Attempted Crimes of Unwanted Passion

Dear Diary,

They say bad things come in threes. The first was the news that those feared Yankees had set the city to fire. Charlie said it was a minor set back. I think it is comeuppance. Something deserved at this point for the sins we've wrought.

Then came the news that Daddy and my older brothers had died in a great battle. The general that told us painted them as heroes. More likely it was desperation.

And then ... then that vile Wade Lancaster came for me. The air was choked with thick black smoke when he came into my bedroom, his eyes manic, his trousers with a tiny tent in them. His blackened hands reached for my bodice, stripping my clothes off with more strength than I could fathom he'd have.

And then he was gone, picked up and tossed as if he were a sack of potatoes. And as the smoke from the city cleared for a moment, I could see my savior clearly ... it was Samson.