With shaking hands, she braided her red curls and hummed softly to herself. Lila was desperate to take her mind off of the morning that was soon to come. A whistle rang down the stone hallway to her jail cell reminding her of where she was.
“Hello?” Lila called out with a tremble in her voice, “Is someone there?”
The whistling stopped leaving the faint sound of a blade being sharpened, “Sorry, did I disturb ya, lassy?” A man with an Irish accent asked.
“No, you didn’t disturb me. Just waiting for my end,” said Lila solemnly.
“Aren’t we all,” he grumbled then began a new tune that filled the silence between them. Lila soaked in the sweet melody reminding her of every Sunday spent in her father’s church.
“Do you think I’m a witch?” she asked after some time.
The whistling stopped as the Irish man thought long and hard about the question.
“Does it matter? You’re dead anyway,” he said shortly.
“But I’m innocent, Evangeline and I didn’t mean to let things get to where they did. We tried stopping it many times. But then we fell in love and everything changed.” Lila’s voice trailed off as she wondered why she was spilling her guts to a stranger.
“No one is innocent. I learned that real quick on this job. We are all guilty of something. Whether it be for the crime they accuse us of committing or for somethin’ else entirely.” the Irishman continued, “They don’t care if you are a witch or a saint. Y’see, Salem can’t have the great Reverend Woodward’s and Mayor Drescott’s daughters rolling around in the haystacks without making an example. You may be innocent, but they don’t care. It’s easier to kill a witch than let his daughter belittle what he stands for.”
Lila looked up at the candlelight that danced across the cell; it reminded her of the late nights spent by candlelight dreaming of the day they had enough money to leave.
“Y’see lassy, I sharpen the axe every night before an execution. You wanna know why?” his voice boomed down the hallway.
She didn’t answer.
“I believe that death should be quick and just. I’ve heard some executioners neglect their blade after a few beheadings. Even heard of one who didn’t even clean it. Imagine that smell?” he chuckled to himself, “I sharpen mine at least a hundred strokes before calling it quits and then I rub a mixture of bear fat and honeysuckle on it. To give it a nice scent.”
Lila smirked at the thought of the sweet smell of honeysuckle. Her mind turned back to the first time she and Evangeline kissed; it was right under her father’s favorite honeysuckle bush, which sat just outside of her window.
“If y’ask me, I’d let you go. Then you’s two can run off into the night.” a glimmer of hope filled Lila. “But I can’t. Y’see lassy, I got many mouths to feed. Eight kids and a plump wife who loves the pleasures in life. I must provide for them. If it weren’t for them damn kids I would let y’outta here,” his voice trailed off into the silence of the dead of night.
“Welp, it’s as sharp as it'll ever be,” he stated setting the axe back into place.
The Irishman looked at Lila once more before his footsteps disappeared up the stairwell. Tears wanted to pour from her, but they did not come. She had spent many nights crying since she had been arrested and like a river in the desert, her tears had dried. Feeling restless she closed her eyes and tried to bring on sleep even though it was hopeless.
“Lila?” a soft voice called from the top of the steps.
“Evangeline?” she called out, “Evangeline? Is that you?” Lila jumped up and ran to the bars trying to get a good view of the steps. A cloaked figure tiptoed down the hallway.
“Of course it’s me,” Evangeline whispered removing the hood from her round face; the emerald green velvet shimmered in the candlelight. “I paid the Executioner to leave the door unlocked.”
“But we only have a moment. I needed to see you.” she said grabbing Lila through the bars pulling her close.
“Oh Evangeline. I missed you so much. But you can’t be here. They’ll kill you if they find you.” Lila whispered squeezing Evangeline’s hand, “You need to go.”
Evangeline resisted, a sad look danced across her face. “I know… I know,” she paused looking down the vacant hallway, “I just needed to see you one more time before—before…” her voice trailed off as tears rolled down both of their faces. A smile painted Lila’s angular face.
“Why are you smiling?” Evangeline asked wiping her face with her cloak. Her blonde curls glowed like a halo around her round face making her look like an angel ascending to heaven.
“I’m smiling because you are beautiful. Because I will love you until my end.” Lila whispered kissing her on the lips. She was happy to know that even under the unfortunate circumstances Evangeline’s touch could still send chills down her spine.
A thunderous sound echoed down the hallway and the clanking of keys tickled their ears. Fear filled Lila as they parted lips for the last time.
“Hide,” Lila whispered backing away from the bars giving Evangeline a nod of assurance before she disappeared behind a stone pillar. Lila patiently sat on her cot with her hands in her lap fearing the Executioner told the guards Evangeline was still in town.
“Lila Woodward. Change of plans, your hanging is tonight.” the head guard stated as he unlocked the door.
“Wait… Tonight? I thought it was in the morning…” she said with a flat voice trying to keep herself calm.
“Reverend Woodward fears your evil witchery will infect the town. He doesn’t want to wait a moment longer.” he snarled as the guards dragged her out of her cell. When she was clear of the bars she fixed her dress and followed them without a fight. Evangeline peaked around the corner of the pillar; her struggle to refrain from chasing her lover was tangible and it made Lila’s heart wrench.
“I love you,” Lila mouthed blowing her a kiss goodbye.
“I love you more,” Evangeline whispered as tears poured down her cheeks.
The Gallows patiently waited for Lila in the center of town, she stopped in her tracks.
“A noose?” she questioned as her muscles tensed up and her heart pounded out of her chest.
“Change of plans,” the guard said placing cuffs around her wrists and leading her up the old wooden steps. Lila’s heart sank with each creaky step and the urge to fight back raged inside her. She knew if she left, however, they would find Evangeline and kill her. Lila’s death would at least give Evangeline a chance and that gave her enough courage to continue.
The Executioner, who was dressed in a black cloak that covered his face, stood ready with the rope. Confidently swallowing her fear, Lila stood tall and let him tighten the noose. She swallowed hard feeling the spiny hairs poke her Adam’s apple.
Looking out over the torch-lit square, she noticed the faces of her friends, neighbors and even her family. They all came to watch. Her father stood with a sinister glare and his arms across his chest.
The excitement was palpable and it disgusted Lila. She closed her eyes for a moment and waited for the floor to drop. The courtyard was practically silent except for a few murmurs here and there.
“Lila Rose Woodward. You are convicted of the crime of witchcraft and shall be hung for said crime. What say you?” asked Mayor Drescott’s advisor, his high-pitched voice hushed the crowd. Lila opened her eyes and locked them with Evangeline’s, even though her hood covered most of her face. Evangeline blew a kiss once more and turned a corner past the prison and into the shadows.
“Guilty,” Lila said letting out her last breath.
The crowd let out a collective gasp; many turned their heads.
“I’m sorry,” The executioner whispered pulling the lever.
The floor disappeared and the rope pulled taught. Lila’s body shook uncontrollably as she choked to death. The crowd stared at the twitching rope until it fell flat and swayed in the wind like a pendulum. When the deed was done the crowd swiftly dissipated and the town square fell dark and silent.
The end.
