‘Young Goodman Brown’ by  – 3rd person limited

 

‘Little Salem Village’ First person narrator – The Old Man

 

Today is the day. I take the people of this Salem village and convert them, and expel the ‘love of god’ out of them. This may not be a simple task, since this village is heavily religious, but everyone is capable of being corrupt. This could be proved by the amount of people I already converted. Getting the ones with the weakest faith in god was definitely a good start. Have them attend my gatherings, go back to their village and help manipulate the citizens, making them easier to catch for me when the time comes. If I could maintain this cycle, the people of Salem will be under my arms, and most importantly, my control.

 

Now, I was on my way to the gathering in the middle of the forest. Then I laid my eyes upon this young lady with a knotted pink ribbon tying her hair, frightened out of her skin. I try to remember if I ever saw this one in the Salem town I found the others, but I can’t recall. I observe her from my hiding spot to hear what she is talking about to herself.

 

“A dear God, please let him be safe.” she said to herself. “Why did I ever let him out of my hands and make him go in to these dreadful woods? If only a persuaded him more vigorously…”

 

Who is this man she speaks of? I haven’t encountered anyone in my journey yet. I need to know. When she approached the tree I was stealthy waiting behind, I approach her with a greeting:

 

“Hello, you seem to be los-”

 

“AAHHHH” she screamed, as she back peddled, tripping over a tree branch and falling on the ground. Little did she know, she wasn’t alone after all. She’s lonely, afraid and helpless. This will be easier than I thought.

 

“Oh, Im so sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you, ma’am.”

 

“Get away from me!” she said. “Who are you?!? and-and why are you following me???”

 

“Im sorry to have startled you ma’am. If there is anything I could do to help you, I’ll gladly give you a helping hand. Here, let me help you up.” As I extend my hand she starts to crawl back, avoiding me.

 

“Im looking for my husband. Have you seen him?”

 

“Can’t say I have. I’ve been traveling alone for a couple hours. What does he look like?”

 

“He’s a-” she paused and started reading me, trying to figure me out.

 

“Here, let me help you”

 

I extend my staff to her so she could get up. Not knowing what powers I possess in my priceless staff, she grabs on and her demeanor, her trust towards me changed.

 

“Wh-why thank you for helping me, sir.”

 

“No problem at all. So, you never told me why you’re in this dreadful forest ”

 

“Well I trying to look for my husband, Mr. Goodman Brown. You and him kinda look alike.”

 

As we walk side to side, I tell her where this gathering is, and I part ways with young Faith, with her pink ribbon which now has a bit of dirt on it when she fell during our run-in.

 

I see a figure walking alone. This has to be him. Mr. Goodman Brown. I sneak towards him to hear what he’s muttering to himself.

 

“-leaving her like this. She tells me she’s afraid and I run off it to this forest? Leaving her to her nightmares? Maybe I sho-.”

 

He stops walking and looks around him. I know he can’t see me, but it seems like he feels my existence.

 

“I feel there is evil hidden within these woods. For all I know, an evil presence may be upon me right now.”

 

He feverishly looks behind him every couple steps, until I present myself as another lonely traveler. If his loved one was as easy to convert, he will be in my hands in no time. If I somehow fail, I guarantee, his experience with me will stay with him for the rest of his life…