Summary

Chapter I begins the novel from a third person, omniscient narration. Five young men approach a river, equipped with slingshots and rocks. They are covered in mud and are wearing only their underwear, both nervous and determined as they approach the water. As they get closer, they are overwhelmed by a horrible stench. Finally, they can see what is in the river: a human corpse, covered in blowflies and snakes.

In Chapter II, the narrator reveals the body in the river belongs to a woman only known by a nickname: the Witch. There are a lot of rumors that this woman could perform spells and curses, but many young women claim they went to her for medicine. These women also note that the Witch always kindly listened to their problems.

The chapter flashbacks to the Witch’s origin story. There...