Witch Hunt

The brothers find themselves drawn to Salem, Massachusetts after reading of unexplained murders happening in the weeks leading up to the first day of fall (September 22nd). Upon their arrival, they meet Jade, a descendant of one of the first witches . Is she friend or foe?

Prologue

September 1692

The judge read from the death warrant as the crowd who flooded the courthouse stared mercilessly at the accused witch.

"I hereby declare Abigail Browne to be hung at Gallow's Hill tonight at sunset!" proclaimed the judge.

The crowd roared in approval. Abigail Browne could only weep. Her husband held onto their children as they sobbed. Tonight, her twenty-six years of life would end with a short drop and a sudden stop.

Abigail pleaded with her husband at that moment, "John, please do not let the children see! Please do not let the children see me die!"

Before John Browne could say a word, they dragged Abigail back to her cell to wait her impending death.

Later that night, the townsfolk gathered with their torches at Gallow's Hill. Abigail sat upon a horse, the noose fitted upon her neck. The judge separated from the crowd and spoke loudly,

"Abigail Browne, do you have any last words?"

"Yes...and my last words are that I am innocent." she spoke in a near whisper, her eyes focusing on nothing but straight ahead of her.

With those final words, the horse she sat upon was spirited away by the executioner and John Browne could only look away as he heard the drop, tears streaming down his face. Something caught his eye, however. He moved towards it and grabbed it, turning it to face him forcefully.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" he exclaimed, "YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE!"

"Father, I had to see." his ten-year-old daughter implored in a whisper.
"HOW MUCH DID YOU SEE?" he demanded, traces of anger fading away into sadness on his face.

"I saw everything Father. Everything." she whispered, tears streaming down her face, "I heard her final words."

"Your mother did not want you to see this. She begged me and now I have failed her." he said sadly, "Oh I have failed Abigail. I am so sorry." he placed a hand over his eyes and kept saying he was sorry.

As John Browne slowly walked away, his daughter stood, not far behind him. Sara looked back at the lifeless body of her mother one last time.

At about one o'clock in the morning, the quiet in the town of Salem was interrupted by the sound of a shot and a scream.

John Browne had killed himself. He had aimed the gun for his temple and pulled the trigger after saying one last 'I'm sorry' to his now deceased wife and to his daughter.

In the corner of the room huddled Sara Browne in tears. She had witnessed her father kill himself. Today she not had only lost her mother, but her father as well. As she cried, anger swept over her. The town would pay.

They would all pay...