A weary silence engulfed the dining room as Mr. Nightingale sat facing his wife. They only had to endure each other’s company few moments per day during meals. The only voices to be heard were the clinking of the fancy china, and the wood burning in the fireplace. The Sheriff stared as the shadows danced along his wife’s face. She lifted her head, and he looked away, avoiding her gaze. When the servants were gone he started eating and waited patiently for his wife to say something, knowing very well that this is not another one of their silent dinners. The memory of her threat during the trial was haunting him. The wait was unbearable.

- Witchcraft is not to be taken lightly, she finally said. As father Mathew says, the devil is among us. He had told me fearsome tales about evil witches from Germany all the way to Salem.

- Hmmm, he mumbled chewing on a piece of meat.

- I am very sorry if I made you worry earlier. I was really afraid. It’s that woman I tell you. She’s no good.

- But you’re fine now. Aren’t you? He asked dispassionately.

- Yes, she paused for a second. What are you going to do with her? Did the board decide?

- Not yet, he answered

- Why not? She asked putting the silverware aside. A witch should get what a witch deserves.

- Well it’s not simple. The Sheriff recalled the trial and all the humiliation it entailed for Miss Mary. He couldn’t help but sympathize with her. That’s why when the trial was getting too intense ,he ordered her to be taken away. Her knees scraping the floor as the miller’s boy tried to rush after her. He couldn’t do anything else for her then.

- But it is… She is a witch, argued his wife.

- And also a respected member of this community. She saved this town and we should all be grateful to her.

- But she’s a faithless woman! Didn’t you hear anything Father Mathew said?

- The bickering of a greedy, bitter old man.

- What is that supposed to mean?

- Everyone knows he’s a deceitful man. I know about his quarrel with Miss Blanche. How she refused to let him use her ship. You think I don’t know that he’s one of the main suppliers of the brothel?

- Well he’s not the one on trial is he?

- He should be.

- But what about her servant and the mark of the devil?

- The rambling of an under-admired jealous woman and a birthmark. Everyone was just caught in the frenzy. I’m pretty sure everything can be reasonably explained tomorrow.

Mr. Nightingale knew the risks of not taking his wife’s threat seriously, but maybe he could reason with her in order to save an innocent life.

- Regardless of the evidence, she will be executed tomorrow! Because you’re going to make that decision right now. She said and he knew there was no room for reason in her plan.

- Have you lost your mind woman?! He half shouted. You‘re talking about killing an innocent soul!

- She’s not innocent! She rose from the chair. You will do as I said or…

- Or what? He interrupted. Why won’t you admit what this is all about?

She gave him a daring look.

- Your miller’s boy, he continued. What was his name again? Oh, who cares? You chose him as a means to an end and he agreed. You should’ve known better than to have feelings and kept yours to yourself. Did you honestly think he felt anything for you? I can’t imagine how repelled he was when he was inside of you. You accused Ms. Blanche because she took him from you. You hate her for being everything you’re not. Guess what? You will never be. He’ll never forgive you for what you’re about to do to her. Let him be happy. Let them be happy. Find someone else!

He regretted the last few words the instant they came out of his mouth.

- I wouldn’t need anyone if my husband… She stopped and his face became as pale as a ghost’s. You will do as I say or I will ruin you in front of the whole town. I will tell them about our wedding night, all your indiscretions, your.. perversions. You know I will. I married you all those years ago because I loved you and you led me on. How could you not tell me? And even when I agreed to stay and keep your secret you went ahead and found pleasure in the arms of… I may be insane but you are disgusting. You think I don’t know where you’ve been before making it to the town’s market? If I don’t get what I want then I’ll gladly ruin us both dear husband…

In her voice he heard as much hatred as pain. He knew he couldn’t stop her. She was a woman with nothing to lose and that made her powerful and dangerous. Hell has no fury like a woman scorned, and this woman burned like the sun with rage and desire.

- Sit down. He said to her calmly.

******

The storm finally broke out. The wind howled and shook the trees. The heavy rain started pouring down on the town and everyone was either asleep or sitting by a fire. Everyone except the imprisoned criminals. Mary was freezing in a wooden cell which leaked from the ceiling. They threw her in a cage like a dog, next to the thieves, the killers and the fornicators. She sat in a corner avoiding the fat droplets of water and contemplating how, in just a few hours, her entire life was turned upside down and how those who were behind it were roaming free. Those idiotic town’s people had almost joyously swallowed the bait. She momentarily regretted coming back but she remembered the joy it brought her to see Christopher again. Her stomach grumbled. She was starving. But food doesn’t matter now. Nothing matters now. She was defeated and brought to her knees. As she accepted her fate and closed her eyes trying to find some peace she heard a whisper.

- Mary.

She turned around and it was Christopher.

- That dreadful woman. Look what she has done to you! To us! His hand reached inside and she held it. At least she got to say goodbye to Christopher; that will have to be enough to soothe her pain.

- It’s all right, she said. It was a plan long in the making. Neither one of us could have anticipated it.

- God take them both; her and that reverend. When you came back I thought I was dreaming. You came down from that ship, and though I haven’t seen you in years, I knew it was you. I never thought it’ll come to this. I can’t let them take you from me.

- They got me pretty bad. Didn’t they? But don’t do anything stupid.

- I wouldn’t bare to lose you. Murderers! They’re all murderers. He almost shouted, tears in his eyes.

- It’s too late now dear. It’s time to wake up from the dream.

- I don’t want to wake up in a world without you. I won’t.

- Then dream with me one last time Christopher, whispered Mary.

She reached between the bars and kissed him. In that moment she wished time would stop. She remembered their broken hearts when she had to leave and the letters he wrote to her when she was gone. All the beautiful places she had seen around the world failed in comparison to the smile on his face when she returned. She wished she had brought him on the ship and they had left, never to return.

She opened her eyes and he was gone. He was but an apparition, a dream that was now lost never to be found again. In the darkness stood a hooded figure.

- Even in defeat you still cling to his name. It sneered.

- The day will come when you shall reap what you have sown. Said Mary.

- By then you’ll be long gone to witness it my dear, said Mrs. Nightingale, stepping closer to the cell and revealing herself.

- You’re here to gloat that’s it.. You may have gotten rid of me but you know as well as I do that all of this is for nothing. Christopher may have given in to your whims when I wasn’t here, but he will never forgive you after this. You achieved nothing. You have nothing. You never will. Mary felt the rage rise within her with every word that shot out of her mouth.

- Oh, keep deceiving yourself. But I know that I, once again, can make him a proposal he can’t refuse.

- Who’s delusional now? Asked Mary.

- Since you’re about to be executed tomorrow, let me enlighten you, answered the old lady. He may not forgive me, but I shall have him return to me in no time. All I have to do is remind him how his dear father’s business can be ruined by a few rumors. How the Sheriff’s wife can point fingers and all the others will do is abide to her will…

Lightning brightened the sky revealing Mrs. Nightingale’s satisfied smile.

- … And if he refuses, then I’ll have to be satisfied with destroying both of you for what you’ve done to me, she continued.

- Done to YOU? What have WE done to you? All we ever wanted was a happy simple life! And now it’s lost!

- Don’t you dare speak to me of loss! You took so much from me and you don’t even know it. I needed him as much as you did, maybe even more. Not just to be with him, but I also… You will never understand. The blood was still wet on my legs when you returned and he went running back to you!

Mary’s face was a portrait of horror as she tried to understand what the other woman was saying.

- Yes… Your knight in shining armor is not as shiny as you may think. He didn’t even mourn my.. our lost chi… Mary heard the woman choke on the last word as lightning stroke again revealing the tears in her eyes.. You have nothing to say now fatuous girl.

- But.. I… Mary couldn’t conjure words to say what’s in her mind. Her heart was a maze of emotions and she was adrift. It’s not fair… She uttered, almost to herself.

- Life isn’t fair dear. Is it fair that only I shall suffer?

- You can’t do this! Mary’s voice rose.

- I can. And I have, said Mrs. Nightingale turning to leave.

Mary summoned the strength to get up and grab the bars of the cell.

- You can’ do this! You can’t be so monstrous! She screamed at the disappearing figure. You can’t do this… You can’t… You monster…

TO BE CONTINUED ...