Candice Hayes, also known as "The Wicker Witch", was a Colonial American woman who resided in Salem, Massachusetts during the Salem Witch Trials. After eloping with Clovis in the nearby forest, she was accused of being a witch by her abusive husband, Aiden Hayes. Candice was then burnt at the stake by Judge William Stoughton's order.
Later, Clovis resurrected Candice, granting her power over fire. She then murdered her husband and turned him into SCP-3998, to which she could channel her powers. Over the next three hundred years, she killed many abusive spouses in the Massachusetts area, 3998 eventually being considered for Euclid class by the SCP Foundation.[2]
Biography
Early life
Candice was born into a Salem family, the daughter of a priest. She was betrothed to Aiden Hayes, who she had known to be violent despite his high standing in the town, as well as her having an interest in women rather than men. However, she accepted her father;'s wish, and they were married in her father's church in 1682. Candice appeared distraught to Mary A███, who then recorded this in her journal.
A year later, Candice was being beaten by Aiden, leaving many noticeable bruises on her. She began to wear her hair long and also often went to the forest to be alone. During one of these treks, she met a spirit named Clovis, with whom Candice quickly made a deal of power with in exchange for Candice's soul.[2]
Witchcraft
Margarete, another woman in town, spread rumors of Candice being a bad wife to Aiden and not willing to sire his children. Over the course of time, Candice gave Clovis berries and trinkets, with the spirit giving her advice in trade. They eventually fell in love with one another, despite their differences. In 1691, eight years after she began seeing Clovis, Mary witnessed Candice shouting at her husband.
When Mary asked what was wrong, Candice told her that she was being nosy, leaving a bad impression on Mary. A year later, Mary told Aiden of her retreats to the forest, who later accused Candice of witchcraft at the height of the Salem Witch Trials.[2]
Trial and death
Judge William Stoughton held the trial of Candice Hayes on 8 June 1693, interrogating her on her use of witchcraft. She quickly admitted to it, though said that her use had no morality, as it was more of a tool. Candice also revealed that she detested Aiden, instead caring for Clovis. For her brazenness, Stoughton sentenced her to be burnt at the stake; a departure from earlier executions in the trial, particularly hanging and pressing.
Two days later, Candice's legs were broken and was tied to a stake above flammable material, Aiden then lit the fire himself which killed Candice in agonizing fashion. Her body was dumped down the side of a mountain.[2]
Resurrection and revenge
Clovis came across Candice's body; though she had her soul, Clovis wanted her instead. She resurrected Candice, replacing her burnt flesh with wicker, taking off her legs due to the uselessness of them, and used Candice's soul to grant her power over fire. She then wrote a letter for her to find, telling Candice to take her revenge on Aiden for the wrongs he committed, becoming the Wicker Witch.
The Wicker Witch doused herself in Aiden's gin and set herself on fire. She then hit Aiden repeatedly with a blunt object to the ribs and skull. After this, she grabbed him, burning his face and gouging his eyes out. His flesh soon melted to the floor, and the Witch ripped off Aiden's legs and attached them to herself, so she could walk again. She then took his body, making a scarecrow of it, in order to channel her powers.[2]
Personality
Anomalous properties
Meta
Kills
- Aiden Hayes - Brutalized by the Wicker Witch.
Appearances
- Entry Page: 3998
- No Safe Haven
Gallery
References