Gray Valley

(Note: This is a prequel to the book I made named, Passing By. I recommend reading Passing By before this, or certain parts won't make sense. It’s the story of Jonas, who we didn’t see enough of. It will show his backstory and what truly happened to him. The story starts when Jonas is 13, in Alabama, 1874. Enjoy the story.) 

September 14th, 1874. 

I wandered through the littered grass of the hill. It looked as gray as a wolf. I remember when it was green. Only green. The color truly bothered me as it gave another attitude. I sat on the gray grass and looked up into the clouds. Cloud gazing was a hobby of mine. All you do is lay down, feel the wind in your ears, and look up into the clouds to see what shapes they make. The clouds were originally as white as a dove. Now they’re gray as wolves. I remember when it was white. Only white. Pollution didn't just affect the nature around it. I had a connection with nature, a special connection. My life was polluted as well. I heard a man yelling my name, and I ran back to my rusty house.

“Father, what’s wrong?” I asked.

“Get in the shack, Jonas!” My father said quickly.

I didn’t understand what was happening so I didn’t change positions. Father yanked my shoulder and pulled me into the shack. I started to hear bullets.

“Jonas, hear me. There are some men here to assassinate us. They caught you standing up for a negro.” Father said.

“Don’t call them negroes, father! They’re misjudged, they’re as mortal as us!” I said.

“Be cautious with your words, lad! Never stand up for a negro, ever. You will get hurt. Your mother and I are going to escape individually, so in case we get caught, you’re not hurt. Watch over your little sister, Maddie. I love you, son.” He said.

I was speechless. I didn’t know what to do. Father made one final smile at me and then ran out of the house. I ran to go find Maddie. Eventually, I found her hiding in the hay in our warehouse.

“Maddie, we gotta get out of here. We can get on your favorite horse, just come on!” I said.

Maddie made a slight frown.

“We can ride Sally?” She asked with tears in her eyes.

I quickly nodded and picked her up. I put her on Sally. I’ve never ridden a horse, but I didn’t have an option. I jumped on Sally and she hurried away.

November 2nd, 1874.

It has been about two months since the incident happened. Maddie and I were getting pessimistic. Sally galloped to my rusty school called Dirksen School. I needed to get some stuff to survive. Each kid had a dirty pail to put supplies in. I found some clay that we used and I put it into my satchel. I found a pocket knife as well, which could end up being useful. I walked outside of my school and I looked up at the sky. It was entirely unclean and a few tears fell out of my eyes. I quickly stopped crying and I told Maddie it was time to go.

“Wait, Jonny! I see mean people!” Maddie said.

Maddie was only 6, so I didn’t understand what she was saying to me.

“Who’s being mean?” I asked.

Maddie pointed behind me, and I saw three kids attacking a black kid. I recognized the kids and growled in anger. I walked towards them. 

“Curtis quit it! You are such a racist!” I said.

One of the kids who were my crucial rival was named Curtis. He glared at me with his cold brown eyes.

“Oh, if it isn't Barker.” Curtis teased.

“That’s Jonas to you. Let Billy go, he did nothing to you.” I announced.

Curtis and the two other boys snickered.

“James, Charlie, should we let the fellow go?” Curtis asked the other two kids.

“We’re doing god a favor. Keep beating Billy Black!” Charlie said with a giggle.

They kept punching him, and I was getting angry.

“Curtis, you asshole!” I said angrily. 

I grabbed the ruff of Curtis’s beige jacket and threw him onto the ground. Curtis’s nose started bleeding.

“Jonas, Jonas, Jonas.” Curtis said slowly as he got up.

Curtis snapped his fingers, and James slapped Jonas. James and Charlie held up Jonas.

“My purpose in life is to be an officer. A successful officer. I must kill fifty negroes, presumably more. It's time to eliminate my first one.” Curtis said. 

Curtis kicked Billy in the face twice, and blood poured out of his mouth. I gasped. Charlie and James pushed me into the dirt. 

“I hope that educates you, Barker!” James said. 

The boys kept cackling hysterically. Curtis stopped laughing and went up to me.

“Don't interfere again, or you'll greet agony,” Curtis said. 

I didn't say anything, and I ran back to the horse. 

“It's time to go, Maddie. We're going to Huntsville. Seemingly, I can get employment there, and we can get ourselves a home. It'll take a while to get there. It should only be a couple of days.” I said.

Maddie nodded and smiled. We galloped away.

May 7th, 1875. 

We struggled. We were lost and couldn't find Huntsville. Maddie fell ill, and I didn't anticipate what to do. I found a cottage, and I knocked on the door. A black kid about my age walked out with a harmonica.

“You're not here to send me to the sheriff, are you?” The boy said.

“No, of course not. My sister has gotten sick; please let us in. She needs rest.” I said. 

The boy smiled.

“I would gladly let your sister rest. My name is Henry; I'm 13. My Mama and Papa got killed by those officers.” Henry said.

“I’m so sorry; the world is misgoverned currently,” I said.

Henry nodded with a frown.

“I have some canned pork and beans; we can eat that,” Henry said.

Maddie was coughing and had lumps on her face. We heard knocking on the door.

“Henry, hide under the bed!” I whispered.

Henry did as I said without hesitancy. A man walked through the door. 

“Hello, Jonas. My name is Sheriff Bentley, and Curtis told me that you stood up for a negro.” The man said.

“Please, sir. My sister is sick.” I said.

“Listen, Jonas. Turn in a negro, and ill let you and your sister come to Huntsville. I'll give her treatment, get you a job and a home.” Bentley said.

I gasped.

“If you don't turn in a negro, someone will get hurt.” Bentley told.

I had no idea what to say.

“You can't ask me a question like that,” I said.

Bentley peeked under the bed and saw Henry.

“Gotcha!” Bentley barked.

Bentley plucked Henry out from under the bed.

“Haul this gull to prison,” Bentley asserted to two other officers.

I gasped.

“Stop!” I shouted.

“Get behind, boy. You did the task; you and your sister can come to Huntsville. See you there.” Bentley said with a smile. 

I started to weep, and Maddie nuzzled me. I unhurriedly stepped out of the cabin and got on Sally. Sally galloped to Huntsville. After two hours, I gasped. I saw Henry tied up to a tree.

“Henry! What happened?” I asked.

“That child, Curtis, he recommended to bind me up here so I could starve!” Henry mumbled in distress.

“Curtis is a monster. I have a pocket knife; I'll cut the rope.” I said.

“They put oil on the rope! It would help if you had something to rub against it!” He said.

I smiled. I took the clay out of my satchel and rubbed it against the rope. I kept the clay on the rope and grabbed my pocket knife. I cut the rope, and Henry gasped with joy.

“Thank you! You're incredible! I never learned your name.” Henry said.

“My name is Jonas. Jonas Barker.” I said with a smile.

Henry smiled back at me.

“I'll be getting on to my house. I'll see you around, Jonas.” Henry said.

Henry ran back to find his cabin. We went off to find Huntsville.

June 28th, 1875.

Maddie and I were one day away from Huntsville. I saw an African American man and woman. They looked hungry, and I got off Sally for a moment.

“Young man, could you spare us some food?” The woman asked. 

The man was carrying a boy that looked to be about two years old.

“I have one can of pork and beans. You can have it; you need it more than I do.” I said.

I handed them the can, and the two-year-old smiled at me.

“Thank you, friend. My name is Kevin!” The little boy said.

“Pleasure to meet you, Kevin,” I said.

I smiled at them, and the woman hugged me.

“God bless you.” The woman said.

The man smiled at me and patted my back. 

I hopped back on Sally and headed to Huntsville.

June 29th, 1875.

We made it to Huntsville, and I directly got Maddie into a house. I put her on the bed, and I was about to get medicine, but someone walked in my door. It was Curtis.

“It's kind of you to visit. Where are James and Charlie?” I asked.

“They stood up for a negro. Had to make sharp work of ‘em.” Curtis said.

I glared at his eyes.

“You indeed are the devil’s henchman.” I said.

Curtis made a giggle.

“Was that supposed to scare me? Don't flatter yourself, Jonas.” 

“Leave me alone, Curtis.”

Curtis smiled at me.

“I know you let the negro go.” He said.

I made a slight gasp.

“How did you know?” I asked.

“I know you so well; I've known ya for fourteen years,” Curtis said.

Curtis ran up to me and kicked me onto the ground.

“You defended a negro. I remember telling you not to alter my plans.” He said.

Curtis kicked once more and walked up to the bed. He grabbed Maddie by her hair and threw her onto the ground.

“Go to hell, you little piece of shit,” Curtis yelled.

I gasped.

I immediately stood up. I grabbed Curtis’s shoulder and tried to pull him onto the ground. Curtis slapped me, and I fell.

“Stop! Maddie didn't do anything to you! MADDIE, STAY IN THERE!” I yelled.

After two minutes, Maddie stopped breathing. Curtis smiled at me and walked out of the cabin.

February 9th, 1876.

I was unaccompanied in Huntsville. I had abrupt remembrances of this place; my parents used to take me here. Then, I remembered something. There was a valley, a giant green valley. I loved to just lay in it and cloud gaze. I ran around Huntsville, trying to find the valley. It was called Shepherds Prairie, and I found it. I gasped. It was gray. Gray. The worst color to exist. Gray. I looked at the valley in regret. I walked on it, and all the sprouts were lifeless. I didn't see any pests or critters. I sat down on the gray grass and looked up into the atmosphere. I saw gray clouds. One cloud made the silhouette of a monster. I couldn't stand this anymore. I ran out of the valley, and I went to Sheriff Bentley’s office. I found a revolver on the ground and picked it up in case I needed it. I walked into the office.

“Sheriff! I have two requests for you.” I confessed.

“I'm listening,” Bentley said.

“To start, stop killing innocent African Americans!” I growled.

“They ain't innocent; they're varmints. I'm handling them.” Bentley said with a smile.

I glared at him.

“Secondly, you need to handle the pollution! You're hurting the environment!” I snarled.

“It ain't affecting me! Get out, boy.” He said.

I was about to walk out of the department, but I had to assert one more aspect.

“If you won't do anything, I will.”

April 7th, 1877. 

I had cleaned up the town with my bare hands. I sabotaged a few factories, and the sky looked cleaner. The gray was gone. I went to Shepard’s Prairie. I sat on the grass and looked into the sky. The sky was white. Faultlessly white. The clouds made silhouettes, particularly turtles and newborns. I heard footsteps behind me.

“Jonas, you've indeed turned over a new leaf.” The voice said.

I kept looking into the sky, not enthusiastic about who the person was.

“Please listen.” The voice said. 

I stood up and glanced behind me.

“What do you want, Curtis?” I said in anger.

“I want to give you an apology. I've done awful things, and I'm ashamed. I've decided to stop hurting negr- I mean African Americans. Tonight, I and some companions are commemorating the sovereignty of African Americans!” Curtis announced.

“They're free! I misjudged you, Curtis. You're just complicated, I suppose.” I said.

“Yes, yes, complicated indeed. It would help if you came to the banquet tonight. We need help with the guests! It'll be at the decayed shack in about an hour.” He explained.

“Why the shack?” I asked.

Curtis made a subtle smile.

“Because that's where the festivities begin.” He said with a chuckle.

Curtis walked away, and I smiled. I found a dirty cap on the ground and put it on my head. Curtis said to come in an hour, but I wanted to go early. I walked to the shack and knocked on the door. A scratchy voice said, “Come in!” I walked inside, and the lights instantly went off. My eyes went shut.

April 8th, 1876.

“Wake up, Jonas!” A voice said.

I slowly opened my eyes. I saw Curtis and five other men dressed in white.

“Meet the Ku Klux Klan,” Curtis said.

I glared at them in disgust.

“I won't mistreat you, Jonas. I have a lesser favor to ask you. Steal Bentley’s cell keys and give them to me. I'm planning on becoming Sheriff.” He declared with a smile.

I gasped.

Two of the men in white hoisted me out of the shack. I had to get those keys, or Curtis would perform something terrible. I found a sack and put it on my head. I snuck into the Sheriff’s office. Bentley was asleep on his chair. The keys were hanging in his pocket. I slowly grabbed it. I gradually walked out of the office. Bentley immediately stood up.

“Criminal! It's a negro, assumably; get him!” He shouted.

I started sprinting to the decayed shack. Bentley started chasing after me with two other officers. I eventually made it to the shack and closed the door.

“Did you get the keys?” Curtis asked.

“Yes, yes, I did,” I said.

I handed the keys to Curtis. Curtis made a smile.

“You are a beneficial asset, Jonas, although I’m afraid your work is done.” He said.

He kicked me onto the ground. Curtis ran out of the shack with the keys and went towards the sheriff’s office.

“Damn it!” I yelled. 

I took off my mask and started chasing after him. I saw a Ku Klux Klan member, and he started chasing after me. I pulled out the revolver that I had obtained and shot the member. Meanwhile, Curtis went into the sheriff’s bureau. Bentley was angrily flipping through the press. Curtis pointed his gun at Bentley.

“I will need that badge of yours; I'm the sheriff now,” Curtis said.

Bentley took out his revolver and pointed it at Curtis.

“Step in that cell, now,” Bentley said.

“You don't have the key, fool,” Curtis said.

He gasped. Bentley looked in his pockets and realized they were gone.

“Hand over the keys now, or I will not hesitate to shoot.” He said. 

“Don't be an idiot!” Curtis said with a laugh.

I walked into the department and pulled out my revolver.

“All humans are idiots, Curtis. However, only some do idiotic actions.” I said.

“Try and shoot me.” Curtis said with a laugh.

“I'll try, and I'll miss,” I said.

“I'm getting close to pulling the trigger,” Bentley said.

I shot the lantern, and it exploded. The room went black for a split second, and a fire started. I ran out of the building, and I heard bullets. Curtis grabbed a bucket of water and put out the fire. He ran out of the building with the keys, and Bentley was furious. I was shocked. It was time to start my life, so that's what I did.

October 6th, 1890.

I managed to get a job as a ticket-man. I could vow it had another name, but the man who hired me called it that. It wasn't exciting, but I made money. The only somewhat intriguing aspect was finding out about people's destinations. I walked out of my ticket booth and went to the officer's station. I saw Curtis leaning on a pole.

“Did Bentley allow you to become an officer?” I asked.

“He did. A little bribery can do the trick.” Curtis said with a gold coin in his hand.

“I hope you know how evil you indeed are,” I said.

“I'm aware. In fact, I'm very aware. It's a capability I possess.” He said.

“I see. I would say good luck, but it isn't that way. Is it, brother?” I asked.

Curtis smiled.

“Let me ask you something, Jonas. Whatever happened to those whores?” He asked.

“Define whore.” I responded.

“What happened to mother and father?” He asked.

“They escaped separately; I speculate they're dead.” 

“Ha, they had it coming. I hope you get the shit you value, brother.” 

“I will get the shit that I deserve. And so will your ass.” I said.

Curtis glared into my eyes, and I walked away. I stood in my ticket booth, waiting for something to happen. I heard footsteps. Two boys walked up to the stand. The first boy held up two tickets.

“Two tickets to America, please.”