by Em Pitts
We veered right towards the new guy and it quickly became apparent that the guys knew him. I noticed the he was a part of the one-glove-club and made a mental note to ask someone about that. I had seen plenty of men and women since entering the town and very few had the glove thing going on. I wonder if it's like their version of the mafia.
"Are you sure about this?" Ollie asked as soon as we reached him.
"Partially." The new guy replied. He turned his hazel eyes to me. Now that we were closer, I noticed he had light freckles across the bridge of his nose and cheeks. "It seems the best option, but I wish we weren't presenting her to all of them." He spoke to the men around me.
I was getting tired of all the speaking around me as if I wasn’t there. Especially when I was the subject.
"Stop." I held up a hand. "You're doing it again. I'm right here, stop speaking about me as if I can't speak for myself." I pushed my hand out to shake the newcomers. "I'm Tessa. Your Isaake, right?" I took a guess. He raised his eyebrows up at me but shook my hand and nodded. "For you guys not to have phones, you must have some way to communicate. We just walked half an hour to get here and you are all speaking as if you've been in a conversation the entire time."
"That would be me." Nick gave a gloved wave beside me. "Gifted with a communication ability."
"Which means?" I asked when he did not seem inclined to elaborate.
"I can speak with others through our minds." He shrugged. "It works best with the ones I'm closest too. Others can get a little noisy."
I was interested in learning more about these gifts because some of them seemed extremely useful. As I opened my mouth to continue asking about the communication gift, Ollie stopped me.
"Might we get this done already?"
He stepped towards the building we were standing in front of and went through the door without waiting for us. Okay then... Nick's hand was on my back pushing me forward not letting me make the decision myself. I glanced toward Isaake and found him following.
Inside was a large room filled with pews. There was a raised platform towards the front left corner of the room. A door stood behind it, where Ollie remained to wait on us with another man who was tall with black hair. He looked vaguely familiar.
The man started scowling as soon as he looked our way. His attention was focused entirely on Nick as we approached, before he opened his mouth and started speaking in hushed angry tones.
"What is the meaning of this? Why the secrecy? Have you gotten her pregnant?" He turned his scowl on me. "I suggest you get rid of it and say not another word about this. Unless you plan on marrying tomorrow."
Oh no, He. Did. Not. I opened my mouth to tell this man...I don't honestly know what I was going to say because Nick spoke first. I'm sure my speech would have been epic though and made the man apologize or cry, hopefully both.
"Relax father, it's nothing of the sort." Nick waved his father off as if this was a worn-out conversation. Perhaps it was. I get the flirty playboy vibe from Nick so maybe he sleeps around enough that this has happened before.
"It's a delicate matter and we didn't want the masses panicking from possibilities that haven't happened." Isaake inserted smoothly. Hmm, he had a nice voice too. Cold eyes though, I’ve got to remember the cold eyes.
Nick's dad relaxed and breathed out his tension. With the possibility of grandchildren now eliminated he turned towards the door and entered the room. Ollie followed right behind him. I grabbed onto Nick's arm stopping him from doing the same. He turned to me with a questioning look.
"If your dad tries that shit again, I'm kicking him in the nuts, seriously." A choked sort of disbelieving laugh sound came from behind me. "I don't allow men to talk to me like that Nick, I'm warning you." He grinned and shook his head at me clearly not taking me seriously.
At least I can say I warned the guy, since it was someone he might care about getting hurt. I wasn't joking though. The only man who treats me like crap right now is the one who signs my paychecks. And there is a clear line he will not cross on his behavior as well. Telling me to marry or abort my baby? Too far.
We went through the door to a smaller room with a desk and two men standing around it. There was a fourth man who was sitting in a chair behind the desk.
I recognized Hector as he was leaning against the desk. The other two men were strangers. The one sitting was old enough to have grey hair. His lined face spoke of many hardships, but his expression was open. The last one standing in front of the desk looked like a picture straight off the internet. This man had his brown hair in a ponytail, a pilgrim hat held in his hand (still no buckle), shiny shoes, pants that billowed out and tucked into his long white socks, and a neat and tidy coat to top it all off. I wanted to color his picture in the coloring book when I got back home. I bet his face is even the same.
The guys who brought me here, held a silent conversation with each other before Nick took center stage. He turned and addressed me, pointing towards the closest man.
"This is Hector Teague. Mr. Teague, you've briefly met Tessa already." He pointed towards the sitting man. "This is our minister, Simond Winters. Gerlick Snelling is our judge." The coloring book man nodded towards me. He then pointed to the man standing nearest Ollie. "And you've just met my father Nathaniel Ford. Everyone please allow me to introduce you to Tessa..." I realized he was waiting for me to supply my last name.
"Woods. Tessa Woods." I cleared my throat.
"Ah, Tessa Woods, our very own time traveler." Nick gestured grandly. Ollie rubbed a hand down his face and Isaake just shook his head at the announcement.
"Not by choice." I clarified.
"Explain, please." The minister asked of Nick. He leaned forward interested in the conversation. Ollie was the one who answered.
"Yesterday she appeared in front of me. Not there one minute, in front of me the next. We could not understand some of her words and her clothes were different. She later confided in me that she was from a future time. Hundreds of years into the future, to be exact." Well, that was a condensed version of the events. I could understand not wanting to confide in the whole truth, I mean what guy wants to admit to being kicked in the balls?
I don't understand why we are leaving out the fight with the other man, Brian?, or Hector's involvement. I decided to keep my mouth shut and see what was going on instead of speaking up right now. Not like anyone was asking my opinion. The men here really like to talk around the women.
"She certainly dresses more revealing." The judge color book man leered at my chest. "But that hardly proves she is from a future time. Perhaps someone with a gift to make her seem to appear and disappear tricked you?"
My anger started boiling in my chest. I wear the clothes I was told to wear, only to be ogled and demeaned by others. The dress was in no way revealing either. Tight, yes. Everything was covered though, from my neck to my feet. And why would I be questioned on my integrity in this situation? Who would make up a story about traveling back in time and demanding to be placed back where I came from?
"First off—" I was cut off as soon as a hand landed on my arm and a staticky voice filled my head.
I couldn't think for a minute with the noise overwhelming my thoughts. I followed the hand to see Nick holding onto me. I tried to clear the static and listen, realizing that he was speaking to me.
"You have to stop. I know it goes against you, but don't speak against them. I've seen people persecuted for less on a bad day and you would not be spared as an outsider. I do not wish to see you whipped or hanged while we try to help you." Nick's voice was in my head, but the horror-filled expression on my face was from his words. Whipped. Hanged. For speaking up to someone? I was going to die by the end of the week.
I closed my mouth seeing the severity reflected in Nick's eyes. I may not have known him long, but I knew he wasn't the type to be serious unless the situation called for it. I had to save face before I was whipped or worse. Then I needed to get the fuck out of here.
I turned back to the man I was just about to tell off and bowed my head in a sign of submission.
"I apologize. It's a lot to handle." I spoke calmly even as I trembled inside.
I'm a strong woman. I know I am. I've been through enough in my life to know that. But pain and death scare me. Not the idea of dying. The idea of leaving Abby alone when she has just finally begun to have someone she can trust to stay with her. Death is always hardest for those left behind. I'll be damned if I die here. Some of the strength steeled my backbone, even through the fear of what was next. Steps walked up to me as the hand on my arm tightened.
A hand on my chin tilted my head back causing me to look up at the judge. I kept my expression calm as I heard Nick telling me to stay calm in my head.
"I understand. It's fine to be scared. We will figure this out. Do we know of anyone gifted in time travel?" The judge asked to the room but did not take his hand from my chin.
I really wanted to push his hand away. I started pushing that thought to Nick not sure if the communication could go both ways. I heard Isaake answer the question.
"We don't, but she is from the future. It is possible that this gift is from someone in the future."
Judge Snelling was staring at me intently enough that I saw the subtle shift in his eyes. It was like he was excited by the news. Nick must have heard me screaming in his mind to get the slimy man’s hands off of me because he blessedly pulled me away subtly.
"Then there is nothing we can do for her as of now. If no one has the ability to manipulate time, then we need to wait until someone gains that ability." Hector spoke up for the first time. "For now, we need to assume she will be staying as a part of the community."
The minister nodded even as I raged in my mind. Nick let go of me probably hearing too much.
"She will need a place to stay and work." The minister looked bored of the conversation.
"She can stay with me; I have the room." Judge spoke up, jumping on the opportunity. I had no intentions of staying with him. I would rather run and find my own way back.
"That would be inappropriate." Nick's father spoke up. "Bridget Bishop can use help with the trials coming up and I'm sure she can spare a room."
"Agreed." Hector chimed in.
"Then it is settled. Welcome to Salem Village, Miss Woods." Judge stated.
I didn't like the way he was looking at me. He looked like he was planning something. I did not plan on being here long enough to find out.
6
I walked out in a bit of a daze. The guys were with me and some of the other men scattered after leaving the building. I noticed the others were leading me to another building, probably to Bridget, but I was not ready. My mind was spinning with the implication that I couldn't go home.
I was not ready to be stuck in 1692, where I could be whipped or hanged for speaking out at people. I was not ready to be stuck in a place that required me to wear a dress and walk everywhere. I was not ready to give up air conditioning and electricity. I was not ready to give up Abby. My heart skipped a beat.
I could not give up Abby. She's the first person who I have loved who loved me back. She is my sister.
The guys noticed I was not following them and called out to me. I shook my head and stayed planted firmly where I was. I was not ready to face whatever was next. At that moment, my stomach growled and gave me an out I needed.
"Can I get some food?" I asked while trying to clear my head of the disastrous situation looming over me.
"Of course," Isaake said as my stomach gave another rumble as if making up for lost time. "When's the last time you ate?"
"Yesterday before I got here." I shrugged as Ollie scratched at his beard again. Isaake gave him and Nick a look.
"Don't blame me, she was staying in his house." Nick helpfully pointed the finger Ollie's way.
"She fell asleep early," Ollie spoke up. Before they continued, I decided to end it.
"It doesn't matter honestly. Can we just get some food now?" I pointed out.
"We were headed to see Bridget anyway, you can eat there," Ollie said.
"I'm not ready to see Bridget," I admitted. "I just want some food." The guys shared a look.
"Okay. We will meet Bridget after we eat. Food first." Ollie took the lead.
We walked to the building the men were trying to lead me to and I trusted them that I was being fed first. Inside there were a few people around the tables. It was mid-morning so I'm sure there were more people later in the day.
We sat at a round wooden table that had scrapes and scuff marks covering the top. The four of us filled up the table in a crowded fit. Nick went to the bar (counter?) to get our meals ordered from an older man. He didn't ask what I wanted, and I was thankful. I don't even know what kind of food they have here. I don't think it's as simple as a burger and fries.
A mug was placed in front of me with water in it. The others had similar mugs with water. I didn't worry about how well the mug was cleaned because at that moment I felt like I haven't had water in weeks. The water was fresh, cold and so very good.
"So, who were those guys?" I went ahead and got everyone's attention deciding this might be the last time I could get answers from these men.
"The judge, minister—" I waved my hand cutting off Ollie.
"No, I mean why did we meet those particular men about our problem?" I didn't go into specifics, because telling everyone about a time traveler, whether willing or not, still did not sound like a good idea. The people around seemed to find me interesting enough as it is. "Are they like a council? Some specific people in charge or something?"
"Not a council," Isaake spoke up. I noticed again how smooth his voice was. It was at odds with the cold feeling his eyes showed. "The minister and the judge do run this town for the most part. Hector has taken it among himself to help out more around the town."
"Probably to get away from his third wife." Nick teased. I noticed Ollie crack a grin at that. Isaake ignored him and continued.
"He also is a watchman and was an adjutant in the military. He has been to war more times than is necessary. People respect him and I wanted him there because I trust him." I nodded my head for him to continue. "Nick's father has some say due to power. He is another one I trust and wanted there."
"Power like he is rich?" I asked.
I then wondered what the currency was here and was slightly worried about how I couldn't pay for my meal. I calmed myself because the men surely realized this and wouldn't expect me to pay with future money. Isaake was shaking his head in answer to my question.
"Power is judged by gifts here. Those with monetary power are easily overlooked by the ones who are extremely gifted." He explained.
"Yeah, you're going to have to explain the gift thing too. I was a bit too overwhelmed to question it when I learned."
"You don't have gifts in your time?" Isaake questioned looking curious. Nick got up to get our food while I went ahead and answered Isaake.
"We do not have the kind of gifts you all do here. What you have would be considered magic or demonic, depending on who you ask. There are many stories written about these kinds of things though, so people believe in it." Nick caught my speech as he placed the food down in front of us and gave a strained smile.
It was soup and biscuits. I could do that. The steam rising showed how hot it was, so I was going to give it a few minutes to cool down. The guys didn't seem to have the same problem and dug in. I nibbled on the dry biscuit.
"I couldn't imagine not having gifts. Life would be miserable. The water you are drinking now would not even be clean if it were not for me using my gift." Nick’s husky voice spoke up. I shook my head before responding.
"We have a lot of things you don't though. There is a system with chemicals and machines that are used to clean the water and cycle it through the cities. There are others who have a machine to pump water out of wells too. There are so many different kinds of filtering systems for water, that a lot of people have
clean water now.”
Well, not everywhere. It depends on where you live. I thought about that time a group of high school seniors were planning a trip to Mexico and everyone kept warning each other not to drink the water.
"There's electricity too. Lights that work like candles but without the flame, air conditioning which is a machine that creates cold air and blows it around a house, and my favorite improvement is vehicles. There are cars and trucks which are large machines built in order to get you from place to place quicker. I can drive across the country in a few days if I choose to." I miss the electronics from my time. Especially knowing I might not get them back. A dark cloud tried to float over my emotions at the reminder.
"I don't have a clue what you are talking about, but you looked pretty when you said it." Nick grinned.
"It's hard to imagine." Isaake shook his head as if he couldn't believe it. "A wagon could not be led that quickly."
"It's like a self-powered wagon." I tried to explain. "So, you can go faster than the horses pulling you."
"Like how a boat is pulled by the wind?" He questioned further, trying to understand. It was hard to explain with him never having seen a vehicle.
"Yeah, sort of. Like a land boat with wheels." I shook my head at the image I was creating. A land boat? These men will never see a vehicle and will always imagine a ship on the road now.
Isaake mumbled to himself as he thought about it. I shrugged the topic off and started eating my soup. It was a veggie soup. And pretty good honestly. It was not seasoned a whole lot, but it tasted rich. I laughed to myself. I'm debating the seasonings in a soup from over three hundred years ago.
"Tell me about the gifts," I said and dipped my biscuit in the broth. Much better. "How do you receive them? Does everyone have them?"
Isaake had his mouth full or I'm sure he would have answered. He seemed the guy to talk to about information. It was the curious glint in his eye when I talked about the future that gave him away. I have no doubt he'll want to learn more later.