The Weeping Witch

Chapter Four:

"You said what?!" Rose exclaimed.
"I said: 'I am heading home as we speak. If you must know.'" I continued explaining my encounter to Rose.
I was sitting on the edge of the hearth with Rose as we waited for her mom to get back from visiting a friend.
"I still cannot believe you said that Milli!" Rose shook her head, "have you any idea what people might say about you if he tells anyone?"
I nodded, "aye, I know. But Rose, he did not seem angry or offended one bit!"
"Milli... What in Gods name have you done?" Rose added, shaking her head.
"Rose, please hear me. I have nothing to fear. They would not hang me for something so insignificant." I reassured her.
Rose looked into my eyes, "you know as well as I that anything you do or say will be counted against you."
I sighed, "I tire of this talk."
Rose nodded, and stared down at her boots.

Rose and I sat there in silence for a moment for two. But I broke it with a few words.
"Have you been bothered by the dreams?" I asked.
Rose looked up to meet my gaze, and as she did, I saw fear lingering in her stone gray eyes. "Aye, they have returned." She paused for a moment. "All I see is darkness, surrounded by an air of hatred."
"Have you any idea what the cause may be, Rose?" I leaned closer.
Rose shook her head, "No. How shall I know? If I were to ask any for answers I would surely be thought a witch."
I coaxed Rose into an embrace, "Rose, you could never been seen as a witch. Everyone knows that." I assured her.
"Milli, things are changin' around here. I can feel it. Whether it be the dreams tellin' me or no." She protested, as she tore out of my arms.
I would not let a word escape my lips. I knew what she was saying could very well be true. But I did not want to say a thing that would cause her more unsettling thoughts.

As we sat there in silence, Rose's mother came through the door. And when it slammed, she caught a glimpse of us sitting on the hearth. Her face quickly fell to a frown when she saw me. But unlike times before, Mrs. Miller acted as if I were not in the room. And when she began to speak to Rose, I soon realized why she was acting as such: She was aiming to make me aware that she had raised a much better daughter than my mother did.

"Rose, dear." She pranced across the room to where we were sitting.
Rose jumped to her feet. "Yes mama?"
"I have just been over to Goody Ellisons; and she wishes to have you help her around the house and with her young ones." Mrs. Miller shot me a snooty glare.
"Mama, I thought you needed me here?" Rose wondered.
"Goody Ellison needs you more than I. I told her you would stay with them as long as they need your service." Elinor informed Rose.
My most dear, and closest friend in all the world glanced at me with the eyes of a devastated child. I could not think of a more horrible way to hurt your child than to send them away to be a slave to another. My heart ached for my precious Rose. I wanted to scream at her mother. I wanted to shout all the horrible things I knew her to be.
But I held my tongue.
Rose hung her head, and accepted her fate which was cast upon her with no thought. I saw a tear slip from her eye and splash upon the rough, wood at her feet. I bit my lip, and just as I almost cut through, Elinor brought me out of my anger filled thoughts.
"Millicent, has your mother talked to any of the women who require help?" She asked me in an insulting tone.
I glared at her, hoping to cause her discomfort. "No ma'am. Not of my knowing."
"Well, maybe I should speak a word to her. It is a good way to learn how to care for a home and family." Elinor suggested.
I gritted my teeth, and mumbled under my breath. "Maybe you should keep to your own business."
"What was that, dear?" her voice was a shrill sound in my ears.
"I should be on my way." I said, loudly.
Mrs. Miller nodded, and rushed into the other room to retrieve the wheat I had come for.
And when she left the room, I quickly rushed to Rose. Who was standing stiff as a log, in an attempt not to burst into tears. I took both of her hands in mine.

"Rose, if there is anything I can do." I vowed.
Rose shook her head, and as Mrs. Miller came babbling back into the room. Rose backed away from me.

"-And that is why it is such a wonderful idea to help other young mothers." Her voiced created a trail of echoed shrills following her from the other room. She placed the sack of wheat into my hands. "There child, be on your way now."
I gave one last loving glance at Rose, then slipped out through the door.

My heart dropped to my feet as I heard the door slam behind me. I was so furious, I am positive my face was boiling red. How could I go on with my life when I would no longer see Rose every week? She was one of the only reasons I could get through the almost unlivable life of a Puritan woman. I had no one else now, I was alone. And I knew Rose would be too. I could not bear the thought of it.

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Yet another trial would be held, but this time it would be different. This time our congregation would be joined by the Reverend Hale of Beverly. I prayed with all my heart that he would bring clarity to all of this nonsense.

My family and I shuffled in along with everyone else. I looked around me as people shoved and forced their way through the crowd. I felt like laughing, this was utterly absurd! How could a group of hard working, busy people give an ear to all of this craze! My mind remained disgusted as I noticed smiles forming across many people's faces when they saw the poor, ragged women sitting up front. And before the actual trial began, Reverend Hale stood before us and introduced himself, and revealed why he was here.
He talked about his encounters with witches. And he assured the congregation that he would surely rid our holy Salem of the hold Satan had upon us. With the help of our Reverend Parris. He informed us what exactly it was that was occurring: Two young girls fell terrible ill, neither one had awaken. And many of the younger girls of Salem had been victims of familiar spirits during the dark of night. He explained to us that several of the afflicted had given names; and Hale recited all the names mentioned. Being mostly of the elder women of our village. Many of the women mentioned were very kind, gentle souls; and I swore in my heart the people of Salem knew so. Or so I hoped.

The trial for that day was brought to an end, and it was a lengthy one at that. The two Reverends argued and pleaded with the women who sat in the front. They begged them to confess witchery, but the women refused. Saying they knew nothing of the craft. Since they would not confess to this sin, the men had no other choice but to bring them to justice by hanging.
I soul wept for each kind woman who was brought before the injustice ministers who somehow obtained the authority over a person's life.
Oh how I longed for grandmother's guidance. I knew she would give me a soothing word.

I lingered behind my family as we walked home. I wanted the chance to think, and to have peace of mind. But I was soon interrupted by a passing conversation.
A group of men stand off the edge of the path talking of the doctor in our village.

"William says he finds no trace of any physical ailment on the young girls." One said.
"I even hear said that Reverend Lawson has seen the girls screaming and throwing fits. He says they utter strange noises, and they twist their bodies in ways a person cannot in right mind do."

And they talked back and forth at what they thought was occurring, and what they thought should be done.
I wondered to myself if what the girls were experiencing might connect with some form of dark art. The girls could not be acting in this manner purely for sport. But, I could be very wrong, and these girls very well may be doing this for mere entertainment.

Days later, Father caught word that more and more young girls, and even the young women; were falling victim to hysterical fits, and were seeing apparitions coming to them in the night. They even came to them while the young girls prayed. Father said they claimed the spirits tempted them to sign their name in the Devil's book. Promising them fulling lives, and many other things.
I could not believe what I was hearing. Had the village of Salem truly turned so mad? Was there no hope for us now? This was turning into a sport to these girls. Their friends were doing it, gaining attention. So why not them too? Why not for once people paid mind to them? For so long they had gone without respect from the world around them. So why would they not bring life to Satan in Salem. It was clear to me now.
These were girls simply seeking attention. Nothing more, nothing less.