“That’s not how the legal system works, Carol. We have something called due process. Ever heard of it?”
Now Carol stood. “We also have the right to stand our ground, when necessary. And tonight,” She paused for what Harrison could only assume was dramatic effect. “It’s necessary. The killing won’t stop until that woman is dead. You had your chance, Sheriff. Now, it’s our turn.”
With that, Carol turned and melted back into the crowd. Harrison desperately searched for her, hoping he could talk some sense into the mad woman but it was hopeless. She was nowhere to be found and the crowd had become riled up again. Now, Harrison looked for Tara. The sea of faces made it near impossible to pick out her small frame and young features but eventually, he did. She was unharmed but far from okay.
A hand gripped his shoulder and pulled him to his feet. He was shoved violently forward and decided against trying to ask any questions. It would most likely result in more harm. His captors, most of whom he had once called friends, clearly wanted him to walk. So, he did.
They walked for what felt like an hour. Eventually, they came upon a building Harrison knew all too well. It had been the focal point of too many town meetings as of late. There seemed to be no logical reason to be at the town hall but there they were.
He was forced down to his knees and watched as Carol stepped inside the building. A few others followed her inside and they began opening windows. Harrison’s curiosity was close to getting the better of him but he kept his eyes fixated on Tara. She, too, was on her knees and tears rolled down her cheeks. If he hadn’t been certain the town would beat him to death, he would have held her in his arms and told her everything would be alright. The poor girl had been through enough.
"Why don't you let the kid go?" Harrison pleaded to no avail. The crowd merely stood there while Carol and her goons opened every door and window in the town hall. Then, Harrison heard the familiar whine of the microphone and realized exactly what they were doing.
A loud bang! reverberated in his ears as Carol tapped the microphone. It was working loud and clear. With the volume at max, half the town would be able to hear every word she said. Before he could ask what she was up to, Carol walked out of the town hall with a death grip on the microphone.
"We don't want to hurt the girl." She said. An anger boiled up inside of Harrison.
"We just want you to give yourself up. There needs to be some form of justice brought for the sake of our town. You brought death and violence here. Give yourself up so we may have our closure."
She stood still like she was waiting for a reply. When none came she furrowed her brow and pressed the microphone to her lips. "You have one hour to give yourself up. After that, we seek retribution with the girl."
The microphone fell from her hands and she quietly approached Harrison. "You can't do this. You can't hurt that little girl. She's done nothing to you."
"Oh please, Sheriff. It's not us hurting the girl. It's her mother, the witch. The decision is hers now. Whatever happens next is on her head."
Chapter Eighteen
Sasha had been near enough to hear Carol's demands. Naturally, her first thought was to give herself up and spare her daughter's life. If she gave herself up, she would be killed. She knew that. But she also knew they wouldn’t give up Tara, either. Giving herself up meant the death of her and her daughter.
She had to come up with a plan and she would most likely need Sheriff Harrison’s help. She was incredibly outnumbered and completely unprepared. How could she take on an entire town? It was impossible. Ending her husband's life had seemed impossible but this was, by far, worse. If only she and Harrison had not become separated, maybe none of this would have happened. Though, she knew she couldn't dwell on what ifs. The fact was, Tara was in danger and she needed to do something about it.
Unfortunately, the only plans which came to mind involved poison. She had spent countless hours learning about different types of poison and what they did to the body. She knew how long it would take for a particular poison to kill a person and how agonizing their death might be. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind she could poison again and get away clean. Hell, she thought she might be able to poison the whole town and walk away free. But it wouldn't do her any good. Unlike with Brent, she did not have the luxury of time.
Sasha decided she would move closer to the center of town and get a better look. The commotion was clearly coming from the town hall. The use of the speakers and microphone had given it away.
Moving between buildings, she crept silently towards her target. Once there, she saw a crowd of people gathered in front of the town hall. In front of the mob, on their knees, were Tara and Harrison. Sasha was filled with a pure rage as she thought about her sweet daughter being used as bait. It took every ounce of energy to hold herself back from marching into the crowd and clawing people’s eyes out.
There were too many of them and she knew she could never separate Tara from them. Not in the current position they stood. Her only hope would be a diversion. The thought of luring the mob away crossed her mind. Then, she would
