The Burning of Sadie Bluebell

Part Three

     "Brothers, sisters. My dear daughter, Jess, has been murdered," Marcus said aloud. Everyone in the village was gathered now. Shock rippled through the crowd as they whispered to each other and stared at Sadie's bloody clothes.

"Sadie is the one who killed her," he said, bitter anger seeping into his voice as he pushed an unresponsive Sadie forward. Sadie stumbled, but managed to upright herself. The crowd immediately began to shout derogatory words and murmur about poor Jess.

"This very morning, my wife and I walked into the forest to find Sadie standing over Jess's dead body. A sinful act like this should not go unpunished," Marcus said coldly.

     Sadie quickly shook her head, turning to him quickly. "Father, please! Jess was-"

     Before she could finish, Marcus struck Sadie across the face. She fell to the ground. Numbly, she felt her now busted lip. The crowd shouted more curses towards Sadie.

     "I don't want to hear it from you," he seethed, gritting his teeth. "You will be burned at the stake, witch. Your sin will not go unpunished." With those words, the crowd cheered, but Sadie could hardly hear them. Her mind was drawing a blank.

Suddenly, there was a commotion in the crowd as people were pushed aside. A petite figure ran out of the crowd and fell at Sadie's side, hugging her tightly.

"No! Don't hurt her!" the girl shouted. With a start, Sadie realized she recognized that voice, and that braid. Molly.

Marcus hissed quietly as the mob grew furious. "What do you think you're doing, girl?! Step aside, or you'll be punished!" he spat.

"No! Kill us both if you must, but I'm not leaving Sadie!" she scowled. Sadie leaned into Molly. Molly shouldn't have come here, she thought sadly in her head. Molly should have made a run for it.

Julie, standing behind Marcus, remembered what Jess had said about Sadie sneaking off. She saw how protective Molly was over Sadie. She noticed how oddly close Sadie and Molly were, and connected the dots.

"You two! You're both seeing each other, aren't you?" Julie hissed, stepping beside Marcus to glare icily at them.

Molly returned her glare.

"Yes," she said calmly. Disapproval swept through the crowd as Molly went on, unfazed. "We're in love. If she dies, I'm going to die with her. Together."

She spoke without any uncertainty. Molly's expression softened as she took Sadie's hands into her own. Sadie smiled softly. Molly didn't deserve this, and yet she was going to take the punishment with her anyway. At least they would be together in their final moments.

Marcus narrowed his eyes.

"Very well," he said, a steely look in his eyes.

He turned to the crowd, pointing at both of them. "Take them away from each other. Sadie will be burned and the other girl will be hanged," he barked. "What?! No!" Molly shouted as villagers surged forward.

They seized the two girls, dragging them away from each other as they both fought, screaming and kicking. "Molly! Let go of her!" Sadie yelled, thrashing.

Molly tried to call back to Sadie, but her mouth was suddenly covered with a cloth, muffling any words she tried to get out. Sadie was gagged as well.

Molly, still fighting, was taken away. That was the last time Sadie ever saw her.

Sadie struggled as her captors dragged her to a stake, but it was no use. She was tied roughly to the wooden beam, the rope digging into her wrists. All the while, she was shouted at and hit. She was completely helpless.