Thankful (Completed)

Chapter 3- A Sorrowful End

Emily Johnston woke to the sound of shouts. As she sat up, she watched through tired eyes as her fellow voyagers ran up on deck with excitement.

Mary Smith came rushing over, her face beamed with pleasure as she shared the good news,

"Land! We are closer to land!"

Emily opened her mouth in amazement. Could it really be true? After months of living in the bottom of this ship they would breath fresh clean air and feel wind on their faces again?

"Come along child!" Mrs. Smith exclaimed as she reached out her hand to the girl.

Emily would have taken it, until she suddenly remembered.

"I'll be up soon." She assured.

She watched as Mary nodded and fled up the stairs, eager to see their new home up close.

Emily turned her attention to her mother who was still asleep. She gently nudged her.

"Mother? Wake up, that land we saw three weeks ago, it's here."

Her mother's eyes did not open nor did her smile leave her face. Emily felt a cold chill run through her blood as her worst nightmare began to nag at her.

"Mother! Wake up!"

Emily shook her mother's arm but still she lay sleeping. Emily stared at her mother, willing her to open her eyes. The orphan's lips began to quiver and her hands shook violently.

In the fresh salty air the voyagers watched as they neared the new world.

"We will be going ashore tonight!" The old and well- seasoned captain announced.

Spirits fluttered high as all of the past gloomy days dissolved. Reluctantly, they returned down below to the musty air and dirty smells.

Collapsed over her mother, her face drenched with hot tears is where  Emily was found. One look told everyone of the Johnston's tragedy.

Mrs. Smith rushed to the girl's side to comfort her. Through her grief, Emily bluntly pushed her away and clung to her mother. Not only could she not be comforted, she refused to be comforted. Her misery churned into anger and the anger gave her false strength. She maliciously cursed God and regretted her prayer. Her mother had died, God had failed.

Finally the appointed minister approached Emily. The girl glared at the tall man. He believed solely in the power of prayer and had many a time visited her family's section.

"Your mother is at peace now, child."

This statement went right through Emily and her anger spewed from her lips.

"I am not a child!"

The minister looked down at Elizabeth Johnston and carefully formed his words.

"Many wish for a peaceful death, few find it. Your mother is one of the blessed few."

Emily scowled at the words. She could not admit he was right. This journey had been abundant in painful deaths and nightmarish endings. Her mother had died in her sleep, with a smile. A desired death on this horrible voyage.

"And what is more, she can buried in the new world. While most watched their loved ones swallowed by the harsh sea, you have the ability to visit her grave."

Again Emily knew what he had said to be true but her anger had hotly grown and could not be contained.

"Is that all you are good for? Looking at my blessed misfortunes and telling me I should be grateful?!"

"You are hurt Emily, and your words are empty. In time, you will see this."

Left alone to herself, Emily laid down beside her mother. Her thoughts were scattered and her heart was broken. Yesterday was but a faint dream. Already she was beginning to forget the sound of her mother's voice.

This scared her so that she bolted up and began to rock back and forth, her head bent in woe.

"I shall never know happiness again." She whispered through tears.

And there she sat during the remainder of the sea voyage. There too, she was seen as the small boats were let down and volunteers ventured ashore.

Alone now, the only surviver of her family. How she longed just to be able to quarrel with her brother, to fetch her father a cup of water, to do the tiresome job of laundry with her mother.

Living in her own world, she was worlds away from this new world. 

A/N
Did you like that last part? I hope it wasn't confusing. This will pick up and hopefully won't be so depressing. I appreciate all of you guys reading this! :)

Any ill words against God are from the character's belief and opinion, not mine personally.