Roanoke, 1588

Mama always spoke down about the Indians who are settled near our land. But I wondered if there was something more to the hate. After all, we were the ones who came from overseas while they've been here the entire time. Isn't this their home? Aren't we the ones invading?

Mama always looked down at me from her glasses whenever I questioned her. She would give me a little sneer as if to say, "what would you know?" After all, all I know is from her homeschooling me. But I've been learning more when I hide out in the forests with my Friend. He taught me all kinds of things, like how crops worked and about a thing called fertilizer. It was these days that really made me question my Mama. He was so nice to me. He taught me things. He allowed me to question him.

Then one day, Mama caught me sneaking away to play with my Friend. I knew that because the moment she saw even the smallest glimpse of him, she grabbed me by the neck of my shirt, pulling me back home. She yelled for my father, screaming on and on about the bad influences of those Indians and how they've "corrupted" little old me.

That night, Mama told me I wouldn't have to worry anymore. That I would be safe. I never felt unsafe, though. I could hear the footsteps of the men of the village outside my room. I wanted to look out the window, but my Papa closed it in a while ago when I began to use it to escape. I couldn't leave my room either. My Mama made sure of that. I'm sure she still has my siblings on watch as she cooks with what little food we have left.

I didn't really want to eat, though. I have an awful feeling in my chest.

Mama woke me up the next night. I don't really remember falling asleep. She seemed to be in an amazing mood. "My little girl," she spoke, happiness ringing out in her voice. "You'll no longer be tainted by those Indians. Your Papa and the other men disposed of them last night."

I stared at her, confused. "What do you mean by 'disposed'?"

"Those Indians are finally gone and dead" She responded.

There was the biggest smile I've ever seen present on her face, but I couldn't focus on that over the panging in my heart. Everything around me felt unreal. My Friend, my dear Friend, was dead. I don't know how, but I slipped away from my family and into the forest. I ran and ran and ran, never expecting to find my way back home. I ran until I could barely walk anymore. Once I hit those limits, I found the biggest tree I could find and a pointy rock. I used the knowledge my Friend lent me and carved into the tree,

CROATOAN

I just wanted there to be a way they would be remembered. That my Friend would be remembered. At that time, I never realized that that would be the last sign my parents ever found of me. But at least I got my wish, I was with my Friend again.