Page 33 of Witch
After parking the car, they walked toward the entrance, asking for Julius Frommer, the historical society representative. No visitors were allowed yet. They were still getting the house ready to open, and they were prepping it for the upcoming holiday season.
“Mr. Frommer? I’m Ivan. We spoke over the phone,” he said, reaching his hand out.
“Oh, yes,” he smiled. “We’re happy to let you look around. Mr. Hopkins’ attorney informed us that we should cooperate since you’re trying to stop him from this madness. He asked me to pull out anything that you might find valuable. There are dozens of books on witches, witch trials, that sort of thing on the library table of the office connected to his suite. Strange thing is that his parents had an unbelievable book collection. Shakespeare, Faust, Dickens, all the greats. Normal books, about normal things.”
“Thank you,” said Ivan.
“Of course. I’ll be in the kitchens if you need anything,” he said, nodding at the group of men. Ivan turned to see Noah’s face pale, ashen even. He was gripping the back of the chair beside him.
“Noah? Noah, brother, are you alright?” asked Ivan. Flip held the big man, guiding him to a seat.
“Death. There is death everywhere,” he said, almost in pain.
“Death is here? Can you tell us where?” asked Pork.
“Everywhere,” he said through gritted teeth. “It is everywhere, and it is choking me.”
“Get him out of here,” said Ivan to Flip.
“No. No, you need me here. They are crying. The women are crying,” said Noah.
“Okay, buddy. Tell us where. Show us where,” said Flip.
Noah stood, leaning on his big friend as they walked down the hallway. The feelings of discomfort and pain were increasing, and Noah wished that Julia were present to help him. But she was not. He was alone for this one.
You’re not alone.
He heard the voice of Matthew in his head and instantly felt some relief from his pain. At the end of the hallway, he stopped in front of a flat panel of dark wooden paneling.
“There’s nothing here, Noah,” said Flip.
Noah nodded his head up and down, leaning a big hand against the panel. Flip pushed with him, the panel finally opening, revealing a dark metal staircase.
“Shit. I’m guessing Mom and Dad didn’t know anything about this,” said Pork.
“Lean on my back, Noah, so you don’t fall,” said Flip. Noah could do nothing except nod, taking the steps in time with Flip, as he leaned his weight against the big islander.
Pork felt along the wall for a light switch, finally finding an old-fashioned turn switch. When the lights went up, they stood horrified at what they saw.
“Dear God,” whispered Ivan.
“What the hell is all this?” asked Pork.
“That is a Witch's Chair or Inquisition Chair,” said Noah, pointing to the hideous piece. It was covered in hundreds of sharp metal spikes. “When the woman, or man, was strapped tightly to the chair, fires were sometimes lit underneath to heat the spikes, intensifying the pain, but just being forced to sit on it was horrible.
“The Rack. I am sure we have all seen pictures of that. The Boots are not something I have seen often. It has tight wooden or metal wedges fitted to the legs from the ankles to the knees. They would use a hammer to pound the wedges tighter, crushing the bones and lacerating the flesh.”
“This is sick,” said Flip, staring at the grotesque items. “Who in their right mind would use this shit?”
“Are these…”
“Thumbscrews,” finished Noah. “That over there is called a Spanish Tickler or Cat's Paw. It has sharp metal claws used to tear the flesh from the bones. It was designed to inflict deep, agonizing wounds and prolong suffering. It was all used. Here in this room.”
“God, what have we found?” asked Ivan.
“No,” whispered Noah, shaking his head. “No, it can’t be.” He moved slowly across the room, shining the light from his cell phone onto the nearby wall. He scanned the cold stone cellar walls and found what he knew was there.
The remains of a woman, her body decomposing. She was chained to the wall, and on her head was a Witch’s Bridle. A metal cage for the head, built with a metal gag that had spikes to pierce the tongue.
