In a Heartbeat
"Echoes of Yesterday"
A/N Language might be offensive…
I'd like to thank Beatle for pre-reading my fic.
Disclaimer: I only have about a dollar so don't sue me g
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Chapter 5- Hank Part II
North Carolina, 1864
We shall overcome someday
Ohh, deep in my heart…
"We can't wait for our freedom, Hank. We gonna have to take it." Hank remembered Henry's response right before they went back to sleep.
Hank had his own dreams of freedom. Once a doctor had come to take care of Sally, Mas' Freedman's youngest daughter, and as he watched the man work he knew that's what he wanted to be.
But a nigra doctor? It was incomprehensible. Though Hank was certain that if you just followed the rules and did what you were told, freedom would come.
He remembered when Sam, another slave on the plantation had run away. He had been tracked down by Mas' Freedman's dogs and brought back. Sam was tied to a tree and beaten with a whip. When it was over Sam's back was covered with blood. Papa had helped carry the man to his cabin, but the wounds so bad, that he had died shortly after.
If his brothers decided to run he knew he might never see them again. However, a side of him wanted them to go, to do something he was too afraid to try.
By mid-afternoon the hot sun was beating down his back and Hank felt like he had worked all day. He carried the full bucket of water as sweat ran down his face and soaked the neck of his shirt. Ben carried another bucket next to him, both enjoying this job because it gave them a chance to see Mama and Sarah who both worked in the Big House.
"You have some fine, negros." said a man Hank did not recognize with Mas' Freedman as they walked by.
"They're all hard workers, smart too."
"Ain't one in the bunch that's smart. Can you image all that talk they have in Washington, how they are equal to us. You and I both know, a negro could never be equal to a white man."
Hank saw the anger in Henry's eyes as he heard those words. "Let it go, Ben." he replied urging his brother. "It's the way things are."
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"She idolizes you." Papa spoke as the two made their way to their cabin.
"Who?"
"Sarah. I know what you're brothers are plannin'. She be wanting to go to, but she's knows that's not what you want. I want all my children to be free Hank. You're mama and I we be to old to go and besides, Ruthie's too young, but I want you older ones to try."
"I don't know if I can."
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"-I have 80 slaves to clothe and feed this winter," Mas' Freedman said to his friend, "and you know how hard it is with the war, I need the money."
"This boy you got for me," the man said. "Is he trained good? Won't run off?'
"I assure you he won't." the men smiled and signed the deal, and changed fate.
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I didn't get 2 many reviews for the last chapter and I would love to know what you guys think of this one. Thanks!
