The rain and wind whipped the fallen leaves into a frenzy as the frail and terrified figure broke into a run.
 
It wasn’t the rain and wind Elizabeth Parsons ran from.
 
It was her father.
 
Elizabeth screamed as a cold wet hand caught her long tangled hair in its grasp.  As she felt herself being pulled down to the ground,  Elizabeth clutched at the air in a desperate attempt to save herself.  But no invisible saviour was there to help her that night.
 
Even as the door leading into the side attic room closed behind them, Elizabeth sobbed, pleaded and begged for forgiveness.  For months the sounds of suffering emanated from that room and an unearthly atmosphere settled on the house.
 
Suddenly, as if the house held its breath for a moment.. all sound stopped. 
 
Then, a scream pierced that silence…
 
~~~~
 
Preacher Samuel Parsons never lost his temper.  No matter what he was faced with or how heated the dispute became, he was always the perfect mediator. Until, that is, the day William Smith called at the house and asked for his daughters hand in marriage.
 
He could hear the words coming from William’s mouth.  “I understand what we did was wrong sir. But I do love her and she loves me..  If you would only forgive us and give your consent for us to marry ...”
 
Samuel was silent for a moment.  Seething anger boiled behind his usually calm demeanour  before the word “NO!!” burst from his mouth.  “NEVER!!” 

Samuel wasn’t aware of the next few moments.  He did not feel his hands wrap around William’s neck and squeeze as he shook him,  repeating  over and over ”No.... Never.... Never.... No!”
 
Suddenly Samuel seemed to come to his senses and his hands flew from William’s throat.  William gasped as he felt his breath return and he...