The Cleansing

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Bless you.

Can't eat those, Alice.

Didn't mean to startle you.

We all need to get away from the smell of that place sometimes, don't we?

Are those for medicinal purposes?

I've been meaning to pay you a visit.

We've missed you and your mother at prayer recently.

All is well, I trust?

During these troubling times,

it's more important than ever

that we maintain our faith in the Lord.

Always a pleasure, Alice.

No.

I tried to warn you, Alice.

You know the law.

No!

Please don't harm her. She was only doing my bidding.

May the Lord have mercy on your soul.

Please, no!

It had to be done, Alice.

She's gone to a better place.

No!

- No! - Alice.

I wanted to offer you my apologies for what happened.

I understand why you concealed your mother's condition.

But I hope you understand why I...

Why we could not allow it to continue.

The Cleanser wanted to hold you to account for your actions,

but I convinced him that you're young,

and that your emotions got the better of you.

We've all been affected by these tragic times...

but if we're to see our way through,

we must maintain our faith in the Lord...

And our faith in one another.

We need to support each other

and come together as a community.

It's more important now than ever before.

You can't stay here alone, Alice.

It's not safe.

A woman of your age should have a man to look after

her well-being.

I want to offer you a place in my home.

By my side.

If the Lord has seen fit

to spare you and I,

who are we to turn our back

on his wishes?

Will you not even deign to speak with me out of anger?

Ungrateful wretch!

You'll be begging for my kindness soon enough,

I assure you.

Beware, a devil has possessed that one!

Thank you all for coming.

I know some of you would prefer not to meet like this.

But in light of tragic recent losses, it's clear

that avoiding each other, is not the answer.

We've lost our farmers,

hunters, doctor, blacksmith.

We've all lost family.

Our way of life is hanging on the precipice.

If the plague doesn't take us,

then starvation surely will.

We must be united both in our prayer and in our cause.

The Lord does have a plan for us,

-and we must not lose-- -The Cleanser said

the worst was behind us.

He said cases were in the decline.

Six more this week.

And who know who will be next.

He assures me that other towns have seen a drop.

Whatever he's doing here, it isn't working!

Not people keeping their symptoms secret!

Where is Alice Thomas?

She broke the law and now my Richard is dead!

Why is she not here being held to account?

Is it because you harbor affections for her?

Of course not.

She's not present because I wanted to discuss the matter with you all first.

I know what you think.

You have me wrong.

It is my belief that there is something wrong with the girl.

Her silence is one thing,

and then again there is her wicked demeanor.

Aye, she nigh on spat at me this morning.

Her family have always meddled with the unnatural.

Her father was a doctor.

A good man. He's helped many of you in his day.

And yet he died in circumstances most unusual.

Upon reflection, I cannot help but wonder

whether this cursed plague may not have begun with him.

Her parents both perish, yet she remains unaffected.

Perhaps it was their meddling with the unholy that was the cause of all this.

She's just a child.

Yes, the only youth left.

We know all too well that the young were the first to succumb

and yet again, she lives on.

She's probably the cause of it all.

Bewitched by the devil to lay a curse upon this land.

These accusations are baseless.

Then let her speak her defense.

If she has strayed from the light,

then we shall soon uncover it.

The Cleanser will make her talk.

No. No, it'll be too long before he next returns.

We cannot afford to wait.

Then what you propose we do?

If she is indeed bewitched,

it is my belief that I can obtain a confession from her.

I will give her fair opportunity to make her case.

She will be tried and tested

under the eyes of God,

and in accordance with the law.

You have my word.

We must root out evil, wherever it resides

and whatever form it takes.

I ask you all to pray for her soul,

that we may cleanse it on the morrow.

Come in.

Mary.

Thank you for bringing her to us without incident.

Tom, I... I thought we would discuss this is a civil manner.

We will.

Come. Sit.

Come.

This is the Lord's prayer.

I want you to read it aloud without stutter or hesitation.

Read it.

The Lord's prayer ought to be in the hearts

and minds of every good Christian soul.

It is said, that under the eyes of God,

the truly Holy will read the prayer unfaltering.

If you falter, Alice,

we will know that your heart and mind have been occupied by something other.

We will know that you have been touched by the devil.

- Tom. - Quiet.

Just read the words, Alice.

Let us hear your voice so we may know what resides inside.

Just read it, child.

Read it!

Must you make it so hard on yourself?

So hard on us all?

There are other ways of determining allegiance to the devil,

but I am afraid you will find them far more uncomfortable.

We have no choice

but to search you for the devil's mark.

Leave her be.

Let go!

Let her go!

When a body is touched by the devil,

he leaves his mark.

Just read the prayer, child. You can speak,

I know you can.

It's too late for that now.

Take down her garments.

Thomas, please!

Get out!

May God forgive me, Alice.

Leave us for a moment, please.

We found no marks, Alice.

Nothing that would give me reason

to believe you are a witch.

Whether that is enough to establish your innocence

is up to you.

I can protect you from the others.

I can make this stop right now.

All you have to do

is give yourself to me.

Do that,

and I will tell the others...

my investigation was satisfied

and your innocence established.

If you do not agree to these terms,

I will have no choice

but to proceed with a trial.

So what will it be?

Come with me.

We shall conduct a trial by water.

Confess.

Speak the Lord's Prayer and cleanse your wicked soul.

Bring her up.

The longer you remain silent, the longer this will continue.

Speak now and release the devil within you.

Speak, you witch.

-Speak! -In the name of God!

Speak, child!

Bring her up.

Do you wish to die here today?

Speak, girl. It is your only hope of salvation.

The devil has her tongue, Thomas.

Drown her! It's the only way to lift the curse.

Alice,

do you have any words?

This isn't working.

-Keep her under. -I shall do as I see fit!

Enough!

What now?

Tom!

Do not look upon her.

She is using her female form to elicit your sympathies.