Chapter Ten

Madison POV

*MEMORY*

I was eight years of age, I looked around the church and noticed that everyone was here from the village. My curiosity seemed through my bones, wondering what this meeting was for. That’s when I noticed a young girl sitting at the front cuddling an older woman. The girl had long wavy blonde hair, dark blue eyes, a small mole on her lower chin and pale skin. She was almost a splitting image of the older woman, which could mean she was some sort of relative. That’s when I remembered something, they are the local doctor’s family, the Ashe family. Sofia, Agnes, and Richard. Everyone around me was whispering and chatting, some sort of fear was radiating off from everyone. I was knocked out of my trans when the reverent cleared his throat to gain everyone’s attention. “Your all wondering why we have gathered here today” He started, “Some sort of evil has been welcomed into this village” He boomed out, turning towards the people behind him. “You! Sofia Ashe have welcomed the ungodly beast into this village” He yells and points towards the young girl, who looked to be close to my age. She started to cry, “I know there are more slaves like you amongst us here” He shouted at her, looking around the room, eying everyone. Everyone gasped and started to look around at everyone with accusing eyes. My mother gripped my leg, trying to silently tell me that I am safe. The reverent continues, “You will tell me those names, that are worshipping the ungodly beast” He boomed at her, the young girl still crying, was forcefully to stand. She looked over to her mother, who just gave her a small smile, which seemed to tell her its going to be okay. Sofia clears her throat, with a shaky voice she started to name people, “Amelia Good, Sarah Tales, Natalia Goldburg...” I black out all the other names mentioned, and I start sweat, did she just say Natalia Goldberg, my mother. I turn to look up at her and she is afraid, she looks to be shaking. Why, why would she say her name?

*PRESENT DAY – 1702*

I shake my head to clear the memory, to rid of the memory. I didn’t notice that someone else was close by talking with Sofia, her body hid the person, but I could still recognise the voice. Aunt Ce. Why is she talking with that person, of all people to be associated with. I couldn’t really hear their conversation as they were whispering, but I was able to catch some of it. “Have you found that book yet, we don’t have much time” I heard Sofia whisper yell at my Aunt. My Aunt look flustered, “No my lady, I haven’t” She apologised back. “May be Madison can find it for you instead, she could be handy, since she’s getting close” Sofia said back to her, getting annoyed with my Aunt. What does she mean, I’m getting close, close to what? What is this so-called book they are looking for? My Aunt didn’t say anything, she just silently walked away. I waited for Sofia to leave so I could get out of my hiding spot, but before she did, she turned and looked directly at me. Fear struck me, how long has she known I was here? She didn’t say anything thought, just simply smiled, and walked away. I didn’t like the look in her eyes, or the feeling she gave me.

I waited until I couldn’t hear her heels, before coming out of my hiding area. Once I did, I sat down on the chair and thought about everything that was said. I didn’t understand any of it, but I did want to try clear it from my head as best as possible, so I thought that reading a book could help that. So, I decided to head straight to the library. What I wasn’t expecting what my Aunt standing their waiting for me. I shrieked at her sight, not knowing why she was here waiting for me, or how she knew I would be here. “Madison, we need to have a little talk” She said, watching my every move. I nodded, and looked to see there was a chair close by, so I decided it would probably be best to take a seat. We stayed there for a little while in silence, waiting for someone to say or do something. When my Aunt finally cleared her throat, making me jump a little inside. “I know you have found my secret room” She started, I pale, not knowing how she knew that “but that’s not what we are here for, you need to do something”. She finished off, what did she want from me?