The Salem Witch Trials

Salem Witch Trials Chapter 11

As John turned over the chair he couldn't help but see something engraved in the smooth surface of the wood. Numbers. Hidden in the right back corner were two numbers. Twelve and eighteen. But what possibly could that mean? What would Anabel be trying to tell John? Were they clues? Or was she tricking him? As John got a closer look he could see another number next to the other two. But it was to badly burned to be recognizable. All he could see was the first part of the number. A one. But what could the other number be? John was sure that these numbers were clues to something. He knew that Anabel would not trick him. And what else does he have to go by? What else can he lose? He couldn't just sit there and do nothing! So he stood up and went on his way, every time thinking the same numbers, 12, 18, 1-...

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"You fool! How could you have lost him? You were right on his trail! Now he could be anywhere telling people anything. This whole plan could blow right up in our faces for a careless mistake like that!" 

"Samuel I tried. But the boy is very quick...," said Matthew.

"Quick...," said Sir Samuel sarcastically. "When was the last time you saw him? Before you lost him."

"We were deep in the woods Sir. About a mile or so from the women's hut."

"Did you just say the womens hut? Who knows what he could be doing out there! He could be plotting revenge!"

"Sir there are guards."

"Those guards couldn't stop a bug let alone a boy! I will have to go find him myself, as I can see that you are incapable of doing so."

With that Sir Samuel stood and made his way outside and up the path near what used to be Marys house. As he crouched in the trees Samuel could see John perfectly. As he made is descent out of the comfort of the woods he looked around as if he was retrieving something. What possibly could he be doing? Thought Samuel. John made his way around until he made it back to the women's body. With that he got on his knees as if talking to God and prayed. Samuel started to get anxious but stayed put. The element of surprise was on his hands and he was not about to waste it. Finally John got back up and walked over to the house. He picked up a piece of rubbish from the ash pile that once was the women's home. Picking up what looked like a seat of some sort he turned it upside down until he was looking at the underside of it.

Samuel not wanted to wait anymore started making his way around the edge of the trees trying to get a better look at John. John stood up and walked away without a second look back at the seat.  Not wanting to waste any time Samuel stood out of his crouch and made his way over to the chair. He looked at where John had just been and saw numbers. 12, 18, and 1-. What could possibly be that last digit?...