Witch Hunter

By Kathleen S. Allen

Fifteen year old Molly visits her Aunt Sarah in Salem, Massachusetts. Aunt Sarah is a witch who reads Tarot cards and she predicts Molly will have a good time. But, even Aunt Sarah can't predict murder. Molly discovers a connection to the Salem Witch Trials and to the murdered victims, is Molly the next one to die?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kathleen S. Allen
• Release date: May 11, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458179418

Kathleen S. Allen

Kathleen carries in her messenger bag a container of salt, a vial of dead man's blood, a floral bonnet, a box of Twinkies, a sonic screwdriver, and a dog-eared copy of Frankenstein.

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WITCH HUNTER

By Kathleen S. Allen

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2011 by Kathleen S. Allen

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1

Pull over here mom, Molly O’Claire was half out of the door before the car had stopped.

The Atlantic Ocean in all its glory stretched out for miles in all directions. Waves that were tipped with foam bubbles washed up onto sun-drenched sand and washed out again to leave imprints of the bubble behind. Blue skies interlaced with cirrus clouds spoke of fair weather in the days ahead. Molly sighed with the sheer beauty of it. She kicked off her shoes and waded into the cold water.

Isn’t it beautiful mom? she called to the woman who waited near the Jeep on the shoulder of the road. Mary waved to her daughter. Molly’s red hair blew wildly about her face. She held it back with one hand as she laughed.

Come on Molly, Sarah is waiting for us. Molly waved to show she heard her then smiled as she spotted a starfish on the beach. She picked it up and tossed it back in the water.

Come on, let’s go. Molly retrieved her shoes from where she had thrown them and walked barefoot up the slight hill to the Jeep. She brushed her sandy feet off before she climbed back into the passenger side.

That was awesome, she said as she buckled her seat belt. I love the ocean. I hope you get the job so we can live on the beach. Maybe I can find a part-time job too, you know babysitting or working in a store.

I hope I get it too. I want us to be closer to Sarah, and you know how I feel about you working when you are in school.

I know. School is my job right now, she grinned at her mom. Hey, can I practice driving?

No, not right now. You don’t know these roads.

Neither do you, Molly said under her breath. Her mom glared at her. Molly smiled back at her. We haven’t seen Aunt Sarah since she moved back to Salem two years ago, she said as her mom pulled off the shoulder and back onto the road.

I do miss her even though I don’t always agree with her choices.

Did you have that twin thing going when you were little?

What twin thing?

You know, secret language all that. One of the girls at school said that twins have a psychic connection.

Her mom laughed. I’ve heard of that too but I don’t believe it. We never had a secret language either. Molly considered for a moment then abruptly changed the subject.

I can’t wait to see her bed and breakfast. I bet it’s cool.

I can just imagine.

****

Hours later they pulled up to a huge white house near the beach with a sign out front that read: THE WITCHES RETREAT-A BED AND BREAKFAST INN. Molly laughed delighted with the sign.

You’ve got to be kidding, her mom said.

Sarah came out onto the porch. She had on a rainbow colored skirt that brushed the top of her bare feet, a bright green blouse and a bright green scarf on her head. Her long brownish-gray hair hung in a thick braid down her back and was tied with a bright green ribbon. Her wave to them tinkled merrily because of the many gold and silver bracelets she had placed on each wrist. Molly raced up to her aunt and gave her a bear hug that nearly knocked her down in the process.

Aunt Sarah, it’s so good to see you! Sarah hugged her back until her mom cleared her throat. Sarah reluctantly let go grinning at Molly.

Molly you look so tall.

She’s grown three inches since you saw her last, her mom said.

Sarah smiled at her. Hi, Mary. It’s great to see you too. I’ve missed you guys. She moved to hug her sister but Mary took a step backwards and picked up the suitcase she carried from the car.

Thanks for letting Molly stay with you while I go on this interview in Boston.

What’s it for again? Sarah said as she cocked her head to look at her twin.

Visiting Professor of English at Boston University. It’s better than the lecturer position I had at the University of Michigan. It’s only for a year but they might extend it if they like my work.

For an answer Sarah pulled a Tarot Card out of her skirt pocket and announced, The Wheel of Fortune. Cycle of Life.

Molly leaned in to look at the card. Molly’s mom pulled her back with a frown and a shake of her head. Molly looked at her mom, then at Sarah. The two had identical faces but could not have been more different. Both were just over five feet with slight builds but that was where the resemblance ended. Her mom had on beige slacks and a cream-colored blouse. Her shoes matched her pants. Molly looked down at her scruffy tennis shoes and smiled. Her mom wore small pearl earrings in her ears and her hair was professionally styled into a short cut and colored a deep brown. She wore a small amount of eye makeup and soft pink lipstick. Aunt Sarah had on gold hoop earrings that brushed her shoulders and no makeup. Molly smiled at the two of them.

What do you think of the B&B? Sarah asked Molly.

It’s so huge. I love how the porch wraps around the whole front of the house. I can’t wait to see inside. Sarah put her arm around Molly’s shoulders and started to lead her inside.

I put six coats of white on that porch all by myself. I had the outside painted by a friend of mine. It’s called robin’s egg blue.

I love it, Molly said.

Come on I’ll give you the grand tour. You too Mary.

Maybe a short one, I have to be in Boston by six to keep my hotel room. Sarah nodded as they stepped into a large hallway with pale blue walls. Molly peeked around the corner into a small front room. It was painted a soft blue with white trim. The overstuffed chairs looked like you could sink into them. Her mom followed Sarah into the room. She nodded appreciatively. Molly spotted the bay window seat and sat down on the cushion. The window overlooked the porch and beyond was a view of the ocean.

This is going to be my seat, Molly announced as she sat down on the cushion. She stroked the fabric that matched the color of the ocean.

This is pretty, her mom said as she glanced at her watch. I better get going. I’ll see the rest when I pick Molly up on Sunday. Thanks again.

No problem. Her mom turned to Molly.

You better get your other suitcase out of the car Molly. Molly got up reluctant to leave the window seat. She glanced back at it as she walked to the front door. Once outside she got her suitcase out of the trunk of the car. She put the suitcase down on the ground and took a deep breath. She licked her lips and tasted salt. She could actually taste the sea. She picked up the suitcase; on the way back up the driveway she noticed a shop next door. What’s that store? she called to her aunt who had come out with her mom. The two of them stood next to each other. Sarah still didn’t have any shoes on.

An antique shop. It just opened. Come on Mary, Sarah said as she grinned at her sister. Molly looked at her with a puzzled frown. Something was going on.

I can’t.

Just for a minute?

Mary looked at her watch again and sighed, Okay, but just for a minute. Molly put her suitcase on the porch and walked over to the antique shop. Mary was the last one in. The woman behind the counter smiled as she came around the counter. She glanced at Molly then her eyes went back to her mom who stood with her mouth open.

Oh my God. Jenny? Jenny, I thought you were dead. I mean…Jenny, her mom said to the woman. Sarah laughed. Molly was confused. Who is Jenny?

I’m not Jenny, Mary. I’m Dora. Mary stared at the woman again then smiled as the two of them embraced. Mary broke the hug first. She stared at the woman.

I’d forgotten how much you looked like Jenny. Molly was intrigued. The woman, who was taller than her mom, had blonde hair parted in the middle that was just below her ears. She had on black framed glasses with thick lenses so it was hard to see her eyes. She smiled at Molly.

That’s okay. I gave Sarah a turn too. What brings you to Salem?

I’m going on a job interview in Boston. If I get the job, Molly---oh, this is my daughter Molly---and I will stay with Sarah until we find a place of our own.

It’s nice to see you again Mary.

You too Dora. Look, I have to go, I’m due in Boston. I’ll be back on Sunday and we can catch up. Didn’t you go to New York to become a fashion designer or something?

Dora laughed, I did. But now I’m back for good. I was married for a while too.

Me too, Mary said. I hate to leave but I have to get on the road. She gave Dora another hug, and then gave one to Molly.

I’ll see you on Sunday. Molly waited until her mom got in the car and had buckled up. Her throat felt tight. Suddenly, she didn’t want her mom to go.

I’ll miss you mom, she said quietly as she leaned in to kiss her mom goodbye.

Be good honey and don’t give Sarah a hard time. I’ll call you after I get checked in, okay?

Okay. ‘Bye. Molly waved until the car had pulled away. Sarah waited for her