Mary Bradbury [A Salem Witch Trial]

Mary

Everyone is gathered around the well in the center of the surrounding houses, I have to strain myself to hear what is being said. The area is filled with people, except for one small circle. In the middle of the circle, there is a woman, sitting on the ground with her head down. Just as I get over, able to see what is happening, the people start chanting, some even reach out to pick her up. They are chanting, "Witch! Witch! Witch!" As they pick her up by the armpits, they drag and push her along the ground.

As they near their destination, they slowly quiet their chant. One steps out and calls, "Elizabeth! Abigail! We have found your true bewitcher!" A few moments later, the two girls appear. They look at the woman, and shake their heads. The people shout, "No! This is her! Mary is the witch!" "We have seen her take the form of animals! Just last night she had become a blue boar!" The two girls considered this, after a small discussion with each other Abigail announced, "So be it. Her trials will begin tomorrow. We will have father come and secure her so her bewitching ways may be at rest."

As the crowd starts to thin I can see the minister of the village, Samuel Parris, come out and take Mary away. He looks out at the people walking away going back to their days, but almost stops, looking directly at me. He then quickly looks away, I don't see him for the rest of the day.