The Girl in the Torch by Robert Sharenow

them, blocking the door.
    â€œYou know there are rules about having guests on the nightshift, don’t you?” The man with the glasses looked her up and down. “Even if she is your niece .”
    Sarah could tell by his tone that he doubted their story.
    â€œLet’s go,” Maryk said.
    He pushed Sarah out the door and moved to board the ferry.
    â€œDon’t look back,” Maryk said. “Just get on the boat.”
    Sarah followed Maryk’s orders and boarded. The ferryboat captain seemed to know Maryk and nodded to him as they settled themselves in the passengers’ compartment belowdecks.

Chinatown
    â€œD ON’T MIND J OHNSON ,” M ARYK SAID. “He and I don’t get along. It has nothing to do with you. He’s been angling to get my job for his brother. You understand?”
    Sarah didn’t really, but she nodded anyway.
    She sat beside Maryk on the cold metal bench. They were the only passengers on board. An eerie, high-pitched squeal of wind swept through the boat’s interior, amplifying the silence between them. It was strange sitting next to Maryk in the semidarkness. For so long, he had been a scary giant whom she had avoided at all costs. Now, she was willingly following him even though she had no idea where he would take her. A chill settled over her as she recalled her mother warning her about strangers. She glanced at Maryk out of the corner of her eye, afraid to turn to look at him directly.
    He seemed to be lost in his own thoughts, but his expression was hard and inscrutable. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the back wall of the ferry. Then she noticed that both ofhis hands shook as he tried to hold them steady on his knees.
    Sarah gazed out the window at the Lady, whose strong, beautiful face seemed to be staring right at her. She was anxious about leaving the familiarity of the island, but also felt a rush of excitement at the prospect of finally reaching the shores of New York.
    When the ferry pulled into the dock, Maryk abruptly stood.
    â€œCome on.” He took her by the arm and led her up to the top deck and then down the gangplank.
    Sarah paused before stepping onshore. What would it feel like to finally set foot on the promised land?
    â€œLet’s go,” Maryk said impatiently.
    He pulled her along onto the street. Although the ground beneath her feet felt no different, her eyes, ears, and nose were overwhelmed by everything around her. She marveled at the sheer number of buildings lined up along the twisting streets and avenues, pressed together so close that they touched. Sarah was instantly jostled by a man in a bowler hat rushing along, reading his newspaper. The man didn’t even pause to say “excuse me”; he just kept walking.
    Horse-drawn carriages clattered down the avenue so loudly that she had to block her ears. Pushcart vendors called out their wares and newsboys shouted headlines trying to get people to buy their papers.
    Sarah was surprised at the number of newsboys and the variety of papers in different languages being sold. She tried to read the bold stories on the front pages, but she and Maryk were movingtoo fast for her to digest the words.
    A familiar smell struck her nose and she just managed to step around a fresh pile of horse manure. The cobblestone streets were covered with enough to fertilize all the farms back home. Dozens of horses trotted by on the street. Sarah jumped back, positioning herself close to the buildings, as far away from the animals as possible.
    As they came to a corner, a horse-drawn milk cart cut in front of them. Sarah recoiled.
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” Maryk said.
    â€œThe horses . . .”
    â€œWhat about them?”
    â€œThere are so many.”
    â€œSo?”
    â€œI . . . don’t like them.”
    â€œCan’t be scared of horses if you expect to walk down the streets of Manhattan,” he said. “Now, let’s go.”
    He