Page 28 of Damnation
He looks back at me with a sneer, ready to refuse me until his eyes meet my own. I am unsure of what Thomas said to him, but whatever he did, it has afforded me better treatment from theyoung jailer than most. I suppose I have something to thank him for…only this, though.
Turning, he approaches my cell, opening the door and tossing her inside. I catch her easily, wrapping my arms around her as she sobs into my neck.
“Mama! Is that you?”
“Yes, baby. ‘Tis me. Are you hurt?”
She shakes her head as her beautiful eyes come to mine.
“I missed you, Mama.”
Clutching her tighter to me, I rock us slowly.
“I missed you too. We’re together now. All is well.”
She sniffs hard before resting her hand upon my stomach.
“I missed the baby too.”
Pain runs through my chest, though I do not allow it to show. Nodding my head, she curls up into my lap as we sit there for many moments.
“Mr. Putnam was right.”
I frown as I look down at her.
“About what?”
“When they took you, he promised everything would be as it should. That he would take care of us.”
“Does it look like he has done such, Dorothy? We are in jail. I can only imagine you are here for the same as I. We are in danger, sweetheart.”
She shrugs. “But I am with you, Mama. As it should be.”
Something about my sweet girl’s words warms me, so. Not enough to thaw to Putnam. Regardless of the words he gave her, I know now he never meant them. Never intended to keep true to his word. Even if he did, he’s a coward, and we are better off without him. At least, that is what I try to tell myself. It helps temper the sting of betrayal.
I’m unsure of the day, what does it matter, honestly? The rations are abysmal, apart from my own, which I suspect is due to Thomas. Any extras I receive go to Dorothy, and thankfully, she has kept weight well as with her spirit. We are playing a game, clapping our hands together, when Joseph Hutchinson and Phillip Lewis appear before us. Carefully, I tuck Dorothy behind me, concerned they have come for her as the jailer opens the door. Hutchinson reaches down for me, and I go easily, though I lose my footing for a moment with my growing belly. Oh, how my body hurts from days of sleeping on this hard dirt floor.
“Stand up,” he snaps before the jailer shuts the door behind us.
“Mama!” Dorothy calls out in a panic.
“‘Tis alright, sweetheart. Come up with another game. I will return shortly.”
Lewis scoffs under his breath as they escort me outside.
“Do not count upon it.”
His words send a chill through me as we approach the two horses. I expect them to throw me upon one as they did in town, but instead, they latch a chain to my shackles as they both mount their horses. I look up at Hutchinson in confusion as he jerks on the chain.
“Make haste, witch! We haven’t all day.”
They expect me to walk? Both ways? ‘Tis ten miles each, at the least, and my feet are but bare. I resist only for a moment before the chain forces me to comply or risk being dragged. I wince as we cross a few twigs and sharp bushes; each step forces my feet to ache and burn until eventually, I do not feel them at all.
I never thought I’d feel relief returning to Salem. Though I imagine I have not been away for longer than a month, with the spring in full bloom, it feels like such a long time ago that I was last here. My feet barely stop by themselves as we halt outside the courthouse. I half expected us to return to Ingersoll’s once more. Though it seems I am being taken in for trial or questioning, I ought not be too sure. Perhaps ‘tis in my favor that it is being done in a formal setting. Perhaps justice will prevail, and the truth shall be revealed.
Hutchinson yanks on the chain attached to my shackles as he pulls me forward, towards the courthouse. As soon as Lewis opens the large wooden doors, I’m greeted with a musty odor that is foul to the senses. My eyes move around the room to see most of the village gathered, many casting scornful looks my way, as I count nine men sitting at the front of the room, all staring at me with watchful eyes. I recognize Corwin and Hathorne, but the rest are strangers to me.
As I am escorted to the front, I am unable to miss his gaze on me. As if I can feel it rather than see it. Turning my head, I lock eyes with Thomas. The instant I do, he drops his head, as if he doesn’t wish to glance my way. I feel my heart crack inside my chest while his wife rests her hand onto his, sneering at me in disgust. Hurt and anger mix inside me as I face forward.
