‘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 the bus began to move. She’d spent 7 years in the big city, having moved there when she was 19, shortly after her parents had passed within months of each other. Sybil, being the eldest, had decided to stay in Kirkwood. She'd never had any ambitions to live anywhere else and Mark was there, the love of her life. Their parents had willed them their coffee shop and Sybil took over the day to day running of the business while Faye had gone to London in search of excitement and new experiences. Kirkwood was a small village and although it had expanded quite a lot in recent years, it was no place for young people in search of more. She’d arrived in London and found a place to stay with friends of her father and within 2 months had found a job at Warwick and Smith, a small law firm in London, where she was the secretary. It was a good job that paid well enough for her to afford her own place and 4 years later she met Nolan at a nightclub. She was bowled over by his dark, good looks and effortless charm. He was never anything more than a gentleman, until the first time he belittled her, the day she first told him about her visions of the burning woman. He’d laughed raucously when she was done. They were lying in bed after spending an afternoon of passion together. ‘What’s so funny? ’she’d asked him, his indifference stabbing at her heart. He turned to look at her, barely able to contain himself. ‘It sounds crazy Faye, ’he said, the corners of his mouth lifting in a smile, ’are you sure you’re normal and not delusional and completely bonkers? No wonder my mother thinks you’re disturbed!’ He’d collapsed into the pillows, consumed by another peal of laughter while her tears rolled down her cheeks. It had never occurred to her back then that he would turn into the abusive animal he was. She forgave him time after time, but no more, not now that she had her baby to think about. It was over between them, for good. Her thoughts turned once more to the burning woman and the dream where she had asked her for her help, to save her daughter, where she had told her her name. ‘Who are you, Mathilda? ’Faye asked softly. ’And what do you want from me? ’ ………… The English Coast, 1794 Mathilda was still reeling from what she had heard come out of Mary’s mouth. Had her own daughter just threatened her? The thought was like fire in her mind as Tobias gently touched her arm. She turned around, his expression was grim but his eyes were alive with excitement. ‘I am taking Esther with us, ’he said. ’Let her see what happens to those who defy God’s law.’ Mathilda’s eyes widened in shock. ’Tobias, no, please! ’she pleaded. ’Leave Esther here with me. She is not like Mary. She is not so strong.’ ‘No, ’Tobias said firmly. ’Her weakness will be her downfall, Mathilda. Even Magnus has noticed how weak she is.’ ‘Magnus has no business with my children, ’Mathilda retorted. ’He is nothing but a murderer!’ ‘Silence! ’Tobias thundered. ’Do not insult the chosen one of God! Have you gone mad woman?’ ‘I think she has Father.’ Both Tobias and Mathilda spun around. Mary had appeared from nowhere as usual, spitting out her righteous venom. ‘She is too sympathetic, Father, ’Mary said. ’And it does not bode well for any of us. ’
‘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
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. . . .
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
The rain was coming down in torrents, forcing the bus to pull over to the side of the road. Faye was annoyed. It was such a tedious and long journey to Kirkwood and now they could be delayed by a few more hours. She consoled herself with the fact that the trip wasn’t a total loss, barring their unscheduled stop. She mulled over everything Deb had told her as the other woman took a nap. Faye toyed with the idea, the completely absurd idea, of sneaking the file out of Deb’s backpack, but she didn’t want to risk losing her trust if she were to suddenly wake up and find her going through her things. She was sure that file contained much more information about the witch hunts, information which could lead to an explanation for all the dreams and visions she had had for as long as she could remember. The only person who had ever shown sympathy and some understanding was Sybil and mostly because she was a fan of anything that hinted at the supernatural. She had once even tried to get Fa
The sun was shining through the remnants of the storm clouds, when Faye came down for breakfast, after spending her first night back in her childhood home.It gave her a sense of peace to some measure, being back in the place where she had spent the happiest days of her life. It surprised her that Sybil kept her room exactly as she had left it. It felt almost as if she had never packed up to move away in the first place. It was wonderful seeing Sybil and Mark again. They had never really gotten along with Nolan, so visits during her marriage had been few and far between. Most of the time they had kept in touch by phone and e-mail, so seeing each other was quite an experience. She still hadn’t summoned the courage to tell Sybil about the baby. She wasn’t ready to share that bit of info just yet. All that concerned her now was finding out as much as she could about the witch hunts and how that had any relevance to her dreams and visions, if any at all. Deb had booked into th
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
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
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