*Note before reading: Please do not steal my work or copy it!! Thank you~

He always wanted to leave, Marcus.

As long as I can remember we had been servants; being controlled by Master Collin and his wife, Edna. Edna was the kind one, but she must follow her husband. In the spare time she had, she would bring us bits of bread and biscuits… In those days when Marcus was still here…

Marcus was my best friend. He was my only friend on this confounded ranch.

Sometimes I sit and wonder.

“What happened to him?”

I was curious after all.

I ever so longingly want to know… I desire a hope in which the truth will surely blossom.

I want to believe that he has survived.

He and his mother worked here on the ranch. His mother worked for Master Collin.

Every day I saw her. She would fold linens for the master overnight. She looked so hollow and empty.

November 16, 1832, Florence, Kentucky

Master Collin was such a horrid person… He was joyless and unsympathetic. I mostly worked for the second wife of the Master, Edna. Edna was kind. She was stiff and odd around her husband; as she was to follow his rules and orders.

Marcus and his mother hated working for Collin. He would yell and scream at them all throughout the day.

I remember when they got away. It was about a year ago. I woke up at 5 o’clock, as I usually do. I was going to meet Marcus at the stream. He was my only friend. There weren't many children like me on this ranch. So, because I saw Marcus a lot, we grew closer. Our mothers always brought us to the stream for bath time, and ever since Master Collin grew bitter, and my mother left, we’d gone by ourselves. We would wash our faces and play in the water until time to clean or fold or pick up after the horses. One day, my mother got taken away to a different ranch, and I was left with just Marcus and his mother.

I awoke one day to find he wasn’t by the shelter, or the house, or the stream.

He had disappeared. He escaped. I had never been able to escape, nor had my mother.

At least they were safe. I hope…

November 23, 1832, Florence, Kentucky

They left and now I’m all alone. Edna was now my secret caretaker. She was so kind, she would give me baths and give me easy jobs, some even fun! I still miss my old friends. I fail to believe they got away. I’ve gone mad. I’m in denial. I feel as if I’m falling. Just falling. It’s dark, and I’m all alone. The only noise is the distant sound of my screams echoing across the endless chasm in which I’m forever fading into. I’m being eaten alive by the depression in which I live.

I’m lucky I work outside. I’m afraid I need a new coat; if I appear sick the Master will not accompany me in care, but he will make work harder. Edna must follow his rule, as he is the highest man in order. I don’t quite understand, I will when I am older. These are things I always think of.

I no longer have my dreams aligned with reality, for I know they won’t comply with my work. But when I’m not quite focused, my mind wanders… I miss Marcus. The nightmares I have willingly make it worse, especially when they know I am afraid of the dark. I have no father and no mother and no friends. My mother was sent away, I never knew my father, and Marcus ran away with his mother… Just imagine! I’m only twelve years old. A twelve year old servant obeying every wish and order from an old man capable of whatever he wants! Oh here we go… He needs me again.

-December 17, 1832, Florence, Kentucky

We’re living in a tiny shed we found in the middle of nowhere.

My mother has gone completely mental.

I don’t know what to do. It's great being free of those dinosaurs, but I miss Scarlet and I miss being friends… I didn’t want to leave Scarlet.

I wanted her to come with us. Maybe she’s still there.

We barely have anything to eat. Scraps and berries are all we can find.

-February 17, 1833, Adamsville, Ohio

I miss Marcus a lot.

I wish we were still friends.

I loved him. We were like family.

I wonder if he really wanted to leave me….

I wonder if he wanted me to come with.

I sit alone outside when I can escape. I carry this book with me. I sit and write.

“Friends”

My friend,

Always together,

In heart and soul.

I miss him

My friend, please do not leave me alone here,

I cannot bear the thought of you leaving me.

I love you.

I miss you.

I wander alone now.

It's hopeless.

You left me in the darkest of times.

My friend.

I like to write poetry. I write in this diary for you, my dear reader. I don’t know who will find it or where they might, but I write this for you. A portal to the past.

I like to imagine someone will find this years from now…

February 18, 1833, Florence, Kentucky

Today, my mother mentioned the ranch. She said something about “We will never go back, Marcus. We are free. We are on our own. Do you think Collin and Edna could help us?! NO! Even though we had a place to stay there, we will not traverse back…”

She was quite angry…

Well, back to whatever we were doing, I guess…

I hope Scarlet is doing well.

February 19, 1833, Adamsville, Ohio