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Back to Salem by Alex Marcoux

Chapter 1

At first, it was so faint, it was barely noticeable, and then the soft whispers intensified. As the noise built, so did the fidgeting. Elbow-to-elbow they sat on the hard wooden pews, waiting calmly, and then they became restless.  The pews of the tiny Salem Town courthouse were filled to capacity and the rear walls were lined with men and women waiting for the ruling. The September sun filtered through the windows, elevating the temperature of the courtroom, contributing to their discomfort.

Rebecca Johnson, the accused, sat in front of the room, her eyes fixed on the wooden floor beneath her feet.  A white bonnet harnessed her long dark hair.  Her blue dress was offset with a white collar and apron, matching the head covering.

A court officer stood silently near Rebecca, pike in hand, guarding his prisoner. Beads of sweat trickled from beneath his armored helmet.

Although Rebecca sat alone, she felt the presence of her beloved husband sitting directly behind her.

The rear door of the meeting room creaked opened, jury members paraded to the front of the courtroom and sat at the vacant benches adjacent to the accused. None of the men looked at Rebecca.

Chief Justice Stoughton entered the courtroom and Daniel Johnson could feel his pulse start to race.  Everyone in the room rose to greet the magistrate and Daniel stood taller than most. Beside Daniel was John, his closest friend and comrade. Daniel could feel the palms of his hands sweat and perspiration glistened on his forehead and temples.

How could this be happening to us?  Daniel asked himself.  He stared at the back of his wife, needing to make eye contact.

As if hearing him, Rebecca turned, her big blue eyes meeting her husband's brown eyes.  She smiled at him, reflecting her outward beauty and touching Daniel's soul as she always could.  No fear registered in her eyes.  Although her full lips were silent, with her mind she spoke to her husband.  "I love you, Daniel. It'll be okay. Just remember —I'll always love you."

Daniel smiled at his wife, but she recognized the concern in his eyes.

A court officer moved to Rebecca and placed his hand on her shoulder, directing her attention away from Daniel to the judge. Stoughton sat at his high bench. A black cauldron sat on the side of the large desk, while a tapestry hung from the front of the furniture, revealing the king's crown.

"Everyone may be seated," the magistrate instructed. As Rebecca sat, Stoughton said, "Not you Goodwife Johnson. Remain standing." Then Stoughton turned toward the jury members. "Has the jury reached a verdict?"

A man from the jury stood. "Yes."

Daniel could feel his heart beat harder and faster as he anxiously awaited the fate bestowed upon their lives.

"We find Goodwife Johnson..." The foreman turned to look at Rebecca, but when her innocent eyes returned the stare, he quickly averted his eyes.  "Guilty."

"No!" Daniel shouted.

The court officer quickly moved to Daniel and attempted to seat him, but Daniel resisted. His friend, John, also had his arms around him trying to control him.

"Goodman Johnson, I will have you removed from the courtroom if you do not sit quietly," Stoughton threatened.

It was Rebecca who finally was able to calm him. She turned and offered him a smile, "Daniel, I'm fine."

Daniel's eyes met his wife's. He could not help but admire her courage and strength.  His resistance disappeared and he sat quietly, maintaining his eye connection with his wife.

Immediately the guard moved to Rebecca forcing her to face the judge, breaking her visual connection with her husband.

Stoughton turned to the jury foreman. "Thank you, you may sit."

"Rebecca Johnson," the judge began, "the Court of Oyer and Terminer has heard and determined that you are guilty of witchcraft. This abomination is punishable by death. On September 22—you will be hanged by the neck until dead, and may the Lord have mercy on your soul."

Daniel's temples started to pound and his vision became distorted.  Everything seemed to move in slow motion. He was aware that John's arm was around his shoulders and he wondered if it was there for comfort or to control a disruption. Tears formed in Daniel's eyes as he watched the officer slowly move to Rebecca's side, to remove her from the courtroom. Daniel approached her but was stopped by another officer and when he pushed past the man, another officer stopped him. Within seconds, the courtroom was in chaos and Daniel desperately fought to reach his wife. His focus to connect with Rebecca was not broken, even when he took a blow to his head and fell to the floor. Quickly Daniel stood, blood streaming from his forehead, but now he could see Rebecca and she saw him.

John broke into the chaotic circle of confusion. "For the love of God, let them say goodbye!" he shouted.

The opposition weakened long enough for Daniel to approach Rebecca and embrace her.  Both remained silent as they clung to each other.  Then the outsiders pulled them apart, trying to sever their connection.  Rebecca's and Daniel's eyes remained fixed on each other, connected, as the sheriff pulled Rebecca to the door.

Although Rebecca's lips did not move, Daniel clearly heard her voice in his head. "We'll be together, again. Next time. I promise. It'll be the same."

The door closed between them and Daniel felt his heart race. He screamed, "Rebecca." The courtroom blurred and the light dissipated until there was no more light.

"Rebecca," Jessie cried out in her sleep. Abruptly she sat up; her heart felt as if it was going to burst from her chest. She could feel the sweat on her palms, on her temples and beneath her long free flowing hair. My God. It was just a dream, she thought. She glanced at Ellen lying beside her, got out of bed and went into the bathroom. At the sink, she studied her reflection in the mirror. A full moon provided her with enough light to notice the glistening from sweat on her temples. She ran water over a face cloth, twisted it then raised the cloth to her face. Slowly she washed the sweat away as she studied her face in the mirror.

Three times. The same dream three times in two weeks. What the hell does it mean?  Her heart was still beating faster than usual.  She lifted her long hair and placed the cool wet cloth on the back of her neck.

Excerpt courtesy of Alex Marcoux

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Alex Marcoux was born and raised in Leominster, MA. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1981. She presently resides in the foothills of Colorado with her partner and son. Visit Alex's website at www.alexmarcoux.com Other titles by Alex Marcoux Facades

Back to Salem Author: Alex Marcoux Category: Paranormal, mystery Paperback: 323 pages Published: September 2001 ISBN: 1560232250 Retail: $12.56 Publisher: Alice Street Editions Click here to buy BACK TO SALEM

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