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“Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry”

Three Entries from Cassie Logan’s Diary:

First Entry:

Dear Diary,

 

Today Big Ma asked me what the matter was because she said that I have been “moping ’round like I have whoopin’ cough, flu and measles.” she thinks I am sick… but if only she knew the truth! I wanted to tell her, to ask why those men came and if they wanted to hurt us, but she would be mighty angry if she knew I’d even been awake. If it weren’t for the pact that I had made with Stacey, Christopher John and Little Man, I would have told Mama everything when she asked me if I had anything to tell her.

 

I’ll never forget how I felt that awful night! The tension in the house was high and the security I had felt before… was gone. When I fell asleep, Big Ma had been in a chair by the window, but, when I awoke in the middle of the night, she was gone! I was so scared; too scared to even move and I was shakin’ like a leaf! Admittedly, I did relax a bit when I thought that the noise which I had heard was the boys, and then discovered that it was Jayson, our dog. Then, just as I was about to climb back onto the porch after falling into the flowerbed, I saw them. A caravan of headlights, coming closer and closer! I have never been so scared as I was during that moment! My legs felt like lead when the man walked slowly up the drive; I wanted to move, but couldn’t. When they left, I was relieved… but at the same time it felt as if a huge weight had been placed upon my shoulders. When I saw Mr. Morrison walk by with a shotgun in his hands, that was when reality really hit me. We are never completely safe. Even though our parents do their best to make us feel secure, they are not a barrier from the outside world.

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As I climbed into bed, I tried hard not to think about what I had seen, but, when I did, I began to tremble and only fell into a restless sleep at dawn. They could come for us at any time! Just thinking about it makes sleep difficult and I have lost my appetite completely.

 

My main worry is that they must have come because of the bus! Maybe someone saw us digging the ditch? We could be in very serious trouble, and possibly have endangered our family as well! Part of me feels guilty for not telling ...

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