The unbroken circle

Epilogue

(the language has been altered so that the reader may better comprehend the meaning)

Emily Malone

Salem, Massachusetts

April 1692

"A fine day for the gallows." commented Eduard Hobbes to James Webb.

"Yes, a fine day." Webb agreed contemplatively as he swung the heavy door wide and stepped into the dank cell.

"Tis time for your execution, Sarah Malone." Eduard Hobbes stated solemnly as he helped me stand and led me out of the small, windowless cell.

"This way," James Webb said, pointing toward the open door before me.

A sudden shiver wracked my frail body with its icy claws. Dark strands of hair whipped my face as the warm breeze of the summer's day collided with the party of accompanying jailers and prisoners trekked up gallows hill. A crowd had already gathered, as I knew it would. Soon everyone would see me, the witch. I am accused of consorting with the devil, and because of this, I must die.

The afflicted girls stand near the front of the crowd. When they see me, they begin to twitch. One girl claws at her eyes. Another scratches her skin until a thin trail of blood seeps down her forearm. Another girl, the daughter of my accuser moans my name. She keens to me in a half whimpering, half pleading voice. She begs me to cease my control over her mind.

Her mother, Goody Mary Wade was once a friend of mine. I delivered all of her five children. I even delivered the child who makes claims against me now. Goody Wade's most recent and final pregnancy was the most difficult. The infant came too early. She wasn't more than seven months with child, but he began to come unbidden. When I was informed of her complications, I made haste. The baby did come. He was born dead. There was nothing we could do, besides pray. Mary cried herself into hysteria that night.

Of her five children, only two were left. The oldest, William was killed during a smallpox epidemic years back. Her daughter rebecca died soon after her birth. She lived for less than a year's time. Mary's son James died from eating tainted meat.

She only has two children now. She has her daughter Susanna and the afflicted girl who besrs false claim against me. They both accuse me of witchery. Their claims are only partly fabricatd. I be a witch, but not the sort they accuse me of being. I do not consort with satan, but I do not subscribe to their puritan beliefs.

A sharp shove forward jolted me from my thoughts. The procession of jailers and prisoners has stopped in front of the gallows. Jeers of "witch" and "Satan's messenger" rattle me into silence. I do not fear my death. I fear for the people who must remain living in this world. The faces of the spectators are a blur in my mind. Only four faces register.

Rose, Alice, Adam and John stare back at me with the same expression. I force myself to wear a mask of peace.

As I do, a single tear trails down Rose's cheek. Alice's deep blue eyes are round and streaming as well. My husband, John wears a mask upon his face as well. An expressionless glaze has filled his hazel eyes. My son, Adam covers his ashen face in his hands. Adam has always been a brave man, but even he has his limitations. I am one of them. My children deserve a better tomorrow.

"Tis time Emily. Do you have any final words." James Webb asks gruffly.

"Yes, I have." I croak hoarsely. "It is an oath that I wish to speak. On the day of my unwelcome execution I wish to promise a sacrifice of my flesh and blood onto the earth.

I vow that any of my blood will follow in my footsteps. This be a vow they will surely comply to. Any born of my bloodline will put an end to any who hope to allow any crimes as these to ever occur again. No accuser or kin to an accuser will be harmed. That is my oath that I intend to keep. So mote it be." I call out openly to the crowd.

Some laugh and many shudder. A chorus of "Kill the witch." erupts from the awaiting congregation of villagers. The noise is then placed roughly around my neck by Eduard Hobbes. Inch by inch, the rope is tightened about my throat. I gag as I begin to panic. The ground beneath me disappears. I flail and attempt to reach for my neck to free myself from the constricting noise, but they are limp and numb. I see spits around my vision, but before I succumb I am granted one last glimpse of my daughters weeping in their father's embrace.

Sarah Martin

Salem, Massachusetts April 1692

The wretches gather round like flies around a dead animal. They point, jeer and chant "Kill the witch!". But, I am no witch. I am a wronged victim in this torrent of lies and manipulation. The festering of villagers have soured this land with their blood thirsty cries. Aye, I see them. I catch sight of him first. Thomas Abbot stands beside his villainous wife Goody Anne Abbot.

James Webb and Eduard Hobbes guide me up to the noose and slip it about my head roughly. Eduard Hobbes is Anne Abbot's brother. I know what he means to do. A man would do anything for the love of a sister. James Webb is a sallow sort. His face is grim and his stare is blank. He knows of Eduard Hobbes' agenda I gather.

"Hang witch!" Eduard Hobbes hisses in my ear as he begins to pull the noose.

"Listen to me closely people of Salem, for I speak of a debt owed to me. He

accused me. He accused his lover of witchery.For his treachery, I will have my revenge. I may not live long enough to see him punished for his misdeeds, but those of my blood shall. Onto this day I invoke a curse. I call to power an oath spoken by me and bestowed upon my decedents. Years from now, in a time unknown my decedents will come to collect the debt owed by you and your kin. Thomas Abbot, You will pay. You have set a curse onto your bloodline that none can rid may rid themselves of. Before this day, I was not a witch. But now...I embrace my destiny. I am a witch in every sense. So

mote it be!" as I spoke the last words, the floor dropped from beneath me and I lost consciousness.