120 Down, One More Left

Chapter 1 - Are We There Yet?

                     "Mother, it has been days! When will we get there?" "Do not get ahead of yourself, Edith, we will be at the shore soon," "yes, Mother..." I murmured. The year is 1587. I, my mother, my father and 119 other men,  women and children are on a ship to a new land. A new colony. A new world. I was excited to sail to the island that was to be my new home. There weren't many other little girls on the ship with me, so I felt very special. My mother, Donna was not as enthusiastic as me and my father, Alfred about leaving our house in England behind. Father told here to see the trip as an opportunity, but she says the only kind of opportunity present on the colony was a chance to leave all of her friends and possessions. Still, she couldn't imagine Father taking care of me properly alone, so she volunteered.

                      Suddenly a wave of cheering and celebration drowned the ship, which could only mean that we arrived. Father came for us, confirming my suspicion. Mother held my hand as we left Roebuck's splinter-filled wooden floors, stepping on grass for the first time in days.

                     My mother was a rather serious woman. Jokes and games did not appeal to her. She has never been optimistic about major change, or anything really. Before we left English land she made it clear that the only reason she came with us is that she would be worried otherwise. She also added, and I quote, "she will not enjoy herself in any way, shape or form and she thinks the thought of bringing small children on such a dangerous trip is a foolish idea". Still behind all the pouting and complaining she is very kind, and will never put anything before her family. My Father, on the other hand is the complete opposite. Mother says he doesn't take anything seriously. He is a very kind man, and valued Mother and me deeply, just like Mother, but he got angry a lot. He would argue with my mother often. Mother and I both had light brown hair, fair skin and a couple of freckles on our nose. Mom had shorter hair than mine, but it was still long and she always kept it in a bun. My hair was more wavy, and it reached all the way to my hips. I wasn't very tall, still taller than Ma. Dad, however, was very tall. Almost as tall as the trees in the meadow near our home in England. The trees were short but they were still trees. I hope that I grow up to be as tall as him one day. Sometimes I even pray that I do when we went to church.

                   After a little bit of walking, John White , the man who led us decided that we have walked enough, and it was time to make shelter. I helped Pa set up the tents. We were done by noon. "Come in, we should get some rest. We can finish the tent in the morning, it is better to sleep right now." My mother said firmly. She still wasn't glad about our decision to follow the expedition.  I was not tired. Instead I was feeling very energized and I was curious to find out what this new land had to offer. But I went inside the tent and lied down. I knew better than to disobey my mother -- while she was awake. 

                  As it got dark outside, my Mother lied down beside me, closed her eyes and started humming, in an attempt to fall asleep. She hummed whenever she was worried or upset, and it does help her sleep. After some time, both of my parents were sound asleep. I knew it was the perfect time to explore the nature around me. A chance to inspect every little detail of the outside world closely.

                  I carefully rolled out  of the tent and quietly got up. It is warmer here than it was back home. I haven't barefoot on the grass in so long. I walked under the moonlit sky. The cool breeze made my hair swish around in the air. I came across some flowers. A beautiful white butterfly landed on it. I kneeled down to take a closer look. It was truly fascinating. I've never seen one quite like it before. I moved a little closer it. I must have startled it, it flew away. I mindlessly followed the butterfly into the woods. It's white wings were glistening in the starry sky. It was so pretty and pure.

                  At the foot of the forest, it sat on another flower. I was careful not to scare it this time. Shortly after it landed, I could hear something move deeper in the forest. I hoped it wasn't anything big. Surely it is just a bird, I thought. Picked up the biggest stick I could find, and picked up a handful of rocks to throw at the creature, in case it was dangerous. I moved slowly towards the sound. "Come out come out wherever y-you are" I stuttered quietly, pointing the branch I picked to where I thought the sound was coming from.  I walked slowly, nearing the source of the noise. I heard it again. I was terrified now. Trembling, even. I prepared to swing the branch at the creature. Suddenly a small rabbit hopped out from behind a bush. I was relieved that there was nothing for me to worry about. 

                 I walked back to where I came in from. As the tree life around me got thinner I head yet another sound. I assumed it was the cheeky little bunny again, but i still looked around. Staring back at me from far away were a pair of glowing eyes. It seemed as though it had come from where my family had settled. It began to progress toward me. I through a rock at it and ran back home. It seemed as though nothing had happened. I made my way inside my tent. Surely enough I was met by the sight of my sleeping parents. I lied down next to my Mother again. I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

The end of chapter 1 - chapter 2 coming soon