Disclaimer: 'Tis a tragedy. I still own very few things, among them is not The Witch of Blackbird Pond. I'm tearing up at the moment.

A/N: Greetings, all! I began writing this chapter when I was still in high school (wow, how long ago) as something to cheer me up. Why? Because I twisted my ankle…again. That's right. Again. That was the 7th time I twisted the same ankle. I was supporting my high school's football team at the regional semi-finals and I fell (how's that for school spirit?) and then I was in quite a bit of pain, but it got better. Yay.

Thanks to my original reviewers: Nicnak, Sapphire Sprite, Stillhopeful, Holly C.R., Bac210, VolleyballAngel05, Padfoot, MIDNIGHT-PIXIE, febgirl, ffgirlmoonie, WaterFae110, and Lark of the Poets.

Responses: Well, thank you all for participating in my poll. As you can see, my penname is the same. Sapphire Sprite, my nickname is Stelly (and I'm not a murderess. I can't even kill a spider, mostly because I'm terrified, but that's not the point.). Congrats to my two winners, Nicnak and Bac210 (Bac, I need a name or I can make some brownies and eat them in your honor – your choice. Also, good luck with your Regents. I never had 5 in a year; the most I had was 4. But I found there is a good side to them. I received a scholarship because of my Regents average). Everyone else who provided a name, I'll see if I can work them in, but no promises. Thanks to all my faithful and my new reviewers! Your reviews honestly make my day! Now onto the story. I apologize for the lack of dialogue, but this chapter was very necessary.

Chapter 14: Down Came the Rain

The rising sun stained the cornhusks pink as they swayed in the light breeze, a breeze characteristic of the late spring season. Kit sat by the window in the early morning, watching the transformation from night to day. It was still quite early; no one else was awake yet.

Kit treasured these moments. Her life had been very busy this past year. These moments just after sunrise were the only time she had to herself. Life in the Holbrook household was never dull and rarely was it quiet. Little Madelyn made sure of that. She was less than six months old, yet she screamed as though she had years of practice. She was so much trouble, but everybody loved her. She was quick to trust and loved to smile.

Yes, John and Mercy were now parents. Maddie had her mother's mesmerizing eyes and her father's high forehead. She was a beauty and a darling, but she kept her parents, especially her mother, busy. Kit helped as often as she could, but she was once again teaching dame school at the Eaton's home. Her pupils loved her and their parents respected her. She did no more playacting with stories from the Bible, but she did smile. She taught all ages with her little tricks and, will her encouragement and bits of Hannah's blueberry cupcakes, which were every bit as delicious as they had been on that first day Kit had met her, meant that her students were willing and able to learn.

All was not the same in Wethersfield either. Kit had returned on her own at the end of the previous summer for a very special occasion. Judith and William had married and now lived in the gorgeous house he had started to build years ago. Judith had made a beautiful bride and William's long face had been transformed by happiness that day. Kit's lovely cousin had never seemed as exquisite as she had that day. Kit had attended the feast and had even dance with William once. Uncle Matthew and Aunt Rachel were sad of course; there had been three girls in their home only a couple of years ago, but now they were all gone. But Judith was not moving far, giving them comfort. Neither John nor Mercy could join Kit because the pregnancy had been too far along. But Kit had been happy to go and wished the newlyweds all the luck in world. They truly seemed as if they were meant for one another.

A couple weeks later, Kit had said goodbye to her aunt and uncle. Judith and William had promised to visit within the year.

When Kit had returned, the leaves in Saybrook were beginning to change. The trees were a riot of bright colors. A few months later, it was winter once again, the only season Kit truly disliked. But, this year, there was a wonderful memory to brighten the gloomy months. Madelyn Holbrook was born. Ever since then, quiet time had been hard to find.

But she loved her life. For the most part, it was very satisfactory. The dame school was very fulfilling. There was nobody quite like Prudence, with her quiet fire, but a few girls had managed to surprise here. One of them she had seen at Meeting that first Sabbath. Nicole, a young girl of 6, had had a mischievous glint in her green eyes when the two had been introduced. This little troublemaker loved to laugh and could not sit still for more than a few moments without fidgeting. She reminded Kit of herself at that age. Her grandfather had always scolded her for not keeping quiet. Kit looked forward to teaching her every week. Another girl, Risa, had a humbled confidence about her that made her impossible to forget and just as hard to dislike. The two were so different from the Puritan children with whom Kit was acquainted. She would see them again later today. The only times Kit was really unhappy were at night. She saw Mercy and John sitting together with little Maddie beside them, brimming with happiness. They were so happy together. But Kit had no one to share secret smiles with. Even though she was quite lonely, she never complained.

But now it was time for Mercy and John to rise, as indicated by Maddie's whimpering. Kit rose and walked into the kitchen to prepare breakfast, smiling slightly to herself.

Dark clouds were converging quickly in the distance. Kit ignored them. They weren't bothering her. Actually, at the moment, nothing was bothering her. It was a strange, but very welcome, change. She continued to stare at the sky above here, which was still blue, thinking of nothing particular, sleeping with her eyes open. She was blissfully unaware of what was going on around her. She knew, deep down where she was still partly conscious, that this would all change the moment she sat up. She chose to ignore that irritating voice and instead enjoyed her peace.

A crow in the nearby forest gave a startled caw and flew from its perch. Kit sat up, startled herself, and looked wildly around. She had lost herself in her thoughts once again. Sighing, she heaved herself to her feet. The storm clouds were moving rather fast and she should probably return home.

She was not looking forward to her return. Judith and William had come to visit, which was nice, but their happiness was slightly depressing for Kit. It was obvious the two were deeply in love and Kit, still in love herself, was unhappy. She had no one to share that feeling with.

After standing, Kit looked around. She found her bonnet on the ground among the broken husks. She bent down to pick it up and held it in her hand, not in the mood to put in back on over her hair. Kit often came to the cornfields to think or escape. Sometimes she visited the forest, when she felt the swaying crops were much too calm. Today, however, she felt the darkness of the green trees was too oppressive for her. The cornfields were more open and reminded her of the Meadows in Wethersfield.

Kit began to walk back home. She was lost in her thoughts about Wethersfield and her memories there (Prudence, the trial, Hannah, Nat in the stocks, the sickness) that she did not even see the people who were going about their business at the same time. The strange looks they threw at her, she missed those completely. She did not notice the half-smiles most of them wore as they looked at her. Most of Saybrook's residents liked her and did not want to say anything about the pieces of dry hay and husky that were entangled in her hair. If she were heading home, there was no need to embarrass her, though it may have been best if she were to put on that bonnet she was clutching so fiercely.

By the time Kit reached the Holbrook household, the entire town of Saybrook was enshrouded in darkness. Looking at the sky, she could see lightning sear through the seeming night. A few seconds later, a roll of thunder caused Maddie to start wailing, something Kit heard while still outside.

Opening the door, she was greeted with a surprise. Illuminated by the light lent by a dozen candles around the company room, her family was sitting across from one another at the table. There was no surprise in that. The two sisters had spent hours talking and exchanging news, while William recounted the latest information about the two eldest members of the Wood household to John, who was eager to hear of the couple who had done so much for him and his wife. No, the surprise lay in the two figures playing a large part in a very heated conversation. Anne and Mistress Eaton sat between Mercy, who was tending to a still bawling baby, and John, who was watching in amusement as Anne shook a finger in William's stunned face.

"Now, young sir," reprimanded the elderly woman, "you ought to know this. 'Twas King James who was interested in magic and King John who signed the Magna Carta in 1215. Were you never taught history?"

William, still shocked, looked around at the people surrounding him, all were smiling slightly. "I s-suppose not, madam." He caught Kit's twinkling eye as she entered the room. "Kit," he called out desperately, "did you know that King John signed the Magna Carta?"

"Of course," she answered loftily, sweeping by the table to stand next to him. "But then again, my dear cousin, I am a teacher."

"My dear, you would know that even if you had grown up on an island filled with heathens and rarely observed the holy day," stated Anne, throwing Kit a small wink.

Kit laughed. "'Tis true enough. Grandfather always wanted me to know as much about the world as possible. He used to say if I knew how far we have come, I would realize how far we have yet to go."

Anne nodded solemnly. "Wise man, your grandfather," she approved. "I have the same belief. I will take it upon myself to teach him –" she sent a glare at William who still appeared to be dazed "– all I know of important English history. I daresay Hannah and I will be able to knock some sense into his thick head."

The family chuckled. Kit looked around, noticing something for the first time. "Where's Hannah?"

"She's at home right now. When we left, she did not want to join us," explained Mistress Eaton, speaking for the first time since Kit had entered the room.

Just then, a crash of thunder resounded through the tiny room. Maddie screamed. Everybody else was startled at the ferocity of the storm, which was clearly approaching them at an alarming rate.

"Oh, my," whispered Mistress Eaton. "I cannot leave Hannah by herself in the house. I'll just run home and stay with her until this all passes over," she added, standing up with the intention of putting on her hat.

"Wait. No, I'll go," protested Kit. "I'm already standing; I'll be quicker. If I hurry, we can both return here before the rain becomes heavy. If not, I'll stay with her."

Mistress Eaton hesitated. "Well, all right," she conceded, although Kit did not hear her as she was already out the door.

Kit began to run towards the Eaton homestead, determined to beat the rain. Despite her best intentions, three feet from the front door, the rain began to pour. It was as if the lining in the sky had ripped in two and a river in the heavens was plummeting towards the earth and her head. Thankfully, she was almost there. Attempting to hold her dress free of the mud, Kit raced to the Eaton home. She knocked once, but did not bother to await an answer. The rain had not slowed any. Entering the company room, she dripped water from her very damp dress onto the shining wood floors. In the corner, sitting in her rocking chair, illuminated by a single candle and the embers of the dying fire in the next room, was Hannah, somehow napping. Kit smiled slightly and walked over to one of her first true friends. Bending down, Kit held onto Hannah's wrinkled hand and gently shook her shoulder.

"Hannah. Hannah," she whispered. "Wake up."

Hannah blinked and looked at Kit. She regarded her with questioning eyes, obviously trying to place her. After a moment, she smiled. "Kit, what are you doing here?"

"Everybody was worried about you. There's a storm outside – I don't understand how you slept through it," said Kit with a chuckle. "I came over to bring you back with me. We don't want you to be alone." She glanced at the window behind her. "Come, I think the rain is lightening up. We ought to make it."

"She tried to stand, but Hannah tightened her hold on Kit's hand. "Kit, dear, I'm not alone. Thomas is out back trying to make sure the pond does not reach here if it begins to flood. We must wait for him."

She settled down snugly in her chair, obviously with no intention of moving anytime soon. Kit sighed tiredly. It was not a surprise to her that Hannah thought Thomas was still around. In the past few months, the old woman had forgotten reality several times. Kit was always so sad after such occurrences; it hurt her to see her friend in such a state. However, experience taught her that the only thing she could do was wait until the spell passed. Eventually, Hannah would forget the reason she was arguing. But, until then, the little woman could be surprisingly strong.

Kit sat down beside her friend after lighting more candles. She watched the rain falling outside through the dark windows. It had started to pour again. As a child, Kit had always loved storms. There was something about the ferocity, the danger, the energy of a storm that appealed to her. Especially when she was at home, tucked into her warm bed with a book, and the wind lashed the rain against he windows. It always made her feel so safe for some reason. This had yet to change.

She stayed in her seat, only attempting to coax Hannah to move when the rain let up for a few moments, but the old woman was being stubborn and refused to rise until "Thomas returns." Outside, the time between a bolt of lightning and a crash of thunder was lessening. They were nearly simultaneous. The storm was almost upon them.

Kit though she heard something by the door, but as soon as she turned to investigate it, there was a flash of lightning in the window and a heart-stopping crack of thunder that shook the tiny house followed by the front door opening without her help. In the doorway stood a figure, its face cloaked in darkness.

Kit gasped.

Thanks to: Sarralyn Numairsri (I love Italian and acutally know two tenses now, but I'm switching back to French next semseter and will continue with Italian over the summer. I was cheering for France...don't hate me. I deleted the responses to make the chapters shorter, but the answer was France - where I spent my summer. Please continue with your cheering - it makes me happy), ffgirlmoonie (No problem, besides we're all a little crazy - that's what makes us interesting), Dark Morwen 863 (Oh, thank you. They said I had some grammatical errors, I believe. I was very sad.), and Singingperson (I hope you don't feel too sad about Hannah, and I have no idea how to spell that either. I always loved the Anne of Green Gables series. Gilbert was my favorite, but I also really liked Stella. My nickname, however, is Stelly. By the way, I love your suggestion).

Author's Note: Okay, so this was a completely new chapter, so I expect plenty of reviews and feedback...please! I'm sorry this took so long, I had it finished and printed out, but I had to transfer it to another computer because the original wasn't letting me onto the intenet and I didn't have a flash drive, so that meant I had to retype the whole thing, which is very hard to do when you also have two research papers to write. But it is a good way to ignore the work. So, basically, I'm sorry. It's winter break in less than three weeks and I will try my hardest to get another chapter out by mid-January. The story is almost over, so hopefully you won't have to wait to long between updates. Once again, I'm sorry and please review. Leave me a note about anything: this story, your life, questions about my story, questions about me, anything really. Have a good day! Also, this chapter felt a bit off, so if you find any mistakes or places I could make clearer, please let me know. Okay then, ta-ta for now!