Sleepy Hollow 🔖

From Pan Tö Fire

"Watch your steps or you'll wake the whole castle". Tony warned as we tiptoed through the hallways. He was ahead, leading the single file of twelve girls with Richard beside him. I was at the back, where they felt my powers would be of good use if we were discovered.

"I don't understand why we can't just use the back gate where Tony and Richard took those gaurds". Rachael whined.

"I've explained a dozen times. That way will be heavily guarded at this time, to ward off intruders so we'll be using a secret passage in the west wing, near the Prince's chamber". Vanessa replied.

"Shhh". Tony said.

"Don't shush us". Vanessa retorted.

"You'll shush if you want to get out of here alive". Alexa said.

I rolled my eyes at their banter but I kept glancing behind me warily, feeling we were being followed. We all had bags of food and other supplies which Richard had gotten, mine weighed me down a lot.
The line stopped as Tony stopped. The hall branched into two directions.
"Left". Richard said. Tony glanced around the corner to check for gaurds.

"Remember to use your knives if you feel you're in danger". He reminded us, the girls bobbed their heads up and down. With a brief nod to me, he started down the hallway. No one spoke again for fear of being discovered. Anxious eyes and ears watched and listened for any slight movement or sound.

Another left turn and the line stopped again.
"We're here". Richard whispered.

"But this is just a wall". Someone stated the obvious.

"I said there was a secret passage here. I didn't say I knew how to open it". Richard said. Vanessa walked up to him and slapped him.

"Do you think this is a joke? We're right in the beast's lair". Vanessa said as she gestured down the hall. "Any moment a gaurd could spot us. You expect us to just stand here and figure it out!"

"Calm down, Vanessa. You'll wake everyone". Tony said as he pinched his nose. He stood facing the wall, both hands on his waist.

While they bickered, I decided to take a closer look at the wall. I traced my hand along the outlines of the brick wall. As I did, I did not miss the strange pull, similar to what I felt when I touched Prince George's knife. At a particular brick, it got stronger. I blinked. One moment it wasn't there, the next it was. A lever, just begging to be pulled. I pulled  and the whole castle shook.

There were gasps as the girls scampered away from the wall. Sand poured as the wall moved to the side. It seemed like an earthquake.

"Get in! Now!". Tony shouted over the rumbling. "Someone definitely felt that!"

The girls filed in. I glanced at Tony as I passed by him. He nodded, I ignored him. The wall closed back as soon as we all passed.

"Let's get going then". Tony said as he took the lead. As our group passed by, torches flickered to life on the walls beside us. Soon, the tunnel seemed to come to an end as it opened out to a pond.
Tony grabbed a torch from the wall before we stepped into the open.
"Freedom". Judith said, throwing her arms in the air.

"Hey! Stop there!". A gaurd on the castle walls shouted and everyone froze.

"Run! This way!" Richard said before taking off.

"You don't have to tell me twice!". Vanessa yelled as she followed. In the end, I was sure we looked like a really peculiar group. Running through darkness from danger to perhaps more danger. We ran, bags jumping on our backs.

"Alright, that's enough running". Anne said as she panted. I stopped immediately, gasping for air. I turned to look behind me. The moon casted shadows over the building, making it look even more sinister.

"Where to from here?". Alexa asked.

"There's a village north from here. It will take at most three days to get there, I have some connections there. After we settle there, we'll find a way to send you back to your universe". Richard said.

"It's best we set off early" Tony said. A few girls nodded and we resumed our journey.

By the second day, we were all tired. With the moon guiding out path, we kept walking. But even Tony seemed to be slowing down.
"Are you still angry at me?". He asked me. We had fallen behind so there were no eavesdroppers.

"I don't hold grudges. I have better use of my time". Was all I said.

"Then why won't you talk to me?". He pried.

I avoided his green eyes. "We're talking now, aren't we?"

He gave a defeated sigh. We weren't following major routes as Richard had advised, to avoid bandits and people of the sort. So we had to walk off the road, through the forest. Sometimes, the vegetation was lush and swallowed us in. Other times, it was just a few scanty trees, like now. I looked up towards the empty sky and wondered if it was day or night back home.

"I miss the sun". I said to no one in particular, but Tony was listening. "And the moon. You truly never know what you have until you get to live without it"

"Look, Rebecca, I'm truly sorry. It's just that, I was desperate. My sister, Kristina is the only relative I have left. I promised my parents I would take care of her, but when the horseman took her, I knew I had failed. I had to do something. I'm so sorry"

"It's okay. I forgave you a long while ago. Although, you really deserved that slap". I said.

He touched his cheek and scowled. "I know. I had nightmares about it for days".

I laughed softly. The first sign of happiness I'd shown for weeks.
"You're beautiful when you smile, smile often"

"That depends"

"On what?". Tony asked.

"If there's a reason for happiness". I said softly.

"Stop". Richard held up a hand.

"What is it?". Alexa asked.

"We're not alone".

I sensed it too. In the forest around us. Suddenly, I heard growling and snarls.
"Rogues!". Richard shouted. And they were upon us within the blink of an eye. Werewolves surrounded us.

I fell as I was pushed to the ground. When I rolled over I came face to face with a snout. The beast growled and snarled, I swallowed.

● ● ● ● ●
From danger to danger.
From frying pan to fire.
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Love,Vicki.💟