Franklin County, 1908.

A ten-year old Howard Bondurant dragged his younger sibling down the long dirt track from their home. Forrest scuffed his feet across the rocks and dust, unaffected by the older boys tight grip around his wrist. There was a stark difference between the two, not just in appearance but made more obvious in the way they carried themselves. Howard walked with purpose, legs taking long, impatient strides but even as a child, Forrest was never in a hurry to get anywhere.

Reaching the end of his tether with his brothers casualness, Howard whipped around to face Forrest, finally releasing his arm.

"You want Mama to make us gussy up for church?" Howard asked with a frown, Forrest replied with a shake of his head.

"Quit stallin' then."

It wasn't an irregular occurrence, the two brothers going AWOL on church days. Little did they know their Mother, Malisha, had given up trying to find them on such occasions entirely. She'd learnt that her two eldest sons were too independent, too headstrong to be forced into something they didn't want to do but she also trusted they were sensible enough to keep out of trouble.

When they had become bored with skimming stones across one of the farm ponds, Forrest and Howard made their way deeper through the woods until they reached a nearby corn field. The yellow corn reached way over their heads, swaying in the gentle breeze and catching the sunlight to form a golden hue around the field. They ran through it, skimming their fingers on the stalks as they passed them before they ran in separate directions. Suddenly, Forrest sprung out on Howard and tackled him to the ground.

"I'll twine 'mid the ringlets of my raven black hair..."

The two abruptly stopped their wrestling at the sound of a third voice, Forrest slowly got to his feet and Howard followed. Both curious and captivated by the sweet, childlike singing. They took small, careful steps, pushing strands of corn to the side in an attempt to find the source of the pretty voice.

"...the lilies so pale and the roses so fair. The myrtles so bright with an emerald hue..."

Howard paused when they arrived by a lone willow tree in a small clearing, the leaves of the corn flat on the ground from trampling feet. He nudged Forrest and pointed his finger upwards, miming something unintelligible that only his brother could understand. Forrest followed Howard's gesture to a large thick branch high in the tree and his eyes widened at the small brunette who sat there, blissfully unaware of their presence.

"...I'll sing and I'll dance and my laugh shall be gay, I'll cease this wild weeping, drive sorrow away..."

Forrest gaped like a goldfish at the girl and Howard smirked, watching his little brother's reaction. She sat with her back leaned against the trunk of the tree, legs crossed in front of her, her tiny fingers idly playing with the bow in her dolls hair. Forrest took a step forward causing a twig to snap under his foot and the girls' eyes to finally land upon them. The two boys looked back at her as she eyed them with uncertainty before a smile crept to her lips. They watched as she shuffled and let her legs dangle from the branch before stepping onto a lower one, she left her doll where she had been sat moments earlier and began her descent, hopping expertly from branch to branch before landing on two feet in front of them.

The three just stared at each other silently, the girl clasped her hands behind her back and smiled shyly. The boys studied her carefully, starting at her black baby doll shoes and they trailed their eyes upwards. She wore white knee-high socks and a yellow tea dress, not normal attire for the girls of Franklin County. Her chocolate-brown hair reached to her hips and had been styled in two loose braids, matching yellow bows tied around the ends. Even at the tender age of seven, Forrest thought she was the prettiest thing he'd ever seen.

She stepped forward and stuck an arm out. "Hey, am Ellie-mae." she introduced confidently.

The boys shook her hand in turn. "What's your names?" she asked curiously.

"Howard." The older boy piped up, he nudged Forrest who just scratched at back of his neck awkwardly. "This here's Forrest."

"Hi H'ard...and For'st." She beamed and Forrest finally met her eyes. They sparkled like emeralds when she smiled he noticed, he'd never seen eyes as green on anyone before. Feeling slightly uncomfortable by the silence, Howard suddenly took Forrest by the elbow, ready to steer him away.

"I made a rope swing by the lake." She blurted out. "D'ya wanna see it?" Forrest noticed the hopefulness to her question and he nodded automatically, much to Howard's surprise. Forrest didn't mix especially well with people and hardly ever sought to make new friends, it was just his nature, quiet and reserved, that was Forrest.

Howard watched as Forrest walked off by the girls' side.

"You sing real pretty." He heard Forrest compliment quietly as they walked away and Ellie giggled, shaking out his astonishment, Howard jogged to catch up with them.

Franklin County, 1931

Eleanor Thomas' eyes flitted over her passing surroundings best they could whilst driving a vehicle. She was happy to see that little had changed in her absence, there hadn't been an hour gone by in the past seven years when she hadn't longed to return home. But as more time passed it seemed to become more and more difficult. Now, as she drove through the hauntingly familiar town she would have to ignore the wrenching feeling of nervousness, life had brought her back for a reason. A very particular and sombre reason.

She turned off the ignition when she reached her destination, her hands resting on the steering wheel as she regarded the old farm-house through her window. Like the rest of Franklin, it had barely changed, dogs and chickens running around the dusty path just as she'd left them. Her eyes fixed on her old bedroom window and she exhaled deeply before opening the door and stepping out of her beloved rusty-red truck then slamming it closed. She paused when she got to the doorstep, her hand hovering above the door handle while she calmed her nerves.

She finally opened it, peering through the quiet house as she set her suitcase down and let the door creak to a close behind her. Upon hearing a soft melody radiating through the house she followed it, it led her to the kitchen. Her furrowed brow relaxed into a pitying frown when she was met with the sight of her Uncles back, sat at the kitchen table, humming softly to the music and staring at his wedding photo, completely unaware that someone had entered his home. She walked over to him quietly and placed a hand on each of his shoulders, if Ellie hadn't known him so well she'd have thought he hadn't even registered her touch. But he knew who it was, just so numb with grief he couldn't turn to face her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing against his cheek with her own, she felt a tear roll down his face as he continued staring at the black and white picture.

"I'm so sorry, Uncle Archie."

He nodded sadly and placed a hand on her forearm, she gave him a quick peck on his cheek and straightened up, wiping away tears that had some point fallen down her own face. She sniffed and exhaled before taking the picture from his hands and placing it on the kitchen counter, she then began tidying his messy kitchen.

"Where is Jesse?" She looked up from wiping the counter when a couple of minutes went by without an answer. He had turned his body to stare at the picture in its new place, she sighed and bent down on her haunches in front of him, staring straight into his face.

"Come on now. Aunt Lula wouldn't want you moping like this and you know that...especially with this house in such a sorry state." He looked at her for the first time and she smiled warmly when the side of his lip twitched.

"I know you're hurtin', but you gotta keep on with things. Now, let me sort this mess then I'll make you some lunch...looks like you haven't eaten a scrap in days." She said as she moved away and began washing the dirty dishes that had accumulated next to the sink.

Archie rubbed his damp face and shook his head, as if to bring him back to the world. He took his pipe from his shirt pocket along with a small tin, he opened the tin and began to pack his pipe with the tobacco from it. He leaned back into his chair as he struck a match and lit the barrel, he took a few short drags then a deep, prolonged one. He held the pipe in the corner of his mouth, watching her scrub at a bowl. A small, proud smile crept to his lips.

"So strong like her, always were." She paused from her task for a moment and shrugged.

"Yeah." She agreed as she placed the now clean bowl on the counter and went on to the next one. "Well, I had to be didn't I?"

She cleared her throat and his face fell into a frown. "So." She started in an obvious attempt to change the subject. "Jesse around?"

"He'll be with Howard somewhere." He sighed. "drinkin' their weight in moonshine, no doubt."

She stiffened upon hearing the name but attempted to appear unaffected. "Howard Bondurant?"

"Uh huh."

"Those boys still around?" She asked as coolly as she could.

"Yup, they're still 'round." He drawled and she nodded, throwing an unconvincing smile his way.

"You got anyone watchin' the farm?" She asked, again, changing another sore subject.

"Yeah, young Cricket's been helpin' out...you remember him don'tchu?"

"The boy that used to run 'round with Jack? The one with the crazy legs?" Her Uncle chuckled and nodded his head.

She smiled and opened the fridge, rifling through its contents before taking out some cheese, she began making the sandwiches then poured two mugs of coffee when she had finished. Placing a plate and cup on the table in front of him she took a seat opposite with her own. She raised her eyebrows when he just stared at it.

"Eat." She demanded, smiling in victory as he sighed and took a bite, chewing lazily. She watched him gulp his food down and, satisfied, began to pick at her own sandwich. "How's Ace?"

"He's doin' good, ain't been behaving lately though. Swear that damn horse knew you were comin' back." Ellie covered her mouthful of food with her hand, laughing at the thought of Ace baying wildly when her Uncle tried to change his shoes or comb his hair.

"Think I'm gonna go see him later, maybe help Cricket out too."

Archie raised his eyebrows at his niece. "You remember how to be a farm hand now you're some city slicker?"

Ellie gave him a warning look. "I ain't no city slicker. I'll always be a country girl at heart, you know that."

"How is Chicago anyhow? You got a sweetheart? Hell, bet you've got a dozen, lookin' like you do."

She rolled her eyes at his compliment and shrugged. "its alrigh' and no, I don't have a sweetheart. Even after all this time, those city guys just ain't what I'm used to. They love themselves too damn much."

He chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "Can take the girl out of the country, right?"

"That's right." She smiled and they continued to eat in silence. When Ellie had finished she pushed her plate away and leaned back on her seat. She bit her lower lip as she looked at her Uncle, fidgeting in her seat.

"So...everything set for the funeral?" His chewing slowed while his face hardened and he nodded.

"But I, um, I need you to pick a dress out for her. its gon' be an open casket so..." He faltered and Ellie immediately reached to rest a hand on top of his.

"Course I will." She replied without him needing to finish his request. "It's done okay? Whatever you want just ask, you don't be worryin' about a thing y'hear?"

Archie turned his hand to squeeze hers once and he smiled gratefully. "I missed you, Ellie-mae."

Tears began to well up in Ellie's eyes, happy or sad, she wasn't certain. She opened her mouth to tell him the feeling was mutual when the front door swung open. It hit the wall with a loud bang causing Ellie and Archie to unlink their hands and stare at the kitchen door patiently. Jesse stumbled through it, straightening when he realized they had company and he narrowed his eyes for a second before he was pushed into the kitchen counter by a second stumbling figure. This one wasn't as uncoordinated as her cousin but just as drunk, he howled with laughter upon seeing Jesse attempting to scramble to his feet, he glanced at Ellie and his laughter died down. His glance became a hard stare, then his face become a picture of shock. His eyes widened and his mouth hung open for what seemed like several silent minutes.

"I'll be damned."

Ellie stood from her seat. "Hi Howard." She said simply after waiting for the realization on his part to kick in. The last time she'd seen Howard Bondurant was before the war and he was in a hell of a better state than this. He still looked the same, still sounded the same, but Ellie could tell in his eyes that he wasn't as happy.

His face broke out into an elated cackle and he went to hug her, picking her up and spinning her around while she squealed in protest. He finally set her down but continued to squeeze her, she struggled to breathe but found the energy to slap him up side of the head.

"Ow." He exclaimed, dropping his arms and rubbing the side of his head. "Well you certainly ain't changed."

"Yeah, well neither have you. You always did forget you're the size of a god-damn Sasquatch." She joked and stuck her tongue out when he pretended to be offended.

He chuckled gruffly, grabbing each of her hands with his own and holding them to the sides to admire her.

"You turned into a li'l lady, Ellie-Mae." He said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Who'd'a thought it?" He added, turning his genuine compliment into a joke.

Archie grumbled in amusement having watched their reunion. He twisted on his chair to look at his son, who was swaying unsteadily behind them, watching on with uncertain eyes.

"You just gon' stand there boy?" Jesse's eyes snapped to his Father and then back to the two other faces who were staring back at him expectantly.

"Jesse, hug your sister." Howard demanded softly, shaking his head when Jesse huffed like a sulky teenager and made a move towards her.

Ellie observed him closely in those few strides he took. Time seemed to slow down just so she could take him in. Jesse was actually her cousin but when the Rutherfords had took her in, he'd revelled in the fact he was to treat her like a sister and he did. He never missed an opportunity to introduce her as his 'big sis'. It was a label that had stuck, the whole town thought of them as siblings even though most of them knew their real relationship.

Jesse had always been quiet, sometimes eerily so. He was picked on heavily as they were growing up, not for any particular reason, the other kids just found him odd due to his shyness. Ellie was the opposite, she was fiery and confident, she despised bullies and stood up for him on countless occasions, even before they lived together, Ellie just could not abide anyone been pushed around because they were 'different'.

Her eyes travelled up and down this man's frame who her Uncle had called Jesse, he looked like a stranger now. He was tall like Howard but unhealthily skinny. His clothing hung from him and was covered in all sorts of mysterious stains, his face was pale and gaunt, the blue eyes that Ellie used to find so piercing were now cold, like all the light had gone from them, and each one was framed by a dark circle and the whites of them looked painfully bloodshot. When Ellie looked into them she almost shuddered, they were completely devoid of any emotion, reminiscent of her Fathers.

When he finally reached her he pulled her roughly into an awkward hug, Ellie felt his whole body go rigid at the contact. It wasn't like Howard's embrace, full of love and excitement at seeing her again. Jesse pulled away and looked at her, the side of his lip twitched into a small smile which didn't reach his eyes and Ellie forced one back at him, struggling to hide her concern.

"Hi Jesse."

"Ellie-Mae."