Slave Life

The Memories Follow Wherever I Go

"Run baby, we're almost there" , my momma said. We were running away from that hell hole we were forced to call home. We had to work in terrible weather, if we disobeyed we were whipped, and we were not provided with the appropriate shelter. No more. We had ran into a near by forest . It was my 3 year old brother Bobby, momma, daddy, and myself. When we got a few miles out we finally had smiles on our faces . This was our new home, no owners , where we belonged.

      "Momma, are we safe now", my little brother asked. "I'm not sure right now Bobby, but I want you to know I will do whatever it takes to keep my angels safe." My momma was probably the best momma anyone could ever ask for, of course she was a bit malnourished but that didn't phase the fact that she was a loving and caring women.And our daddy, he was strong, brave, and my idol, I wanted to be just like him when I grew up. They loved my brother, and I with all their hearts and even though we were slaves, destined to have a hard life , they did whatever they could to keep our faces with no tears. They would sneak us more food and blankets, and were there to protect us. We lived a hard life but now we were hidden in the forest happy that we were at least somewhat free. Of course we were scared but taking a risk may also guide us to a life of freedom and happiness.

      A few days passed and we got along pretty well. My daddy and momma built a small house in a tree so we would remain undetected and they would hunt for food in the open meadow.Even though we were away from our previous home I  had nightmares about my friend, Tyler's, death, back on the cotton plantation. He was only 14 and died protecting a little pathetic 9 year old (me).      

Past:

"Tyler  I don't like it here, I'm leaving", I said. "Your momma told me to watch you , and I'm not about to let her down.", Tyler said. We were working in the hot sun and I had enough. I ran into the tall grass right by the forest. "Where are you buddy, you're going to get in trouble!" I heard him but stayed where I was until I was grabbed by a man on a horse, one of the sheriffs. He layed me across the horse and took me to my owner. I thought I was dead for sure. "Well looky what you have here, one of my slaves, haha the brave little runaway", my owner said. "I will leave you to decide on the punishment", the sheriff said and left. I turned around to face my owner again and was hit across the face with a shot gun. " You think you can live out there alone boy, you're just a weak little kid. It has also come to my attention that you don't want to work for me anymore. Very well then." He lifted the shot gun and put his finger on the triger. This old man was going to end my life. Suddenly Tyler ran in front of me. "Haha what's this?"  "He's just a little boy, let him go and punish me I was supposed to be watching him", Tyler pleaded. "Alright then", my owner said as he shot Tyler. Tyler fell to the ground. His last words were be brave my little brother. I ran to my momma crying.

Tyler's last words helped me get through all the years of sorrow and pain , but now the past was behind me.

My brother and I , being the only kids would just sit on the rocks along side the river that was a few yards passed our new home.

    With everything going so darn well, we thought we shouldn't have anything to worry about. That was until we saw smoke one foggy morning. I was with my brother by the river again, cleaning a tiny scrape he had gotten while we were playing minutes ago when we heard the horses coming.  Without hesitation I grabbed Bobby and guided him up an old oak tree. My momma and daddy were below the tree house preparing some food and had no idea the bounty hunters were coming. While up in the tree many thoughts ran through my mind. What if they were taken back into slavery? What if they were given the ultimate punishment, killed on spot. All I could do was hold Bobby up in the crest of the tree hoping nothing would happen. But something did happen.

     Without warning the bounty hunters rode past the tree we were hiding on and right in front of our parents "Well it seems these slaves have lost their way", one of the hunters said. "Should we show them back or give them what they deserve" ,the other one asked. "Let them have it." I found momma's eyes and she found mine. She mouthed the words I love you my boys, and grabbed daddy's hand. My daddy mouthed the words be brave and there was a sudden round of bangs. My momma dropped to the floor and so did daddy. As soon as they were shot I felt something, a sudden breeze around me. My momma and daddy had decided to say bye before they left our world. I felt like running into the raid of fire to end it all, but I knew I had to stay strong for Bobby, my Bobby, my only family now.I was shocked, I felt as if my heart had shattered in a million tiny pieces, pieces that were falling appart before only being hel together by the love of my small family.The bounty hunters wiped their foreheads and smirked as though they were actually happy with the haunous crime they had just comitted. Bobby stared at the lifeless bodies and started crying. The tears also began to make their way down my face.