Ma'iitsoh

Chapter 1

The granite mountain range loomed up through the fog. Kathryn felt a flutter deep in her belly, not one of contentment, rather of a foreboding. She swung her legs to and fro, there was not much space for her on the back of the wagon. All their belongings were cramped up inside it. Her back rested against the chest of drawers. Kat gazed upon a Godforsaken land, silently cursing her father for his greed and her mother for being spineless.

Charles John Judson believed that Prescott held the riches he sought. Charles described himself as a pioneer and that he would obtain greatness one day, even at the cost of uprooting his family annually to new destinations and gold, for lots and lots of gold.

Next to him on a home-made bunk sat his wife, Linn-Anne. She was only forty five years old, but looked haggard, old and depleted of any life. She had strawberry blonde hair and brown eyes. Attractive in her younger years but not a beauty.

His daughter on the other hand, had an uncanny resemblance to him. They shared the same blue black hair and eyes as blue as the sky itself. Kat never cut her hair, it hung like a mantle around her shoulders and back. Charles knew she had had enough and one day she would seek her own fortune and adventures.

Billy was only two years old when he died of yellow fever. That was twenty years ago. He would've been twenty two this year if his calculations were correct, Kathryn will be, or is twenty four. He tried to look over his shoulder to see if Kat was content, he could not see her with all the furniture packed to its capacity in their wagon.

"Kat," Charles called out, "Are you doing well there, Sweetpea?"

"Yes Pa, couldn't be better."

He could feel the irritation in her voice. Linn-Anne never said much, Charles thought of her as a tiresome and bland woman, these days he was even reluctant to give her a kiss on the cheek. She repulsed him and soon he would be done with her.

Night descended fast in the air became cold. In the distance he could see flickering lights, at last, he beamed to himself and smiled.

"Home."

"Hey Kat, look yonder we are home."

Kat did not move she pulled the blanket tighter round her, "Prescott will never be my home." She promised herself.

All she could mutter was, "Yes, Pa."
Those seemed to be her favorite words these last few days. It was dark when they entered Prescott. Harry Winters applauded their arrival.

"Come. Come." He said to Charles and embraced his old friend with real enthusiasm. He shook hands with Linn-Anne and frowned. Once Kat came around to them, his jaw dropped. Charles gave him a good smack on the back but had not noticed his reaction.

"Harry, you remember my daughter, Kathryn?"

"Good Evening, Uncle Harry. How have you been?" Kat exclaimed and shook his hand.

Uncle Harry, she thought was a truly handsome and remarkable man, even if he is old. Harry had sandy like hair and hazel eyes, tall and strong, built like an ox and a confirmed bachelor. Looking at Kat he thought to himself, he might be persuaded to change his mind.

Harry called a few men over and unlock the door to the Judson's new home. Charles could not contain his excitement, Linn-Anne started to unpack while the men brought in their belongings. Beds were placed haphazardly for them to rest. A fire soon warmed the house, oil lamps and candles were lit.

Kat put a kettle over the fire and decided not to wash up, to rather get into bed and try to forget about this horrid place and this horrid little wooden box they call a house.