California's Monologue

Rufus pointed the way to Alice’s cabin, then left me alone in the cold darkness of the night. I began walking across the field into the forest in the direction Rufus pointed. When I had gotten deep into the woods, I noticed a large black man leaning against a tree. I could see his features through the shadows. Strong jawline, large build, and very tall. He didn’t seem to want any trouble, so I continued my trek to Alice’s cabin. I got through the woods and veered left to where Rufus said a road would be. I found a road and followed it, hoping Rufus had given me the correct directions. I hugged the side of the road, trying to suppress my nerves. Something dashed across the road so close to me that it almost brushed my leg. I froze,
The other man spoke softly. “You got no manners, nigger, I’ll teach you some!”
I said nothing. My ears still rang from his blow, but I heard him say,
“You could be her sister, her twin sister, almost.”
That seemed to be a good thing for him to think, so I kept silent. The silence seemed safest anyway.
“Her sister dressed up like a boy!” He began to smile. “Her runaway sister. I wonder what you’re worth,” the man holding me pondered.
I panicked. Having him catch and hold me was bad enough. Now he meant to turn me I as a runaway . . . I dug my nails of my free hand into his arm and tore the flesh from elbow to wrist as the other man watched in disbelief.
Surprise and pain made the man loosen his grip on me slightly, and I wrenched away. I heard him yell, and heard the other man come after me. I ran mindlessly towards the cabin door only to find Alice’s aunt there barring my way.
“Don’t come in here,” she whispered. “PLease don’t come in here.”
I had no chance to go in. The man caught me, pulled me backward, threw me to the ground. He would have kicked me, but I rolled aside and jumped to my feet. Terror gave me speed and agility I never knew I