NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 4: Behind the lies
Evelyn stepped into her cozy home, carrying a basket of flowers and an apple. Her fair skin glowed softly in the fading light as she hummed a lullaby, slipping off her shoes and walking to the window. Below, the small village bustled with life, but she knew its dark side well. To them, she was an outsider—her knowledge of herbs and love for nature made them wary.
The whispers had started, rumors of witchcraft spreading like wildfire. They feared her healing touch, twisting her kindness into something sinister. Evelyn understood their fear, but it didn't make it any less dangerous. In these times, standing out meant risking everything.
Her husband, John, had grown distant, his unease turning into cruelty. Fear had taken root in his heart, and it poisoned their marriage. He flinched at her presence, and his once-loving words had turned sharp. The weight of his suspicion pressed heavily on her.
Just then, their young daughter, Elle, burst into the room, holding up a shiny pebble. "Mama, Mama, look!" she exclaimed, eyes shining with excitement. Evelyn smiled, taking the pebble in her hands, admiring it as if it were a precious gem. Elle beamed, giggling as she ran off to play. Evelyn watched her, love and fear twisting inside her chest. She couldn't bear the thought of harm coming to her little girl.
Later that evening, a knock at the door pulled Evelyn from her thoughts. Standing there was Goody, a peculiar woman from the village. She had always been kind to Evelyn and Elle but was known for her sharp tongue and ruthless nature toward others.
"Evelyn, I'm worried," Goody said, eyes filled with concern. "The villagers are restless. They say you're a witch."
Evelyn sighed, nodding. "I know, Goody. But I'm just a healer."
Goody took her hand, squeezing it. "I know, but a healer's hand can turn deadly in the eyes of fear. Be careful. If this continues, they'll come for you."
As night fell, dread settled deep in Evelyn's heart. She wrapped her arms around Elle as they lay in bed. "I love you, Elle," she whispered.
"I love you too, Mommy. To the space and back," Elle murmured sleepily.
Days passed, and the tension in the village thickened. The whispers became shouts, the wary glances turned hostile. John, lost to fear and resentment, found solace in Ruth, a cruel woman who fanned the flames of the villagers' hatred. His betrayal only deepened Evelyn's loneliness.
Then, one night, the inevitable happened. A mob gathered outside their home, torches casting flickering shadows against the walls. At the front stood Joseph Crackstone, his twisted grin filled with malice.
"She's a witch!" he cried, and the mob roared in agreement.
John stepped forward, his face twisted with fear and hatred. "She's bewitched us all!" he shouted.
Evelyn's heart shattered as she reached for Elle, desperate to hold her, to protect her. But rough hands tore them apart. The villagers dragged them to the town square, where a pyre waited, hungry for flame.
Through the sea of faces, Evelyn spotted Goody at the edge of the crowd, tears streaming down her face. "I shall come back," she whispered.
As the flames rose, consuming the world around her, Evelyn closed her eyes and held onto a single hope—that Elle would find peace in a world free from fear and hatred.