Zac's POV

You never know you need someone in your life until they appear. They get blown in by fate and even if they only stay for a short time they impact your life in ways you never thought possible. That happened to me once. I didn't know at the time that it would change my life forever. That he would change my life forever.

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Ellis Island, New York 1923

Zac's POV

My eyes opened as I felt the rocking finally stop. For 2 weeks now myself, and several hundred others had been on this ship. We were going to a place that promised to be the best in the world; America. I did not want to leave Florence, but my mother insisted I and my siblings go. She said she felt our president would become dangerous, and so she was sending us some place better.

I look over at my brother, Joshua. He was sleeping, but the dark circles under his eyes remained no matter how much rest he got. In his lap was our little sister Isabelle. She was only 7. I was 17 and Joshua was 19. Us boys would surely end up working on a plantation or in a factory, Isabelle might end up in a factory, who knows? All we knew was this place was supposedly going to be better. I knew English the best of all of us, so it was up to me to take care of us. My mother told me to make sure Isabelle especially was okay.

My foot moved to kick my brother's, effectively waking him. He looked at me with his sullen brown eyes. Before I could speak, the sound of a ship horn sounded, indicating we had finally stopped. We stood up quickly, grabbing the bags we brought with us, each of us got to bring one. Josh carried Isabelle who was still tired and weak from the journey. We were quickly filed out with the others. We were all funneled into a building, in front of us a large staircase, people shuffled passed me and hurried up the stairs. I followed, holding my bag tightly in my grip. I waited in line, which slowly moved up the stairs. I wondered what waited for me at the top.

I finally got to the top of the stairs, only to be stopped by a man in a uniform. I looked to my sides and saw others be stopped and looked at. The man grabbed my face and looked in my eyes intently for a moment. He stepped aside and motioned for me to go forward. I picked up my bag and quickly moved passed him. I stared at the large wide open space in front of me, many people were waiting for their family. I looked up and from a pole saw the American flag hanging. That's when I felt a baton strike my back.

"HAT OFF!" A voice commanded. "You will respect our flag."

I took my hat off without saying a word. I moved away, finding a place to stand and wait for my siblings. I finally saw Joshua come to the top of the stairs. He was grabbed and inspected much the same way I was. After a moment he was let go and told to move forward. He did so. Behind him was Isabelle. She was still sluggish and tired. The inspecting officer looked at her, looked to the officer next to him, said something, and the pulled out a piece of chalk. He drew a symbol on her coat and she was taken away by two nurses. I stood up and began walking to her quickly but I was grabbed by two officers who held me back. Two doctors grabbed Joshua and took him with Isabelle.

I screamed and fought against the officers who pulled me away. That was the last time I saw Joshua and Isabelle. I was taken to a second checkpoint with several doctors. People were getting inspected everywhere. I was put in front of two doctors.

"Strip." one of the doctors said.

I thought I was misunderstanding him. He wanted me to take my clothes off? I had never taken my clothes off for a man...it was forbidden.

"You heard him!" An officer struck me with his baton again.

I slowly took my clothes off. I stood there, looking up at the ceiling as the two doctors examined every part of my body. They opened my mouth and looked at my teeth. I was taken and sat in a chair. A woman began searching my hair with a comb, digging through it roughly. My bag was searched too before being given back to me. I was asked several questions; my name, where I'm from, my political party, date of birth. I was taken to a line of people. When I got to the line I was handed several papers.

"Welcome to the United States of America, sir."

I nodded and looked at the papers as I was escorted out of the building. It was early in the morning when we arrived, but it was night time now. I followed others who were also leaving. They were boarding a boat. I took my bag and followed them. I stood on the deck of the boat and stared at the island as it grew smaller and smaller in the distance. I wondered what would happen to Josh and Isabelle, were they being sent back to Florence? I hoped they could stay.

The boat docked and people were let off. I wondered around this strange new place, staring at the bright lights. The streets were bustling with people, jazz music could be heard from clubs. I followed the music, it lead me down an alley to a large steel door. A slide on the door opened and I could see a man's eyes.

"You a cop?"

I shook my head rapidly "no sir!"

His eyes narrowed and the slide shut. I frowned and began walking away, until u heard the door open. I turned around and the man stood there

"C'mon, you waiting for the Chinese New Year or something? Get in!"

I nodded rapidly and entered. He shut and locked the doors after us. It was a small room, there were lots of people. They were dancing to very loud music, some of them drinking from bottles, alcohol I assumed. The man who let me in looked at me and my bag.

"You need a place to stay?"

I nodded "yes sir."

He nodded "you can stay upstairs with me, but I'm only in town for the night, I'm heading down south to work on a tobacco plantation."

"May I come?" I asked hopefully, perhaps I could find work at this plantation.

He sighed and hesitated. "Alright, I'll take you with me, but I can't promise you work."

"Bless you!" I smiled and kissed his cheeks.

He chuckled and pushed me off. "No problem, what's your name anyways?"

"Zachary, Zachary Farro, I lived in Florence, Italy"

"Jonny Howard, New York City, nice to meet you."