When she reached the sign, she dropped to her knees and took in a breath. Her vision was blurry and there was a terrible ache in her side but she had made it. Finally, salvation had arrived. When her heart beat dropped to a normal level, she peered up at the sign and nearly burst into tears. Welcome to Eagle Lake. 5 Miles ahead.
Tara didn't know exactly how far five miles was but it seemed longer than she could walk. She pictured it taking all night and not getting the police until the next morning. By then, it could be too late. But going back wouldn't do any good either. They would merely hurt her along with her mother. Maybe, she could get there fast enough if she sprinted in small bursts. Or, perhaps she would get lucky and a car would drive by. She had seen many movies where people hitchhiked. All it took was a motion of the thumb. Someone would pick her up for sure. Determined to rescue her mother, little Tara started off again.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Strong hands pushed her along the narrow path to the center of the crowd. All around her, people hissed and booed. It was all strange and foreign, like something straight out of The Twilight Zone. The people had gone mad. She hoped beyond hope her story would have a happy ending, though something told her it wouldn’t.
In the center of the crowd, she spotted the piled debris. Sticks, paper, books, and other flammables sat in a large pile. A tall, metal pole protruded from the center. She thought of pleading and fighting and running. But what was the use? They had the numbers. It would only be a matter of seconds before they forced her back into place. Besides, keeping the attention on herself meant Tara would have plenty of time to get away.
Her life had changed dramatically in only a few days. Where she used to feel broken and ashamed, she was now empowered. For the first time in years, she didn't care about her depression. Finally, she no longer saw herself as damaged. True, things were dismal. But, she had confronted her husband and finally ended that torture once and for all. She had saved the life of her daughter. And she had been able to put herself out there and partake in a romantic relationship. She had to take the wins, no matter how small. She would refuse to let this condition consume her like the hatred and paranoia of the small town of Carlisle.
She was brought to a halt in front of the pile and turned to face the crowd. Behind her, Carol Leighter climbed up on the debris and the crowd went quiet. She let the silence sink in for a few minutes before speaking.
"Before you all stands the woman accused of the most heinous crimes this town has ever seen. Murder and the practice of dark magic."
The town booed again.
"We need to bring justice back to our society. Those meant to protect us were swayed by the seductive power of this witch. He's dead now. God always prevails."
The crowd cheered and Sasha's heart sank. Harrison was dead? She wanted to know how. If the town had killed him, then there was certainly no chance of survival for herself. They had turned on their own. As an outsider, she was doomed.
"What did you do?" She demanded.
Carol laughed and looked at her.
"Not me, not us."
It did nothing to answer Sasha's question but she assumed it would be the most she would get out of her. These murdering bastards had killed the sheriff and now they would kill her too. But, Sasha knew, she would have the last laugh.
Carol marched her up on the pile, pressed her back against the metal pole, and tied her to it. It was at this moment Sasha truly realized the end of her life was coming. Sheriff Harrison was no longer alive to save her and her daughter could take hours to get help. This would be her end.
It would be a lie to say she wasn't afraid. However, something inside her felt unusually calm. Even in the face of certain death, she seemed to be handling it all well. Sasha did not understand how. Though she felt an eerie calm, survival was still on her mind.
"Please, let me go." She said, matter-of-factly. Her tone was void of nearly any emotion, startling even herself. "I didn't kill those people. The man responsible is dead in the woods. I've done nothing. You can't kill an innocent woman."
The crowd murmured and shifted uneasily. Sasha could tell some of them were beginning to have second thoughts. She realized, she wouldn't have to convince everyone, merely a few. If some in town were willing to argue on her behalf, it might convince the others the idea of burning her alive was crazy.
"He was my ex-husband. He was an abusive drunk and one night I took my daughter and left," she lied. “I didn't think he would ever find me but he did. He's the one who murdered your friends. Not me. Clearly, he wanted to turn you all against me. It worked, brilliantly. Don't be fooled by him. If anyone here is the devil, it was that man."
She saw some faces in the mob grow sympathetic and understanding. Others remained stoic. This was the moment of truth. If she were to change any hearts and minds, it would be in this moment. Her life was in her own hands. No one would be coming for her.
"I'm begging you. Don't do this. I have a little girl out there by herself. She's scared and alone. Tara needs
