He struggles to get out of the heavy chains that restrict his movement and strain his neck, weak little arms, and bony legs. He struggles for every breath, yearning for a taste of freedom. One day he will climb over the wall. One day he will rescue his people. One day he will no longer be in chains. He doesn't know when that day will come, but he knows that the opportunity will be soon.
He closes his light purple eyes and tries to imagine what life is like outside the walls of the plantation. Unable to do so, he goes back to washing the mistress's clothing. He keeps an eye out for Master because he doesn't want to be caught in the middle oanother vision. Every day there seems to be one more. He hasn't learned how to control it yet. He needs to figure it out before he escapes tonight.
The blast of a trumpet horn rings in the boy's ears. Someone has been caught. Of course, no one knows who it is because no one dares talk about the events of climbing over the high walls of the plantation. The horn could be heard for miles. Summoning others to attend the beating of a rebellious soul.
The young boy places the clothes in a basket as Master comes up to him. He feels his presence, so he starts to hang up the wet clothes on the line he can reach. Each piece of clothing starts to feel heavier than the one before. He tries not to show the struggle as Master struts in front of him. Master straightens his form and connects his hands behind with, radiating authority.
All the slaves know who is in charge of the household, but they all know better to make an appearance in his presence. No one is ever prepared for a beating from him because he is much crueler than hstruggles deals out beatings to the accused slaves. It would make sense after all. He's been up since seven hundred and it was fifteen hundred when the bell rang three times. The plantation owners feel betrayed when a slave gains courage to escape. They have over fifty-five hundred slaves. They would have enough help if it was down to ten hundred.
The boy hangs up the rest of the Mistress's clothing, then heads to watch the beating. He doesn't understand why they have to go each time someone is getting in trouble for running away. It's almost twice a week someone is getting caught and beaten for it. No one has ever escaped and stayed hidden. That is why this young slave is about to be the first. No feel expected his courageous outburst.
He finds the metal bar that he's been hiding behind the shack and starts to pry off the cuffs. His slave mother sees this and starts to help him. Once he is free of his binding chains, she pulls him into a hug. "Run my child for one day you will set us free," she says as she lets him go, and watches him disappear into the dark abyss. "Run," she whispers under her breath. Her words run after him in the back of his mind. He grabs a knapsack full of food and a bottle full of water. He runs towards the part of the wall where a small hole lies. He hopes that it hasn't been discovered yet. Rocks start to cut his feet as he picks up his pace. He halts to a stop when a twig snaps from underneath his feet. He instantly sees his blood trail, so he resolves his predicament by putting on black socks he stole from Master's dresser drawrs. He hopes that it'll do the trick. The boy keeps running, then slides underneath the wall. Free at last, he thinks. He keeps running and doesn't stop unless it is to eat.