Ex Libris
Runaway: Part IV by Lauryn Ibsen
The heat was unbearable as we approached
the Potamac River. The boat looked like a
delapidated tug where only a small room sheltered
the captain from the elements. I was told to sit on a
wooden crate at the back of the boat while the men
gathered their meager belongings.
“Where we headed,” the boat’s driver called
out to my captor.
“We are heading back to Richmond,” he
replied.
I had never been to Richmond or even in
Virginia. The only thing I knew was the city was the
capital of the Confederacy and I can only imagine
what it looks like. Having only been to Washington,
DC twice for a short time, I imagine somewhat of an
urban setting with a few paved roads.
“What are we doing with her,” the driver said
quietly. I could not hear my captor’s reply. My hands
were back behind my back and I felt the boat sway
near the water line. Will this thing sink? Just as my
thoughts were spinning, I felt the boat give way and
water rushed in with me getting forced into the river.
My head raced while my body’s instincts took
over. My arms would not be able to keep me afloat so
I tried kicking my legs as fast as they can go but my
head fell beneath the surface. Within seconds, I felt
someone grab me and pulled me up letting me gasp
for air.
My captor looked at me with calmness. “I got
you,” he said. “Just breathe normally.” In a flash, my
eyes embraced with his and I was trusting him with
my body as I felt secure though scared.
The men on the boat rushed to pull me back
in, twice as heavy because of the cotton dress and
crinoline petticoat were saturated with river water. My
hair came undone and I tried to move the wet, long
locks out of my face but couldn’t.
My captor, a little out of breath, jumped back
into the boat with agility and took out his knife to
cut my restraints. My hands immediately went up to
my face to rub the water out of my eyes. He took the
knife point and placed it near my neck. “You ne