A Slave's Journey by Isla

 Reluctantly, I stumbled behind a tall white man, who was already dragging me by the arm, onto the gigantic galleon with many other young black people. Tears started to roll down my cheek as I swallowed a ball of misery. It felt like the beats of my heart had taken over my body. The conditions were harsh, dust flew up my nose and splinters piled on my feet. Our clothes were swapped for tight chains, every move coming from a slave I was secured to rubbed my bare skin even more. Unsurprisingly, the crew were very different, one of the men stood out because he was acting as if he was drunk. He was big, I was small, he was white, I was black, he was smug, I was scared. We were pushed around in groups as many of the younger slaves wept and cried, to be honest I didn`t blame them. I could vaguely hear a speed up heart beat next to me. I had no other choice but to follow the orders and stay where I was in the sweltering sun. I began to sweat like mad the heat was burning on my skin. Finally we headed below deck into the prison like area.

Above and below deck were almost opposite it was strange going into the freezing space after what seemed like forever in the African sun. The smell was gross, I could almost taste the murderous stench. I could see gloomy shadows on the walls as I listened intently to the repositioning of the uncomfortable bodies. My feet were hurried along the bumpy and hard floor. Straight away I knew it was going to be a restless journey. Tragically, I was tightly secured to a wooden post by chains that rubbed and twisted my skin raw. It was torture not being able to move a muscle, it was like hugging a horrible pole covered in dust and spiders. Eventually, I saw the bright sun fade down into the horizon, there was no hope as a crew member had slammed the door on us.

I couldn`t find sleep that night on the vessel of suffering that night, normally I would fall asleep straight away, but not tonight. Scared cries came from my fellow slaves filling my ears living it hard to sleep against the rough pole and soar chains on my wrists. I stared at the shadows of miserable children, I tried to fall asleep again and again but the smell didn`t change from its nasty sink, if anything it got worse. Suddenly, I felt a sharp wobble as the gigantic galleon left the harbour onto the rough sea, up and down went the ship. Unexpectedly, vomit climbed up my throat and out of my mouth as the sea battered the ship. I gulped and let out a waterfall of tears. I felt as if I was the unluckiest person ever. Even though I was surrounded by many people, it felt as if I was alone.