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**DISCLAIMER: mentions of derogatory names for those of Asian descent. In no way shape or form do I, the author, share any of the racist views presented in this body of work. Thank you**
She knew she'd made a mistake. She'd grown tired of being in the village around the children. She wanted to go out and make something for herself. She knew it wasn't safe...not with the price for her head rising by the day. The womenfolk had kept her good and hidden but she'd grown restless. She'd been in this small fugitive community for three months now and she thanked heaven for it. To see people who looked like her... to share her story and hear of theirs. It was sobering...heartbreaking...even reassuring.
But...she needed to go out there and find herself. This was the Land of the West they told her. Lots of former slaves had found work here or found gold. Enough to buy their freedom and those of their loved ones. Women could choose what they wanted to do. They had a freedom here that existed no where else as far as she knew. She wanted that for herself.
She'd ventured out, making sure she tied her hair with a rag and walked into what she assumed was a town square. It was busier than the field at high noon, squawkers, merchants and people walking to and fro. Swallowing, she nervously walked on the side, away from the whites and came by what appeared to be a store. Walking past the horses tied to their posts, she entered the store, eyes wide at all the foreign things in front of her. She reached out to pick up a jar of food, turning it around curiously. What was it? Putting it back, she furthered her exploration, choosing to head towards the furthest corner of the store. In her looking, she hadn't been aware of a set of eyes watching her.
"You lost?" Her whole entire body froze.
"I asked you a question girl." Turning, she felt sweaty. A white man stood there, eyes like that of a snake, mouth sneering.
"N-no suh I ain't lost..." He drew closer, humored in the way she backed up against the shelf. Taking her chin in his hands, he made her look at him.
"Please suh I ain't-"
"You that runaway ain't you?" By now her heart beat up into her ears and her mind ran a thousand minds a minute.
"That fugitive from Alabama right?" She knew better than to speak, squeezing her eyes shut as his hot breath came closer to land on her cheek.
"Nawl...I think it was Mississippi. Yeah that's right." His eyes slipped down her form.
"They didn't say you was gonna be nice and pretty. Good build. Young." She reached behind her to grab hold of one of those jars. He's gonna kill you. Taking a shuddery breath, she opened her eyes and looked at him.
