Jason Seater

• Nathan Heath , Grade 6
• Short Story
• 2018

My name is Jason Seater, and I am an Archaeologist. I see the world not as it is or how it could be, but as it once was. Walking down an old road, feeling the cobblestones beneath my feet, I think about the horses that once ran over this road. I think about the battles that would have been fought, won and lost in the valley that I am standing in. I see an old castle and I think of the meals that would have been served in the halls. ‘Were they victory meals?’ I ask myself. I close my eyes and am instantly transported back to a simpler time.
My name is Jason Seater, and I am a Farmer in the year 1787. My day starts early, feeding the sheep and going into town to buy some bread. I am broke so I cannot afford my bread today, I will have to steal it instead. Stealing happens a lot these days and if you get caught, then you’d be killed or worse. Once the sheep are fed, I make my way into the town of York, England.
It is a bright sunny day, people are out doing their shopping. I spot the Baker lining up fresh loaves of bread ready for the days sales. I approach him ready to steal a loaf of bread. I need to be careful so I do not get caught. I say good morning to the Baker and look at the bread. I find a loaf I like and pick it up, as soon as the Baker turns his head, I run as fast as I can. I make it to the wall that surrounds the town and I am just about to run through the gate, to my horse and to freedom, when I feel a strong hand on my arm. It is the guard, I have been caught. I will now either die or worse.
I spend 3 weeks in a small, cold room with a small window, waiting for my future to be decided for me. One cold morning I get the answers I have been dreading, I’m going to be one of the first to set sail for an unknown land called Australia on May 13 where I will spend the next 7 years.
The trip took several months. It was long and hard, but we made it. Now I have to set up a new farm and try to survive this place until I can return home. The years are hard with many things going wrong. After the 7 years are up, I do not want to return home as I have an excellent farm, a wife and a child. The Colony is growing each year and I now think of it as home.
I blink several times, and open my eyes up fully. I find myself standing on a road made of cobblestones in a valley. My name is Jason Seater, and I’m an Archaeologist in 2018.