[ WP ] `` I was burned , bludgeoned , poisoned and thrown into a river . But not in that order . ''

`` I was burned, bludgeoned, poisoned, and thrown into a river. But not in that order.'' 
 
 The old blind woman chuckled, her wide grin nearly toothless. The children sitting on the floor in front of her looked dubious. For a moment the only sound in the cottage was the tapping of her knitting needles and the occasional pop of the fire. 
 
 Thomas, the youngest cousin, spoke first. 
 
 `` So what order did they happen in grammy?'' 
 
 Nathan, the eldest, rolled his eyes. 
 
 `` They did n't stupid, she's pulling your leg.'' 
 
 The woman ignored her eldest great-grandson and turned directly to Thomas, her milky eyes the only indication that she could no longer see. 
 
 `` Well, I was poisoned first, as a very young girl. In fact, I was not much older than you are now Thomas.'' 
 
 Nathan shook his head at how ridiculous this was and looked to Jacob who pretended to agree with him, but really wanted to hear the story. Fortunately for him Thomas was too curious to not ask. 
 
 `` Alright, I'll tell you about the poisoning. But not the others. Your papas do n't want me telling you this stuff, they think you need to be protected from it. I do n't want them getting back here and getting all mad at me.'' 
 
 The woman put down her knitting and sat for a moment, reminiscing. Her chair creaked as she slowly rocked back and forth. 
 
 `` When I was a young girl I lived with my papa on a tiny plot of land in a cottage even smaller than this one. We had very little, but it was okay because a lot of people did back then. The one thing that I did have was a chicken, which I named Rosey. Rosey would follow me everywhere and I loved her. My papa always warned me not get too attached because Rosey would be supper one day but I did n't listen. Then, just as he always threatened, my papa killed Rosey for supper. I was so upset when I saw the body that I just rushed forward and gathered her up in my arms. I did n't mean to do it. I could n't help it, everything in me just kind of rushed out. But it was a miracle! When I put her back down she started running around the cottage, full of life! Well my papa was not too appreciative and I think he was a little scared of me. He had heard stories of his granny having powers, but as they skipped his dad and himself he thought them myths. So next time he fixed up supper he poisoned me. I reckon he thought he was doing me a favor.'' 
 
 Jacob's mouth was agape and Thomas looked like he might cry. Even Nathan could n't help but react. 
 
 `` Your own father poisoned you?'' 
 
 `` Well do n't judge too harshly. You probably would n't appreciate a headless chicken running around either.'' 
 
 The boys looked at each other and then back at up at her. Nathan was shaking his head again. It was silent for a time before Jacob spoke. 
 
 `` What about the others? The burning and stuff?'' 
 
 The woman turned her head towards the door and was still a moment, as if she were listening for the rest of the family to come inside. 
 
 `` Well alright, I'll tell you, but not in details.'' 
 
 Her voice was a near whisper now so the boys shuffled closer, even Nathan. 
 
 `` You see, my abilities grew as I got older and while I just tried to keep to myself, most people are scared of what they do n't understand. Especially men, because they do n't like power unless it's their own and this kind of power does n't belong to your kind. When I was a young lady, old enough to be courted and get married, I made the mistake of falling in love with one of these men. He knew that I could do things when we got hitched, but I think years of not having the power just got to him. When the witch hysteria took up in our town and people were pointing fingers he up and turned me in. So they threw me in a river. Apparently if I sunk it meant I was n't a witch but if I floated I was, which seems real dumb considering they kill you either way. I let them get on with it and then when I hit the water I removed their ropes and swam away.'' 
 
 She chuckled again. 
 
 `` Our great grandpa threw you in a river?'' 
 
 `` Oh lord no, boys. That fool was not your great grandpa. No your great grandpa was a good man who appreciated a strong woman. That's how I ended up bludgeoned, it turns out his wife was also a pretty strong woman. I left him after that, it was her right to keep her own and I was already carrying your grandma. I knew she'd have the powers. That's how it goes, mothers to daughters. And if the daughters have sons then it waits and goes to the granddaughters. So I went off with my Katherine and lived away from people for a bit. I do n't mind when they try to bother me, but I wanted to protect her. We were doing fine on our own for a time.'' 
 
 The old woman looked sad now, remembering her years with her daughter. The boys sat fidgeting while keeping quiet for what they hoped was an adequately respectful period of time. They had never met their grandma Katherine, only heard stories from their fathers about their mom, but never from the old woman. She sighed and Thomas took that as a signal that it was alright to speak again. 
 
 `` And the burning?'' 
 
 The woman nodded. 
 
 `` That was after Katherine left. She had met your grandpa and turned away from the power, pretending it did n't exist and I was just a reminder that it did. Then I was all on my own for a long time. They came for me one night. They had heard stories and had done up a whole trial and everything, except I was n't there to actually know what I was accused of. They brought me into town to the main square, where they had a big log up with on a stand with a bunch of wood around it. I was curious as they tied me up to the log and then they shouted about the devil and witches. Finally they lit the wood around me and it took up flame pretty quick. Boy was it hot.'' 
 
 The old woman paused dramatically while her young great-grandsons sat with wide eyes. 
 
 `` What happened?'' 
 
 She smiled. 
 
 `` Well would n't you know it, the wind picked up right then and not one of the those flames flicked me. Instead they jumped all about as if they had a mind of their own and burned down that whole village! No one was hurt, fortunately, but my they were suddenly all homeless! It was such a shame! I decided to go in search of my kin then, your papas, and no one ever bothered me again.'' 
 
 The boys almost could n't believe it. Nathan still held onto his skepticism, but he wanted to hear more. 
 
 `` What else can you do? Can you fly? Can you tell the future?'' 
 
 The old woman shook her head. 
 
 `` I ca n't fly and I ca n't tell the future, not exactly, but I can give you one thing you need to know for your futures.'' 
 
 She was speaking very softly now and the boys leaned in closely so they could hear. 
 
 `` What grammy? What do we need to know?'' 
 
 The woman looked each of them in the face before she spoke, one at a time, her eyes both seeing and not seeing. 
 
 `` You should be very, very nice to your sisters.''
