Page 8 of Saved By the Headless Horseman
The portraits on the wall are in the worst condition.The glass is caked with grime, making it impossible to see what is depicted.A chill blows in the room, making my teeth chatter—the only light in the room comes from the open window across the way.The large pale moon shines through the room, blanketing everything in pale blue light.
My eyes snag on the open window.All is not lost yet, it seemed.
Rising on unsteady legs, I stumble over to the opening.Peering down, all my eyes can make out are the gnarled branches and thick tops of the trees below.I am only a few stories up, but that still should’ve been enough.If I land on my neck, death will be instant.At the very least, I’ll only spend a few hours in agony before succumbing to my injuries.
Less clean than a rocky cliff, but I could make do.
Gripping the side of the window, I test the sill with my foot.The old metal groans but holds firm as I step up on it.I look down into the inviting darkness.It would take nothing to let my body fall forward and let my weight drag me down.This is what I’ve been waiting for.I had been so certain of today’s outcome, and I could still do it.The place would be different, but the result would be just the same.
The scent of pine is heavy in the air.The cold wind burns at my eyes and cuts through my gown.My hair whips around me.I must act now before my captor returns and stops me.I lean forward into the rushing wind.A powerful gust blows me back.
A moment of panic sets in as my hand slips from the side of the window.I scream as my footing slips and the sill crumbles.Rocks fall down below as I hold tight to the frame.My breath is ragged as I fall against it.
That was my chance to be free, and yet I couldn't take it.Something stopped me—an emotion I haven’t felt in a long time.
I’m scared—so scared.I haven’t been able to admit it to myself.I was a shell of a person for so long that I wished for my end to come.Now I realize that I’m as scared as ever.Frightened to live, fearful to die.I was certain for so many years of my life, and now I don’t seem to know anything.Least of all what I want.Potent fear pumps through my veins.I can’t go through with this—I thought I could, but I was wrong.
The truth burns me alive.
I fall back inside the room.Kneeling before the open window and cowering underneath the glowing moon, my eyes burn.
A loud bang rings out behind me, and I jump.Whirling around, the Headless Horseman looms in the doorway.His green fire burns intensely as he prowls towards me.My hands begin to tremble.Now that I have admitted I’m scared, it seems fear is the only thing I can feel.I cower under his gaze, pushing farther back against the window.
His face twists into a sneer as he glances between me and the opening.
“Were you thinking of jumping?”he demands.
Shame makes me hold my tongue and avert his gaze.There is madness in his voice.He shakes his head, flames caress his shoulders.
“Death would not spare you from me.”His eyes harden.“But just to be sure.”
Lifting a gloved hand, he grips the stem at the top of his pumpkin head and rips it from his shoulders.I scream at the gruesome sight.Flames remain within the gourd, and his headless body moves with ease.Without a word, he snatches me from the ground.
His arms wrap around me like iron bars, and he pulls me off my feet.We turn, and his long strides eat up the distance to the door.His head rolls after us, the flames propelling it forward.
For the first time, I itch to fight.Adrenaline pumps through me, and I thrash against his body.It is of no use, but it feels good to move, to lash out.His body never falters as I writhe in his grip—the pumpkin rolls after us with an unreadable expression.
“It was unwise to put you in that room,” he admits.“I know a place where you can’t do too much damage.Least of all to yourself.”
I screech and buck against him.His pace picks up as we walk through the bowels of whatever castle he’s keeping me in.It looks old and entirely forgotten by the world.The walls are crumbling, and the carpet is covered in leaves and dirt.Anything with value has been pilfered from here years ago.
He continues our journey until we reach a solid wood door.It swings open of its own accord and illuminates a staircase.The smell of dank and rot invades my lungs.The pumpkin head rolls after us, taking each step with ease.
“I found this place some time ago.No one will come searching for you here.”His flames intensify.“You will be completely at my mercy.”
I don’t correct him and say, "No one is looking for me."
My father will not send a search party, nor will Earl Bram.He will inherit his father’s title and say a creature stole me—that I am surely lost forever.If the Headless Horseman has taken me for ransom, he is sorely mistaken.
His feet pause on the old wooden steps.They groan under our weight, and I’m not sure they’ll hold.The pumpkin head rolls back slightly to look up at me.His face is unreadable, though for a pumpkin, that’s not surprising.
“Why have you not begged for your life?Pleaded to be reunited with your earl?”
I nearly laugh at his words, but somehow manage to swallow it down.I say nothing as I stare at the green flames.The fight in me dissipates as I sag against his hard body.The pumpkin sighs before rolling on, and we follow after him.The damp smell only gets worse the farther down we go.
It doesn’t take me long to realize where we are.A torch illuminates outside one of the dungeon cells.The iron bars are slick with damp and grime.Without hesitation, he tosses me into the cold stone cell.The bars seal me in with a heavy clank.I don’t rush towards them; there’s no point.
Sludge covers my white dress in streaks of gray and black.The stone floor will bruise me before the night is up.
