Caged Bird Screaming

Fear

Henry sat on the floor, leaning his back on the cold wall, deep in thought. Yulana was dead. Mary had been killed in cold blood by the child she was meant to serve. Yulana had been hanged, and her head was on hanging on a pole displayed for everyone to see. His father hadn’t cared about what Laura did, instead of rebuking her he had praised her saying killing a Negro wasn’t murder. His mother hadn’t said anything. No one stood up for him.

The door opened and Henry looked up and looked back down again when he noticed his father standing by the door. He shut the door and stood in front of Henry.

“Look at me.” He ordered. Henry looked up at his father. “Killing a Negro isn’t murder.” Henry looked away in anger. “Look at me!” Henry turned to him. “Don’t look away from me when I talk to you.” Henry nodded, gritting his teeth. “Now I don’t want to hear any nonsense from you about murder. I have told you Negros are not like us.” His father sighed. “You shall go and apologize to Laura for your rude behaviour.”

“I shall not.”

George’s his hands slowly curled into fists. Henry knew he wouldn’t hesitate repeating what he did to the Negro four weeks ago to him as well. “Are you also going to hit me as well?”

George’s eyes widened with shock. He quickly uncurled his fists and walk out of Henry’s bedroom, slamming the door behind him.

Henry shook with fear. What if his father came back and whipped him like he whipped the Negro woman? What if his father left him outside chained to the posts leaving him to die in the cold brutal night? No. His father would never do that. Henry was sure of that. His father would never hurt him.

He had seen what his father could do. Yulana had told him his father could be brutal but he never thought he could be that brutal. Yes he had snuck into the attic and watched his father flog the Negro and yes he kept a vigil after supper and watched her all night without nodding off to sleep.

Henry curled up into a ball and closed his eyes not caring anymore. His father could do whatever he wanted with him...but it wouldn’t change how he felt about the whole situation.

“God what have I done wrong?” He muttered. “Laura killed old Mary. You commanded us not to kill people and Laura killed her because she refused to dance. Why is it father says when a Negro is killed, it’s not murder?” Henry felt sick to the stomach as he thought about Laura killing Mary. She was a funny woman with the biggest laugh he had ever heard. He had never seen her frown before. She always sang hymns and had a beautiful voice. Henry rolled his eyes and grunted. He would never apologize to Laura. Never.

Henry woke up and freed himself from the position he slept in as golden streaks sunlight glowed brightly from the sky and into his eyes. He turned away from the sunlight, blinking profusely. His body felt stiff and his bones ached as he stretched his arms. He hadn’t planned on falling asleep on the floor.

He stood up and lay on his bed. Feeling restless, he rolled over and stared at the window, thinking of the times he’d stand there looking at the vast land full of cotton with Yulana by his side. As the sun moved direction, a small shadow fell near the window. Henry almost swore it was Yulana standing there because the shadow resembled her silhouette.

The door opened. Henry bolted up in fright ready for what would happen to him. It wasn’t his father, it was Angel. He was carrying a small plate of bread and a cup of water.

“Good morning master.” Axe placed the plate and cup on the small wooden table. Henry wanted to smile and have a conversation with him, but stopped when he remembered the promise he made to himself. He’d stay away from Angel. It would be the only way to keep him safe since every Negro he had formed a friendship with ended up dying. He didn’t think he’d be able to bear it if he lost another friend.