They were like vultures circling prey.  Their beady eyes revealed a fear of death.  But, the same eyes reveled in Nell’s.  They waited expectantly to tear flesh from bone strip by strip.  Once in a while, a brave one bounced forward.  Its awkward peck was designed only to intimidate.  Does the prey still have courage?  Does she still fight?  Then its own cowardice would over-take it and the vulgar creature would hop backward into the crowd to seek safety.

Nell pitied them, they were so ugly.  She noticed their bare heads grow red in the twilight.  They hunched forward.  The sun receded.  They grew restless and cold, pulling their cloaks toward them like wings, tight to their bodies.  “Witch,” their raspy drawn-out voices hissed, “Burn Witch.” (more…)

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