The Weeping Witch

Chapter Five:

It was early Saturday morning, and I was of course outside completing my morning chores.
My home sat on the edge of the forest, and each day I was out here I would listen to the life which lived within the wood. It was in a way soothing for me. I stopped to peer through the trees; I had never actually been past the treeline, it was well known that the Devil himself resides there. To be clear, it was not fear that kept me out. It was the attention I would receive by the church if I dared to venture within the wooded land.

I was taking my time walking down the road toward one of our neighbors, carrying a basket of large brown eggs laid by our beautiful hens. The wind was blowing quite harsh this February morning, which made it very difficult to keep my cloak evenly around me. I passes some of the sweet children of the community. I of course bid them "good morning". And they shyly returned the gesture.

As the path slowly inched over to the edge of the forest, I began to hear strange noises coming from within. I stopped, and peered through the trees. I saw no sign of anyone. But I was certain I could hear faint squeals traveling to where I stood. I glanced over my shoulder, and every inch around me. And when I saw that no one was here to witness my venture into the forest, I quickly slipped through the trees.
I followed the faint noise. Although I had it in mind to walk directly to the source of the noise, I could not help but take in all the beauty that surrounded me. There were no houses, and the smell of animal waste was no longer present. I stopped, and took in a long, deep breath. I had never inhaled such pure air.
And it was as quiet as a forest could be. The continuous chirps of birds mounted in the trees, The scampering of squirrels and other life, And the sound of wind blowing through the trees, causing them to dance. It was the most beautiful and comforting sound I had ever known. How could something this pure thought to be the Devil's playground?
I continued to follow the faint squeal, it became louder, and more easy to follow. I was careful to be as quiet as I could, so that I would not startle anyone who was messing about.
Through the trees I began to see figures, I soon noticed that they were some of the younger girls from Salem. I slowly made my way toward them, making sure I did not step on any twig that laid in my path. As I got closer, I saw they were all huddled in a circle around a newly lit fire.

They had quieted down some. No longer were they screeching about. I found a safe spot to watch them, I knelt behind a thick bush and sat to see what they would do.
The older looking one held a large book in her lap. She carefully unfastened the leather strip which was holding it closed. The other girls inched closer, all wide-eyed with fascination. The girl holding the book gave them all a eerie gaze. And as she opened it, all the girls let out a giggle and clapped their hands together.

The older girl brushed the younger ones back with a flick of her hands. "Tituba said you cannot be so close!" The girl insisted.
Tituba?
The Parris' slave who was accused of witchcraft? How would these girls know of Tituba so well?
"Mary," The older girl called to one of the young ones. "Did you bring what I told you?" She turned to all the others, "And did the rest of you?"
They all nodded, and pulled many objects out of their skirt pockets.
The girl smiled, and motioned that they put them in the pot that was boiling on the fire. She then squinted down at the book.
"I think Tituba said something after that..." Her voice trailed off.

Then I realised what was going on.
I remembered I had heard tell through gossiping by the road, that Tituba knew many chants and spells. They said she was seen one dawn with many of the girls in the village, along with Betty and Abigail deep within the wood.
Before the accusation of Tituba being a witch. Many already knew that she practiced occult techniques. None of which were meant for anything pertaining to demonic arts. The techniques were only used to ward off evil spirits.
I have heard said that when Tituba would not confess witchery at first, Parris beat her senseless until she gave in, and finally confessed because she could no longer endure the pain. And now she will not be hanged.
This confused me more than anything I have heard in Salem. I do not understand why a person who will not confess turn out to be the person who is killed. But the person who does confess walks free. It is not just.

The girls played on, and the older tried her very best to speak the strange language written in the book, I assumed belonged to Tituba. And the girl was clearly fascinated by all these chants. She most likely was among the girls who were with Tituba that one morning when they were discovered.

The girls soon put out the fire, and dumped the pot. The older girl went to hide the book in a hollowed tree. And when they were done, they all scrambled back to the village.

I waited for them to clear from sight, and then I stood up, and began to walk home.

When I finally made it out of the forest, I walked a ways then met face to face with the Reverends favored guest: John Hale.
I stopped, making sure I acknowledged his presence.
Reverend Hale looked over at me, then stopped. I glanced up at him. And for some reason I was shocked. Never in my entire life had I seen such kind eyes belonging to a Minister.
He gave me a calming smile, "You must be the daughter who is out delivering eggs." He gave a quick glance to the egg-filled basket hanging from my arm.
"Aye, I must be her." I said, slightly smiling.
He paused for a moment, then laughed. "Have they no need for eggs then?" He wondered, pointing out the full basket.
My face quickly turned red. My heart skipped, I had not given the eggs to our neighbors yet. I wondered how long it had been.
"Child! Do not fret!" He assured me, "Your parents told me where you were going, I shall bring them the eggs. I am on my way there. You parents are Mr. and Mrs. Wells, are they not?"
I hurriedly nodded, handing him the basket. "Thank you, Reverend Hale. You are very kind."
"Shh, it is of no matter. It will be our little secret." He reassured me.
I could not help but stare at him in confusion. Something had to be wrong. There has never been a Reverend so kind, and courteous as Hale. Maybe it was too good to be true.
"Good day to you, Miss Wells." Hale said, as he walked past me.
I turned, and repeated the same blessing.

I stood there in a daze a few moments more. This was indeed the most strange occurrence I had encountered for a while yet.
Soon enough, I came to my senses and finally made it to my house.

When I walked through the door, I was greeted by Father and Mother standing uneasy near the table. I prepared myself for a scolding as I slowly closed the door behind me. And just as I suspected as soon as I turned around Father began.

"Millicent, do you know who was just here?" He barked.
I nodded, "It was Reverend Hale."
"Aye, and he was askin' about you." Mother cut in.
"Askin' about me?" I repeated. "What did he want to know?"
"Where you were of course!" Father snapped, "and so were we."
"Father, I was bringin' the eggs to the Coreys like you asked me to." I reminded him.
"Child, you know as well as I it does not take one that long to walk to the Coreys and back." His voice grew louder, and more angry with each word.
I dropped my eyes to my boots. "I may have lingered some time on the way there, -but that was all!" I promised.
Father was about to say something more, but Mother laid her delicate hand on his arm, and he sighed. "Millicent, you must pay attention to your actions now more than ever. You must realise that." His voice was more calm now.
I nodded, "Aye, Father. I know."
"Then heed to your knowledge. You are no longer a child anymore, but a woman. And you must hold yourself accountable for your actions." Father reminded me.
I nodded again.

-------------------------------------------

The day went on, and there was not much to be said about the rest of it. I did was I was supposed to do, nothing more, and nothing less. I prepared lunch, and cleaned up after it. Then Alice and I helped Mother bake bread, and other bake goods. I had always enjoyed baking in the winter, it gave me an excuse to stay by the warm fire as long as I wanted to.
Then as we laid them out to cool, Alice and I snuck a few pinches off of the freshly baked bread. And closed our eyes as the delicious bread melted in our mouths.
As the night drew closer, we cooked chicken stew for supper.
And after we ate, and cleaned. I climbed the stairs to my welcoming bed.

I reached for the hidden book within my walls, and brought it to my bed. I carefully flipped through the pages, hoping to find something that would relax me after today. I skimmed through the regular blessing prayers, and the chants to ward of many things. But I could not find anything that caught my attention. I softly closed the book, and put it back in its hiding place. And I lifted the bedding so I could slid underneath. And as I laid there, I quietly whispered the prayer my grandmother would say for me every night:
"Earth, Air, Sea, and Wind.
Bless my family and my friends.
Power of Love and Hope and Light.
Protect me onwards through the night.
Guard my home from things that creep.
Good Spirits watch me as I sleep.
By Fire, Storm, Earth, and Sea.
As I speak, - So make it be."