Shadowood- H.S

five |5|

Song of the chapter

Break the Fall- Laura Welsh

***

Theories were brought up and ideas were placed down. The murders matched a series of murders from England, early 1400, due to a religious cult, terrorizing town members.

We call them Pagans.

I read the text over a few more times before looking up from the stiff, yellow pages and taking a deep breath. Due to a religious cult. My breath hitches and my heart beats at a pace a little faster than usual. Just the thought of something this peculiar is unnerving.

I remember last year in my religion class, learning about Paganism, but I don't quite remember what it is. All I remember is that Pagans are a contemporary religious group, with differing ideologies. But a cult? From my knowledge, cults are somewhat evil, and are devoted to worshipping figures and objects rather than a known God. I know that a cult doesn't always mean evil and satanic, but this book portrays otherwise.

Looking back down at the book again, I flip through the first couple pages and through the table of contents. I go to the sixth chapter with the title The Adams.

Jacob Adams, Julia Adams, Robert Adams, and Carrie Adams. A typical, four member family had moved into Bristol, Rhode Island in the late 1740's. The Adams had become a part of Bristol's small community, emigrating from England in 1747. Robert Adams was only three years old and Carrie was just barely six months.

Being the new members in town, the four figured family appeared to blend into the small mix of people well. Carrie and Robert began to grow up and were forming into mature young children. Noticed by other people in town, the two children matured exceedingly quickly. They seemed all too normal for just one small family in just one small town. They were friendly folks, perfect in every way, except they had one rule. No one was allowed into their home.

The Adams built and lived in a small farm cottage near Lakewood, the thick forest that surrounds every inch of town besides the West end bridge that passes through to the neighboring towns. The exterior of the house was made out of a special black cherry wood, from trees found to be grown in Lakewood forest.

From the years that the Adams lived in Bristol, young kids have always tried to get into their home and sneak a look at what they were "hiding" from the rest of town, but have never been successful. A non-member of the Adams family entering the small farm cottage ceased to exist.

"Surprise, surprise," I hear a males voice above me. It startles me and as a reaction, I shut my book.

Sean stands above me, twisting his keychain in his hands, staring down at me. "What are you reading there, scary Mary?"

"Really?" I roll my eyes and get up from where I'm sitting.

"What?" He asks, but has a slightly noticeable grin on his face.

"You're calling me scary? You were the one standing over me, watching me read. How long were you even standing there?" I ask, walking towards the journals. Sean follows closely behind.

"About thirty minutes," he says casually, picking up a few books to look at.

"Uh huh. I haven't even been here for thirty minutes." I search the journals by date, in reference to Bristol. They date back to the early seventeenth century. I just want to find something interesting and get away from Sean.

"Well I've been standing there for as long as you've been here." He walks closer and twists a strand of my dark hair in his finger. I smack his hand away from me, he's almost asking for insolence, but I hold back.