NOT MY WORK!link
The room was comfortably warm, pleasant even. Katrina sat beside a window, not far from a cackling fire within the fireplace. Her hands crossed across her lap, gazing out anxiously, awaiting word. All she saw were trees and a thick mist, the sky dimming into sunset.
There was a light tap at the door, which startled the young lady. She did not answer, but waited for the door to creak open. Which it soundly did, Sage stepping in. Holding a mug of water in his hand.
'Me' father reckoned you might be thirsty, miss.' He said somewhat shyly, not stepping further than the doorway. 'Yknow, you've been 'ere a while.'
Katrina paused, then offered a gentle nod of acceptance.
'Thank you.' She said back simply, her voice cool yet inside she was frantic, wanting to just see her husband. Sage placed the mug upon the windowsill, yet did not leave straight away. He lingered, looking at the floor awkwardly.
It was not him to finally speak, but Katrina. Exhaling heavily and looking to the young boy.
'Where is he?' She uttered, her voice weak from having being perched at the window for what seemed to be a lifetime. Sage stiffened, not entirely sure himself.
'I'm not sure, miss. Him and me' mum went out at the crack of dawn this morning. Took the Masbeth boy with them.'
'But, .. it is starting to get dark now.' She said back softly, her glance back out of the window. Her body froze, seeing a figure trample its way through the trees and hedges. Her heart near flopped over with joy, thinking it to be Ichabod. Just as she dared smile and stand, she halted. Squinting out of the window intently.
'Miss?' Sage asked, cautious. 'W-what is it?'
'Shh!'
The figure was dark, near hidden as it trudged through the trees. His stomp menacing, yielding something long in both hands. It came into a clearing, lit slightly. The figure was yielding a sword and axe His piercing eyes bulging and his lip curled up in a snarl. Katrina uttered a short, sharp gasp.
'She still controls him … ' She uttered with fear, then turning to Sage. 'We must .. we must hide, now!'
Sage looked a mix of confusion, fright and question.
'Now!' Katrina cried, turning the boy round by the shoulders and pushing him out of the room. The room lead out to the hallway, where Mr. Everest was furiously shovelling gunpowder into his rifle. He shot a glance to the young lady and his son.
'You saw him then?' He grunted with haste, standing up and bracing himself. Sage took shaking with fear.
'Saw .. who?' He asked carefully, his father not looking at him though. He was looking at Katrina.
'Yes.' She said, holding the boy by his shoulders. The man grunted, mounting his rifle under his arm.
'Anne!' He called, looking up at the ceiling. A thud was heard on the landing, and the teenager quickly trotted down the stairs in her nightdress, long hair hanging free.
'Father? What's wrong?' She asked, alarmed.
'I want you two to go with Mrs. Crane, and I want the three o'yer to keep yerselves safe until I come get you.' He said firmly, reading himself to swing the door open. Katrina was taken aback, now two teenagers in her care.
'But .. where will I take them?' She blurted to Mr. Everest.
'I don't care, miss. As long as it ain't 'ere!' He snapped, looking to her and then both of his children. 'I'll hold this bugger off, you get yerselves somewhere safe.'
Katrina had no time to argue with him, as there was a crash of impaled wood and an axe was violently shoved through the door, breaking some of it to splinters.
'Go now!' Mr. Everest bellowed, aiming his gun toward the door and firing at the clad arm holding the axe sticking through. Katrina swallowed, then turned quickly. She rushed the children in front of her and down the hallway while the horseman finally crashed through the door.
'Get out of my Inn!' Mr. Everest cried, shooting at him yet again. The loud bang ringing throughout the house.
'Father!' Anne cried, near tears as she kept running but looked over her shoulder.
'Keep running!' Katrina urged as they reached the back door which would ultimately lead into the village. She reached for it and tugged at the handle, but to no avail. The door remained closed, clearly locked. A key was needed.
Panic set as Katrina looked around wildly, seeing numerous key pegs and grabbing a handful of them. The first one was useless, as was the second and third. She tossed them over her shoulder in a blind panic as she feared the worst. The sounds of gunshots were no more, the lady turned to glance over her shoulder. As did the two children, and all three near cried out. Though, Anne did shriek at the sight. The hallway bloodied and the rifle broken in two. Mr. Everest sat slumped on the floor, his head lying lifeless beside him. A look of pure horror on his face as his last moments flashes in his eyes.
'No! You bas'tid! I'll kill you!' Sage roared, breaking from his fear and running toward the horseman. He grabbed a half of his father's rifle and went for him, ready to pierce his evil heart.
'No!' Katrina cried, near dropping the keys in her hand and her struggle to open the door came to a horrified halt. The horseman effortlessly lifted his axe and swung at the boy in mid run, slicing through his neck as if slicing through butter. The rifle half, and Sage's lifeless head, falling to the floor with a thud.
Anne wept as the horseman began taking slow, menacing steps towards them. Katrina snapping out of it, turning the key furiously so hard it could have snapped in the lock. Success, the lock clicked and the door eased open slightly, then swung with full force as Katrina ran out, pulling the grief stricken Anne with her.
'My brother, my father .. dead!' She cried as Katrina continued to pull her. The hessian stood halted in the doorway, watching them run. Sword and axe poised and blood smattered. He teased a smirk as they ran, then threw back his head and let out a loud, summoning yell.
From the trees, his faithful steed Daredevil, stormed out at top speed. Slowing for his master as he leapt on, then raised his sword. Yelling loud and glad as they took off in pursuit.
'Stay near me.' Katrina ordered Anne, who she had not yet let go of. They ran towards the woods instead of the town, mainly because of their state of panic. The horseman in fast persuit.
'He's catching up!' Anne cried, distraught as Katrina pulled her by the sleeve of her nightdress. Indeed the girl was correct, the Hessian roaring up behind merely a short distance behind. With a swing and raise of his sword, he swiped true. Missing Katrina's neck by a thumbnail's length, though a lock of her golden hair was sliced and fell to the floor, trampled over by the running Daredevil.
They were becoming out of breath, their breathing laboured. At a stroke of bad luck, Anne stumbled forward having tripped and fell face first into a pile of leaves. Katrina halted and stooped with great haste to tug her up.
'Quickly! We must – ' Her sentence cut short as she felt an almighty clout upon the top of her head, her body falling unconscious and landing just in front of Anne. Though, her head still perfectly intact. The horseman approached slowly on his horse, sword which had struck her in hand. Smeared with the blood of the Everest father and son.
'Mrs. Crane! Wake up, please!' The girl urged, shaking Katrina gently by the shoulder but gaining no response. She shrank back, cowering as the Hessian glared down at her, his breath a rough snarl as he bared his jagged teeth.
He reached down, picking up Katrina by her waist with his strength and settling her just before him on top of his steed. With a triumphant roar, he dug his heel into Daredevil's side and galloped off in the distance, flailing his sword in the air.
Anne stared after the horse, fear and shock grounding her to a halt. She couldn't move, pure horror taking hold of her. Feeling numb to the raw emotions that wanted to prod her back and forth, her face crumpled and she buried her face in her hands, sobbing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The boy was nowhere to be found, having circled the Van Tassel home endless times and calling around the village, only to receive blank stares from the locals. The constable had grown frustrated.
'I swear this village inspires to drive me insane.' He grumbled, though some fear for the boy lingered in his voice.
'How d'ye mean?' Mrs. Everest asked, baby soothed to sleep in her arms. They approached the carriage outside the house, Gunpowder strewn up to it along with Mrs. Everest's and Young Masbeth's horse.
'My daughter vanishes and I find her here. The moment I find her, Young Masbeth is nowhere to be found.' He stopped a moment exhaled deeply, lowering his head. 'And so much more.'
'We got all the time in the world, constable.'
'I dare say. My wishes right now are to find Masbeth, and return to New York.' He said simply, not wishing to re-tell his tale. Opening the carriage door, he allowed the woman to step inside, which she promptly did. With a soft nudge, the door closed and Ichabod climbed to the steering seat, grasping the reins and giving them a tug, the horses setting off at an easy pace.
As the carriage made a steady move, the man found himself uneasily glancing round. The Killian household, long since attain to. The stables. The church, where Baltus Van Tassel met a beastly end. The graveyard. The sounds of soft sobbing …
Sobbing?
Ichabod halted the carriage, squinting with intent as he listened carefully.
'Aye. What'd you stop for?' The woman stepped out of the carriage, standing before him looking confused. The constable gave no answer. He leapt down off of the carriage, landing to his feet and drawing his pistol.
'Listen.' He said quietly, edging forward. His gun of shaky aim, not quite sure what it was looking for. Mrs. Everest walked beside him, not as careful as he was being. They drew near a path, a figure apparent, kneeling upon the leaves with head in hand.
'That's my Anne!' The woman cried, suddenly gaining haste to go to her but paused a moment to hand the baby to her father, seeing the gun. 'Put that away, I'm not having no boom-stick pointed at her!'
Ichabod blinked in surprise, but pushed the gun back into his belt as so ordered. He scooped Harlow from Mrs. Everest, hidden in the bundle that was his long coat. She took a moment to gather herself, then rushed down the path, hitching her dress as she ran.
'Annie, love!' She called, the girl looking up from her palms. A surprised, yet distraught expression on her face. The mother stumbled to her daughter, dropping beside her and cradling her, as if a baby herself. Ichabod stayed where he was, looking down at the sleeping baby in his arms. The gentle sound of her soft breathing suddenly making him forget everything as his heart melted. He loved that sound, the sound of a beautiful breathing baby.
He took a moment just to listen, then realising that if he didn't pull away soon he'd be there for hours. Breaking his daydream state, he followed after Mrs. Everest. Slowing as he drew nearer. Their converse beginning.
'Why the tears, m'girl?' She soothed.
'Oh mum! It was .. it was horrid!' The girl clung to Mrs. Everest, weeping. 'Sage .. father .. '
'What about them?' The woman's soothing tone was then strewn with caution, alarm flaring inside.
'They're dead! He .. he cut off their heads … ' She wept, burying herself in Mrs. Everest's chest like a frightened child. Mrs. Everest froze, stunned. Her husband, her son. Her face remained numb as a tear slid down her cheek, her lip quivering. Behind her, the constable's mouth near hung open, the child began to stir.
'Who?' He inquired harshly. 'Who cut off their heads?'
'Constable – ' Mrs. Everest hushed, her tone desperate. She wanted no talk of such events, not even bearing to think about it. Though, Anne pulled away from her and looked up at him, his face desperate.
'A horseman, sir.' She replied meekly, her voice shaking as well as her body. 'Teeth as sharp as his blade and a horse as black as his heart.'
The constable's face fell, heart pounding and the blood draining from his face. Questions threw themselves around in his mind, almost violently. He staggered back, shaking.
'You be careful! That's a bloody baby you got there!' Mrs. Everest snapped, not truly meaning to sound irate. The shock and sheer upset getting to her.
'And then .. he took her.' Anne continued, biting down on her lip anxiously as she glanced at the trampled on, fallen lock of pale hair in the leaves. Ichabod uneasily followed her glance, the sight of just the lock near making his heart stop. He knew her hair when he saw it.
He approached it as if approaching a great beast, carefully kneeling before it. Harlow began to whimper, opening and closing her small mouth in trembling shivers. Ichabod shifted her onto one arm, lowering the other the delicately stroke the hair, longingly.
'Katrina .. ' He uttered softly, then looked over his shoulder to the two ladies. But – she was not here?'
'She was looking for you, she'd come to the Inn and waited.' Anne sniffed, slowly clambering to her feet and brushing herself off. She turned slightly, indicating down the path leading into many trees. 'He took her there.'
'This is insanity.' Ichabod remarked, standing to his feet. A tremble in his posture. 'But, I must find her.
Mrs. Everest let out a shaky exhale, looking up at him. 'I can't go, constable. I .. I need a minute to gather meself.'
'Mrs. Everest, I was not asking you to go.' He replied as the woman was helped to her feet by Anne. With genuine sympathy, he patted her shoulder lightly. 'I am sorry for you loss, truly. You aided me and have paid dearly for it.'
The woman shook her head.
'No, constable. It weren't yer fault.' She said, the first time he had heard no jolliness in her voice. 'I .. I just want to go 'ome for a bit.'
She reached for Anne to pull her under her arm.
'Come on, love.'
Anne held onto her mother a moment, then pulled away.
'No, I want to help him.'
'Anne- '
'Please. Let me help for Sage and dad. I must.' She insisted, plead in her face. Mrs. Everest looked at her uncertainly, then sighed deeply. She turned to Ichabod.
'Keep me' girl safe, constable.' She said blankly, eyes falling down to the baby then back up to him. 'You want me to take her? Might be a bit safer.'
Ichabod paused a moment, then tipped the baby to rest against his chest. Hand supporting her back as the other held her up.
'No, she stays with me.' He said firmly. 'Katrina will want to see her.'
Mrs. Everest wasn't quite sure about his decision, but she couldn't stop him. The child was his, not her's.
'You come back to the Inn later and let me know if you found her.' She said, turning around to walk away. 'I'll see ye later.'
With that, Mrs. Everest began to sadly walk back to the carriage. A million emotions swimming around to dig beneath her numb surface. As she approached the carriage, the black cat emerged from under the seat and darted past her, down the path in the shadows.
The room was comfortably warm, pleasant even. Katrina sat beside a window, not far from a cackling fire within the fireplace. Her hands crossed across her lap, gazing out anxiously, awaiting word. All she saw were trees and a thick mist, the sky dimming into sunset.
There was a light tap at the door, which startled the young lady. She did not answer, but waited for the door to creak open. Which it soundly did, Sage stepping in. Holding a mug of water in his hand.
'Me' father reckoned you might be thirsty, miss.' He said somewhat shyly, not stepping further than the doorway. 'Yknow, you've been 'ere a while.'
Katrina paused, then offered a gentle nod of acceptance.
'Thank you.' She said back simply, her voice cool yet inside she was frantic, wanting to just see her husband. Sage placed the mug upon the windowsill, yet did not leave straight away. He lingered, looking at the floor awkwardly.
It was not him to finally speak, but Katrina. Exhaling heavily and looking to the young boy.
'Where is he?' She uttered, her voice weak from having being perched at the window for what seemed to be a lifetime. Sage stiffened, not entirely sure himself.
'I'm not sure, miss. Him and me' mum went out at the crack of dawn this morning. Took the Masbeth boy with them.'
'But, .. it is starting to get dark now.' She said back softly, her glance back out of the window. Her body froze, seeing a figure trample its way through the trees and hedges. Her heart near flopped over with joy, thinking it to be Ichabod. Just as she dared smile and stand, she halted. Squinting out of the window intently.
'Miss?' Sage asked, cautious. 'W-what is it?'
'Shh!'
The figure was dark, near hidden as it trudged through the trees. His stomp menacing, yielding something long in both hands. It came into a clearing, lit slightly. The figure was yielding a sword and axe His piercing eyes bulging and his lip curled up in a snarl. Katrina uttered a short, sharp gasp.
'She still controls him … ' She uttered with fear, then turning to Sage. 'We must .. we must hide, now!'
Sage looked a mix of confusion, fright and question.
'Now!' Katrina cried, turning the boy round by the shoulders and pushing him out of the room. The room lead out to the hallway, where Mr. Everest was furiously shovelling gunpowder into his rifle. He shot a glance to the young lady and his son.
'You saw him then?' He grunted with haste, standing up and bracing himself. Sage took shaking with fear.
'Saw .. who?' He asked carefully, his father not looking at him though. He was looking at Katrina.
'Yes.' She said, holding the boy by his shoulders. The man grunted, mounting his rifle under his arm.
'Anne!' He called, looking up at the ceiling. A thud was heard on the landing, and the teenager quickly trotted down the stairs in her nightdress, long hair hanging free.
'Father? What's wrong?' She asked, alarmed.
'I want you two to go with Mrs. Crane, and I want the three o'yer to keep yerselves safe until I come get you.' He said firmly, reading himself to swing the door open. Katrina was taken aback, now two teenagers in her care.
'But .. where will I take them?' She blurted to Mr. Everest.
'I don't care, miss. As long as it ain't 'ere!' He snapped, looking to her and then both of his children. 'I'll hold this bugger off, you get yerselves somewhere safe.'
Katrina had no time to argue with him, as there was a crash of impaled wood and an axe was violently shoved through the door, breaking some of it to splinters.
'Go now!' Mr. Everest bellowed, aiming his gun toward the door and firing at the clad arm holding the axe sticking through. Katrina swallowed, then turned quickly. She rushed the children in front of her and down the hallway while the horseman finally crashed through the door.
'Get out of my Inn!' Mr. Everest cried, shooting at him yet again. The loud bang ringing throughout the house.
'Father!' Anne cried, near tears as she kept running but looked over her shoulder.
'Keep running!' Katrina urged as they reached the back door which would ultimately lead into the village. She reached for it and tugged at the handle, but to no avail. The door remained closed, clearly locked. A key was needed.
Panic set as Katrina looked around wildly, seeing numerous key pegs and grabbing a handful of them. The first one was useless, as was the second and third. She tossed them over her shoulder in a blind panic as she feared the worst. The sounds of gunshots were no more, the lady turned to glance over her shoulder. As did the two children, and all three near cried out. Though, Anne did shriek at the sight. The hallway bloodied and the rifle broken in two. Mr. Everest sat slumped on the floor, his head lying lifeless beside him. A look of pure horror on his face as his last moments flashes in his eyes.
'No! You bas'tid! I'll kill you!' Sage roared, breaking from his fear and running toward the horseman. He grabbed a half of his father's rifle and went for him, ready to pierce his evil heart.
'No!' Katrina cried, near dropping the keys in her hand and her struggle to open the door came to a horrified halt. The horseman effortlessly lifted his axe and swung at the boy in mid run, slicing through his neck as if slicing through butter. The rifle half, and Sage's lifeless head, falling to the floor with a thud.
Anne wept as the horseman began taking slow, menacing steps towards them. Katrina snapping out of it, turning the key furiously so hard it could have snapped in the lock. Success, the lock clicked and the door eased open slightly, then swung with full force as Katrina ran out, pulling the grief stricken Anne with her.
'My brother, my father .. dead!' She cried as Katrina continued to pull her. The hessian stood halted in the doorway, watching them run. Sword and axe poised and blood smattered. He teased a smirk as they ran, then threw back his head and let out a loud, summoning yell.
From the trees, his faithful steed Daredevil, stormed out at top speed. Slowing for his master as he leapt on, then raised his sword. Yelling loud and glad as they took off in pursuit.
'Stay near me.' Katrina ordered Anne, who she had not yet let go of. They ran towards the woods instead of the town, mainly because of their state of panic. The horseman in fast persuit.
'He's catching up!' Anne cried, distraught as Katrina pulled her by the sleeve of her nightdress. Indeed the girl was correct, the Hessian roaring up behind merely a short distance behind. With a swing and raise of his sword, he swiped true. Missing Katrina's neck by a thumbnail's length, though a lock of her golden hair was sliced and fell to the floor, trampled over by the running Daredevil.
They were becoming out of breath, their breathing laboured. At a stroke of bad luck, Anne stumbled forward having tripped and fell face first into a pile of leaves. Katrina halted and stooped with great haste to tug her up.
'Quickly! We must – ' Her sentence cut short as she felt an almighty clout upon the top of her head, her body falling unconscious and landing just in front of Anne. Though, her head still perfectly intact. The horseman approached slowly on his horse, sword which had struck her in hand. Smeared with the blood of the Everest father and son.
'Mrs. Crane! Wake up, please!' The girl urged, shaking Katrina gently by the shoulder but gaining no response. She shrank back, cowering as the Hessian glared down at her, his breath a rough snarl as he bared his jagged teeth.
He reached down, picking up Katrina by her waist with his strength and settling her just before him on top of his steed. With a triumphant roar, he dug his heel into Daredevil's side and galloped off in the distance, flailing his sword in the air.
Anne stared after the horse, fear and shock grounding her to a halt. She couldn't move, pure horror taking hold of her. Feeling numb to the raw emotions that wanted to prod her back and forth, her face crumpled and she buried her face in her hands, sobbing.
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The boy was nowhere to be found, having circled the Van Tassel home endless times and calling around the village, only to receive blank stares from the locals. The constable had grown frustrated.
'I swear this village inspires to drive me insane.' He grumbled, though some fear for the boy lingered in his voice.
'How d'ye mean?' Mrs. Everest asked, baby soothed to sleep in her arms. They approached the carriage outside the house, Gunpowder strewn up to it along with Mrs. Everest's and Young Masbeth's horse.
'My daughter vanishes and I find her here. The moment I find her, Young Masbeth is nowhere to be found.' He stopped a moment exhaled deeply, lowering his head. 'And so much more.'
'We got all the time in the world, constable.'
'I dare say. My wishes right now are to find Masbeth, and return to New York.' He said simply, not wishing to re-tell his tale. Opening the carriage door, he allowed the woman to step inside, which she promptly did. With a soft nudge, the door closed and Ichabod climbed to the steering seat, grasping the reins and giving them a tug, the horses setting off at an easy pace.
As the carriage made a steady move, the man found himself uneasily glancing round. The Killian household, long since attain to. The stables. The church, where Baltus Van Tassel met a beastly end. The graveyard. The sounds of soft sobbing …
Sobbing?
Ichabod halted the carriage, squinting with intent as he listened carefully.
'Aye. What'd you stop for?' The woman stepped out of the carriage, standing before him looking confused. The constable gave no answer. He leapt down off of the carriage, landing to his feet and drawing his pistol.
'Listen.' He said quietly, edging forward. His gun of shaky aim, not quite sure what it was looking for. Mrs. Everest walked beside him, not as careful as he was being. They drew near a path, a figure apparent, kneeling upon the leaves with head in hand.
'That's my Anne!' The woman cried, suddenly gaining haste to go to her but paused a moment to hand the baby to her father, seeing the gun. 'Put that away, I'm not having no boom-stick pointed at her!'
Ichabod blinked in surprise, but pushed the gun back into his belt as so ordered. He scooped Harlow from Mrs. Everest, hidden in the bundle that was his long coat. She took a moment to gather herself, then rushed down the path, hitching her dress as she ran.
'Annie, love!' She called, the girl looking up from her palms. A surprised, yet distraught expression on her face. The mother stumbled to her daughter, dropping beside her and cradling her, as if a baby herself. Ichabod stayed where he was, looking down at the sleeping baby in his arms. The gentle sound of her soft breathing suddenly making him forget everything as his heart melted. He loved that sound, the sound of a beautiful breathing baby.
He took a moment just to listen, then realising that if he didn't pull away soon he'd be there for hours. Breaking his daydream state, he followed after Mrs. Everest. Slowing as he drew nearer. Their converse beginning.
'Why the tears, m'girl?' She soothed.
'Oh mum! It was .. it was horrid!' The girl clung to Mrs. Everest, weeping. 'Sage .. father .. '
'What about them?' The woman's soothing tone was then strewn with caution, alarm flaring inside.
'They're dead! He .. he cut off their heads … ' She wept, burying herself in Mrs. Everest's chest like a frightened child. Mrs. Everest froze, stunned. Her husband, her son. Her face remained numb as a tear slid down her cheek, her lip quivering. Behind her, the constable's mouth near hung open, the child began to stir.
'Who?' He inquired harshly. 'Who cut off their heads?'
'Constable – ' Mrs. Everest hushed, her tone desperate. She wanted no talk of such events, not even bearing to think about it. Though, Anne pulled away from her and looked up at him, his face desperate.
'A horseman, sir.' She replied meekly, her voice shaking as well as her body. 'Teeth as sharp as his blade and a horse as black as his heart.'
The constable's face fell, heart pounding and the blood draining from his face. Questions threw themselves around in his mind, almost violently. He staggered back, shaking.
'You be careful! That's a bloody baby you got there!' Mrs. Everest snapped, not truly meaning to sound irate. The shock and sheer upset getting to her.
'And then .. he took her.' Anne continued, biting down on her lip anxiously as she glanced at the trampled on, fallen lock of pale hair in the leaves. Ichabod uneasily followed her glance, the sight of just the lock near making his heart stop. He knew her hair when he saw it.
He approached it as if approaching a great beast, carefully kneeling before it. Harlow began to whimper, opening and closing her small mouth in trembling shivers. Ichabod shifted her onto one arm, lowering the other the delicately stroke the hair, longingly.
'Katrina .. ' He uttered softly, then looked over his shoulder to the two ladies. But – she was not here?'
'She was looking for you, she'd come to the Inn and waited.' Anne sniffed, slowly clambering to her feet and brushing herself off. She turned slightly, indicating down the path leading into many trees. 'He took her there.'
'This is insanity.' Ichabod remarked, standing to his feet. A tremble in his posture. 'But, I must find her.
Mrs. Everest let out a shaky exhale, looking up at him. 'I can't go, constable. I .. I need a minute to gather meself.'
'Mrs. Everest, I was not asking you to go.' He replied as the woman was helped to her feet by Anne. With genuine sympathy, he patted her shoulder lightly. 'I am sorry for you loss, truly. You aided me and have paid dearly for it.'
The woman shook her head.
'No, constable. It weren't yer fault.' She said, the first time he had heard no jolliness in her voice. 'I .. I just want to go 'ome for a bit.'
She reached for Anne to pull her under her arm.
'Come on, love.'
Anne held onto her mother a moment, then pulled away.
'No, I want to help him.'
'Anne- '
'Please. Let me help for Sage and dad. I must.' She insisted, plead in her face. Mrs. Everest looked at her uncertainly, then sighed deeply. She turned to Ichabod.
'Keep me' girl safe, constable.' She said blankly, eyes falling down to the baby then back up to him. 'You want me to take her? Might be a bit safer.'
Ichabod paused a moment, then tipped the baby to rest against his chest. Hand supporting her back as the other held her up.
'No, she stays with me.' He said firmly. 'Katrina will want to see her.'
Mrs. Everest wasn't quite sure about his decision, but she couldn't stop him. The child was his, not her's.
'You come back to the Inn later and let me know if you found her.' She said, turning around to walk away. 'I'll see ye later.'
With that, Mrs. Everest began to sadly walk back to the carriage. A million emotions swimming around to dig beneath her numb surface. As she approached the carriage, the black cat emerged from under the seat and darted past her, down the path in the shadows.
NOT MY WORK!link
The room was comfortably warm, pleasant even. Katrina sat beside a window, not far from a cackling fire within the fireplace. Her hands crossed across her lap, gazing out anxiously, awaiting word. All she saw were trees and a thick mist, the sky dimming into sunset.
There was a light tap at the door, which startled the young lady. She did not answer, but waited for the door to creak open. Which it soundly did, Sage stepping in. Holding a mug of water in his hand.
'Me' father reckoned you might be thirsty, miss.' He said somewhat shyly, not stepping further than the doorway. 'Yknow, you've been 'ere a while.'
Katrina paused, then offered a gentle nod of acceptance.
'Thank you.' She said back simply, her voice cool yet inside she was frantic, wanting to just see her husband. Sage placed the mug upon the windowsill, yet did not leave straight away. He lingered, looking at the floor awkwardly.
It was not him to finally speak, but Katrina. Exhaling heavily and looking to the young boy.
'Where is he?' She uttered, her voice weak from having being perched at the window for what seemed to be a lifetime. Sage stiffened, not entirely sure himself.
'I'm not sure, miss. Him and me' mum went out at the crack of dawn this morning. Took the Masbeth boy with them.'
'But, .. it is starting to get dark now.' She said back softly, her glance back out of the window. Her body froze, seeing a figure trample its way through the trees and hedges. Her heart near flopped over with joy, thinking it to be Ichabod. Just as she dared smile and stand, she halted. Squinting out of the window intently.
'Miss?' Sage asked, cautious. 'W-what is it?'
'Shh!'
The figure was dark, near hidden as it trudged through the trees. His stomp menacing, yielding something long in both hands. It came into a clearing, lit slightly. The figure was yielding a sword and axe His piercing eyes bulging and his lip curled up in a snarl. Katrina uttered a short, sharp gasp.
'She still controls him … ' She uttered with fear, then turning to Sage. 'We must .. we must hide, now!'
Sage looked a mix of confusion, fright and question.
'Now!' Katrina cried, turning the boy round by the shoulders and pushing him out of the room. The room lead out to the hallway, where Mr. Everest was furiously shovelling gunpowder into his rifle. He shot a glance to the young lady and his son.
'You saw him then?' He grunted with haste, standing up and bracing himself. Sage took shaking with fear.
'Saw .. who?' He asked carefully, his father not looking at him though. He was looking at Katrina.
'Yes.' She said, holding the boy by his shoulders. The man grunted, mounting his rifle under his arm.
'Anne!' He called, looking up at the ceiling. A thud was heard on the landing, and the teenager quickly trotted down the stairs in her nightdress, long hair hanging free.
'Father? What's wrong?' She asked, alarmed.
'I want you two to go with Mrs. Crane, and I want the three o'yer to keep yerselves safe until I come get you.' He said firmly, reading himself to swing the door open. Katrina was taken aback, now two teenagers in her care.
'But .. where will I take them?' She blurted to Mr. Everest.
'I don't care, miss. As long as it ain't 'ere!' He snapped, looking to her and then both of his children. 'I'll hold this bugger off, you get yerselves somewhere safe.'
Katrina had no time to argue with him, as there was a crash of impaled wood and an axe was violently shoved through the door, breaking some of it to splinters.
'Go now!' Mr. Everest bellowed, aiming his gun toward the door and firing at the clad arm holding the axe sticking through. Katrina swallowed, then turned quickly. She rushed the children in front of her and down the hallway while the horseman finally crashed through the door.
'Get out of my Inn!' Mr. Everest cried, shooting at him yet again. The loud bang ringing throughout the house.
'Father!' Anne cried, near tears as she kept running but looked over her shoulder.
'Keep running!' Katrina urged as they reached the back door which would ultimately lead into the village. She reached for it and tugged at the handle, but to no avail. The door remained closed, clearly locked. A key was needed.
Panic set as Katrina looked around wildly, seeing numerous key pegs and grabbing a handful of them. The first one was useless, as was the second and third. She tossed them over her shoulder in a blind panic as she feared the worst. The sounds of gunshots were no more, the lady turned to glance over her shoulder. As did the two children, and all three near cried out. Though, Anne did shriek at the sight. The hallway bloodied and the rifle broken in two. Mr. Everest sat slumped on the floor, his head lying lifeless beside him. A look of pure horror on his face as his last moments flashes in his eyes.
'No! You bas'tid! I'll kill you!' Sage roared, breaking from his fear and running toward the horseman. He grabbed a half of his father's rifle and went for him, ready to pierce his evil heart.
'No!' Katrina cried, near dropping the keys in her hand and her struggle to open the door came to a horrified halt. The horseman effortlessly lifted his axe and swung at the boy in mid run, slicing through his neck as if slicing through butter. The rifle half, and Sage's lifeless head, falling to the floor with a thud.
Anne wept as the horseman began taking slow, menacing steps towards them. Katrina snapping out of it, turning the key furiously so hard it could have snapped in the lock. Success, the lock clicked and the door eased open slightly, then swung with full force as Katrina ran out, pulling the grief stricken Anne with her.
'My brother, my father .. dead!' She cried as Katrina continued to pull her. The hessian stood halted in the doorway, watching them run. Sword and axe poised and blood smattered. He teased a smirk as they ran, then threw back his head and let out a loud, summoning yell.
From the trees, his faithful steed Daredevil, stormed out at top speed. Slowing for his master as he leapt on, then raised his sword. Yelling loud and glad as they took off in pursuit.
'Stay near me.' Katrina ordered Anne, who she had not yet let go of. They ran towards the woods instead of the town, mainly because of their state of panic. The horseman in fast persuit.
'He's catching up!' Anne cried, distraught as Katrina pulled her by the sleeve of her nightdress. Indeed the girl was correct, the Hessian roaring up behind merely a short distance behind. With a swing and raise of his sword, he swiped true. Missing Katrina's neck by a thumbnail's length, though a lock of her golden hair was sliced and fell to the floor, trampled over by the running Daredevil.
They were becoming out of breath, their breathing laboured. At a stroke of bad luck, Anne stumbled forward having tripped and fell face first into a pile of leaves. Katrina halted and stooped with great haste to tug her up.
'Quickly! We must – ' Her sentence cut short as she felt an almighty clout upon the top of her head, her body falling unconscious and landing just in front of Anne. Though, her head still perfectly intact. The horseman approached slowly on his horse, sword which had struck her in hand. Smeared with the blood of the Everest father and son.
'Mrs. Crane! Wake up, please!' The girl urged, shaking Katrina gently by the shoulder but gaining no response. She shrank back, cowering as the Hessian glared down at her, his breath a rough snarl as he bared his jagged teeth.
He reached down, picking up Katrina by her waist with his strength and settling her just before him on top of his steed. With a triumphant roar, he dug his heel into Daredevil's side and galloped off in the distance, flailing his sword in the air.
Anne stared after the horse, fear and shock grounding her to a halt. She couldn't move, pure horror taking hold of her. Feeling numb to the raw emotions that wanted to prod her back and forth, her face crumpled and she buried her face in her hands, sobbing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The boy was nowhere to be found, having circled the Van Tassel home endless times and calling around the village, only to receive blank stares from the locals. The constable had grown frustrated.
'I swear this village inspires to drive me insane.' He grumbled, though some fear for the boy lingered in his voice.
'How d'ye mean?' Mrs. Everest asked, baby soothed to sleep in her arms. They approached the carriage outside the house, Gunpowder strewn up to it along with Mrs. Everest's and Young Masbeth's horse.
'My daughter vanishes and I find her here. The moment I find her, Young Masbeth is nowhere to be found.' He stopped a moment exhaled deeply, lowering his head. 'And so much more.'
'We got all the time in the world, constable.'
'I dare say. My wishes right now are to find Masbeth, and return to New York.' He said simply, not wishing to re-tell his tale. Opening the carriage door, he allowed the woman to step inside, which she promptly did. With a soft nudge, the door closed and Ichabod climbed to the steering seat, grasping the reins and giving them a tug, the horses setting off at an easy pace.
As the carriage made a steady move, the man found himself uneasily glancing round. The Killian household, long since attain to. The stables. The church, where Baltus Van Tassel met a beastly end. The graveyard. The sounds of soft sobbing …
Sobbing?
Ichabod halted the carriage, squinting with intent as he listened carefully.
'Aye. What'd you stop for?' The woman stepped out of the carriage, standing before him looking confused. The constable gave no answer. He leapt down off of the carriage, landing to his feet and drawing his pistol.
'Listen.' He said quietly, edging forward. His gun of shaky aim, not quite sure what it was looking for. Mrs. Everest walked beside him, not as careful as he was being. They drew near a path, a figure apparent, kneeling upon the leaves with head in hand.
'That's my Anne!' The woman cried, suddenly gaining haste to go to her but paused a moment to hand the baby to her father, seeing the gun. 'Put that away, I'm not having no boom-stick pointed at her!'
Ichabod blinked in surprise, but pushed the gun back into his belt as so ordered. He scooped Harlow from Mrs. Everest, hidden in the bundle that was his long coat. She took a moment to gather herself, then rushed down the path, hitching her dress as she ran.
'Annie, love!' She called, the girl looking up from her palms. A surprised, yet distraught expression on her face. The mother stumbled to her daughter, dropping beside her and cradling her, as if a baby herself. Ichabod stayed where he was, looking down at the sleeping baby in his arms. The gentle sound of her soft breathing suddenly making him forget everything as his heart melted. He loved that sound, the sound of a beautiful breathing baby.
He took a moment just to listen, then realising that if he didn't pull away soon he'd be there for hours. Breaking his daydream state, he followed after Mrs. Everest. Slowing as he drew nearer. Their converse beginning.
'Why the tears, m'girl?' She soothed.
'Oh mum! It was .. it was horrid!' The girl clung to Mrs. Everest, weeping. 'Sage .. father .. '
'What about them?' The woman's soothing tone was then strewn with caution, alarm flaring inside.
'They're dead! He .. he cut off their heads … ' She wept, burying herself in Mrs. Everest's chest like a frightened child. Mrs. Everest froze, stunned. Her husband, her son. Her face remained numb as a tear slid down her cheek, her lip quivering. Behind her, the constable's mouth near hung open, the child began to stir.
'Who?' He inquired harshly. 'Who cut off their heads?'
'Constable – ' Mrs. Everest hushed, her tone desperate. She wanted no talk of such events, not even bearing to think about it. Though, Anne pulled away from her and looked up at him, his face desperate.
'A horseman, sir.' She replied meekly, her voice shaking as well as her body. 'Teeth as sharp as his blade and a horse as black as his heart.'
The constable's face fell, heart pounding and the blood draining from his face. Questions threw themselves around in his mind, almost violently. He staggered back, shaking.
'You be careful! That's a bloody baby you got there!' Mrs. Everest snapped, not truly meaning to sound irate. The shock and sheer upset getting to her.
'And then .. he took her.' Anne continued, biting down on her lip anxiously as she glanced at the trampled on, fallen lock of pale hair in the leaves. Ichabod uneasily followed her glance, the sight of just the lock near making his heart stop. He knew her hair when he saw it.
He approached it as if approaching a great beast, carefully kneeling before it. Harlow began to whimper, opening and closing her small mouth in trembling shivers. Ichabod shifted her onto one arm, lowering the other the delicately stroke the hair, longingly.
'Katrina .. ' He uttered softly, then looked over his shoulder to the two ladies. But – she was not here?'
'She was looking for you, she'd come to the Inn and waited.' Anne sniffed, slowly clambering to her feet and brushing herself off. She turned slightly, indicating down the path leading into many trees. 'He took her there.'
'This is insanity.' Ichabod remarked, standing to his feet. A tremble in his posture. 'But, I must find her.
Mrs. Everest let out a shaky exhale, looking up at him. 'I can't go, constable. I .. I need a minute to gather meself.'
'Mrs. Everest, I was not asking you to go.' He replied as the woman was helped to her feet by Anne. With genuine sympathy, he patted her shoulder lightly. 'I am sorry for you loss, truly. You aided me and have paid dearly for it.'
The woman shook her head.
'No, constable. It weren't yer fault.' She said, the first time he had heard no jolliness in her voice. 'I .. I just want to go 'ome for a bit.'
She reached for Anne to pull her under her arm.
'Come on, love.'
Anne held onto her mother a moment, then pulled away.
'No, I want to help him.'
'Anne- '
'Please. Let me help for Sage and dad. I must.' She insisted, plead in her face. Mrs. Everest looked at her uncertainly, then sighed deeply. She turned to Ichabod.
'Keep me' girl safe, constable.' She said blankly, eyes falling down to the baby then back up to him. 'You want me to take her? Might be a bit safer.'
Ichabod paused a moment, then tipped the baby to rest against his chest. Hand supporting her back as the other held her up.
'No, she stays with me.' He said firmly. 'Katrina will want to see her.'
Mrs. Everest wasn't quite sure about his decision, but she couldn't stop him. The child was his, not her's.
'You come back to the Inn later and let me know if you found her.' She said, turning around to walk away. 'I'll see ye later.'
With that, Mrs. Everest began to sadly walk back to the carriage. A million emotions swimming around to dig beneath her numb surface. As she approached the carriage, the black cat emerged from under the seat and darted past her, down the path in the shadows.
The room was comfortably warm, pleasant even. Katrina sat beside a window, not far from a cackling fire within the fireplace. Her hands crossed across her lap, gazing out anxiously, awaiting word. All she saw were trees and a thick mist, the sky dimming into sunset.
There was a light tap at the door, which startled the young lady. She did not answer, but waited for the door to creak open. Which it soundly did, Sage stepping in. Holding a mug of water in his hand.
'Me' father reckoned you might be thirsty, miss.' He said somewhat shyly, not stepping further than the doorway. 'Yknow, you've been 'ere a while.'
Katrina paused, then offered a gentle nod of acceptance.
'Thank you.' She said back simply, her voice cool yet inside she was frantic, wanting to just see her husband. Sage placed the mug upon the windowsill, yet did not leave straight away. He lingered, looking at the floor awkwardly.
It was not him to finally speak, but Katrina. Exhaling heavily and looking to the young boy.
'Where is he?' She uttered, her voice weak from having being perched at the window for what seemed to be a lifetime. Sage stiffened, not entirely sure himself.
'I'm not sure, miss. Him and me' mum went out at the crack of dawn this morning. Took the Masbeth boy with them.'
'But, .. it is starting to get dark now.' She said back softly, her glance back out of the window. Her body froze, seeing a figure trample its way through the trees and hedges. Her heart near flopped over with joy, thinking it to be Ichabod. Just as she dared smile and stand, she halted. Squinting out of the window intently.
'Miss?' Sage asked, cautious. 'W-what is it?'
'Shh!'
The figure was dark, near hidden as it trudged through the trees. His stomp menacing, yielding something long in both hands. It came into a clearing, lit slightly. The figure was yielding a sword and axe His piercing eyes bulging and his lip curled up in a snarl. Katrina uttered a short, sharp gasp.
'She still controls him … ' She uttered with fear, then turning to Sage. 'We must .. we must hide, now!'
Sage looked a mix of confusion, fright and question.
'Now!' Katrina cried, turning the boy round by the shoulders and pushing him out of the room. The room lead out to the hallway, where Mr. Everest was furiously shovelling gunpowder into his rifle. He shot a glance to the young lady and his son.
'You saw him then?' He grunted with haste, standing up and bracing himself. Sage took shaking with fear.
'Saw .. who?' He asked carefully, his father not looking at him though. He was looking at Katrina.
'Yes.' She said, holding the boy by his shoulders. The man grunted, mounting his rifle under his arm.
'Anne!' He called, looking up at the ceiling. A thud was heard on the landing, and the teenager quickly trotted down the stairs in her nightdress, long hair hanging free.
'Father? What's wrong?' She asked, alarmed.
'I want you two to go with Mrs. Crane, and I want the three o'yer to keep yerselves safe until I come get you.' He said firmly, reading himself to swing the door open. Katrina was taken aback, now two teenagers in her care.
'But .. where will I take them?' She blurted to Mr. Everest.
'I don't care, miss. As long as it ain't 'ere!' He snapped, looking to her and then both of his children. 'I'll hold this bugger off, you get yerselves somewhere safe.'
Katrina had no time to argue with him, as there was a crash of impaled wood and an axe was violently shoved through the door, breaking some of it to splinters.
'Go now!' Mr. Everest bellowed, aiming his gun toward the door and firing at the clad arm holding the axe sticking through. Katrina swallowed, then turned quickly. She rushed the children in front of her and down the hallway while the horseman finally crashed through the door.
'Get out of my Inn!' Mr. Everest cried, shooting at him yet again. The loud bang ringing throughout the house.
'Father!' Anne cried, near tears as she kept running but looked over her shoulder.
'Keep running!' Katrina urged as they reached the back door which would ultimately lead into the village. She reached for it and tugged at the handle, but to no avail. The door remained closed, clearly locked. A key was needed.
Panic set as Katrina looked around wildly, seeing numerous key pegs and grabbing a handful of them. The first one was useless, as was the second and third. She tossed them over her shoulder in a blind panic as she feared the worst. The sounds of gunshots were no more, the lady turned to glance over her shoulder. As did the two children, and all three near cried out. Though, Anne did shriek at the sight. The hallway bloodied and the rifle broken in two. Mr. Everest sat slumped on the floor, his head lying lifeless beside him. A look of pure horror on his face as his last moments flashes in his eyes.
'No! You bas'tid! I'll kill you!' Sage roared, breaking from his fear and running toward the horseman. He grabbed a half of his father's rifle and went for him, ready to pierce his evil heart.
'No!' Katrina cried, near dropping the keys in her hand and her struggle to open the door came to a horrified halt. The horseman effortlessly lifted his axe and swung at the boy in mid run, slicing through his neck as if slicing through butter. The rifle half, and Sage's lifeless head, falling to the floor with a thud.
Anne wept as the horseman began taking slow, menacing steps towards them. Katrina snapping out of it, turning the key furiously so hard it could have snapped in the lock. Success, the lock clicked and the door eased open slightly, then swung with full force as Katrina ran out, pulling the grief stricken Anne with her.
'My brother, my father .. dead!' She cried as Katrina continued to pull her. The hessian stood halted in the doorway, watching them run. Sword and axe poised and blood smattered. He teased a smirk as they ran, then threw back his head and let out a loud, summoning yell.
From the trees, his faithful steed Daredevil, stormed out at top speed. Slowing for his master as he leapt on, then raised his sword. Yelling loud and glad as they took off in pursuit.
'Stay near me.' Katrina ordered Anne, who she had not yet let go of. They ran towards the woods instead of the town, mainly because of their state of panic. The horseman in fast persuit.
'He's catching up!' Anne cried, distraught as Katrina pulled her by the sleeve of her nightdress. Indeed the girl was correct, the Hessian roaring up behind merely a short distance behind. With a swing and raise of his sword, he swiped true. Missing Katrina's neck by a thumbnail's length, though a lock of her golden hair was sliced and fell to the floor, trampled over by the running Daredevil.
They were becoming out of breath, their breathing laboured. At a stroke of bad luck, Anne stumbled forward having tripped and fell face first into a pile of leaves. Katrina halted and stooped with great haste to tug her up.
'Quickly! We must – ' Her sentence cut short as she felt an almighty clout upon the top of her head, her body falling unconscious and landing just in front of Anne. Though, her head still perfectly intact. The horseman approached slowly on his horse, sword which had struck her in hand. Smeared with the blood of the Everest father and son.
'Mrs. Crane! Wake up, please!' The girl urged, shaking Katrina gently by the shoulder but gaining no response. She shrank back, cowering as the Hessian glared down at her, his breath a rough snarl as he bared his jagged teeth.
He reached down, picking up Katrina by her waist with his strength and settling her just before him on top of his steed. With a triumphant roar, he dug his heel into Daredevil's side and galloped off in the distance, flailing his sword in the air.
Anne stared after the horse, fear and shock grounding her to a halt. She couldn't move, pure horror taking hold of her. Feeling numb to the raw emotions that wanted to prod her back and forth, her face crumpled and she buried her face in her hands, sobbing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The boy was nowhere to be found, having circled the Van Tassel home endless times and calling around the village, only to receive blank stares from the locals. The constable had grown frustrated.
'I swear this village inspires to drive me insane.' He grumbled, though some fear for the boy lingered in his voice.
'How d'ye mean?' Mrs. Everest asked, baby soothed to sleep in her arms. They approached the carriage outside the house, Gunpowder strewn up to it along with Mrs. Everest's and Young Masbeth's horse.
'My daughter vanishes and I find her here. The moment I find her, Young Masbeth is nowhere to be found.' He stopped a moment exhaled deeply, lowering his head. 'And so much more.'
'We got all the time in the world, constable.'
'I dare say. My wishes right now are to find Masbeth, and return to New York.' He said simply, not wishing to re-tell his tale. Opening the carriage door, he allowed the woman to step inside, which she promptly did. With a soft nudge, the door closed and Ichabod climbed to the steering seat, grasping the reins and giving them a tug, the horses setting off at an easy pace.
As the carriage made a steady move, the man found himself uneasily glancing round. The Killian household, long since attain to. The stables. The church, where Baltus Van Tassel met a beastly end. The graveyard. The sounds of soft sobbing …
Sobbing?
Ichabod halted the carriage, squinting with intent as he listened carefully.
'Aye. What'd you stop for?' The woman stepped out of the carriage, standing before him looking confused. The constable gave no answer. He leapt down off of the carriage, landing to his feet and drawing his pistol.
'Listen.' He said quietly, edging forward. His gun of shaky aim, not quite sure what it was looking for. Mrs. Everest walked beside him, not as careful as he was being. They drew near a path, a figure apparent, kneeling upon the leaves with head in hand.
'That's my Anne!' The woman cried, suddenly gaining haste to go to her but paused a moment to hand the baby to her father, seeing the gun. 'Put that away, I'm not having no boom-stick pointed at her!'
Ichabod blinked in surprise, but pushed the gun back into his belt as so ordered. He scooped Harlow from Mrs. Everest, hidden in the bundle that was his long coat. She took a moment to gather herself, then rushed down the path, hitching her dress as she ran.
'Annie, love!' She called, the girl looking up from her palms. A surprised, yet distraught expression on her face. The mother stumbled to her daughter, dropping beside her and cradling her, as if a baby herself. Ichabod stayed where he was, looking down at the sleeping baby in his arms. The gentle sound of her soft breathing suddenly making him forget everything as his heart melted. He loved that sound, the sound of a beautiful breathing baby.
He took a moment just to listen, then realising that if he didn't pull away soon he'd be there for hours. Breaking his daydream state, he followed after Mrs. Everest. Slowing as he drew nearer. Their converse beginning.
'Why the tears, m'girl?' She soothed.
'Oh mum! It was .. it was horrid!' The girl clung to Mrs. Everest, weeping. 'Sage .. father .. '
'What about them?' The woman's soothing tone was then strewn with caution, alarm flaring inside.
'They're dead! He .. he cut off their heads … ' She wept, burying herself in Mrs. Everest's chest like a frightened child. Mrs. Everest froze, stunned. Her husband, her son. Her face remained numb as a tear slid down her cheek, her lip quivering. Behind her, the constable's mouth near hung open, the child began to stir.
'Who?' He inquired harshly. 'Who cut off their heads?'
'Constable – ' Mrs. Everest hushed, her tone desperate. She wanted no talk of such events, not even bearing to think about it. Though, Anne pulled away from her and looked up at him, his face desperate.
'A horseman, sir.' She replied meekly, her voice shaking as well as her body. 'Teeth as sharp as his blade and a horse as black as his heart.'
The constable's face fell, heart pounding and the blood draining from his face. Questions threw themselves around in his mind, almost violently. He staggered back, shaking.
'You be careful! That's a bloody baby you got there!' Mrs. Everest snapped, not truly meaning to sound irate. The shock and sheer upset getting to her.
'And then .. he took her.' Anne continued, biting down on her lip anxiously as she glanced at the trampled on, fallen lock of pale hair in the leaves. Ichabod uneasily followed her glance, the sight of just the lock near making his heart stop. He knew her hair when he saw it.
He approached it as if approaching a great beast, carefully kneeling before it. Harlow began to whimper, opening and closing her small mouth in trembling shivers. Ichabod shifted her onto one arm, lowering the other the delicately stroke the hair, longingly.
'Katrina .. ' He uttered softly, then looked over his shoulder to the two ladies. But – she was not here?'
'She was looking for you, she'd come to the Inn and waited.' Anne sniffed, slowly clambering to her feet and brushing herself off. She turned slightly, indicating down the path leading into many trees. 'He took her there.'
'This is insanity.' Ichabod remarked, standing to his feet. A tremble in his posture. 'But, I must find her.
Mrs. Everest let out a shaky exhale, looking up at him. 'I can't go, constable. I .. I need a minute to gather meself.'
'Mrs. Everest, I was not asking you to go.' He replied as the woman was helped to her feet by Anne. With genuine sympathy, he patted her shoulder lightly. 'I am sorry for you loss, truly. You aided me and have paid dearly for it.'
The woman shook her head.
'No, constable. It weren't yer fault.' She said, the first time he had heard no jolliness in her voice. 'I .. I just want to go 'ome for a bit.'
She reached for Anne to pull her under her arm.
'Come on, love.'
Anne held onto her mother a moment, then pulled away.
'No, I want to help him.'
'Anne- '
'Please. Let me help for Sage and dad. I must.' She insisted, plead in her face. Mrs. Everest looked at her uncertainly, then sighed deeply. She turned to Ichabod.
'Keep me' girl safe, constable.' She said blankly, eyes falling down to the baby then back up to him. 'You want me to take her? Might be a bit safer.'
Ichabod paused a moment, then tipped the baby to rest against his chest. Hand supporting her back as the other held her up.
'No, she stays with me.' He said firmly. 'Katrina will want to see her.'
Mrs. Everest wasn't quite sure about his decision, but she couldn't stop him. The child was his, not her's.
'You come back to the Inn later and let me know if you found her.' She said, turning around to walk away. 'I'll see ye later.'
With that, Mrs. Everest began to sadly walk back to the carriage. A million emotions swimming around to dig beneath her numb surface. As she approached the carriage, the black cat emerged from under the seat and darted past her, down the path in the shadows.