My breaths are coming in short, painful gasps. Every breath of air is like a stab of ice in my throat. I haven’t slept in nearly three days for fear that the law will find me. I’ve been running for two weeks but the worst part is I’m only five miles away from Salem, Massachusetts. Surely, they’ll find me any day now.
My name is Nancy Middleton and I am not a witch. I’m a practicing Christian! How could I be accused of such a dreadful crime?!? I must admit, the times were tough and people get desperate! But I would never, ever use magic to make myself wealthy. Besides, I had been Elizabeth’s nanny for long enough. My mother was dying of pneumonia! I had to leave my job to help her. Treatment is expensive after all. Oh how I miss Elizabeth!
I remember the first time I took care of Elizabeth. Her innocent little three year old eyes seemed to sparkle in the sunlight as she begged me to play with her instead of me putting her to sleep as her parents had instructed me to do so. I was the fun nanny, her confident as she grew older. Now six years later, she has the same gleam in her eyes but in them is hatred and confusion. I have betrayed her by leaving her. She does not understand the importance and urgency of the situation. That is why she’s accused me of being a witch.
Unfortunately, shortly after I quit my job, my mother died a victory for the pneumonia. Knowing this was what she would have wanted considering I had no more family in town and no income, I pawned her gold locket, a wedding gift to her from my father. I couldn’t bear to be in Salem for any longer so I packed my bags and left. It was then that Elizabeth accused me.
I must say, I like to look nice once in a while and that was one of those days. I looked unusually nice; Elizabeth had never seen me in such attire. Not to mention I had all the money from the gold locket somewhat protruding from my bag. It was the first time I’d seen Elizabeth in over a month. My heart filled with joy! But I could see the hurt in her expression and she started wailing, startling everyone.
“She’s a witch! Nancy Middleton is a witch! How else can she afford all this? She’s a witch I tell you!”
I guess I should have known. I’d stood by her when she first started accusing innocent people of witchcraft. And considering how much me leaving hurt her, my sentence should have been expected. So I ran. If I’d stayed in Salem any longer, I would have been killed.
I fled to New York. I was going to change my name and forget all about Salem, all about Elizabeth with those bouncy brown curls and big blue eyes. I was going to forget about my mother who was rotting away in the cemetery somewhere. Unfortunately, it was too late. I am standing before a court and I am awaiting my sentence. Enough evidence was found to prove me guilty; I don’t know how since clearly I am not but I guess Elizabeth’s testimony was sufficient. But I guess I’ll be joining the rest of my family soon enough.
