking anything in its path. It didnât take much imagination to think the entire landscape was alive and moving. Seemingly random headstones and hints of graves jutted from the ground. It was eerily quiet and still.
Sam thought about what Mr. Gibson had said, that some people buried back here were from the first generation free from slavery. Some might even have been born enslaved. Although the more they learned about Jim Crow, the more Sam realized living in those times was hardly like being completely free.
âOh, no. Is that what I think it is?â Caitlin pointed to a single stone cross on a square marble block halfway down the slope. Three fallen headstones were laying at odd angles around it, half-buried in the ivy. Someone had sprayed red paint along the side of two of the stones.
âLooks like graffiti,â said Derek.
âThatâs even worse than what was done to the bridge.â Caitlin folded her arms angrily, but then glanced over at Jason. âSorry, I didnât mean it like that.â
Jason shrugged. âI know. I donât like it when they do that either. But thereâs no reasoning with DeShawn or his friends sometimes.â
Sam leaned down and tried to read the inscription on the stones. ââStella Elizabeth Wells. March 2, 1863 - October 20, 1929. Loving Wife and Mother.â Thatâs nearly a hundred years ago.â
âShe was born right in the middle of the Civil War.â Caitlin pointed to the bottom part of the stone. ââWhatsoever her hand found to do, she did it with all her might.â Thatâs so beautiful, but also so tragic that itâs lost out here in the woods like this.â
A loud motor rang out through the trees. Sam couldnât tell if it was a dirt bike racing through the woods or some kind of workerâs equipment. âWhereâs that coming from?â
âI think itâs over here,â said Derek. âLetâs check it out.â
âBut what about Mr. Gibsonâs parents?â asked Caitlin.
Jason peered all around them and shook his head. âI think he was right. This might be a hopeless cause. Weâd need a map or something.â
âOr a GPS,â said Derek as he jogged off to the right and toward the noise.
A flash of movement caught Samâs eye in the other direction, and he heard a rustling sound.
Download
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.
Beginner Readers | Chapter Books |
Intermediate Readers |
Among the Betrayed by Margaret Peterson Haddix(11392)
05 Trials of Death by Darren Shan(6221)
Ranger's Apprentice 1 - The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan(5705)
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle(5307)
Percy Jackson 1 - The Lightning Thief by Riordan Rick(4696)
Suicide Notes by Michael Thomas Ford(4631)
I'm Still Scared by Tomie dePaola(4175)
Pocahontas by Joseph Bruchac(4010)
The miraculous journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo(3948)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak(3858)
07 Hunters of the Dusk by Darren Shan(3540)
The 101 Dalmatians by Dodie Smith(3287)
The Science Book (Big Ideas Simply Explained) by DK(3123)
Winnie_The_Pooh by A. A. Milne(2809)
Harry Potter 4 - Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire by J.K.Rowling(2785)
The Ring of Sky by Chris Bradford(2736)
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry(2715)
The Wrath and the Dawn by Ahdieh Renee(2615)
0041152001443424520 .pdf by Unknown(2573)
