The Death of a Girl

Chapter 1
The world around the Greenwoods house was dark and quiet, with the green trees and
blue sky covered by the shadow of night-time clouds. Nellie Greenwood peeked out the door and
walked out into the front yard. She turned around and looked up at her house, checking that all
the lights were out. Satisfied with the surrounding darkness, Nellie slipped out of her yard and
turned the corner of the block.
Andrew? Nellie whispered. Andrew?! It was slightly louder this time. A dark figure
crept out from the shadows and approached Nellie. Nellie sighed in relief when she was able to
make out the figure's face.
Oh, Andrew, thank god,she said. I was afraid it might be a stranger. Andrew smiled, a sad yet
relieved smile.
Nellie, I have news, he said. Nellie took a step back, withdrawing from their embrace.
What is it? she queried. Taking into account the fear and grief on his face, Nellie asked again.
Andrew, what happened? Is everything alright? Andrew hung his head.
More workers were killed in machinery accidents today. The Union doesnt know what to dothis is the sixth death of the month. Were thinking of organizing a worker strike, but even thats
risky. Too many people have died in strikes. Nellie listened in shock and awe to the speech that
followed.
Every day that we sit here doing nothing, more men will die. Every moment we dont act
against them we are all at risk. I love you Nellie, but I cant sit idly by as we are all treated like
farm animals. Were just cogs on the wheels to them, and we cant take it anymore. Its time for
us to fight back, but we need to do it the safest way we can.

At the end, Nellie knew that if she had been on the fence before, she had decided for sure
now whose side she was on.
Oh, Andrew, Nellie said. I will do everything I can to help the Union- and you. Andrew
nodded and smiled faintly.
Well, I better get going, Nellie continued. She leaned forward and kissed Andrew, then turned
and walked away. Andrew opened his mouth as if to say something, but seemed to think better of
it and he, too, turned and walked away.
Sighing, Nellie slipped back into her bedroom and went to sleep. As she began to drift into sleep,
Nellie thought of the consequences of her words

The following morning, Nellie rose bright and early. She walked into the dining room to
find a note from her father sitting next to her plate.
Off to work early, workers have been restless.
Plan to give them a pep talk to keep them eating from the palm of our hands.
Ate a roll for breakfast, see you this evening Love.
From, Dad
Nellie sighed, the biggest sigh yet. Her dad was always busy, be it to plan a lie, or to tell a
lie. And now he was going to tell her fiance, amongst the other workers, that they had acquired
safer equipment or that the deaths were the workers faults. He would lie straight to their faces.
He always justified it with something like I know whats best for them, or, Ignorance is bliss.
This reasoning never felt right to her, but it wasnt her place anywhere to disobey her father. The
approaching fight she would have with her father was worrisome, but Nellie knew she was ready.
Nellie sat down to eat, contemplating just what she would say to her father.
Chapter 2

Later that night, Nellies father, Mr Greenwood, entered his house, and was immediately
greeted by Nellie.
Hello, Daddy, Nellie said. She hesitated. How was your day? She tended not to greet her
father with much emotion. Mr. Greenwood shrugged off his coat and dropped his briefcase on
the floor. Nellie scrambled to pick them up. The workers decided to go on strike! Mr.
Greenwood picked up his cigar with a huff and exhaled slowly. Those damn unionists, we gave
them a job, and all they want is more from us, every single time. Nellie cast her gaze
downwards. Her father continued.
They decided they would strike right in front of the building. Do you know how hard it is to get
inside a building when workers are striking in front of it? Nellie shook her head. Her father
continued.
When I started walking through the crowds, all the workers turned on me, jeering at me and
throwing things. Then other people who arent even workers started to shout at me. They dont
even know who I am, or that Ive done nothing wrong! At this statement, Nellie turned away
from her father and hung up his coat, rolling her eyes. She then started to think about what
Andrew would have to say about her fathers complaints. Then she realized, Andrew had said
nothing to her about when the strike would be. Nellie was confused. Why hadnt Andrew told her
that the strike would be happening today? She turned back around, still frowning. Her father saw
the look of hurtful confusion on her face and asked, Why is this such big news to you? I thought
you wouldve known about the strike considering that you have been canoodling with one of
those striker pillocks. Nellie gasped, taken aback by her fathers knowledge.
How did you know? she asked. Her father shrugged and took another puff from his cigar.

You werent very secretive. I saw you with him about a week ago. I have no idea whats running
through your head, girl, to be going around with some Union worker, but its over now. Nellie
shook her head vehemently.
It is not over, she said. I believe in his cause, and I love him. This time, it was her father who
rolled his eyes.
Dont kid yourself, Nellie. He must be using you, or something like that. Besides, why would
you even want a man like that? Hes a horrible person. Encouraging others to strike, asking for
more than he deserves, throwing things at me- why, hes an animal!
Andrew is a wonderful man, she spat at her father. A better man than you will ever be. As
soon as the words left her mouth, Nellie regretted it. The words hung there for a minute, slowly
being absorbed into the surrounding air. Then her father reacted. He raised his hand, and Nellie
watched it as he stepped toward her. She was about to take a step back when the blow came. It
rang loud and clear. Nellie raised her head, holding a hand to her cheek, her cheek tingling in
pain. Tears began to creep into her eyes. Her father watched her, his hand still raised.
Dont you ever, ever speak to me that way again, he said, each and every word filled with
hatred. I tolerated you and this worker, he spat the word out, for this long, but now, you have
gone too far, Nellie. Get out. Get out! An incorrigible daughter with a sharp tongue I can tolerate,
but a daughter who fools around with a striker and sides with the strikers, despite her father
being on the opposite side of the strike, is going too far. Get the hell out of my house! Her father
yelled. Nellie opened her mouth to plead, but another blow across her face stopped her. Get
out! Nellie backed away from her father, absolutely trembling in fear. Her back hit the door, and
Nellie turned around to open it. As soon as the door was opened, Mr Greenwood shoved his
daughter out of his house. Nellie turned around to face her father.

Daddy, please, she begged. Please. Her father looked at his daughters face and the tears
welling in her eyes.
Youre dead to me, he said, and slammed the door in her face. Nellie stood there for a moment,
trying to register what had just happened. She then turned around and started running away from
the place she used to call home.
Chapter 3
Nellie slowed to a walk. She was heart-broken, then furious, then in denial. He had hit
her. Her father had just hit her, how could he do something like that? All her life he hadnt been
the nicest, but he had always, always cared for her. There was no possible way he had hit her, but
he had. Tears starting to flood her eyes again, she started running again. She could hear her father
shouting at her, over and over in her head, yelling his disappointment at her.
She ran and ran, to where she didnt know, but she ran. She didnt know where she was
going, but she just kept running, right until her heel broke. She then sank to the ground below
and slipped off her shoes and cried. She started to think about what she would do now. Her father
said she was dead to him, she couldnt go back there. She decided to walk to Andrews home,
hoping hed be there- he was supposed to have an early shift today, so he may be able to help her.
She walked to her fiances house slowly, barefoot. When she came to Andrews door she
knocked and waited a few beats. When she didnt hear anything she felt tears come to her eyes
again, but then he swung open the door to figure out who was bothering him. When he saw
Nellie almost in tears he took her in her arms with no words, and led her inside.
After explaining everything that had happened with her and her father and their fight in
between sobs, Andrew just sat there, rubbing her back, holding her, and repeating Its all good,
were gonna be fine. A long time had passed like this; Nellie didnt know how long, but she

couldnt cry anymore. She finally sat up and looked into his eyes. What am I gonna do,
Andrew? I have no home, no family, no job.
You do have family- you have me. You can move in with me, well finally get married
and we can forget about that wretched Mr. Greenwood. She sniffled, and looked up at him
hopefully.
That sounds perfect, she said, smiling through her tears.
Chapter 4
Nellie opened the door to her apartment and peeked in.
Andrew? she whispered. Andrew?! It was louder this time. Andrew stepped out of the
bathroom.
Im over here, Nellie, he said. What do you need? Nellie walked over to the sofa and sat
down. Andrew walked over and joined Nellie on the sofa.
Nothing, Nellie said. I just wanted to stay here in silence with you for a little bit. Andrew
smiled down at Nellie, whom he was holding in his arms. They sat in silence for a little bit, both
thinking to themselves. Nellie was starting to drift to sleep when there was a knock on the door.
Nellie cracked open her eyes, but just curled in closer to Andrew instead of getting up. Andrew
hugged Nellie tighter but then extracted himself from their embrace. He walked to the door and
opened it. When Nellie heard no voices, she sat up and began to walk to the door.
Andrew? she called. Who is it? Andrew stepped to the side of the door, allowing Nellie to
see the person in the doorway. She gasped.
Nellie, please, the Union won, they got their raises and their new safety rules. It-it cost me my
job. I have nowhere else to go.

Daddy, she whispered. Removing herself from her trance, Nellie walked towards the door, and
stopped in front of the man she used to call her father.
Im sorry, sir, who are you? Her fathers eyes widened.
Nellie, Im-Im sorry, he said, tears in his eyes. I know I screwed up, but- but please, Nellie. I
need you. Nellie narrowed her eyes, recalling the memory of him turning her away.
Im sorry, Nellie began. But you cant stay here. Her father dropped to his knees, trembling.
Nellie, please, he begged. Nellie looked down at her father, the once powerful man who was
now groveling on his knees.
Youre dead to me, she said, and slammed the door shut.
Chapter 5
Mr Greenwood watched in horror as his daughter slammed the door in his face. Almost
crying, he got up slowly and walked away, wishing it was a different situation. He walked
outside the apartment building and took one long, last, meaningful look at the window of Nellies
new home, and walked away.

Nellie stood at her apartment window, watching her father walk away. She smiled and
turned around, facing Andrew, the man she loved.
Nellie, he started. Are you really sure about this decision? Nellie smiled a sad smile.
I am, she said, and wrapped her arms around him, happy to have found her home.

The End