Abbey is a talented writer and it is fantastic to see her sharing her work with others. You can read her contribution below.
Well done Abbey.
Guilty Until Proven Innocent
By Abbey Dawson-Brown
A cloud of fear hung over the town of Salem. Since the death of Bridget Bishop, people had become prejudice to one another and it was getting worse by the minute. At this moment, 12-year-old, Thomas Grey was being lead to the courthouse to be trialed before the Grand Jury as a witch. His sister, 11-year-old Mary, however, wasn’t at the courthouse awaiting her brother’s trial, she was doing something far more dangerous.
“...’Puff’… dear God, this hill is steep” Mary panted as she climbed the hill overlooking Salem. Mary had decided that; one, there was no chance of the Jury letting Thomas off and; two, she needed help. Mary planned to seek out Gledwig, the old woman who lived at the top of the hill, and ask for her help to save her brother from the gallows. Rumours circulated around Salem that Jane was a real witch, capable of the unimaginable.
Mary reached the top of the hill and gazed fearfully at a long, twisting path made of cracked cobblestones, overshadowed by willows with contorted branches and a lack of leaves. This led up to a small cottage that might’ve been pleasant, expect that it was overgrown with tangled vines of ivy.
Tremulously, Mary crept down the path and shyly went to knock on the door, but just as Mary was about to knock the door creaked open on its own. “For Thomas,” Mary told herself as she stepped inside of the spine-tingling cottage, in the centre of the room was Jane sitting in a chair by the fireplace. “Hello, child” Jane’s voice sounded as creaky as the door, “no need to explain why you’re here, I already know. Come and we’ll discuss”, Mary gulped and like that they started to formulate their plan.
Meanwhile, Thomas had arrived at the courthouse. “He cursed our crops to shrivel up” shrieked Elizabeth Dame “this boy is a witch”. Elizabeth had always hated Thomas with a passion and that was the main reason he was in this mess in the first place. “The Grand Jury has decided thy fate” boomed a member of the Jury “Thomas Grey, you are hereby condemned to… arrgg”. A flock of sheep barreled into the courthouse, causing mass chaos, tripping citizens and chewing their clothes.
Thomas had enough time to leap out of the way before the flock hit him and ducked behind a bench. Thomas jumped as he felt someone tap his shoulder, he turned to see Mary with a creepy old woman that he had never seen before. “Who’s...” Thomas began but was cut off by his sister as she gestured towards the door which, in the chaos was unguarded and they were out of there before anyone noticed.
They sprinted for the woods on the outskirts of Salem and once under the cover of the trees they collapsed to the ground, gasping. To their dismay angry voices were growing close, the townspeople weren’t happy and that was dreadful news for Thomas, Mary, and Gledwig...
First published in the School for Young Writers' magazine Write On , Winter 2016.
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