All parts of this story are consolidated on one page here.
“And don’t say that it was just an accident—that Hetty stumbled and fell into the river, and nobody killed her. That’s what John tries to tell me.” Nellie’s voice rose belligerently as she glanced toward her husband, who had just lifted another board into place and was setting a nail into it. Beyond the shed that John was repairing, a narrow path led into a stand of trees, soft and bright in the June sunlight.
(Photo credit: Rick Obst)
“Maybe nobody put their hands on Hetty and pushed her into the river, but that doesn’t mean the witches did nothing to kill her. If it hadn’t been for them, Hetty never would have been out there in the storm. And I know that they cursed her for trying to interfere with their evil plans, so now her spirit can’t rest. Sometimes, when the wind comes from that direction,” and Nellie gestured toward the path, “I can hear Hetty crying. Her soul is in torment. John says it’s only the wind, but I know what my sister’s voice sounds like. I suppose you’re going to agree with John that I am just a crazy woman who imagined it all?”
A light breeze touched Ina’s face, carrying only the sounds of birds twittering and John’s hammer banging. There seemed to be nothing in this ordinary landscape to suggest the presence of a tormented soul.
“No, I wouldn’t say you imagined it, Nellie. Sometimes I can sense a person’s spirit. Although I’ve never heard ghosts, there are some who do. Can you make out any words when Hetty cries? Do you feel that she is asking you to help her?”
Nellie’s face relaxed into softer lines as she understood that she was being taken seriously. “No, there are never any words. Hetty cries because she is trapped and in pain. Because I am not a witch, there is nothing I can do to help her. Can you lift the curse, Ina, and set her spirit free?”
Ina pondered that odd request for a moment, unsure how she could honestly offer any help. As far as she knew, the witches never had cursed anyone. She couldn’t guess what might have injured Hetty’s spirit, and she had no experience with ghosts. If she gave Nellie false hope, that would be cruel. But perhaps there would be no harm in simply investigating, without any promises.
“If you take me to the place where you found her body,” Ina finally said, “then I’ll see if there is any way I might be able to help.”
