Witch

The night air was cold, foretelling of the approach of winter. Out in the cold, she puller her cloak tighter around her. This town was a strange one, indeed any civilization was strange to her. All the lights that were lit. Almost every window had a light in it. Did they really need that much light to see? Another breeze swept by, chilling her further. There had to be somewhere she could get inside. Ahead of her there was a building, lit up just like the rest, only it’s door was wide open. Inside she could see many people, talking and drinking and laughing. This must be the tavern. Sneaking inside unnoticed wasn’t hard and neither was making her way towards the large, open fire pit.

The level of intoxication was high which suited her fine. That meant they were less likely to bother her and much less likely to remember her. Once she was expressly forbidden from venturing to this particular town. Now, however, she felt it was time she came.

Ever since she had entered the room an odd feeling of being watched came over her. Trying not to look too obvious, she glanced around the room for anyone staring at her. Sure enough, at the other end of the bar there was a greying old man looking directly at her. She could feel his eyes burning a hole in the back of her head. Familiar light blue eyes.

“She’s a Witch!” At first, the exclamation caused a mass confusion, but the elderly man insisted. “What are you doing loafing around? Get her!” he made his way through the evening crowd, heading straight for the terrified girl huddled near the fire pit. Once within arms reach he grabbed for her but caught only a fist full of air. She had ducked away and was now pushing her way towards the door. In pursuit, the man started shouting again, now unintelligible above the roar of the crowd. Hands shot out to grab her from all angles, all the way to the door.

Once outside, it didn’t stop however. The crowd followed her outside, with the old man leading them. “Inform the guards!” he was shouting, and two men scattered in opposite directions, “We have a witch to burn tonight!” He grinned widely, showing crooked and decay-riddled teeth. The girl took off running, and the crowd of men followed shouting obscenities

Darting between the stalls of the market district she kept just ahead of them. At this time of night it was empty, but it was also dark. The men couldn’t hope to keep up with her, but by now the entire town had been alerted, and around every corner another group of people were looking for her. She took to the alleys.

The alleyways got narrower the further she ran. Buildings in the center of town were built so close together a broad shouldered man would have to walk sideways. By now she had lost the crowd behind her, but the excitement could be heard all through the town. A church bell was ringing, rousing everyone out of their beds and down to the town square. She sat down in this moment of relative calmness and tried to collect herself.

“This is not how mother said it would be.” She stared at her hands, which were shaking violently. Breaking down into sobs, she pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her hands around them. The church bell clanged melodically and almost lulled her to sleep, if not for the voices. The alleyway opened up onto a street, and along it there was another small group of men walking towards the town square presumably. Sneaking a bit closer she tried to listen in.

“What is this all about anyways?”

“Who knows. Let’s just hurry up, it’s cold out here.”

“We should just go home.”

“And get flogged for missing a ‘town meeting?’ I’ll take my chances with the cold.”

They passed quickly, not wanting to linger. After waiting a few minutes, she started to head the direction they were heading, figuring the only ones who knew what she looked like were the ones at the tavern.

In the middle of the town square was a raised platform, decorated with carvings along the edges like a stage but designed like a gallows, minus the nooses. She thought it funny that on the same stage players danced and sang by day, criminals were hung at night. But right now there was a man standing on the stage, who looked to be a priest. He swung his robed arms in great motions, and shouted above the crowd. When he stopped, the people responded feverishly. Keeping to the shadows she inched a bit closer.

The priest had fallen into a momentary silence, looking over his flock and pacing the stage. He had the eyes of a wolf, looking for one that did not belong. It seemed like an eternity before he spoke.

“We are here because there is one among us who should not be.” He let that sink in a moment and the crowd began murmuring amongst themselves. “A Witch!” he shouted, and the entire square fell silent. No one dared speak as he eyed the crowd. Each one no doubt casting his own suspicious eye on the person next to them. “Look upon your neighbor, and know that they are not this menace that plagues us. This evil stems from the outside!” The priest became animated again, pacing the stage. “We must find her, and stop her from corrupting us in His eye! Look for a red cloak, and long black hair. Her eyes the color of the sky.” Self consciously she raised a hand to touch her hair. “Go now, and search every alleyway, and every dark corner where evil might lay it’s head until she is found!” This warranted an ear-piercing response from the crowd as they split off in every direction. Two men ran right past the girl’s hiding spot, and she barely had time to retreat back into the alleyway before another group came along.

“Now would be the time to leave” She whispered to herself, before taking off at a sprint down the alley. Only a few minutes would pass before she nearly ran head first into a search party. Two of them carried lanterns, and were preparing to search a cellar that opened onto the street. She waited until they went down before running by. The street started to slant down, and she knew she was getting closer to the gate. A looming tower stood against the dark sky above the roof tops. The same tower she had seen when she entered the town. The sight spurred her to go faster, all the more closer to her freedom

Once within sight however, she stopped dead. The gate was closed, and a small group of armed guards stood on watch. Frozen where she stood, it didn’t take them long to see her. The closest pointed and shouted to his companions. They drew their swords and ran towards her, shouting all the while. Picking a direction, she started running again. Along a main street it didn’t take long for others to join in the chase. Granted many of them couldn’t hope to keep up with her, she couldn’t run forever.

The mob grew with every side street and alley she passed, more people shouting obscenities at her. The street started to slant upwards again, and it became a struggle to keep ahead of the pack. Her feet pounded the cobblestones, not very distinctive from the rumble that followed her. Ahead of her the moon seemed to glide along the rooftops, taunting her. It reminded her she couldn’t outrun an entire town all night. Taking a sharp turn, she angled down a narrow alleyway. There was a backup of people at the mouth of the alley, but not before some got through and kept the chase alive. She took every turn that came to her, hoping to lose them. But they kept on her, and were gaining. Her lungs burned and every muscle was threatening to cramp up, but she had to keep running. Another right turn, left turn, right turn, she zig zagged her way across the town. After taking a turn to sharply, her feet got out from under her and she fell flat on her stomach.

Crying out, she quickly pulled herself all the way around the corner and held her breath. The men ran past the alley she was hiding in, shouting. She held it a moment longer before exhaling loudly, and tried to catch her breath. The fall had knocked the wind out of her.

“Hey, Hey you!” The voice came from further down the alley, and made her jump. At first she couldn’t see the speaker but as he came closer his features became more clear. It was evident he was a beggar, as his clothes were nothing but rags. He looked as though he hadn’t shaven in weeks, and smelled like he hadn’t bathed in twice that long. Greasy brown hair hung in his face, and he had to constantly move it out of his dark brown eyes. She stood and was getting ready to run. “Just hear me out” He put his hands up as if to say he meant her no harm, and continued talking. With each word he took a step closer. “I can help you out of the city” She eyed him closely, but he took another step closer, “A guy like me knows how to get around.” He grinned, and by now was only a few steps away. He held out his hand “What’ve you got to lose?”

Behind her, she could hear the men circling back around, realizing they lost her. Looking back at this stranger she realized she knew nothing about this place, and that he might be her only help. Hesitantly, she reached out to shake his hand. “Thanks-“

In a flash he reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her forward and off her feet. She fell to her knees in front of him, and saw him reach for something. In the next instant, what ever it was smashed into the back of her head and she fell to the ground. Everything felt as if it was getting smaller, the walls closing it on her. The ground moved and the alleyway spun. Absently she head the man shouting, and running out of the alley. “I got her, I got the Witch!” Then everything went black.

The next sensation she felt was cold sweat dripping down her neck. Angry shouts could be heard from every direction, and more than once she felt something pelt her in the chest and head. Her arms here tied behind her, around a wooden pole. She dared not open her eyes, as she knew exactly where she was.

“We stand here, together, to vanquish this evil from His world.” The priests voice was very close. “No longer will she defile these lands, corrupting His sons and daughters, and turning them away from Him!” The mob roared in response, calling for her blood. Suddenly a hand came up and gripped her chin, forced her to open her eyes. Her vision was limited, due to a mask that had been strapped to her head. It was made of wood, and was completely plain except for the two eye holes. The face that was looking back at her was deeply wrinkled and aged, but she had seen him somewhere before. It was the man from the tavern. He looked at her through two blue eyes, eyes that were so very much familiar to her.

“Where’s your mother. Did she put you up to this?” He gripped her chin harder, causing her to make a pained sound, but he didn’t let up. “Where is she!”

“I don’t know!” She screamed back, tears now coming to her eyes. Behind him, the priest was still riling up the mob, so no one was paying attention to them.

“You must know, girl. Tell me!”

“She’s Dead!” The man broke eye contact for a moment, mumbling to himself. Seeing an opportunity she spoke again. “How do you know my mother?”

It was a long hesitation before he responded “Once, she was my daughter.” He glanced back at the army of blood-thirsty people behind him, not making eye contact while he spoke. “You looked so much like her, I thought, I thought you were her. Only after they caught you did I realize.” Then he looked back at her. “I tried to tell them I made a mistake, that my eyes fooled me, but they won’t listen. Now that I’ve had time to reflect, the whole thing was a stupid idea. I wanted her to be punished, but not killed.” He looked at the ground, clearly ashamed of himself. “What’s your name?”

“Sera. My name’s Sera.” Her breath now coming in deep sobs. He rested a hand on her neck lightly, and she flinched away, thinking he was going to choke the life from her. Instead, it was meant as a comforting gesture.

“May He have mercy on your soul, and forgive you of her sins.” Then he gave a light squeeze, and left the stage. Now the priest turned to her, fire in his eyes.

“Are you prepared to answer for your sins?” He shouted. There was nothing Sera could do to appease him, so she said nothing. A steady chant had taken root, and now it drowned out all other sounds.

“Burn her, burn her, burn her.” the sound echoed in her ears, and she watched in silence as the priest was handed a flaming brand. He said only a few words more, before putting the brand to the pile of straw and tinder at her feet. It caught immediately, and he darted away as the flames shot up. The entire scene was surreal, and at first she felt nothing. The flames licked at her clothing, spreading quickly. The heat was unbearable, forcing the front rows of the crowd to back up, but it didn’t mean anything to her. Smoke stung her eyes and filled her lungs, sending her into a coughing fit, gasping for oxygen that wasn’t there. The acrid smell of burning hair and flesh filled the air, and was noticed by all except for the one closest to it. Sera closed her eyes and followed the voice that called to her.

“Sera, honey, I told you to stay away from that town.” It was a woman, with long black hair and light blue eyes. She smiled at Sera.

“I’m sorry mother, I should have known.” She hesitated before continuing. “I saw grandfather.” Sera thought she would yell at her, tell her what a foolish brat she had been. But then again, her mother had never done that before. So why would she now?

“He’s a good man.” She looked away from sera, but what she was looking at was a mystery. There was nothing else here except for the two of them. A moment of silence passed before her mother took her hand, and smiled. “Let’s go, Sera.” She smiled back, and gripped her mothers hand tightly.



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