3

That afternoon, John was passing back through the centre of the village. A carpentry company had their van pulled up on to the plaza surrounding the council building and two men were building a new structure in front of the council house. It took a few moments for John to work out what they were building, but once he saw it his blood ran cold, he couldn't believe what he was seeing! They were putting the finishing touches to the Jib for a gallows. Even down to the details of the noose that was slung over a step ladder ready to be attached to the end of the Jib. 

'What the fuck is going on?' John thought to himself, the realisation shocked him to his core. His confused thoughts continued, 'There is no rational explanation for this, it's crazy. It's not like anyone really believed in witches any more and its not like you can be hung for witchcraft either, not for centuries.' John stopped his train of thoughts when he remembered 'Hmm I seem to recall being told that you can still be hung for High Treason. Surely that is only an old wives tail. Hmm, maybe witchcraft is considered to be High Treason.' As he pondered these thoughts, he looked up to the council house and on the first floor he saw Matthew Hopkins, The Witch Finder General. There eyes met and in that instance John realised what was going on; His mind immediately began to clear and once more and everything began to seem all together reasonable, 'Well I suppose if there are witches in the village, they should be hung. Hmmm, I wonder who the Witches are?'

John headed out of the town square back towards his home. As he passed the Chemist, he saw Julia approaching. Being local he stopped to have a chat with her, "Hi Julia, How are you this afternoon. What did you make of the meeting at the town hall this noon?"
"Some people have a fantastical imagination. To think... there's no such thing as witches. He's a crack pot!" replied Julia
"Did you see what they are building in front of the council house?" Continued John
"No, what?"
"They're building a gallows." John said.
Julia's head flew up and met Johns eyes, "A what?" 
Johns eyes flashed as he said this and he continued, "Matthew wasn't kidding when he said that anyone harbouring evil in their homes would pay with their lives."
The frown that creased Julia's face now faded and was replaced with a smile and she said, "And rightly so. If he finds anyone practicing witchcraft in the village he has my blessing to hang them. I think I'll wander up there and have a look for myself"
"Ok Julia, have fun. I'm going to pop round to Larua and Nuala and let them know what's going on"
"Ok Hun, see you soon" she said as she moved on past him towards the council house.

John walked out of the town towards the outskirts. He stepped up to the front door of his friends house and knocked.
"Hi John, wanna come in for coffee? Nuala was just making some" Laura said as she saw it was John at the door.
"Sure that'd be great."
"Come on through, Nuala's in the kitchen."
They walked thorough to where Nuala was just finishing making the coffee, three mugs already laid out in anticipation of John wanting some. They all stood in the kitchen sipping their coffees and chatted amiably.
"Wasn't that a strange todo today at the town house? Can you believe there's a law man here hunting for witches. Have you ever heard of anything so ridiculous?" said Nuala
"I know, its crazy. Where did this wierdo come from? He just rocks up to town on a Saturday morning and demands everyone listen to him at HIGH NOON. I can believe the Mayor stood next to him." replied Laura
"I don't think the Mayor is entirely comfortable with the situation."
"Oh I don't know," said John "if we have Witches in the village they should be hunted out." John said looking at Laura. His eyes flashed as they made contact with her.
"WHAT?" both girls chorused
"Well we cant have something like that in a respectable village." John continued, "You know they have already begun constructing a gallows. Looks like there must be some pretty convincing evidence of Witchcraft to go to that length."
"What are you saying? Are you feeling OK John?" asked Nuala
"I feel fine, I just don't think there is any room for tolerance when it comes to Witchcraft. Think of the Children in the village." John looked at Nuala, his eyes flashed once again.
"But there is no such thing as Witches" Laura cut in.
"I'm sorry to disagree with you girl, but this is just something I feel very strongly about. Personally I'm glad The Witch Finder General has come. I really should get going. i hope I've not upset you too much." Said John.
John gulped the last of his cooling coffee and made his way out the front door. 
"Did you hear that? They're building a gallows!" Said Laura
"i know. What's with John, he was not acting normal at all. It sounded like he believed all this rubbish"
"I know, I don't know what's gotten into him."
"I'm going to go and see the Mayor, see if I can get to the bottom of this. The town's gone crazy" said Nuala.