The Cloak and Daggers of Witchcraft

Willow Danvers, 1735

WILLOW DANVERS 1735

            I can feel my blood pumping through my veins. Everything about this night will change. Everything about me will change. My name is Katerina Conte, though, in a little town called Willow Danvers, I am known as Katerina Hanover. My mother, Victoria Conte, entrusted me to one of the founders of our little town, the Hanover Family. I have lived in this great big mansion for over sixteen years. But today, as I turn seventeen years old, everything will change. Everything in my being will accelerate. I have only one secret left to keep. I am a witch.

            Not like everybody here knows, my mother and I are good witches. Although these things are never really different. They still hunt us down and kill us like animals. As far as everyone knows, every witch is a menace. They should be hunted down and killed. Only one family knows my secret for a long time, the Hanover family. They have been kind enough to give me shelter and food, for in return, we give them protection. I will do everything to save them. They are my family. I have grown with them and I cannot live without them.

A soft hand started brushing my hair with their fingers. My maid, Aunt Francesca, interrupted my deep thoughts. She told me to hold my breath for 5 seconds for she will be tightening my corset. It was so hard to concentrate with everything that is going on. The Hanover family is throwing a party for my sake. They told me that this would be my goodbye party—though other people think that it’s just another fancy party. As Aunt Francesca placed my skirts, I had the feeling that I was going to miss everyone deeply. Everything about me is about my family here in Willow Danvers. But I must go out. I must flee to another country for my life is not safe in here.

 I hadn’t realized that Aunt Francesca was finished with everything. As I was about to turn away and proceed to the party, she stopped me with a look of adoration. She went to a dresser and pulled out a small jewelry box. I wondered what was inside there—my curiosity is not running with patience. As Aunt Francesca opened it, I saw one of the most beautiful things in my entire life. It was a necklace with a small darkish stone that matches my dark green and purple gown tonight. I placed my hand on my chest admiring the jewelry. I turned around for Aunt Francesca to place it on my neck. When she was finished, I looked in the mirror admiring the necklace that was given to me.

I saw Aunt Francesca stand beside me. “That is an old family heirloom.” She said in her raspy voice. “You mother—Mrs. Hanover—asked it to be placed on you this night”

I touched the necklace to admire its beautiful texture. It looked beautiful with my gown. A soft sound interrupted us and a person peeked inside the room. Both Aunt Francesca and I turned around to look who it was. Butler Dimley looked delighted to see me. He was one of my families here.

“You look beautiful, Katerina” He told me. All of a sudden, his usually cheerful face turned business-like as he said, “Your mother told me that you have to go down immediately” I nodded my head and he disappeared behind the door.

I turned around to look at Aunt Francesca. “This is it,” I told her. She smiled up at me to tell me everything will be all right. She kissed me in the forehead before I went out.

            I stood at the top of the staircase, waiting for Butler Dimley to announce my name, people started to look up. I could feel my cheeks burning even in the cold winter air. Butler Dimley finally finished announcing. I hurried to get downstairs where I couldn’t be seen. Every person is watching my every move, watching my every step down this wide staircase. I couldn’t help but meet some of their gazes. Every founding member is in here, watching me. Mr. Rodriguez was with his wife and kids, Mr. and Mrs. Summers who was with their god-awful Bobby Summers—ever since elementary school, he was swooning over me. I got tired of it already. And there was the Alonzo Family, Smith Family. Almost everyone they invited was there. This party was planned months before now. Everything was meant to be perfect. Everything should be precise. They made me pick colors from sand or rock. I didn’t know what to say. They even made me take some dancing lessons. I had to taste different kinds of food that tasted the same after I forced the hundredth spoonful in my mouth. Then there was the fitting and the final arrangements. It was a good thing everything is finished right now. When I took the last final step before perfectly going down, I breathe a sigh of relief. The first one to take my hand was my “father” Mr. Albert Hanover. His hand felt hot in my touch—maybe it was because I was so nervous that my hand turned cold. He smiled at me as if to say that I did it. He was the kind of father anyone would want. He was always respecting my decisions. He blew a kiss in my cheeks and I did the same while he whispered in my ear “You did it”. I smiled nervously at him; he must have known that I was having difficulty with everything. Tugging gently on my hand, he led me to my mother. She reached for me and hugged me tightly. As soon as hot drops of water hit my bare shoulder, I realized that her tears were on my dress. I swiftly pulled away and chuckled softly. She joined me after a short moment of silence. There was a round of applause coming from the witnesses. My mother led me into a table with her friends where I stood up. I saw Mrs. Summers smile at me. I tried to force a smile back even though I was thoroughly raged with her son.