2017 2018 complete

memories, and I can’t stand to have them playing in my mind.” “You’re the devil,” I snarl between my teeth. She looks at me as if I had said something so very irrational. She places a hand on her chest and remarks, “My, my, Glory, who taught you to say such things?” I storm out the kitchen, leaving her there with my angry tears. My blood boils as I stomp up the steps. I slam the door open and slide the window up. I close my eyes and breathe in the surrounding smells. I let the soft breeze brush my face, turning the streaks of tears cold on me. I hear the quiet whistles of the cotton stalks. I open my eyes and I see Misses walking over to Master and the overseer. I clench my fists and snap my teeth together. I turn my back on them and sit on the bed. I want to lean against the wall, but I know it will only hurt my scars. I think of this place that I grew up in. I think of Papa and Mama. I want to cry but I can’t anymore. It’s been six days and I’ve cried at least once in all of them. There is no point. To keep myself distracted, I look down at my shin wear the first slash of the whip sliced through. It has healed tremendously. My back slashes have also healed. However, they will always be there as a constant reminder of the day that I lost Papa. I jump when I hear heavy and fast footsteps coming up the stairs. I am still in my sitting position on the bed when Master barges in. “GET UP!” he roars. I move slowly and stand. He suddenly puts his hand on my collarbone. His fingers curl around my neck and he forcefully drags me to the nearest wall. He slams my back against it and I shriek with pain. I reach for his arm to get it the hell away from me, but he moves his grip to be fully around my

neck. I am losing my breath. I am seeing black. I am suffocating. I am dying. I tear at his skin and hope that he lets go. I feel my feet being lifted off the ground and into the air. Am I leaving this Earth? Will I be reunited with Papa, and meet Mama? I am curious of what will be in the Together the two of us cry silently; me for Papa and her for her unknown baby. I wake up in the room. I look around me and I see Master to my right. A hand is covering his eyes and I believe he is sleeping. I should run. But I see the scenario playing in my head. He could actually be awake and grab my ankle, which would cause me more pain. Or I could run but get caught by the overseer and God only knows what pain I would endure. Both are worthless attempts. Instead I decide to stay where I am. I feel the pain then. I touch my neck and collarbone. It’s bruising. “Glory,” a voice says. I turn and I see Master’s gaze on me. I scooch to my left, away from the monster. I’m about to move another inch but he grabs my wrist. I attempt to pull away, but find only failure. His hand moves up to my forearm and he tightens his grip. “Please, please, get off,” I beg quietly. He leans closer to me and I can’t help but lean back. I’m not going anywhere. “No,” he whispers. “Please,” I say again. “Why would you hit Jane? You can’t do that. You deserve death,” he replies. My eyes widen. Misses has lied. Again. next life. But I don’t want to die: I want to live.

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