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 certainly took your own sweet time.’

 

 Sybil’s laugh on the other end was like music to her ears.   

 

In two short days she would be back in Kirkwood and she could start building a new life for herself and her child and she knew Sybil would dote on her baby, spoiling the poor thing rotten. Until she was ready to tell her though, the baby had to remain a secret.

 

‘I got your text, sis, ’Sybil said, ’Mark and I can’t wait to see you.’

 

‘The feeling is mutual.’ Faye replied, ’I can’t believe I’m finally getting away from all this madness.  It feels like I’ve been trapped and finally I’m free. I'm sorry it took so long, sis, and even more sorry  I didn't listen to your advice when you told me to leave him.'

 

‘I’m just glad you came to your senses Faye.  I was dreading getting a call in the middle of the night, from some stranger telling me you were dead.  Where did it all go so wrong?’

 

Faye smiled wryly.  ’Damned if I know Sybil.  I guess its true what  they say, love is really blind. I honestly believed if I gave him time to change and show him forgiveness, he would become a better man. I overlooked everything because I loved him and I wanted him to be better. I thought I could change him.’

 

‘He was downright abusive and didn’t deserve any compassion from you. Leaving him is the right thing to do.’ Sybil added.  ’Have you seen him again?’

 

‘He came by earlier. He wanted to make sure I will cause no further embarrassment to him.  If you ask me, his mother probably sent him.’

 

Sybil scoffed.  ’Mama’s boy, ’she said.  ’All I can say is you are better off without him.  At least here in Kirkwood you won’t have any reminders of him.’

 

‘Yes, ’Faye said pensively, rubbing her stomach, ’no reminders at all.  ’ 

 

 

 

…………

 

 

                                                                   

 

The English Coast,1794

 

‘Another witch?’ Mathilda asked.  ’Who?’

 

Tobias made himself comfortable on the wooden stool in the corner, staring straight ahead and occasionally shaking his head. 

 

‘I can hardly believe it, ’he said.  ’Its Bess.’

 

Mathilda felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her.  Bess was the local midwife and her friend.

 

She gripped the edge of the table for support, trying to take in what Tobias just said.   

 

Bess, sweet Bess who delivered both their daughters. This night, she would burn as a witch.

 

 ‘It was terrible Mathilda, ’Tobias continued. ’She has been using potions to give to Elenor all these months. Today, Elenor began to bleed and the child came down. She said she had her suspicions all along.  .  .  .  Whenever Bess would give her the potion to drink, the devil’s disciple would appear in the form of a black cat.  When Magnus went to Bess, the very creature was sitting in her lap.’ 

 

‘Dear God, ’Mathilda said, ’Please be with us all.  ’ 

 

She had no idea how long she stood there, all she could think of was Bess, who at this very moment was being tortured by Magnus and his followers.   

 

From what Tobias had told her, their methods were cruel and painful to try and evoke a confession.   

 

Torture and murder, in the name of God.   

 

‘It is almost time for the burning, Mother, ’Mary suddenly said next to her.  ’Will you join us, to show the devil the might of holy justice?’

 

Mathilda stared into the cold eyes of her elder daughter.  Mary was enthralled by Magnus and his cause and her fervor was encouraged by her father.  In her daughter’s eyes, Mathilda saw the light of madness.   

 

It pained her to admit that at times, Mary scared her.  .  .  .  She was so cold, so cruel and so removed from any emotion other than religious zeal.   

 

 ‘No, Mary, ’Mathilda said.  ’I will not watch Bess burn.’

 

Mary laughed. The sound was twisted and cruel.   

 

‘You were friends with the witch, were you not, Mother?  ’she asked.  ’Do not proclaim the fact that you were familiar with Satan’s whore.   Anything could happen. ’

 

 ‘What do you mean, Mary?  ’Mathilda asked, her blood chilling within.   

 

‘Take it any way you want Mother, but be warned.  .  .  .  .  no witch will be suffered to live.’