The Weeping Witch

Chapter Six:

This day would be the beginning of all things corrupt.

Reverend Parris and Reverend Hale decided that they would call for higher authority.
This meant that many men from other villages would come here to seek out the problem, and destroy the cause.

I felt a twinge of fear race through my body. I wondered if they would be able to find real "witches". I knew I was not what they sought for, yet I possessed abilities they would not understand and would quickly have me in chains if they discovered me. It was a horrifying thought, one that I could not escape.

I did not know the names of each man that was coming. Although I did know that they were highly esteemed Magistrates, Justices, and Jurors.
It was quite absurd, really. They were asking more than twenty men to come and find the Devil in Salem. Surely our Reverend could not be that ignorant.

When Father brought home the news, the look in his eyes were the same as every man in Salem now: excitement, and amusement. I had grown so sick of this look. It belonged in almost everyone's eyes now.
It was strange to me how most of the woman did not say much about the matter. Although, maybe it was just my Mother.
Whenever Father would come home with news, and when he would talked about it over supper. I noticed Mother would glance down at the floor, or she would bite her lip. I think all this nonsense made her uncomfortable. Even though she would not admit it, she thought it was wrong.

I was beginning to tolerate the hearing of accusations. But today. Today the people of Salem took their entertainment too far.
Today they would use Reverend Hale's books and knowledge to studied the accused's bodies for marks of the Devil.
I have never heard of such a thing, and yet the people are so willing to believe it. Simply because an "Ordained Man of God" says it to be true.
Oh the ignorance of sheep.

There was a part of me that wanted to go and see what exactly they thought to be the markings of the Devil. But since I was a woman, I was not allowed. So I would have to wait until Father came back from witnessing it. I wanted to know what were in those books of Hale's. I've heard people say he got them all of the way from a Minister who lived in Europe, and dedicated his life to finding witches.

I had not spoken to Rose for several days now. It is almost nearing a week since we have spoke. Now that she works for Goody Ellison, I barely even caught a glimpse of her. She gives me a half-hearted nod when I catch her eye on Sunday morning. But that is all.
Thankfully today, Mother sends me to Goody Ellison's house to trade for cloth. I smiled as I walked down the path toward her house, I was excited to see my only friend after quite some time.

It was an extremely beautiful day, the sun was shining, there were barely any clouds in the sky; the wind was soft, and gentle. Despite the fact that it was still winter, and it was still very chilly-the warm sun made the cold almost bearable.
The snow had all melted away, causing the ground to be somewhat mushy. But I was glad the snow was gone. It became bothersome after the pureness and beauty of it vanished.

I passed several people on my way to Goody Ellison's. Many of which were men. It was like time had stopped around us. Everything was focused on one thing now. No one cared about anything else. Almost every person I passed was discussing witchcraft, and who they thought were witches. It was interesting to overhear who they accused. Most of them were women, of course. But they were women who kept to themselves. Ones that had lost their husbands long ago. The ones who did not see it as a necessity to attend church every time Parris held a meeting or service.
Those poor women.

When I finally made it to Goody Ellison's house, I spotted Rose sweeping the steps leading to the house's front door. I quickly turned off the path and walked toward her. When I was at a good distance, I waved my hand and called to Rose.

"Good afternoon, Rose!"
Rose jumped, and dropped her broom. As she bent down to pick it back up, I came closer, and heard her mumble something under her breath.
I laughed a little, "Forgive me Rose, I did not mean to startle you."
She sighed, "do not worry."
I held my tongue, while thinking of something to say. "Are they treated you well here?" I asked.
Rose did not say anything, and when I tried to look her in the eyes, her eyes darted away.
"Rose?" I worried, "how does she treat you?"
"She is good to me, they all are." Rose's fingers twisted around the broom handle.
"It is already awful thing you practically being their slave. Now they are not treating you well." I paused, "Rose, you have to say something to you Mother about this."
Rose shook her head, and glared at me. "No." She closed her eyes, then took a deep breath. "I will be fine, This is what I am supposed to do."

My shoulders slumped in defeat, there really was nothing I could do for her. If she would not do anything to help herself, what could I do? It was a pointless effort.

The door swung open, and out walked Goody Ellison.
"Ah!" She exclaimed. "Good afternoon, Millicent!"
I flashed a forced smiled. "How are you, Goody Ellison?"
"I am quite well. How is your mother?" she inquired.
"She is doing' well." I told her.
"Forgive me!" She said in an outburst, "You came for the cloth, did you not?"
"Aye, Mother is needing some for Alice." I replied.
"Follow me then." She instructed, as she gave a wave with her hand.

I followed her inside, and we walked through their dining room into their kitchen. She picked up a neatly folded, dark blue cloth; and placed it in my hands.
"Here you are." She smiled, "make sure you tell your mother I said hello."
I nodded, "Thank you."

As Goody Ellison led me back through the house and out the door. I glanced over at Rose, who was going inside the house. I wanted to talk to her more about things. I missed the conversations we used to have. But now so much has changed. And it was terrible. I had no one else to share my thoughts about things. No one else would hear me without judgement like she did. A part of me realised that moment Rose was different now. She had accepted what was expected of her, and she was not going to try and change that. Just like every young woman before us, this was a part of our life. This was how things were meant to happen. It was God's Will.

I marched away, stomping through the mudded path. I was angry in so many different ways. I was angry that Rose would not even try to go against what was so harshly cast upon her. I was angry at the men of our village for allowing all of this craze to happen. And what angered me most of all was that these corrupt men claim to speak the heart of God, when all they do is speak from their poisoned soul.

"Millicent?"
I stopped in my tracks and looked up.
There stood Thomas directly in front of me. Strangely enough, none of his friends were to be seen.
"I knew that was you!" Thomas continued. "Out and about again?"
I nodded, still saying nothing.
"You can talk to me," he teased. Then when he saw my moveless expression, he quickly spoke. "You do not have to be afraid to talk to me. We are both human."
I gave him a confused look. What exactly did he mean by that?
"I mean that you do not have to treat me any different than you would your friends. You know, since I am a man." He tried to explain.
What?!
I stared at him for the longest time. I did not know what to make of this conversation. I did not understand what he was trying to get at. Why was he trying to make sure I was comfortable talking to him?
"I... Um... Need to get back to my Mother." I noted, lifted up the cloth.
Thomas quickly nodded, and he seemed somewhat embarrassed.

I hurriedly walked past him, and did not peak over my shoulder until I was quite a distance away.
He was still standing there, but was not looking in my direction. He just stood there.

So many strange occurrences were happening all at once. Everything was spiraling out of control. I had a thought that all these things could be dwindling down to one final horrendous ending.
And if that were to be so, I could not stop it.
The ripple had already been caused, and not a thing could be done.