AN: Here's chapter two of Simply Another Witch :) Hope you all like it! If you review, you'll be my best friend foreveerrrr.
Disclaimer: In no way do I own or profit from Arthur Miller's The Crucible or any of his characters; however, I shall specify when I do create any OC's (such as Sophia Nolan, Margaret Daniels in this chapter). I do plan to use some text from the play, but it's my hope to write most of it on my own :) Enjoy!
Chapter Two - A Friendly Meeting
Sophia and Meg linked arms and strolled together in the marketplace, giggling and laughing about trivial matters. It seemed as though Sophia had forgotten the events of that morning - including the arrival of Hale.
After purchasing some bread, the two girls began to head home when they were stopped by Reverend Parris himself.
"Miss Daniels, Miss Nolan," he says gently.
"Good afternoon, sir."
"Miss Nolan, I wish to speak to you about a . . . favor. Seeing as you are living on your own-"
Sophia interrupted. "With Penny, sir."
"Aye. Miss Penelope as well. We were hoping you would be able to come to this address and assist around the house for the time being. Goody Corey has had nothing but good words for your cooking! Of course, we will pay you for your services."
Meg elbowed Sophia lightly. "You should do it, Sophie," she whispered.
Sophia hesitated. She had always been protective of her younger sister ever since their parents passed away. "It sounds pleasant, sir. But what about Penny? Where will she stay? I couldn't possibly have her stay at the house and help out when she could be attendin' school."
"Already taken care of! Goody Corey and Goody Nurse have offered to take care of her while you are away. There is nothing to worry about, Miss Nolan. Penelope will be safe with those two."
"Erm.. well then I guess I can help ou-"
"Great! Here is the address. Please be prompt and have dinner ready tonight. The meeting will begin later this evening. But will you please excuse me? I must be heading somewhere else now. Mr. Putnam requires my assistance." Without a response, Parris turned around and briskly walked in the other direction. Meg giggled when his hat flew off his head and landed in the dirt.
Sophia held the crumpled paper in her hand, memorizing the address line by line.
"I shall walk with you there, Sophie," Meg assured her, and they immediately changed directions and went towards the house in the distance.
"Lord, this place is filthy!" Meg whined as soon as they got to the house. Dust evenly coated the wooden floorboards and a few cobwebs hung from the dining room table. Meg looked at Sophia with sympathy, knowing that she would have to clean the entire place by herself. "Are you sure you do not need my help?"
Sophia nodded, giving a weak smile. "Aye. You must check on Penny for me. She has probably gotten home by now and will be wonderin' where I am."
Without another word, Meg left the house. Sophia sighed and began the tedious work . .
The door creaked and Sophia scrambled to her feet in shock as a familiar figure entered the house and slowly shut the door.
"Ah, Miss Nolan! It is a pleasure to meet you." Reverend Hale took off his simple black hat and nodded towards her. She kept silent as her hair fell in front of her, covering her blushing face. After a few more seconds of silence, Hale continued, "Well, I'd just like to thank you for helping out here on such short notice. Err . . I believe Mr. Parris informed you of the meeting?"
She nodded. "Aye, sir, he did."
Hale looked at her curiously, wondering what he had done to make her this uncomfortable. According to Mr. Putnam and Mr. Parris, Sophia Nolan was not one to shy away from others. In fact, they had told him that Sophia was a feisty, confident girl. "Did you get the chance to make dinner, Miss Nolan?"
"Aye, sir. It is sitting on the stove." Sophia replied. As Hale turned to hang up his coat, she continued softly, "And I would prefer you call me Sophia, sir, seeing as I will be living here for the meantime."
He smiled at her and gave a slight nod of his head. Sophia bent down again and continued to scrub the dirty floor. After a few seconds, she felt a warm hand tap her on the shoulder, urging her to get up. She looked at Hale, confused.
"You must prepare for the meeting, Miss Nolan," He said encouragingly, without any hint of arrogance or boastfulness in his voice.
"I do not understand, sir. Women usually remain uninvolved with the authorities of the court . ."
"It is . . a friendly meeting, is all. We only plan to discuss town matters. You should not worry, Miss No- Sophia. I predict there will be no discussion of witchcraft tonight."
Sophia nodded in compliance. She rose to her feet and began ascending the narrow staircase to one of the small rooms to change into a clean dress.
Hale began observing the house, and, as he walked into the kitchen, noticed a pot on the stove. He looked around cautiously before approaching it and inhaling the aroma of the food Sophia had prepared. He was even prepared to taste a bit of it - if only he could find a spoon!
Suddenly, he heard a soft cough and jumped back in alarm. Sophia was standing behind him in an even prettier dress that hinted at a small, perfect figure underneath. She wore no bonnet but had her hair combed evenly, reaching her shoulders.
"I- I'm sorry, Mr. Hale. I did not mean to frighten you," she turned to hide her blush.
"No, no, it is my fault. I should not have been in the kitchen anyways. Please, let us wait in the dining room," he suggested, holding out his arm for her to take in her own.
She hesitated but linked arms with him soon after. They walked over to the dining room and she took a seat, noticing that Hale had already set the table - a bit clumsily, no doubt, but she smiled at the effort anyway.
"Glad to see you set the table while I was changin'," Sophia began.
"Well, I would not have wanted to miss out on the fun, now would I?" He responded, a grin growing on his face.
Just before she could reply, there was a loud knock on the door. She immediately got up and let the guests enter. Among them were Reverend Parris, Mr. and Mrs. Putnam, Rebecca and Francis Nurse, and, last but not least, Abigail Williams.
They all entered one by one, each giving a small smile to Sophia. Instead of a smile, however, Abigail smirked knowingly, her dark eyes gleaming. Sophia felt a shiver run up her spine as Abigail passed her, a cool wind entering through the doorway. What a witch. Sophia thought.
After everyone had taken their seats and were waiting for Reverend Hale to begin prayer, Rebecca leaned over to whisper quietly in Sophia's ear.
"Pardon me, dear, but I do not like the idea of a young girl like yourself living alone with Mr. Hale."
Sophia opened her mouth to speak.
"Yes, yes, dear, I know he is a minister, but still. Let an old woman have her doubts. He is a stranger to you, Sophia. And I am just looking out for your well-being." Rebecca returned to upright position, letting her words sink into Sophia's mind.
As the meeting continued long after dinner, Sophia slouched deeper and deeper into her chair as Abigail glared at her angrily; Rebecca looked at her disapprovingly; and Hale glanced at her from time to time, and when his beautiful green eyes met her amber ones.