Page 15 of Damnation
His eyes are like fire, nostrils flared in rage as he looks to me.
“What has she done, Samuel?” I ask.
“She has bewitched my kin! Betty and Abigail are in a state of fits, uncontrollably so. They spoke of Tituba cursing them. DEVIL WOMAN!” he screams, directing that last part to her as the sheriff walks away with her.
My mind reels as I attempt to make sense of his words.
“Betty has suffered from the shaking fits since infancy, has she not?”
“Yes!” he spits. “I hath no doubt it is at the hands of Tituba that she suffers from such! Just this morning, she baked a witch cake with dear Abigail! She is a witch! What I say is the truth. All ye tread carefully!” he continues, now addressing the large crowd that has formed.
Nervous expressions splash across each of the townsfolk, soft whispers beginning as the good reverend delivers an impromptu sermon.
“You ought not forsake our Lord and Savior! For evil is among us. Cloaked in the flesh of human, the Devil has infiltrated our dear village. I hath no doubt she is not alone. There may be other devil worshipers. We must cleanse this town of their evil and eradicate it immediately. In the name of Christ our king!”
Murmurs of agreement begin to rise as the villagers become more and more agitated by each word he speaks. Uncertaintyrises in me as I listen on. Witches? In Salem? For all of our sakes, I do pray he is wrong. For if an evil like that lives among us…none can be safe.
A figure catches my eye across town, and I take an opportunity in Samuel’s anger to slip away. My head moves from side to side as I cross the dirt road, ensuring no prying eyes are on me. I suppose thankfully so, they are all on my best friend, whose hysterics are growing by the moment.
I follow her down the side of a building to the back alleyway. She doesn’t see me coming towards her, or she hasn’t a plan to stop for me. Either way, I pursue her with haste and grab her wrist when I am close enough, pushing her against the wall of the building.
A startled gasp escapes her, Sarah’s eyes wide with fear until they settle on me.
“Where is thou going, my love?” I ask, softening my words as I do.
“Hello,” she responds, smiling gently in a way that pulls at my heart.
“Hello,” I return. “I’ve missed you, so.”
Her smile is not nearly genuine as her gaze drifts off. The brows of my eyes pull together as I tilt her chin to face me.
“What troubles you?”
“Not a thing. Just the morning sickness and William’s usual behavior.”
Irritation sparks inside of me just at the mere mention of that parasite’s name.
“What hath he done now? I swear to God almighty if he has touched you, I’ll sooner cut off the hand that dared.”
She seems pleased by my display of aggression, no doubt taking it as an act of protection. Good, as she should. That is exactly what it is. I will protect my love, my life, with everythinginside of me. Especially against a simpleton drunk as William Good.
Shaking her head as to dismiss me, a smile slowly graces her face.
“He has not raised his hand against me or Dorothy. Work at the Peabody’s has kept him most busy. Praise God for that. Say, what has occurred in town? I heard the reverend causing quite the stir.”
I nod, looking back the way I came in case of onlookers, before my gaze returns to her.
“Tituba has been taken to the jailhouse for witchcraft.”
Sarah’s face turns white with fear, and I attempt to comfort her as I rest my hands onto her arms.
“Do not feel worry, my love. She has been taken care of.”
She blinks for a few moments before shaking her head.
“What do you mean, witchcraft? Here? In Salem? It can’t be!”
I nod. “Parris recounted Tituba has been bewitching Abigail and Betty. Believes she is to blame for Betty’s shaking fits. I, too, was taken by surprise. I am heading to the jailhouse to see how I can be of assistance in the process.”
