A Slave's Journey by Thomas

 After an agonisingly long, wait we were dragged onto the huge vessel which would completely change our lives. The wooden goliath dominated the coastal harbour. The beautiful sea was calm unlike my heart which was racing as I realised there was no way back. However, I felt it would get worse even though my   body was full to bursting with fear. I was right it got worse very soon as a hippo skin whip lashed down upon my aching back. Strapped tightly together me and my fellow slaves snaked round the perimeter of the splinter giving deck. The invincible fetters rubbed my skin red raw.  The crew of doom stared at me for what felt like an age with their menacing eyes. They were doing the same thing to everybody to try and spot potential trouble makers. Plenty of the younger slaves were crying. I didn’t blame them. In the mist of the impossible heat we were forced to stand still. Finally, we were ordered to descend into the murky darkness.

Descending from the bright African sunlight dank dark hold was a huge change. As the door clicked shut we heard the crew stamping above like drunkards thankfully it drowned out the noise of vomiting. However, I could still smell it mixed with human waste and sweat I was nearly sick as the smell attacked my nose. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness all I could see was hundreds of whimpering slaves. Strapped together in strong as steel manacles.  We were bound to our poll where we would stay for the next few months. The masters extinguished   the lamps for a sleepless night of misery.

No matter how hard I tried to fall asleep, I couldn’t so I just lay there tossing and turning in my cramped space. Unfortunately, my eyes adjusted to the gloom and all I  could see was endless misery. All I could hear were terrible groans and wails of despair. I could feel the excruciating pain as mosquitos bit me and the groans of others sharing the pain. Meanwhile, my nose was picking up the awful smells of the human waste which was surrounding us. I was sick with nerves as I heard the crew smirking at a few unfortunate slaves who were performing their tribal dance I thought I might be next.