1794 (A Frazel AU)

Frank

Frank Zhang looked at his former home one last time before he sighed and put his suitcase in the cart. He walked around to the front and patted the horse Despoine. "Hey buddy, ready to leave?"

The horse shook her head and huffed.

"Yeah, me neither." Frank never knew that a mare could be so relatable. "But we got too." Frank didn't really have to but his father gave him a choice. He would live in the south to start a plantation with him for three years. If Frank didn't like the plantation life, he can move back to Canada with his mother. If he did, he could someday inherit the plantation. Frank was beyond positive that he would hate the place.

"Goodbye dear", his mother called from the doorway. He turned and waved back at her. She stayed behind to take care of her mother, and had divorced Mars, Frank's father. Also, she wanted nothing to do with slavery. Secretly, she helps slaves escape in the Underground Railroad.

"I love you mom", he waved one final time and hopped in the cart. His dad hopped in next to him and said, "Ready to go?"

Frank nodded, lying.

Mars flicked the whip above Despoine and the cart started moving slowly. Frank looked back at his mother, trying to get a good look at her, because it would be the last time he sees her for years.

Or so he thought.

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After the long two and a half day journey, Frank and Mars finally made it to West Virginia. It was a quiet place compared to the buzy New York which they had left a day ago. 

It looked like a countryside with all the fields they passed. Frank looked around at all the slaves working in the scorching heat, and out of the corner of his eye he saw someone being whipped.

He was about to open his mouth to speak against it, but Mars shot him a look, shutting him up instantly. Frank swallowed hard and looked away, scared of his father's wrath.

The slaves looked up as the cart rolled pass, and quickly looked down again when they realized that the people were white. One said something under his breath, and the overseer started barking. "What was that huh? You have something to say?"

The slave stayed quiet. "I thought so." The overseer spat at his feet.

Frank looked forward to see a large two story white building. On the steps stood the master of the plantation, Master Pluto, waiting for them. Frank could wait to meet him.

They stopped the cart at the steps and hopped off. Mars went to shake his uncle's hand as some more slaves came to tend to the horse. One of them was a young girl about thirteen years old with super curly cinnamon brown hair. Frank watch her as she took the horse with great care and lead it to the barn. She looked back at him to see if he was still staring, and turned back around quickly when she realized he was.

"I see you have some interest in Hazel", Pluto pointed out.

Frank looked at him. "Just admiring how hard your slaves work", he said quickly.

Mars nodded, "No wonder your plantation is one of the best in West Virginia."

"Mars, you flatter me.", Pluto turned to Frank. "Why don't you come along and help me overview the slaves today, to get a feel of the place. Then we could relax and have tea with my wife Proserpina."

Frank would have politely declined by saying he was too tired, but one look from his dad had him say, "Of course, I'm very interested in the...production of tobacco. As well as learning how to deal with slaves."

"What a wonderful young lad. Come quickly now, the quicker the better. Can't wait until Judgement Day, you know what I mean?" Pluto nudged Mars and the two shared a merry laugh. Frank laughed just to keep face.

The group walked around the building and Frank got a full view of the entire plantation.

This man is extremely rich, he thought. The plantation was spread across twenty four hundred acres of land. Pluto owned six hundred field slaves, meaning one slave took care of four acres of land. His domestic slaves are another matter.

Pluto grinned like he was receiving a reward. "Largest plantation in West Virginia. I'm proud of the work I accomplish here." 

Like you do any work. "Sir, may we go now? I'm eager to see the plantation." More like eager to get this over with.

"Alright young lad, let's go." Pluto escorted them throughout the plantation. First he showed them the barn where the tobacco goes, then the field, then the barn where Despoine was staying. Afterwards, he showed them the slave living quarters, which made Frank want to puke.

They were small, dirty despite the cleaning, and nearly unlivable. The walls were infested with termites and the place smelled of feces. When Pluto looked inside, he shook his head, came out and said, "A slave died in there. I'll have someone remove the body."

"Shame. You give them just about everything for free and they decide to die.", Mars shook his dead.

Frank wanted to rebut his father so badly but he knew he didn't have the courage. Instead he watched as two teenaged male slaves went in for a short while, and came out with the body wrapped in cloth. When one asked if they could hold a funeral for the dead, Pluto looked at him like he was mad.

"What nonsense it this I here? Who is this that is so important that they must have a funeral? Dump the body in a hole and get back to work."

Frank was ready to leave. Only problem is that he was stuck there for three years.