19I usually write fan fiction on , but I decided to try something different.
Summary: This is about a young Japanese girl who thinks she has found true freedom in America. But soon feels lonely and scared, for her mother is still in Japan, and no one understands her. Now, Sara is trying to find work to earn money, while running from all these government officials, who want to send her back to Japan, or so she thinks. Life for is going according to plan until she meets a mysterious yet alluring stranger. Now, Sara is finding it hard to run from him. Will Viktor be able to seduce this young girl, or will he truly fall in love with Sara?
I could be stretching the truth how immigration is handled in the world, but this sort of my view of it; so don't get mad I am not that sure what goes on. Also, it kind of goes along with the plot of the story. So, just bear with me for the sake of my story and my sanity!
Note: Speaking: "..."
Speaking in another language: ""..." "(italics)
* * * *
Staying Alone
Chapter 1: Life is Hard
America. This is a land full of freedom. Everything from now on is going to be perfect, because America is perfect. At least that is what young Sara Nazuto thought as she stared out at the blue ocean over the railing of the boat that was taking her from her home in Japan to America. She believed America to be the best place to live instead of back in her small town in Southern Japan. Her home used to be so peaceful and calm, but then the poverty rate increased like wildfire. The same thing happened with diseases, this was how Sara lost her father. He died when the little girl was only three years old. Sara never knew her father. Sara and her mother lived by themselves for the next twelve years.
Sara still remembered the day her mother told her daughter that she was going to travel to America. The Japanese girl had just turned 15. It was Sara's dream come true.
Sara was so excited about going to America finally. She had heard so much about the Land of the Free. Her old friends, Macy and Brian, who moved there 4 years ago, have said nothing except how wonderful it is. Although she had no idea where to find them, Sara couldn't wait for the day when she and her mother could go there and share its beauty.
However, as the young Japanese immigrant stepped off the platform of the ship alone, she looked around to see miles and miles of buildings large and small. Sara's smile faltered when she could not see anything lush or green, not like in her rural home where she climbed trees when she was younger in the garden behind her house. Still, she wished her mother could see it. Her mother would not say why, but Sara was on her own here in this place called San Francisco, California. Her mother only said that she just had enough money to send her daughter alone, and that Sara was to wait until her mother would be able to come.
Just then, Sara remembered her grandmother Nazuto; she also lived in America with her husband. The rich, elderly couple moved to America from Japan as soon as they found out their only son was married to a 'common' girl. Sara's grandmother didn't care much for her granddaughter, mostly cause Sara looked like her mother.
However, unlike her grandmother, Sara loved her grandpapa. He always wanted welcomed his only granddaughter, but was almost always stopped by his wife. The only gift he was able to give Sara was a small gold embellished box on her tenth birthday. The box had a small secret latch that Sara could not figure out how to open; though her grandpapa had told her a story about it.
Only he can unlock the secret,
The one that holds the key,
He is waiting for you to find him.
Sara had no idea what that meant, but soon left it alone and eventually forgotten. Deciding not to bother her grandparents, especially her grandmother, Sara began walking around the city trying to enjoy the scenery. However, something was wrong. The Japanese girl could not read the words on the signs she passed; nor could she understand the words of speech of anyone who walked by her. Sara became very confused by everyone's strange tongue.
Suddenly, she felt a soft tap on her shoulder. Sara turned around, still very confused, only to be met face to face with a young woman, about age 30, smiling down at the young girl. Sara became even more frightened as the woman began speaking in a strange language. Sara fell silent trying to understand this strange person. The woman spoke again, growing increasingly impatient with the girl. Sara soon felt everyone starting to stare at her, so she did the only thing she could think of; she ran.
Pushing herself through the crowded street, Sara felt like crying as she felt many eyes staring at her. Soon, the girl stopped abruptly in front of large church. Running up the stone steps, believing she would be safe Sara opened the large, heavy doors, and quickly slipped inside.
The cathedral was big and beautiful; it was much larger than the temples in Japan. Stained glass windows surrounded the walls letting colored light flood the big room. People were kneeling in front of a large table where another man broke bread and blessed wine. Sara watched on, becoming even more confused, she had no idea what rituals these people were doing. She backed up to the wall, bumping into a diamond shaped window. Turning around, she noticed something.
Outside of the large church, Sara saw many people not only acted and talked strangely, but also dressed strangely, nothing like the people in Japan. Sara then looked down noticing her own clothes. She wore a short Japanese- style kimono made of blood red silk and gold-colored embroidering. This was nothing like the clothes those people wore.
Sara leaned up against a wall, and sliding down she pulled her knees to her chest, and cried. Tears for being in a new world, tears for not having her mother nearby, and tears for everything she could not have, everything she left behind in Japan, family, friends, and love.
Sara had almost cried herself to sleep when suddenly a gentle hand was placed on her shoulder. Sara, in fear, looked up to see a man dressed all in black smiling down at her, and stretching out his hand toward her. Sara flinched away at the gesture unable to understand what the man was saying.
The minister of the church saw that the girl was foreign and frightened, so using his language skills; he was able to communicate.
" "Hello there, may I help you?" "
Sara calmed down a little, happy that she had found someone who understood her. She smiled as she reached for his outstretched hand.
" "Forgive me if I disturbed you. I didn't know where else to go." "
The minister spoke calmly, " "It is all right, you are always welcome here. If you would like you may stay and we can help you learn about this place." "
" "Arigato!" "[1]
" "What is your name?" "
" "Sara Nazuto," " the girl answered softly.
" "Well Sara, you may call me Father Terry. Welcome to the Lawrence Church, now come, the sisters will show you a warm bed and bath, and new clothes." " Sara nodded.
Over a year's time had gone by, and Sara stayed with the Father Terry and the Sisters at the Lawrence Church. There she studied and learned the country's culture, religion, and most importantly, the language.
However, one day, everything changed.
On one bright summer afternoon, as the sun shown brightly in the clear blue sky, sixteen years old Sara Nazuto walked casually and happily down the street. Wearing a long black cape that sisters had made for her, Sara listened to people as they passed her. She learned quickly how to speak English, although her tone still was a little rough.
The girl walked down the sidewalk, back to the church convent, from the store where she was asked to pick up some basic food items, such as bread and milk, etc. Sara noticed two police officers walking up the stone steps of the church. Not wanting them to think she was stealing, Sara moved quickly down a dark alley to the back door. Slowly, she poked her raven- haired head around the red brick corner. There she was barely able to catch a small bit of their conversation.
"Hey Mike, why are we here anyway?"
"Look, we...find out if...immigrant and if they ...in order. If they don't, ...must deport them back to their country."
"Right, I understand."
Sara was scared, she knew what 'deported' meant and she was the only one who was an immigrant. Sara did not want to go back to Japan. Although it was her home, the poverty in her small village was too great. She did not want to face that again, so much illness and suffering. Sara didn't want that any longer.
Not wanting anyone in the church to get into trouble with this government, Sara left her items in the small kitchen and quickly ran to her room upstairs. Sara grabbed the few possessions she had and ran outside the back door trying not to be seen, and then did the only thing she could think of. Sara ran away again.
TBC
All right that is it for chapter 1 and I have chapter 2 up as well. I just wanted to get this story up and going before I left for Christmas vacation, where I don't get Internet access. I will see you all again in two weeks, hopefully if I can find a computer. Please review this in the meantime.
Note: [1] first did I spell it right? In addition, it is supposed to be Japanese for 'thank you'.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!
-* Whispirah *-