A Black death story, Selena Bonner [top 100 books to read txt] 📗

awhile I stopped to catch my breath. I thought I heard the little girls words in the breeze, but I ignored it after awhile. I looked around and saw the other side of town in the distance. I knew if I surfaced to that side I would be close to where my house would be. So I started to walk in that direction. I finally saw the street, following it home. Then I heard a carriage and the clatter of hooves. I turned to see a big black carriage with a man holding the reins. The horses were big and muscular.
“What is that Mister?” I wondered. He looked down at me.
“This carriage is filled with the dead,” he said in a gruff, stern voice. As he passed, the carriage smelled horrible. It smelled of vomit and revolting dead. I waited until he passed by to cross the street to my house. But then he stopped at my house. My mouth hung open as he opened the door and took my father and Elizabeth. He opened the carriage. I saw a glimpse of other lifeless people as he put them inside. I saw mother appear at the door and wave goodbye to the fellow. The carriage inched down the street and she closed the door. I looked around to see a single man walking down the street. A chill went down my spine, so I hurriedly ran to my house and opened the door as quickly and quietly as possible.
“Where have you been?” Mother said shrilly. She crossed her arms as I entered the house.
“I was outside-”
“You went outside?!” she shouted.
“I wasn’t out for long,” I whimpered. I started to my bedroom, but she caught my arm.
“Were you in the city?” she asked angrily.
“No, I didn’t go any where near the city,” I replied honestly. The city is where most of the people live and where the sewage vents are. Mostly the shops and bakeries are in the city. I could’ve sworn mother was going to swoop down and eat me up. She studied me cautiously.
“Go wash up,” she said, trying to calm her voice.
“But mother-”
“I told you to go and wash up and you will do what I say,” she hissed. She let go of my arm and walked off into Rachel’s room. I obediently went into the bathroom and washed my face and body.
I calmly sit on my bed as I write this and wonder if I will ever see the light of day. I could almost hear the coughs of Elizabeth while she lays on her death bed, but then the howls of the wind drown out the sound. I can almost hear the wheezing of my father as he breathes his last breath of sweet air. I can almost hear the sniffle of my mother as she cried out in sadness near my father. I am too tired to think now, all I want to do is rest.
Sincerely,
Amelia Right

Dear Diary, May 10th, 1665
Today while I was reading my favorite book, I heard a scream in the kitchen. I rushed over to the kitchen to see mother knelt down on the floor holding her hand.
“Mother? Mother!” I cried. She looked up at me, fear in her pale, gray eyes. She got up, still holding her left hand. She uncovered her hand, only for me to see bite marks on her palm.
“No,” I breathed. She hurried over to a bucket of water on the counter and washed her hand.
“Mother, tell me what happened,” I ordered, even though I knew well what happened.
“I was cleaning the floor diligently when a flash of black ran across the floor. I was so surprised I dumped the bucket of water accidentally and the rat ran up to me and bit me.” she explained. I sighed. She dried her hands off with a piece of cloth and grabbed a broom.
“I want you to go straight to your bedroom and do not come out until I tell you to, I do not want you to get the disease.” she ordered. I paced back to my bedroom and fell onto my bed purposely. I looked out the window all day even to see the sun set. Now the moon is high and everyone is asleep. I have the whole night to think and do so much more.
Sincerely,
Amelia Right

Dear Diary, May 15th,1665
Today I noticed two guards by our door. They held swords and had heavy armor on. They never left the spot, not even when lunch comes around.
“Mother, what are those guards doing there?” I asked her, she looked at me.
“They make sure we cannot escape, because one of us has the disease.” she took my hand to Rachel’s room and slowly opened the door. Rachel lay in bed, reading a book.
“Rachel?” I stared at her face. It was drained of any color, even her eyes. She coughed twice, then closed the book. I turned to my mother angrily.
“Why haven’t you told me?” I cried.
“I thought you were going through plenty,” she excused herself and fled the room.
“Rachel, I-”
“No need to be sorry, sister, I am perfectly fine with this fate.” she said happily.
“You are?” I was amazed. A smile spread across her face joyfully, it fit perfectly on her round face.
“I do not fear death, sister,” she explained, “neither should you,” I thought a moment about this.
“I do not fear death,” I replied, “I only fear the Black death.” she sighed.
“Please stay strong with me,” she pled. I knelt down before her bed.
“I will pray for you, Rachel,” I promised. She smiled and returned to her book. I walked out of the room and closed the door.
Supper time came and mother only had enough for Abe and I. I felt guilty of having a warm meal in my stomach when mother has none. I scooted my bowl toward her at the table.
“No, no, Amelia, that is your meal, not mine,” she stated. I know I was being stubborn, but what else could I have done? I did not want to sit there and eat while my mother’s stomach thrives for food. When I finished, I offered to wash the dishes.
“Now, Amelia, you don’t have to feel guilty because I haven’t a meal, I will take care of the dishes, you rest up now.” I marched off to my room, and here I am, not resting, but writing.
I think I have done better at writing now, it is easier. My hand hurts from writing so much, but I don’t mind, it’s simpler then what Rachel has.
Sincerely,
Amelia Right

Dear diary, May 23rd, 1665
Abe is very stubborn. He ran off. He left a note in his room. The words were barely unreadable, but I managed to read it:

“My family, please do not be upset of what I chose. I shall return with food and bread and plentiful fruit. Do not come looking for me. -Abe”

I was the first to find the note that lay on his pillow. I found our window open in the back of the house. He must have ran into the wood and into the city. I pray that he will find some bread or fruit some where. I pray he will come back safe in my arms.
I am the only one that is healthy. Mother caught the disease a few days ago. She has it terribly bad. The bubbles on her skin grow at a fast rate and the smell of her vomit sails in the house. She coughs and wheezes just like father. She is very hot when I touch her forehead, but she says she is cold. Rachel still lives, but I’m afraid not for long. They lay in bed all day, I try to have them drink water, but they both refuse. I am not a good nurse, mother usually nurses us all back to health. I do as much as possible to help them in there time of illness. I can only hope mother or Rachel will recover, hopefully both.
Can you believe that this had all started with father? I hope that this will stop.
Sincerely,
Amelia Right

Dear Diary, June 22nd, 1665
I haven’t been writing because how terribly busy I have been. Mother died days after I have last written, and Rachel too. As her last minutes ticked by, I talked to her.
“Will you be safe, mother?” I wondered. She lay on the bed, almost breathless. Her brown hair was tangled and greasy and her sheets were stained with blood and vomit.
“I will be safe as long as I am able to leave,” she breathed, “I must leave you so I can be in peace.”
“But mother, you cannot leave me, I cannot take car of Rachel on my own,” I wailed, “you need to get better, to help me and Rachel.”
“Sometimes you have to do things that are for better for yourself, not for other people.” Her voice shook as she talked, “please go and take care of Rachel, while I fall asleep.” she told me. I nodded and started to walk off.
“Amelia?” she said. I turned to stare down at her.
“You will do just fine, you are my brave young girl, and please, don’t be stubborn as your old mother has been.” she smiled faintly and I turned to the door. I closed the door and