The Van Allen Family

Charles lived in the large Van Allen home. Charles was a patient, reserved man with a demeanor that spoke of still waters. His eyes sparkled with a knowing look even when he said very little. He was very protective of his family and took great care of his mother. His father died when he was very young, and as the eldest child, he had to mature very quickly and care for the family. When Lydia Doyle came into his life, he knew that he had to marry her.

Lydia and her family were Irish immigrants. She met Charles Van Allen and William Crawford when she was young. William’s father was a prominent businessman, and Charles’ family had a large estate. Though Lydia’s family were not well off, they were hardworking and honest and were well thought of in the community.

Charles and Lydia were married at 19 and had their first child soon after. They lived in the Van Allen family home with Charles' mother, Edith. Everything was going well for the new family. With the addition of Henry and Bessie to help around the house and a new baby, the family kept growing. With their third child, it seemed that their happiness couldn't be contained.

Structure

Conflict

Lydia's childhood friend, William Crawford, had held onto his love for her and had never let it go, convincing himself that he could sway her. He sent her dozens of love letters that were never answered, yet he persisted. He attended the wedding, but a seed of bitterness was planted in his hear that day, and he swore to himself that he would take his revenge on Charles, the man that had taken his love away.

Rising Action

Twenty years later, when his bitterness had turned to madness, William began to walk to the apple orchard on the Van Allen grounds. There, he would wait for Elizabeth Van Allen, who was only fifteen years old. He would spend a few hours in conversation with the young girl and she thought that they were friends. William began to press to make her think that they were even more than that, but fortunately, Henry, the groundskeeper, saw them in the orchard and brought him in to the house to speak to Charles. Charles forbade him from ever coming onto the property again, and William stormed away and that seemed to be the end of it.

Climax

However, a few months later, William reappeared, very drunk, through the window of the master bedroom. He staggered toward Charles and demanded that they fight for Lydia. Charles refused at first, and he and Lydia tried to talk him down. He became more agitated and more aggressive the more they refused. So, Charles defended himself and his family. Drunk though he was, William was going all out, and wouldn't be satisfied unless Charles was dead. He lunged forward to stab Charles with a knife, but Lydia got there first. She blocked the fatal blow with her own body, giving up her life to save his. Charles cradled his dead wife, and William went into a rage after what he had just done. He smashed an oil lamp off of the dresser beside him and a fire started in the bedroom.
In all the commotion, the children began to get themselves and their grandmother out of the house. Elizabeth and Edith were seen safely out, but the boys went back to help their father. They were overcome with smoke inhalation, and perished with their father. Henry and Bessie, in trying to protect the children and then return for their employers, succumbed to the smoke and perished in the fire.

Falling Action

The fire brigade came, and a medical team as well, but it was too late. The house was too far gone. They only found one survivor, crawling away from the house. He was taken to Slatefall Hospital to treat his injuries. The only remaining family members, Edith and Elizabeth, were given refuge with family while a small cottage could be built with the inheritance money.

Resolution

Years later, the Van Allen mansion appeared again in its former glory, but no one really knows how or why. The property had been abandoned for years.

Plot type

Formation of the Van Allen Family