Table of Contents (Chapters)

Chapter 1.................................................................. Page 4

Chapter 2.................................................................. Page 8

Chapter 3.................................................................. Page 12

Chapter 4.................................................................. Page 15

Chapter 5.................................................................. Page 19

Chapter 6.................................................................. Page 21

Chapter 7.................................................................. Page 24

Chapter 8.................................................................. Page 26

Chapter 9.................................................................. Page 28

Chapter 10................................................................ Page 32

Table of Contents (Steps)

Exposition............................................................... Page 4

Call to Adventure................................................... Page 7

Refusal of the Call................................................. Page 11

Beginning of the Adventure................................ Page 12

Road of Trials...............................Pages 12, 19, 22, and 25

Unconditional Love.............................................. Page 24

The Ultimate Boon............................................... Page 27

Refusal of the Return.......................................... Page 30

Magic Flight......................................................... Page 34

Rescue From Without........................................ Page 36

Crossing of the Threshold/Resolution. .......... Page 38

Chapter 1

I was never considered the popular girl, I was never known to be super smart or super pretty, I never thought I had a purpose, until I did.

Three years ago, my mother, Bertha Gray, was diagnosed with tuberculosis, a disease my family thought would end her life. On top of that, we quickly realized that someone would have to take care of her, for she was too sick to be at home by herself. My father, Paul Gray, worked at an industrial factory in Downtown Cleveland (our hometown), so he could not take care of my mom during the day’s hours. Helen, my older sister, lived in Columbus with her husband, John Archer, who was one of the telegraphers for the Governor of Ohio. So, obviously, Helen could not take care of our mom. Then there was my lively older brother, Sam, he was the only blonde in the family, which paired nicely with his tanned skin that crinkled around his startling blue eyes. Unfortunately though, my funny, rogue, older brother had been one of the first drafted into the Union Army during the Civil War, so he could not take care for our sick mom.

Of course, that left me, I immediately dropped out of school that week to care for her. I cooked, cleaned and did whatever else needed to be done for two years (Exposition). Then our lives changed yet again, but this time not for the better. It was July 17th, 1861 at 3:03 pm when the news arrived.

My brother, my merry, blue eyed, luminescent brother, had fallen. I couldn’t believe it. Sam, brave, strong, youthful, Sam, had fallen, died. ”He fought bravely” the man at our door said. But I already knew that very well. I wanted to see him, to see those eyes one last time. To feel the bravery that radiated off of his dead body that my living body so horribly lacked. I could not be strong without my brave brother to guide me, to help me, I was heart broken.

Those next few days were a blur. I only ever left my room to check on my mom,

but other than that, I stayed in my bed under the covers where I knew nothing would ever change. But yet again, things changed; however, this time it was for the better.

On July, 31st, our home received a knock at the door. Typically, on a Summer’s day like today, all the children would be out playing in the streets. However, when I opened the door, there were no children, or even adults enjoying the warm sunshine that was present that day. The street was completely empty. But, on our doorstep, were three elderly women I did not know.  I felt horribly embarrassed. Here I was, a shy girl, with disheveled hair and an old nightdress (since I had not left bed that morning) facing these prestigious, and perfectly dressed women.

“Hello dear, my name is Ms. Abdelhatti, you are Nadine Gray aren't you?” I nodded shyly “well then dear, may we come in?” Ms. Abdelhatti asked expectantly. I quietly opened the door for them and looked down. Who are these strange women I was letting into my house? I thought. They immediately took a seat in our small parlor without an invitation, and I timidly sat across from them as Ms. Abdelhatti began to speak at a rapid pace.

“Let’s get down to this quickly we don’t have very much time,” she began, “Ms. Carson, Ms. Jacobi, and I,” she motioned to the other two ladies in the group, “are leaders of a society for

girls. This society is very private and exclusive, and it is known as the Girl’s Society of Espionage.” At this new information, a million questions began to burst into my mind. “Yes,” Ms. Abdelhatti said noting my dazed expression, “you heard us correctly, we are an independent, all-female organization based in Washington D.C. that goes in and around the Confederate Capital of Richmond, Virginia, and we want you to take up a position as a desk secretary for the Confederate Capitol Building.” (Call, 1) Millions of questions swarmed through my brain, How long will I be doing it for? What exactly will I be doing? How dangerous is it? But the only question that came out was ”Why me?”

“Well dear,” Ms. Abdelhattti answered patiently, ”you have been eligible ever since your poor brother died, and we want you to help him finish the cause he was fighting for, don’t you want that for him?” She didn’t even give me a chance to answer. “Okay then dear, here is our way of communication,” she handed me a small gray bird that I had not noticed was perched in Ms. Carson’s lap. “When you are ready to sign this contract,” she handed me a

yellow paper, “attach it to this bird’s claws. Oh! Don’t worry, he knows where to go.”

“B-But” I stammered, completely stunned.

“Really, dear, we must be going, so nice to meet you!” she chirped.

Chapter 2

After the women left, I opened the contract they had given me.  How was I supposed to be a spy? I was quiet, shy, and clumsy, could it even be possible for me to survive on day? I later showed the Society’s contract to my mom whilst she lied in bed. She immediately lit up after reading it, and said this was obviously a very high honor. I knew it took a lot to make my mom happy these days, what with the tuberculosis and the death of her only son. But she smiled, and said I could be really good for this.

When my dad came home, he gave me a big hug. “Hello Naddie! What’s that?” he asked, noticing the contract I was holding. I showed him the contract and told him all

about the Girl’s Society of Espionage and that I was asked to join. When he looked up from the forms there were tears in his eyes. He said it would be a great idea to do it, not only for the Union, but for Sam, however; he assured me he would be very proud of me with whatever I picked.

During dinner, Dad also gave us the great news that Helen and John were visiting for dinner tomorrow night. This comforted me, since I knew Helen would definitely be helpful with making the decision of weather to join or not, and John was like an older brother to me, so I trusted his opinion. They, surely, would help me figure out to do.

- - -

The next day, John and Helen came for dinner, and they were, of course, full of smiles and laughter per usual. After, a delicious and merry meal, I pulled them both into my room to discuss the contract I had received. Helen looked at me curiously and with concern, “what’s wrong Naddie?” she questioned. John looked at me with the caring eyes that any brother would use with his younger sister. Even though John had only been part of the family for a few years, he felt

like a brother I have had since I was very young.

“Yeah, we are always here to help you,”  he claimed confidently. I then began to explain the contract and the Society itself. I also talked about how I was scared, but how I felt it right to do it for Sam. When I finished my story, they said they both supported me being a spy, but they also supported me staying at home with Mom.

- - -

That night, after Mom and Dad were fast asleep, and Helen and John were well on the train back to Columbus, I took out the contract and my pen. I stared at the contract for a while, then slowly, I signed it in my loopy signature. I then took out the small pigeon from its cage and I tied the signed contract to the bird’s claws. I opened my small window, and looked at the bird one last time. It cocked it’s small head at me as if it were waiting. As I held up the feathery thing to the window I thought about all that would entail with this decision and pulled my hand back (Refusal, 2). If I did this, I would be thrown into a world of Confederates and enemies, of espionage and secrets

But I was going to do it, not because of confidence (which I certainly did not have), but for Sam and for every other Union Soldier in this horrible war, so, for them, I held up the tiny pigeon and the bird flew off. I watched it until it became nothing more than a tiny speck, and then it was gone (Beginning, 3)

Chapter 3

The next day was considered the calm before the storm, everything was just as it would of been. Mother lied on her bed, silent, breathing deeply and quietly. Father had gone off to work that morning, not to return at exactly 7:00 sharp, per usual. The only thing that was different was me.

I was terrified. I started to question whether or not I should have really done all of this. I was scared. I was scared to the very bottom of my insides, I was scared of disappointment, I was scared of the Confederacy, but most of all, I was scared of death (Trials, 4).

The next day was hectic in the most perfect definition of the word. That morning at 7:00 a.m., a different woman rang at the doorbell. Instead of Ms. Abdelhatti and the other women who accompanied her, it was another, very strict looking lady named Ms. Alpher. She bustled in the minute the door was open without an invitation to come inside, and started to talk immediately. “Hello dear, I will be taking care of your poor mother whilst you are gone, do you have your bags ready?” she inquired, staring me down expectantly.

“B-bags?” I stammered.

“Yes, dear, you are going to be leaving in 20 minutes!”

“Tw-twenty minutes?” I questioned meekly.

“Yes dear, hurry go!”

At that moment I sprinted up the stairs not wanting to disappoint this stern

woman. I threw out my suitcase from my closet and stuffed in it a few clothes and

night gowns, as well as a picture of my family. I figured it was probably best to travel light. As I rushed downstairs, I saw my mom feebly talk to Ms. Alpher, and once I stepped into the room they both looked up. Ms. Alpher made her mouth into the straightest of lines and informed me, “I will let you say your goodbyes, I will be waiting outside.”

I immediately rushed to my mother and gave her a huge hug. “I love you mama.” I whispered.

“And I love you too my precious Naddie” My mom cooed back feebly. After that, I got up, grabbed my suitcase, and headed for the door, but before I walked out, I turned one last time to look at my momma and she gave me the biggest smile in the whole state of Ohio, and I returned it just for her.

Chapter 4

Ms. Alpher was waiting outside, “Ok dear, this cart,” she pointed to a horse-drawn

cart filled with hay in our driveway, “will take you to Richmond, Virginia where you will be sent to live with Mary McConner, an affiliate of ours.” Before I could even respond, she added, “during the day, however; you will work as a secretary in the Confederate Capital of Richmond where you will collect intel and send it via a secret hole in a tree that Ms. McConner will present to you upon your arrival. Of course, we will send occasional reports and instructions back to you, so always look back in that tree, so no unwanted eyes will find them. You understand don’t you?” All I could do was nod, social anxiety was definitely not a plus in this situation. “Well then get going!” Ms. Alpher then pushed me into the cart, and threw some hay on top of me so I was invisible to passerby. Then Ms. Alpher called as I was being towed away, “Good luck! You are going to need it!”

- - -

All I could do was sit in the dark mass of hay and entertain myself. The only problem

was, the longer I sat in the cart, the worse I felt. My long, brown hair was matted, and my green eyes were tired from the lack of sleep. I tried to rest, but I was too nervous to close an eye for a second. So, I just sat in a comatose state, waiting for this horrible ride to finally end.

- - -

After several days in the cart with only the occasional lettings out to get food, water and to use the bathroom, I finally stumbled out of the cart to find myself in front of a quiet country farm with a middle aged lady standing outside, waiting to greet me. “Hello child,” the sweet-looking lady said. She had a heart shaped face and kind brown eyes as well as graying blonde hair. “Hello miss, it is very nice to meet you” I greeted politely. I had liked her immediately.

“And it is very nice to meet you too, dearie” she replied sweetly. “Come inside now, and let's get you cleaned up, your first day of work starts tomorrow!” She winked at

me and I smiled shyly back. She then picked up my suitcase and walked inside.

Ms. Mary’s house only consisted of two bedrooms, a kitchen, a parlor, and an outhouse about a sixteenth of a mile away. She showed me to my room where I put down, and unpacked, my suitcase as she got a bath all ready for me in her backyard.

After my uncomfortable bath in her tin tub, I got dressed, and Ms. Mary took me to the tree where I would be sending my messages. It was a large, flawless oak of overwhelming size and stature that took my breath away. Once we returned from our short excursion, we both shared a lovely dinner of roasted vegetables, and mashed potatoes. After dinner, I got to know Ms. Mary better. She was talking about how she got into the war effort after her son, Calvin, passed away in the Raid at Fort Sumter a few years ago, and that I was the second spy she was going to be housing for.

After my meal, I went upstairs and got dressed for the night. I decided to go to bed later than usual. Tomorrow was going to be a big day.

Chapter 5

It was my first day, and I was positively nervous; I was without a doubt frightened. There was no way to explain, the deep, sickening aches that were happening in my stomach. But, I knew I must go, for it was my job, and I refused to give up at this point (Trials, 4).

That morning, I got dressed in the Confederate Uniform I was provided, and headed downstairs. There, Ms. Mary gave me a big hug, and packed me a lunch for the first day. She was like the grandma I never had. I smiled, waved through the window, and then set out for my first day on the job.

The Confederate Capitol Building was not nearly as large as what is expected of a Capital building, but it was still quite the sight to see. I went up to the front desk and told the lady that I was the new secretary, and she kindly showed me to a desk with a fresh stack of papers, and that I was to send them to whom they were addressed,

without opening them. I said I wouldn't and I quickly began. To be honest, I had lied to that nice lady. I was going to open every letter and quickly scrawl down what the note said, and then hide my copies in a secret pocket in my dress, specially made by Ms. Mary. I would then, later, take the letters to the oak tree where they would get directly sent to the Union. After I started, the job was very easy. I delivered the original copies to whomever with a smile, and no one ever expected a thing.

- - -

I continued to do the job with ease, soon enough, days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and I had gained so much trust with the Confederacy, that many of the “higher-ups” entrusted their most important documents to me. Of course, I copied all of them, sending them back to the Union so the people there could act accordingly. Everything was going well, until I almost got caught.

Chapter 6

It was a normal day at work, and I had recently received instructions to look for, and copy, a letter that was to be sent to the Confederate Capitol that day from a certain Major Downer. However, I had accidentally left that very same set of instructions on my desk, with the Union Stamp displayed to anyone, as clear as day. However, I had not thought much about it at the time, so I disregarded it.

Unfortunately, that day happened to be the day that the Confederate Attorney General, Thomas Bragg, came right up to my desk with some papers that I was expected to deliver for him. The minute, I saw him start to look down at the instructions, I snatched it away immediately, too scared to look at the huge, hulking figure Bragg was. He then questioned in his tough, North Carolinian accent, “What was that young lady?”

All the confidence that I had built up disintegrated, and all I could say was, “uh.. nothing Sir,"

just a letter that is due to be sent soon.” He stared at me so hard, I thought his eyes would cause me to split down in two.

“Then why do I swear on my momma’s name that I saw a Union Stamp on that there form?" His words were threatening, and I felt like I could fall apart right there (Trial 4).

Suddenly, without even realizing it, I recited, “It's a transmission from a Confederate spy. It will be sent to President Davis immediately, he requests it for his eyes only, so that is why I thrusted it away from you. I am sorry sir, I should not have acted so suspiciously, and kept it out for everyone to see, my apologies.”

I stared as innocently as possible at Bragg, and he eventually replied gruffly, “no matter, but one more mistake like that, and I will personally report you to President Davis.”

“Yes sir. Thank you.” I replied meekly.

The rest of the day, I worked quietly, my confidence nearly shattered by the almost catastrophic event that happened that day (Trials, 4). In fact, when I got home, I cried in Ms. Mary’s arms

that whole night, and she even baked a chocolate cake for me, just to make me feel better.

“It will be alright dearie, this will all pass over soon, and now you are here, safe and sound, where nothing will ever hurt you.”

I loved Ms. Mary, and I knew that she loved me (Love, 5). She had done so much for me since my arrival, she cleaned my room, and made my bed since the very beginning of my stay. Every time I came home she gave me a warm smile,that always lightened my day, and she would kindly ask me how work was. We always played cards together, then make our modest dinner, while we were laughing and telling jokes. She would so often relax me and tell me what life was like when she was a young girl, but she would also tell me sad stories, like about her father dying in the war of 1812, when she was only five. Regardless, every story felt like I was getting to know her, and it made me care and love for her even more. I felt like she was my fill-in mom, and I could not ask anything more of her.

Chapter 7

That morning, before going to work, I walked to the large oak tree to see if there were any new messages for me. Sure enough, a letter came for me and I hid it in the secret pocket of my dress (I did not want to open the letter yet in fear of getting caught again). Work went smoothly enough, and I was already back at Ms. Mary’s after what felt like an hour or two. When I walked into my clean bedroom after greeting Ms. Mary. I read the letter I had received that morning. My stomach dropped, not believing what I was reading, my eyes quickly slid over the message a second time. The letter was from Ms. Abdelhatti herself. She was giving me my last mission which was to steal Confederate plans for a surprise attack at Bentonville. However, the plans were supposedly found in the top left drawer of none other but Jefferson Davis’s (the president of the Confederacy’s) desk.

I immediately burst into tears. How was I, of all people, supposed to sneak into the President’s office? My confidence had been shattered and torn apart by a simple mistake, and now I was supposed to sneak into Davis’ office? I could not do it, I just couldn’t ( Trials, 4). A stupid girl like