The Wicker Man Page #3

the human life is over, the soul lives on...

...in air, in the trees, in animals,

in fire, even.

All right, all right, just-- Come on.

Tell me what happened to her. Honestly.

-It was an accident.

-What kind of accident? How?

Mr. Malus, it was an accident.

Leave things alone, please.

Now, if that's true, where's her body?

Exactly where you would expect it to be.

In the earth.

In a churchyard?

Her mother insisted.

Now, if you will excuse me,

I have to get back to my class.

Wait, wait, Miss Ro-- Sister Rose.

Wait a minute.

How'd she die?

She'll burn to death.

What? What'd you just say?

Precisely what I meant to.

She burned to death.

Excuse me.

-Is there some church near here?

-Yeah.

Down the hill.

Hey, didn't I just speak with you?

Miss Rose-- Sister Rose.

No, you didn't.

-That's not Rowan's grave.

-All right.

It isn't. I know that this seems....

But they put it there. I didn't.

Who's "they"?

I don't know.

Whoever's doing this, trying to make--

It's not much now,

but it used to be lovely.

That's what they say, anyway.

It was built before

my ancestors came here.

That's the crypt, but it's all flooded.

It's a new lock.

Rowan is alive.

That's not what folks

have been telling me.

I've heard that she doesn't exist,

that she's buried in that graveyard...

...even that she's....

She burnt to death.

The liars!

They can't accept her, or won't.

They seem to blame her for all--

Edward, I think

they're gonna hurt her, or even--

Why would they?

I'm trying to understand. I am.

But why?

I ran off once, tried to get away.

They think I'm too proud, or that I--

Sister Summersisle has never been

very fond of my wild ways.

Yeah, that name keeps coming up.

This Summersisle.

-Who is she?

-She's everything.

Everything you see,

all of it, really, is her.

The rest of us, we just--

We live in her shadow.

Me, especially.

They're all saying I've lost it?

I haven't, Edward.

I promise, I haven't. She's--

I can't let them do this to me.

Do what?

What is it you're not telling me?

Forgive me?

Forgive you for...?

I'm lost.

I don't know.

Don't worry, it's....

You know?

No. I don't know. I do not know

that our daughter's gonna be okay.

Now you know

what I've been trying to tell you.

Why I need you to help me.

You're telling me I'm Rowan's father?

Yes.

That's not right.

You should have told me, Willow.

So this is where you last saw Rowan?

Yeah?

Can you give me the details?

It's important.

Yeah. The last time I saw her was....

She was sitting there at the desk.

Rowan loves to draw.

And swim. You know,

she can swim like some--

Swim. Okay.

So you go out, right? You went out.

Only down to the market.

For no more than a half-hour.

-And you get back, and what?

-And she was gone.

Vanished.

And all her things, her toys,

books, everything, it's like they--

What was she wearing?

A sweater I made her.

The one in the photo. She had that on.

She dresses like every other child

on this island.

-Do you have any other photographs of her?

-No.

We didn't have many.

I mean, with only Dr. Moss taking them.

Dr. Moss?

And you're sure it's no way

it could be someone from off the island?

No.

They're careful about

who they allow here.

Was Rowan depressed at all?

Have you seen what she's drawn

underneath her desk? It's disturbing.

Edward, I know that.

What are you doing?

The plane. I need its radio.

Wait for me.

Hello?

Hello?

Where is this guy?

Rowan?!

Rowan!

Goddamn it!

You're persistent. I'm on my way out,

but perhaps I can help in some way?

I need to ask a couple of questions.

It's quick.

Things are rarely quick.

Come inside, then.

Thank you.

You're T.H. Moss, the photographer.

I'm first a physician,

second a photographer. A distant second.

Did you want your picture taken?

So you take the Harvest Festival

photographs every year?

The ones I saw up at the tavern?

Yes, it's a rather humdrum affair,

I'm afraid.

My mother passed the skill on to me,

as her mother before her.

Your mother. Of course.

Do you have last year's photographs?

-Isn't it there with the others?

-No. No, apparently it got destroyed.

What a pity.

Do you have a copy?

I have the negative. I could have

one printed up for you, if you like.

That'd be great.

Thanks.

It's time, sister.

We must hurry.

"In societies as disparate as ancient Egypt

and pre-Columbian Incan...

...fertility festivals were utilized

in much the same way.

A younger woman was chosen

to personify fertility...

...and then killed in a blood ritual

by the presiding priesthood.

This gesture was thought to guarantee

a successful harvest for the coming year.

In Europe and the Americas, on the

other hand, the offering was often burnt. "

Burnt.

Oh, God.

"Rowan Woodward Goddess."

"Worst harvest on record."

Hey.

What the hell is this?

-It's a picture, that's all.

-No, that is not all!

Why didn't you tell me Rowan was a part

of all this, huh? These rituals?

I don't know.

Try, because I'm bouncing around

in circles and I can use some help!

-Edward, why are you yelling at me?

-How about this, for starters:

Our daughter is part

of your worst harvest on record.

You said they blamed her.

Why didn't you tell me about this?

It's just-- It's a ceremony that we have.

I don't know anything else.

You live here! You must know something.

You mentioned this ceremony.

Define it!

What is the day of death and rebirth?

It's a story. That's all it is, a story.

I'm trying to trust you, but when I turn

my head, something doesn't make sense.

Well, I'm frightened of this place too.

I was happy to leave here when I did.

Even though I came back...

...I wish I hadn't.

I wish that I stayed

and made a life with you...

...been with you all these years,

but I didn't.

I came back here and had our child,

and now she's--

Okay. All right. I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to....

Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter.

We'll keep looking.

I'm gonna see this Summersisle lady.

We have to check everything

if we're gonna find Rowan.

If?

If we find her?

No. When. When we find her.

Let me give you a hand.

Want some help?

You okay?

Can't you talk?

Keep your head down!

If she existed, we would know of her.

Now, will you please go?

Rowan Woodward is your classmate,

isn't she?

Isn't she?

Had a scare, didn't we?

You've been sleeping for several hours.

Where am I?

This is the home of Sister Summersisle.

Ivy?

Did you use my kit?

-The adrenaline shot, or--?

-Oh, no.

Nothing like that.

When they brought me to you,

you were near death, clearly.

So I treated the danger in the old way.

You are alive. That's what's important.

I'm here to see Sister Summersisle.

Yes. She's out front now.

And she's been expecting you.

They nearly had you.

Excuse me?

Our little friends, the bees.

They almost did you in.

Yeah.

Pity.

Pity, what? They nearly did or didn't?

Some of our keepers found you,

down near the stables.

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