Silent Burdens
~ 1913 Second Salem church ~
It was sunday, the chilren were once again forced to listen to Mary Lou's dull sermons about witches. Many didn't actaully listen to her, but Faith had the misfortune of falling asleep. She was waken by someone poking her in the ribs. She startled awake, loudly. Interrupting Mary Lou's monotone speech. All eyes turned to her. But she could only focus on Credence, who was sitting beside her. A mortified expression on his face. His eyes were full with a mix of guilt and shame. He looked apoligetically to his sister. It was clear he didn't intent to get her into trouble.
" How dare you interrupt me, you insolent child ! " Mary Lou's angry voice broke the silence. She marched up to the girl, seized the girl's arm, hauling her up to her feet. She struts over to the front door, throwing the struggling child onto the cold pavement, lined with freshly fallen snow. Faith cries out from the sudden pain. She turns to run back inside, but Mary Lou had already shut the door. Faith cried the whole night, begging and banging her fists against the heavy double doors. But no one came to save her. Her frail body shivered with the cold, and fear seized hold of her. Making her fall into a frenzy, unable to stop her pathetic wailing. It was dawn when ma finally came to collect the half-dead girl. Her skin was freezing cold. Her body still shivering. Her eyes flickered rapidly taking in her sorroundings. Ma pulled the girl inside, belt at the ready. The whipping that followed was the most brutal one Faith had ever experienced. It didn't take long for her body to surrender to fever. Faith was bedridden for the next week, yet mother wouldn't allow her to stay lazing around and made the girl go about her daily chores and prayers as if nothing had happened. After a few days of this, Credence approached his sister. At first he just observed her from afar, but later got the courage to speak to her.
" Faith I am sorry, I really am. " he apologized, guilt evident on his face. From that day forward he made sure to help Faith out with the onslaught of chores ma forced her to complete as the girl grappled with sickness. He earned himself numerous beatings, but they did little to ease the guilt he felt for getting his sister punished. He was just glad she didn't hate him. As time passed it became clear that Faith's illness was going to be the death of her. She was unable to lift herself out of bed and even Mary Lou stopped expecting the girl to be of any help around the house. Just 3 weeks following the unfortunate sermon Faith passed away from fever. Credence never forgave himself. Becoming more distant after his sister's passing. A shell of the bright boy he used to be. Carrying the weight of Faith's death on his shoulders for the rest of his life.