The Accused Witch

Part 9

"I was coming to visit to see how you were doing after yesterday."

"What did you do with your not-friend yesterday?"

"Well you know...the tri-" Rowena started

"The Picnic!" Abigail cut in while giving Rowena a death glare.

"Yes..." Rowena played along.

It was a small town and everyone knew each other. This village was weirdly designed. It was all facing the center of town -which contained a church- everything revolved around the center of town. Everyone were planets circulating around the sun. It was a friendly ecosystem you could say, there was plenty of gossip and secret rivalries.

Right when Abigail followed her outside she looked at Rowena with a glare "What are you doing here" She spat.

"I- I wanted to help"

"Well? What do you want to help with?" She demanded

"What...Erm...are you going to do?"

"For the hanging?" She asked and Rowena winced

"Um...yeah..."

"Well that's simple, I'll tell them I was a witch" Abigail especially pointed out the Was. "You?"

"Oh!" That caught Rowena off guard, she was still internally debating what to do. On one hand, she wanted to take the easy option and accuse someone but then she felt bad to put anyone through what she and many before her had to go through. But if she didn't it was her life but was that the morally right thing to do? "I'm not sure...." Rowena said finally

"Well, there are only 2 days left so hurry up" Abigail was clearly trying to be as nice as possible "I have to go...See you later?"

Rowena waved goodbye as Abigail went back into the house, she circled around their house on the was back and through the window saw Abigail writing on a large sheet of paper with scribbled handwriting on the top "Who to accuse" It was unsettling to see her frantically writing names and crossing them out. It was a while before Rowena headed home but before she could reach the door.

"Did you make your decision?" Philipa asked

"No..."

"I have a list, of believable suspects to accuse, I can help to guide you," She said softly

This was very tempting. She wanted someone to tell her what to do to solve the problem. She wanted to be able to call for her mother to find her hairbrush or to ask the principal to solve the conflict between her and another classmate, but she couldn't, she had to do it herself. Yet she was desperate "I- I have to go."Borrowing Abigails excuse

"As you wish, I am always here to help"