Who's the Master

By Eric Reese

When two Senegalese countrymen, Miro and Osmanu were sold onto a plantation in Virginia in 1864, a year before the Civil War, the last thing they expected is to see was to be held as slaves—or to be housed with a group of men and women whose ethnicities resemble their own. Little do they know that this place is their new home.

 

Sir William—the owner of the plantation was fair to his slaves. But once he became enchanted by Miro's dark beauty, he set aside his desire for his wife to pursue his so-called property when the time was right.

 

As the days moved toward war, Miro and Osmanu struggled to hide their love—Osmanu's plan for them is to escape to the North after hearing stories from the fellow Africans on the plantation.

 

Now, facing a bigger dilemma after being brought inside Sir William's home to work, Miro's and Osmanu's bond is put to the ultimate test.

 

Will the two escape to the North? Or will everything they've hoped for be lost?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eric Reese
• Release date: Jun 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393441540

Eric Reese

"Every book I write goes into uncharted territories others won't pen."   About me: I'm Eric Reese, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I've worked as a community organizer, educator, graphic design, human services and a number of other fields.  I'm the recipient of the first Mayoral Scholarship of Philadelphia (1993), the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Human Relations Award (1989) and a few other awards and scholarships nationally and globally.  I've always had an interest in writing especially from the old-journal-in-the-morning days as many of my books today reflect my experiences here and abroad.  When I have time for myself, I love traveling, mediating and researching new marketing tactics. One of my weirdest experiences was when I once lived on a top roof in an apartment building in Beirut for a few weeks until I found somewhere to stay during the war in Afghanistan. Every night, I'd listen to BBC radio and hear the chaos while not be detected.  Some say that my lively and energetic character has made me many friends across the world. I really hope so; with many friends come many enemies. In the future, I'd love to own a large home somewhere in a quiet peaceful spacious area where my neighbors are not close but not far. Now I live wherever is called home at the time in hopes of achieving my goal one of these days. You can contact me at [e-mail]

Book preview

Chapter 1

The chains were so tight that it felt as if it would rip Miro’s wrists apart while the heat burned her cheeks, making her head feel heavy. She was scared as she maintained marching in a straight line, without a clue where she was headed. It was exceptionally warm that day with no signs of clouds. It was something, she dearly missed but not as much as her freedom. Will the young woman ever experience such again in her country of Senegal? Curious, she peeped to her right, only to discover a line was so long she could barely see its end. The men and women were shackled together. Every time she turned, a man on a horse would threaten her with a foreign object; a long cord fastened to a handle. By his garments, the man was an outsider with a smelly scent.

Loud cries were heard afar making Miro eager to turn around again. This time she was caught and got struck on the back by that man with the foreign object. Yelping in horror, the pain was too much to bear. Miro had never experienced such agony. Her back burned but not everyone around her seemed to be fazed, as they were too scared to lift their heads. She was scared and kept on walking as commanded knowing wherever she was heading, it wouldn’t be a pleasant place. They approached the end of a hill and her legs were giving up on her slowly. Hours of walking in the sun made her skin toughen.

From a distance, Miro spotted a large vessel with three squared masts and a full bowsprit. As the group got closer, they were forced to move faster.

One by one they were pushed inside to the lowest part. There wasn't enough space for so many of her people. Endless cries echoed through the wooden partitions;