Shadows of the Hollow: A Tale Reimgine

Galloping Hessian Rides

The hours slowly tick by until there is only one left. After Baltus grew tired we went into the dining hall for one last drink. Then Baltus ended the party, eager for bed. The ladies gathered their supplies, small quiet folded neatly in their hands. When Kat entered the room I smiled at her. The heavy footsteps told me that Ichabog had also seen her. Her glee seems to be smothered by his present. However Katrina ignored him as she approached me. Crane's eyes burned into Kat's back as he watched us.

"Thank you for coming, Brom. I heard that your story was frightful."

"The party was wonderful. Thank you for inviting me. I must bid you goodnight. The coals must be stored early for the morning."

She held out her hand, to which I placed a delicate kiss upon the back of it. The dull jewel still hangs around her neck.

"Until then."

My eyes found Crane's. I bid the school master a friendly goodnight before I left with the boys. Only I didn't ride far. Just out of sight of the farmhouse. The boy rode off ahead to prepare for Crane's arrival. There's only one way to the Van Tassel farm. I hardly believe that Crane is foolish enough to wander off the road. Epsiecail at night on all hallows eve. I watch as the guests slowly leave with their families to return home. Fearing that he had somehow managed to convince old Baltis to let stay for the evening, I started to plan to wait inside the house. Luck is on my side, Baltus has turned him away. Smiling, I watched the school master exit the house and slowly sauntered over to the barn. From the shadows, I watched as the school master made his way to the stable, fetched the tired horse, and rode off slowly. Once he got a good distance ahead I moved along behind him on foot, Daredevil following along with me. I hope the boys had enough time to prepare.

In the heart of a shadowy hollow, a hush falls over the landscape, where gnarled trees stand like sentinels, their bare branches stretching towards an overcast sky. The trees, ghostly white against the deepening gloom, seem to whisper secrets to one another as the chilling autumn wind sweeps through the hollow, rustling the dry leaves that cling stubbornly to the ground. A sense of stillness envelops the area, broken only by the occasional sigh of the wind, as if nature itself is holding its breath. Above, the moon remains shrouded behind a thick blanket of clouds, casting an eerie darkness that deepens the hollow's mysterious allure. The air is crisp, carrying with it the faint scent of damp earth and decaying foliage, while shadows dance playfully in the absence of light, inviting the imagination to wander into the realms of the unknown.

Elias used his magic to make the shadows move. Levi rustled through the woods, causing the sleeping birds to spring up. Icabog whistled a merry tune, his eyes glancing around the bare branches. Elias, whose spells continue to take shade among the trees, twisted and distorted them to look like hooded figures and ghastly beasts. Josiah made a faint howling sound to which made Icaabog stop his whistling.

The man looked around for the source of the noise. Try as he might, the old horse seems to want to avoid crossing the bridge. When the horse refused to obey the command from the reins the shallow man used his whip on the old beast. The horse lunged forward, only to slide into a stop at the edge. He cursed under his breath at the animal.

As Josiah and Levi continued to spook the man I adjusted my coat and mounted onto Daredevil's back. From ahead I see Elias glance my way. With a nod he quickly mumbled the spell. The shadows of the trees crept along my shoulders, the magic shifting my clothes, aparrance, and Pulling Daredevil into a halt Icabods eyes landed on me. Remanding still I held my gaze. By nwo the magic has already taken hold. The shadows hid my features, which made Icabogs eyes widen. In a weak voice he called out,

"Who are you?"

Remaining silent, the man asks again. Still I remain silent. When he began to ride on I nudged Daredevil onward. The boys fell back into the darkness. This man is mine. When Icabod nudges the old horse fast Daredevil keeps even strides with him. He tried a few times to let me pass but I pulled Daredevil to follow alongside. He started to whistle but when he realized I wasn't leaving his whistling fell silent. As we rode over a small hill the moon decided to peek out from the thick heavy gray clouds. Horrorstuck Ichabod swallows hard. He began to tremble as he beheld no head upon my shoulders. A pumpkin had been glamorized to look like a decading head sat in front of me in my saddle.

From deep within a laugh so full of hatred and rage and satisfaction rose from my lips. Lips he could not see but he could hear the laugh. With a shout Icabog kicks the old horse into a run. Without a command my own horse lunged forward to give chase. Laughing again I tuck myself into the saddle. Racing down the road the two horses thundered down the gravel road. More laughs come from me as I watch the saddle slip from the thinning animals back. The saddle clamored to the ground. My horse dodges the fallen seat as I charge onward. Icaabod dated left, turning down the road towards the wooden bridge. The same bridge where my story ends. He slammed his heels into the ribs of the horse, edging him to run faster. As we approached I pulled back on my reins, halting Daredevil from crossing Icabog turned eyes still wide. Grabbing the head I grip it tightly then with all my might I huttled it towards him. Either he didn't dodge or my magic propelled it, when the head smashed into his face the pumpkin shattered and he toppled over into the brook. His horse continued racing and so did I. With one final laugh both myself and the shadowy steed vanished into the night.