Cursed and Sealed (ONC 2020)

Chapter 9 - It's all a Lie

There were just a handful of us girls left after the long voyage. Several died in the first few weeks from illnesses that seemed to plague ships and their passengers. We were the lucky ones or at least that's what we were told. Marie and Claire stood close to me as the other girls avoided me as if I had the plague myself. I tried not to let it get to me as I looked to my two friends who stayed by my side through everything. Marie looked back at the Merchant ship causing both Claire and I to do the same. 

I could see him, Henri was getting off the ship. He did say he was from here and I'm sure he had family who wanted to see him. I wanted to believe for a second that he was coming for me, but I pushed the thought out of my head and moved forward. I needed to ground myself before I hurt anyone else. The rest of the girls were all congregating toward what looked like the beginning of civilization. There were shops and an actual roads that horse led wagons strolled down carelessly. 

"I feel like it's been years since we've seen an actual city." Claire looked so happy as she twirled in the dirt road stirring up the dust. We stopped just short of where the girls were. No sooner did we get there did a wagon being led by a nun herself stroll up and stop right in front of us. She stared at us all for a moment taking in the poor sight of us all. We were all dirty, exhausted, and paler than we should have been. 

"I assume you are the new Casquette girls?" the nun asked the girls pursing her lips. If she had any warmth in her she certainly wasn't showing it at the moment. A girl with dark brown hair and who was too skinny like the rest of them stepped forward for the whole. 

"We are, are you from the Ursuline Convent?" She asked boldly.

"Yes I am and you may call me Sister Miriam. I need all of you to hop on so we can head back to the convent. Sister Mary Margaret is waiting for you all in the Chapel." 

All the girls followed like ducks squeezing into the wagon. I decided to sit on the outer edge trying to give the girls some space since they didn't like me too much at the moment. They all adverted their eyes from mine as we sat in the wagon making me want to disappear all together. I wasn't used to being an outcast and I never had been. In fact I had been one of the best at putting on events back at home. My mother and I would host teas and parties and everyone always came. I sank back into my seat feeling every bump coming from the road knowing that this was a sign that was all coming a halt.

"How lucky are we to get a fresh start at a new life." Marie took a deep breath and then smiled at the girls trying to comfort them. It didn't work, the girls looked more scared than anything. I prayed she was right and that this fresh start was exactly what I needed. I prayed it was what we all needed. 

We passed by several buildings all sporting a unique style I had never seen before. The buildings were tall and mostly two or three stories with intrigue balconies. It was all so stunning and so different from anything in England. Sister Miriam then stopped in front of a large white building with light grey shutters. It was massive with its own front gardens to help showcase its beauty.

"I want you all to head straight into the church where you will all sit in the front middle pew. Sister Mary Margaret wants to talk with you all before we head into the main building." Sister Miriam said very sternly. I almost felt like a child being reprimanded again and we hadn't even done anything. It was clear that there would be strict rules to follow during our time here. 

We all walked in a straight line as we follow her into the chapel and to the very pew she wanted us to sit in. I sat in-between Claire and Marie thankfully and we all looked up to see Sister Mary Margaret come in with a very solemn look on her face. She stopped and looked at each and every one of us one by one never once breaking that tense look on her face.