The
Burning: A Modern Witch Story
By
Nomar Knight
Kegani
had just finished cleaning a cowshed when she heard the shaman’s deep voice
behind her. “Witch, you must die!”
She
turned to see men and women waiting behind the shaman. Each person glared at her.
“What
are you talking about?”
Her
question infuriated the shaman. “Bring
her!”
Two
of the men grabbed Kegani by her arms and attempted to drag her out of the cowshed. The feisty woman managed to kick one in his
knee and bolted through the door only to be met by the others. She stopped when spotting a ten-year-old boy.
With
lips trembling, she raised her hand to defend herself. The boy slung a rock, striking the side of
her head. The others joined in on the
stoning while chanting a chorus of “The witch must die!”
She
screamed, finding momentary relief upon hearing the shaman’s order. “Enough!”
In
spite of the spinning terrain, she tried to rise only to fall back to the
ground. She tasted her own blood as
rivulets entered through the corner of her open mouth. Kegani struggled for breath.
“Tie
her up!” The shaman led the hostile
crowd to a nearby oak tree. Two men
lifted Kegani and dragged her through the sharpened stones, slamming her back
against the tree.
Through
heavy breaths, Kegani said, “I have done nothing. Why do you call me a witch?”
The
shaman drew close to the battered woman until his nose touched hers. “You gave Leilani a potion. She’s very sick and may not live through the
day. Witchcraft is not tolerated in this
tribe.”
“No,
you’re mistaken. I did no such thing.”
When
the shaman stepped back, she saw one of the men carrying a lit torch. She also spotted the boy tossing a rock in
the air, his lips curling into a sly smile.
She
screamed when another man doused gasoline on twigs and over her body.
As
the shaman chanted a spell to ward off evil, she recalled that Leilani had
vowed to steal what was most precious to her.
Leilani wanted to marry Kegani’s fiancé.
The
shaman said, “Leilani managed to tell her mother that you gave her a potion because of
your jealousy.” He took the torch and
lit the twigs that were below her feet.
Flames quickly consumed her dress.
“No!” Kegani’s screams eventually faded with the
rising sun.
As
Kegani’s soul travelled to the next realm, she couldn’t help but wonder how it
was possible for anyone to get killed for being an alleged witch, even in these
modern times.
Author’s Note: as with many of my stories, this
story was inspired by real events. Check
out the link to the CNN report here.
© Copyright Nomar Knight 2012. All rights reserved.
A Knight Chills Flash Fiction Presentation.
