Fight For Freedom

Thursday, 1864 4:01 I am a slave now 

Dear Diary, 

I am able to write cursive because before we got enslaved,my mama teached me to write in cursive as I am writing now. In the house of the person I work for, because I am 15 years old, I was allowed to keep one thing. This diary is what I am keeping.The pen is connected to this diary. Things have been hectic because of the Civil  War. Us African Americans have been enslaved. We have been forced to live in one room houses while the whites have been living in glamorous houses. We are the white people’s slaves. We have to plant their crops, do their laundry,cook their food,and make their beds. We also have to mop and sweep. My family has been torn apart. My mama has been working for a man named Kim. My thirteen year old younger brother has been forced to work for a lady named Lina. He is very unlucky. If you do something wrong,like leaving the food open too long,instead of going to bed by 11:30, you would be forced to go do extra work even though you have already cleaned it five times, you would have to clean her house over and over again until 5:00 in the morning. And, my dad ...I do not know much about where he was enslaved. Okay, I do not know. But when I go to bed in Nina’s bedroom, I look at the North Star, as if it is god’s eye itself, and pray that all African Americans will be free, and all kids whose family has been torn apart will reunite. I pray that one day, I will find my family, when the war is over, and I will live a happy, healthy life, and, most importantly, a life of freedom. I am lucky though. I work for a man named Oscar. I only get one meal a day from Oscar, but Oscar has a daughter.This is why I am lucky. In secret, his daughter, Nina helps me. I really hope that the Civil  War will soon be over and my side wins. If my side wins,then us enslaved African Americans will be free. When we are free, I will find my mama, brother, and hopefully my father. 

I am Victoria, Victoria Jones. Today is April 13th, 1864. 

I read over my diary entry. It seemed fine. I closed my diary and put it in the secret place where I usually put it. (Under Nina’s bed.) “Victoria!” Nina called. “I got you a popsicle!”  “Thanks Nina.” I said, smiling at her. “Does your dad know?” “Girl, my dad does not even know I know you. So how can he possibly know that I am giving you a popsicle?” Nina replied. “I knew that.” I said sheepishly, my cheeks blushing bright red. Nina put the popsicle next to me, on her bed. I looked at the popsicle. Then I sighed. “What’s wrong Victoria?” Nina asked, sitting down next to me. “You see Nina, I am here, enjoying this popsicle.” I said as I took a lick. Nina nodded. “Before I was enslaved and sent here, me and my family had some good times together.” I smiled at the memory. “One thing we would do, our highest, most favorite thing to do together was to make lemon popsicles. That is, the flavor you gave me.” I said, choking back tears and taking another lick. 

“Oh Victoria. I am so sorry. I was just as sad as you ever since my mom disappeared.” Nina said. She started to choke back tears too. “As I looked at things, some of them were old memories of me and my mom. “ She said, holding up a picture of her and her mom. Nina started to sob. So did I. We hugged. Nina helped me dry my tears, and I helped Nina dry her tears. “My mom just disappeared one day.” 

Suddenly, the drums started to drum, booming, thundery noises. “The war of 1864 is beginning.” Nina said. Suddenly, Nina’s house was on fire. “Nina!” Oscar called. “Dad, once we are safe, there is something I need to tell you.” Nina said. I grabbed my diary, and ran. Me , Nina, and Oscar rushed outside. Nina’s house lived one mile away from the battlefield, so it was not good. Once we were safe, Nina said, “Dad, this slave is my friend.” “Honey, I have known that since Victoria came. I am looking forward to freeing all slaves.” Oscar said. Nina hugged her dad. “But until this war is over, I am going to treat you the way I treat Nina. When it is over, we will find your mom and dad and brother.” Oscar said.

Dear Diary, 

I am so glad I saved you. I am also very surprised that Oscar is okay with Nina being friends with me, and treated me the way I wanted to be treated.The way I want to be treated is kindly. But we do not know where to go. 

Nina’s entire house burned down. We were able to save a few things. Some clothes, some stuffed animals and things that were valuable to us. It took 5 seconds for us to put those things in our suitcases. This is a very short entry, I know. But I have to get going. Me, Nina and Oscar are finding a new home. 

I’m Victoria, Victoria Jones and today is 1864 April 13th. 

“Where should we live dad?” Nina asked. “I don’t know.” Oscar said. “It’s getting dark.” I said. “Let’s find a place to sleep.” We walked until midnight. We soon found a hotel. It was a nice hotel. There were nice beds, good food, and nice waiting rooms.  “Welcome to Kansas.” The smiling manager said. “How can I help you?” The moment she looked at me, she asked me, “What is your name?” “Victoria Jones ma’am.” I said. I looked into her eyes. I remembered my mama’s eyes. Sea green. “You two may go to your room,”She said to Nina and Oscar. 

After they went, the lady looked at me. She was African American just like me. She looked a lot like me, and had my same eye color. When she came out of the counter, I could tell she was just like me.

“My name is Cici Jones.” she explained. “My mama is Cici Jones!” I cried. Could it be? It was! Within moments I was in the arms of my mama. Our crying woke up Nina and Oscar. “I could see that you were kind to my daughter.” My mama said with a smile to Nina and Oscar.

Both of them immediately knew that this was my mom. Later, my mom explained that also these white people were also being kind to her, just like me. 

She looked at Nina.  “Are you Nina Jays?” A white woman who looked just like Nina asked. “Mom? Is that really you?” Nina asked. “Yes!” The woman cried. Nina held up a picture of her and her mom. It was.

Nina’s family did a group hug, then instead of staying there, we set off to find my brother. 

“Bye Kim!” My mom called. Then we set off to find my brother. We soon came across  a cottage. There, in the yard, we saw a boy tending to the flowers. He looked just like my brother. He soon looked at us. He immediately recognized me and my mom. “Mom? Victoria?’’ He whispered . “Hi Jerry!” We said.

“Shhhhh! Be quiet! Lina will hear us! She does not want to let me go! Did you guys come here to break me out of here?” He asked. “Yes!”we whispered , giggling. “Come on!” I said. “Okay.” Jerry said. He went into his house where he was enslaved. He soon came out with things that made me so happy that a huge grin spread across my face. He got lots of food, water, clothing for himself, and a huge water filter all in a suitcase. “I know this is stealing,” He said, “But it serves her right.” Lucky for us, a car buying center was right by Lina’s house. Oscar bought a car. We drove in it laughing as Lina screamed when she saw us. “Bye!” Jerry laughed.        

As we drove, my mama sang us a song, that made us all fall asleep. Soon, we woke up in front of what looked like a jail prison. “Do you think that Daddy’s here?” Jerry asked me and mama. “Well, let's find out.” I said bravely. We ran inside. But, no sooner did we get caught in a net. “Hey, what’s  this!” One person said. “Intruders, that’s who!” Another person said. “Throw them in separate cells! “ One person said to another. Me, Nina, and Jerry were thrown in one cell. My mama, Nina’s mama, and Oscar were thrown in another cell. Soon, they came up to our cell. They had masks on, and according to the color of their skin, they were whites. “Who are you, and what do you want with us?” Nina said, bravely. “This looks like a prison, but this is a type. It’s for blacks and their supporters. “One of the thugs said. 

Before any of us could say a word, they walked away, laughing like maniacs which these people call cackling. I rummaged in my pockets, looking to see what I had was useful. Then, I felt something sharp. I pulled it out, hoping that it was what I needed. It was. “What’s that?” Jerry asked. “Remember my 9th birthday? Mama and Daddy gifted me this swiss knife.” “Oh yeah!” Jerry remembered. “What are you waiting for?” Nina asked. “Use it to cut through the bars!” As fast as I could, I cut through the wire bars with my knife. 

Soon we were out. But then suddenly, something caught my eye. It my Dad. “Daddy?” I whispered. “Victoria.” He whispered back, smiling. Tears flooded my eyes. I immediately cut the bars that were hold my Daddy. Soon, I was in the arms of my daddy. Then we freed all the others. Then Oscar called the police. The two men got arrested, and all was well.   Dear Diary, I’m happy that the Civil War is over, cause I just learned that that was the last war. Great news though. The blacks won! Us blacks are free! Daddy never really told us about how he got captured, but all he said was this:”They were on the hunt for me, and they found me.” But I’m just glad that we are all safe. We live in a neighborhood, and Nina’s family lives next door. I’m happy for all of my family, and all those african americans that were once enslaved, and now living lives of freedom.

This is Victoria, Victoria Jones. Today is April 15th, 1864. 

We fought for our freedom and won