A/N: By the way, I should clarify when this takes place.  Nat has not yet come back for Kit.  Judith and Mercy's lives are set at rights when their fiancés marry them.  Kit believes there is no one for her; she does not know that Nat loves her.  (Is this story depressing?  I'm going to add Nat in here, I promise!  Just not yet...)

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Kit slipped on a simple gray dress and a cloak.  It was very early in the morning, before the break of dawn.  She would steal out of the house, leave a note for her relatives, and sail away to Barbados.  She would not look back on her life and regret her decision.  She would go forward and stride confidently down life's path, wherever it led her.

Kit sighed and packed away the last of her belongings, including a beautiful white silk dress decorated with lace.  This had been her mother's wedding gown when she and Kit's father had been married, and it reminded Kit that there had been a time when love had worked for her family.  She pretended to herself that it gave her hope that she might also find love in Barbados, but deep down inside, she knew that her heart belonged to a certain young sailor who she could never have.

With all her belongings packed away in a single trunk, Kit walked out of the room and put the note on the kitchen table.  She went back into the room and picked up her trunk. She was about to walk out of the door, when a faint voice addressed her.

"Kit?  Is that you?"

It was Mercy.

"Yes...Mercy?"

"Kit!  What are you doing fully dressed at an hour like this?  Not even the sun has risen! Where are you going?"

"Please, Mercy," Kit begged. "Don't stop me from going.  I'm traveling to Barbados to start a new life."

"Why?  Are you not happy here with us?"

"I am, Mercy!  I really am!  I just can't stay here.  I'm so grateful that you and your family offered me a place to stay here, but I know I just can't.  Please don't ask me why.  Please just let me go."

Mercy stared hard at Kit.

"It's about Nat, isn't it, Kit?  You can't stand to see Judith so happy with William and me so happy with John.  I don't blame you, Kit.  I would feel the same if I were you."

Kit felt awful.

Mercy had divined her thoughts, and she felt ashamed that she was such a jealous person.

"You wouldn't feel this way, Mercy.  You're a wonderful person; you are not capable of jealousy."

"But I am, Kit," Mercy said softly.

"I have never told anyone this, but every time I see anyone walking around, I feel jealous that they can walk, and I cannot.  You have no idea."

Kit did not know what to say.

"It's all right, Kit. I understand why you must go.  I give you my blessing, and I'm sure Mother and Father will too.  Come and let me embrace you once again before you leave."

Kit walked to Mercy's bedside and hugged her cousin, tears in both girls' eyes.

"Goodbye, Mercy..."  Kit said, faltering.  "Thank you...for everything."  

"Goodbye, Kit," Mercy replied feelingly.  "May God be with you."  

The two girls parted tearfully, and Kit exited out of the front door of the house, leaving behind her life with her cousins.

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A/N: That's all for this time, folks! I'm REALLY sorry the chapters are so short...I really can't make them longer...Review please!