“SHIT,” I yell as I run towards the stables. “FATHER!”
“You’re late, Johanna.” He’s disappointed. He’s angry.
“I apologize father, I overslept.”
“That is the sixth time this week, Johanna,” he sighs, “if you keep doing this you can say goodbye to your friends for the next six moons.”
“I understand father, I will work to do better.”
“I have already finished the work that needed to be done thanks to your brother. You are free to leave.” I look over and see Timothee brushing the horses. He smirks, side eyeing me.
“I apologize again father.” I say as I hang my head. I slowly turn on my heel and walk towards William Goldeman’s.
The town is a small one, with dirt roads and wooden houses. There is a butcher across the street of my house, and a church in the center of town.
As I walk down the muddy road, I am bombarded by the noises of the animals nearby. William’s house isn’t especially grand, in fact, it looks exactly the same as the rest. Some of the wood on the outside is rotting away, not atypical to see here. There is a chicken coop and a pig pen around the back of the house.
As stated before, the house lies on the East side, backing up to the woods surrounding the town.
(text-colour:gray)[[NEXT|NEXT 2]]I start walking towards William Goldeman’s, entirely forgetting of my mother’s request to visit my father.
The town is a small one, with dirt roads and wooden houses. There is a butcher across the street of my house, and a church in the center of town.
As I walk down the muddy road, I am bombarded by the noises of the animals nearby.
William’s house isn’t especially grand, in fact, it looks exactly the same as the rest. Some of the wood on the outside is rotting away, not atypical to see here. There is a chicken coop and a pig pen around the back of the house.
As stated before, the house lies on the East side, backing up to the woods surrounding the town.
(text-colour:gray)[[NEXT|NEXT 2]](text-colour:red)[~~E R R O R~~]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[WHERE DID YOU GET THAT]] I open the door and walk in.
“William? Are you here?” He enters the room from the kitchen.
“Gods, Johanna, you startled me.”
“I apologize, Will.” I smile. He grins back at me.
---
“Alright, that should do the job.” I tell him.
“Thank you, Jo.” He smiles at me.
“It was no problem. Do you need anything else from me?”
“There is actually something…”
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[NEXT|CHAPTER 2]] I knock on the door. Not even 10 seconds later, he opens the door.
“Johanna! I’m so glad you’re here, the pigs are going wild.” I chuckle at how frantic he is.
---
“Alright, that should do the job.” I tell him.
“Thank you, Jo.” He smiles at me.
“It was no problem. Do you need anything else from me?”
“There is actually something…”
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[NEXT|CHAPTER 2]] (text-colour:red)[~~E R R O R~~]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[NEXT 2]]I arrive at William’s doorstep within 10 minutes.
(text-colour:gray)[[WALK IN]]
(text-colour:gray)[[KNOCK]]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[RUN]]“Johanna!”
“You overslept, a minute longer and father won’t be happy!”
I wake up with a start. My sister is standing over me, shouting. “Calm down Hannah, I’m up.”
Hannah leaves as I get ready for the day and walk down the stairs.
“Thank the gods you’re awake Johanna! Your father needs you in the stables,” said my mother.
(text-colour:gray)[[NEXT]] “I apologize but I cannot help, William told me he needed me this morning.”
“William Goldeman? What on Earth does the mayor need you for?”
“He needs some advice on how to handle his pigs. They have been a bit rowdy lately, and he is struggling to care for them properly.”
“You know, now that his wife is gone…”
“MOTHER!”
“Alright, I apologize,” mother said, “just be sure to let your father know before you leave.”
(text-colour:gray)[[NEXT|NEXT 1]]“Of course, mother, I will see to that now,” I say as I grab and apple from the kitchen table and walk out of the door. It is bright outside, the light of the sun is blinding.As I walk towards the stables on the other side of town, I see Abigail Coleman.
“Abby!”
“Annie!” She exclaims with a smile, and reaches out to hug me. I hug her back.
“I have not seen you all week, where have you been.” I ask.
“My father needed me in the church. I had to help with the children. Father and mother are far too busy to take care of them, so they asked me to help.”
A few years ago an illness ran rampant through the town. It claimed a large amount of the very young and many of the adults in the town, leaving many single parents alone to take care of the children. Unfortunately, William's wife and child fell victim to the illness.
They did not survive.
(text-colour:gray)[[Are you going?|THE BONFIRE]]As the last drop of air left my lungs, I looked him in the eyes, full of hatred. He looked… fearful, he was pale and wide eyed. He almost (text-style:"blur")[looked as if he had seen an apparition. ]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[“You will pay. I will haunt you wherever you step. You will never be rid ](text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier") [of me…”]
(text-colour:grey)+(text-style:"blurrier")[The world went dark.]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[...]]“Johanna…” the air turns stiff, his posture straightens a bit, “I need your help with something very important. You cannot tell anyone.”
I’m nervous. He’s become so serious. “…What is it?”
He is thinking through something. Like he is deciding if he should trust me with this or not.
“Um… never mind. Do not worry about it.”
“What?” I ask. He grabs my shoulders and turns me to the door, pushing me to it.
“Do not worry about it, love. I will see you tomorrow.” //Love//. He calls me love when he is trying to distract me from something. I turn to face him as he pushes me out the door.
“Willia-,“ he closes the door in my face. I look around, confused. Strange. What is it he’s distracting me from. It is getting dark outside.
I guess I should be on my way to the bonfire.
(text-colour:gray)[[NEXT|NEXT 3]](text-colour:(hsl:339,0.8788,0.7412,0.7))+(text-style:"smear")[It’s almost frigid out. The bonfire lights up the woods and warms the area. Teenagers are dancing around, drinking the whisky Thomas and Elizabeth brought. The atmosphere is cheerful and loud with people screaming over each other. We are far enough in the woods for no one in town to hear it. I see Abby. She smiles at me and its clear she is intoxicated. She walks towards me.
“Hello Anna,” she says, giddy, “look what Lizzy found.”
She has 2 berries in her hand. I look up at her.
“Abby, this may not be the best idea.”
“Does it matter? Tonight, might be the only fun we get before we are adults. If you don’t want one I will not force it down your throat, but you may miss out on the fun.” She winks at me. I sigh.
One of these days we’re going to be caught, this may be the only chance we have. I look at her and hold my hand out.
“Fine. But we must be careful, okay?”]
(text-colour:gray)[[NEXT|I KNOW]]
“Timothee? What has happened?”
“IT IS THE STEEDS! YOU MUST COME WITH ME!”
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[NEXT|CHAPTER 3]]Timothee is hysterical. His knuckles white as he grips my arms.
“What?”
“THE STEEDS! ITS LIKE THEY TRAMPLED EACHOTHER! ITS HORRIBLE JO, JUST HORRIBLE!”
“Is father at the stables?” Timothee nods his head in response, “alright. I am going to go talk to him. Stay here, do not leave this house do you understand me?.”
Timothee nods once again.
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF]] I arrive at the stables. The sight terrifies me. My father is inside, picking up pieces of stone that built the fences that kept the horses in. The stables are entirely destroyed. There is nothing left but broken pieces of stone and wood, trampled by the horses of the town.
I can see the bodies of horses stacked on top of each other, covered by wood that had fallen from the roof. It is a sight that will never leave my mind.
“Father?” I break the silence, “what has happened?”
“Johanna, what have you done?”
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[WHAT?]]Without much thought I take his hand. He starts dragging me towards the woods. His grip around my wrist is painful, it will likely leave a bruise.
“William, where are we going!?” I cry out. He keeps pulling me until we reach a shed. He opens the door, pulls me inside, and closes the door behind us.
He turns to me.
(text-colour:red)[“Johanna, you are in danger.”]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[NEXT|CHAPTER 4]]“Where are we going?”
“Never mind that just come with me,” he says. (text-colour:red)[“If you don’t you may die.”]
He grabs me and pulls me by the arm with a painful grip. We walk for a while before we arrive at a broken down shed in the middle of the woods.
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[NEXT|CHAPTER 4]]“Why would I do that? You just killed my father!”
“Johanna, I saved your life,” I look at him in disbelief, and I scoff. “If you come with me, (text-colour:red)[I might very well save it once more.”]
He grabs me and pulls me by the arm with a painful grip. We walk for a while before we arrive at a broken down shed in the middle of the woods.
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[NEXT|CHAPTER 4]]
(text-colour:red)+(text-rotate-x:184)+(text-rotate-y:359)[~~E R R O R~~]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[---]]“We…” I cut myself off and take a deep breath. “Why should I tell you if you already know.”
(text-colour:gray)[[NEXT|NEXT 6]]“I have no idea what you’re talking about. How could you insinuate tha-“
“Johanna. (text-colour:red)[''I saw you''.”]
(text-colour:gray)[[NEXT|NEXT 6]]“It was you in the woods, wasn’t it.”
“…Yes.” The air is tense. It is like neither of us know what to say next.
“Are you going to tell them?” I ask fearfully, “because if you do, it was me. I seduced Abigail, I am the one-“
“Johanna,” he cuts me off. “I’m not going to tell them. It doesn’t matter to me. What is happening in the town has nothing to do with you.”
I hang my head.
(text-colour:gray)[[...BUT]](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1379,0.8863,0.2))[The ladder led to a cave. There are some torches on the wall, dimly lighting the area. ](text-colour:(hsl:32,1,0.7353,0.4))+(text-style:"smear")[I grab one. I walk through the tunnel for about 15 minutes. I reach another room.
This one is darker than the tunnel before. I gag.
“Gods, it smells of rotting flesh in here.” I cover my nose with my sleeve. As I look around the torch lights up the walls surrounding me. I can see the carcasses of dead racoons and opossums. The smell causes me to gag... ]
(text-colour:(hsl:32,1,0.7353,0.8))+(text-style:"smear")[“AH!”]
(text-colour:(hsl:32,1,0.7353,0.4))+(text-style:"smear")[I try my best to move on from it but the smell causes me to collapse on the floor. My hands fall into a puddle, and I drop the torch.]
(text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1379,0.8863,0.2))[[TRY]](text-colour:(hsl:32,1,0.7353,0.6))+(text-style:"smear")[“I have to find a way out.” I whisper to myself. What was William doing down here. I stand up, and I wipe my hands on my nightgown. As a start to walk I trip over something, but I stay standing. ]
(text-colour:gray)[[TURN]](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1579,0.9255,0.3))[“Johanna?” His voice echoes off the walls. “Where did you go? They have left.”]
(text-colour:(hsl:0,0.8039,0.5,0.6))+(text-style:"blurrier")[[START RUNNING]](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1579,0.9255,0.1))[I turn down the left path.
It’s dark.
I can’t see.
I don’t know where I am going, all I can hear is the footsteps of the man chasing me.
He is yelling my name.]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[KEEP GOING]](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1579,0.9255,0.1))[I turn down the right path.
It’s dark.
I can’t see.
I don’t know where I am going, all I can hear is the footsteps of the man chasing me.
He is yelling my name. There are tears streaming down my face. I won’t be able to keep running like this.
I feel dizzy. My legs are shaking.
The sound of the footsteps fade, and I fall to the ground. I start to crawl, feeling the dirt and mud under my hands. I feel something cold.
A handle.
I have found another door.
]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[OPEN IT]]
(text-rotate-x:175)+(text-rotate-y:360)+(text-color:red)+(text-style:"smear")[~~(text-colour:red)[ R O ]~~
(text-rotate-y:353)+(text-rotate-z:323)[ 90!/?R]~~ ~~ --{|!{ -E
R]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[START RUNNING]](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1579,0.9255,0.2))[“Come on Johanna! Wake up! Please!” I hear sobbing. Someone is pumping my chest.
CPR.
I drowned.
I jolt up, choking on the muddy water I had inhaled. I cough violently, rapidly.
I don’t know where I am.
I can’t see anything.
It’s pitch black in the cave, with the exception of a torch on the ground next to me. I feel arms wrap around me. “By the Gods, Johanna! I thought I lost you.”
The panic sets in. I start hyperventilating. William just saved my life. He holds me tighter to his chest. I’m trapped. I couldn’t run if I tried...]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[STRUGGLE]]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[GIVE UP]](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1579,0.9255,0.2))[I squirm against his grip, thrashing around violently.
“STOP IT!” William yells, but I keep going. I kick, and scream, and finally I bite his arm. He lets go. ] (text-colour:(hsl:0,0.7384,0.5353,0.4))["OUCH! YOU BITCH! I AM TRYING TO HELP YOU!"]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[START RUNNING AGAIN]] (text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1579,0.9255,0.2))[I don’t try to get away. I would never be able to get away from him anyway.
“If I let you go, you have to promise you will not run from me.” He’s calm. Too calm. (text-colour:red)[“PROMISE. ME.” ]
His voice suddenly booms throughout the cave, startling me into submission.]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[I PROMISE]](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1579,0.9255,0.4))["Look at me..”
I look up in fear. The torch illuminates the underside of his face, almost making him look like a ghoul. He meets my eyes almost instantly.
"Johanna, I don’t want to hurt you, but if you leave this cave without me, I will have no choice. No one else can find out about this, if they do, they will kill me,](text-colour:red)[ and then they will kill you."]
(text-colour:gray)[[HE'S RIGHT]](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1579,0.9255,0.4))[I choose to stay. Running will not help me in this situation. If I run, I will surely die. I cannot turn him in, for my own sake. I start to cry, and my legs give out underneath me. I collapse to the floor, sobbing.
“Johanna…” William says softly, getting on his knees in front of me and grabbing my shoulders, “I’m sorry. I cannot let you leave this cave until I can trust that you will not turn me in, and I cannot ever let you out of my sight.”
I sob louder, it’s over. I’ve already lost. He will never let me leave.]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[THE BAD ENDING]](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1579,0.9255,0.2))[I choose to start running down the dark cave hall. I run as quickly as I can. William doesn’t follow. He knows he will be in no danger if I turn him in. I put my hand on the cave wall, trying to find some sense of direction in the suffocating darkness.]
(text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1579,0.9255,0.2))[I run for what feels like hours, I run until I cannot run any longer. I begin losing hope.
Maybe he didn’t follow because there is no exit. Maybe he knows I will die down here along with his secret.
My running slows, and I bend to catch my breath. At this point I am crying once again. I push myself to continue walking, putting my hand back on the wall.]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[KEEP PUSHING]]It has been weeks. I’m still in the cave, I am tied to a post, completely preventing my ability to escape.
The room is large, round, and lit by the torches on the wall. I hear footsteps echo throughout the cave halls. William is back. He comes down here multiple times a day to give me food and make sure I cannot leave. He steps into the light of the room.
“Johanna, it has been a month. I am willing to make a deal with you.” He says softly. I look up at him, not making a sound. “Marry me.”
“…what?”
“Marry me, Johanna.” He is being entirely serious. “If you marry me, I will give you the freedom you desire.”
I made the wrong choice staying in that cave. I no longer have the choice. I will have to marry William Goldeman...
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[...and I will never escape him.|NEXT 10]](text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[JOHANNA HAS BEEN FORCED TO MARRY WILLIAM GOLDEMAN TO ENSURE HER SILENCE.
JOHANNA AND ABIGAIL SURVIVE, BUT NEVER SEE EACHOTHER AGAIN.]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[__]](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1667,0.9765,0.45))[As I open my eyes, I’m surrounded by trees. I am in the middle of the woods, as I haven’t been found I believe I am fairly far from home. I ](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1667,0.9765,0.7))[know these woods pretty well, as I used to play in the all the time as a child. I walk towards where I believe the town to be. As I get closer, I ](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1667,0.9765,0.85))[hear shouting of the townsmen. ]
“FIND THE WITCH!” They yell, over and over again. I know they are looking for me. He must have told them while I was out.
The sun is setting, the torches being carried light where the group of men are. As I sneak into town it is fairly simple to avoid them. I go straight to Abigails, banging on the door. Her mother opens the door to me. She glares at me.
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[HOW DARE YOU...]]“…ok.” I say. “I’ll leave with you.”
Johanna releases a breath that I’m sure she wasn’t even aware she was holding. She smiles at me with tears streaming down her face.
(text-colour:yellow)+(text-style:"smear")[[THE GOOD ENDING]]“Johanna,” I may tears get stronger, “I can’t leave my mother here with him. You know that.”
Johanna looks at me with sadness in her eyes.
“I’m so sorry.” I tell her, “Please."
"..."
"Go without me. (text-colour:red)[Do not ever come back.”]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[NEXT|NEXT 13]](text-colour:magenta)[JOHANNA AND ABIGAIL RUN AWAY TOGETHER AND SURVIVE.]
(text-colour:yellow)+(text-style:"smear")[[__]](text-colour:purple)[[SWITCH TO JOHANNA'S POINT OF VIEW]](text-colour:yellow)[[ABIGAIL'S POINT OF VIEW]](text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[LEAVE WITHOUT ABIGAIL]]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[RETURN TO TOWN WITH ABIGAIL]]
“…okay.” I say. I hug her as tight as possible. I look into her eyes, “I love you.”
We continue crying together, and kiss one final time. When we pull apart a back away, not breaking eye contact.
“Goodbye, my love.” Abigail’s voice breaks as she says goodbye.
(text-colour:white)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[BITTERSWEET ENDING]]
”No. I can’t do that.”
“If you go back you will die.”
“I will die if I leave without you. I can’t live like that.” I say, grabbing her hands and looking into her eyes.
“Please, I can’t lose you.”
“Abigail, I will not leave without you.” She knows that she cannot change my mind.
I will not leave without her.
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[NEXT|NEXT 14]](text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[JOHANNA RUNS AWAY WITHOUT ABIGAIL.
JOHANNA AND ABIGAIL SURVIVE.]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[__]]We return to the town, hand-in-hand. The townsmen see us, they’ve now gathered every adult they could with the exception of my mother, the town’s children, Elizabeth, and Thomas. The angry mob begins walking towards us.
“YOU!” One shouts, “THIS IS YOUR FAULT! YOU LAY WITH THE DEVIL! YOU ARE A WITCH!”
They start chanting the word ‘(text-colour:red)[witch]’ as they get closer to us. I let go of Abigail’s hand.
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[["..."]]“Yes.” I say, “I manipulated her. It is not her fault, she has done nothing wrong outside of my control over her body.”
“ONLY ONE SHALL DIE TONIGHT!” William yells from deep within the crowd. He steps through and makes eye contact with me, “Johanna. Witch. You will hang for your crimes against the church of the gods.”
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[YOU WILL PAY]]I can’t speak. This may be the first time in my life that I am scared speechless. There is nothing I can do.
“THEY SHALL HANG FOR THEIR CRIMES AGAINST THE CHURCH OF THE GODS!” A voice shouts from the back of the angry mob. William. He turned me in, of course.
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")I should have ran when I had the chance.
They grab onto Abigail and I, as Abigails mother cries.
“HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO MY BABY! IT IS YOUR FAULT SHE MUST DIE!” The woman cries out. I look at Abigail with my eyes full of tears.
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[I AM SORRY MY LOVE]](text-colour:red)[JOHANNA IS HANGED FOR HER WITCHCRAFT.
ABIGAIL SURVIVES.]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[__]](text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[JOHANNA AND ABIGAIL ARE HANGED SIDE BY SIDE FOR WITCHCRAFT.]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[__]]
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(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[(text-colour:white)+(text-style:"outline","expand","tall")[THANK YOU FOR PLAYING! :D]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[PLAY AGAIN?]]]What do I do?
Whatever I choose will be the difference of life and death for the love of my life.
I cannot leave my mother. She’s has lost so much already.
But… I cannot lose Johanna.
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[LEAVE WITH JOHANNA]]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[TELL JOHANNA TO RUN]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[=
(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"outline","expand","tall")[[CHAPTER 2|GO]]]
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(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"outline","expand","tall")[[CHAPTER 4|GO 3]]](align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[=
(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"outline","expand","tall")[[CHAPTER 5|GO 4]]](align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[=
(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"outline","expand","tall")[[CHAPTER 6|GO 5]]](align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[=
(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"outline","expand","tall")[[THE END]]
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(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"outline","expand","tall")[THE WITCH]]
(text-colour:grey)[[START|THE WITCH]]
(text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1579,0.9255,0.1))[I open it. Whatever is in here is nothing compared to the man chasing me, I’m almost certain of it.
I try to step inside, but there is no ground. My foot falls straight down, and takes the rest of my body with it.
I fall for a few seconds and I’m submerged in water. Its cold. Its suffocating. Its deep. I’m sinking.
As I can feel my consciousness fading out, something grabs my waist and pulls me from the water.
I don’t fight. I just let the sleep take me.]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[NEXT|CHAPTER 6]](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1579,0.9255,0.1))[There are tears streaming down my face.
I feel like I’m suffocating.
I won’t be able to keep running like this.
I feel dizzy. My legs are shaking. The sound of the footsteps fades, and I fall to the ground, head first into a puddle.
I can’t move.
This is it.
I am going to die.
I lose consciousness.]
(text-colour:gray)[[CHAPTER 6]](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1579,0.9255,0.4))[My breath hitches.
He’s right.
I know he is.
The circumstances are too suspicious.
If it comes out that he is a witch, the fingers will be pointed at the closest woman in his life… me. They will be pointed at me.
I will be accused of bewitching him. ]
(text-colour:red)[They will hang me. ]
(text-colour:gray)[[HOWEVER...]](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1579,0.9255,0.2))I take the opportunity and start running again, but it’s no use. I can’t see. I don’t know where I’m going. My running slows as I cry. He grabs me by my hair and pulls me to the ground.
“You are going to listen to me…” he says, eerily calm. (text-colour:red)[“Or I am going to kill you].”
I stop crying. I’m in a state of shock. This man, who was so caring at the beginning of today, is now threatening to end my life.
(text-colour:gray)[[NEXT|NEXT 9]](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1579,0.9255,0.4))[However...
What he said wasn’t entirely accurate. They would let him go. He would be free to live as he pleases, as the townspeople believe that a man cannot be a witch.
The realization sends a wave a nausea through me. There are only two choices I can make.]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[STAY]]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[TRY TO RUN INTO THE DARKNESS]](text-colour:(hsl:47,1,0.6157,0.4))+(text-style:"smear")[I attempt to grab onto the wall and climb. I’ve never climbed before, but the strength I have gained from taking care of the animals of the town serves me well.]
(text-colour:(hsl:49,1,0.8,0.4))+(text-style:"smear")[The surface is about fifteen feet from me. As I climb higher and higher, my foot slips. I gasp as I try to regroup and continue to hold on.
My knuckles are white, my breaths are short, my eyes are wide, but I don’t fall.]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[STABILIZE]]“How dare you come to my doorstep, witch.” She sneers. I hear the floorboards creek behind her, Abigail runs towards me and pushes her mother aside.
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[WE RUN]]“Abby, we must leave,” I tell her. “We have to run and never turn back.”
She looks at me with concern in her eyes.
“They know what we’ve done, they think I’ve manipulated you. They will kill me.” The light in her eyes disappears.
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[NEXT|NEXT 12]](text-colour:(hsl:49,1,0.8,0.4))+(text-style:"smear")[As I stabilize myself, I attempt to continue to climb the wall.
I am almost there, I just have to keep pushing. ]
(text-colour:(hsl:50,1,0.9294,0.4))+(text-style:"smear")[The rest of the journey is tough, my arms are shaking, but I make it to the surface. As I crawl from the entrance to the cave, my arms and legs can no longer hold my weight, and I collapse.]
(text-colour:(hsl:50,1,0.9294,0.2))+(text-style:"blur")[Everything goes dark once again.]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[NEXT|NEXT 11]]Abigail screams and wraps her arms around me, but her mother works to pull her from me. I also work to detach her arms. They drag her away as they take me to the hanging tree. I cannot fight it, I’ve dug my hole too deep.
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[I should have run when I had the chance.]
As the men wrap the rope around my neck, I look at the mob. They throw the rope over the tree, and pull. I am suspended in the air, choking to death. The agonizing pain brings tears to my eyes, I search the mob for the man truly responsible for all this pain.
As the last drop of air left my lungs, I looked him in the eyes, full of hatred. He looked… scared, ashamed. (text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[“You will pay. I will haunt you wherever you step. You will never be rid of me…”]
(text-colour:(hsl:0,0,0.5333,0.4))+(text-style:"blurrier")[The world went dark.]
(text-colour:grey)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[TRUE ENDING]]"Please, forgive me Abigail. You will always be the one I love most.” I whisper to her.
The men push Abigail and I towards the hanging tree. As they wrap the ropes around our necks, we look at each other, one final time. They throw the ropes over a branch and pull. I continue to look at my lover as the final drops of air leave our lungs. It’s over. We have lost.
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[THE WORST ENDING]]“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY DAUGHTER, WITCH?!” Abigail’s mother yells at me.
“SHE HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING, MOTHER!” Abigail yells back.
“LIES! YOU HAVE CURSED MY DAUGHTER! YOU HAVE MANIPULATED HER WITH YOUR WITCHCRAFT! NOW YOU BOTH MUST BURN!” Abigail’s mother sobs as she screams at me, ignoring her daughters’ pleas not to cause me harm.
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[STAND UP FOR ABIGAIL]]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[STAY QUIET]]“Okay, well onto a brighter subject: are you attending the bonfire toni-“
“Shhh, my father cannot hear of it.”
“My apologies, Abby. You are correct, I shouldn’t speak of it so loudly right here.”
“Hello Annie,” I turn to the voice and see Elizabeth Grey and Thomas Pallor. They are both grinning from ear to ear, “Abby.”
“Oh gods, what are you two scheming?” Elizabeth pulls back the rag on her basket, showing a bottle, she grins wider.
(text-colour:gray)[[Where did you get that?|WHERE DID YOU GET THAT]] “Where did you get that?”
“Where do you think?” Thomas says, smirking.
“One of these days you will get caught.” Abby says.
“Whaatt? Nooooo. Everything we do is completely legal.” Elizabeth says, smirking.
“Okay, well I have to go meet Willia-“ I get cut off by Elizabeth.
“Why are you going to meet the mayor?” She says quizzically, with an eyebrow raised.
“He needed help taking care of his piglets.”
“Okaay… we will see you tonight I guess.” Thomas cuts in. He and Elizabeth look at each other, giggling.
“Goodbye.” I say, giving Abby a hug before walking towards the mayor’s house on the East side of town.
(text-colour:gray)[[VISIT FATHER]]
(text-colour:gray)[[GO STRAIGHT TO WILLIAM GOLDEMAN'S]]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[TURN BACK]]“JOHANNA! HELP!” Timothee yells. I run down the stairs in my nightgown. Timothee grabs onto me, sobbing.
(text-colour:gray)[[NEXT|NEXT 4]]I begin my journey to the stables to see what has happened.
I walk out the door. All I hear around me is sobbing. Dogs are running wild, chasing people. As I walk down the street, I notice the fruits at the stands lining the street are rotting, there are flies swarming. Animals in the pens around town are dead. I get closer to the stables, and I hear yelling.
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"smear")[“THE DEVIL. HE IS HERE. HE HAS CURSED OUT TOWN. WHO HAS INVITED HIM IN?! WHO LEAD THE DEVIL HERE?!”]
My eyes widen. It’s Mary Witfield. She has never particularly been right in the head, but the towns’ people seem to be agreeing, as they too, cry out for someone to come forward. Could it be true? Is this the work of the devil?
(text-colour:gray)[[NEXT|NEXT 5]]“…what?”
“What have you done? How could you do this to us?”
Something is wrong. Looking into my father’s eyes, I see nothing. Where his eyes should be, there are only two black pits. It is as if he has poured ink into them.
He quickly starts walking towards me, he has a shovel in his hand. I stand, frozen. As he approaches, he raises the shovel above his head.
//He is going to kill me.//
I close my eyes as my whole body tenses up.
I am trapped where I stand, (text-colour:red)[''frozen in fear''.]
I can do nothing but wait for the impact of the shovel colliding with my head...
(text-colour:gray)[[---]]…but the hit of the shovel never comes.
I hear a thud.
I open my eyes.
My father has fallen to the ground. Blood covers what I can see of the back of his head. I look up from his limp body, and I see William, holding a large rock in his hand. He has //murdered// my father.
But...
He has //saved// my life in the process.
William has //saved// me.
“Johanna! Come with me.” He tells me as he holds his hand out
(text-colour:gray)[[TAKE HIS HAND]]
(text-colour:gray)[[WHERE ARE WE GOING]]
(text-colour:gray)[[WHY]]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[RUN WHILE YOU CAN]]"...No."
“Then this cannot be your fault. You are not wicked for acting on your curiosities.”
"...What if it isn't only curiosity?" A look of concern, possibly a hint of dissapointment, washes over William's face. I feel tears well in my eyes at the thought alone of facing the reality that I may be entirely in love with Abigail Coleman. My //best friend//. A //''woman''//.
While we have been close for most of our lives, it has only just occured to me the intensity of my feelings for her, as well as the intensity of the bond we share. It has never been platonic. It has always been something more, whether I realized it or not.
William takes a moment before he begins to speak again.
"Johanna," he grabs both of my hands as I stand infront of him, "mear curiosity, or not, this cannot be your fault. As I said before, you cannot summon the devil without the intent."
“…how do you know so much about this?” I ask. He avoids eye contact. He knows far more than he is letting on.
“Never mind that. Go home Johanna, and stay out of sight. There is speculation risen by some kids from the bonfire who say they saw you. Your life is in dange-“
“WILLIAM!” There is banging on the shed door. It sounds like the butcher, and from the sounds of the footsteps, I can tell he isn’t alone.
William looks at me with wide eyes, then he looks around the room frantically.
“Hide.” William whispers to me. I look around. I see nowhere to go. When I look up I see his frantic eyes lock on something across the room.
I turn my head to where he is looking. There is an old, rotting rug on the floor of the shed. Beneath it, slightly peaking out from the edge of the rug, is a small handle bolted into the wood planks of the floor.
I look back at William as the men continue to shout and pound on the door. He nods his head quickly.
(text-colour:gray)[[HIDE]]“Quickly!” I lift the rug and see a trap door in the floor. Before I have time to question him the butcher bangs on the door.
(text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1379,0.8863,0.8))[“WE KNOW YOU’RE THERE! LET US IN!” I open the trap door and crawl into the hole. I can ](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1379,0.8863,0.6))[hear the sounds of footsteps and speaking as I ](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1379,0.8863,0.4))[climb down a ladder. I can here the sounds of William attempting to ](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1379,0.8863,0.2))[shake the men off my trail. I continue climbing until I reach the ground.]
(text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1379,0.8863,0.1))[[NEXT|CHAPTER 5]]“…But…” He grabs my shoulders and attempts to look me in the eyes.
“No. I know what you are thinking. You are not wicked, you and Abigail did not cause this. You can only summon a devil through intent, and you did not do that, did you?”
I look up at him, finally making eye contact.
(text-colour:gray)[[...NO]](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1579,0.9255,0.1))[I can hardly see my hands in front of me, but when I pull them from the puddle I tell whatever it is isn’t (text-colour:(hsl:0,0.7384,0.5353,0.2))[water].
I reach my hand out to grab the torch once again.]
(text-colour:(hsl:32,1,0.7353,0.4))+(text-style:"smear")[As the light reaches my hand, I can see the thick, red liquid covering them. (text-colour:(hsl:339,0.6653,0.5196,0.6))[It is blood]. A wave of fear and dread washes over me.]
(text-colour:gray)[[NEXT|NEXT 7]]
(text-colour:(hsl:0,0.8039,0.5,0.6))[William Goldeman did it. He brought the devil here.
...]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"smear")+(text-style:"bold")[William Goldeman is a witch.]
(text-colour:(hsl:0,0,0.5333,0.6))+(text-style:"blur")[[NEXT|NEXT 8]](text-colour:(hsl:32,1,0.7353,0.6))+(text-style:"smear")[I turn to look at the rock I tripped over and notice that it was a large book. It’s leather bound, with a symbol I don’t recognize decorating the cover. I crouch down and open the book.
I’m met with a ramblings in a language I don’t understand. I do not even recognize it.
There are pictures with what looks to be the same depiction of (text-colour:(hsl:339,0.6797,0.4529,0.6))[the devil ]shown in our religious texts.]
(text-colour:gray)[[DISCOVER]](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1579,0.9255,0.5))[This book isn't just any book...]
(text-colour:red)+ (text-style:"smear")[It is a spell book.]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[...|.....]](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1579,0.9255,0.1))[I start to run in a different direction from the one I came in. To my luck, there is another tunnel. I can hear his footsteps catching up to me.
I start running.
I’m met with a wall and an intersection.]
(text-color:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[LEFT]]
(text-color:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[RIGHT]]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[I SHOULD HAVE RUN WHEN I HAD THE CHANCE]](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1579,0.9255,0.2))["I promise.” I manage to squeak out.
(text-colour:red)[“If you run, I will kill you].” My tears stop. There is not an ounce of care in his voice. He is being entirely serious. This man, who cared so much about me only a few hours prior, is now threatening to end my life. His grip loosens and he lets go of me. I take a few steps away from him, putting some distance between us.]
(text-colour:gray)[[NEXT|NEXT 9]](text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1579,0.9255,0.2))[After what was probably two extra miles, I see light. ]
(text-colour:(hsl:47,1,0.6157,0.4))+(text-style:"smear")[Sunlight.
Energy returns to me in a harsh wave, and I start running towards the light.
The light shines on the walls of the cave, revealing a steep wall in front of me.
The only way out is up.]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[CLIMB]]She grabs my hand and we run for the forest.
We run for what feels like forever. For days. In reality, we only ran a few miles. The towns people didn’t find us. We stop running. We look at each other. As she is looking at me, Abigail grabs my face and kisses me aggressively.
When we pull apart we look at each other with tears in our eyes. She smiles at me, but it quickly fades to a serious, concerned look.
“What happened. Why did my mother call you a witch.” She asks, still holding my face.
“It is William Goldeman. He made a deal with the devil, and he sold our town for glory.”
“…What?”
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[WE HAVE TO LEAVE]](text-style:"smear")+(text-colour:red)[[THE WITCH]]The shed William brought me to is about 2 miles into the woods, in a very secluded area or the woods. If it wasn’t William that brought me here, I would fear for my life, but it seems like there is more for me to be concerned about than a hypothetical situation.
“What are you talking about? What do you mean? What is happening?” I ask.
“What were you doing last night? With Abigail Coleman?”
“What?”
“What were you doing in the woods with Abigail Coleman?”
“Why would that matter?”
“Why won’t you tell me?”
I start to tear up. I’m fearful. What will he do if I tell him the truth?
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[TELL HIM]]
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blurrier")[[LIE]]I wake up in my bed the next day, gasping. Sunlight blinds me as it shines through my window.
My head pounds with pain.
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[[JOHANNA HELP]](align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[=
(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"outline","expand","tall")[[PROLOGUE]]]
(text-colour:(hsl:339,0.8788,0.7412,0.7))+(text-style:"smear")[“Of course.” She says, grinning. We eat the berries. I see Elizabeth and Thomas eat one each as well. They look at me, smirking. Smug little bastards. They know how close Abby and I are. They have always known, as our two closest friends. The only people in the town who cannot, and would not, pass judgement on the widely frowned upon actions between Abigail and me.
Abigail and I have never explicitly stated our feelings for eachother. Hells, I do not even fully understand what I feel for her, and I am not so sure she understands her feelings for me herself. I have truly never given much time to the thought, and at the moment I do not hold enough sobriety to even begin to sort it out.
The night goes by in a blur. Laughing. Dancing. Kissing. All with Abigail. I remember ] (text-colour:(hsl:339,0.8788,0.7412,0.4))+(text-style:"smear") [hearing something deep in the woods, it scared Abby and I straight. We decided to stop before it went too far, fearing that we may have been ] (text-colour:(hsl:339,0.8788,0.7412,0.2))+(text-style:"smear")[caught. It would put our lives at stake. With exception of that, the rest of the night is a mess of ] (text-colour:(hsl:339,0.8788,0.74123,0.15))+(text-style:"smear")[confusion, and mixed up half memories...]
(text-colour:gray)[[WAKE UP]]''For best experience:
play in a darker area with brightness up''
>(text-colour:(hsl:210,0.1579,0.9255,0.1))[this should be legible]<
(text-colour:grey)[[[continue|START]]]