***This is an Antebellum story***
The cold air whipped through the cracks of the door and small openings in the tiny cabin. The fire was going dead and adding more wood to it seemed futile as Abigail knew it was her last moments in the cabin she had called home. It was the only cabin she knew in her life other than her mother's cabin, and now it would soon be a memory as would Waite Plantation.
Abigail grabbed her burlap bag and began shoving the few clothes she knew she could not live without. The dress she made last winter and the few head scarves she liked. She adjusted it and then began to pack the food she had saved up. It wasn't as easy as she thought as the length of journey was unknown to her as was the journey itself.
Freedom was something she never put much thought in as it seemed like a concept you could not fathom as it was so obscure. The idea of leaving the plantation was scaring her more than exciting her. The notion of going north to freedom was making her body tremble with fear as getting caught was not only the whip but being sold off from her sister and her two nieces. It was something that needed to happen though as she knew what would happen if she stayed.
Although the fear trembled in her body like nerves on an important day, she managed to tie her bag with all of her meager possessions. With her face mostly covered with cloth, she figured she was ready for the blistering winter that lay just outside the cabin door.
Her sister Mary and her two twin nieces were in the larger cabin next to her that their mother previously occupied. Abigail knew that they must be going through the same fears and emotions as their escape was mere minutes away.
She knew Mary had managed to keep her twins alive through early sickness, but were now waiting for the auction block as Master Waite needed money more than he needed two twin girls. Like their father, Ruth and Rose were at a good age for being sold off and both Mary and Abigail knew that keeping them together was impossible.
Abigail knew that her older sister Mary was right in agreeing to go with the two white folk who came talking freedom. She remembered listening to them for a short while before her sister agreed to go with them, making sure her nieces were to make it to freedom.
The overseer was away, and the master was out for a week. It was the perfect time to run. The only problem was the cold winter that kept the other hands indoors or only doing small tasks during this time.
The plantation was almost idle during the cold winter month of January. It seemed like a perfect time as Abigail knew the plantation hands were only doing repairs during this time and most of the hands were tending to their own cabins and animals. If a storm hit, then spending time in-doors was the only option.
Even though the overseer and master were not at the plantation, danger still presented itself with John. John was a hand just like them and then not like them. He was allowed to sleep in the big house and allowed to leave the plantation whenever he wanted. He was the Master's friend growing up and he was in charge when the overseer was not around. Abigail knew he was quick with the lash too, but tonight he was stone drunk.
The night was colder than she expected as Abigail made it out of her cabin. Her small petite frame was strong for chopping cotton but the winter winds seemed to freeze her bones making them feel brittle. Mary was there with her two girls as Abigail knew they needed to meet the white northerners at the edge of the woods past the fields and off the plantation's property.
The snow was just beginning to fall and the moon was now being blocked as the night truly be-came a dark abyss of cold winds. The snow was not piling up fast, but the winds were making it seem like there was a blizzard as the snowflakes blew fast. Her dress and coat had a few holes and when the wind blew her body felt it
The two northerners were there waiting just as they promised they would be. Although Abigail did not expect there would be more, the man and women team had managed to have over a dozen other slaves with them. She quickly looked at all of their cold faces and knew they were all trying to do the same thing.
Abigail stuck close to her sister and nieces as they traveled. The man leading the group said it would be about two days before they would reach the edge of Virginia and then another day or two to get into Pennsylvania. Although with the storm hitting, those times were now in question. All she could focus on was not freezing to death.
The first night they travelled the storm seemed to get worse. The sun came up and they were still talking as the white lady said the safe place was past the river. They had to make it over the river to get to safety.
The storm went from bad to worse within the hour and the snow began piling up faster than they realized. The tracks they were leaving was hard to cover up and going fast was not happening. The boat waiting for them was there and Abigail was more pleased that the river was not frozen over.
It took two trips with the boat as Abigail waited more cold then scared as the boat came back for them. She was on the second load as they crossed the river as all she could do was watch in horror as the snow came down faster and thicker. The freezing air seemed to be like knifes hit-ting her as the coat she wore was not enough for what they were dealing with.
It was three days since they left the plantation and not once did the white man leading the group say they were out of Virginia. The only thing they said was to bundle up and conserve food. The snow was making walking harder and slower as Abigail wondered if it was the right choice to leave right before the storm.
The following day began with them sleeping during the day and it was then that the sound of horses made her jump up to see the sun was out. The cold air hit her face but her adrenaline warmed her body up. She was now on her feet as she heard more horses coming and then the gun shots.
Abigail looked to see her sister in a panic. Mary had her daughters in her arms as she looked for a place to run. Abigail waited to see which way she was going to run in an effort to follow them. The sound of horses got louder and louder and then the bushes next to them were trampled as she saw a man on horse push through them.
"Don't move! Move and I will shoot ya!" the man shouted. In that moment Abigail felt that her life was in danger if she moved just an inch.
Abigail froze as did her sister. Two other slaves made a run for it. They ran past the man causing his horse to rear up. Abigail gave a look to her sister and then saw her run. Not wanting to be left behind she followed grabbing her bag.
The sounds of horses galloping and shouts filled the cold morning as Abigail was running in lock step with her sister. Mary had her twins in each arm as she followed the two other slaves who were now distancing themselves forth away as they were faster.
The man on horse was close behind them and was gaining. Abigail turned to see how far he was and then felt it. It was a hard shove that was strong enough to knock her clear off her feet. Landing in the snow, she felt the ground shake as the horse plowed past her.
She lifted her head up to see her sister fall to the horse too as the man seemed to be trying to get to the two slaves in front, making sure they did not get away. Mary was already on her feet when Abigail brushed the snow from her eyes.
As Mary moved she watched her tumble down the embankment that led to the river. With her heart pounding, she got to her feet to see Rose trying to help her mother.
