The Witches Redemption

As Vivian began planning her escape, she heard the voices of the other villagers coming, all armed with weapons such as pitchforks and torches.

Dozens of villagers, faces twisted with hatred, torches raised, weapons drawn. Her name was on their lips, but not with praise. With fury.

She couldn’t believe it, the same village that once paraded her for her wonderful work was now trying to take her life. Fear rising in her throat, she conjured a quick diversion spell. Sparks of light exploded outward, catching the crowd off guard. Without looking back, she slipped into the shadows and ran.

Her mind raced as she darted through the woods. One name kept echoing, her neighbour. The kind man she'd been making medicine for.

Had they gone after him too?

Vivian’s heart pounded. She veered off toward his house, stumbling over roots and rocks. When she arrived, her breath caught in her throat.

The door hung open. Blood smeared the walls.

She stepped inside. The smell hit her, iron, smoke, something burnt. Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on the floor.

Bodies.

His wife. His children. Lifeless. Cold.

She fell to her knees.

Tears blurred her vision as she stared, horrified. Why? Why would they do this? She had only helped. She had only healed.

Her hands trembled as she clutched her face, sobbing. Then a sound.

So soft she almost missed it. A shallow breath, fragile and desperate.

She looked to the corner of the room, and saw one of the children. Barely moving. Covered in blood. Struggling to breathe.

Vivian rushed over and held him gently in her arms.

“You’re alive,” she whispered. “It’s okay… I’ve got you…”

The boy’s eyes fluttered open, dazed. He tried to speak, but choked on his words. She leaned in closer.

"M-my father…” he rasped. “He said you were good…”

Her breath hitched.

“He told them… not to hurt you. He said you saved us… you helped…”

His voice broke, breath growing more ragged.

“They called him bewitched. A traitor…”

Vivian’s heart shattered as his small hand curled weakly around hers.

“But he said… he didn’t care. He believed in you…”

His body went still.

She held him close, sobbing into his blood-stained hair.

She backed away, hands shaking.The voices of the villagers in the distance;

“Witch!” “Deceiver!” “Burn her!”

She whispered a spell under her breath, sparks began to glow around her fingertips. It wasn’t a weapon. Just a trick. Just a chance to run.

With one sweeping motion, she flung a handful of light into the night air. It exploded like fireworks, blinding them for mere seconds, but that’s all she needed.

She ran into the trees. Into the unknown.

The night swallowed her whole,but it was nothing compared to the darkness that lived in her heart.The boy's breath had faded,but his words would never leave her.

What would you do when the people you healed become the ones who try to kill you?