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She could barely speak.
She swallowed hard and whispered,
Who are you?
Someone who isn’t supposed to be here either. Come on, come up. I have water.
Amelia hesitated.
Then she felt for a piece of wood sticking out of the wall.
She used it to pull herself up.
She climbed slowly and carefully until she could see through the opening.
There was a face looking at her.
An elderly Black woman, with silver hair and eyes etched with deep wrinkles.
She reached out and helped Amelia out.
Amelia stood on trembling legs.
She looked around.
The dogs were gone.
The woman stood in front of her holding a tin cup.
She said, “Drink.”
Amelia took the cup and drank.
The water was warm, but it was the most delicious thing she had ever tasted.
She drank until the cup was empty.
Where did the dogs go? Amelia asked.
The woman smiled.
It wasn’t a smile of joy, but a smile of knowledge and sorrow.
I sent her away, she said.
How?
The same way I sent away everyone who came looking for me. I know things, things that frighten dogs, and frighten men too.
Amelia stared at her.
Who are you?
My name is Esther. I’ve lived in this wood for almost forty years. I was enslaved long ago. And I escaped.
She paused, then continued,
They sent dogs after me too. But I learned how to stay. How to hide. And how to fight back in ways they don’t understand.
Amelia’s legs gave way.
She sat down hard on the ground.
Will they come back? she asked.
The dogs? No. I put something in the air that they don’t like. The magic of the ancient roots. My grandmother taught it to me.
Then her voice changed.
The pursuers might try to reach you. So you must get away quickly.
What should I do?
Esther knelt before her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
Rest, then run again. But this time, run smart. I’ll show you the way.
Amelia slept for two hours on the dirt floor of the cottage.
When she awoke, dawn was creeping through the cracks.
Esther was sitting near the door, watching the trees.
In her hand was an old tool she used for forestry and self-defense.
She said without turning around, “They’ll be here soon. The dogs are back. The men will want to know why they came back without you.”
Amelia sat up.
Her body ached.
Her feet were swollen, scaly with dried blood.
She looked at them and felt tears welling up.
She pushed her inside.
How far is the river? she asked.
Two days if you hurry. Three if you don’t. But you’re not going to the river.
Amelia looked at her.
Why?
Because they know that fugitives head for it. They’ll put men there. You go to the river, you get caught, or worse.
So where to?
Esther finally turned around.
Her eyes were hard, but not hard on her.
North. There’s a settlement four days away. Free Black people. They don’t ask questions, they don’t answer anyone. But the road is difficult. Swamps, crocodiles, snakes. Most people don’t make it.
Most people don’t make it from there either, Amelia said quietly.
Esther smiled faintly.
You have a fire in you. You’ll need it.
Esther stood up and went to a corner of the hut. She pushed aside some loose wooden planks and took out a small bag. Inside were dried meat, a piece of stale bread, and a tin bowl of water. She handed it to Amelia.
It’ll last you two days if you behave yourself. After that, you’ll have to find your own food.
Amelia shook her head.
Esther sighed. So you’ll either learn quickly or you’ll tire quickly and won’t be able to finish the journey.
Esther knelt down next to Amelia and began wrapping her feet with strips of cloth she’d torn from an old blanket. The cloth was rough, but better than nothing.
Why are you helping me? Amelia asked.
Esther didn’t answer right away. She finished wrapping the cloth and sat back.
Because someone helped me once, a long time ago. And I swore that if I ever had the chance, I would do the same. That’s all.
She stood up and walked toward the door.
You have to leave now. They’re coming.
How do you know?
I can feel it.
Amelia stood up. Her legs were still shaking, but they held her up. She took the bag and slung it over her shoulder.
And you? she asked.
I’ll be fine. I always am.
Amelia walked toward the door, then stopped and turned around.
Thank you.
Esther nodded.
Don’t thank me now. Thank me when you arrive.
Amelia left the cottage and went out into the woods. The morning air was cold. The birds began to sing. For a moment, everything seemed strangely quiet.
Then