Warning: Bullying and religious persecution is a theme in this chapter. This chapter doesn't promote the persecution of one's faith rather than tell a historical conflict between two religious groups. You've been warned.

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Maryland. The 7th state was born in a unique environment among the colonies of America. Before he was granted a charter by King Charles I, the first Lord of Baltimore, George Calvert, died. Cecil Calvert, the second Baron of Baltimore, took his father's charter in his steed, granted the Maryland Colony. His younger brother, Leonard Calvert, led colonists to the New World, establishing St. Mary's City as its first governor.

Unlike the rest of the colonies of America who promoted Puritan conformity among their colonists, the Catholic-converted Calvert family envisioned a colony made up of various religions coexisting under the principle of tolerance. As such, the Maryland Colony was seen as a safe haven for England's Roman Catholic minority, establishing the city to be the birthplace of religious freedom.

However, as more settler begin to migrate to Maryland, the number of Puritans began to outnumber the number of Catholics. Consequently this led to a dispute between the two Christian groups known as the Plundering Time. Being a Catholic at the time, Maryland feared for her life and the rest of her Catholic citizens. Despite the discrimination she faced, she endured the bruises knowing the utopia she imagined would back to her.

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"Stop! Please!" I cried out in pain.

"Catholic scum!" One of the boys dragged me into the dirt, kicking sand into my face.

I did my best to cover my face with my frail arms, trying not to get any of the grain in my pale blue eyes. I shut my eyes closed. I could feel their hands grabbing onto my arms, sinking their nails deep into my pale skin. I winced, but I refused to yield. I felt their hands crawl off of me, thinking I was safe. But then I felt one of their hands grasped the top of my head, pulling my head up by the strands of my olive blonde hair. I shrieked, but the scream stop short as my face got pushed into the dirt.

Suddenly, my head became heavy, rubbing my face deeper into the dry ground. I tried to get up for air. I tried to push my face to the side, breathing with my nose and spitting dirty out of my mouth. I screamed some more, begging for them to stop. Fluttering my eyes slightly enough to see what was happening, I saw the perpetrators: three between the ages ten to twelve, wearing shorts and thin, cotton shirts with one of them standing above me, pressing his right foot on top of my head like a hunting trophy. They all have the most depraved smiles on their small faces.

I knew those boys. At least, I thought I knew them. They were normally well-mannered boys. They belonged to good, Puritan families. I remember meeting up with them after Church on Sundays, playing with them in the fields. They would tease how short I am, but it wasn't malicious. I don't understand. I did nothing to them. Why are they doing this? Please tell me!

I was only coming back from the forest with a basket full of wild berries when all of a sudden they ambushed me. They called me many things, nasty things I don't normally speak of. I tried to run away with my small legs. They kept blocking my way. The next thing I knew, the oldest among them pushed me to the ground and started beating me. The other two watched him before joining him. I kept asking why they were doing this, only to receive a mouthful of dirt and one of them telling me to, "Shut my mouth!"

Rage. Sorrow. All I could feel was their torture in this confused chaos.

The weight off my head disappeared for a second before getting pulled back up by a strong grip. I yelped in response. "You think you can go wherever you please? Huh?!" I met the dangerous eyes of the oldest boy.

"P-Please! Let me go!" I pleaded in tears. "Mercy! Ple- Ow!"

He punched me across my cheek before dropping me on the ground. I raised a hand to my cheek, feeling the skin swell and burn underneath my tears.

"Hahaha! Pathetic!" I heard one of them mocking me.

I stumbled to get up, but fell down once again. I heard someone coming toward me, turning around to see the youngest boy stomping toward. I crawled away.

"No!" I screamed.

"Worthless piece of dirt! I hope you die!"

I hid my face just in time before I felt a hard force to my arm. I curled up into a ball, enduring his hard kicks all over my body. Suddenly, I felt two kicks coming at once, bringing more pain throughout my body. My ribs, my stomach, my chest, my legs, they wanted me to turn purple. As I endured their hits, I felt someone messing with the strands of my hair. I thought they were going to pull on them, but realized they were just undoing my braids. Now that my hair was loose, one of them started to pull my hair, tearing out my scalp as I cried.

Why can't I fight back? This was wrong. I wanted to teach them a lesson. I wanted to tell them what they were doing was degrading, pointless, and mean. I curled my hands into fists. I tried to get up, but winced to a kick in the gut. I was beaten, again and again. All I could do was wait it out, wait until they stop which seemed like forever. When is it going to stop? Why can't they leave me alone?

"Look at me!"

I refused to look.

"Look! At! Me!"

Hesitantly, I opened my eyes, staring at the wicked face of the oldest boy.

He spat in my face. "Hehehe! Stupid! You really are a weak bitch!" He laughed before punching me in the eye.

I blacked out after that.

~

Blinking open my eyes, the first thing I saw was the sky. It was orange and blue without a cloud to be found. I was afraid to move a part of my body. Every place around my body felt numb and swollen. I felt a few stings from ants biting along my arms and legs, adding insult to injury. Yet, I didn't bother to bat them off. Water formed at the corners of my pale blue eyes, but I didn't cry. I just lay there quietly, staring blankly at the beautifully quiet sky.

I wanted to believe I've took a nap in the shade. I wanted to believe. I wanted to believe everything that happened earlier was a nightmare. I wanted to believe the pain all over my body was my imagination... As much as I tried to believe, I knew it was hopeless to spend anymore time thinking about it. I just want to forget the incident and go home.

I bit my lip.

Slowly and carefully, I sat myself up. I scanned the area, making sure the boys were nowhere in sight. They must've left some time ago seeing as it's going to be dark soon. They're still boys who have to listen to their parents after all...

Steadily I stood up on my wobbly, bruised legs. I brushed the ants and dirt off my arms and legs, wincing every time I touched a lump. I probably look like a mess, seeing as I couldn't get some of the dried dirt of my body. Nor did I have an idea what my face looked like. Most likely swollen as I felt my cheek, numb to the touch. Smacking my dry mouth, I got a taste of dirt and grass. In disgust, I tried to spit the taste out, but it was still there, bitter and nasty. I gave up after the seventh spit. I tried getting some of the dirt out of my hair, trying to make myself somewhat decent. Touching the strands of my short, olive blonde hair, I remembered the braids along the sides of my face were gone now...

'Don't,' I told myself in my mind. I just want to go home and forget what happened.

I limped forward, taking a few small steps forward to gauge my ability to walk. Other than the numbing pain under my skin, I was stable enough to walk on my own. As I got back on the dirt road, I remembered my basket full of berries. I looked around, but the basket was nowhere in sight. Did they took the basket with them? Did they threw it away elsewhere? I didn't bother checking the area. It was getting late. I need to go home.

I began my long journey home. Every step forward was heavy. The numbness in my legs made walking difficult. It didn't help the ant bites were starting to get itchy. At times, I wanted to stop and fall down to my knees, unwilling to go back home within the settlement. Yet, I pressed onward.

It's not fair.

I bit my lip once again.

Eventually, I reached the settlement: St. Mary's City. My broken body stumbled into the empty town. The people were settling into their homes, eating supper or getting ready for bed. The few who were outside didn't bother to look at me. It was like I was a ghost, invisible like air. Despite the bruises and cuts all around my body, they didn't show any concern for the wounded, little girl. All they saw was a dirty, Catholic who-

"You there!"

My shoulders tensed to the deep voice behind me. I spun around to see a brutishly tall man with long, curly, black hair and threatening, brown eyes. Once seen as a friendly chief trader who shipped us vital supplies from England, I saw him for what he truly is. A savage brute like a pirate, a jerk who takes advantage of and steal from good people. Because of the terror he caused upon his conquest of the city, that ungrateful Villagine started looting people's property, going as far as to burn the houses of those who disagree with his policies. Richard Ingle, he truly is a despicable traitor.

I glared at the man as he approached me. The cocky smile he had on his narcissistic mug proved he could care less for a person, even if that person were a poor girl like me. Like most of the people, all he saw was a dirty Catholic. He may be bigger than I am, but I won't let him get the best of me. I stood my ground, withstanding my fear of him as he grew closer to me.

He cackled, recognizing the familiar Catholic girl of the Calvert family. "Where you sneaking off to?" he questioned my motives like I was a shady criminal.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "None of your business," I growled.

"Didn't they teach you any manners at church? Then again, this is the Catholic Church you're going to." He took a step toward me, making his large chest out under his giant chin. "Tell me, where have you been all day? You better be truthful, or else you're going to regret it."

"... I was picking berries."

He eyed me skeptically. "You're lying."

My eyes widen. "I'm not!"

He slapped me across the cheek. I stumbled backward in shock.

"Lies! You've been sneaking off with boys, you dirty, Catholic whore."

"No, I'm not! I really did go out picking berries."

"If you're not lying, where are these berries you've been picking? Huh?"

I gritted my teeth. I could've told him the truth of what happened, however, he'd probably excused I was lying, being the Catholic scum that I am. Rather than waste my breath, I shut my mouth.

Hearing nothing come out of me, he snickered. "You better apologize for lying, or else," he said.

I should've apologize and be on my way like the good girl I was. I knew I couldn't fight him. In my mind, I kept recalling my torment from earlier. My hands tightened into fists.

"... You're not going to get away with this," I gritted my teeth, "What you're doing is wrong! Once Leonard gets back, you'll be sorry! Just you wait and-"

His large hand slapped my face, knocking me back onto the ground. Before I could absorb what had happened, a fleshy vice grip grabbed my throat, picking me off my tiny feet. I squirmed and fought to be freed, but his grip wouldn't permit me to flee. I clawed at his hand, trying to get loose, but his grasp tightened around my skinny neck. I squeaked for air, calling for anyone to stop him, only to receive a malicious laugh from the merciless pirate.

"You think he's going to come back? Hahahaha!" He cackled before thrusting me to the ground. "You're lucky I haven't put you in chains. But the next time you dare defy me again, I swear it'll be more than chains you're going to worry about," he threatened. "Now move along before I change my mind. Off with you!"

I hurried to my feet, cradling my throat as I coughed for air.

For certain, I was determined to see him gone. Ever since he and his men conquered this city, he has been a big bully to the Catholics. He was the reason the Protestants turned against their Catholic neighbors. As a result, numerous Catholic families were forced into suppression in fear of their Puritan overlords. I truly despise him. I want him to regret ever coming here. I want God to punish him for the tyranny and ruthlessness he has done. I want him in chains, gone for good.

Yet, two years have passed since his conquest, and he's still here.

There was nothing I could do other than to turn my back away from him, retreating like a dog's tail as I scampered away from his sight, doing my best to hide the frustration in my eyes. No matter how far I sprinted, I could still his cruel laughter behind me. It was humiliating. Running away from my bullies, I couldn't believe this was happening. Fight and get battered. Run and get battered. I keep getting hurt, and I'm sick and tired of it. I endured as long as I can, but I can't. I can't do this anymore.

Where are you, Leonard? Why aren't you here to protect us? Where are you?

I teared up.

When I made it to the house, I slammed the door behind me. I met the warm eyes of Leonard's wife, Anne, who was in her night gown. In her arms was her daughter, Ann, who started to bawl loudly upon my loud return. Seeing him cry, I couldn't hold back the tears. I collapsed on the floor, crying in hiccuped sobs. Devastated by my broken appearance, the new mother came to my side, baffled without a clue to the suffering I've been through in the last few hours.

"It's okay, Mary. I'm here for you," she hushed me as she tried to get both the baby and I to calm down.

After putting the baby to bed, she prepared me for my bath. She took my dirtied clothes off and proceeded to scrub the dirt and sand off my body, as gently as she could. She could've questioned my bruises, but she didn't. Either she was trying to keep me calm, or she was too shock to say anything. I appreciate the silence, not wanting to hear her worries. Even then, I knew I still have to tell her what happened.

Once I was cleaned up and treated for my cuts, I asked to be put to bed. I hadn't ate yet, but I wasn't in the mood. Anne didn't protest, but she did ask me to consider eating something. In the end, she agreed to let me sleep. She placed a kiss on my forehead as I sat in my bed, ready to lie down and sleep. However, the young woman didn't leave my side just yet.

"I think it's best for you to stay inside. For now at least." She didn't have to explain to me.

Yet, I couldn't help, but feel saddened. I bit my lip, and she noticed.

"Please stop biting your lip."

I immediately stopped. The tears started to appear in my eyes.

"... I don't understand. He promised he would come back for us," I whimpered.

"He will. Leonard will come back for us." She tried to comfort me, however, her words only kindled the frustration in my chest.

"When?" I demanded. She looked at me unsure, unable to answer. I looked down on my lap. "He has yet to come back for us. Is he even planning to come back?"

"Don't say that. He will come back. We just need to wait a bit longer."

I have her with a vexed look. "Longer? I can't wait any longer! I can't take this anymore! Those...people... It's been a year, and Leonard isn't back yet. He probably abandoned us!"

Anne grew startled by my last sentence. I realized what I said was insensitive, especially toward the wife of an exiled husband who has to care for her infant son alone. I cried once again. Anne was there once again to hush me.

"Pray and believe in God," she said in a soft, motherly voice.

"Which God?" I sniffled, trying to get a hold of myself.

"The one who believes in justice and righteousness."

I shook my head. "There's no such thing as justice or righteousness. There's only greed and cruelty."

She isn't wrong, but after everything I've been through, I couldn't help, but become consumed by my cynicism. Richard Ingle is still here. And nothing has changed since he came and made this city his own. I've put up with the torture he had done. But now, I don't think I can take another breath.

"Don't let him get to you," Anne advised as though she read my mind.

"I won't," I nodded my head, "Like I stoop to his level."

If I could, I would've been satisfied with a kick to his groin. And yet, I could never see myself torturing people out of vengeance. I'm no monster. I'm no Richard.

"Good." Anne softly smiled as she gently tuck me into bed.

I breathed out a sullen sigh. "I miss him."

"I miss him, too," she said. "Be patient. Leonard will come back."

After everything that's happened, I still couldn't believe how faithful she was to her husband. If only I could hold as much faith in Leonard as her. How does she stay calm? How does she stay hopeful?

"How can you be sure?" I asked her.

She made the smile of a heavenly angel. "Not only do I believe in God, but I believe in Leonard as well. My husband will never abandon us. He's the governor of this city. There's no reason for him to forget us. He will come back. I know he will."

I yawned. "Of course he will." I softly smiled.

After getting tucked in, Anne sang a lullaby. Her harmonious, gentle song and lovely voice reminded me of Leonard and this city in its former days. It reminded me of a peace between two groups of people who live in harmony, a beautiful life full of prosperity and kindness. A land where one's faith can coexist with another's. I dream of such a place with Leonard by my side. We would be standing at the top of the hill, looking down at the great city and enjoy its beauty like a breath of fresh air. The people would be free, and no one would have to suffer or be sad anymore. It's a dream I hope to see one day come true before my very eyes.

~

When the morning light lowered onto my face, my ears opened to a baby's wails. My eyes wide and awake to my surroundings, I sat up and uncover the wool blanket I slept under. Setting my feet down onto the wooden floor, I winced remembering the sore bruises I have underneath the bandages. Carefully, I made my way out of the room, looking to see where those cries came from.

Entering the main room that consisted of both the living room, dining room, and kitchen, I looked to see Anne holding her infant daughter with a man at the front door hugging William, their son. I recognized his long, puffy, brunette hair and mustache as well as his hazel eyes. William giggled while the man held the infant with a smile on his face. I could only stand there in amazement, quietly observing the happy family of four.

"Y-You... You came back," I uttered in disbelief.

Anne was the first to see I was in the room. She said something to him as the man looked up from William to meet my eyes.

"It's good to see you again." He softly smiled.

I blushed, unable to hold back my emotion anymore. I rushed toward him, crying to see him alive and well. I hugged him and William tightly. I recognized his warmth, and was glad to see this wasn't a dream. He's here, standing in front of me. After all this time, he finally returned to save us.

Leonard, welcome home!

"You're here! You're really here! Y-You're...alive!" I wailed.

"It's okay. Everything is going to be fine." Leonard comforted me in his arms.

"Ingle... He..." I whimpered.

"Don't worry. Ingle is being held in jail at this very moment. He'll get what he deserves," he assured me.

After crying a bucket of tears and a glass of water to soothe my dry throat, I was able to calm down and talk to Leonard. We sat together on the same sofa while Anne sat in her own seat, rocking her baby to sleep. Little William sat next to his mother, trying to stay quiet until his father gave him attention.

"What took you so long?" I mustered up the courage to ask the question.

He frowned, appearing full with regret. "When Richard Ingle took over, I narrowly escaped to Virginia for the time being. I worked endlessly to find anyone willing to help me stop him. It was difficult, but I was able to gather enough men to help me get the city and the island back." His eyes darted down to the bandages that managed to poke out from the long sleeves of my cotton nightgown. "What happened to you? Who did this?" he sounded upset.

I did my best to smile. "You shouldn't worry. I'm better now thanks to Anne."

He didn't seemed convinced. "Was this Ingle's doing?"

Guiltily, I managed to give him a curt nod. "Not just him. Some of the people..."

I couldn't tell him the people who were responsible for my injuries. I hated those three boys. Even if their actions were due to Ingle's influence, I personally wouldn't defend or forgive them. I wanted to fault them, yet a part of me wanted to move on and forget all that has happened. In the end, I end up not telling Leonard, not wanting him to become anymore guiltier in his absence.

He seemed know I was hiding something, judging my silence. However, he was kind enough not to press me further. For now at least. "You're safe now. You don't have to live in fear any longer," he got up from his seat, "I'll make sure nothing like this happens again."

Leonard went toward the door as I followed after him.

"Where are you going?"

Leonard looked back at me as he opened the door to the bright day outside. "I'll be with our leaders to decide on the fate of Ingle and his accomplices."

"Can I come with you?" I took a step forward, but he held out his hand to stop me.

"No. It's a private matter. It's best you stay with Anne until I return."

"But-" I wanted to protest, but a hand on my shoulder stopped me.

I turned around to see Anne with her baby standing behind me.

"Don't worry. He won't be gone for long," she assured me.

I wasn't sure at first. After enduring Ingle's torment for months, I grew distrustful of others. Now that Leonard's back, I wanted to say everything will go back to normal. Yet, the past won't disappear. The people who lived here are the also the ones who accepted Ingle's actions. What's to say they won't turn their backs on us, or Leonard for that matter. Remembering Anne's words, however, this wasn't the time to doubt. Whatever Leonard is going to do, I need to have faith in him bringing an end to the conflict and bring the two sides together. If I do just that, a bright future will show itself.

"Come back soon. I'll be waiting," I told him with confidence. "Bring justice to the people and set things right."

Leonard nodded sternly. "Don't worry. I'll make sure Ingle never steps on Maryland soil ever again."

And true to his word, Claiborne and Ingle were never seen again. Life went back to normal. For now at least...

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+ The Plundering Time was in summary complex conflict between Maryland Protestants and Catholics. Long story short, William Claiborne fought with Leonard Calvert over ownership of Kent Island. English Parliament (under a Catholic king) sided with Calvert which infuriated Claiborne. When the English Civil War broke out, Claiborne and Ingle took advantage of the chaos and convinced many Puritans to overthrow the Caliverts, consequently claiming Kent Island and pillaging St. Mary's City. Their temporary reign of rebellion ended when the Calverts retook both the island and the colony.

- Obviously, this chapter only shows one perspective in this complex conflict. Information on this event, especially on Richard Ingle was limited from what I looked up. I apologize if there were some inaccuracies in this story. For those who know more on the subject, feel free to correct me in a polite manner, so I can fix the story to make it more accurate.

+ On a side note, I had to take some creator's liberties regarding Calvert's wife, Anne Brent. There wasn't a whole lot on Leonard Calvert and the early branches of the Calvert family tree. From what I looked up, Leonard Calvert married Anne Brent, however, he also had another wife whose name was unknown according to Wikipedia. He made two children with this unknown wife before his ill-timely death. Rather than make up a name for the new life, I made this chapter as though the children came from Anne Brent. Hopefully no one has an issue with this decision.

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Feel free to vote or comment any thoughts on Maryland or the chapter here.