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Chains.

Kagi · 2010-09-13T18:54:15Z

My hands and legs ached from the effort of hauling the water from well to well.. Occasionally I peered over my shoulder at Moya, my younger sister, who had been hauling water too. The sweat was pouring off me and my calloused hands were covered in dry blood from the blisters that had burst from the pressure of the hand-weaved baskets containing the water. My feet were just as bad only they seemed to have tougher skin so the blisters that covered them didn't burst as easily. I stopped to catch my breath and turned to Moya to see how she was doing. A thin,bony hand grasped my shoulder and shook me hard, " No stopping you hear?! I won't stand for lazy little wasters standin 'round doing nufing! Lazy little wasters get locked in cellars 'dey do.. " Miss Follery clipped my ear sharply,before returning to the other lines of slave children doing other bits and bobs. I rubbed my red ear,before regaining my balance and continueing my last journey to the well. "Becky, my hands are bleeding.." Moya whispered tearfully,her big,brown eyes boaring into my own. Her wispy black hair was tied into a tight bun and sat on the top of her head. I wrapped my arm around her and lowered myself untill I was at her level. "I'm sorry Moya, I'll wrap them up in the onion skins I saved when we get back to the Follerys home." "What now Moma?"! I asked the stars. "I've tried everything you suggested but dey don't be liking us, Moma. I'm looking after Moya, Moma. I'm trying,I am. I'll come again tomorrow, hopefully the ghosts will be out and bring Moya and me to you, Moma. Like you promised. I love you Moma." I stared blankly up at the dark,nights sky hoping for a sign-a shooting star or even a twinkle from one of the distant planets.Nothing. Maybe I had done something wrong?! Moma was mad. She wasn't speaking to me. "I'm sorry Moma," I whispered as I plodded back inside to the rickety bed,with the scruffy sheets and the cold,rusty window that I couldn't close. My eyes flickered at the bright light streaming through the open window perched high on the stone wall. I waited a second as my eyes adjusted to the light before peeking over at Moya who was sounds asleep. Her hair resembled an electrocuted cat-each end stood up wildly in all directions frayed and frizzy.My mouth crept into a smile. She was so innocent-just lying there.Completely unaware of how evil the world around her was. I swore I would protect her. I was trying. I crossed the room over to the lob-sided chest of drawers and put on my maids attire. "Becky..Can we go home?" I jumped at the sound of Moya's voice. "To Moma and Auntie Kim? I don't like it here, I want to go home,to Kaka Islands." She stared,un-blinking, at me waiting for me reply. I didn't have one. I couldn't tell a six year old that she would never be allowed home or to see her Moma?! She wouldn't understand anymore then I did. "Moya, please get dressed and we'll talk later, alright?" She rose reluctantly and began putting up her pinafore. Lily-ann handed me the stained paper with todays chores listed on it. She smiled sympathically which wasn't usually a good sign. The list was long and I knew that today would be yet another struggle. With Moya lolloping behind me I walked into the shed to grap all that I'd need for the morning. Our first job was to find fresh wood for the many fires in the house. It was difficult and sore and I knew one of Mrs.Follery's favourite jobs to hand out. We were soon running to and fro,fetching the nearest logs we could find. Moya was un-usually quite which disturbed me. Normally she'd chat away or sing. It was something I had grown accostumed to-something I liked. I felt uncomfortable in the silence... "Moya.. um are you allright?!" She shifted awkardly. Her eyes didn't meet mine as she answered simply, "You didn't tell me," Confused I replied, "Tell you what?" "You never told me," she repeated,"That Moma went to Heaven. I never said goodbye to Moma. " I stopped. Her eyes filled with tears as they bored into mine. She kicked off her apron and squatted down to ground level picking nervously at some invisble dirt. "Moya,I didn't know what to do. Moma..She just wrote me a letter,I never..I didn't.. I'm sorry,"I choked. This wasn't an answer. There was no answer. I broke down,tears pouring down my face. Not just tears of sorrow but because of everything. Because at just ten I had become a mother.A mother to my baby sister. Because I had no one to turn to when I needed to most. Because I had nowhere to go and nothing to do. Because I knew that there was no alturnative. To this life that we were trapped in. In chains that I couldn't break. I didn't have a key to the the chains of racism. To this life that just was not worth living. I was crying because I couldn't tell a six year old girl that. I couldn't tell her that the world she was living in,was ruled by those that hated coloured people. I couldn't tell her that racism.. killed Moma. CHAPTER 2 I woke up next morning to the smell of strong, over heated porridge oats. I looked down at Moya who was lying on the bed beside me, squashed tightly to my side, her hair spread flatly over my shoulder. Her soft, baby-like snores made a tear trickle down my check. Before long my face was red and blotchy with accompaning tears rolling down my cheeks. I lay there for a while stroking Moya's soft hair and crying all the tears I could cry. Moma, I've done all I can do. I need you .. please..please come home. Answer me Moma, please answer.. ANSWER! I sobbed angrily yet not loud enough to wake Moya. I couldn't do this anymore. It was to much for to bear. "Mmm.. Becky?" Moya twisted,her eyelashes splattered with sleep, turning to look up at me. I quickly wiped my tearfull face and sniffled looking away, "Yes Moya." Her thin,bony hands grasped my face and slowly pulled me around to meet her gaze. "Your a good sister, Moya. I love you." She whispered sincerly. I caressed her face and stared into her unblinking eyes. "And I love you Moya..I'll do alright. We'll stay together and I'll never leave you," I swore, my voice quivering with emotion. She smiled and I swooped her into my arms and whirled her around the room to the best of my abilty like we used to do back him. She giggled freely and it was her way of saying, No Moya, we'll do alright. Hi Guys I'll write more soon.Just a quick idea that popped into mind. Hope you like it! :D :o

ThePenIsMyWeapon

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Points 1161

Reviews 23

Sat Jan 29, 2011 5:07 pm

ThePenIsMyWeapon says... · Sat Jan 29, 2011 5:07 pm

Another fantastic story!! I love the topic of racism you chose. Its a topic that I feel needs to be addressed more. All men created equal is one of my mission statements. I also like the was you write of a place with no name, that is 100% of your imagination. You are great at what you do! Keep on writing!
-Ruth

Quote

Generally speaking, a howling wilderness does not howl: it is the imagination of the traveler that does the howling.
— Henry David Thoreau

Chains.

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