A Few Minutes Before The End Of The World | COMPLETED

'Part 7'

"Is that it? Dude, I have plenty of colleagues who aren't completely devoted to satan. So I'm sure there are plenty of priests who didn't completely believe in the Bible, but they still did good. That's ok. It's fine"

"No, it's not. 6 months ago about a fortnight before we set off I committed an unforgivable sin. The villagers started complaining about diseases and failing crops. They blamed a certain woman for causing such mischance, her name was Mary Hicks. So, you see... I desperately needed a reason to go back to London. So... Um... I exaggerated the story a bit and claimed that she was a witch. And I know, in a bizarre turn of events, it turned out to be true but the truth is that I didn't believe it until now. Until this moment, I believed her to be a normal woman. Yet I went on with it. That means I condemned an innocent girl to suffer just to suit my convenience. And for that, please, forgive me, Father"

Silence ensued after that. John Abberton sat on the ship floor dejected.

"She's not a witch"

"I'm sorry?"

"I'm not a witch"

"What?" Abberton asked befuddled.

"I said, I'm not a witch. She's not a witch either. And it's not the end of the world"

"Wha-" Abberton began breathing heavily. "But the sky-"

The sky had returned to its previously raven-gloomy darkness. The fire and destruction never came. Only a faint radiance of a streak of light remained in the sky.

"What? What's going on? The sky's back to normal?"

"Yes, precisely. Like I said. It's not the end of the world"

"Eh? Did you stop it then? Did you undo the spell?"

"You're pretty slow aren't you? I'm not a witch. There was no spell. I lied"

"Ha- No, you can't be serious. What about the diseases the storm and all the misfortune we faced?"

"I didn't have much to do with most of that. But my brother had something to do with the diseases. You've met him already haven't you? He's currently in a ship anchored half a mile from me. My boat is tied to that ship. He told me you caught him stealing a loaf of bread or something"

"That kid? He's your brother? I don't understand. What did he have to do with the diseases?"

"Rats, Mr.Abberton. Rats!"

"I'm sorry?"

"He planted a romantic rat couple into your food chambers that day. Rats are a vigorous bunch don't you think? Brothers and sisters of a litter interbreed and before you know it, voila! You have a rat infestation. And rats are a very good vector for diseases, didn't you know? You probably have hundreds of 'em scurrying around your ship. Adding a rat infestation that actively spreads diseases into your already scurvy stricken crew could do a lot of damage, don't you think? The storm and lack of winds were truly beyond my calculations. Who knows maybe God really did help us."

"But the sky-"

"It's called a comet, sir. Science has deciphered many natural phenomenons previously believed to be the work of supernatural entities. It has even enabled us to predict its trajectory and time. What you saw, was just a comet that passes by once in a few centuries. You should consider yourself lucky"

"Wha- I don't- why? Why do all this?" John struggled to form sentences.

"You didn't even check who she was, did you? The innocent women that you condemned as a witch. You were gonna take her to a rotten Assize in England. I know the type of trials you fanatics come up with. She wouldn't even be able to voice her side of the story, they would have killed her. Burned her at the cross even. So her daughter, who was working as a maid in Cambridge, decided to save her. She had gained scholarly education by reading off manuscripts that flew off the tables at the library she worked in. She came up with an ingenious plan, a sort of masquerade. She stole a ship. She rode out the arduous waves and with the help of her little brother, she fooled the evil men who tried to destroy her family and saved her mother. That girl is me. I am Elizabeth Hicks, daughter of Mary Hicks. Nice to meet you John Abberton"

"Wha- this- this-!?"

"Yes, Mr.Aberrton. Farewell, and may you rot in the depths of hell"

"No, wait! Wait! Please! Don't leav-"

As the miles increased between the dinghy and the small merchant ship, the squalls of a man blended into the reticent taciturnity of the ocean.

***T H E E N D***

Author's note: This is a short story loosely based on the prosecution of the 'Witch of Huntingdon', Mary Hicks. Most believe this case to be the last witch trial in England. According to the real story, On 28 July 1716, the Huntingdon Assizes condemned Mary Hicks and her 9-year-old daughter Elizabeth for witchcraft. They were hanged to death.

What did you think about this story? Where do you think I can improve? What did you like? And what did you dislike? Tell me in the comments and vote!

Thanks for sticking around till the end. I thank you from the depths of my heart for sparing time to read my story. I hope you all have a very good day.

Bye.

With love,

Astor.