Title: The miracle find
Rating: K+
Chapter: 1
Summary: This story is set by the T.V series; it is based on the time where Mary, Laura and Carrie are still only young.
Disclaimer: I do not own little house on the prairie or any of the characters involved.
Charlotte opened her eyes, to see a blackened sky with not one star alight. She rolled over and realized that she was outside, in the darkness. Nothing but her growing baby for company. Charlotte yawned and covered the old rag over her body.
Sunlight showered on the scrap of dirt where Charlotte laid. The dust road was all she had ahead of her, making her way around, trying to find somewhere, where she could find shelter. Charlotte managed to move herself and slowly get up. She saw birds flying happily with their wings so healthy and strong.
Charlotte packed up the few supplies she had and slowly started walking, anywhere she could find food. She felt so useless, lonely and fragile. She was 6 months pregnant and barley ate a thing everyday, her father had done this to her, he threw her out when she announced she was pregnant with her boyfriend. Her father didn't know how much they loved each other; it had been for what seemed an age since she had seen her boyfriend or anyone.
Charlotte trembled at every step she took, the sun was beaming down on her and dehydration was really taking its toll, she could hardly breathe. Charlotte glanced up ahead but only saw dirt, not even a tree or a shrub was in distance. She collapsed and cringed as her frail body hit the hard dirt ground.
Charles and Mr. Edwards sang happily as they went to fulfill a shipment.
"Old Dan tucker, Old Dan tucker"
Charles and Mr. Edwards were happy as it was the last shipment until Christmas break, where they could spend a few days just with their families.
"So you wouldn't know what a fair lady like Grace would like for Christmas would ya?"
Mr. Edwards bellowed.
Charles laughed. "I'm having it hard enough to find a present for Caroline, I asked her what she would like but she refused, she said that she had everything that she wanted."
Mr. Edwards shook his head "Well it's only about 6 days till Christmas so I was thinking about looking around in Sleepy eye."
Charles smiled "Well sure, they always have the latest gifts and presents, I think I might just find a present their too!"
Mr. Edwards started singing again as their destination grew closer and closer.
The sun was just a small semicircle when Charles and Mr. Edwards finally decided to call it a day and make a camp on the side of the road.
Charles took out the generous amount of stew that Caroline had prepared before their journey, while Mr. Edwards was trying to make a fire.
A crack of light lit and Mr. Edwards smiled as he smelt the stew already.
"Mmm, smells delicious, Caroline makes a great Stew." Mr. Edwards's said
Charles agreed and in no time their meal was on their plates all steamy and warm.
They ate it and washed it down with coffee and finally went to bed, for the early start in the morning.
Charlotte had managed to get herself up and walking again, the smell of food lured her. Her mouth watered as she eagerly dragged herself along. Yes she thought I might get a decent meal.
Charlotte had traveled into the night for what seemed to be hours when she came along a tree. She saw a small light and rushed over to it. There was a pot of stew all wrapped up, a wagon and a team of horses. By what she could see there were no people in sight so she helped herself to the food that was now cold. Charlotte scoffed down the stew until she could almost see the bottom. She heard a noise and tried to run away, but two men grabbed her and dragged her back to their camp.
"What do you think you're doing?" Charles yelled.
Charlotte shook as tears ran down her face. "I...I...I was only wanting some food!"
Mr. Edwards just about felt sorry for the young girl. "Well ya didn't have to go stealing it!"
Charlotte looked away "Well... I didn't know anyone was there."
"We were sleeping behind the wagon." Charles argued furiously.
Charles looked up and down at the girl. "Where are your parents?"
Charlotte started crying heavily "There not here, they kicked me out."
Mr. Edwards sighed "Well how old are ya?"
Charlotte stuttered "I'm 17 y…years old"
Charles felt sympathy sweep over him for this girl. "Why did they kick you out?"
Charlotte didn't reply. She fainted in Mr. Edwards's arms.
Charles was making a bed for her, when Mr. Edwards shouted for him to come over.
"Yes." Charles replied.
Mr. Edwards drew back her rags to ravel a growing stomach. "This girl is going to have a baby!"
To be continued
