The oak loop :I birthed myself

*CHAPTER 1 — THE ORPHAN (2004)*

12th August 2004 — Appalachia, West Virginia

I am Meera. I am twelve. Or maybe thirteen. No one remembers when I was born.

Mom and Dad are gone — flood took them last month. Our trailer behind the corn fields is gone.

Uncle says I can sleep in the barn if I work, but he hits me when pots aren't clean. I ran tonight. Hiding behind the old oak by the riverbank. My hand bleeding from barbed wire.

Rain smudging my ink. Only this torn notebook and half-pencil.

I am scared. Town is asleep. Oak leaves shaking. Dad, are you watching? I miss Mom's biscuits. If I don't survive tonight, let someone know Meera lived. Meera was here. Meera is not nothing.

If I live till morning, I'll write again. —