Richard's+Historical+Fiction+Story

. __One Act of Bravery__ Crackle! The sound of fall leaves shuddering in fear under Eddie Mott’s foot as his walks home from school. Eddie had a long and boring day at school learning about Ancient Rome and he wishes he could just go to sleep. He arrives at his ordinary old house, opening his ordinary, old, creaking door and enters smelling the sweet smell of food. Eddie greets his family, like any other day, and plops himself onto his soft comfortable covers of his bed.

As Eddie lies on his bed half asleep, half awake, he can’t help but think of the lesson he had about Ancient Rome’s Coliseum. All the entertaining acts, plays and even some fierce gladiator fights that seemed to interest him. Eddie is in deep thought about all of this, but with the close of both eyes he falls asleep.

Eddie awakes with a loud roar of angry men screaming for no apparent reason. He soon realizes that he is nowhere near home, perhaps maybe not even in his own time period. There Eddie is lying on his back with a few dozen angry men yelling his way. To one of them he asks,”Where am I?” with more than a hint of fear. ”Oh, don’t you know? you could hear the laughter in his voice,”You’re a slave on a wagon, you being one.”

That set Eddie off. He wondered how he got here, where he was, and most importantly if he was safe. He also questioned if he was ever going to be reunited with his family ever again.

All around on his trip he saw men wearing the togas, their traditional clothing for Romans, carrying baskets of fruits and other goods. There were also two different groups of men hunting and fishing. Then it struck him that he seen this all before.” Rome?” Eddie said all too loud. ”Of Course. Where else could we be to be able to go to the Coliseum!” said the same passenger. ”Here,” he said offering his grimy tan hand. Eddie was too scared to shake. “Anyway my name is Julius.” “Eddie.” And just like that they became friends.

Arriving at the Coliseum didn’t seem at all real for Eddie. He observed the well crafted arches, the smooth side stones, and the detailed design work. In a little while he was well suited for battle with a smooth metal armor vest and a shinning silver sword. As he walks out to the center of terror, from all sides he could hear yells which seemed to sound like screams of agony. Soon enough he hears the word’ “Begin” and it has started. It was mere chaos. All he could count on was Julius, who seemed to do the work for both participants.

Halfway into the gladiator match, Eddie built up enough courage to swing one slash of his sword. Feeling the rush it gave him was all it took for him to actually get into the fight. It was quite a spectacle seeing Julius and Eddie fight side by side, exterminating anybody in their path. With that win they became the most known gladiator to ever live.

Weeks and weeks of battles pass with Eddie and Julius ending up on top. This was really good for Eddie’s self-esteem because once a cowardly boy, now a fierce gladiator, sustaining high standards as a fighter. An all important match was soon to arrive. It will be a match, two against one. Seemed easy enough but it would soon become apparent that it will not.

The day comes and now in the Coliseum is Eddie, Julius, and the gladiator who would pose a threat to the safety of both. Once again the match starts with “Begin’ and once again chaos erupts. It begins with Julius taking the resolute step of striking his sword at this 50 foot giant. That obviously that wasn’t the “trick” to getting this giant down and out. He swipes his long leg and with that, we’re on the floor begging for mercy. Eddie was first. With Eddie’s eyes closed shut, he charges up his slash and goes down to strike.

Surprisingly, Eddie was able to open his eyes and when he did, he noticed that he was back at home with the covers over his body. It was all a dream! Feeling so exhilarated he jumps up to more than greet, but hug his family. It all worked out great for Eddie. He had confidence that he knew he could pull out at anytime. This just goes to show that all you have to do is dream.