Virginia

May 15th, 1828

Dearest Diary,

I almost escaped.  I took a train two weeks after my last entry down to the harbor and booked passage on a ship leaving for America a week's time.  I spent my days talking with a girl my age who was returning to Virginia and she promised that I would be able to stay with them when we arrived.

She told me how beautiful it was there, and of these little blue flowers that looked like bells, and how large her father's house was.

I was so excited, Diary.

But then Grandpapa's men found me and took me back here to this horrible, horrible house.  He was in a rage when we arrived.  Even angrier than I'd ever seen him before in my life.  His face took on a resemblance to the gargoyles up on the widow's walk, and I feared perhaps he had been possessed by one of them.

For the past year, he has kept me under lock and key, constantly watched by Mrs. Abernathy or one of his men.  I've not even been allowed to bathe myself alone or use the privy!  This house has become a prison for me, I've not seen as much as a tree or bird outside because all of the drapes have been pulled close in front of the windows.

Grandpapa would not even speak to me, choosing instead to spend all his time in the cellar.  I heard him talking at times when I put an ear to the door, but what language he spoke I know not.

Today, Mrs. Abernathy locked me in my room before the sun was even up, and she has not yet come back to bring me breakfast or supper.  I have been able to hear a great many people coming and going from the house, but don't know who or why.  Some of the women have been weeping and praying.  I believe something has happened to Grandpapa.

I am afraid.  I am afraid I have been forgotten.

Catherine