FOREVER ENDLESS NIGHT by L.A. Wood

Chapter 7

 *Forever Endless Night is registered with WGAW*

Chapter 7

     "Doctor," Carmen began, "He is very sick, and you may hear strange things tonight," she warned.

    "What are you babbling about now, Carmen?" Daniel asked bluntly.

     "When Mr. Toby speaks, you will know."

      She turned and led the way as Ben followed her out of the room and down the stairs.

They talked quietly among themselves as they descended the stairs and came to the sitting

or reception room. Ben was confused about something 

Toby had ranted about in his room. Of course, the man seemed delirious

for whatever reason, but what he had said scared the two of them —

something about dying but not dying. What could he have meant?

      The others were talking about the incident with Toby and the witch

and the horrible loss of life. Two innocent souls had perished that very

night. It would be hard on the family and would likely raise more

suspicions in the village. Old man Hamlin had died very suddenly and

under suspicious circumstances. They were now convinced the old witch

had brought about Joshua's strange and horrific death—choking to death

on apparently nothing at all. Now, a minister was dead, and Toby

O'Grady's new wife had apparently fallen to her death from the cliff's

edge. Carmen and Ben entered the room quietly as the others mourned

for the dead and grieved for Toby.

     "What do you think the doctor will find with Toby?" Elizabeth

directed to Monique who was sitting beside her.

     "Likely that the man is delusional from something the witch did,"

she was sure. "He was in perfect health until tonight when he met the old

woman."

      "Surely she must have been the witch. Who else could she have

been?" Elizabeth reasoned.

      "It's so strange that no one had seen her until tonight," Monique

continued. 

      "She obviously came out from hiding to confront Reverend Wicks.

Remember, he was attempting to exorcize her from the house," the

mistress replied. 

      "He must have succeeded, only it cost the poor man his life,"

Monique said softly.

      "Yes," Elizabeth paused, and then went on, "we must remember to

be thankful for Reverend Wicks. His death will be hard on his brother,Malachi." 

      Ben walked over to the bay window to the left of the fireplace and

L. A. Wood 

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stared into the night. It was dark, but the moon was out and gave some

light to the landscape and the ocean so near. It was an awful way to die,