Chapter Four: Rebecca
Ginny felt the pain of Genevive as if it were her own…it was her own. It was like a memory she had forgotten which was suddenly played out in front of her. She pined for her lost Paco whom she was forced to give up. Before she could cry bitter tears, the scene changed once again. ~*~*~
The crowing of the rooster woke the frail girl. The sun had just come up and was shining its brightness into the small room, demanding the girl to set to work at once. She arose slowly and shivered from the cold air. Her white nightdress hung loosely about her body and rustled around her ankles as she walked over the creaking wooden floor to reach the basin. She dipped her hands into the freezing water and shivered as she washed her face, neck and arms. She then dressed in her gray smock, tied the apron around her waist and secured her hair in a tight bun, then covered her head with a white bonnet.
"Good morning, Uncle." She said as she entered the kitchen and began to prepare the morning meal.
"Rebecca, you have slept in. Remember that we are taking you in on charity and you must do your work around here." The man was sitting at a chair, cleaning a rifle. "I have brought back a hare so we may eat it for breakfast."
Rebecca thanked her Uncle and prepared the rabbit for a stew. She watched her Uncle out of the corner of her eye, noticing the dark scraggly hair that hung to his shoulders, and his unkempt beard. He was picking his teeth, and paid no attention to anything else.
Oh, how Rebecca missed her own parents. She had lived in the southern colonies where it was warmer and life wasn't so strict. It seemed the further north she went, the colder the climate and the colder the folk. Her mother was so beautiful and her Father very handsome. But when they both lay sick they told their daughter they knew they would not make it. She was sent to her mother's sister and her husband's family where she was. She had been there nearly a month and already despised the eldest daughter who was allowed to do as she pleased, while she, Rebecca, did the chores.
Once the stew was ready she called for the rest of the household to come and sit for breakfast. Her Aunt Mariah had a very stern look about her with a pointed nose and chin and small cheeks. She looked as if she had never laughed a day in her life! Samantha, the eldest daughter was a very vain girl and curled her hair in secret with a pair of hot tongs and feigned fatigue when asked to perform the simplest task. Edward was the youngest boy, about nine. He was Rebecca's only friend for she taught him how to make small animals out of blocks of wood and she would feed him sweets she managed to make when the family was out of the house.
The family said grace, ate the meal, then went their separate ways. Uncle John went to farm the small plot of land they owned, Aunt Mariah went to a neighbors with Samantha to sit with a sick woman, and Edward went to play with some of the boys from the village. Rebecca was given a list of chores to do, then told to keep herself occupied until lunch.
She cleaned the dishes, wiped down the table and scrubbed the kitchen floors. She replenished the water in the bedroom basins from a bucket they kept outside to catch rainwater in. Once she was finished she decided to get some fresh air by walking to the afflicted neighbors and seeing if her Aunt needed her assistance. She removed her apron and stepped outside.
The air had grown warmer, but there was still a slight chill. Rebecca walked down the road, her feet crunching on the gravel, her arms clasped to her sides. It would be a good twenty minutes before she reached the house, so she enjoyed what nature had to offer her. The trees on the side of the road stood tall and imposing while the birds sang their songs in their boughs. Rebecca smiled at seeing a bird fly down ahead of her and peck at the pebbles, searching for edible seeds.
Soon the house came into site and Rebecca knocked firmly on the door.
"Who is it?" A voice asked behind the door. The door opened before Rebecca could reply and a small girl stood before her.
"Hello." She smiled.
"Hello Elizabeth, is my Aunt Mariah here?"
The little girl nodded and lead her to the back of the house where the mother lay in her bed, sweating from a fever. Mariah was leaning over the bed as if she were whispering something into the woman's ear and as soon as Rebecca walked in she jumped up quickly.
"What are you doing here? How long have you been standing there?" She demanded.
"I came to ask if you needed me to fetch anything. I am finished with my chores and I only just arrived." Rebecca was afraid at the look she was given.
Mariah stood in thought, then said, "Yes, you can get me a basket of fruit from town. The Thorpes have run out. Here is some money—oh, and take Samantha…she won't stop annoying me with her wanting to go into town."
Rebecca took the money that was forced into her hands and left the room. She asked the little girl where Samantha was and was then lead to the kitchen where Samantha was sitting at the table, pulling at a lose thread from her dress.
"My Aunt has asked us to go to town to fetch some fruit for the Thorpes." Rebecca said.
Samantha looked up, startled. Her blonde hair fell down to her shoulders in the fake ringlets, her bonnet laid on the table beside her. At the mention of going to town her eyes lit up.
"Really?" She stood up, placed her bonnet on her head, then left the house with Rebecca gratefully.
The two girls were close in age, Rebecca was younger by a year, but neither found anything in common. While Samantha was always worried about her looks, and getting dirty, Rebecca cared nothing about her looks and enjoyed to do things that sometimes required getting a bit messy. Samantha had friends from surrounding farms and they would play at games, but Rebecca's only friend was her little cousin.
As they neared the town Rebecca noticed that Samantha kept straitening her frock and side glancing at different groups of people, as if she were looking for someone. Rebecca found it very annoying and began to walk faster.
"You walk to fast!" Samantha exclaimed.
"I am sorry but we need to get the fruit and return."
"We do not have to be in such a hurry. Mother will understand if we are detained a while."
"Yes, but the Thorpes may not."
The small market was set up in the town square, surrounding a lovely fountain. Fruits and vegetables were being sold. Under canopies were fabrics and cookware and all sorts of things any colonial family needed to survive and then some. They reached the stalls where fruit were being sold and Rebecca took her time to examine each piece before placing them in her basket. Once it was full she paid the lady, thanked her, then turned around…but Samantha was nowhere in sight.
"Samantha!" Rebecca called, searching the many faces crowding around her.
She ran throughout the market, calling her name, but Samantha was still not found. She spied the town hall and noticed that from the steps she would be able to see the whole town square and find Samantha. She dashed towards the hall and began climbing the steps, but her basket fell from her arms and the fruit scattered away.
"Oh, no!" She cried out as she tried to catch them all.
She began picking up the fruit and putting it back into the basket, not caring that people were watching and laughing. Once she thought she had it all and checked the ground all around her. That's when she looked up and noticed him.
It was Thomas Roberts, son of the town Magistrate. He was very tall and in his suit looked handsome. His long blonde hair was tied behind his head with a single strand coming loose and framing his face. He smiled at Rebecca, tossing a red apple up into the air, then catching it.
"Lose something?" He asked, laughing.
Rebecca went to grab the apple, but Thomas only backed away and laughed again.
"Please, sir, give it back."
A bout of giggles coming directly behind him took her attention away form Thomas and to a small group of girls, Samantha being among them. Her anger increased at seeing that Samantha had chosen to desert her to talk with such silly girls and an arrogant boy.
"Theft is a crime." Rebecca stated, hoping that he would return the apple, afraid to cause his Father's ill attention to turn towards him.
"I did not steal this apple. It came to me on it's own free will." He smiled.
"Oh, Thomas, give her back the apple." Samantha called, tiring of this game. She'd rather have Thomas talking to her than her cousin.
Thomas sighed, appearing to be annoyed, then threw the apple and watched as Rebecca caught it.
"I'll be seeing you again." He said in a low tone so only Rebecca could hear.
"Samantha, we must go." Rebecca called to her cousin.
"I will be along shortly. Tell my mother I am visiting friends."
Gladly, Rebecca left the town and made her journey back to the Thorpes'. She entered the house and placed the basket of fruit on the kitchen table then went to the sick room. Mariah was sitting on a chair besides the bed, stitching some clothes.
"I am back." Rebecca entered the room.
"And were is Samantha?" Mariah asked.
"Still in town. She bade me to tell you she is visiting friends."
"Very well, you may return home."
Before Rebecca left the room she noticed that Mrs. Thorpe's breathing was irregular and her face was extremely pale. She looked like her mother just before she died. Wishing to flee the gruesome scene before her, she quickly exited the house and ran the rest of the way home.
~*~*~
Mrs. Thorpe's death was announced that night. It seemed no matter what any one did, her health steadily left her and she gave up this world, leaving a grieving family behind. It was said that the children would be sent to relatives and Mr. Thorpe would seek employment in Boston.
Rebecca had been hit hard by this news for it reminded her so much of her parents' death. It came so suddenly, without warning, and killed instantly. She grew silent and never spoke unless the circumstance called for it. No one seemed to notice, or care that the frail girl would never talk…all except Edward, but no matter what he tried to do to get his cousin to speak, he failed.
The day of the funereal Rebecca went to the back of the house to return some washed clothing to her Aunt but before she knocked on the partway closed door she heard the sound of two voices talking sternly within.
"You must do it Jeremy." Mariah was demanding.
"Mariah, the man just lost his wife and is slowly losing his children to relatives. Let him mourn."
"If you do not act someone else will and all will be lost."
"Mariah, how dare you think of something like that at such a time."
"Do it, Jeremy, or you will regret it."
There was a pause and then the voices continued but in lower tones. Rebecca pressed her ear closer to the door trying to catch what was being said, but she could only hear mumbling.
"Fine." Jeremy sighed, and his footsteps were heard coming towards the door.
Rebecca quickly stepped away, and just in time. The door swung open and her Uncle stood there for a second, startled to see her there. He then walked off and out of the house. Rebecca entered the room and began putting the clothing away. She watched her Aunt out of the corner of her eye and saw that while she was sitting, mending a stocking, she had a smile upon her face.
The funereal was attended by most of the town with the Reverend Brown presiding. The mourners listened to the service then watched as their departed sister was lowered into the earth. The crowd dispersed after giving a few words of condolence to the widower. Rebecca watched his face throughout the whole service. It was twisted in anger and sadness. She wanted to share his pain, because she had been there. She began to walk up to him but she found that she couldn't speak. She placed her hand on his and looked up into his tearing eyes. He looked down at her and saw the pain in her eyes and knew that they were akin.
"Rebecca, dear, run along, I need to conduct some business." Uncle Jeremy said, shoving Rebecca away. As she walked towards the road she heard her Uncle's words die on the wind.
"I'm glad to take your land off your hands so you can move as soon as possible…"
Rebecca was angry at the world. How could good people like her parents and Mrs. Thorpe just die, leaving greedy people like her Aunt and Uncle to live and feed off the weak and mourning? It didn't make sense, at least not to her. She couldn't return home, not now. She would see her Aunt and eventually the rest, and all she wanted to do was be alone. She detoured from the road and began running into the woods, not caring where she was going.
The sun was high in the sky and after running for a few minutes Rebecca began to feel the perspiration gather at her hairline. She wiped at her forehead and at the branches of the trees that reached down to her. It suddenly hit her that she was headed in the direction of the lake and felt relieved that she could take refreshment from the cool waters. She could now see the crystal clear water through the trees and walked eagerly to the shore but stopped when she was clear of the forest. There was someone sitting inside a small boat that was resting on the shore sands. Rebecca turned to leave but the person called to her.
"Rebecca?" The voice fell on her ears and she knew whom it was. Thomas Roberts.
Rebecca stood still not sure if she should turn around and face him or just walk away. As she was making up her mind Thomas left the boat and came up behind her.
"I'm sorry about the other day…truly."
The tears that were threatening in Rebecca's eyes finally let lose and trickled down her face. Her shoulders began to heave from the heaviness that she was carrying and the crying, as if she were trying to lighten the load through her tears. Everything bad that happened to her seemed to build upon one another until these kind words broke the dam holding back the water.
"I—I didn't mean to make you cry." Thomas's words only caused her to scream in pain and she fell to the earth, unable to hold herself up. "Here, let me take you to the boat…I have some food and water."
Rebecca felt herself being picked up and she was in Thomas's arms, being carried towards the lake. She felt so helpless and vulnerable. She wanted to be let down but couldn't find the words, they evaded her. She felt the wood beneath her as she was gently let down into the boat and was startled when Thomas pushed the boat off shore. Her tears stopped and she grabbed on to either side of the boat to keep herself steady. Thomas jumped in and began to row towards the middle of the lake. Silently Rebecca took inventory of the boat; cloth covered basket, jug of water, fishing pole and a can of bait. Thomas looked up and noticed the panicked look in Rebecca's eyes.
"Fishing always calms me." He explained. "I thought that you'd like it."
Rebecca couldn't help but smile up at the boy who offered such kindness, and he smiled in return. He then began to row more vigorously, as if he'd been asked to hurry. Once they were nestled in the middle of the lake Thomas brought the ores into the boat and clasped his hands together.
"Well, I have brought some tasty morsels to tempt my fair guest." Thomas grabbed the basket and uncovered it revealing some freshly baked bread, sweet cakes and an apple. He offered Rebecca a piece of cake and started nibbling on some himself. "Well, aren't you going to thank me?"
Rebecca opened her mouth to speak but choked on her words.
"Ah, I remember Samantha saying something about you refusing to speak." Rebecca looked down into her lap. "Come on, no one's around. You could just say 'thanks.' Fine then, I guess I'll have to make you speak."
Rebecca looked up with an air of defiance, but wasn't prepared for what he'd do next. Thomas began to rock the boat causing waves of water to splash and hit t hem. Rebecca grabbed the sides of the boat again and with beating heart tried to hold on tight. Thomas rocked harder and water began to pore into the boat. Rebecca knew that if too much water got in the boat would sink, and seeing as she couldn't swim, she'd drown.
"Thomas Roberts, stop that this instant!" She yelled.
"What was that? I couldn't hear you." Thomas screamed, continuing to rock.
"If you don't stop you'll drown us both!"
"I'm still waiting for a thank you."
Rebecca studied the face before her. His smile looked so much more attractive than his sneer and his eyes were bright with joy, his cheeks flushed. Without thinking Rebecca pulled back her fist, while keeping the other pinned tightly over the side of the boat, and let it fly lose towards his head. Her fist came into contact with his jaw, and pain shot throughout her hand. She cradled the injured limb, not even aware that the boat had ceased rocking.
"What did you do that for?" He demanded.
Rebecca looked up and saw Thomas's hands covering his jaw. She began to laugh in spite of herself, forgetting her own pain.
"I'm sorry," She said, calming herself. "I don't know what came over me. Here, lower your hands and let me see."
She reached her hands towards him but he pushed her away. "No, you'll do more harm than good." He pouted.
"Just let me see."
"No, it hurts so."
"Thomas Roberts, let me see or—" Rebecca stood up to make herself more imposing, but the instant she stepped forward she lost her footing and fell sideways, headlong into the water. The cold water hit her hard, instantly soaking her to the bone. She splashed and splashed, trying to stay above the surface, but her skirts were weighing her down. She went under and saw the light from the sun play upon the surface. She was sinking fast. She tried to crawl her way upwards through the water, but it was no use, she was going to drown. She closed her eyes and prayed that she'd be taken quickly and returned to her parents, but something grabbed hold of her hand. She opened her eyes and saw Thomas dragged her upwards. She broke surface and took in life giving air that caused her lungs to stop flaring from lack of oxygen.
"Grab hold of the boat!" Thomas ordered, and Rebecca obeyed.
Rebecca held on, shivering from the cold while Thomas steadied the boat and began to pull her into it. After a few minutes of struggling Rebecca sat opposite of Thomas, shivering fiercely, her lips turning purple.
"Wring out your skirts…here, take my jacket!" Thomas wrenched his jacket off of himself and wrapped it tenderly around Rebecca's shoulders.
She wrung out her skirts as he told her, glancing up occasionally to see the set determination on his face as he rowed towards shore. Rebecca began to convulse from the cold.
"Come here and sit in front of me. You need to get warm and until we can reach shore I'll share my warmth."
Rebecca crawled on her hands and knees towards him and sat, her back against his chest. She could feel his warmth instantly begin to run through her body, and also his muscles as they worked hard to get them to safety. She stopped convulsing, but her shivering remained. Once they were on shore Thomas wrapped one of her arms around his shoulders and he lead her towards the woods. He let her sit against a tree while he gathered firewood and in no time he had a small blaze going. Rebecca held her hands out towards the flames, willing them to seep into her body. She was so absorbed with trying to attain warmth that she didn't feel the steady gaze upon her.
"I will return." Thomas said, then left. He returned shortly with the basket of food in his hands. He handed Rebecca some bread and she ate it hungrily. He took a knife out of his pocket and cut up the apple and split it between them.
"Thank you." Rebecca said, before biting into the apple.
"So is that what it takes to get you to say thank you?" Thomas laughed. "It is dangerous business getting Rebecca to utter thanks one deserves."
Rebecca smiled, and the two ate while beginning their friendship under the canopy of trees.
~*~*~
"Can I see you again?"
"I do not think so."
"Please,"
"What would your parents say?"
"They wouldn't have to know. Nor your Aunt or Uncle or, heaven forbid, Samantha."
"She likes you,"
"I don't like her."
Rebecca let their conversation play over and over again in her head. He had escorted her home but before allowing her to enter he forced a positive response out of her and they agreed to meet by the lake the next day. She was now in her room, letting down her hair and donning her nightdress. As she dreamed of the previous day she little knew that forces out of her command would threaten her existence.
~*~*~
"There's been another death." An old woman whispered to her two companions as they sat outside, shelling peas.
"That makes three this week!" One of the other women exclaimed.
"Yes," The first continued. "All young people, once healthy and in the middle stages of life. Their death is not natural, mark my words…'tis something dark."
The rumors spread among the old gossips and took no notice of the men. People died…even if they were young. Nothing to worry about.
Rebecca eyed these three women as she passed them and they eyed her in turn. She laid her attention on the road in front of her and to the task she was to complete. Aunt Maria sent Rebecca to town to fetch Samantha, who of late was seen less and less in the house. Rebecca didn't mind, though. She was happy as she was. Her visits with Thomas were eagerly anticipated each day. Sometimes while Rebecca would be in town doing an errand she'd catch his eye, he'd smile and nod his head towards the direction of the lake. She'd nod her head also and in a half hours time they would both be sitting in the boat, talking and laughing about their first outing together. But Aunt Mariah made it clear she wanted Samantha found and brought home immediately.
The town was filled with people as usual, but there was an odd absence of young girls. Rebecca searched for any of Samantha's friends but came up empty handed. She resolved to ask a woman she saw talking with Samantha one time.
"I do not know what these young girls are doing, but they all head in the direction of the burned down shack near the cove. Try your searching there."
"Thank you, I will." Rebecca quickly walked away, not having noticed Thomas heard all.
Rebecca hastened her step and passed through the forest towards the old shack. Once she neared it she heard the soft giggling of girls. They were all in a circle, not far from the shack, all intent upon one object in the center. Rebecca searched the faces and found Samantha.
"Samantha," She announced her arrival, the girls looked up curiously.
"What is it?" She seemed annoyed.
"Your mother wishes your return at once. She sent me to fetch you."
"Why don't you join us?" One of the girls asked playfully.
"Yes, we are telling each others fortunes!"
Rebecca eyed them curiously, then looked at the object they all were gazing at. It was a glass of water with something solid floating in the middle. She couldn't make out what it was and before she could investigate further Samantha spoke up.
"Tell my mother I'll be along. My turn is next!"
"Yes, for Hattie's fortune is miserable indeed. Your cat will die in the next week and you will receive an injury." An older girl announced, flicking the cup with her finger, causing the solid object to become irritated in the water.
Hattie, a small girl, began to cry into her apron. Rebecca did not wish to stay and left the group. Her feet cracked the twigs under her feet and she liked this sound mingling with the wind and bird songs. Rebecca was so intent on listening to a sweet little tune she had not noticed she was not alone. Strong hands circled them about her waist and lifted her into the air. Rebecca kicked out in protest and began to scream!
"Hush, or we'll be found out!" The person dropped her and she turned to see Thomas.
"Thomas, how dare you!" She exclaimed, catching her breath.
"Oh, I would dare a lot more." He smiled and brought his hand up to her face. He leaned in closer and kissed her, then retreated. Rebecca's eyes were closed, her lips slightly opened. "Did I do wrong?"
Rebecca's eyes fluttered open and her face blushed red. "Yes, you did." She then began to walk back.
"Where are you going?" He asked.
"Home, my Aunt needs me."
"Can't you stay a little while?"
"No, I cannot."
Before Thomas could protest further a gasp coming from behind them stopped their conversation. They both turned to see Samantha who had stumbled upon them.
"What are you two doing here?" She asked, startled and angry.
"Thomas has just been asking me where you were." Rebecca said, her look telling Thomas to comply.
"Really?" Samantha asked, all smiles.
Thomas nodded his head.
"Well then, Thomas, I'll reward you with my hand. Come, you must walk me home…the woods are awful scary these days."
Samantha took his arm in her hand and began walking, not noticing the stifled laughing behind her. Thomas turned his head and glared playfully at Rebecca. He returned them both home safely, begging to call on them some other day, then left. Samantha went into a fit of happiness as she entered the house, never wondering why Rebecca went directly to her room, laughing hysterically.
~*~*~
Hattie Medford went into awful hysterics of crying and thrashing about, her father and mother didn't know what to do. The physician they called in was as perplexed as they were. She did not suffer from illness, yet she would not stop. A word was uttered, causing many to shun away in disgust. Witch.
After consulting the Reverend he prayed over her, yet nothing helped. The conclusion; a witch was in their midst, taking control over little Hattie. That instant the hunt was on to save the poor little girl.
"I'd like to see the old witch." Edward said at the supper table one evening.
Everyone looked up, startled, as if he expressed his wish to dine and stay with the evil one himself.
"What?" He asked, innocently.
"Do not say such things." Mariah scolded.
"But I—"
"Go to your room, young sir, and read your Bible."
Edward left in a huff. Everyone felt the tension of the next couple of weeks. Hattie was pressured to name her afflicter. She started with one of the slaves that had taught them to tell their fortunes. The woman was taken, imprisoned, and questioned. She admitted to teaching fortune telling, and to being a witch. Most thought that would be the end to their troubles, but it was not. Two more names came forth from Hattie's mouth, both women who were bitter against the town. One never went to church, the other a terrible old gossip. They too were imprisoned, but they denied any affiliation.
That was not all. Fear spread through the town. How well did they know each other? One by one, young girls of the town took fits and they too were asked who had put them under such a spell. They named names of people they heard bantered around in angry conversation, all of them taken to prison, all of them denying any charges. Mrs. Crowe accused Miss Snow of bewitching her chickens into dying. Mr. Heate accused Mrs. Duncan of killing his calf and cursing his land. Mrs. Duncan was taken into custody. Mr. Duncan, in defending his wife's honor, won himself a room in prison as well.
Neighbor turned against neighbor, some fled before the blame was put on them, others hid themselves in their homes refusing to make themselves available for accusation. The Reverend and the Magistrate questioned each person, never getting a confession. They were searched, from head to foot, as were their houses. Some odd item would be exaggerated into a "tool of the devil" and be used against them. A small sack of herbs, a weird piece of jewelry, most anything and everything.
Rebecca sat by the lake, wondering what madness had encountered the town. They were believing the false tales of scared children. She couldn't understand why upstanding citizens were being thrown in prison, accused of witchcraft, and threatened with hanging if they did not confess.
"You look worried." Thomas said, closing her hand in his.
"In truth, I am scared." Rebecca looked into his cool gray eyes. "Is no one safe from these flying accusations?"
"Do not worry, a man from England just arrived who can question them more thoroughly than we can. He asked to use torture, but Father refused. Those who are innocent well be set free."
"And what if those who are innocent are being railed against? Everyone knows that Mr. Heate dislikes the Duncans because their land is more fertile than his own. He does not farm properly, so he blames his misfortune on the success of others. No one is safe from such madness."
"Please, do not talk so," Thomas nestled his face into Rebecca's head. "I came to forget, hoping you would give me cause to laugh."
"I am sorry, dear Thomas." Rebecca said, kissing his forehead, then his lips.
"What is going on here?" A voice startled them. It was Samantha.
Rebecca and Thomas looked at Samantha, then at each other and back to Samantha. Her face was livid and her hands were upon her hips.
"Thomas, what are you doing with her?" She pointed towards Rebecca as if she were filth.
"Samantha, please…"
Samantha stomped her foot, then walked away, screaming at herself.
"I must go." Rebecca said, giving Thomas a farewell kiss, then returned home.
She was surprised to see Samantha had not arrived yet. Her room was empty, and Mariah did not know where she had gone. Rebecca put her apron on and began fixing the dinner meal while coming up with an excuse to some how explain to Samantha that they had been secretly seeing each other and…and what? Was there anything else? They never exchanged the vows of lovers, nor acted as friends. As Rebecca was trying to type their relationship, a sharp rap at the door startled her. She wiped her hands and answered it, surprised to see the Magistrate.
"Oh, no." Rebecca thought. Samantha went to tell him his son's been spending time with me. "Hello, sir," Rebecca took a step back allowing him to enter.
"Are you Rebecca Smith?" He asked, eyeing her suspiciously.
"Yes, sir." Rebecca waited for him to deny her the privilege of seeing his son.
"Who is it?" Uncle Jeremy came into the room, followed by Aunt Mariah. "Hello, Magistrate." He held out his hand and they shook.
"I came to speak with Rebecca." He explained. "It's sad to see this thing take a girl at such a tender age, but wherever the evil one finds a vesil…"
"What are you saying?" Aunt Mariah demanded.
"Your daughter has been accused of witch craft."
"By whom?" Uncle Jeremy asked.
"By your daughter, Samantha."
Rebecca's eyes shot open wide and whatever happened next she knew not. It was a blur and she awoke from the shock to find herself sitting in a jail sail, accompanied by three other women. Her head hung on her shoulders, and she was confused. She knew she was not guilty, so how could any one else think so? Especially Samantha, whom she knew.
"I wonder who could hate such a pore creature." An old woman asked, referring to Rebecca. "What malice could she have done to deserve an enemy?"
"It doesn't matter what we've done." A voice, more bitter, responded. "As long as someone out there wants what we have, they'll see us to our graves until they can claim them as their own."
"Hush, you're upsetting her." The third woman said, then put her arms around Rebecca and began to whisper soothing words.
"Rebecca Smith." The jingling of the metal keys disturbed her. Looking up she saw a tall bearded man open the cell and motion for her to follow.
She was escorted down the dank hallway and through a thick wooden door. The room was dark and only lit by a few candles on a table in the center. There were three men inside, the Reverend, the Magistrate, and a man whom Rebecca had never seen before.
"Rebecca, this is Mr. Holsted. He's come from England to help us with our crisis. We are going to do an examination and collect facts before we go to trial." The Magistrate said.
Rebecca's head whirled with the information; examination, trial? She was just a girl! She had done no harm to anyone in her life! So deep in thought was she that she had not noticed Mr. Holsted begin to take off her dress.
"Keep your hands!" Rebecca shouted, removing them from her clothing.
Mr. Holsted looked at the Magistrate and Reverend with an air of annoyance.
"Rebecca, this man does God's work, and he needs to examine your body for signs that the evil one has marked you." The Reverend explained.
"I am a good Christian girl and I will not have this done to me!" Rebecca took a few steps away from the men.
"In England we're accustomed to blind obedience from our women and punish otherwise." Mr. Holsted stated.
"That may be true, but we are not in England." The Reverend said. "Rebecca, as soon as his search is over, you can return to your cell. God will look kindly on you if you would do as we ask."
Rebecca looked at the faces of all three men. The Reverend had a sympathetic look on his face, and Rebecca felt like she could trust him. But the Magistrate feigned sympathy, but under his mask she caught the hint that he felt he was being roped into this whole business. Mr. Holsted's face was by far the worst. His nose was pointy and his eyes were always moving, looking at every part of you. He seemed to enjoy this a little too much.
"That's a good girl." The Reverend said as Rebecca began to pull her dress down, letting it fall to her ankles.
Never had she cried or felt more ashamed in her life. As Mr. Holsted poked and prodded and felt and rubbed, Rebecca cried tears of anger and shame. The air was stuffy, and wasn't as cold as the rest of the prison, but Rebecca still felt chilled. She tightened her eyes and forced them to remain closed through this whole ordeal while the tears leaked out and streamed down her face and landed on the floor. She repeated every prayer she could remember under her breath, praying God would save her from this terrible ordeal.
"Ah, ha, here it is!" Mr. Holsted cried.
Rebecca opened her eyes and looked down. Mr. Holsted was crouched down in front of her, his intention on one of her feet. His finger rubbed a spot on her ankle and demanded a candle be brought at once. The light illuminated the lower half of her body and the Reverend and the Magistrate bent closer to see as well.
"She is marked and there is your proof." Mr. Holsted rose triumphantly, taunting Rebecca with his victory.
Rebecca knelt down to see what had caused such a turn of events and noticed the small arrow like birthmark. She rubbed her finger over the flesh and thought she heard someone cry, "no, no, no!" She looked up to see the source of the voice and saw an apparition floating above the three gentlemen; a young girl with red hair, staring back at her. The vision vanished, but the men took no notice.
"It is not an evil mark. I was born with it." Rebecca pulled her clothes on.
"We would like to question you now, Rebecca." The Magistrate said.
She nodded her head and was let to sit in a small chair. She was questioned over and over again about why she would put a spell on her cousin, but she would deny the accusation every time it was thrown at her. She was questioned her about her past, before she arrived in their small village. They did not like the fact that her parents died, both at young ages. This piece of information counted against her. More questions were asked, all of which Rebecca did not know how to answer them so that they would leave her alone. Finally she was escorted back to her cell where she sank onto the floor and wept herself to sleep.
~*~*~
"Rebecca. Rebecca." A soft whisper coming from the window wakened her.
Rebecca sat up, as if she wasn't sure she heard right or if she dreamed it. The voice echoed her name again and she sprang towards the window and met Thomas.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, afraid that they would be caught.
"I heard just now that you were accused. I know you're innocent, Rebecca. What have they done to you to make you confess?"
The tears sprang forth again, "I do not wish to speak about it."
"I'll kill my father." Thomas grated his teeth.
"Thomas, please, if God sees fit, I will be set free. I trust in His hands now, for man's has forsaken me."
"I will never forsake thee." Thomas cried out.
"Shh, Thomas, I hear someone coming. Please, go!" Rebecca was about to leave the window but Thomas grabbed a hold of her hand.
"Wear this as a talisman against evil. I love you, Rebecca, and seek to make you mine forever." Thomas closed her hands around an object, then left in the darkness.
Rebecca quickly got into the small cot provided her just in time for the guard was making his nightly rounds. As soon as the guard left Rebecca sat up and examined what was in her hand. A golden ring that had ivy etched on its surface glittered in the moonlight. Rebecca placed it on her finger, then cried. She knew she loved Thomas, and Thomas loved her.
~*~*~
The trial finally came for her, as well as the other three ladies she shared her cell with. So far eleven people had been hanged, accused of using witchcraft to control the people of that town. One man had stood up and demanded that all testimonies of the girls be left out of the trials, for their words were contradicting. The Judge agreed, and the next eleven people put on trial were set free. Hope filled those in the prison, for now God had shone his mercy and was extending His hand to them. The four women went onto the stand, one at a time, and the three were both found innocent, and pardoned. Rebecca smiled as she took her seat, feeling that justice was on her side.
The trial went smoothly, Rebecca answering calmly to all questions put to her. One point in time she scanned those in the audience and spotted Thomas, eagerly awaiting the verdict of the judge. She also noticed her Aunt and Uncle, along with Samantha and Edward. Edward looked worried, not exactly sure what was going on but knowing that his cousin was in danger. Samantha glared at Rebecca.
"You have denied any dealings with the evil one." The man questioning her stated.
"Yes." Rebecca answered.
"Then why do you, above any one else, profit from the deaths of three who died?" Rebecca looked confused, but the man continued. "All three deaths permitted your family to gain their land at considerable low prices. After each death your family has prospered. Then you are accused of witchcraft! These are no coincidences! Even the evil scar on your ankle declares that you will be sent down to the fiery pits of hell for the work you do!"
There was disorder in the court and Rebecca felt that circumstances had changed for the worse. She could not answer the man for she knew nothing about it. He declared her silence her guilt and demanded she pay for what she has done with her own life.
"No!" She cried. "I have done no harm! I am innocent!"
"You cannot save yourself now!"
"Stop!" Someone from the audience yelled, causing everyone's stare to fall on him. Thomas continued, "This girl is innocent of all accusations. She is no witch. It is said that when placed in water, witches will float and the innocent will drown. Well, she nearly drowned three weeks ago. It was I who saved her from a watery grave…although she would be resting at peace by now, instead of being abused by you."
"Thomas, quiet yourself." The Magistrate ordered.
"No, Father, I will not! I love her and she is innocent!"
"The girl has bewitched Thomas." Someone cried.
"If this isn't proof, then I do not know what will satisfy the judge." The man questioning her cried.
That scene flashed before Rebecca's eyes as she stood on the wooden platform. It seemed everyone was against her for some reason and their hatred was so strong she could not counter it.
She could feel the itchy cord around her neck tighten.
She had come to understand all that had happened. All the events that led up to this moment. Her parents death sent her far away to her Aunt, who received the money that was left for her. Her Aunt cared for each of the dead people just before they passed. Uncle Jeremy was commanded by Aunt Mariah to purchase the land before anyone else, knowing they would come cheap. Aunt Mariah's daughter was thwarted in love, and most likely sought revenge. And now this woman had the nerve to stand in the crowd, feigning tears and sorrow, when it was she who caused this madness.
"I am innocent of every accusation and God will see me safely into his Kingdom and punish those who have conspired against me." Rebecca declared, eyeing her Aunt especially.
The signal was given and she dropped.