Within the Accused

Salem, Massachusetts. March 23, 1692. T'was a time of great hysteria and lack of my existence in the hearts of humanity. My friends and I couldn't bear to witness the punishing of the innocent. I say they don't deserve it! But who would listen to us?

I would Conscience. Don't worry. Everything will get better. Just don't lose me! How long can you say that Hope? I mean just look at what's happening!! That nasty man has a warrant for Rebecca's arrest! And they will for sure hang her! You need to put an end to your worthless talk on hope! Stop this nonsense Anger! I'm getting scared. We already know what is going to happen. Don't keep reminding me. Yes, Anger. Fear is correct. Just please be quiet and let me continue narrating. (Broken mumbling from Anger)

What makes me a little happy is I can share my misery and sorrow among my friends and they'd listen. Well, at least most of them would. But who can Rebecca talk to? She's just an old, frail woman with no one but her husband, Francis. Who can she turn to for help? What is there that an old man and woman can do against these mindless, ruthless, hoopla-filled people who call themselves 'good Christians'? I for one am confidently saying that these people are not God fearing humans. Because all they want to do is to accuse people who they dislike. As one of the very few good souls of Salem said, “Is the accuser always holy now? Were they born this morning as clean as God's fingers? I'll tell you what's walking Salem--vengeance is walking Salem. We are what we always were in Salem... and common vengeance writes the law! This warrant's vengeance!" (The Crucible, 876-884). Who regards the truth with respect these days? Even if their conscience is attempting to tell them that their decision is wrong, human mentality is to disregard it and to do what the majority does. Ugh. I've always despised my arch nemesis, 'the mob mentality'.

Conscience! Conscience! What Fear? What’s wrong? We’re being taken to the execution site! It’s done! Everything is over! Oh, is there anything we can do? Oh, Lord! Please save us from this injustice! I have never even seen the Devil with anyone. I am innocent as the child unborn! Why take such harsh measures on an old woman? You do know that I am innocent! Oh shut up Fear will you? What is the point of you complaining? Didn’t we already discuss this? Now Anger and Fear calm down. Even if we die in this life, I am certain that the Lord will grant us a place in heaven for just as Fear said, we have done nothing wrong. What Hope said gave me some reassurance. After we leave this world we will come face to face with the Lord on The Day. And on that fine day, the only thing that counts is the truth and nothing but the truth.

On July 19, 1692, an old woman of 71 hung by a rope for all of Salem to witness.