Title: Scarlett's Turn - Chapter 4
Rating: PG for now
Author: Cat
Timeline: This begins shortly after Rhett's departure from Scarlett at the end of "Gone With The Wind."
Disclaimer: I do not own the Characters of "Gone With The Wind" , just this story lineā¦
Feedback is appreciated. Please send comments to Cutekitty74@yahoo.com
Thank you for reading my story, I hope that it you enjoyed it! Please be gentle this is the first Gone With The Wind story I have ever written!
The land of her Father laid before her. Her soul would find the strength to carry on, she hoped, here. She looked to her children and tears filled her eyes "I will live for them" she whispered as the ship entered the port. In a few minutes the next chapter in her life would begin, with or without Rhett Butler in it. Secretly within her heart she stilled prayed that it would be a life with him. Gathering herself she took the small hands offered and they began their decent from the large ship.
Wade watched the emotions play over his Mother's features as she stared out to the land before them and then when she looked to them. He knew her heart was broken and prayed that time would heal the once strong woman that stood before him so fragile now. "I hope we never see that man again" he thought to himself "he has destroyed everything he has ever touched" as they neared the steps that would take them from the safety of the ship to the new land before him. His mind began to fall back to the tales his Mother had told on their journey. He hoped this was the way to help her find her strength again, she looked so weak and tired.
The woman that set foot upon the Irish soil was far from the woman who set out on this journey some weeks ago. Her eyes were still the fiery green, but they held a dull light now. Her body was reduced in size considerably, but the strength to survive was still their in her walk as she led the children away in search of their luggage and passage to a hotel. People passing by her took notice of the hunger in her eyes and the fragility of the frame that carried them. She was a woman who was fighting a war, she was a woman who had lost something, something that was great to her.
An hour later they were in the lobby of a hotel, registering for rooms. Once in the safety of their rooms, her strength gave out. Scarlett set the children to unpacking their bags as she entered her own bedroom. Her trek was stopped as she caught glimpse of herself in the large mirror set against the far wall. A ghost of her past stood before her, a woman she had laid to rest many years ago. She had the same look she held after the war. Thoughts of the war brought back horrid memories of pain and starving. Scolding herself she knew their was no reason for her to be starving she neared the reflection. Her skin ghostly pale, her cheek bones apparent against it. The only life in her appearance were that of her eyes and even they looked dull and lifeless. Scarlett backed away from the image, her hand to her mouth in horror. She rushed to the bed and threw herself down. Tears fell again as she wished she had Mammy or her Mother to tell her everything was going to be alright. But nothing would ever be the same, she had lost Rhett, she had lost Bonnie and even the love of Wade and Ella could not fill the void that had taken control of her heart and soul. She had been a fool again, trying to make herself believe that she could carry on, but she was tired of fighting, tired of trying. With the last of her strength her voice filled the empty room "DAMN YOU RHETT BUTLER" she screamed "DAMN YOU TO HELL" and she collapsed in a faint.
This is how Wade found her. She appeared to be sleeping, but would not stir. Fear filled him as he thought she was slowly dying. He ran to find help.
