It was the overwhelming stench of dry rot that woke Rebekah a day later. She opened her eyes and stared into darkness. Where was she? She struggled to remember. It was difficult. There had been so much confusion. Too many people shouting and pulling at her. Had she fainted?
She took a deep breath and tried to sit up. It was then she realized her wrists were bound together. She tried to pull them apart but the rope was pulled tight and as she pulled, the twine cut into her wrists.
“No point struggling,” a voice said. “You only harm yourself.”
Rebekah stopped moving.
“Who are you?” she said to the darkness.
No answer.
“Is anyone here?”
Silence.
“I know I am not crazy. I heard a voice. Declare yourself.” She listened, waiting for a response.
“Please, if anyone is here, speak out.”
She listened carefully and finally caught the sound of someone or something moving near her right side. “I know you are here. Please say something.”
“What would you like me to say?” The voice was rough and gutteral. Impossible to say if the owner was man or woman.
Rebekah sighed with relief. She was not crazy. Someone was near. In fact, very close. She caught just a hint of lavender. A woman! “Please, tell me where I am. What is this place?”
“You do not know? Have you no memory of your arrest and trial?” The voice asked.
Rebekah shook her head. “I do not remember.”
“You should” the voice said. “You made quite the spectacle of yourself.”
“Who are you?” Rebekah demanded. “Where am I?”
The voice was silent.
“Please, whoever you are. Help me.”
Silence. Finally, “What do you suppose I can do for you?” The woman snarled. “Why should I do anything to help the likes of you?
“You can tell me where I am.”
“You really do not remember?” The voice gave a slight chuckle. “You are sitting in the dirt of Saybrook’s Gaol.”
Rebekah was stunned. “Have I been arrested? Why?”
“Who is to know? They tell me nothing.”
6 thoughts on “Dillard Beach Mystery – 64”
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Perhaps this should be the first chapter and then you read all the following chapters to find out what happened!
Interesting option… all things considered in the re-rite eventually…
Oh my. That leaves lots to the imagination. Who what where when why???? The plot thickens.
think like soup…. the characters are dragging me along… I’m not sure what happens next!!!
I like the idea from the avid reader about starting the book with this scenario. It could make the reader hungry for the back story
Originally…. i.e. a year back I started the story in the middle with two ‘narrators’… one featured Rebekah Rand in 1600s, the second focused on a woman from present day who was renting Rebekah’s old cottage… living with spirits she could not understand (flashbacks from the 1600s) It made for an interesting premise but I got so confused I had to stop… then streamlined the story as it is now… starting in the middle as you suggest is an option I will consider… but I need to get the story “down” once in order to discover where it is going… then I can rearrange things in the re-write… Thanks for your feedback. 🙂