Page 12 of Damnation
The simple walk to Sarah’s shop feels as if it’s a march to the gallows, though. My body screams in pain, and my vision blurs as fresh blood drips into my eye. I do my best to keep the space clear before I approach the storefront. With winter coming, goods are more sacred than ever. All townsfolk will be storing for the harsh Salem winter, which means greater sales for Sarah and I both.
“Good day,” Sarah greets when she looks upon me. “Or not.”
A disappointing chuckle escapes me at her lack of empathy. As I said once before, we are not friends in the slightest.
“What does thou need for this day?” she asks in a tone that tells me she wants nothing more than to be rid of me.
“My wages,” I say hollowly.
“Wages?” Sarah asks.
“Yes. For the…products I supply.”
“I know nothing of what you speak of. Everything in my shop is grown and cultivated by myself.”
Outrage wars inside me as I stare at her, aghast.
“What lies do you speak? You know not that to be the truth!”
“Perhaps, you are welcome to prove otherwise to the sheriff.”
My mouth is agape, anguish and anger raging inside me. An evil smile curves her face as she flicks her hand at me.
“Away with you, your unsightly self shall only frighten my dear customers.”
“You shall not commit such acts without punishment!” I snap.
She looks taken aback for a moment before closing the distance between us. Her head cocks to the side in a way of intimidation, but the anger inside me does not allow me to feel anything besides such.
“Is thou threatening me? Perhaps I shall fetch the sheriff myself. See what says he in the matter of the living situations you keep for your child out there. She deserves far better. Shall we see what he thinks of this matter entirely?”
Fear and panic stab through me at her words. She sneers at me before shooing me away like a pest. Crippling anger continues to plague me from the inside out as I find myself numbly stepping out of the shop. My only income is gone. It’s back to begging if I want to protect myself, my daughter…and the child I now carry, all thanks to that wench. If I were to ever wish death upon one, it would be her. For anyone with such a black heart ought not deserve the gift of a new day.
The air is cold today, which means not many will brave town if not necessary. One by one, I knock on each townsfolk’s door, begging, pleading. Few spare me a glance, even fewer spare me a pence. I pause outside Thomas’s home before I continue on. There are not enough shillings in the world that would allow me to come face to face with the man I love. Not like this. Not while his child grows inside me, yet the fate of our empty bellies grows with each moment. Unfortunately for me, Ann Putnam sees me as she plays in the yard and yells to her mother.
“Mama! Come quick! The old beggar hag is here!”
Vile little girl.
I make haste in the other direction, attempting to be gone as fast as I am able. Due to the damage left behind from William, it is not fast enough, and I hear Ann’s shrewd voice next.
“Away thou foul beggar! I will take personal joy in shooting thee! Trespassing is a crime!”
My head turns to see Ann pointing a gun towards me. Fear rises inside as she takes aim before Thomas comes running from the house. They grapple with the gun for several moments before it goes off in the sky. Finally, Thomas is able to rip the gun from her hold before fisting the material of her dress as he screams so loud, his lungs will surely be raw.
“Are you mad? You dare commit murder with my weapon? On my property?”
“She’s a trespassing beggar! Hardly a soul to miss!” Ann defends.
Fury contorts Thomas’s face as he shoves her away. She stumbles for a moment before landing on her back.
“Away with thou fore I lose my temper and do something I ought to!”
Fear staunches her and their child’s face as they both run inside. I take the opportunity to continue to flee while Thomas attempts to chase me down.
“Sarah!” he calls out. “Sarah, stop! I command thee!”
For a reason unbeknownst to me, I do as he says, keeping my back to him when I’m far enough down the road. When he approaches, he grips my arm, leading me away from prying eyes. Turning me to face him in the shadows behind the trees, he inhales a sharp breath at the sight of my injuries, his eyes wide with horror.
