The Hunted

Chapter 5

"Present your case" the man on the podium said, as Hugo stepped forward letting Faith go for the first time since the dungeon. She glanced around hopeful now for a opportunity of escaping. Her hopes were shattered.. The massive crowd  surrounded her, and she had no possible way of pushing through without being stopped.

"Me and my son searched the woods as we normally do. He on the south side, and I on the north." Hugo stated to the eager listening crowd. "Last night I saw a bright flash in the distance. I hurried to see what it had come from when I stumbled up on her headed towards town."

The crowed gasped at his words. Faith thought of it much like her girl Scout camp. Around the bonfire they'd tell scary storys and there reactions were similar.

"She was obviously practicing witchcraft last night when she thought everyone was inside hiding from the storm!" One man yelled out In fear from the crowd. "Burn her, burn the witch!" Others began to to yell.

The elderly man raised his hand to silence the crowd, then looked down at Faith from the podium.  "Your defense?" He asked.

She looked around, feeling nauseous. 'Could this really be happening?' She thought. What was she supposed to do in that moment? Defend herself? To a town full of wackos! She scanned the town square, looking for the blue eyed man that brought her here from the ally. She was sure he was here to witness his sick fantasy playing out. "silence is submission of guilt." The man stated, before writing more down on his papers.

"WAIT!" a frantic female voice said from the crowd. "Sister!, oh my poor sister." She continued as she pushed, and shoved her way next to Faith. Besides the instany, The woman was stunning. Her hair was long, and bright red. She wore a brown corset with a tan long skirt that pulled her together beautify. As well as a black cloak. Her green eyes full of tears as the stranger pulled Faith into a loving hug. Faith stood there absolutely clueless. At this point nothing else could suprise her.

"Just go with it." The stranger wispered into Faiths ear. This woman was somehow different. her voice sounded normal as she Whispered. Modern? She thought.  The woman pulled away from Faith, then cupped her face with her hands. The strangers eyes going up to the large gash on her face. Anger filled the woman before she turned to Hugo. "What have you monsters done to my little sister!" She yelled. "It should be you on trial this day!" She spoke, any trace of the modern tone vanished.

"Miss clare," the man on the podium asked, obviously knowing the strange woman next to Faith. "Miss Penn is your sister?" He asked Suprised.

"Yes!" She said as the waterworks started again. "She had been studying in Winfield, but wanted to come home for the knew year. I waited for her all night, but she never came home." She said as her gaze shifted from the crowd to Hugo. "Thats when I found out that she had been put in prison!" She shouted. "Just look at the poor girl." She exclamed dramatically as she pointed to Faith. All eyes now fixed on her. "She obviously fell victim to last nights strom!"

The man on the podium scrached his beard. "Mr dumas, You said you saw a large flash of light?" He asked.

Hugo shifted uncomfortably. "Yes."

"Miss Clare makes a fare case," he stated. "Are you sure you didn't see a flash of lighting?" He asked as he looked Faith over.  Sympathy flashed in his eyes. "Look at the girl Mr Dumas. she's brused, cut and practicality naked."

Faith looked down at her clothes. She still wore her running shorts, and Tshit. They wore torn, but she was far from naked. She then glanced around to all of the woman in the crowd. They all wore dresses that covered them all the way down to there ankles. She swallowed, suddenly self conscious.