The Beginning 🖤
— The Author’s Note —
- “Every story has a beginning… but not beginning is as innocent as it seems.”This is where Sofia’s story begins !
The story began with a girl named Sofia.
In 1992, a small peasant family lived in a small village in Germany. The family consisted of five members: Sofia, her mother Margaret, her father John, her aunt Anne, and her little brother Edward.
The family was hardworking, honest, and humble—except for Anne.
It It was the middle of June. Father John was busy working in the fields, while Margaret was occupied with her household chores.
Sofia was enjoying her summer holidays. She was spending her time painting and playing with her little brother, Edward.
While Sofia and Edward were playing, three villagers came looking for Anne. Their names were Ed, Peggie, and Charle. Peggie was crying, while Ed looked extremely angry as they approached the house.
They found Margaret busy with her work and walked towards her.
Margaret…” Peggie called out through her tears.
Sofia noticed the three villagers approaching her mother. She quickly ran towards Margaret.
“Mother! There are three people at the door. Do you know who they are?",” -Sofia said.
Margaret looked up from her work, surprised.
Ed replied angrily, “My name is Ed. This is my wife, Peggie. Maybe you know her well. And this is my friend, Charle. We’re here for Anne. Where is that bitch?”
Margaret replied angrily, “How dare you talk about Anne like that. Is your husband going mad peggie?”
Margaret replied, “Anne went to her friend’s house.”
Peggie replied through her tears, “My daughter was murdered last night. Her body was found by the riverside. Charlie and I saw Anne this morning, coming from the direction of the river.”
*Margaret was completely shocked !
Margaret replied, “But that can’t be possible. She went to her friend’s house. And how does Charlie know Anne?”
Charlie replied, “Madam, who doesn’t know Anne? She’s an extremely rude woman. The whole village is troubled by her.”
Margaret replied angrily, “Mind your language, sir! I know Anne can be rude, but she could never murder someone’s child. This is a lie!”
Ed replied irritably, “You’re wrong. Anne isn’t just rude; she’s a huge fraud. Some villagers even call her a witch.”
Sofia and her little brother Edward were scared and confused.
Margaret replied irritably, “Peggie, please leave my house.”
Peggie replied through her tears, “Where is Anne? Where have you hidden her? That bitch killed my child!”
Peggie then broke down crying.
Ed gently tried to calm Peggie down as she continued crying. He looked at Margaret with an irritated expression and said, “We’re going to the police. They need to know what happened.”
Just then, the door opened.
Anne walked into the house. She seemed unusually nervous, avoiding everyone’s eyes. Her clothes were covered in dirt, as if she had been somewhere she shouldn’t have been. There was also a strange, unpleasant smell coming from her clothes.
Sofia and Edward looked at her in silence, confused and frightened by her sudden arrival.
Anne looked nervous. “What happened?”
Margaret, relieved to see her, said, “Oh, Anne! Where were you? Look at what these people are saying…”
Anne replied irritably, “I don’t even want to know what they’re saying. They’re probably just talking nonsense. How do you even let these people into the house?”
Peggie cried out, “Stop this nonsense! Why did you kill my child? Charlie saw you himself near the riverside! Why did you kill my child, you witch?"
Anne replied rudely, “Excuse me! The river is for everyone. Anyone can go there. There was nothing when I went. You’re just jealous of me.”
Charlie snapped, “Don’t lie! What were you doing there at 4 a.m.? When I went there, I found Peggie’s daughter’s body.”
Anne replied irritably, “Oh my! What a great story!” She laughed. “Anyway, tell me, what were you doing there?”
Charlie replied, “I travel from the village to the city every day for work. Don’t change the subject.”
Anne replied, “I was coming back from my friend’s house.”
Margaret and Sofia looked confused.
Ed said, “Fine, let’s say you were at your friend’s house. But where were you until now? You were near the river at 4 a.m. Your house is only four kilometres from the river, yet you’re arriving home now. And everyone knows your activities are suspicious. Many villagers have seen you wandering around at 3 or 4 in the morning.”
Anne replied with a laugh, “I go for a night walk, of course.”
Then she added irritably, “Now, get out of my house.”
Ed gently held Peggie as she continued to cry, trying to calm her down.
Margaret stepped in and said softly, “Peggie, I feel terrible for what you’re going through, but you can’t talk about Anne like that. She may be rude, but she isn’t the kind of person who could hurt an innocent child.
Peggie sobbed angrily, “Get lost! You’re all on her side too. Fine! Today this witch killed my child… tomorrow, she’ll kill your children too!”
Margaret froze for a moment, hurt and shocked by Peggie’s words. She glanced at Sofia and Edward, then looked back at Peggie with disbelief.
“Don’t say that, Peggie. You’re grieving, I understand… but please don’t bring my children into this,” she said, her voice trembling slightly.
Ed said firmly, “Let’s go to the police station.”
With that, Ed, Peggie, and Charlie left the house.
Margaret turned to Anne, still confused and worried. “Where were you all this time, Anne? You said you were going to your friend’s house at 4 a.m.”
Anne hesitated, looking nervous. “Uh… umm… oh! Margaret, I went to the market with Ruru. I had to help her set up her shop.”
Edward began to cry. Anne, already frustrated by everything that had happened, snapped angrily, “Stop crying! We’ll talk about it later Margaret.”
Anne, irritated by the situation, turned around and went inside her room without saying another word.
Sofia looked at her mother with teary eyes. “Mama… did Aunt Anne really kill Peggie’s daughter, Ruby? I feel like crying… We were playing together just yesterday.”
Margaret gently shook her head. “No, sweetheart. It’s not like that.”
Sofia hesitated, then said, “Umm… but Mama, Aunt Anne smells really bad. Please tell her to take a bath.”
Margaret paused and nodded slightly. “Hmm… I noticed it too. Maybe she was working at the market. She probably just smells sweaty.”
