Running From Home
When I was just 19 years old in 1872, a steady knock came from the door. Today was the day my Father came home! I ran to the door and flung it wide open with a massive grin spread across my face, my arms were wide open and ready to throw them around my Father. There stood a tall man who looked about 50 years old or so, in a military uniform. I had a horrible feeling for what had happened but I didn’t want to admit it.
“Ma’am, I’m sorry but your Father has been captured.” When he said the word ‘captured’, I was filled with hope. At least he was alive,
“When are you going to save him” I asked, but I didn’t expect the answer that he gave me.
“I’m sorry Ma’am, it’s too risky.” He looked crushed having to tell me that. I was shocked, confused, I dropped onto my knees, sobbing. I could hear my Mother tell him,“Thank you” shakily as she was still in tears.
“This is all your fault!” My Mother screamed at me, while pointing her finger down at me.
“If you hadn’t have been born he wouldn’t of had to go to war!” She screeched. I felt like my Mother had just kicked me in the gut. Those words hurt really bad. I ran upstairs and started to pack. If no one else was going to look for my Father, I would. I waited until after dark, and once everyone was asleep I ran out the house and kept running and running. I couldn’t see a thing but I kept running. I crashed into something tall and steady and fell backwards.
“Ouch” I whispered under my breath.
“Are you alright?” replied a deep, friendly voice. I wasnt expectind a reply and I got scared and started stumbling backwards away from the voice. He grabbed my hand before I could get away and he pulled me up of the ground, but he didn’t let go. He started running and pulled me with him.
“Let go of me!” I screamed, he shushed me. I was mad. He pulled me into some light and I stumbled backwards, as did he. He was the different race, I had never seen someone of the different race before. My Mother has forbade me to. I didn’t think he would be so, handsome. He had aqua blue eyes with dark brown hair. He brushed his hand in my blond hair and looked into my bright green eyes, but quickly pulled away.
“I-I’m s-so sorry” He stuttered. I was confused until I remembered the way my Mother and every other white person described white people, ‘greedy, ugly, and worthless’. It made me sick.
“It’s okay” I whispered, he looked surprised that I had forgiven him. I couldn’t believe that white people had managed to make black people scared of whites.
“So, what are you doing out here?” he asked to start conversation.
“I’m looking for my Father. He was captured.” I explained. He looked confused.
“Why not just look in the morning?” He asked, which irritated me.
“It’s none of your business” I snapped back at him.
“Family issues?” He asked, I nodded slowly.
“So what about you? What are you doing out here” I asked him.
“Running away from my ‘masters’. They treat me like a piece of gum on the bottom of their shoe. Scrape me, hit me...” He looked down.
“Sorry about your Dad by the way, I can help you if you’d want. I need to get somewhere far from here anyway.” He offered, I needed someone to help me.
“That would be great. What’s your name?” I asked
“Jace Winter, you?” Putting his hand toward me.
“Emma Duncan” I replied reaching out and shaking his hand, but before we finished there was a loud gunshot and Jace dropped down pulling me down too.
