STOLEN

I knew they didn't like me.

I had always known they didn't like me.

Something about me was different from them.

Something has always been different.

But that was just the way it was,

No explanations. No conversations.

You just different. That's it.

Don't ask no questions.

Live with it.

And so I did.

I lived with it.

An I lived with them.

I never asked any questions.

I tried to have any conversations.

I never looked any of them in the eye..

I just kept my head down...

and existed.

In their world.

As the one that was different.

I didn't always know I was different.

At first I thought we were alike.

I thought we were of the same stock.

I was quickly made to understand that we were not.

And then I met an outsider.

I thought I had found safety.

I thought I had found someone different from them.

Like I was.

But I had not.

That was the mistake that led me here.

I thought he was different.

Like me.

That could not have been further from the truth.

And now I'm having his baby.

They're looking for me.

I cannot let them find me.

I cannot let them find my baby.

I've been running for months.

I cannot stop.

Only minimal rest.

Here and there.

Only sparse meals.

Here and there.

I have got to keep my baby safe.

If I take the wrong turn...

If I take the wrong step...

If I turn the wrong corner...

my baby could end up

stolen.