A Slave's Freedom

I walked outside. Mr. Burr was there, standing across the road from me. He was there, smirking at me, like he knew something was going to happen. It… made me want to walk further down the road.

Master never made me feel uncomfortable like that… I mean, maybe at first, just to make sure I was willing, but he's not like that. Never like that. My gaze fell towards the road.

It was dark. How could I see Mr. Burr? Must be the moonlight, it gave me just enough light to see his face.

I turned my attention back to him, only to see nothing. Was he really there? He's just gone. Where did he go?

I stood still, scared straight in place. Maybe he just went to get a lantern. Yeah, that's it. He knew the way home. Well, actually I should just follow him, but this road didn't look like a road I knew. It was all wavy, and there wasn't this much corn by our place! Where was home? Was it really down this road?

A loud bang screamed in the night sky. Must be one of those guards shooting again. Guess home was just down the road. Who were they shooting at this time? Hopefully not at me. It wasn't my fault. Mr. Burr just left me here to wonder…

Why was he smirking at me? Why was he giving me that look?

To my shock, another shot rang out. That must be a gunfight I'm hearing! That ain't just one firing off twice! They don't shoot that fast!

Before I could run, I felt myself fall to the ground in a pile of smoke. I coughed, and pushed myself up, but realized that in my wake was a huge hole. What was going on? Why do I feel like I just got slammed to the ground?

Why am I just fine?

Maybe I wasn't fine. My back was just crawling. I wasn't alone. Apparently she was near me.

How? How could she be here? Wasn't Ma watching her? She usually is tied to Ma at the hip. How? Why was she near me?!

I shook my head. No. No, this can't be real! This can't be real! She ain't dead. She can't be dead. She's fine, right Ma? Ain't she fine? Why she not moving then, Ma? Why ain't she moving!

Ma please tell me she fine. Tell me all the way home.

All the way home.