The Accused Witch

Part 10

I was uncomfortable so I waved at Philippa with a fake smile and ran back home while turning once in a while and Pilia was still standing there glancing up at the treetops.

When I arrived outside my house and caught my breath.

I looked up at the treetops. The tree was crooked and bare, fragile branches. Not much of a view to admire.

The door led out a low creaking sound and Rowena jumped and scurried behind a bush. Mother emerged from the door carrying her sister with her and was holding a basket, Rowena guessed she was going to the market.

She watched her mother walk away then went on her porch.

She fussed with the doorknob as it would not budge "Common!" she whispered hurriedly to it "I don't have all day"

After a while, she gave up and decided to go over to Abigails to wait for her mother.

As she rang the doorbell yet again the same old woman answered "Hello, again..."

"Hi...Erm...Is Abigail here?"

"Ah, not yet would you want to wait in her room?"

It seemed invasive but Rowena agreed.

The grandmother opened the door and Rowena gave a quick smile before she went in.

It was a rather comfortable and well-designed room with a single bed and a large wardrobe and a table.

She sat on the bed waiting for Abigail, there was a stuffed dolphin next to her, she took it and inspected the intricate designs along its fins.

As she held it there was something hard inside. A bell perhaps?

Rowena has seen toys with bells that let out a faint tinkle when shook, though she could never afford it.

As she shook the toy back and forth trying to hear a sound, a key fell out of the toy.

"No, I swear it just fell out I did not take it!" Rowena told herself.

It was a small key that led to a box next to Abigail's bed. Rowena knew this as she took the last minutes trying out every possible thing that needed a key.

Rowena turned the key and was disappointed to find Abigail's board of who to accuse. She decided to look for "inspiration" and it consisted of a few names she doesn't know, one classmate and her sister.