The History Series: Book 1 (Old)

Chapter 9

Colonial America - 1610

It's only been a short time since the execution of the guilty man. Things have only gotten worse. Many more have died of starvation and disease. There are only about 61 of the 500 colonist left. We fear we many have to abandon the settlement. I have not spoken a word to my son regarding this. In fact I was just on my way to the house to tell him.

I walked past house after house. It almost didn't seem right to be leaving this place, after all the problems we had faced. It didn't seem real. After walking by a few more houses, I finally reached my own. I walked through the door, and walked in. The house was tiny. It had a small kitchen in one corner and a little dining room in the center. There was a door which lead to a small bedroom. The bedroom was extremely cramped, it held two beds and a desk with a bookshelf. Any more and you wouldn't be able to walk through it. Virginia was sitting at the desk reading a book. He was reading William Shakespeare's Hamlet.

He turned and looked at me and said, "Hey dad! What's up?"
I took in a deep breath, "You... you know how we've been having problems with food and disease..." I started. I wasn't really sure how to word this, "Well, it has gotten to the point where, we must decide on... weather to go back to England or not."
"W-wait what?!" Virginia stammered, "B-but we can't just leave!"
"I know. But we can't just stay either." I said, as I sat down next to my son. I put my hand on his shoulder, which seemed to had calmed him down for the most part.
"I don't want to leave... I'm not ready to leave my home..." Virginia mumbled.
"I know... I know, it's okay..." I told him, as I pulled him into a hug. We sat there for a few minutes like that. In all honesty, I myself wasn't ready to leave, but I knew I had to. Otherwise more people would die. I slowly let go of my son and told him, "Go get your things packed up, we will be leaving to board the ship in a few days, so we need to be ready."
He nodded and left to begin packing.

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Virginia - two days later

It had just been a few days ago when father had told me we would have to leave. This was was bleak news to me, especially considering the fact that I was just starting to get used to this place. I mean, this was my colony after all. I sighed looking at my bag filled with clothes. I really didn't want to go. But this was something that I couldn't change. I had to follow dads advise and just hope. Hope that a solution would reveal itself. Then dad walked in, interrupting my thoughts.

"Virginia," He said softly, "It's time for us to go board the ship."
I nodded picking up my bag. There wasn't much in it. Just some clothes and a blanket. Dad then went over and grabbed his bag.
We walked out of the house. I took in the scene knowing it might be the last time I see it. I look back at the house one last time before boarding the ship. I felt a tear shoot down my cheek. Dad went and whipped the tear off my cheek. I smiled, sorrow still lingering in my eyes, but still comforted with the fact that my father was still with me. I sigh as we get read to part from the settlement.

However...

Soon just before we leave a ship comes in. My father is the first to spot it. The ship stops. We all get off to see what this new ship holds. It held 150 new settlers and many new supplies that can be used. We all cheer. We had been saved! A big and bright smile found its way onto my once gloomy and dark face.

"Well," My father says, "looks like we'll be staying after all!"