Screams of Freedom

Chapter 1: Scarlet

Her hair was scarlet, her eyes were emerald green, and her temper was as hot as a coal. She was sixteen and very beautiful but it was a curse upon her to be pretty. Every man who saw her, never forgot her but she always forgot them. She was considered to be a perfect gem by her composure and behavior but little did they know that inside was a girl screaming to be free. Her parents showed her off and bragged of her accomplishments to all the men who wished to marry her but they never got their wish. Her parents only promised that the highest 'bidder' would get her. That day did come, unfortunately.

A man twice her age promised her parents great fortune and protection if she were to be his. He was great in stature but cruel in heart. He beat his slaves until death whenever they did anything against his will. His first wife died of a broken heart. His daughter was forced into marriage. His sons were spoiled beyond repair. This was the man she was promised to. It was quite tragic.

Something happened, though. It occurred on a dark and stormy night when the crack of his iron whip pierced the air.

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She thought she was dreaming when she woke up to the sound of a whip cracking in the distance. She fell out of bed in shock and laid on the ground for a second as she began to realize what was happening. She rolled over and looked up at the window. Rain was cascading down the window and casting a shadow on the ground. She groaned and pushed herself up off the floor. She grabbed her dressing robe and ran.

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Rain poured down furiously as a congregation of people stood outside on the muddy ground of the large plantation house. The hideous crack of his whip pierced the night air and a scream sounded over the thunder. Mumbles and cries of mercy that move the coldest of hearts sounded off. The large man lifted the whip once again as he yelled at the young sixteen year old who stood by and watched in horror and shock. She stood frigidly as she held her herself as if she was trying to comfort herself. She watched a young girl struggling to crawl away, wishing she could help her. She glared at the man as he lifted the whip once again but she couldn't bare to watch it again. Her friend's mother was being held back as she screamed angrily at the man and prayed out loud.

the young woman's gown was soaked through and her hair was stringy due to the exposure to the weather. She could see her breath. She shivered once again and a rush of anger that she could not control took over. She yelled at the cruel man and he stopped in shock as she ran at him and grabbed the whip away. She began to whip him senseless.

She cracked the whip to his back as everyone watched in surprise. They did not wish to stop her.

She threw the whip into the mud and ran until she could run no more.