Page 21 of Damnation
I sneer at him, tightening my hold on her.
“That be enough out of you. There be only claims had, no proof. We were sent to collect for examination. That is it.”
Edward mutters something beneath his breath that I cannot quite make out. I do not pay him any mind either as I look to Sarah, allowing us to walk ahead of Edward so we may speak to one another.
“What is going on, Thomas? I’m frightened.”
“You have nothing to be frightened of. The Parris girls have made claims against a few. Your innocence will shine through.”
She swallows roughly, her limbs shaking in my hold as we continue down the road. God, please let this nonsense be put to rest. I know not what Corwin or Hathorne have planned, but I pray it is quick, easy, and allows Sarah and I to escape this village in one piece. Together.
Chapter Nine
Sarah
Istand in Ingersoll’s tavern still and in waiting. I had to spend the night in the jailhouse, which was cold, damp, and so very unnerving. Tituba, Sarah Osborne, and I all stand shoulder to shoulder, though I cannot look at either. I fear to incriminate myself, or worse, stoke anger in them. I do not believe it for a moment that the Parris girls are to blame for my involvement. Tituba all but threatened me. Sarah…well, she is one of the only people in Salem to know of my gifts, and the way she shakes tells me she will spill all of them to protect herself.
Over a dozen men line the walls as John Hathorne and Jonathon Corwin “examine” us.
“There be a witch among you three, do not try to deny it. Come forth of ye wrongdoings, and you shall receive protection,” Corwin speaks.
“Protection?” Osborne questions.
“Hathorne and I have agreed to offer dismissal for anyone who accepts the charge of witch and agrees to never again practice such sinful things.”
“As well as assisting us in sorting out any other witches that may lie in the village,” Hathorne adds.
“I object! I object strongly!” Reverend Parris thunders.
“This not be a court of law, but if it were, thou hast no authority. Stand down, Samuel,” Corwin speaks.
Parris crosses his arms similarly to how my Dorothy does when she is not able to get her way. I hear him grumble under his breath, his eyes like fire as they rake over each of us.
I stay silent, for I ought know better than to make a deal with the likes of them. Especially when what they say is not true. I am no witch. I have never cursed nor bewitched anyone. I heal; I help. I harness the gifts and energy God has graced our lands with. ‘Tis not a crime, at least it ought not be. I do not worship the Devil or any of the theories these men have conjured in their minds. ‘Tis not who I am, and I shall not cower to their threats, nor besmirch myself for falsities.
“I am a witch,” Tituba speaks, forcing my head to swing towards her in surprise.
“I knew it!” Parris exclaims.
“What about you? You?” Hathorne asks Osborne and I.
We both shake our heads, and he lets out a heavy sigh.
“Take Tituba back to the jail for now. Good, Osborne, undress.”
“What?” Osborne exclaims. “For what purpose?”
“To check ye over for witch’s teats. You heard the man,” Corwin says.
I shake my wrists together, attempting to silently remind the thick heads that even if we wanted to, we have no ability to do such things when we are shackled like prisoners.
Corwin’s eyes snap down to them as he nods to himself as if he thought of it.
“Undo their chains and remove their clothes, let us not leave an inch unturned.”
“I have no such things!” Osborne exclaims.
“Nor does Good,” Thomas speaks, though I cringe as he does. What a foolish man.
