Witch Trials
Disclaimer: How many times do I need to write this?
Character Death. But bare with me, I know what I'm doing… crying…
Chapter Six – Secrets Unfolded
Kori's eyes remained open and the truth was all there. She died very quickly and didn't put up much of a fight. No screaming, no escaping. She stood on the stake almost… beautiful, well compared to how all of the others went down. Richard sighed.
"If she was really a witch, then why does she not escape. Surely she would be capable."
The vicar shook his head, "No, my son. She did not fight because she wanted to die. She knows of the evil she holds and like all other witches, when the secrets get out, she cannot bare to live."
"But if she is… was truly evil… why would she care?"
"Because she has grown attached to the mortals around her. She may be a witch but she is just human."
Raven collapsed on her knees and cried below the body of her dear friend. She was too late. Death has claimed another innocent. Kori was no more. The fire grew to shoulder height and as it singed the bottom of the hair, free sparks shot up and the individual hairs disappeared. The face and whole body in general was not a pretty sight.
On the way home, the teenagers were silent. Richard still did not believe that the method they used in proving witches was right. Raven was staring at the ground and not really noticing it. She was thinking about Kori. Who wasn't? Garfield was thinking about all of the good times they had together and he was smiling. Victor was thinking about all of the good times they will never have and frowning.
Richard's thoughts were playing twenty questions.
She was your friend. Why did you let her die?
She was a witch.
She was your friend. What proof was there of witchcraft.
She was no longer my friend, she deserved what she got!
Did she?
The fire… an-and the explosion… The books-
The books. There were books. Without another thought he dashed towards the bridge leading to the island. The others did not even say anything.
He ran up to the witch burning site and skidded onto the floor by the books. The light was dimmer than it was before, the fire that claimed Kori was almost out. But Richard did not want to see her carcass. He flipped through the first book. Summoning portals… waking the sleeping… transporting ingredients across country… suicide charms? All clearly spells. She was a witch and Richard could sleep easily tonight knowing he did right.
That night everyone had an uneasy sleep. Raven thrust her blankets to and fro. This was the worst night she could remember. She could not sleep so she decided to get a drink of water. She opened her eyes and got out of bed only to jump back in and pull the sheets up to her eyes. There in from of her, hovering a foot off the floor was Kori. Kori the ghost. She looked so solemn, her Sunday dress on, her hands together in front of her. She looked sad, staring at the ground.
Raven felt uneasy, she was glad she had a chance to apologise but seeing her friend like this was scary for her. "Kori, I'm so sorry for what happened, it's all my fault. If it wasn't for me, they wouldn't think there was a witch-" Kori stopped her.
"Do not fear, friend. I do not blame you. I know of your secret. Do not call yourself a witch, you know of empathy and telepathy, think of them as gifts."
"I do know empathy but why could I never sense what you were feeling."
"It does not matter, listen to me. You must tell your friends. And not your enemies," with that Kori disappeared into a grey puff of smoke.
Well it is kind of obvious not to tell my enemies. What did she mean by that? Raven settled her thoughts and decided what she must do. She fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, Raven remembered the vision she saw the previous night. After dressing and brushing her hair, she went downstairs to find Garfield and Victor standing in the living room, looking at her. Gar spoke quietly, "Rae, just the girl I wanted to see. Come with me, you two. I need to talk to you." He walked outside and into the cow stable where once was a cow but now was in the stomach of the vicar and his witch hunting team.
"Where's Richard?" asked Victor.
"He shouldn't know what I'm about to say," answered Garfield. Raven was suspicious, what was going on? Did he know my secret?
"I need to tell you something, and you need to promise not to tell anyone else. The information I am about to disclose is top secret. Do you promise?"
Raven and Vic nodded. "Ok, watch this," Garfield stepped back and then put on a concentrating face. Vic and Raven were not expecting what they saw next. Garfield turned into a … pig? Cow? Cat? Human. "I'm a sort of… wizard. I can turn into any animal I've seen."
Raven and Victor were amazed. "Listen, I need to tell you something too." Raven knew she had to say it, "I am a witch."
Everyone's eyes widened. What were the chances? Two witches under one roof. Victor looked disbelieving. Raven closed her eyes. "Garfield, I know you think I'm hot when I get angry but it's never gonna happen so get over it. Victor you can stop drooling over Karen, she's taken. I believe she's engaged to a … Mr. Turner." If Raven thought that that would put the guy's disbelieving faces to rest, she was wrong. They looked even more disbelieving than before. She had just read their minds right at the back behind the beads on strings that say 'No one over 18'.
"I feel so… violated," complained Victor. "Does she think he's better than me?" he asked Raven.
"I don't know."
"What else can you do?" asked a very curious Garfield.
"Flying, telepathy and empathy." She answered.
"Wait, did Kori come to you last night?" he asked.
"She came to you too?" Raven was surprised.
"You know, it's strange. Two witches under one roof and the vicar goes for the least likeliest, most innocent girl," said Victor.
"But she did have those spell books," replied Garfield.
"Um, they're mine." Raven's eyes gleamed with unformed tears.
"Oh man, this stinks," Victor was right, they were standing in a deceased cow's manure.
"Rae… you're a witch," Gar began.
"Yes," said Raven sarcastically nodding her head slowly.
"And you can do spells."
"Like most witches, yes," how dim-witted did Gar need to be to not understand this simple concept?
"And there are spells that involve the dead. Right?"
The world stopped. Everyone looked around at each other. Wake the living dead? Really, if the people of the village think that the whole female population is made up of witches then wouldn't they think that burning them would just make the others angry? …and bring the dead ones back to life?