Kali's Journey part 1

I lay chained in the belly of the ship. Weeks must have passed, but here there is no light so I don't know. The ship lurches; I have finally gotten over sea sickness, but I hear my brother, Tau, vomit.
"Kali," he groans, "when will death come?" I nearly cry, but for his sake I must remain strong.

I steady my voice and reply, "I don't know, please don't give up." Cramped and afraid I listen to my brother's ragged breathing beside me. Weeks ago, he caught a fever and is slowly burning up. I lay awake wondering what time it is, then I realize it, Tau is not breathing!

"Tau," I scream, "Tau, are you there, can you hear me?" He doesn't even stir. I pray for this nightmare to be over, that I will wake up and I will be in my bed with Tau lying next to me. But it is real, Tau is dead, and I'm alone. The ship lurches a final time and all is still.

Suddenly the hatch is thrown open and two men climb down the ladder. As I squint at the glaring sunlight; I feel someone unlock my wrists and pull me up. A collar is put around my neck, not that I am strong enough to run anyway.

Once we are clean and have clothing we are taken to an auction house, I catch sight of my sister, Issa, we make eye contact, but then look away. I have heard stories of traders purposely separating families, so if Issa and I act like we aren't sisters, then there is the faintest possibility that we can be together. I feel rough hands grab my collar and pull me onto the stage.

"Who will start the bidding" the auctioneer asks.
"I bid 20" one man says.
"I bid 30" another one adds
They continue in this matter for some time. All the while a burning anger fills me with disgust and embarrassment. I want to cry, but I don't want to humiliate myself anymore than I already have. The only time I ever saw an auction was when it came time to buy animals for the farm.

The men continue to haggle over my price, until from the back of the room a small voice says "I bid 100 for her."

"Sold" says the auctioneer. I don't think I have ever heard such devastating words in my 14 years on this planet. I chance to glance at my new owner, and nearly gasp with surprise. The woman is about 80 and is bent and frail, she looks at me with sad eyes and says "Come child, we need to get home."

"Mistress," I plead, "could you buy my sister too?"

"Of course child." she says in a soothing voice, "Two are better than one."

After she buys Issa she asks our names, "My name is Kali." I stammer nervously, I look to Issa, but she looks as scared me. When we reach the lady's mansion she undoes her shawl and throws her cane on the floor. For the second time today she surprises me, she is a beautiful young woman! She then explains that her house is actually a stop off point for the Underground Railroad, and couldn't resist buying a few Africans who looked almost dead. Then she explains we are to get well at her house, then we are to go through the Underground Railroad ourselves.

Two weeks have passed and Issa and I are ready to leave. We are given extra clothing, food, water, maps, and new names. I am now Eliza, and Issa is now Anna.

As we leave that night the woman whispers "Run to freedom." That is exactly what we do.