I could feel their dirty rough hands tugging and pulling at me as I struggled to get out of their fearfully tight grip, their grunts causing a crease of fright to form on my brow. If I were a giant, if I were naught but a young girl in the mercy of their hands, I would crush them. Them and their 'logic'. Since when were witches at all logical? Whores of the devil? Satan's sluts? More like a reason for a burning. Staring into the eyes of one of my captures, searching for a hint of sorrow, a near-faded glimmer of compassion, my hope vanished like the snuffing of a candle. It was Dick Barrowman. Once upon a happier time he had been my families neighbour, a dearly loved one at that. Alec and I would play with his daughter Hailey and his dear hound while his wife and our mother sipped tea and exchanged pleasantries. Our father and Dick would be at the inn, drinking ale heartily and merrily slapping upon each other's backs. If this contented life were to be allowed to continue, I would not be where I am now, I would still be playing, my mother indoors and my father out. Can such happiness's even exist? Of course they can't. Not in a world such as this.
Hailey, Alec and I remained friends right through to our teenage years. I was fifteen when my father announced that I was betrothed, betrothed to Robert Johnson. I couldn't believe my ears, I had to be dreaming. He was a duke, a dashing duke at that, and would be about to make me duchess! The rejoicing was never-ending in the household, and I grew ever fonder of Robert over the coming months. He would leave roses at the house, an assortment of red and white that had been handpicked form the gardens of the home we would soon live in. A great Manor standing proudly on the edge of the village. When we visited it I remember admiring how handsome the vast drive was, lined with oak trees and fresh green grass. I couldn't think of a more perfect future, and was still waiting to wake up. Don't worry though, I did wake up. Or rather, I was jerked awake.
It still pains me to think of, but I won't ever forget the day when I decided to ask my driver to escort me to the Manor house, I wanted to inspect that it was tidy and everything was in order before my future husband and I were to move in. My excitement increased as I got closer to the bedroom, the room I wanted most to be at a level of utter perfection. I ran my fingers along to smooth silky wooden banister as I ascended the grand stairs, but suddenly stopped dead in my tracks, a floorboard complaining as I did so. There were sounds. A light squeaking and mumbling coming from ahead. Cautiously, I proceeded on light feet, and gently pushed the bedroom door open enough for my eye to have decent view. There on the grand four poster bed, was my fiancé and my best friend. Hailey and Robert were passionately entwined, their bodies pressed against one another, kissing hard. My eyes went from wide with shock to narrowed, such anger shot through my bones as I had never experienced before, and I focussed all my energy on the girl I now so fervently hated. Suddenly, she screamed, her body doubling up and fingers curling into claws, nails tearing down her back as her arms wrapped themselves tightly around her torso.