Burning Crosses - Part 33 - Death in the Forest

A few nights later, or so according to a Klansman who cracked and told all, Isaac Slade was hauled out of the prison late one night. He was sentenced there for life by Judge Bustamante. But on that fateful Sunday night, a band of robed Klansmen stole into the prison past the sleeping guard and busted open Isaac's cell. He was taken in a paddy wagon to a clearing in the forest, where they proceeded to flog him until he was slick with blood. According to the cracked Klansman, they supposedly beat him with an automobile fan belt as well; whipping him with such gusto they exhausted themselves and had to take a break.

Finally, one threw a noose over a branch extending out from a dead tree. It was tightened around his thick, muscular neck before the other end was pulled by a few Klansmen. Supposedly, as he swung to and fro on the noose, kicking his legs and struggling for breath, he murmured the savior's name and died.

They dumped him off on the doorstep of the prison and left. The noose was still tightened around his neck when he was found the next morning.

Nobody held a trial for that murder.

But that night, I'd been awake, even as Isaac was being killed. I'd awoken from the usual nightmare and had lain awake for about an hour when I heard the squeaking of the steps. My door was open a teensy bit, so I clearly saw my father lugging himself up the staircase, using the railing.

And he was dressed in a Klan robe.

Immediately, I snapped my eyes shut so he wouldn't notice me still awake. He paused, probably looking into my room to make sure I was asleep. I "slept" with one arm thrown over the side of the bed and my mouth open, just so it would look like I was in a deep slumber. Thus satisfied, my father kept moving. Only when I was sure he was gone did I open my eyes and clamp my lips shut.

And the next day, when I heard what had happened, I put two and two together and figured that my father must have been there when Isaac had been whipped and lynched.

I made sure to avoid the idiot after that.

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