Possible trigger alert: Domestic abuse mentioned.
I don't know what I did to deserve that beatin', I only asked why should I have to go out in the cold and dark when I wasn't dressed proper and was getting to my bed. Mind you, I can't recall ever knowing what I did to deserve any beatin's. I knew the horses were fussin' about nought but no, I had to go out and I was dragged out of bed by my arm, in my skimpy night clothes, I was FROZE! Mom could've gone, she were dressed, HE could've gone, he was dressed warm too, even had his boots on still. No, it had to be me and he raised his hand to me for the last time! I'll NEVER marry a man who talks better to the beasts than to me, why Mom stays is something I cannot conceive of! Never a please, nor thank yer to her when she makes food, fusses over him and passifies him when he's angered. He's plain rude and cruel to us but everyone else on the farm thinks he's a great man, a humorous man even, he puts on such a great an act he should be on the stage.
That's IT! I'm goin' to stay with Breen and farm horses in The Northern Bree Fields, he always says come with Mom, she won't leave The Bull though, she is under a spell I'm sure of it. Breen always says I'm great with the horses, nought I can be taught no more, so be it.
I've stuffed into a large burlap sack anything I need or don't want to leave cos I'm sure HE will set a flame to it. Will I see my mother again? I don't know? I'm sad, what will become of her? She ain't young no more and she doesn't have any strength inside or out to stand up to him.
They are in bed now, I hear him snoring, like a beast, he IS a beast! I'm fuming and my face still stings and feels hot where he lashed me and the tears make the cut sting but I can't stop. I don't care that it's past midnight, it's dark and cold, tell me already, I've been out there with hardly a stitch on! I'll take my stalion, Brodie and lead my mare Cherry alongside. He's got the stamina to make it most of the way to Bree and I can alternate them if needed. I know a few nice nooks to rest in safe if we have to, Breen showed me safe places to stop many times when he comes to fetch me for visits. I'll be fine!
Breen will be surprised and pleased I've come, but without mother... will he be angered? No, I know he will be pleased I've made the break, just like he did. Maybe we can both go and persuade Mom to join us when I've settled? That's a plan.
I just need to tiptoe out of the house and tack up the horses then I'm gone. NO MORE of his beatin's, EVER!
