"So, do you mind telling me what is going on?" Adam asked the stranger.

"They were chasing me. I ran and ran, but it is hard to run in these sandals," She said looking down at her muddy brown sandals.

"Why were they chasing you?"

"You will think it is a silly reason," she said as she blushed. Then she turned seriously, "But they really meant business this time."

"If I thought that it was silly, I would not have somewhat picked you up?" Adam said sarcastically.

"I guess I do owe you an explanation," She said looking down. "They think I am a witch."

"What?"

"They think I am a witch."

Adam was dumbstruck. He knew from history class with the infamous Miss Meade, one of the oldest and meanest teachers at Emerald High, that the last witch trails were held a very long time ago. So why would anyone accuse another of being a witch, not to mention chasing the person in a storm? Then Adam decided that he had to get his act together and figure out what was going on.

"Okay, let me get this all straight. Those people are after you because they think you are a witch. Why would they get that idea? You look like a terrific girl to me," Adam said with honesty. He found himself being attracted to her, even though he did not even know her name.

"My family was murdered in our own home. My mother hid me in the attic so I was spared. My sister was not as lucky. Ever since then, the house has taken on a life of its own," the girl explained. "The town of Creola is a very superstitious bunch and ever since the strange happenings started when I was thirteen, they have branded me a witch."

"So you still live in the house?"

"No, I went to live with my mother’s sister just outside the town. My house still stands though and when I am eighteen, it will become mine," the girl replied. She glanced back to make sure the towns people were not there. It was evident that she was still very scared.

Adam was still in awe of the situation. Then it dawned on him again that he did not know her name.

"So what is your name?" He asked.

"Saddie. Saddie Collins. My real name is Salem, but my aunt has always called me Saddie. Now that you know my name, what is yours?"

"Adam Kramer. I am from Emerald Beach," Adam said with a smile.

"So what brings you into this area?"

"I have to take some papers to Mercerville for my father, he is an investigator for the state," Adam said.

"I hope that I am not going to get you into trouble," Saddie said with alarm.

"Oh, no. Besides it would not be the first time I have been in trouble. I still don’t understand why they think you are a witch. Aren’t they a little crazy?" Adam asked. He just could not comprehend that in the 1900’s that people would still be part of a witch-hunt.

"It is because I get these feelings about people and the future. I have no control over it. At a slumber party when I was thirteen, we were playing with the Ouigi board. I made some predictions and revealed some things about the girls there that just happened to be true and did come true," Saddie said looking in the side mirror again. "I spooked the girls and they told their parents and that is when I became a witch. My only friend is an old lady that lives in a cave near my old house. I visit her often."

"Do you believe in these ‘powers’?" Adam inquired. He knew of a girl in school that tinkered with tarot cards, but she was not a witch or anything like that. But the girl was accurate enough to have peeked Adam’s curiosity a couple of times in study hall.

"Well, I knew that I was going to meet you. That is why I ran for this road. I just wish that I would have known that the townspeople were going to come after me," Saddie said with a smile. "I never thought that you would be this cute though."

Adam blushed. "Well, I am definitely not disappointed," he said in response. Saddie had such a soft look that no teenage boy in his right mind would at least give her a second glance. "So what do you want to do from here? I don’t think you are going to be able to go back home tonight."

"Oh, no. I couldn’t go back to Creola until things simmered down. Just take me to my old house. It is just up the road to the left. That is if you don’t mind."

"But won’t they come after you there?"

"Oh no way. They are scared of the house," Saddie said with a smile. "Let’s just say that the house is very occupied."

"What do you mean?"

"You will see when we get there."

With that, Adam put the van into gear and began their journey down the road. The storm had blown over and a fog was beginning to creep down the mountainside and settle into the valley. Adam drove very slowly since he could not see very well. He knew that his father and brother must be worried about him by now, but he had to make sure Saddie was going to be all right. Maybe the cell phone would work at the house and he could call them.

Adam drove down the windy road until Saddie pointed to an almost hidden road that branched off to the left. Pine trees aligned both sides of the narrow road. He had just made it to the corner when he spotted something that he never thought he would have ever saw in his life. A crowd of about ten to fifteen men stood across the road with torches, clubs and rope in their hands. He stopped the van as the angry mob made their way towards the van.

"Oh, God! Adam, just stop the van. I am the one that they want," Saddie said in a fearful tone.

"No way. We are in this together," Adam said as he threw the van into reverse and floored the accelerator. But the van did not go in the direction that Adam wanted it to go. Instead he felt the van start to slide. It was then that he realized that he was no longer on a gravel road, but on a slippery, muddy dirt road. Adam fought for control, but the van had a mind of its own. It was like a sled and it was heading for the bottom of the slight incline.

"Hold on!" Adam said as the back of the van hit the ditch on the side of the road and the crashing sound of glass pierced the silence. Adam looked back to see a pine tree branch had come through on of the back windows, shattering the glass all over the back of the van.