Behind the veil

4. Prosecution

'Look into my eyes,' the priest said once more. 'Do not think you can fool me, witch. For hiding behind the face of an innocent girl will not trick me.' His threatening voice echoed across the empty room. He obviously thought it important to drag me here first. I was so wrong in thinking that this would be over quickly. The priest interrogated me the first day I got here, but when he didn't get the answers he wanted, he locked me in a cage. Starving me, yet preventing me from dying before trial. He had put me in a cell with rats, hoping they would scare me - eat me, at best. When it became clear that I wouldn't commit to killing my parents, he made people hold me underneath freezing water. I didn't obbey, but I no longer pleaded for my innocence, so he stopped. Until today, at my final moments he still wanted to be proven right.

"You give me no other choice, but to beat the truth out of you.' His gaze left me. 'Give her five lashes.'' He commanded the limping man. I could see he was happy to do so, but his comrade came in between. 'Sir, is it wise to do so now, she will be at trial within the hour.' Maybe the man wasn't as retarted as he appeared. The priest took two steps towards him. 'I am priest,' he spoke, a grin crossed over his face. 'I work directly in the will of God, so it would do you good to stand down and let me handle this witch.' He looked at me, even more infuriated as he did before. 'Or do continue, should you choose to give me reason to doubt your loyalty.' That made fear creep upon the faces of both men. 'N...No your eminence, forgive me. I just thought the people would...' He began. 'The people,' snapped the priest 'love a good show. Some blood will not make them more reluctant to wish for her death. However, a confession would convince even the bailiff of how effective the assistance of the church can be.'

I screamed, but nobody heard me. I felt as if my soul left my body whenever the lash connected with my flesh. My throat was sore, painful. Speaking would be an even bigger task now. They dragged me to my trial, my weak body hanging between them. My back was bloody and I felt as though my flesh was torn from my bones. They ripped the dirty dress of my back, making me painfully naked. Whilst I was invisible my entire life, I was now exposed, feeling powerless and dirty. My back was covered in blood, but they decided to put me in a long white dress, making sure the bloodstains would be seen by the entire flok of people. Cobblestones changed into muddy ground. It was raining hard. The cold ooze mixed with the blood on my feet, offered some relief. I heard people yelling eagerly. I wasn't the only one who got persecuted today. Some robbers and men who consorted with - so called - witches were also brought to justice. The smoke was already thick in the air, I felt it burn in my lungs as I took a shuddering breath. The unmistakable stench of burning heretics filled the town square . It made me feel as though I was living outside my body. Well, the irony. My back felt broken, so did my mind but I did not fear death.

After they dragged me onto the town square and hailed me onto the platform, they threw me on my knees, dragging me upright when my body couldn't do anything else then shake from the cold and the pain. 'As you can see, another witch was found within our midst. This devilish girl, who killed her own parents by drowning them.' the priest claimed. 'Yes, yes, we know what she's being accused of, but do tell which evidence you hold.' A wealthy looking man added. The priest looked infuriated by being interrupted, but he was yearning to continue. 'Ofcourse. The girl was found by one of our most esteemed witch hunters, who immediately sensed the cruelty of this action. This witch was kept away from the village, her own parents locked her up,' his words stung, most of all because they held some truth. I wasn't allowed outside, I barely even knew my own parents. 'We also found evidence at their house; unholy books, full of poisonous texts and herbs - for the potions she must be making. This is a witch,' he paused, to make sure we had everyone's attention 'And if we let her go, she'll doom us all.' He proclaimed. His final words had convinced everyone present, and I felt that a decision was made. I heard the clouds rumble and I convinced myself that the rain was falling down for me. I couldn't focus on their words any longer, debating which death would be gruesome enough for me. It was only when they grabbed me and took me to be hanged that I knew what I was facing. The priest grabbed my hair so I would look him in the face. 'First we'll let you hang,' he spat upon me. 'Then you'll burn.'