Soul Searching

Cannish Port

The small boat docked at a wooden pier and the men went about fastening it to the dock. She was still shaking slightly from the shock of almost drawing (again). The men disembarked and the one who had rescued her turned around and offered her a hand in getting up and off the boat. She took it, weakly rising to her feet and stepping out. She stumbled once, nearly tipping back into the water but the man grasped her elbow and steadied her.

She stood on the dock, observing the scene around her. The other two rescue boats with passengers were also unloading at the dock. She noticed one had pulled in to dock without a passenger, but then realized with shock that there was a passenger, just not one that had survived.

Two men lifted a limp adult body out and laid it gently onto the wood planks of the dock. One of the men pulled his hat off and held it to his chest, kneeling and making the sign of the cross with his free hand. f**k, this is bleak, Isaac thought.

Mary watched as three more rescue boats remained searching in the water, lamps now lit in a feeble attempt to light the pitch black area. Two small crowds had gathered on the nearby shore, watching with dismay at the ongoing tragedy. A woman wailed in mourning from the crowd. Others were weeping silently.

She felt tears well up and blinked several times to clear her eyes. She'd also realized that the men had begun walking down the dock, leaving her behind. "Wait!" She cried after them. "Please wait!" They stopped and looked over their shoulders. "Come on kid, there's nothing more to be done here." The one who had been rowing said bleakly. He looked distraught, like he'd failed.

Mary hurried towards them, her legs still stiff from the icy water. She caught up with them and walked between the two men. "Where are we going?" she asked timidly. "We're taking you to the church. So they can sort out what to do with you- I mean..." he paused, as if he realized his tone was dismissive, then began again more softly. "To help figure out what happens next for you." Isaac was fine with this plan.

It offered him a way into town, then once he checked this small fishing village for Helena, he could see about traveling around as much as he was able to.

They walked for several minutes in silence. Mary looked at the homes and shops as they meandered their way into the town proper. There were small and dirty looking buildings, mostly stone, brick and some wood. The roads were cobblestone and there were oil lamps on the city streets.

Isaac guessed he was now in England, sometime in the 18th century. He saw a placard on a building they approached that read "Saint Clement of the Sea, Holy Catholic Church". Isaac didn't know much about the Catholic church, aside from what he'd seen in various media. He thought that Sister Act had informed the majority of his knowledge on this subject.

The church was simple but well kept. The walls were made of brick and a small bell tower protruded from the side.

There were hanging vines meandering through the bricks and Isaac could see the cemetery lot on the back property. He wondered if that person he'd witnessed being brought to shore by the unsuccessful rescue boat would be headed there next? He felt it to be extremely likely.

There were two other buildings flanking the church proper, perhaps lodging areas or common rooms? He wasn't sure.

One of the men escorting her pulled the large circular iron door handle, opening it with a creak. The smell of incense hit Mary's nostrils and she let out a low cough. They all walked together into the candlelit church. A nun walked towards them, shoes clicking lightly on the tile floor.

The men spoke with her quietly in the corner, once turning towards Mary and gesturing to her. Mary watched awkwardly from one of the pews. The nun snapped her head up and down once in a quick and concise "yes" motion.

The men spoke again, then to each other and inclined their heads briefly to the nun as if in thanks. They walked back to Mary, the nun trailing them. Mary stood up and faced them, looking expectant - Isaac hoped he was conveying this but with an entirely new face it was sometimes hard to get emotions right on the first try.

"This is Sister Rebecca. She'll help you now. Be well and we wish you luck." Both men took their leave, seeming overwhelmingly relieved to not be burdened by watching after a child.

Mary straightened and looked at the sister who was assessing her. She was a tall, middle aged woman, with very pale skin and thin lips. Her eyes were a dark blue and, from the little hair and eyebrows that Isaac could see beneath the habit, she had salt and pepper hair.

Sister Rebecca's gaze softened slightly and she put a hand on Mary's shoulder saying in a thick Irish accent, "You've been through a lot, dear. Do you have family in the city, somewhere to go?" Isaac thought, Hell if I know lady... but instead shook Mary's head no.

The nun motioned for Mary to walk with her, and opened a door leaving to one of the other buildings attached to the main church. They went through a hall and past a dark kitchen, then stopped in a small, scantily furnished bedroom. Seemingly where they gave quarter to those in need.

She sat in a wooden chair and patted the simple bed, with a brown wool blanket on top. Mary sat down as the nun asked her several questions. She asked her name. Luckily Isaac still had a small intuition about it and told her. The other questions were mostly made up after that.

He assumed Mary's parents had died in the shipwreck and she had no other family. Shock would account for any indescrepencies in her stories and this sister seemed to be mostly interested in how to best help her.

After the questions, Sister Rebecca brought Mary some very basic clothes. A cotton night gown that was several sizes too big and another blanket. She said she would wash and hang her soaked clothes tonight. She also brought her some simple food. Bread, cheese and wine.

Mary thanked her and asked what she'd do tomorrow or where she'd be staying. The nun told her tomorrow she'd visit Robin Crest Orphanage, her new home.