A Higher Law
“Please, Miss Avery!” Dinah knelt before her mistress in the dark and gloomy barn, her apron clenched in trembling hands. Lightning flashed like searchlights outside the creaking walls while thunder stormed above in violent, wild clamors.
“She’s the only family I got left.”
Kentucky rain came fierce and heavy, drumming on the roof like an enemy assault.
“It’s against the law, Dinah.” Avery’s voice wavered. Her lantern flickered as phantom drafts disturbed the evening air. If her husband found out…
“Is it against your conscience, Miss?” Dinah’s strong African features contorted with desperation.
Avery stood still. The sound of baying hounds pierced through the raging tempest.
Avery reached up and touched the golden cross which hung around her neck. The wind paused and her lamp burned steady. She nodded assent.
Dinah leapt to her feet, peering behind her into tall, dark hay stacks.
“Precious!” she cried. “Sister, show yourself!”
A small black woman appeared from the shadows, dripping wet and muddy. Blood glistened from a gash high upon her cheekbone. Rusted shackles circled bony wrists.
“Come quick!” ordered Avery, her senses renewed. “We don’t have much time.”
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleHello Heather, you described and brought home the horrors of slavery in this short and compact story, not an easy thing to do. This story deserves more likes and comments. Please keep on writing, you have a wonderful gift.
A second read-through really helped me appreciate the amazing story and its relevance to the theme. It leaves the reader to work out the rest of the story.
Your story is very touching and thought provoking. Very well written and, even with so few words, had me biting my lip, hoping desperately that Miss Avery would make the right choice.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleYour descriptions are so vivid Heather that I was right there in that barn. I could almost hear the sound of those baying hounds. I’m so glad Avery made the right decision despite fear of repercussions. A story that will stay with me.
This short story brought tears to my eyes! Slavery is a difficult issue but you managed to write a really good story about it that moved the reader.
A very nice story. I was horrified but well entertained by its content.
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