The next morning Lilly stood outside of the prison and stared into the woods. The terror of the previous night hadn’t discouraged her, and the bright sunlight made her bold. She felt for her pistol, safely tucked in a pocket of her thick skirt. She headed to the edge of the path. She knew what she’d seen. If there was something unspeakable out there, she had to understand it.
She couldn’t let it hurt Elijah or Benjamin.
A deep, throaty growl came from somewhere in the woods. She stopped and looked around, then dug into her pocket for her weapon. Fear returned, digging into her with fierce talons. Panic surged unexpectedly, stabbing her like a knife in the gut. She gasped for air, never feeling this unhinged in all her life.
She hurried back to the path bordering the trees, almost running. A second later she heard the trot of a horse and the rattle of wagon wheels. Isaac and his wagon appeared around a bend. Relief slowed her pounding heart as she stepped out onto the path so he would see her.
When Isaac saw her his mouth widened in a smile, then faded a moment later. He stopped the wagon.
“Ma'am, what on earth are you doin' out here all by yourself? It's not safe.”
She drew in a shuddering breath, unwilling to let the boy know exactly how terrified she’d become. “Everyone keeps telling me that. I needed some fresh air away from the prison.”
Isaac looked doubtful. “Fresh air don't do you no good if you're dead. Come on now, let me take you back.”
“But you don't go all the way to the prison,” Lilly reminded him.
“Well, I done imagine I can do it this time. For you, ma'am. Now get on in here.”
Lilly smiled as she got into the cart. “You are quite the demanding young man, Isaac.”
He chuckled. “Ain’t never been anyone tell me that ‘afore.”
They shared another smile before she sobered. “We need more medical supplies. There was a guard sent to tell you but they found him dead.”
Isaac’s face cleared of amusement. “I heard. They sent another man.”
She noticed the supplies in the back of the cart, but then turned to him. “Isaac, do you believe in monsters?”
Isaac’s expression conveyed that he wondered if this was a trick question. When she didn’t elaborate, his eyes widened and he scanned the woods around them.
“Ma'am, please don't tell me you seen a monster out here?” Isaac’s voice was tinged with concern.
Lilly examined the woods and pondered the question. “I don't know what I saw. But I do know this place is full of monsters. If only the human kind.”
Isaac softly clicked to the horse and they moved forward.
Lilly dug into the small bag she’d tied to her waist and produced the letter to Clara Barton.
“Isaac, before I forget. Can you take this and post it for me? It must get to Clara Barton post haste.”
Isaac smiled and nodded. “For you, ma'am, anything.”
“Please, Isaac...call me Lilly.”
“Miss Lilly.”
She laughed. “All right. That will do.”
He took the letter and pocketed it.
Perhaps if Clara Barton knew of the horrific conditions at Andersonville Prison, she might send more than just nurses. Her mind drifted to Elijah and Benjamin, and her heart felt tight in the confines of her chest.
Lilly was dead tired as she organized supplies in the medical tent. Dr. Jacobson paid Isaac for the supplies and sent him off with a wave and a smile. She watched the boy leave the prison with some concern. How could he possibly be safe out there? It was no place for an adult, let alone a child, and a slave to boot.
Dr. Jacobson walked up to her. “Corporal Chillingsworth asked me to check on you this morning. Says you had a bit of excitement last night?”
She hesitated to explain. It was something she couldn’t really speak about, could she? People would think she was insane.
“I’m fine,” she said. “I went out to take the air, and got too close to the woods. Corporal Chillingsworth was being a bit over-protective.”
“Are you sure that's all that happened? He said he saw you run from the woods after shots were fired.”
When she searched his eyes, she saw they were filled with concern, not malice. “Can I trust you to be discreet?”
“Of course,” Dr. Jacobson said.
“There were shots fired. But I didn't fire them. I saw a man go into the woods. I went after him, thinking he might be a prisoner and need help. I heard these growls…terrible growls...and then I saw a man. He had a rifle and was looking for whatever was growling.”
“Who was it?” Dr. Jacobson looked more than concerned. He looked afraid.
She hesitated again, uncertain how he would take the information. She made herself speak. “It was Dr. Reynolds. And he was determined to shoot at those...those things. He did, and I ran from the woods and smack into the Corporal.”
Dr. Jacobson stared at her for a moment, then looked at the ground. He didn’t speak for so long, she started to worry that he thought she’d lost her mind.
Finally he spoke. “What on earth would make Oscar attempt something so unthinkable?”
“I don't know. He gives me the shivers. I don't trust him as far as I can toss a bale of hay.”
“I suppose my next question is what on earth were you doing out there? Do you not understand the dangers of this place? Especially for a pretty young woman?”
“I’m beginning to.”
She pulled the pistol from her skirt pocket. The doctor’s face turned shocked.
“Who gave you that?” he asked.
Lilly’s stubbornness, her innate desires to do what she wanted when she wanted, showed through. “The way I see it, you don't need to know where I got it.”
He shook his head and clicked his tongue. “Wait. It was Chillingsworth, wasn't it? He has some feelings for you. I can see that.”
Lilly looked directly into to his eyes, determined she wouldn’t be dictated to again. “Maybe so, but I need the pistol. I am not safe from threats within this prison, and without. And I will tell you this, if Oscar Reynolds can't kill whatever is out there, I will. Before it can kill my brother or my Benjamin.”
Dr. Reynolds entered the tent before Jacobson could respond. Dr. Reynold’s smiled as if it was a fine, enjoyable day. Dr. Jacobson shook his head, and Lilly knew instinctively that he was trying to tell her to keep her gun concealed. She nodded. Silence was golden…for now.
Blood streaks marred Lilly's apron. Her days were filled with the sick and dying. She scrubbed at her hands with soap, but nothing could take away the stain of suffering and death. Fatigue wore her like an anvil firmly settled on her shoulders. She felt someone staring at her and noticed that Dr. Reynolds was the culprit. She averted her eyes quickly, determined to ignore him.
Dr. Jacobson left a patient and came to Lilly as she dried her hands. Dr. Jacobson checked his pocket watch. “It’s time.”
Lilly faced him, curious. “For what?”
“I have a surprise for you.”
Lilly wasn’t sure she wanted any surprises. “Oh? What is it?”
Dr. Jacobson smiled. “Don’t worry. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.”
Lilly allowed him to lead her from the tent and to the north main gate into the prison. He is going to let me into the prison? The idea thrilled and terrified her at the same time. She spied Confederate and Union prisoners working at the burial trenches.
Dr. Reynold’s appeared next to Dr. Jacobson, but Jacobson ignored him. Chillingworth also arrived. His cool expression said he wasn’t too thrilled with Lilly being so close to the main gate.
“This isn’t a good idea,” Chillingsworth said.
Dr. Jacobson looked at the younger man. “You allow me to worry about that, Corporal.”
Lilly noted that Dr. Reynold’s didn’t look too pleased either.
“What is this about?” Dr. Reynold’s asked with ice in his voice.
Before anyone could answer, the north gates yawned open and two prisoners dragged out a huge cart piled with bodies. Guards kept pace behind the prisoners pulling the cart.
Lilly’s heart leapt and staggered. Her breath came short as she recognized the men.
“Elijah! Benjamin! Oh my heavens,” she said.
She broke into a run toward her brother and his best friend, her beau.
Dr. Jacobson lurched into action behind her. “Lilly! Don’t!”
Love gave her feet wings as she ran. She didn’t care what happened to her, didn’t think about it. She noted when Benjamin and Elijah saw her.
“Lilly!” Benjamin started toward her.
Elijah moved toward her as well.
Guards grabbed the two men.
Elijah struggled. “Let me go you bastard! That’s my sister!”
The guard growled at him, “Stay put or I’ll shoot you and your sister.”
Benjamin also struggled against his captor’s hold. “Lilly!”
She felt hands grab her from behind.
“Let me go!” she screamed the words.
Benjamin subsided, no longer trying to get away. “Don’t you hurt her! I swear—”
Dr. Jacobson turned Lilly toward him. “You can’t get close to them. I wanted you to see there were alive and well.” He lowered his voice so that only she could hear him. “At least for now you can’t see them. Have patience. I’ll arrange for them to come to your cabin tonight.”
Lilly wanted to tell him to stick it in his ear, but she took a trembling breath and nodded. He loosened his grip and she waved to Elijah and Benjamin. They waved back.
Dr. Reynolds shook his head in disgust. “This was a very bad idea.”
She glared at him. “Please, can’t I at least go to them?”
“No, not right now,” Dr. Jacobson said.
“They are so thin,” Lilly said.
Dr. Jacobson sighed. “Of course they are. But life isn't as difficult for them as it is for some of the men. Believe me.”
Chillingsworth threw an impatient look at Lilly. He gestured with one hand. “We had better go back inside. Before someone loyal to Wirtz hears about this.”
Dr. Jacobson took her arm. “He’s right. This could get us all into trouble. Let us go.”
With one last wave to her loved ones, she turned away.
Back inside the stockade, Lilly clustered together with Chillingsworth and the doctors.
Chillingsworth leveled Dr. Jacobson a stern look. “That was a very bad idea.”
Dr. Jacobson didn’t look amused. “Corporal, I’ll remind you who you’re talking to. Now get back to work.”
Chillingsworth raked Lilly with a half angry, half concerned look, but left without speaking again.
She knew that he worried about her—she’d begun to understand that the longer she stayed at the prison. She also sensed it was more. That he cared for her in an affectionate way. But her heart belonged only to Benjamin.
Dr. Reynolds turned toward both of them, anger clear on his face. “That was a foolish idea. If someone tells Wirtz—”
“Are you going to tell him?” Dr. Jacobson asked.
The air went thick and silent. Lilly said, “Please don’t. Benjamin and Elijah are all I really have left. My parents…”
Dr. Reynolds waved a hand. “All right. Just to keep harmony, I won't say a thing. But you don't honestly think this is going to keep quiet. You are still a prisoner here, Jacobson, but you seem to have forgotten that.”
Dr. Reynolds stalked off.
Dr. Jacobson stuffed both hands through his hair. “As I said, I'll make arrangements for your brother and Benjamin to meet you at your cabin tonight. Don't tell anyone else.”
Lilly started to walk away. “All right.”
“Wait. What did you almost say about your parents?”
Reluctance hit her, but she considered his request and then complied. “Benjamin and I were betrothed before the war. My parents didn't approve. They wanted me to marry a wealthy banker they'd picked for me.”
“I see. Benjamin was a newspaper man. Not a respectable position in their eyes?”
“Not wealthy enough. If he'd been a lawyer like Elijah…”
“I see.”
Remembered pain hit her. “When my parents discovered that I was going to train as a nurse, they were unhappy. When they heard I planned to come here...well..they tried to prevent me from leaving the house. I ran away.”
“You're either very brave or very foolish.”
“Perhaps both.” Lilly sighed. “How did you arrange for me to see them?”
He smiled ruefully. “I have my ways.”
Grateful, Lilly took it no further and left the tent.
Later that night Lilly ate a plate of beans and bread at her table in the cabin. She looked at the watch on her chatelaine. Someone knocked on her door. She startled. She hesitated, unsure of whether she wanted to greet anyone.
She found her voice. “Who is it?”
Dr. Jacobson’s voice came through the door. “Dr. Jacobson. With friends.”
When Lilly opened the door and saw Dr. Jacobson with Benjamin and Elijah, tears sprang to her eyes. Benjamin and Elijah pushed past the doctor to embrace Lilly. She hugged the both at the same time, the awkwardness overrun by the pure joy.
“It’s so good to see you,” Elijah said as he stepped back.
Benjamin slipped his arms fully around her. His eyes sparkled with joy and a shimmer of moisture.
She’d never seen him cry before, and when one tear slipped out, she kissed him.
He responded passionately. He pulled away, looking sheepish.
“I'm not much to kiss anymore, Lilly. Filthy as a pig. Not fit to touch a lady,” Benjamin said.
Elijah poked his friend in the side. “Not that you ever were.”
Lilly laughed with the men. She couldn’t deny they stank to high heaven.
“I don’t care,” she said as tears formed in her eyes. “You cannot imagine how wonderful it is to see you both. Thank you so much, Dr. Jacobson.”
Dr. Jacobson smiled warmly. “It's only for a few moments. The guards at the gate know what we're doing, but it'll cost me if I don't get them back very quickly.”
Benjamin embraced her again and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead.
“Don't know how you did this, Doc, but thank you,” Elijah said.
The doctor shook his head. “Don't thank me too soon. Dr. Reynolds didn't like it when I set up the situation earlier outside the gate and Corporal Chillingworth...well, I'm not one hundred percent sure I can trust him.”
Elijah nodded, his eyes grim. “Probably shouldn't do it again. He seemed to consider something. “Unless you want to help us escape.”
Lilly was shocked into silence for a moment. “Oh, my heavens—”
Dr. Jacobson made a sound of disapproval in his throat. “No. No, that isn't going to happen. I'd be in danger, and more than that, Lilly would be in serious peril if you tried to escape. The guards look the other way because I pay them. That's all.”
Lilly’s heart hurt. She wanted nothing more than to see her brother and Benjamin free. Yet keeping them safe was more important. “As much as I wish you could both escape, the Dr. is right. It is too dangerous for all concerned. I have to ask...have either of you heard those horrible howls and growls in the night?”
Elijah and Benjamin exchanged glances.
Elijah shifted toward her. “Just coyotes.”
Lilly sighed. “No. It can't be just that. It can't be.”
Benjamin cupped her shoulder, and she saw the affection and concern in his eyes. “There are a lot of wild animals outside this prison, and not just the furry kind.”
Exasperation took hold for her. “I understand, but I saw things in the woods when I went out there—”
Benjamin gasped. “You went into the woods? Lilly—”
A loud knock startled them all. Dr. Jacobson went to the door and opened it slowly.
Lilly’s heart pounded in her ears, fear ramping high.
A guard stood there. “Sorry Dr. Jacobson, but they can't stay longer. We have to get them back inside the main prison.”
Lilly hugged Elijah and Benjamin tightly for a moment, then broke away.
Elijah’s eyes shimmered with tears, or was it her own tears deceiving her?
“I love you, sister,” Elijah said. “Please take care of yourself.”
“I will. I love you both,” she whispered, broken by the dreadful thought of her loved ones returning to that horrible place.
Benjamin embraced Lilly and they fell into a kiss until Dr. Jacobson loudly cleared his throat. They broke away.
Benjamin squeezed her shoulders again. “I love you, Lilly. I will see you again soon.”
Lilly’s heart felt like it might break in two. “I love you so much, Benjamin.”
She watched, fearful as the guard took her men away. Dr. Jacobson followed them.
Lilly closed the door and locked it. She leaned against the door and sobbed.