The Curse

The walk to the county library was long and terrible. By the time we got there, I was already out of breath. Adeline held back a laugh, “You’d think that since you’re so skinny, you wouldn’t be this bad out of breath.” She says. I didn’t have to look at her to know that she was smirking. I take a deep breath and glance up at her, “S-Shut up. You know I have asthma,” I reply while panting. Her smirk widens, “You haven’t had asthma since you were six. You’re just really out of shape for a stick.” I huff out an annoyed sigh and stand up straight. Technically she was right, but my asthma does act up sometimes. “Let’s go huffy,” she says as she drags me inside the library by my arm. “H-How are we going to find research on this stuff? Isn’t it too old?” I ask. Adeline scoffs and drags me over to a big filing cabinet with the label County Records printed on it, “We’re going to go through all these records until we find Alica’s court records.” She says happily as she pulls open the bottom drawer, I groan and lean my head back. This is going to be a long day.

After six long hours, we finally managed to find the records for Alica Paine. “With only two hours to spare too, I think if we go ahead and dive into it we’ll be done before the library closes at six.” I glare at Adeline. She’s being too happy about this, “We wasted six hours looking for these stupid records. Can’t we just check them out and look over them at my house?” I plead tiredly. Being at the library since ten in the morning is really tiring, and looking for things that we already know about to beat it all! “We can’t check county records out stupid, look you go look them over and I’ll put the other ones back in the filing cabinet.” Said Adeline as she shoved the manilla folder into my hands. I groan and walk over to a nearby table, I sit down and flip the folder open and begin to read.

Judge Calter’s Notes August 23rd, 1685

The case of the murder of young Gideon Gravedon has surely boggled my mind. The lady of the house had stated that when she heard the screams of the child, she had rushed down to the kitchen to see what was wrong. She said that when she had arrived the child was severely cut across the throat and that his wet nurse Alica Paine was covered in his blood, including her mouth. The marshall had reported a silver dagger and bowl present, along with other items of witchcraft. The young maid had sworn to our Almighty God that she had not killed the child, but the evidence is piling against her. I have no other choice but to condemn her to death via fire.

I frown and take out another piece of paper.

Judge Calter’s Notes August 26th, 1685

Reverend Crow had gone to see the young maid, he wanted her to ask for forgiveness for her sins. Maybe she will speak the truth to him, for no one, not even a witch can lie to a priest or I at least hope not. When the reverend returns he seems pale, he has told me to not let the girl be killed by the flames, but by the rope. I’ve decided to comply, if he believes she doesn’t deserve to be burned to ash, then I will give him that much. The execution shall take place tomorrow, may god have mercy on her soul.

The last sentence sends a chill down my spine, that’s one thing I heard in my dream. “It’s just a coincidence, Callum, just calm down,” I say softly as I grab another piece of paper.

A Letter from Lady Katherine Gravedon

Dear Alica,

I know you are dead and gone now, but I have one question for you. Why did you do it? Why did you rip my child from me? Was it because you had lost your own? Or were you jealous because I had my baby to love and care for? We brought you into our home, we fed and clothed you, and this is how you repay us? By taking our sweet little Gideon from us? I entrusted you with my sons life, and you broke it. The reverend returned the necklace you had given him, I shall keep it locked away. Hidden from sight so I will not be burdened with the constant thought of your betrayal. I hope you rot in the fiery pits of hell for what you have done.

Sincerely,

Katherine Gravedon

I frown at the letter, this Katherine woman seemed to be a little bit too harsh. “They should have given Alica a chance...what was wrong with people back then?” I ask myself as I grab another paper.

A Letter from Reverend Alistair Crow

Dear Edmund Calter,

Your greatness, I fear that we have made a horrible mistake. I do not believe that the recently deceased Alica Paine was guilty of the crime bestowed upon her. A maid by the name of Gale Velmer had stated that she had seen the deceased’s mother, Lianna Paine in the kitchen the night of the murder. She had watched the cunning woman place the dagger and bowl on the table, and she had heard her say unto the deceased, “The witching hour is upon us Alica, retrieve the child from his mother and bring him forth for the ritual.” I fear that we have executed an innocent woman sire.

We must find this Lianna Paine, and question her about the child’s death. We must right what we have done wrong my liege, or we might suffer God’s wrath.

Sincerely, Reverend Alistair Crow

My heart drops, he knew that she was innocent, he knew. “Hey dweeb, did ya find anything interesting in there yet?” Asked Adeline as she plopped down in the seat next to me. I push the notes and letters in front of her, “They had to have known that she was innocent, they just had to Addie.” I say as I tap my fingers on the table. Adeline lets a low whistle and leans back into her chair, “Yeah, this is some pretty heavy stuff. Although, only one admitted to ‘being’ wrong, and that was this Reverend Crow fella.” She replies as she straightens the papers back up. I take them from her and place them back into the folder, “How much time do we got?” I ask as I glance around the library. Adeline looks at her phone and hums, “Mm...about twenty minutes, why?” I close the folder and shove it into her purse. “Cause we’re taking this and leaving, we’ll bring it back tomorrow I promise.” I say quietly when I see the confused and scared look on her face.

“Are you kidding me? We could get into trouble!” She whispers. I put my finger over my mouth and stand up from my seat, I pull her up and drag her out of the building. “I’ll bring it back, I promise, I just need to read more about this, because none of it is adding up,” I say as we walk down the sidewalk. Adeline throws her hands up and laughs nervously, “Cal, buddyyou’re not getting the big picture here! We could get into trouble!” She exclaims while waving her arms around. I frown and cross my arms, “We will if you keep doing that crap.”

Before we parted ways, I take the folder from Adeline’s bag. “Just keep quiet about this okay? First thing tomorrow morning I’ll take this back okay?” I reassure her. She’s still a bit uneasy but nods her head anyways. We say goodbye and go our separate ways when I walk inside I’m greeted with the smell of cinnamon and honey. “Oh, you’re just in time! I just got finish making cinnamon buns for the feast today, go up and get ready. We’ll be leaving soon, and don’t forget to grab the witch.” My aunt says as she shoos me to my room. I curse silently as I walk to my room, I had forgotten about Witches Day. “Maybe I can get out of it,” I mumble as I set the folder on top of my oak desk.

I walk into the kitchen groaning and holding my stomach, my aunt looks at me with concern. “Oh, Callum honey what’s wrong?” She asks. I lean against the doorway and put my head down, “My stomach is killing me Aunt Lucinda...I-I don’t think I’ll be able to go to the feast...y-you should go without me.” I fake a gag and cover my mouth. She walks over to me and strokes my cheek, “You go and lay down honey, I’ll try to save you some cinnamon buns for later.” When I walk back to my room a smirk forms on my face, I knew that would get her. I wait until my aunt leaves for the feast before I begin to read the paper’s again, I pull out another letter, but this time it’s from Carrington Gravedon. I frown, “That’s dad’s name…” I mumble as I begin to read.

A Letter From Carrington Gravedon

My dearest Alica,

I am so sorry for what had happened to you, I know it was not you that took my young son from me, and I am so sorry that I couldn’t stop you from being executed. I saw how you were with Gideon, you loved him like he was your own. Seeing him with you always brought happiness to my heart, I’m sure your mother has told you about mine and her’s scandalous affair. I just want you to know, that even though you weren’t my child, I would have loved it if you had been. You were such a sweet and gentle girl, but now you are in a better place.

Katherine still believes that you killed our son, but I do not, and neither does Reverend Crow. We are trying our best to find your lying mother, we will bring justice to your wrongful death, I swear to you we will. Take care of my son in the other world.

Yours truly, Carrington Gravedon

I place the letter back in the folder and place my hand on my head, “He knew too. Why didn’t he try harder to prove her innocence?” I say softly. I grip my pendant and look down, they should have tried harder. I grab another piece of paper, it’s a note from the reverend.

A Note From Reverend Alistair Crow

The search for Lianna Paine has been tiring, Carrington Gravedon had been helping until his wife fell pregnant once more. Now he refuses to leave her side, in which I do not blame him one bit. We have spent months trying to right our wrong, but we keep coming up short. Each time we get a lead on the witch, she manages to slip through our fingers. There is only one thing I wish to know from her, Why would she sacrifice her only daughter’s life? I know that witches are disciples of Satan himself, but I would imagine that they would have some sort of compassion for their own.

I fear that this search is driving Carrington mad, I believe he knows what pushed Lianna Paine to murder his son, but he refuses to say. The man has fallen into a deep depression, I fear that he will not be able to hold on for much longer. Although, I could be wrong or at least I hope I am. For it is he that needs to bring Lianna Paine to justice, he has more of the deceased’s blood on his hands than any of us.

My mouth falls open, “Are you kidding me!? He has more blood on his hands!? The blood is equally distributed amongst all of you!” I yell. I facepalm and laugh, these are letters and notes from the 16’ hundreds for god’s sake and I’m talking to them like they’re actual people that are still alive! I groan and put the note back and look through the papers again. Another letter from Katherine Gravedon catches my eye.

A Letter From Lady Katherine Gravedon

Dear Alica,

I went to your sleeping chambers today, I wanted to look at the past one last time before it was time for me to be bedridden. I now know that you didn’t do it Alica, I now know that your mother, my once faithful midwife had taken my little Gideon from me. It’s only been eight months since your execution, but it feels like it’s been a year. I know it is useless to do this, but I am sorry, I am sorry that I accused you of such a horrible crime. When my next child is born, I will lay onto his or her neck the necklace I had given you. I wish for their wet nurse to be forever close to them, I miss you Alica, and I wish I could take back all the hateful words I said to you the day you were hanged. Please take care of my baby in the afterlife.

Love, Katherine Gravedon

I scoff and put the letter back, “Now you’re sorry. It’s a little too late for that Miss Katherine.” I mumble as I look through the papers again. Nothing else catches my eye, as far as I can see they hadn’t caught Alica’s mother, Lianna Paine at all. I shake my head and close the folder, “They should have listened to her the first time.” I huff as I lay back on my bed. I yawn and close my eyes, this is the first time in a long time that I’ve read that much. Quickly sleep takes over, I open my eyes and furrow my brows in confusion. I sit up and look around, I’m in some cold dark room. The walls are made with stone, dark green moss covers them. A soft sobbing noise catches my attention, I look over and see a girl in a torn and tattered maids dress. She doesn’t have any shoes on and her red hair is like a mass of tangled copper wire. Slowly I stand up and walk over to her, I try to put my hand on her shoulder, but my hand slips through her body.

A knock on the big wooden door across the room startles both of us, I glance over at the door and back to her. She’s holding onto my necklace, “Miss Paine? I am Reverend Crow, are you awake?” A rough male voice sounds from the other side of the door. The sound of chains moving across the stone floor startles me, “Y-Yes! I-I’m awake! Am I allowed to go free?” The girls raspy voice catches me off guard, she sounds like she hasn’t had water in forever. The scenery around me changes, we’re back in my aunts front yard. Only it’s not her front yard, the girl from before was standing on a wooden perch with a rope around her neck and her hands behind her back. “Hey! She’s innocent let her go!” No one heard my outburst. I run over to her, but by the time I get there it is too late, the perch is kicked out from under her feet and she drops. I watch as she swings from side to side, I feel sick to my stomach.

“You cannot change the past young master, I know it hurts to see, but you had to know.” I heard Alica’s sweet voice whisper in my ear. I look down, she didn’t deserve to die. “You look like that horrible Carrington Gravedon.” A new voice speaks to me now. This was cold and venomous, I look around and see no one. Not even Alica was there, “Who said that?” I ask. My question was met with a gust of cold wind. “I will finish what I started! CARRINGTON GRAVEDON MUST PAY!” I gasp and sit up in my bed. I pant hard and look around, no one is here but me. I close my eyes and try to calm my breathing, my body buzzes with an unknown feeling.

“Cal! I’m home! I was able to save you one cinnamon bun!” I hear my aunt call as she walks into the house. I rub my face and stay silent, there has to be more about this Lianna Paine in the library, I’ll look for information on her tomorrow.

The next day, I go over to Adeline’s house early. I tell her about everything, the letters, notes, and the weird dream I had. She hums and puts her hands behind her head as we walk to the library, “Seems to me that this Lianna person was just a booty call, and she wanted more but was denied.” She says after about ten minutes of silence. I frown and lightly slap her arm, “It wasn’t just that. Carrington had said something about Alica not being his daughter, I think Lianna believed that her daughter was being treated wrongly because she was a product of an affair.” I reply thoughtfully. Adeline shrugs and stops walking so she can look at me, “Well whatever it is, it’s weird. After we take those records back what are we gonna do?” She asks. I sigh and take my hand through my hair, “I told you, we’re going to look more into Lianna Paine. I need to know if she was ever caught.” I say as I pull her into the library.

“Cal you’re getting a little obsessed with this don’t you think?” Asks Adeline as she follows me to the back to where the county records are. I glance over my shoulder to look at her, “No I’m not. This is about my family I have the right to know.” I reply. When we get to the records, I bend down to place the stolen record back in its place in the bottom drawer. “Well I doubt there is anything in those old files about Lianna.” She says as she leans against one of the bookshelves. I ignore her and search through the files, I pull one out labeled witch hunt and wave it around. “I’m sure these will have something to say.” I reply. I walk over to a nearby table and sit down, I take a breath and spread the papers out around me.