The Sea & The Storm

nine

It was not the morning that woke me, but Oliver banging down the front entryway. I could hear his rousing from downstairs, breaking some news to whoever was around to hear it. Rising was a hazy memory—a sharp loneliness that I couldn't place had struck me first—but when I heard the news, my own body could hardly keep me from flying down to the mine.

Avenlee was up and alert. The sun hadn't even risen yet, but everyone was up at arms over the situation at hand. Adrenaline was coursing through my veins, my heart pumping faster than it ever had.

In haste, I buttoned my waistcoat as I descended, bellowing from the stairs as the people of my house ran around like headless fowl.

"Sarah, call for doctors. Any and all that will come. Karen, I need you to find any able-bodied men north of town that are willing to help..." I caught myself reaching for her, though I knew she would be nowhere in sight. The household seemed to hold its breath while I took my pause to process the whole morning.

"Aidan." Oliver broke me out of my reverie, as I wasted not a moment more. I mounted my horse and started after the mine, leaving chaos in my wake as the whole countryside rose to the sound of the bell rolling.

Cave in at Wheal Prosperity.

I could hear commotion from far off, but I kept to myself in my uncle's home. I tended to the gardens and I swept the length of the first floor while I was up.

It wasn't long before I had a visitor at the door, yelling at me from the other side. The voice was all too familiar and it was almost absurd to hear it here. "Natie! Natie!"

The towering door pulled wide to reveal the smallest of Karen's boys. Bear was mangy as ever, but with a concerned little frown. "Cave in at Wheal Sperity! Ma says you best come."

My heart leapt into my throat and I didn't waste a moment more, grabbing my wrap and chasing after the little boy. He grabbed my hand to urge me along and I kept up with his spritely steps, following the ringing of the bell and the distant cloud of smoke and soot. God, I prayed, let him be okay.

There was a ringing in my ears that I couldn't shake. The constant flurry of motion and yelling was rattling and I knew, I knew that there were men badly hurt. Bear held my hand in uncharacteristic fright, trembling at the sight of hysteria and grief. The gesture was welcome, keeping me grounded in a moment of overwhelming terror.

I didn't have time to think too hard on my own fear, because I was brought over to the makeshift doctor's tent soon enough. Bear fled to his mother's side and I tended to the hurt as best as I could.

I almost longed for Sarah's reassuring presence but I knew that she would be at home. It was too dangerous here for someone in her condition. Doctor Winston was as close a friend as I would get right now, and he kept a close eye on me at all times.

It felt like ages before we heard any news, yet it was only an hour or so.

Aidan had gone underground, to pull out men and to account for all of the ones yet missing. The mine was filling with salt water and there wasn't much time left. There were women crying and families holding fast to one another. It seemed to be nearing the end and I stood from my place, having bandaged and fed everyone I could find who needed it.

I staggered over, exhausted and filling with worry. From the mine's entrance came three men, shouting and coughing before their friends dragged them away from immediate danger.

Oliver rushed forward, questioning them sternly on his cousin's whereabouts. His wild expression was all I needed to go to him, knowing there was nothing that boy wouldn't do for his cousin.