Little Rain in Salem

The glowing fire of torches seemed to stretch for miles. The impending weather would not deter the mob any longer. They were after blood. Abigail’s eyes widened in fear as her demise quickly approached. Throwing back the curtains, she swallowed her fear before summoning her daughter. “Marjorie!” She called, her voice edged with fear.

A pale dark-haired girl came tiptoeing into their kitchen, her bright eyes wide. “Yes, Mama?” Her fingers twined together with nerves. Abigail reached out, beckoning. Marjorie noted the tears gleaming from her mother’s eyes, the fire highlighting her graying hairs, and approached her cautiously.

Abigail hugged her child tightly to her chest, planting a kiss atop her head. Marjorie wrapped one arm around her mother, the other around her engorged abdomen. She felt a tightening pain and winced. Her mother held her tighter and planted another kiss on her head.

“Mother, I think it’s time,” Marjorie said through gritted teeth, her pain intensifying. Abigail’s heart soared and broke in a matter of seconds. She held her child at arms’ length, but she was hardly a child now. For she was going to be a mother.

“So it is,” she said softly, fighting back tears. Abigail cursed herself for being so emotional at a time when reason was needed. “You must go. Far, far from here as you can before she comes.” Marjorie’s eyes widened, brimming with tears.

“But, Mama, where will I go?” They both sniffled and a tear fell down Abigail’s cheek.

“Where ever you wish, my dear.” She gave Marjorie's arms a comforting squeeze. “You must go now.” Abigail's breath was shaking as Marjorie started to cry.

“Aren’t you coming with me?” Abigail shook her head, holding back her sobs.

“I will keep them at bay. Now you must go. Dress warmly...and please...keep yourselves safe.” She guided her daughter towards the door, wrapping her in the thickest cloak, and sent her into the night.

Marjorie hurried down the hill from their house, tears streaming down her face now. Rain had begun to fall and she tugged a hood over her ears. It grew darker as she entered the woods. She put one hand out to guide herself while protecting her pregnant belly with the other. “It’ll be alright,” she whispered to her unborn child. “I will keep you safe.”

She dared one glance back and her eyes widened. In the distance, where their house had once stood was a blazing inferno, with a crowd cheering around it. Tears welled up in her eyes at the thought of her mother who was just standing in the kitchen begging her to leave, turned to ash much like their home.

Marjorie forced herself to keep going, the pain in her belly stronger. She bit her lip to stifle her screams as the rain came down harder. She wandered through the woods for nearly two hours and as Marjorie was exiting the small wood, she tripped. The ground became slush beneath her feet and she fell, barely catching herself on a tree.

She howled with pain and she froze. In a clearing, just a little ways off, stood a barn of fair size, though it was in dire need of repair. The contractions were coming more frequently and Marjorie gritted her teeth together as she forced herself to keep going.

The rain was cold against her skin, the wind whipping against her body. She shivered as a warm fluid cascaded down her legs. Marjorie cursed to herself, swallowing her screams of anguish at her luck. Her baby was going to be coming soon and her heart began to rattle against her ribs. Her feet felt like lead as she tried to make it to the barn.

Marjorie wrapped her arms around her abdomen, willing her child to stay put for just a few more moments. "Please," she spoke with a trembling voice. "Just let me get you somewhere safe." She howled in pain falling to her knees. "Please!" Tears were hot against her skin and she felt part of herself tearing.

She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths, and began to whisper a soothing incantation. The pain subsided and Marjorie clumsily got to her feet. She walked, her knees feeling as if they were going to buckle beneath her again as she came closer to the barn.

She pulled with what little strength she had left, the door's rusty hinges screaming as they moved. Once inside, she snapped her fingers and the worn wooden doors swung shut with a soft slam. Marjorie doubled over and she emitted a weighted grunt.

Marjorie waddled, struggling to remove her cloak before lowering herself into the pile of hay. She winced in pain as she laid herself back, her body breaking into a hot sweat. She had barely undressed herself when the pain began again. Her back arched as she emitted a screech like that of a banshee.

She felt her heart breaking, knowing the time had come for her to push this baby out. In a barn where there was no one else around for possibly miles and suddenly her loss hit her. Her mother was supposed to be here, supposed to hold her hand, and be the one to swaddle the baby before presenting her. Marjorie screamed again, cursing those who had burned down their home. Cursed those who had killed every one of her sister's, her family.

She used her pain and anger to keep pushing, feeling her baby nearing their entrance to the world. The world so cruel people would just kill when no harm had come to them. It was medicine. We helped you. She thought to herself. Marjorie squeezed her eyes shut and gave a final push.

The silent air of the bar was filled with the screams of a newborn baby. Marjorie leaned over, moving her skirts, and suddenly the hate evaporated from her heart. There laying amongst the hay was a beautiful little baby girl, who was currently objecting her being evicted from her warm home.

She cooed down to the wailing babe and reached down, picking her up. She held the infant to her breast and dragged the cloak to them. Marjorie covered her and her baby, and watched as her daughter calmed as she laid against her mother's chest.

Marjorie sniffled and caressed her baby's soft new cheek with her finger. "Hush now, my darling. You're safe now. I am here," she whispered into the still air. The baby gave soft coos, content with her new warm hiding place. Marjorie shed a few silent tears, both happy for her daughter's arrival, but continuing to mourn the loss of her beloved mother.

"Your grandmother would have loved you so much," she said, her lips trembling. "but she...gave her life to protect us. Now I will spend the rest of my life keeping you safe." She continued to ponder about a name for the new babe.

Drops of rain fell through one of the cracks of the ceiling and dripped down onto her baby's making her stir. Marjorie felt a smile warm her face and she planted a soft kiss against her daughter's forehead.

“As your mother, I shall name you…Raine Elizabeth Farrow. Born June 19th, 1692, you are the daughter of Marjorie Anne Farrow, and granddaughter of the great healer, Abigail Elizabeth Solyne-Farrow. For as long as I shall live, you will know no pain, only love. No harm will come to you for I will be your shield. I will love you until my last breath, Raine, I promise.”

The baby cooed in response and Marjorie hummed a lullaby as she held Raine closer. “How strange it is. That you come into this world and bring me such peace. I was scared for you…while you were just scared to be born. I thank you for bringing me peace…and a new reason to live. I feel no hate in my heart, no longer do I desire to curse those who took your grandmother. I feel only unconditional love for you, my sweet beautiful girl.” She caressed the dark hair and hummed her lullaby again before they fell asleep together.

The rain continued to fall outside, tapping against the decaying roof above them. Marjorie fed her daughter and kept her warm under the cloak. For the first time that night, she felt safe and at peace.