Tabatha Izumi: Average American by Christian Zeo
Part 1
1 month has passed. That's all it's been. Only a fraction of the time needed to arrive at our destination. 5 more months left; how it's possible to survive, if it even is, I don't know.
My name is Tabatha Izumi. I'm only 14 years old, yet on my journey to go to the unknown land of America. The riches and beauty we've been told about are the only reason why I am accepting this fate; not that I had a choice anyway.
My father Akisame, my brother Saito, and I are on this boat for one reason: murder. My mother Louise was a lawyer. Was. During one of her cases, she successfully proved a man guilty of stealing from the king of England. Out of pure hatred, the man pulled out a knife, lunged at my mother, and killed her in front of the whole court.
I was to follow in her footsteps, and become a lawyer, however without my mother to support us, we can't afford to keep my father's bread shop, let alone for me to go to school. There was only one way to find a new home for my family, and be able to afford to live: to become a maid and go to america. A maid for a man I don't know, and don't want to know. All I know about him is his name, Adam Olson.
After only 1 month, most of the passengers on our ship are already dead, and the few who aren't wish they were. It's so horrible; people unable to move because of scurvy, people who know they are going to die from cancer, and in general sickness. Unfortunately, I'm not so lucky. I've had to stay in bed most of the time, because of survy I caught. Even in bed, I can hear the sickening cries and screams of people near death, and those of farmers wishing they could just have a piece of bread, however even that much is too much.
I know the only reason why people help me survive is because they don't want to see me, a cute little girl hurt. They even outright say it; I asked a man who was starving why he gave me food. His only reply was that I looked like his daughter, because of my shortness, blue eyes, and brown hair.
The only person who didn't treat me like a helpless kid was a person I wish I hadn't met. A man who calls himself Charles Charleston. I wish I could forget his arrogance, his mean attitude, his... lies.
"Why are you here, girl?" He asked in a way that made me feel like a child.
"I-I'm on my way to America. I'm going to save my family!" I replied, at that moment noticing his large white beard, and buff body, realizing he couldn't be younger than 60.
"You people are all insane. Do you really think some amazing paradise will just be at America? I saw first hand the horrors of that place." He said, as he gave a distant look, as if having a flash back.
"Horrors? You-you're lying! Everyone was told that there was paradise at America! What horrors could there even be?!" I said, getting angry at the ignorance of this man.
"There are many bad things about this place. Natives that will kill us without second thought, terrible land for crops, and starvation will come. Quick." Charles said, beginning to look genuinely afraid.
Knowing this was an act, I quickly retaliated.
" You liar! Why should we believe you?! You just want the land for yourself!" I snapped, not ready for this man to steal away all of the hope I had stored up.
"You're too stubborn. Fine. Go and see for yourself. If you won't listen, then that's your problem." Charles said, proceeding to walk towards his small cabin. I didn't want to believe him, and I didn't have to. I know what I was told, and I looked forward to this land, this salvation that would come. I was more excited about this than I had been about anything in my life.
And I wish I hadn't.
