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A Sentence of a New Life - chapter 5 -

Boni_Bee · 2005-11-25T01:35:43Z

Any words like t.his mean that the . needs to be there or my computer will take out the word :? Comments/suggestions appreaciated :wink: ------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 5 Emily woke up to the sound of gunshots. Startled, she sat up, her eyes wide with fright “Its alright, they’re just s.hooting seabirds” her friend said, patting her shoulder. Emily nodded sleepily, and lay back down, expecting to rest her head on her only other clothes and book, but her head only made contact with the hard floor of the ship. My book and clothes...they’re gone!!! She thought, sitting up again and wildly searching around, hoping they’d just been moved. But no, her meagre belongings had disappeared...stolen maybe. It was very likely, since clothes and amusements were scarce on this ship, and she felt that none of the other convicts were to be trusted. Emily wearily passed her hand over her face, and then gazed around the hold. Other women were waking up and starting their usual complaint about the food, and their neighbours. It was the same every day. Life settled into a pattern after a while: Wake up, Eat breakfast which consisted of dry bread and water and occasionally a stale and weevilly ship biscuit, Listen to the noisy tramping of soldier’s boots overhead as they paraded on deck, and the shouting of officers, Sit in suspense as convicts were randomly chosen to get 10 lashes by the whip each day, Swallow a thin cold gruel for lunch, Watch desperate people g.amble for clothes or belongings Sit in darkness until supper time... Crash! The door to the hold was kicked open and it swung loudly against the wall. A tall officer in regimentals stood at the top step, his face cold and blank, his eyes searching the sea of people for a new victim. His eyes alighted on Emily, and a faint flicker of something showed in his eyes, before they became cold and hard again. He barked an order to a waiting soldier and pointed into the crowd. The man nodded, and marched down between the rows of cowering humanity, before seizing Emily by the arm, and roughly pulling her to her feet. The terrified g.irl stifled a scream with her other hand, as she was dragged out of the hold. Her eyes pleaded silently with the silent convicts as she passed, but all she was only given pitying glances, or openly relieved expressions. Head hanging, she stumbled onto the deck, and cried silently as they bound her tightly to the main mast. The soldiers stood around in a circle, at ease, as the ships mate got out his cat-o-nine tails. Emily rested her head against the mast, and closed her eyes, bracing for the shock. The mate stripped off his shirt, and stood ready for the order to be given. “Commence!” commanded the officer after a short pause, and down came the whip with a swish, hissing as they struck across the thinly clad back of the g.irl. A choked sob escaped Emily, but she bit her lip resolutely, and prayed silently, feeling herself go numb as the flogging continued. A few of the soldiers flinched as the whip began to draw b.lood and left deep marks across the pale skin. The mate took a deep breath and delivered the last blow hardest of all. A pie.rcing shriek split the air as the lash severed the quivering g.irls last strength. With a last gasp, she fainted, still tied to the mast. She hung limply until an officer cut her loose. She collapsed onto the deck, still unconscious, the b.lood dripped silently down her back, forming a pool below her. “Get her down below and put salt into her wounds” instructed the officer, turning away from the pitiful sight, and marching back to his cabin. The ships doctor came forward and motioning to a nearby soldier, put the desolate bundle onto a stained plank that served as a stretcher, and carried her down a ladder into his cabin. He rubbed salt into her wounds, and bound them with rough bandages, then the aide slung her over his shoulder as if she was a penny weight and headed down to the hold once more. He opened the door and grimaced at the smell, before putting her down in a clear space. Emily’s friend hurried over to her, and the soldier left her to care for her. He left the hold with his head in the air, and hurried to the railing before the smell overcame him. As night fell, the wind increased, and the ship glided along, leaving a shining wake behind her, and forging ahead to the new land. Below deck, a tired and battered form fell into a deep sleep.

happy-go-lucky

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Points 1090

Reviews 62

Sat May 24, 2008 10:26 pm

happy-go-lucky says... · Sat May 24, 2008 10:26 pm

This story is really good! I would try to think of something to nitpick about but everyone's pretty much summed it up already! Although I do want to know where her book and clothes went. Perhaps explain what the other convicts think of her bringing the book and clothes giving you a reason for why they knicked them?

Other than that tiny little detail, a very unique and solid plot!

Keep writing!

x

Quote

The first thing I do when I have a good quote is always to put a goat in it. uwu
— Liminality

A Sentence of a New Life - chapter 5 -

If this was a book, would you read it?

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