LUCENT. STEVE ROGERS

[01.] THE CITY

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The Lady of Liberty stood tall in the city's port, standing proudly with her torch held into the blue sky. Seeing the robed roman goddess gave a sense of freedom to anyone who looked toward the towering statue. Elizabeth leaned against the metal railing of the top deck on the ship, her eyes wide with excitement and wonder as she looked to the statue. It was amazing to see in person after Benjamin had shared stories about the statue and other things about the city. There were nights she hadn't been able to sleep on the ship due to seasickness from the rocking of the boat, he had tried to keep her mind occupied with stories of America which had sometimes managed to help her drift off to sleep. 

Close by to the large statue was an island, Elizabeth remembered him referring to it as Ellis Island, yet she had also overheard other people on the ship call it the Island of Hope. They spoke of the letters they had received from loved ones, talking about their experiences coming over the vast ocean to a place of freedom. That small island of hope was their first stop before heading onto another boat to be taken to the city. 

The child was getting tired of boats. She was more than ready to be off of the one she stood on, wanting nothing more than to be on solid ground. The nights she couldn't sleep due to nausea from the rocking were either spent listening to Benjamin ramble in attempts to distract her or they were spent with her holding a tin bucket and emptying the contents of her stomach into it. To simplify it, she wasn't a fan of boats. 

She felt the ship come to somewhat of a stop but it continued to rock and sway due to the waves that crashed against the sides. She watched as men below on the island tied ropes from the ship too small pillars to keep the boat in the port before they hooked a ramp to the side. The excitement she had been feeling for the past week came back in a large amount as she couldn't wait to get off the sickening ship and explore what was now her new home. 

"Come on," Benjamin said, his words followed by a chuckle when he noticed the small girl nearly bouncing where she stood from pure excitement. The wide smile on her face made him feel a warmth spread across his chest, there was no telling when was the last time she had smiled. He held out his hand for her to take before they headed down the steps, where the other travelers gathered, exiting the ship and heading toward the large building for check-in. 

Elizabeth kept close to his side, holding his hand in a tight grasp as her excitement turned to a pang of nervousness as they headed off the ship, her feet finally touching down on American soil. As they entered the building, she overheard the sounds of talking from all directions, it sounded like a mix of several accents and languages melted together. Occasionally, she glanced up to Benjamin who gave her a smile of reassurance that everything was okay. He could see the slight hint of nervousness on her small features. 

First, they were directed to the doctor for a simple health check. Those that were sick would stay on the island and receive care until better or even some were returned to their previous country. They were lead into a small room, one of the men pulled a curtain closed behind them for a sliver of privacy. Benjamin lifted Elizabeth onto the medical table before adjusting her burgundy-colored jacket he had purchased in Moscow before meeting at the train. 

"Don't be nervous, kid... I promise everything is okay. They just have to do a medical check to make sure you are healthy and then they will send us on our way... Count this as your first doctors appointment," He reassured, trying to calm the child's nerves with a gentle smile spreading across his lips. He only had her in his custody for a week and he felt as if she was his own child. After nights of her cuddled up to him on the small bed in the cramped cabin on the ship as he told stories to her, he had grown attached. Growing attached wasn't a bad thing at all. He was happy to think about the idea of having a child since he failed to have one of his own flesh and blood.