By The River's Edge

He walked slowly through the crowds. He looked often at the house as it hovered over the village. He walked steadily till the buildings of the town were behind him. The darkness greeting him suddenly. He could still hear the voices, the laughter. Then the sounds stopper. He turned around. The entire village had gathered. In the distance he could hear the lonely train whistle. It lasted for a moment then was gone. He turned back around and began to walk again. He could sense that the villagers were following him. The lights of the house seemed to intensify as he neared the house. The evening was calm, the sound of the moving throng the only noise. He continued on the cobble road the McCullach house before him. When he reached the small driveway he stopped. Some of the townsfolk gathered behind him while the other stood nearby. No one said anything but all seemed humbled, almost saddened. Then she appeared, her long brown hair glistening in the in the glow of the lights inside. She walked to the edge of the porch. The moon that had gone away returned with new luster in the autumn sky. Her long white dress could be seen clearly now, the frightened expression on her face, clear for all who cared to notice. He heard a sigh from the crowd behind him. It was not a weary sigh but instead a moan of sympathy. The white dress was covered in front with red. "Oh my God," a voice in the crowd said. "Dear child, what have you done?"