Erybelle: Get back to the Town Square.
From Create Your Own Story
You have a bad taste in your mouth as you hurry down the road, trying to make yourself as small as possible as you bob in and out of traffic. When you see Maple sitting at the table, talking with a customer calmly, your entire body suddenly feels light and feathery. Everything's okay... Nothings happened while you were gone...
With a dazed smile on your face you make your way to the table and collapse into a chair next to her. She laughs when she sees you.
"What on earth happened to you, Ery? Your face is all cut up and you're absolutely soaked!" You close your eyes and feel her fingers brush against your cheeks. Well sort of feel them anyways, you can't really feel anything anymore but that's okay, because when you open your eyes you know Maple will be right there next to you...
Along with a large crowd.
"C-Can we help you?" Maple asks suddenly, turning to the oversized group and trying to ignore the weapons they carry. Pitch forks, rusted but still sharp, and torches, unlit. A figure makes it way to your table, his face gaunt like a skeleton and his voice scratchy and deep.
"We've come for you, witches. No more will you pollute the souls of the innocent with your wicked ways and evil intentions. We will not allow you to drag us into Hell, whence you first came from and whence you will return." Maple stands, her eyes burning and furious but you can't help notice how short she is, how small she seems compared to the Priest. You feel the vibrations of feet as they move closer, you feel the air become acid, filling your lungs, unable to breath. They advance, lighting their torches now, they advance, arms holding rope, they advance, their eyes not even human.
You don't have time to scream before they grab you, twisting your arms behind your back. You search in the crowd for Maple, trying to find her, nothing else matters. The rope is pulled tight against your skin, cutting into your circulation but you don't care, you still scream Maple's name, needing to see her one last time if this is to be the end.
You're lifted above the crowd and you manage to spot her, her face stained with tears and her mouth gagged. She mirrors you.
You contort your body, trying to move closer, but you feel a jab in your side and see blood begin to stain your dress so you stop.
You might've passed out because when you open your eyes again you're at the gallows. Enormous wooden stakes have been driven into the earth, a platform in the middle, bits of dry wood surrounding it. This is the end, you can feel it coming though you refuse to accept it.
You're placed onto your feet but you're too weak, your legs give out and they have to hold you up, tearing off your jacket and your bag until all is left is your plain white dress and your flower crown.
You can't bear to witness what they're doing to Maple so you let your head hang. You can hear her screams and their laughter, it's torture is enough for you. You feel yourself being lifted and then tied to the splintering wood. You try and fight it but feel the chaffed skin on your wrist and think twice.
You look out into the crowd as the Priest delivers one last sermon, telling of all your crimes and the glory the congregation will gain from burning you.
What will you do?
