Salem Moon Read Online Free Page B

had dared him to take her during that conversation in the woods, moments before Gabriel came upon them.
    “ Truth be told, I worry more about what vengeance her brother may seek. He is the witch, not her. And yet, because of us both, she shall hang right beside her brother. Why have you done such a shameful thing? You profess to love her , and yet, you commit such a foul deed on what very well may be the last day of her life! ”
    “ I…could not resist. If you had kissed those lips, touched those breasts, the ecstasy of the act itself was…indescribable . ”
    “ Listen to what I say now , Thomas, and listen well. Not a word of this is to be spoken to anyone, ever. Do you have any idea the grief you could bring to this family?
    “ No one will ever hear it from my lips. I shall not disgrace our family. I have already dishonored Abigail. I cannot change what has already passed, but I will take this secret to my grave. You have my word. ”
    ****
    Meanwhile, i n the claustrophobic, sweltering hot jail cell, Gabriel leaned up against a corner of the wall, gazing through the rusty bars out of the only window in the room
    Night had fallen hours ago, and he could see the ground fog rising eerily as the temperature fell, giving a faint whiff of a breeze to the stifling air. He heard the crickets sing, the frogs croaking in the nearby bog and smelled the special fragrance of the woods; that of pine and wood and wild flowers. But what really held his attention was the moon. It was even more magnificent by nightfall than it had been in the morning.  Hanging low and large in the night sky, the billions of stars paled in comparison.
    He thought of Abigail. He knew something terrible was happening to her at this very moment. He thought of his father. Was he standing outside on the large farmer ’ s porch of their home, smoking a pipe and crazed with worry? He wasn ’ t allowed to visit them at the jail.
    He and his sister would see him in the morning. The trial had been set for nine o ’ clock in the morning . The accusers would be there and certainly most, if not all of Salem Village as well.
    His reverie was broken when Abigail came into the cell. All eyes were on her as she entered . Her hair was a tangled mess, the bodice of her dress askew. These things spoke volumes, but it was her eyes that caused Gabriel to become overwhelmed with anger. Vacant of emotion, they were like the eyes of the dead . Even the beautiful violet color which they both shared could not bring the sparkle of life to them. Her eyes told the story her lips could not.
    He went and gathered her up in his arms. He brought her to the wooden bench and sat her down. Others moved aside, solemn faced to make room for her. He fixed her dress, smoothed her hair and wiped the tears gently away from her cheeks. She allowed him to do these things without speaking a word.
    “ What happened? Where did they take you? What did they do to you? ’’ Gabriel asked.
    “ Please Gabriel, do not ask me. I am ashamed to say the words. I believe…you know what they did, ” she replied softly.
    There were many others in the dreary cell. Still, it was so quiet , as if they too wanted to h ear her story. The horrid words— spoken and not— were meant to pass between brother and sister o nly.
    “ It doesn ’ t matter who— ” she began .
    “ Yes, Abigail, it does . I swear on our mother ’ s soul, I shall be your vengeance! ”
    “ It was…Thomas Snow. ”
    Gabriel was so angry, his entire body trembled. He searched his mind for some sign of the entity that had come to him in the woods in the morning now past. There was nothing. Perhaps it had been a mere figment of his imagination. No, he did not believe that to be true. The entity, the trespasser , had been real .
    As the night wore on, Abigail fell into a fitful sl eep. Gabriel sat awake, alert and vigilant ly watch ed over her.
    He looked out at that beautiful moon. How spectacular it was! That such beauty could