Convict Girl

Chapter 5

“Follow me.” William’s voice came from just above my ear. I nodded slightly. William had become a bit of a fatherly figure to me. I felt I could trust him with my life. I excused myself from Sarah and Mary, and followed William. He led me behind a clump of trees, where James was waiting.

“Hello James,” I said, smiling warmly at him.

“I have already told James and Mary the plan, and I would like you to tell Sarah. This is what we’re doing.” William told me all of the details of his plan. I walked away worried. Even with all the luck in the world, I doubted that this plan would work. In quiet tones I told Sarah William’s idea. She immediately shook her head.

“There’s no way you are goin’ to convince me,” she said, “I ain’t goin’.” I sighed inwardly. I hadn’t expected for her to agree, but I was still sad that she wouldn’t take part in the plan.

“Who’s up for a dance?” William asked. Mary and I nodded eagerly; dancing would be a lovely way to end an evening.  He smiled, and began to sing.

‘Somewhere, over the sea,

My lover awaits me,

Sitting there all alone,

‘Till I come home.’

William’s husky voice sung the little tune nicely, and I nodded, encouraging him to go on. I pulled Mary to her feet, and we began to dance to William’s voice. Others saw what we were doing and joined in. Some clapped to the beat. An older woman began a harmony part. Still we danced, swapping partners every verse, although somehow I danced with James most of the time. At the end of the night, we all joined in a last chorus, and laughed and hugged.

I awoke the next morning feeling alive. Maybe there was still a future for me. Last night had brought so much of my original love of life back to me. I was all enthusiasm that morning. Mary seemed glad by my new mood, and it infected everyone. The only thing that pierced this happiness was the impending plan. I felt sick and was terrified about how the plan would unfold. How would the plan turn out?

°°°

It was two weeks after the night we danced. When the guards finally swapped over their shift, I raced unseen out of the women’s encampment. Mary, William, James and a few others were already on the beach, crouched and scanning the beach for guards. James flashed a nervous look at me, as I hurried over to where the waves were lapping against the shore.

“Ok, let’s go,” whispered William urgently, gesturing to the governor’s cutter bobbing in the inky black water. Silently, we filed onto the boat. The air was filled with tension as William slowly began to row out of the harbour. So far, no one had noticed anything. No! A dark shadow on the beach! We all stiffened and held our breaths; one wrong move and it was all over. Was this it? Were all my hopes for nothing? I let out a deep sigh of relief when the figure passed, our stolen ship gone unnoticed.

At William’s command, we all hurriedly crouched in the boat so as not to be seen. My knees grew sore, and my lower limbs became all tingly. Would I get out alive? It felt like a dream. Could this be real? It seemed decades before Mary whispered that we could stand up again. James helped me up, and we looked at the black smudge on the horizon that was the convict camp. This was real. James took my hand, and we turned to face the glorious light of the sunrise.

A/N ahh this is the end of the story! hope you guys enjoyed it, and that the ending was ok! 

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