Read Hortons Bend for Free Online

simply exhaled but held his hands up when his brother started to say something.
    Ronnie looked around the site and felt a twinge of outright fear. The mist had more of a glowing quality than when they had arrived. He gazed off into the distance towards the Horton farm house and then returned his eyes to the burial to further study its contents. J.W. had gotten from his knees instinctively awaiting Ronnie’s instructions. Ronnie retrieved a small wooden probe from his vest and gingerly moved the cane panel further down the torso. Now he could see the copper motif plate. With a careful hand he slowly slid the cane mat further down the torso and out of the way. His eyes widened as he pulled the corner of the bamboo construct up and looked beneath the panel to find a thin rectangular object that appeared to be covered in gauze like material. He was almost short of breath when the saw the dull green patina covering the cuprous plate. The gauze fell away as it was as thin as fine cobwebs. J.W. held the light for Ronnie who was now transfixed by their find. Ronnie knew about the armor used by the Spanish explorers but this was no European breastplate. This was a highly regarded ceremonial item of which no one had seen in centuries. He could make out intricate design elements that were both embossed and engraved into the metal. The designs seemed to be comprised of prehistoric designs alongside Old World figures. Ronnie gingerly removed the copper plate which looked to measure about one foot square. There appeared to be a religious significance to the figures on the plate. The design, while difficult to make out, seemed to represent an offering ceremony in the complete with animals and a friar. Ronnie became a little dizzy trying to comprehend what he had discovered.
    He slowly looked up at J.W. whose eyes were darting out in the distance and back at him. Ronnie realized what his brother was so fixated on. The mist they had encountered earlier had thickened and was glowing brightly. Something wasn’t right. Ronnie quickly jumped from his knees when he thought he saw movement in the distance. What he saw at that moment went against everything he could ever imagine. His surroundings offered limited visibility but yet he could clearly see multiple adults wearing very little clothing moving in their direction. The figures eyes glowed just as the mist did and Ronnie began to worry. He realized he was still clutching the copper plate when he looked over to his brother and said, “J.W.! Listen to me! Take this and run. Now! Do not look back.” J.W. had been drilled on an escape but had to ask “You’ll be behind me?” Ronnie nodded and pushed his brother in the direction of their boat.

    Ronnie began to slowly move towards the edge of the field. He watched as his brother made for the bank of the river. J.W. only looked back once as he slid into a break in the cane stand. The figures were no more than twenty feet away when he came to a stop and faced his pursuers. Ronnie realized then that somehow he had walked back into the past. What other explanation could there be? The fifty plus men facing him were costumed in clothing from the 16 th Century. They were striking men with a fierce composure. The young members of this group were carved lean bodies that carried no fat. An older man led the group and was obviously an important figure to them. His adornments gave credence to his status. Easily eighty years old his shoulders sagged. His wizened eyes glared disappointment and hate at the intruder. Ronnie began to take in the whole of the group. Some carried clubs while others with bows stretched tight kept their arrows pointed at him. Those standing in the front of the group pointed to Ronnie. While their eyes glowed, these ghosts of the past opened their mouths but nothing came out but a piercing shriek. Ronnie started to run but he knew there would be no escape. He prayed J.W. could navigate the river home. He looked beyond his captives