ASTERGRAVE, June 1724
It was a beautiful summer's day, with the sun casting a warm glow on the lush green woods. Birds filled the air with their harmonious melodies and the trees, bushes, grass together with the flowers danced to the breeze so gently, as if wishing all a pleasant day.
However, there was an air of uneasiness surrounding Belinda Cransley as she trod silently through the woods. Why do I seem so troubled? Why do I not feel happy and carefree here, like I always do?
Then she remembered. Father is dead.
Father is dead. Father is dead. Father is dead. These three cruel words pounded relentlessly at her mind, reminding Belinda of how her beloved father tragically drowned at sea some months back. Ever since then, life was never again what it once was.
"NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!" her sudden scream shattered the serenity of the woods. "Why? Why did Father have to die? Why??"
Slowly, tears rolled out of her blue eyes. Sadness soon gave way to anger as Belinda recalled the unkind fate that befell her father. Without warning she started to tear through the woods yelling at the top of her lungs to nobody in particular, "I hate you! I hate you! I hate you all!"
On and on Belinda raced, ignoring the heavy thumping of her heart begging for rest. Even she herself did not know where her feet were taking her to; Belinda kept running like a spirit possessed.
Out of a sudden, she tripped on something. "Argh..." came her startled cry as she fell, arms flailing in the air. Thud! Her head hit against a rock with great force, rendering her unconscious at once.
Many hours later, Belinda finally opened her eyes. Slowly, the woods around her came into focus. It was already dark and certainly not the safest place or time for a young girl like her to be in. She tried to get up, but her head was throbbing with immense pain. When Belinda touched it, she was surprised to find it bandaged neatly with medicine applied onto it! But how?
Well, she had neither time nor strength to ponder on that now. Staggering unsteadily, Belinda hurriedly made her way home, lest she encountered any more dangers.
At last, her feet brought her home safe and sound. "Mother?" Belinda called out from the front door. "I am so sorry that I did not come home for dinner, Mother. You see, I was ambling along in the woods whe-"
Suddenly she froze in terror. "Mother?" Something was terribly amiss. Why was it that she could hear someone laughing ever so fiendishly in the kitchen? It could not possibly be her dear old mother cackling non-stop by herself, could it?
Creeping cautiously, she entered the kitchen and gasped in horror. "Mother, what are you doing? Stop laughing! STOP LAUGHING!" Belinda’s worst fears were realised. On the floor sat her mother, hysterical laughter coming from her repeatedly. No matter what Belinda did, she would not stop. "Nooo..." wept Belinda in desperation. "This cannot be happening...this cannot be happening..."

ASTERGRAVE, December 1728
"Come on, Mother. Eat your porridge." coaxed Belinda, attempting to spoon-feed her mother. But she refused, preferring instead to trace the path of a spider on the ceiling. Sighing to herself, Belinda put down the bowl of porridge. She grabbed her coat, and proceeded to step outside to gather firewood for the dying fire.
Life had been miserable for Belinda ever since she came home four years ago to find her mother turned completely mad. Belinda never had a clue what happened to her. How could a perfectly healthy woman become insane just like that? She was only twelve years old then, but every day of the last four years had been nothing but sheer torture for Belinda as she had to manage the tedious household chores and take care of her sick mother. As if things were not bad enough, the townsfolk constantly shunned her, believing her to be some sort of bad omen who caused her father to die and her mother turn mad.
Of course, this made things all the harder for Belinda. There was nothing in the world she wanted to know more than what caused her mother to become like this; but most in the town did not want to have anything to do with her, hence no light could be shed on the mystery.
Sparks flew as Belinda threw several logs into the fireplace. They were reduced to glowing embers in no time, providing warmth for the two of them. "Mother, I am going out for some food. Please behave yourself, will you?"
No response came, for the insane lady was too busy sniffing at the floor. She does not even know I am here, thought Belinda sadly. Mother, what happened to you? Tell me, what happened four years ago?
It was getting cold outside. Wrapping her coat tightly around herself, Belinda plodded quickly through the snow. She tried to avoid any of the townsfolk for fear of unkind remarks towards her.
Ding-a-ling! A tiny bell rang when Belinda opened the front door of the bakery. "Hello, Belinda," greeted Mark, the baker's son from behind the counter. "And how may I serve you on this lovely day?"
She blushed. Mark was one of the only few people in the town who treated her nicely. "Hello, Mark. One loaf of bread, please."
"Here you go." he handed her what she wanted in return for some coins. "No, no, no..." Belinda's hand was pushed back by Mark. "I cannot take this money. Not when I know how hard you are trying to make ends meet."
"But-I..." she tried to protest, but could tell by the firm look on his face that it was pointless. "Thank you so much."
"So, how is your mother doing?" he asked with concern.
Belinda sighed. "I do not know, Mark. I really do not know what is going to happen to her, or to me. Day in, day out, I push myself so hard in hope that I will wake up the next day and find out that this is all a bad dream. But all that greets me every morning is my sick mother, still as out of her mind as ever. It has been so many years now that I cannot see any end to this misery. Sometimes, I even feel like I myself am going crazy!"
"Do tell me, if there is anything at all I can do to help."
She was about to express her gratitude when suddenly Mark's father, Mr. Froster came in. As soon as he saw Belinda in his shop, his face turned red as a ripe tomato. "Begone, witch! Begone before you hex any of us with your unholiness!"
Immediately there was a feeling of deep hurt inside Belinda. "Why do you say such things, Mr. Froster? Do the people of this town really hate me that much?"
"Say what you will, witch," hissed the baker. "But you cannot fool me. We all know that it was you who cursed your parents, the poor souls. I knew your mother well, Belinda. She used to come here often, and talk with me about the going-ons in Astergrave. But now…"
Belinda's eyes lit up. "Do you know what happened to her then, Mr. Froster? What made her turn mad?"
"You," he hissed. "You happened to her. And your father too. For you are an evil wretch, born to wreak death and disaster onto your family! Now, leave this place at once, or I shall-"
"That is enough, Father," Mark put his arms around him. "Belinda, I think you should leave."
"G-Goodbye, Mark." she clutched her loaf of bread and exited the shop while fighting back tears. Maybe he is right, Belinda thought as she ran home. Maybe I am responsible for all of this.
No! Another voice told her. They are all wrong! Father's death was an accident. And Mother...well, perhaps she was so worried when I did not return home that night that she became insane. But deep down, Belinda knew it was impossible. People just did not lose their sanity in a matter of hours.
"I am back, Mother." she called out upon arriving at her house. "Do you-OH!"
Belinda's sentence was cut short by her shocked cry upon seeing the entire house cluttered into a terrible mess. Every piece of furniture had been overturned and stomped on. The floor was littered with broken bits of glass, which apparently were from the shattered windows. Even the food placed on the table was not spared, all of it lying squashed under the weight of the table. And amidst all this, Belinda's mother sat on the floor laughing her head off, oblivious to what she had just done.

A ray of sunlight streaked onto Belinda's face. "Go away," she closed her eyes tighter, willing it to disappear. "Let me sleep."
Belinda felt as she had no strength left to wake up. No strength left to face another day of gruelling chores and hurtful insults from the townsfolk. But, knowing that she had to Belinda slowly got up, changed and prepared breakfast.
"Mother!" called the girl once it was ready. "Come and have your breakfast!"
No reply. Silly me, Belinda thought. How could she possibly hear her while sleeping? She could not hear her even when awake!
"Rise and sh-" Belinda sang as she opened the door to her mother's bedroom, then stopped short. The bed was empty! There was nobody in the room!
"Mother!" she hollered while searching the whole house. "Where are you?"
The effort proved futile, however, as she was nowhere to be found.
"No," whispered Belinda to herself. "She cannot be missing. Cannot."
I must search around the town. Maybe she wandered off and just got lost.
With panic gripping her, Belinda quickly rushed out of the house...and realised that it was already dark!
"HUH??!!" She could not believe her eyes! Was it not morning when she woke up just now? What on earth was going on? How could it be day one minute and night the next? No, this was just simply ridiculous!
This must be a dream, Belinda decided. I will just wake up soon and find myself in bed. Then l will go and cook breakfast for Mother.
"There she is!" suddenly she heard somebody yell. "Get the witch!"
Belinda turned around and saw all the townspeople rushing towards her carrying torches. Before she had time to think, they grabbed her. A very angry Mr. Fadden, the town mayor, stepped forward.
"Remove your spell, you damned witch! Turn the dark skies bright again, or we shall be forced to burn you!"
What? They were accusing her? "I did not have anything to do with this! I am just as clueless as everybody here, I swear!"
"Do not deny it, evil one!" Mr. Fadden was fast losing his patience. "I repeat, reverse this sorcery of yours and leave at once...there is no place for a witch in this town!"
"I am not a witch!" cried Belinda in desperation. "Why will you all not believe me?"
Without warning Mr. Fadden tugged her hair, forcing her head to tilt backwards. He held the flaming torch close to her face, so close that she could feel the dancing flames waiting to consume her. "I give you one last chance. Do as I tell you to, and leave us in peace."
"NO! I AM NOT A WITCH! I AM NOT A WITCH! I AM NOT A WITCH!" Belinda could feel her fear transforming into rage. Her fist curled tightly into a ball, and suddenly she directed a punch right at Mr. Fadden's face.
Crack! Belinda heard his nose fracture, blood streaming out profusely through his nostrils. He stumbled backwards and fell before being caught by one of the townspeople.
Belinda's mouth dropped open in shock. She had never imagined herself to possess such great strength.
"Get the witch!" somebody shouted. "Do not let her escape!"
She had to run away! Belinda tried to push through the advancing crowd, and to her surprise managed to topple them over with utmost ease! Every person who stood in her way fell over as soon as she pressed forward. Where did she obtain this strength?
Belinda had little time to think. Breaking free of the final pair of hands, she quickly darted into the woods. Meanwhile the townspeople were already starting to give chase.
It was the first time Belinda had been in the woods since that fateful day four years ago. The place looked so much scarier at night with the trees seeming to glare menacingly at her, whispering among themselves.
The snow was starting to come down heavier now. Belinda wished she were at the comfort of her warm hearth, safe from any marauding townspeople craving her blood.
At last, Belinda reached a small clearing. Was she safe now? It appeared so…but what should she do now? The winter frost chilled her to the bones...so cold...so cold.
Suddenly, she heard a rustle from a nearby bush. A sense of dread overcame her. If they ever find me, I am dead. Then I will never rescue Mother and seek those who drove her insane. From behind the bush, a dark figure emerged and loomed over her huddled figure.
"Mark!" Belinda exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
It was Mark! But was he here to help her, or turn her in to the others?
"Listen here, Belinda," he clutched her shoulders. "I know what happened to your mother, what made her become mad!"
"You do?? Oh, thank God! Tell me, tell me now!"
"Later," came Mark’s hushed whisper. "Now is not the time. Your mother is in grave danger at this very moment, and you must save her."
"Where is she?" she asked.
"Follow me."
Mark led Belinda through a long winding path. They walked at a steady pace, each step sinking into the thick snow. Finally, he brought her to a steep cliff. "You see that person over there?" he pointed beyond the edge. "That is your mother!"
Belinda stared at where Mark pointed and sure enough, there her mother was hovering in midair! "B-But that is impossible! She is floating!"
"No! You must trust me! This cliff is not real; it is only but an illusion! In reality, your mother is standing on flat ground, screaming for your help! Hurry, for you are her only hope now!"
Belinda shook her head. "I...I do not understand. How can my mother be standing in the air?"
"She is not standing in the air! She appears to be standing in the air only because this cliff does not exist! It is imaginary!"
"So what do I do now?" Things were starting to get very confusing.
"Run over and bring her back! Then I shall explain everything to you!"
"I will not fall?"
"No, you will not fall! There is land all the way! Hurry, time is wasting as we speak!"
"All right, so be it then," Belinda took a deep breath and stepped onto the edge of the cliff. It looked a long drop all the way to the bottom; she certainly hoped Mark was right. This seemed silly, but...
"Mother, here I come!" she ran one, two, three steps and stopped in horror. There was no ground supporting her! She was falling straight down!
"NOOOOO...!!!" screamed the terrified Belinda. She heard Mark roar triumphantly, "To hell with you, witch!" He had tricked her! He had betrayed her!
Falling, falling, falling...it was a sensation Belinda would never forget. Everything whizzed past, blurring into nothingness before she could make out what they were. Swoosh, swoosh, went the wind as it swept by faster and faster and faster. When will I stop? When will it all end?
Then the world went white.

ASTERGRAVE, January 1729
"May her soul rest in peace." read Father Jacob solemnly. "Amen."
Slowly, the crowd started to disperse without much emotion written on their faces. Belinda's mother was still gazing at her daughter's grave when the priest tapped her on the shoulder.
"I am sorry to disturb you, Mrs. Cransley," he offered his apologies. "But may I know what exactly happened to Belinda?"
She sniffed. "The poor girl was quite out of her mind. She would just sit in a corner the whole day, talking to herself and doing things in her fantasy world. Sometimes she mentions me, but I am not sure what her exact words were. Why, there were even times when I suspected she thought that I was the insane one, not her!"
"But, how? I mean, how did she become mad?"
"After her father died five years ago, already Belinda was not quite right. She loved him a lot, you see, and found it hard to accept his death. Then one day, she went for a walk in the woods and did not return. Some men found her later that evening, lying on the ground unconscious and brought her home. Her head was bleeding badly, so I bandaged it and applied some medicine. However, when she woke up, Belinda was already crazy. And till this day, I am still not sure what happened to her."
"Belinda was a good girl, even when she was ill," continued Mrs. Cransley with a tear in her eye. "But she liked to wander off alone a lot. Then a few nights ago, she went into those woods at night without my knowledge. The very next morning, we found her lying at the bottom of the cliff, every single bone broken."
"Hmmm...I wonder what made Belinda jump over the cliff?"Father Jacob thoughtfully.
"Ah, if only we knew," shrugged Mrs. Cransley. "You can never tell what is going on inside an insane person's mind."

...as told by mOkKiEs at 7:45 AM