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Chapter 10
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Shadows In The Fire Chapter 1
Faye Wilding opened her eyes. The beams of sunlight streaming in through the curtains of her hospital room, were the first thing she saw. The voices were quiet now. It felt surreal because usually they were so active, so eager to be heard.She took in her surroundings. The hospital room was cold and impersonal. How long had she been here? The last thing she remembered was Nolan slamming his fist into her face.She lifted her hand. Her left eye felt tender and swollen. Had he hit her so hard and carelessly? He was usually so careful about leaving visible evidence.She tried to remember what happened, the fragments of memories arranging themselves as it all came flooding back to her. It was foggy, but not completely indiscernible. It was always like this. She always had to fight to remember the beatings, as if her mind wanted to block out as much as possible, to spare her almost.Last night had been the annual Children’s Charity Ball, her second as Mrs. Nolan Wilding. They’d been
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 2
The fire on the beach had died down and all that remained were the glowing embers, and the remains of the charred woman, roped to the stake.Faye looked down. She was wearing a long white dress and her feet were bare as she walked over the burning embers, her arm outstretched to touch the woman’s blackened face. Her eyes were open. ‘Help me, ’the woman whispered, as hot blood flowed from her mouth, over Faye’s hand. ’Please help me. ’ Faye woke with a start as the sound of her cellphone ringing ended the vivid dream. It felt so real, as if she had really been there, on that beach as the woman burned. Even awake she could still feel the heat from the fire, smell the stench of the smoke and charred flesh. All her life these dreams had haunted her and all her life she had no idea why.Her parents used to tell her it was all in her imagination, that she had a vivid way of conjuring up fantastic stories and they even pushed her to become a writer at one point. Only in her hear
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 3
The English Coast 1794‘Do you understand me, Esther? ’Mathilda asked gently. ’You must trust me, and you must never tell your father or Mary about the people speaking to you in your dreams.’Esther smiled, her face lighting up, stirring Mathilda’s heart. Her precious baby, her daughter. Was this how her gift would awaken? By dreaming of the dead?She would never allow her to burn.‘I understand Mother, ’she answered. ’Are you afraid they will tell Magnus?’Mathilda nodded. ’He is not a good man, dear one, he will take you away from me and I will never see you again.’ ‘I will not say anything to them, Mother, I promise.’Mathilda pulled her into an embrace. ’Our secret my love, ’she said softly, ’our secret forever.'It was late afternoon when Tobias and Mary returned. Outside the sea was restless. A storm was coming and Mathilda pulled her threadbare cloak tighter around her as Tobias opened the ramshackle door of their cottage, followed by Mary, her 12 year old face set in
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 4
Thunder rumbled in the distance and the night itself seemed to grow darker as the breeze from the ocean whipped at her hair. I am not repulsed, Faye thought to herself, watching the blood from the woman’s mouth trickle down her hand. It was hot, a grim reminder of the horrors she had endured. ‘Are you dead? ’Faye asked. ‘Yes, ’the woman replied, ’I am no longer in this world ’ ‘How do you want me to help you? ’Faye asked, pieces of charred flesh coming away with her hand, revealing the bony structure beneath. ‘Save my daughter, ’the woman said, ’save my beautiful daughter.’ ~ ~ ~Sybil’s number was on speed dial and it took a while for her to answer the phone. Faye smiled indulgently as she waited, knowing her sister was probably knee deep in her wedding arrangements. She was marrying her high school sweetheart in two months time and she wanted every detail to be perfect. ‘Well, ’Faye said in mock anger, ’you certainl
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 5
‘What happened to your daughter? ’Faye asked. She looked down, wondering why the red hot embers were not burning her feet. The woman was no longer struggling against her bindings and she appeared unaffected by her falling flesh. She must have noticed Faye’s surprise. ‘I feel nothing anymore, ’she said, ignoring Faye’s question. ’My body is but a vessel now, so I may speak to you.’Faye felt a sense of deep sadness, the woman had burned and she was so accepting of her fate, that her only concern was for her daughter. ‘What is your name? ’Faye asked. ’Who are you and how can I help your little girl?’‘My name is Mathilda, ’the woman said. ’And only you can save my daughter. ’ It was raining as Faye boarded the bus which would carry her away from London and back home to Kirkwood. She only carried one small suitcase. All her other belongings would be sent by one of the maids in the Wilding household. She took her seat, with a measure of heartache but also hope, as
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 6
‘Excuse me?’Lost in thought while staring out the window as the rain came down in a gentle sheet, Faye had not heard what the woman next to her had said. She was older than Faye, pretty with beautiful grey eyes. ‘I asked if you’re also heading to Kirkwood, ’the woman said with a smile. ’I’m Deborah by the way, Deb for short.’She extended her hand and Faye did the same, returning her smile. ’Faye, and yes, that’s my destination.’‘Visiting? ’Deb asked. ’I heard its beautiful this time of year.’‘Actually, I’m moving back there, ’Faye replied. ’I spent some time in London and now I’m going back home.’‘Awesome, ’Deb said. ’Forgive me if I’m being forward. You just seemed so pensive ever since you got on the bus.’‘Just had a lot on my mind, ’Faye answered. ’Are you just going to visit Kirkwood?’‘Its business and pleasure, ’Deb said, shifting the heavy file on her lap. ’I’m doing research for an article I’m writing.’‘Really? ’Faye said. ’You’re a journalist? What coul
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 7
The English Coast,1794 ‘See, Father? See how she rebels against the teachings of God, sympathizing with the witch!’ Mary’s words were delivered in a biting, venomous tone and Mathilda could only stare at her elder daughter in shock as Tobias nodded his head in agreement. ‘You have gone mad Mathilda!' Tobias said through clenched teeth. ’If anyone were to hear of your blasphemy, they may construe you to be a witch yourself!’‘Let them! ’Mathilda bit back. ’Tobias, husband. . . . . this is not the will of God, but of a madman!’ ‘She has been tainted by her association with the witch, ’Mary interjected, ’we must pray for her, so her soul may escape damnation.’‘Be quiet girl! ’Mathilda said. ’You are still my daughter and you will be treated as such! Do not make me beat you into submission!’Mary rushed to Tobias’ side, finding safety in his arms. ‘Father, do not allow her to do this, ’she pleaded. ‘Never Mary, ’Tobias said, ’Never will she beat you. . . .
Shadows In The Fire Chapter 8
The English Coast,1794 ‘Tobias, I beg you, ’Mathilda implored, ’stay here with me and the children. . . . do not go to watch Bess burn.’ Anger flashed in his eyes at the mention of Bess and he pulled Mary closer to him as if trying to protect her from her own mother. ‘The sacred blood of Christ compels us to bear witness to the destruction of evil, ’he said hoarsely. ’I do not understand you Mathilda. I fear for you.’‘Do not fear for me, but for yourself and our daughter, ’Mathilda replied, close to tears. ’Mary has been seduced by Magnus and his teachings which are so very wrong.’‘Sacrilege and blasphemy! ’Mary spat. ’Father, I fear she has been tainted by evil, by Bess.’ ‘Mathilda, ’Tobias said, his tone firm and cold. ’Until such time as you repent, you are never to leave this house again. ’ . ….………‘You’re playing with me, right? ’Faye, said as the bus slowed down due to the rain coming down more intensely. Deb just to
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