Board Thread:Writer's Showcase/@comment-26202351-20150314010754

In the quiet city of Salem, Massachusetts, Elizabeth has recently given birth to her first child. On a cool, crisp day in October (present day), she stops by her mother’s house to find her childhood crib for her new daughter. As she climbs into her mother’s attic to pull down the crib, she stumbles upon an old trunk. She does not remember ever seeing this trunk when growing up. Elizabeth bends down and blows the dust off the top of it. After creaking open, the trunk reveals an assortment of her passion, antique clothing. Elizabeth has always had a fascination with old clothing, and this trunk will prove to be a new closet full of wears.

As she digs deep, Elizabeth comes across an old book. Oddly enough it is about the same size as a diary. On the cover of the book is written May 1692 – Oktober 1692:  Property of Rebekah Nurse. The brown leather book has aged, it shows multiple creases on the cover and the pages have turned to an off yellow and have become brittle. It is unclear to her why her mother would have a diary which belongs to this unknown person.

Out of nowhere her mother, Martha, appears at the attic entrance. Elizabeth questions her mother as to the identity of Rebekah Nurse. Her mother explains it is one of their ancestors on her side. She notices her mother is hesitant to explain more about Rebekah. Unsure what to do, Elizabeth slowly opens the diary. Her mother advises her if she chooses to read the contents, she will learn of her ancestor, however what she will learn may be more than she can handle.

Her mother turns and walks down the stairs, leaving Elizabeth in a battle with her curiosity about her family history. Taking a deep breath, she opens to the first page and begins to read. She turns from page to page, soaking up everything she can; all of a sudden she begins to hear Rebekah’s voice in her head.

''September 29, 1692 ''

''The summer has produced a wonderful harvest on the farm. I have successfully kept the family farm one of the most prosperous in town. Unfortunately, many in town have not been so fortunate as some have been accused, jailed, and even executed based upon ridiculous accusations. It seems witchcraft has swept upon the town just as the plague once did. God help those who stand accused and imprisoned. May God bless those who have been executed. When will this madness end? ''

''            Oktober 1, 1692 ''

'' What an interesting day it has been. Who would have thought being unmarried would reap so many benefits. The young men in town are very generous to offer a hand with securing the farm for the upcoming fall and winter. It is strange though, it seems something is not right. I see people glancing at me and whispering. What could cause such chatter among the townspeople? I would guess it is the accusations circling the town for the past few months. It has been a trying time for all, but more for those accused and their families. ''



Oktober 2, 1692

'' The whispering seems to continue. I begin to fear the worst. I have tried to speak to my neighbors, yet them seem to not say much. Could this talk be from the argument I had with Reverend Parris? I did not think a simple argument over land boundary could cause such an uproar. My property lines have been clear since my family first came to Salem. The good Reverend Parris is new to town and seems to think a portion of my farm is actually his property. He was not happy to hear Magistrate Sewell explain that I was correct in the boundaries. Reverend Parris stormed off angry and now I fear he may be ruining my reputation. ''

''Oktober 5, 1692, ''

'' I cannot believe what is happening to me. I have been thrown in jail and accused of being a witch. How can this be? Abigail Williams has accused me of sending an imp to torment her at night. Abigail, the niece of the Reverend Parris, is having such great nightmares. Could this be because he tells her every day of the tortures of Hell if she does not behave? I brought my diary to keep myself occupied while sitting in this God forsaken jail cell. This will be my account of my trial as I plead my innocence. They have told me on ‘morrow I will be examined for a witches teet. I’m not quite sure what they are searching for, but I know I have nothing to fear as God has blessed me my whole life. He knows of my innocence and will guide me through my ordeal. ''

Elizabeth is in shock. Her ancestor accused and jailed of being a witch? She remembers hearing about the Salem Witch Trials and has knowledge of a witches teet. Her curiosity engulfs her and she continues to read on.

''Oktober 6, 1692 ''

'' No words can express how violated I feel. I was forced to undress, till nude and allow several people inspect my person. The humiliation is unspeakable. As they did so, they were sure to explain in detail what they were looking for. A witches teet is a small growth on the body used to feed the imp my blood. As a woman who has never known the companionship of a man, I felt sinned as they made me position myself in various ways so they could have a complete view of my body to find this teet. They found none. I assume I will be released ‘morrow after the findings are revealed to Reverend Parris and Reverend Mather. Reverend Mather has traveled to Salem from a far distance to oversee all upcoming examinations and executions. He has said that the war with the Devil is personal; and no weapon against him shall prosper. ''

A smile comes over the face of Elizabeth with the news of no teet found. She surely knows Rebekah will be set free since there is no proof of her being a witch. Excitedly she reads on.

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height: 200%">''Oktober 7, 1692 ''

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height: 200%">'' I have been told that I shall not be released. My imp has once again tormented Abigail throughout the night. How can they believe this? It has been proven that I have no witches teet. I begin to fear for the worst. Today is the first day I have missed Church since I was born. For 23 years, I have never missed a sermon and yet today, I am forced to miss it. I believe Reverend Mather is correct, the war with the Devil is personal; for he has caused me to miss Church. Sheriff Corwin told me he will return ‘morrow and explain my case. I pray to God this ordeal ends soon. ''

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height: 200%">''Oktober 8, 1692 ''

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height: 200%">'' I have just come from the Court of Oyer and Terminer. I am afraid I do not stand a chance. It appears my only chance for survival is to admit that I am a witch. If I fight it, as 14 others have done, I am sure to be executed. Will God answer my prayers? Does he hear me? My days spent in my cell have been dedicated to speaking to God and begging for his blessing in being released from madness. I do not want to become another victim of false accusations. ''

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height: 200%"> Oktober 9, 1692

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height: 200%">'' Another day in court, however, I fear what has happened today may seal my fate. I could no longer hold back what I have seen. I could no longer hold my tongue. Why does being 23 and unmarried seem so odd to Magistrate Sewell? I cannot believe that he would be so inclined to believe a woman not married at my age could be a witch. The words and accusations of 13 year old Abigail seem to overpower my truth and the common sense of the court. Finally, I could hold back no more. Here is my account of court today as I said what needed to be said: ''

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="line-height:200%">            '“ Yes it is true, I am twenty-three and not married, but that is no cause to be labeled a witch. You listen to the tales created in the mind of this young impressionable girl, and you judge. She claims a yellow bird is torturing her as I speak, yet we cannot see it. But still you call me a witch. '

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="line-height:200%">           'T'was not I who entered the home of Abigail Williams that night, nor was it my evil imp as she has claimed. For twenty years my family and I built our farm to be as prosperous as it is, and now I am a single woman past age of marriage, and I am called a witch.  '

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="line-height:200%">'           How many of you can say you have never missed a church service? I can honestly say I haven't, yet I'm called a witch. Have we all not had misfortunes brought upon us, yet we accept them as acts of God's will and not an act of witchcraft. I have never denied someone in need of shelter or a warm meal, however I know many of you have shut out those in need, but I'm the witch. '

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="line-height:200%">'           Abigail, you are being raised to be a proper young lady, but you still commit these childish accusations. You play with fire knowing others will get burned. Is this just a game to you? I have always been one to hold my tongue, but I must now confess what I know to be true. '

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="line-height:200%">'           Abigail has now accused 14 women of being witches and all ‘cept one have been found guilty and executed. Yet it is that little girl who has made a pact with the Devil! I saw her four moons ago, dancing naked in front of a roaring fire in the middle of the woods, under a red colored moon. She chanted in tongues and laughed. I then saw the Devil appear before her. He opened a fiery book which she signed in her own blood. She then dropped to her knees ‘fore him. '

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="line-height:200%">'             Struck with fear, I ran home and tried to forget the incident happened. I did not want to soil the reputation of the Reverend or his family by reporting this incident. I am no witch nor have I made a pact with the Devil. Abigail, you must stop acting like a child and act more of a young woman.” ''' ''

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="line-height:200%">''             After speaking those words in court, Abigail threw herself under the table shouting about a yellow bird attacking her. Her arms were flailing about as if she was in a fit. Again she accused me of sending this spectral yellow bird to torment her. Her accusations have gone on long enough, and I fear my outburst could prove damaging. Upon seeing her fit, I then spoke up again and asked, ''

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="line-height:200%">             '“Do we live in fear or faith? Is the imagination of a young girl as powerful as the word of God? Do you fear these false visions more than the wrath of God? I cannot speak for all of you, but I live in faith!”  '

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="line-height:200%">''             Oktober 10, 1692 ''

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="line-height:200%">''             Despite my pleading and claims of innocence, I fear it is of no use. Magistrate Sewell and Sheriff Corwin are convinced that a young lady such as Abigail, the niece of a Reverend, would not make up such stories about me. I begin to wonder about the Holy Bible. Are we saved by the words of bastard saints? Has God abandoned me? Does he even exist? Or is the Holy Bible just a book made up to scare children into being good and to give the hopeless a shred of hope for the after life? Never in my life have I doubted the power of my Lord, yet I now do not believe he exists. If there be a sign, I pray he shows it soon. ''

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="line-height:200%">              Oktober 11, 1692 

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%">''  I have been given one last chance to confess my sins. Do I confess to a falsehood and save my own life or do I fight to the end knowing I will be hanged? All I know is the hysteria which has encompassed our town has taken so many innocent lives and I am merely a casualty. As I sit here, in my cell, with tears rolling down my cheeks, I find comfort in knowing I will soon be reunited with my mother and father. I’m trembling as I sit awaiting one final appearance in court. The Sheriff is coming for me; I pray this will not be my last words. ''

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%">'' I have come from Court and was given the final test. I was asked if I could recite the Lord’s Prayer. It seems that those who cannot are in league with the Devil. I was able to recite it without flaw or stammer, but I am still accused of being a witch. Reverend Parris and Reverend Mather argue that the Devil aided me in reciting it without hesitation. They do not understand that I have never missed Church in 23 years! ''

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="line-height:200%">             Elizabeth closes the diary afraid to read on. Her eyes swollen with tears, her hands shake uncontrollably. She questions the morals and judgments of those days. Elizabeth begins to have an asthma attack. She reaches for her inhaler and takes a puff. As she takes a deep breath, she looks out of the attic window. Night has fallen, and the moon seems to have an odd color. It is a light blue, the shade of blue that resembles sadness. She clears the lump in her throat, steadies herself and opens the diary.

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="line-height:200%">              Oktober 12, 1692 

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%">''  My last plea in Court was in vain. I stood my ground and refused to confess to the tales told about me. I know ‘morrow I shall be side with side with my mother and father. I am happy to see them again, yet I am concerned about the others in town who may be accused. Will this madness ever end? What will it take? Because of my good reputation in town I have been allowed to pass my property to a person of my choosing. I have chosen Dorcas Good and her father, William Good as the rightful owners of my property. Sarah Good Wife, was a dear friend and after her execution, which Dorcas was forced to witness at age 5, poor Dorcas was never the same. It has been 4 months, and the dear has not recovered. ''

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:200%">''             I have been asked if I am scared of death. I am…….I fear death more than any other presence, but it appears I cannot control my fate. If God has chosen me to become one of his children in his kingdom of Heaven, then I have no choice but to accept it. I can only pray that my death will be last. ''

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="line-height:200%">''             Sheriff Corwin has just handed me my warrant of execution. Because I do not know what will happen to it, I will record the words: ''

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height: 200%">'“To George Corwin Gent’n High Sheriff of the county of Essex: '

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%">'Whereas Rebekah Nurse of Salem Village of the county of Essex in their Maj’ts Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England Att A Court of Oyer & Terminer held by Adjourment for Our Sovereign Lord & Lady King William & Queen Mary for the s’d County of Essex at Salem in the s’d County of the 8th day of October was arraigned on Several Indictments for the horrible Crime of Witchcraft by her practiced & committed on Abigail Williams and pleading not guilty did for her tryall put herself on God and their Country where upon she was found & brought in Guilty by the Jury that passed on them according to her indictment and Sentence of death did then pass upon her as the Law directs Execution where of yet remains to be done:  Those are therefore in their Maj’ties name William & Mary now King & Queen over England: to will & command you that upon the 13th day of October between the houres of Eight & forenoon the same day you safely conduct the s’d Rebekah Nurse from her Maj’ties goal in Salem afores’d to the place of Execution & there cause her to be hanged by the Neck until she be dead and of the doings herein make return to the Clerke of the said Court & this precept and hereof you are to fail at your peril and this shall be your sufficient Warrant given under my hand and seale at Boston the 12th day of October in the fourth year Reign of our Sovereign Lord and Lady Wm & Mary King and Queen: '

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%">'Wm Stoughton '

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%">'Annoq. Dom. 1692”' 

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%">Elizabeth could no longer hold back her tears. She exploded into a hysterical fit of crying as she read the death sentence. She is the same age Rebekah was when she was put to death. As she cried uncontrollably she could not understand why this atrocity occurred. She began to question her own faith in God. Elizabeth, like Rebekah was taught not to doubt the word of God as they would not doubt the virgin white of fallen snow. Despite not wanting to read the final words of her ancestor, Elizabeth opened the diary and read the final page.

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%">         Oktober 13, 1692

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height: 200%">'' As the Oktober morning wind whistles through the trees outside of my cell, I feel an eerie calm. I have proclaimed my innocence to the Court and ‘fore God, yet I am still found guilty and sentence to death. I will not let them win, I will be an upright lady from the first step to the gallows to the time my body goes limp, neck broken and my last breath gone. They cry Witch, I cry Innocent. I can see the gallows from my cell window. 13 innocent people ‘fore me have swung from those gallows. Each one protested their innocence until the end. ''

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%">Elizabeth reads the last passage, however she does not read German and is unable to understand what it says. With tears streaming from her eyes, and a feeling of emptiness, she calls for her mother who responds quickly to the attic. She asks her mother to translate the final passage.

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%">''Als ich um bin, durchgeführt zu werden, steht mein glaube stark. Mutter, vater, Ihre tochter kommen nach hause, mit Ihnen zu sein. Ich bete, dass mein wohlstand und gutes vermögen weiter auf William und Dorcas Good fällt. Lassen sie meinen tod vergeblich gehen nicht aber lassen sie es das endgültige stroh sei, den wahnsinn zu beenden. ''

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%">(As I am about to be executed, my faith stands strong.  Mother, Father, your daughter is coming home to be with you.  I pray my prosperity and good fortune continues to fall upon William and Dorcas Good.  Let my death not go in vain but let it be the final straw to end the madness.)

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%">Elizabeth, paralyzed with sadness, closes the diary. She cannot fathom the atrocity committee against her ancestor and the other innocent townspeople. Elizabeth has always been a bit naïve, sheltered and raised to believe only in what is good. Martha comes up to console Elizabeth, she explains in more detail how William was in possession of the diary. When escorted to the gallows, on a horse drawn cart, William was the driver of the cart. It was against his will to do so, but out of fear, he did as he was told. Before Rebekah got off the cart, she slipped the diary under a bale of hay and whispered to William that she left a gift for him. William moved from Salem shortly after and found a cousin of Rebekah’s whom he passed the diary too and explained the story of her death.

<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height: 200%">Martha, seeing Elizabeth is calming down, has told her to take the diary and pass it down through her family so Rebekah will never be forgotten. Elizabeth sits up and catches another glimpse of the moon. Filled with disbelief, she rushes over to the window. Once again she looks at the moon, and it has turned a beautiful bright snow white. Just then she sees a shadow in the moon. Rubbing her eyes to make sure she is seeing clearly, Elizabeth looks again. It appears to be the shadowy face of Rebekah smiling upon Elizabeth. Elizabeth smiles and whispers, “You will never be forgotten Rebekah, never.” <ac_metadata title="Cry Witch"> </ac_metadata>