Escape to freedom: an enslaved girl's journey North

¶ … doubt, I would run away with my sister. I would be deeply afraid, not just of getting caught and whipped, but also of the cold, hunger, and uncertainty. I would also miss my brother. However, the prospect of freedom is too great to ignore. The timing of the escape is crucial. If we don't leave now, we might never be able to. This moment is crucial, because once the master's estate has been settled, my sister and I might be sold South. I believe it's better to take our chances running away than to regret not having tried.

Being enslaved is demeaning and painful both physically and emotionally. At only twelve years old I already understood what a life as a slave entailed, especially for females. I could be raped or beaten by my next master. The situation might be far worse than I could ever imagine. Plus, I don't want to willingly waste my life in such an environment. At least if I run away and something bad should happen, I would die knowing that I took important steps toward freedom. It would be like a martyr's death, to run away in the name of the freedom of all black people.

While we ran away, there were times that I almost wanted to go back. I remembered the fire we had at home, and the warmth and comfort of our little dwelling. Being outdoors, hungry, and exposed to the elements suddenly made it all seem not so bad anymore. At least I had a roof over my head. Thankfully my sister came to her senses, and pushed me onwards. She reminded me that going back was not an option. It would not be the same anyway.