Diary

Today I was taken from home. I was scared but couldn't let my little siblings see it. It would make them more scared. While we were taken from our parents I held Little Marco securely in my arms. He was too young to realize what was going on. Annie was crying into my dress and holding her tattered old stuffed rabbit. Molly was crying but since she was only a year younger then me, and quite old for her age, she was acting like she wasn't. Conner, being the tuff boy that he was, held Little Beanie and Tally's hands. He hadn't shed one tear, but then again, neither had I.

We were marched onto a train and taken far away. Now we are all sitting in a crowded tent. I have little room to move my arm as I write and Beanie is crying in my lap. There is a boy next to me who is about 2 years older then me and keeps looking over my shoulder. See he laughs as I write about him. He tells me his name is Samuel. he wants me to describe what I think he looks like. He says I 'm a good writer.

He has long black hair that threatens to over power his bright brown eyes. They are very big and don't leave my face. It makes my cheeks get hot, which makes him laugh. If we could stand I would guess he was a gangly 6 foot 2. He laughed at that. He says he is 5 foot 10. That is still 8 inches taller then my 5 foot 2. He laughed again at that.
There are loud noises out side and our guard says to stay quiet and not to move. Everyone is stretching their legs. The guard is gone now. Sam says I should put my journal away, but I can't. he grabbed my hand now. I grabbed Marco and Beanie and followed him out the tent. Annie, Molly, Tally and Conner hurried after us. Conner asked where we are headed and I say 'I don't know Conner'.

Sam guides us like he had a map out of this horrible camp. He was going into a run and me, in my bare feet and dress, could hardly keep up. Finally we came to the fence. I am shocked at how little guards there are. Maybe the commotion drew them away. I looked behind me and saw a stream of kids. All following this one boy no one knew. We ran along the fence for some time before coming upon a hole.

This came to me as a shock because everything had been so perfectly guarded. but this hole was a major flaw. And the lack of guards running around. Sam pushed me and my brothers and sisters out the hole then followed us. He smiles at me. I stand shocked that we have made it out. but we don't know what has become of our parents. Sam walks over to me and takes Marco out of my arms. I try to protest but he hushes me. we are still only a few feet from the fence.
we begin running again. so I must stop for the time being.

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We have stopped. Thank goodness! I was beginning to become overly tired. I need to rest. I 'm sitting with my back against a tree, Marco curled up in my lap and Beanie, Tally, and Molly sleeping soundly around me. Sam is on look out next to me. he thinks I 'm crazy for staying awake to write this, but I have to, its all I have. He is watching my pen now.

He likes the way my handwriting looks so smooth and fluent. I am beginning to feel towards him. Good thing he is looking the other way. He looks back at me. I like that way his eyes sparkle in the moon light. I think I will sleep now so I won't be so tired when we start walking again.

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It is morning and the kids want food. Sam went out and brought back some eggs. we now have a small fire going and eggs sizzling. I already scarfed mine down and burned my throat. I will write later in full detail about our days work.

I am probably the happiest run away alive. It is almost dark now. The kids are sleeping after eating more eggs. Marco hasn't cried all day, though he is only one. Sam is sitting next to me, holding my hand and making tiny circles on the back with his thumb. He is so sweat. he laughed at that. Oh he says I wrote 'He is so sweat' instead of sweet. It is getting very dark.

But before I put this away for who-knows-how-long, I must write why I am so happy and how it came to be that Sam is holding my hand. It started when Marco began to jabber in baby talk. Sam took him from me and comforted him. The walk continued but I soon fell and hurt my ankle. My injury forced the group of us to halt our walking. Sam handed Marco to Tally and picked me up. He carried me all the way into the woods again.
Everyone followed thinking I was hurt worse then I actually was. I knew how to make a splint for a sprain but I could not move to Sam got all the materials. I quickly had one on my ankle. We began walking again. We walked until the kids complained of hunger pains and hurting feet. We made camp under some very tall and thick trees. Sam and me walked alone for a bit and then Sam wrapped his arms around me and ... he actually KISSED me!!!

It was amazing! Then we walked back holding hands and here we are. Our hands still together. I never want to let go. Ever. I don't think I will write again until we find a place to live.
With Love,
Bella

by Isabel (grade 8), illustration Emma (grade 7)