I'm taking a break from writing my college admissions essay proving that Oedipus was a tragic hero. Ugh.
Disclaimer: Me No Own
Nobody ever spoke of the death of Hester Prynne, at least not when Pearl was around. The only people who knew of the circumstances of Hester's death were those who were in her jail cell that night, and none of them would speak of it. Rumors ran rampant for several months, of demons possessing her, of a violent suicide, and dealings with the Dark Prince. There were even reports of Hester's ghost wandering around town. Many claimed it just to be the wild tales of drunkards, but they swore it was the truth. They claimed to see a woman, covered in blood and wearing a Scarlet Letter upon her bosom, standing upon the scaffold in the town square late at night, her face hidden but eyes shining brightly, staring out into the town square. Eventually all quieted down, but it was still a favorite topic to discuss when there was little gossip.
Many years passed. Pearl grew into a wild child, to say the least. Some of the villagers blamed her unruly behavior on her lack of a mother. Others claimed that she was meant to be a punishment for her mother's sin. Whatever the reason was, it didn't help that Roger Chillingworth spoiled her. Not out of love, but merely because it was more convenient than actually giving her attention. The only caring thing he ever did for her was shield her from her mother's past and what had really happened to her. As her father was aloof and generally uncaring, Pearl ran about the town and did whatever brought her pleasure, including getting in fights with the other children. She gained quite a reputation for herself that prevented her from becoming close with any one. It remained this way all the way through her young adulthood.
Pearl was now sixteen. She was on her daily excursion through the town when she arrived at the town square. Although Pearl did not socialize, she often participated in the public shamings. Today was no exception. A young mother with a Scarlet Letter upon her bosom was upon the scaffold clutching her baby. Pearl joined the crowd near the front jeering the disgraced woman. There was one person not heckling the woman. This caught Pearl's attention. A strange force took over her and compelled her to move towards the man. Before she could register in her mind what she was doing, she started up a conversation with the man.
"Why are you not joining in old man?" The aged jailer responded without taking his eyes away from the humiliated young woman.
"I've been to enough of these in my life young missy. They get old when you have to deal with them so often."
"Why think about it? They have sinned, and they deserved to be punished."
"What of the little babe up there in its mother's arms? Does it deserve to be up there?"
"It is a product of sin, so why not? If you didn't deserve to be up there God would keep you from going g up there."
"And did you deserve to be up there when you were born?" Pearl looked at him in confusion.
"What are you talking about?"
"Dr. Chillingworth never told you, did he?"
"Tell me what?"
"The truth about your mother, Hester."
"He told me. How she died from the pox, shortly after the crossing from London. He said that she was a widower, and he took me in as his own." The jailer chuckled darkly.
"Chillingworth was always a good liar."
"I don't believe you."
"Believe what you want missy, I was there, and I know what happened that night she died. Why don't you go and ask the Doctor? "
"I will, just to prove that you are nothing but a liar," Pearl said with a hint of doubt.
"If he tells you the same story, you pay a visit to the minister. He's a good man. He'll tell you what happened. If he doesn't, well then you come see me again."
It was nearly sunset. The jailer spoke.
"Her time is over. Maybe she learned a lesson, maybe she didn't. That's up to God to decide. Not us." With that he went up on the scaffold and brought the woman down and led her into the jailhouse.
The crowd began to disperse. Pearl stood there for a long time. Could the man that raised her truly be lying to her about her past? If he was, Pearl was going to find out, no matter what the cost. As Pearl finally turned to leave, she saw something out of the corner of her eye that made her turn around quickly. There was nothing there. She could have sworn that she saw a woman standing upon the scaffold, wearing a scarlet dress. The wind gusted out of nowhere and a chill was sent up Pearl's back. Hugging herself tightly, she turned to go home. She threw one last glance over her shoulder and hurried home. The ghost appeared once again and gave a small smile before disappearing into the night.
OoOoOo……
