The Hunted - A Short Story

     They called the women "soothsayers" or " witches" that would cast spells on higher authority figures. Random fires would appear out of nowhere, especially in autumn. The men made monthly rituals out of accusing poor or colored women of being Oracles, providing planted evidence to the court. The women would plead and provide proof of their whereabouts; however, most would fail the all-male jury. The women would be set to fire on a stake or let loose in the woods to be hunted by poorly made guns, tracking dogs or arrows. One woman performed the treasonous act of abortion but because of the unforeseen amount of blood loss, it was reported; for the family's sake. The woman meant no harm however scared; she ran to the woods. 
    She could hear barking in the distance and men shouting for a personal vengeance towards her. "We'll hang you, witch!" They shouted. As she ran, she came across a shrubbery under a small overhanging piece of land. She slipped under and looked around. Laying next to her, was an untouched quiver full of arrows and a bow. She picked it up, her hands shaking with adrenaline as she did so. Her fear transitioned smoothly into anger at these ignorant men. She tilted her head up as she heard them approach the area in the distance. They would never find her in this spot if she laid back and took a few deep breaths. Somehow none of that mattered to her anymore. They wanted a witch, and she was ready to give them one. 
    She stood slowly, the rush of revenge flowing over her. She had enough of watching her sisters be beaten and killed for something that never existed except to keep them locked up and quiet. She slipped behind a nearby tree and looked up. Her heart was racing, and her eyes were watery as she looked up at the darkening sky. She was not a hero and did not intend to try and be one. She was not out to save anyone but herself. As she lowered her head back to reality, she wiped her tears away with her arm. She took aim in the direction of the dogs. One arrow rushed out into the darkness and a dog yelped for its last breath. The men grew quiet. "This way men!" One shouted. Another arrow whizzed through the trees and knocked a man down. Then another. Soon the men were starting to rethink their journey out. As the group grew shorter due to the falling of comrades, they began to turn around. 
    That did not stop her from shooting. She started to feel liberated. The felt the souls of all the women that were taken starting to rise from the ashes and drift towards the moon. A smile creased the corner of her lips. She made small movements towards the men who were now retreating in the night. She took four more men down that night. She retreated further in the forest Until she found a place to build a small shack for herself. As she laid down in the open air, she wondered what those fools were dreaming up to tell the town.
    The men came back a smaller group than before. The priest looked on in horror as his fellow men told him of the witch in the woods. They could not bring themselves to admit they were beaten by a woman who proved they were out for a fun time and not for any truth. The priest met with the town leader the next evening to plan what they would tell the families of the fallen. They needed to keep that woman a secret and used her as a barrier to keep those exploring for truth from finding it. They knew she would talk to those who would listen and could not risk breaking the barrier of oppression. They announced a witch had snatched the woman and was keeping her in hiding. They made a new rule to not hunt the guilty and instead hang them or burn them for their non-existent crime. They made a sign to act as a barrier that read "Witch-Matriarch", to ensure the people of the town would not question the motives.
    The so-called witch would begin to appear in times of need, listening to the screams of innocent woman and taking down those who would harm women for the sake of keeping them oppressed. As time slowly passed, the gift of liberation would be passed to the select few women who wondered passed the sign to look for a chance at standing up to foul play. No one in the town suspected multiple women disappearing into the forest; collectively it out their minds at ease to assume it was only one woman. 
    The fear transformed into legends and stories. As the town grew into a kingdom, then cities and eventually states; they would change the name to many things from "The Boogeyman" to "evil spirit" and even became incorporated with fairy tales and she would become known as the "wicked witch" or "evil queen" to teach lessons of staying in line or keeping children in bed. The world would come to enjoy these stories, not knowing for sure if they are real or fake; never really knowing the origins, only speculating.