Thankful (Completed)

Chapter 13- Left Alone

The sun shone brightly overhead as Emily Johnston followed Betty outside. If not for her hardened heart, Emily would have smiled as the sunshine warmed her face.

Suddenly a voice called out to Betty. Emily looked over and saw two little girls, about the same age as Betty. Each child held a fistful of flowers. One of the girls, waved for Betty to come. Betty Smith seemed to have forgotten Emily as she hurried off to her friends. Emily did not care that she had been abandoned.

A nasty thought forced its way to the forefront of her mind, 'It would not be the first time I've been abandoned.'

Emily let out a short gasp at that horrible thought. She had not been abandoned. Her family never intended to lave her all alone. They had been taken from her. Stolen by the hand of a ruthless and cruel-

A gentle hand on her shoulder shook Emily from her growing thoughts. Thinking this hand belonged to the ever present Mary Smith, she quickly pulled away and turned to give a well deserved glare, in her opinion. Much to the orphan's surprise, the hand didn't not belong to Ms. Smith.

"Victoria." Emily managed to say.

Victoria had been Emily's closest and dearest friend back in England. 'More like sisters' Emily's father had often commented. Emily had only been able to tolerate the ocean voyage after Victoria told her that her family was going as well. Together, the friends had linked arms as they boarded the ship that was to change everything.

After the death of Aaron, Emily had begun to spend less and less time with Victoria. Their friendship was slowly drifting away as England became smaller and smaller in the distance until all that could be seen was the deep uncharted ocean surrounding them. After the death of Emily's father, she was so consumed with grief and anguish that Emily had all but forgotten Victoria.

Now as Emily locked eyes with her long lost friend, she felt her heart break a little bit more.

"Emily Johnston." Returned Victoria, her voice unsteady.

"I thought you were someone else." Was all Emily could think to say.

Victoria's sad blue eyes spoke before her mouth could form the words. "I've missed you Emily."

Emily could only nod, her emotions all a jumble as they bubbled up inside her.

Victoria continued, "Many times I wanted to speak with you."

"Why did you not try?" Emily challenged.

Victoria raised her eyes. "It was not that simple. You seemed so distant and unapproachable."

Emily frowned. "I lost everyone I loved."

Victoria went to comfort her friend, to embrace her, as they had done so many times before back in England. Emily saw the movement and moved aside.

"I do not want your pity."

"I'm offering my friendship."

"I have no need of friends. I keep to myself now." The words left a sick taste on her tongue but she could not recant.

It was clear Victoria was crushed. Without another word she turned and left. Emily stared after her for a moment before turning her own back.

~~~~~~~

Emily felt eyes watching her as she laid a berry into her cream colored apron. Instead of looking around, she kept her head down and focused on her task. Her fingers felt sticky from the fruit and she longed to go wash.

Behind her, some of the women were laughing and merrily discussing the feast that was to take place at harvest. It made Emily sick to hear such noise. It was a chore, but she forced herself to stay at her task and not slap these foolish women. Emily instead, left the bush she had been collecting berries from and moved to a different bush.

'These people have lost everything, and yet they chose to celebrate? There is nothing to be thankful for!' She thought angrily.

Still after moving, the feeling of being watched laid heavy on her. Suddenly she looked over to where she was sure the figure was. Disappointed, she saw no one. Only the treeline into the forest.

'Ouch!' She thought as one of the rare stickers pricked her thumb. Emily glared at her thumb and dared it to bleed.

Emily thought back to that afternoon when the ridiculous announcement about the feast had been made,

"Friends!"  William Bradford had begun, "Because of the Wampanog tribe, we shall not only survive but thrive in this new world. A three day feast is to take place during the harvest in order to both thank our new friends, and the Lord for his perfect provisions."

Emily had scuffed at the words and despised the gladness that all the pilgrims had expressed. Now in her anger, she ripped another berry from the bush. The stem broke off with a sharp snap at the sudden force. The snap seemed to echo, it was so loud.

That was when Emily looked about her and saw she was completely alone. The bothersome women had moved on. Emily looked toward the treeline of the forest. The leaves blew in the brezze, beckoning her to find shelter inside.

'No one will miss me for hours to come. And by then I shall be long gone.' She thought as she saw the perfect opportunity before her.

Clutching her full apron close to her, she left the bush she had been standing by and walked to the edge of the forest. She did not look back, nor did she regret, as she ventured beyond the boundaries of the village.

'Let them celebrate. They shall find out for themselves that there is nothing to be thankful for.'

A/n

Lots of stuff happening in this chapter. And yes, she has ran away, but how will it turn out? Comment your thoughts. :)