The day I was born, the day I was created, was a dark day.

The storm clouds rolled in early that day, and I topped the lovely morning off with my tears.

It was the morning of June 8th, 1652. I've been told it was the early hours of the day, and that I woke my whole household with my screams as I was born.

I remember hearing about how my parents laughed, but sadly, it didn't last long.

Within an hour of my birth, I lost my mother. It was my fault for being born, I guess.

My childhood was quite strange, I spent my time hiding away.

The area of my family home was near a military base, therefore I had to hide from the soldiers.

I may be a full supporter of my great country, and our astounding military, but the officers definitely were terrifying.

Their eyes, they seemed so dark, so soulless. They'd just bore into your eyes. Through your eyes, into your soul.

Whenever they would come through our home, I would hide. It would only really be them that I would see the mirror.

I wouldn't wish to sound conceited, but I could stand and stare in the mirror forever.

I'm fascinated by the colour of my hair. It's dark, with natural ringlets in the bottom half of my hair.

My eyes shine, they're a grey-blue colour. You see, my eyes switch between the two.

The colour of my eyes never look the same twice, as I grow older my eyes get lighter.

It's kind of like as I experience more, I lose the colour from my life.

I've experienced a lot, even if I'm only 13. My father is always feeling bad about me having to hide from people.

I have to though, we know what would happen if the military caught me. Let's just say it wouldn't be pretty.

I may not be in this country illegally, but these military guys are people you don't want to mess with.

If I had to talk to them, I think I'd pee myself. It's not like I would be able to get out of talking to them, is it?

If I was able to change anything, I'd make it so that my family and I were safe.
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"Fuck!" I hear my father tell, downstairs, and run down to see what's wrong. When I get there, he's staring out of the window.

"They're here, Grace, They're here," He turns to me, he's fearful. He doesn't want to lose me, he knows if they find me he will.

I nod, agreeing to his statement. They are here, back in hiding it is, then.

I give my father a quick kiss on the cheek, and run up stairs, before climbing the ladder to get to the attic.

It's a fold up ladder, so when I'm in, I can simply pull it up. That's exactly what I do, I pull the ladder up, therefore closing the door.

The door or the hatch, whatever it's called. To me, it's like a door, a door that keeps me safe against all odds.

They never check the attic, they just steal Father's food. We work hard to get that, and they just take it.

Every time they come, we're left with nothing.

Every time they come, I have to hide away from them.

Father says one day I won't have to hide, that I don't have to when I'm older. But when will I be older?

Father has been saying 'when your older' for years, and each day I am older. When will I be old enough? Haven't I waited long enough?

I can hear them at the door, speaking.

"James Muill, I assume you know why we are here?" The officer angrily speaks at my father. How I wish I could go help him, but that would be worse for him. I know it would be.

They'd use me to hurt him, it wouldn't turn out well for either of us.

I just have to say up here. Up in the attic, in my bedroom, with the mirror.

The mirror, my only decoration. My bedroom, my hide out.

I've always wanted to have friends for the longest time, but you need to be able to leave your house to have friends.

I've got my Father, at least. Father has always been there for me, I need to do the same for him.

"Yes, Officer. I presume that I do. Is it harvest time again?" My Father asks.

See, we live on a farm. That's how we can live so close to the military camp. We have to supply the army with food, but it's a nice-ish area.

I mean, there aren't many people around, which is good for me. I don't have to worry about being ratted out.

That's my worst fear, being caught. They'd do to me what they did to Mother. I don't want that, Father doesn't want that.

"Yes, Mr Muill. Have you got what we need?"

"W-I was about to harvest right before you came in, Officer. Could you come back... Say, Tomorrow?"

"You have 4 hours, Muill. I'll be back in 4 hours, and you better be ready this time."

I hear a slam, which must mean the officer has left. I'll take the risk, I think to myself. I need to help father.

Opening the hatch, and in theory, pushing the ladder down, I climb to the second floor. Proceeding with my mission, I run down the stairs.

How wrong I was, not only had the officer not left, but there were more than one.

Yes, 2 is a small number, but for me this is huge. One of the officers leap forward, in an attempt to grab my wrist.

Luckily for me, I got out of the way in time. Both officers were laughing at the panicked look on my face.

"You never told us you had a daughter, Muill."

Father was shaking all over.

"I'm not his daughter, Sir. You see, Mr Muill is sick. He's very ill. I'm his caretaker."

"Ah, Apologies, Miss. We never knew that Mr Muill is ill."

"Yes, Sir. So, you'll be back in 8 hours?"

"Yes, Miss, that was the agreement. Wait-"

"Thank you, very much, Officer. I guess you'll be on your way then?"

The officers both nod, dumbfounded. Clearly confused as to how I could simply speak to them in that way.

They left, leaving me with my father. "Father, I'm so sorry."

"You shouldn't have came down. You are supposed wait for my call."

"I got us more time, didn't I? I can help with harvest now, can't I?"

"Well, Yes, but--"

"Then you can't complain. Can you?"

"No, I guess not."

-----------------------

As we finished the harvest, I wiped my brow, leaving a line of mud across my face.

It didn't change how I look that much, I was already covered in mud.

Father even looked better than me, he was way less messy.

If I wasn't able to have a bath, I'd be worried. I don't think I can even stand how I smell right now.

If I was able to, I would run away from how I smell. Although, we finished early, we still have another 2 hours.

2 hours to clean myself up, 2 hours to clean father up. 2 hours to get fresh clothes for the both of us.

I guess I should start cleaning myself up, so that I can clean clothes while father gets himself clean.

I glance towards father, who just nods.

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Thump, Thump, Thump.

Our time is up, but we got finished. Father is still getting dressed, which means I have to answer the door.

I yank it open, to see the two officers standing side by side.

"Officers."

"Miss, I suppose you are ready?"

"Yes, sir."

"Where is Mr Muill?"

"Mr Muill is still getting himself changed, Officer. But I could take you to your items, if you wish?"

Both officers glanced at each other, before nodding.

"Let's go, then shall we?"

I walked past the officers, and outside. I knew they were following me, but I also knew the would not dare try and hurt me. If they did, they really would be sick people.

I mean, who would try and hurt an old, ill, man's carer?

One time, my father was really sick, and I did have to care for him. But then again, back then it was a secret.

Now, here I am, leading soldiers to their wheelbarrows. Which, we reached quite quickly.

When I turned to look at them, they seemed impressed. It was a good harvest, so they should be.

"Well, Officers, This it it. Was that all you wanted?"

The older officer was the one who replied, "Yes miss. Thank you, very much."

I nodded, before walking back to the entrance to Father's house. Father was waiting for me when I got back, and we shared a smile.

"I guess I don't need to hide anymore?"

"Certainly not."

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This is a sort of trial for this, if people like it, I'll post more, if not, I'll leave it.

I do have a few more parts, and I'll post them if you wish.

--Erika