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CHAPTER 1
Freedom to Captivity
ARRIVAL TO AMERICA: AUTUMN 1897
ELLIS ISLAND TEAMED with immigrants, tired in body but exhilarated with hope. Majestic sea birds flew above casting momentary shadows over the crowds. New arrivals disembarked the ship from Europe with sea weary legs and sleepless eyes. Naomi clutched the cold metal rails with a firm hand that steadied her gait.
"Come along," Naomi urged as her husband Thomas lagged behind. He held their daughter's Purity hand, a child of eight years old. She was lovely with piercing green eyes and flowing brown hair. A misty fog of ocean spray settled on their clothing. Dampness and a chill set in that only a warm fire could ease. The ship's smoke stacks released a final deafening blow. Reminding the new comers, one journey over and a new one commencing.
Naomi and Thomas drew close, huddling their daughter Purity between them, for warmth and safety. It was a new world with challenges, uncertainty and adventure ahead.
"Thomas, stay close! I can't afford to lose you, in this ocean of people," Naomi begged her husband with anxiety.
"We're finally here," Purity said looking up to Papa Thomas as they made their way down the ramp.
Rachel, a stunning teen from Russia followed the little family. She was on her own and befriended them on the journey across the sea. Naomi saw fit, no one took advantage of her curves on the voyage. Plenty of the men gave Rachel that lusty eye, as the ship rocked back and forth reminding them of other things.
"Get away, I'll gut ya if you get to close," Naomi warned the men about Rachel, more than a few times along the way. She even batted a few off as they made their way off the ship.
"Rachel, you're like fresh meat drawing flies. You don't have an ounce of sense traveling alone," Naomi scolded like a doting mother as they stepped off the ship.
"But Roberto's coming, to be his wife, who would think twice? It's a new life," she said in broken English. Rachel gave Naomi a loving squeeze.
"You're better than my own Mama. I'll never forget you," Rachel said with tears welling.
"Don't go soft on me, girl! You've been my constant worry. You'd better come with us, if you know what's good for you," Naomi coaxed. They moved on.
In a sea of people they waited patiently in long lines. The immigrants answered questions through interpreters. Then with sighs of relief, their paperwork was stamped at each station. An official looked over their long last Croatian name.
"Who could pronounce this? I'll shorten it to Thomascovich," the official complained. He slashed the last ten syllables from the unpronounceable name. Thomas nodded in submission, excepting the shortened version.
"America, a new name, a new life, same wife," he said pulling Naomi in close. He landed a light kiss on her neck.
"Not the time, man," his wife complained but returned his advances with a gentle hug.
"Move forward," the official said trying to make progress.
A Jewish family they befriended on board trailed behind. Natasha, was their daughter, a child of around seven followed Purity everywhere. She glowed with radiating grayish blue eyes and flowing brown hair. Her father wore a Kip-pah, covering a balding head. At times he wore a prayer shawl and rocked back and forth in prayer.
"As God leads, this is our home," he said hopeful staring into his wife's eyes. She nodded and clutched a shawl draped over thin shoulders.
"Friends forever," Purity said with affection reaching for Natasha's hand.
"Forever friends," Natasha replied clutching a homemade doll. Their hands clasped gently with reassurance.
An official waved his hand for the group to stand in the observation line. Doctors wearing white medical coats, with trained eyes, scanned each one for disease and infection.
"Over here," a doctor motioned for Naomi, Thomas and Purity to come.
"One at a time! Open your mouths, stick out your tongues!" the doctor ordered. They opened wide without hesitation as children obeying a staunch parent.
"Looks good," the doctor said examining their skin, scalps and ears for any diseases. And pressing a cold metal stethoscope to their lungs they breathed deep.
"Lungs clear, move ahead," he blurted and moved on down the line.
"Welcome to America! Next!" the official bellowed blindly stamping their documents while others stood by waiting their turn.
Finally, mesmerized the families huddled together a distance away from the Statue of Liberty. As one, they stared at her majesty and the fiery torch held high. The gravity of the venture hit each heart differently, from staggering anxiety to the overwhelming feeling of an uncertain future. The sum worth of their possessions weighed heavy in small suitcases.
"We made it Thomas, but we've left everything and everyone behind," Naomi said tearing up. She squeezed his arm even tighter as though somehow easing any stress.
"There's nothing to go back too, my love. And you can write the folks back home," Thomas said kissing her cheek. Natasha's father recited a Jewish prayer, "Blessed are you, HaShem, our God, King of the Universe, the Good and Doer of good."
"Thank you for the prayer, good man," Thomas said with appreciation. Rachel made the sign of the Cross over her chest and looked up to the sky. Natasha and Purity remained silent spectators, like little lambs among a giant crowd. Thomas sang an upbeat song, from his heart to anyone who would listen, "We Made It in America." A crowd gathered in awe.
Why look back when your future is waiting No second guessing, we made it this far, let's embrace it The future is ours, let's take it and make it, something grand We'll arise from dis-pair to declare We made it in America, we made it in America
Why look back when your future is waiting Hope for today, building our tomorrows It's time to let go of all our sorrows Stop looking back in fear, step-by-step We're moving forward in faith We'll arise from dis-pair to declare We made it in America, we made it in America
Papa Thomas ended on a high note, greeted with applause from those who stopped to listen. Other traveler's stopped to talk and share their own hopes. Unaware black crows landed, perching on lamp posts and fence tops, appearing to glare at the new comers. The sky darkened with clouds dimming the light of the sun. Evil lurked despite so much good happening around them.
Mave Murdock, a beauty in her day, looked about with sinister shifting eyes. She made her way through the throngs of poor European immigrants, searching for a specific target. Shrouded in an elegant hooded blue velvet cape, she pushed her way through the crowd. The hood covered lack luster dark hair, whose glory faded long ago. With darting eyes, she looked about searching for what seemed a treasure. Her eye's light in color but dark in spirit, landed on Natasha the intended prey finally found.
Adrenalin pumped through Mave's clogged veins, hoping for fresh prey. With focused intention she pulled a handful of wrapped candies from a deep pocket, appearing as tiny presents of temptation. It was alluring bait, for any child who was used to having nothing. As a fisherman casting a net, she tossed the bait to the intended target, hoping for a bite. Slipping from her father's grasp, the ornate shiny wrapping caught the girl's attention. Natasha slowly picked up one deliciously wrapped treat after the other.
"What luck! It's all mine," Natasha thought looking around and with intention collected the candy. Picking up the first piece, and then the second, she followed along. Her homemade doll lost all appeal and dropped from distracted hands in pursuit of a more tangible pleasure.
The child unwrapped the first piece, pushing it in her mouth. The chocolate, caramel and peanut crunch saturated her taste buds with a craving for more.
"What fortune," Natasha thought, as her parents could never have afforded such deliciousness. Its taste so alluring, she hungrily scoured the ground searching for more. Then picking up the trail, the child wove through crowds stumbling about, nothing was more important. Mave continued the seduction, dropping more delights and waited for Natasha to turn a blind corner. Unlike, her distracted parents, Purity caught wind of the whole affair watching the drama unfold and followed behind.
Meanwhile, their parent's mused with lingering hugs, tearful farewell's and good wishes.
"We'll catch up soon, this isn't goodbye," Natasha's father said shaking Thomas's hand.
"Yes, we'll be in touch," Thomas said with a firm shake.
"I think we're missing some papers," Naomi said shuffling papers with anxiety. A few pages scattered on the wind escaping shaking hands. Thomas rushed after the floating pages.
"Woman, let me handle this," Thomas said aggravated.
"What time is the train to Bristol coming?" Natasha's father called after Thomas wrestling with the wind for the papers.
"Within the hour, and who has time for this nonsense?" Thomas answered gathering the crumpled documents.
Following the saga, Purity kept her eyes on Natasha rounding a corner, leading down a corridor of small buildings. And running after her 'forever friend,' she caught a crime taking place in broad day light. Natasha fought kicking and screaming before being overpowered and dragged off. Mave's bony fingers covered the child's mouth preventing blood curdling screams.
"Let her go! Help, help," Purity screamed in a fit of anxiety.
The noise from the large crowd muffled any protests. Purity looked about realizing the futility and pulled a sling shot from her belt. Quickly, a shiny stone from her jacket pocket was placed in the launcher. Squinting one eye, she aimed and fired it with precision, hitting the bulls-eye. It sliced a blood gushing wound on the side of Mave's head.
Advancing with speed, Purity bolted with intention and lunged for Natasha's staggering oppressor. "You monster! Let my friend go," Purity shouted pounding Mave's staggering body with fists.
The dark haired beast fought back with angry slaps refusing to release the child. Like a pit-bull, Purity crunched the soft flesh of the woman's hand with a hard gnawing bite.
"Ouch, you little dog! You're mine, too!" Mave threatened holding a throbbing hand and feeling faint released her victim. Blood pulsed down blinding Mave's view, saturating her cape and dress. She pulled a handkerchief from her cape and wiped the blood.
"Bloody mess," Mave complained and was momentarily distracted. Purity yanked at Natasha's clothing, trying to pull her friend from danger. Running in full force they raced down several corridors searching for a place to hide.
The girl's glanced over their shoulders at the sound of a chase. The horrid woman's face was contorted like a witch, grunting like an old horse, lagging behind. The girls continued running and passing a mop and bucket, Purity dumped the water.
"You spilled the water. We're in trouble," Natasha protested with compounded fear. And rolling her eyes at such nonsense, Purity grabbed her friend's collar and pulled her onward.
At full speed Mave appeared as a bloodied maniac and raced around the corner. Her feet hydroplaned and slipped from beneath her weight. She crashed with a tremendous thud against the wall.
Hurrying along Natasha, twisted her ankle. "I can't go any further," she complained. The girls eyed a possible hiding place, an open door to a janitor's closet. Purity helped her friend hobble to the hideout and made a gesture to keep silent pressing a finger to her lips.
"Shh, don't make a sound. I'm going for help," Purity warned and closed the door.
Unseen evil lurked as Mave watched from the shadows. Like a rabid dog licking infested wounds she cowered like a rejected loser. With Purity on her way, the bloody faced menace rubbed her aching back and wiped blood with a sleeve. Slowly, she opened the janitor's supply closet.
Natasha faced her worst nightmare as long bony fingers swiped to take her captive. Mave feasted on such fearful vulnerability, a whimpering defenseless child.
"Get away from me," Natasha yelled throwing kicks and punches that caused no harm. Again the long bony fingers drew close like inescapable weapons inflicting pain.
Purity raced through a long corridor hoping to find help. A bright fiery ball of light appeared and abruptly stopped her pace.
"What are you? Who are you?" Purity asked in fear as the light pulsated with golden rainbow colors.
"Go back! Natasha needs you," sounded a child's voice from the ball of light. Purity's eyes widened and quickly she turned around.
Moments later, something hit the back of Mave's head with the force of a hammer. The sheer impact injected waves of nausea and pain radiating down her spine to the depths of her toes. Her body crashed to the floor like a tree falling with a violent thud. She was rendered unconsciousness.
"What took you so long?" Natasha asked like an abandoned child.
"Sorry my friend! I shouldn't have left! I was told to come back," Purity rattled sliding the sling shot into her jacket pocket.
"By who?" Natasha wondered.
"A light that speaks," Purity said pulling Natasha over the woman's motionless body.
"Was it scary? I've never heard of such a thing," Natasha said limping along. The two girls made their way through the mob of immigrants frantically looking for their parents.
Rushing back to where their parents were last seen, Natasha saw her doll crumpled on the ground. It was crushed, dirtied and trampled, and with one swoop she rescued the mangled toy with as much vigor as her rescuer.
"Purity, my friend! Don't ever leave me," Natasha said staring at the dolls cracked face.
"Friends forever, and don't forget it. Hurry along now," Purity said fearing they were lost. The girls weaved through the multitudes.
To the girls relief, they found their parents chit chatting with ease surrounded by thick crowds.
"Child, you're shaking," Naomi rattled like a caring mother to Purity.
"I'm fine, Mama," Purity said easing her mother's worries.
"Natasha, we've told you about wandering off. We were getting worried," her father sounded with concern.
"A witch hurt me but Purity rescued me," Natasha said and pulled a wrapped candy from her pocket.
"Never take candy from strangers, foolish child," Natasha's mother warned and hit the candy from her hand.
"Purity, you were our eyes and ears. Thank you, let's get out of here," Natasha's father said with relief.
"Trouble, trouble, and we just got off the boat," Naomi said clutching Thomas' arm.
Meanwhile, Rachel was frantically looking for Roberto her fiance a midst the crowds.
"Come with us girl. You hardly know the man. Marriage is hardly easy for adults, let alone a child. Don't be foolish, you've got the rest of your life to be married. What's the rush? Naomi insisted.
"I'll never forget you but I'm getting married. I'm in love," Rachel said hugging her new friend's good-bye.
"What's love when you don't know what's coming? Are you sure Roberto's coming?" Naomi asked with concern giving Rachel a motherly hug.
"Roberto's a man of his word," Rachel boasted with confidence and continued looking over the crowd for his familiar face.
"Rachel, Rachel, my beauty," yelled a young handsome man, with dark hair and eyes. He approached with confidence, gallant, wearing a fine suit, carrying a bouquet of flowers. Rachel ran into his arms relieved to see him. They embraced as two love starved hearts, finally united as one, and kissed feverishly.
"He actually exists," Thomas said to the others.
"I fear for her, senseless girl," Natasha's mother spouted in fear.
"Looks like love to me," Thomas said eyeing them tightly entwined.
"Oh, Papa! She's a mail order bride! They're nothing but strangers," Naomi said in their Croatian language. 'Papa' was Thomas's name of affection and he responded to it with pride.
"Not for long, by the looks of it. Let's go! The trains waiting. Shadow Brook Estate, here we come," Papa Thomas said glancing at his gold pocket watch. Rachel, a rare beauty gave one last wave to her friends and never looked back.
Roberto and Rachel made their way through the crowds near the New York seaport. He carried her luggage like a perfect gentleman. Rachel clung to his arm like a princess in love with her prince.
"I've missed you! I can't wait for our wedding, my beautiful Bride," he said with charming appeal.
"It will be the best day of our lives," Rachel responded with love.
About a half mile away, they made it to Roberto's horse and buggy parked on one of the busy streets. Rachel pet the horse's mane and admired the buggy.
"You must be rich to afford such luxury," she praised her fiance.
"You're easily impressed! You deserve the best and you'll have it," he said flattering her imagination. He placed her belongings in the back of the buggy and climbed up. He offered a helping hand, like a doting husband. Rachel reached for him and with a quick yank she slid onto the leather seat of the horse drawn buggy. And slapping the reigns, they were off. As they made their way through the crowded streets he started raving. "You're captivating, my love," he uttered with high enthusiasm. Roberto raised her hand to his lips and kissed it gently.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "True Privilege: The Unholy Realm"
by .
Copyright © 2019 Dr Karyn Darnell.
Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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