Author's Noe - Ameriese is my character and Ammon is my character but his inspired by a certain someone...can anyone figure out who????
Chapter Note -------------------For the Shipwreck Scene------------------- Listen to Apocalyptica's "The Unforgiven". I just feel that the music fits along perfectly with this chapter. You can see the video at youtube . com
--------------------------------Chapter One----------------------------------------
When the sun finally releases its warm grasp on the earth, its long fingers slowly retracting, allowing the cold darkness to creep in,
another world is revealed. To some, that world is the only one worth living in, the only one worth loving in. For others, they have no choice.
Ameriese stood in front of her now broken mirror, tears staining her soft cheeks as she gazed at her shattered reflection sprawled
across the floor. Bits of glass succumbed to the pressure of the heel of her shoe and cracked as her heart quickened its beating. It's true
the dress was beautiful; there was no doubt about that. And it was her mother's, given to her for a very special reason and it fit perfectly on
her slender frame. It was gold, with white flowers etched in, like her mother's wish was etched into Ameriese's disquieted mind.
"I'm sorry Mother, I just cannot do this." Ameriese thought as she unpinned the veil from her dark, chocolate colored hair.
She untied the back of the dress and let it slide down her body before carefully packing it. She put on her favorite day dress, it was red, then slipped a black cloak on over it, she was hoping not to advertise herself and wake the household.After packing a few more garments and food into her saddlebags, and one last look at the house she was raised in, Ameriese slipped out her window, carefully making her way down the ivy that had greedily overcome the house after her father had died. Her petticoat snagged, making Ameriese
appear simply as a dress on a clothesline. The only way to free herself was to take her petticoat off, which she did with much ease, it was far too nice of a night anyway to have that many layers on, and it is not like anyone would see her other undergarments, they were wellhidden by her long dress. After giving herself a good brush off, Ameriese carefully made her way to the stables. She could hear Reminic shifting around in his stall as he heard his owner approach, giving soft nickers as a welcoming good morning. As quietly as she could,
Ameriese slid open the barn door, Reminic's ears pricked forward as he impatiently stomped his bedding.
"Good morning there Remi, I know it will soon get late, the sun only went down a few hours ago, but how about we go for a nice, long ride?"
she whispered into his furry ears as his velvety muzzle gently nudged the palm of her hand in an answer of "yes."
Ameriese tightened the cinch and tied on the saddlebags, then gently climbed into the saddle. Her black cloak and his solid black
coat would keep them well hidden through the night, she was counting on it. With a soft nudge of her heels into Remi's side, they were off,
carefully making their way through the endless hills that enclosed her hometown, Rome. They traveled as fast as they could with the dim
lighting provided by a few stars and a cloud-covered moon. She dare not go anything slower than a trot with him, and did not ever stop for
fear that what she left behind, would soon catch up with her. Her heart jumped when the port finally came into view. Ameriese was able to barter a ride for Remi and her thanks to the kindness of some Gypsies. She didn't care where they were headed; she could only hope that they were headed somewhere better than here. The Fortunato traveled the seas for many days, days that turned into numerous weeks. During those lonely days and lonely nights, keeping to herself, Ameriese could be found only in the company of Remi, making sure he was comfortable and well fed.
Darkness fled from the Baltic Sea as Dawn kissed the skies, only to be soon covered with thick morose looking clouds. The once blue ocean now turned a dismal gray. Ameriese was on the upper deck of Fortunato attempting to get some fresh air. She stared up at the now almost black clouds that loomed above the small ship. Their very presence daunting the hopes for a safe passage. The coarse wind stinging her amber eyes which were desperately trying to sooth their pain with tears. An uneasy feeling came over Ameriese as she watched the waves growing with ferocity. Appearing as though she were drunk, Ameriese stumbled her way down into the cargo hold as the harsh waves ravaging the sides of the Fortunato, causing it to rock violently. Ameriese could hear Remi's neighs of discomfort. She rushed to him and untethered him from his stall, stroking his silky black neck in attempts to quiet him down. A flash of light bled in through the small oval windows as the sound of thunder crashed through the air. Remi reared up as several more shots of lighting and thunder
crossed the skies. The ship continued to rock violently. Glass breaking and screams could be heard on all levels of the ship. Hastily, Ameriese grabbed her belongings that she had kept hidden in Remi's stall. She tied the saddlebags that carried her life's belongings around her waist, tied the free end of Remi's lead rope to the other side of his halter, and jumped onto his long back, no time for a saddle. They fled up the ramps and through the hallways, trying their hardest to avoid the people screaming as fear seeped into their souls, scrambling about to fetch their belongings and loved ones. Ameriese sat forward, Remi thrusting his head and neck out in front of him, digging his hooves into the wooden floorboards as the boat's incline continued to rise. Chairs could be heard scratching across the floor, trying to cling to their original position. Ameriese and Remi reached the upper deck. Waves crashed onto the floor causing Remi to stumble, the salt water burning both their nostrils and eyes. There was no time to think, Ameriese urged Remi forward, and his trust in her led them to jump out into the open ocean, the waves beating down upon them, colliding against their bodies, slowly dragging them down deeper. Cold darkness seemed to seep into their very bones."No, this cannot be." Remi fought courageously against the pulling of the current, his strong legs kicking violently to reach the surface. Ameriese with her arms wrapped around his thick neck, his long black hair savagely tangled about her fingers. They broke through the surface; cool air flowed through their nostrils, filling their lungs, intoxicating them
with the sweetness and frailty of life.
The next two days at sea were a blur, a dream. They seemed to drift aimlessly, their bodies succumbing to the will of the currents. Ameriese's mind was in a daze, all she could feel were the vibrations of Remi's legs, working to keep them afloat, and the leather rope rubbing against her hands, the straps of the saddlebags digging into her flesh, reminding her of what she left behind. She took one last look at the sky, now calm, the sun descending below the horizon for the night. Then she closed her eyes.