Love bites, love bleeds

This chapter is two days later, with Michael and Katrina in Sleepy Hollow and Ichabod is right behind them. Read and enjoy!

Chapter 9: Secrets and Surprises
They arrived in Sleepy Hollow on the afternoon of the second day, Katrina nervous about her sudden return. Michael held her close. They took refuge in a beaten but still good cabin not too far from town. Michael paid the carriage man and he rode off.
The two then walked to town, Katrina kept her head down, lest someone see her and recognize her. Michael on the other hand looked around-he understood how the town got it’s name. Not many people were out, and the few that were paid little to no attention to the couple.
At last, they reached their destination. Katrina sighed and looked at Michael. They both knew that this was the right thing to do. Taking a deep breath, she took his hand and they walked to the door, opening it with a loud squeak.
---
Ichabod rode the horses harder and harder. “Yah! Faster you damn creatures! Faster!” He lashed at them with a whip; they were going so fast it was a miracle that they didn’t fall over. He refused to believe that Katrina had fallen for another man. His brain could not fathom the thought.
He had lost her.
No! No he hadn’t lost her and he refused to give her up.
With another slap of the whip, Ichabod held on and prayed.
---
What they had to do took no time at all, it was done quietly and quickly, and no questions were asked. They walked back to the beaten cabin; the afternoon was still bright and early. Michael set about cleaning it the best he could, he set up a bed with fresh sheets from his house, he wiped down the dining room table and threw a clean tablecloth over it.
Not long after they’d returned to the cabin, they heard the distinct sound of hoofs coming quite quickly to their door. But only the carriage driver knew where the cabin was and he was sent away hours ago. Frowning, Michael rose from his chair and peered outside the window. Coming up fast to the small cabin was a white horse; on it was a medium-sized figure that had a black hood over their face.
Katrina stood behind him and gasped, fear sinking in fast. “What?”
“Oh no! No! It can’t be possible! She’s dead! I saw her die!”
Michael looked at her then. “Katrina, what are you talking about?” She didn’t answer, just stood next to him, pale and shaking. Michael went to the bedroom, coming back out with a rifle, he walked to the door.
“Michael don’t! She’ll kill you!”
He put a finger to his lips and walked outside, shutting the door firmly behind him. The rider and horse came closer and closer; Michael held the gun up and was ready. The horse stopped just feet from him and the rider gracefully swung down, throwing back her hood to reveal long blonde hair and cold cruel eyes.
“Give me Katrina.”
Michael held the gun firm and steady. “You shall cause no harm to my wife.”
She laughed, a cold bitter laugh that shook Michael’s spine. “So, she finally gave up on that simpering constable?” She looked Michael over slowly, a wicked smile playing up her lips. “Then again, who can blame her?” She smirked and calmly turned back to the horse, mounting it. “Enjoy your final hours with her.” She threw back her hood and laughed again, chilling Michael, and rode off.
Michael stood there, waiting until she was gone before lowering the gun and going inside, shutting the door firmly. Katrina rushed into his arms and Michael pulled her close. “Who was that, love?”
“My stepmother.”
“Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t your stepmother dead?”
Katrina nodded.
Michael didn’t press her for questions but he did remember what she said and vowed to protect Katrina at all costs.
---
Ichabod and a reluctant Masbath had pulled into town just before sundown. Ichabod had gone all through the town and asked nearly everyone if they had seen Katrina, but, most of the residents had either left or died and even Masbath couldn’t find people he recognized.
A frustrated Ichabod sighed deeply. He felt like the entire time they had been there had been for nothing. A wasted day.
He turned to leave the tavern, Masbath at his side, when a man stepped out of the shadows, startling both. “My apologies” said the man, bowing his head. “I couldn’t help but overhear you and I had someone come to me today. Fit the description and the name.”
Ichabod sighed. At last! A break! “What did she come to you for?”
“She came to get married.”
Icahbod felt his heart fall. “Marr…Married?” The man nodded.
“Yes. They came and we did it quietly.”
Ichabod looked at him. “Have you any idea where they went.”
The man shook his head. “Sorry.” He nodded at the two and walked away. Ichabod felt his heart breaking into a million pieces.
He had lost her.
For good.
He walked in a daze, Masbath keeping his distance, yet staying near if he was needed. Ichabod walked to the carriage and sat next to it, looking at the ground. When the tears started to fall, he did nothing to stop them and he let himself grieve for his lost love.
---
It was dark, Michael and Katrina sat in front of a fireplace, though it was not burning as it was still warm. Michael had his magic tricks out and was practicing with the smaller ones. Katrina sat in a chair, a book propped open on her lap.
Michael didn’t mind that she was in the room. She didn’t actually know how he did his tricks and even if she did, he knew his secrets were safe.
Suddenly, a thundering sound came from the woods, a brilliant flash of lightning lit up the night sky. The thundering came closer and closer, Katrina knew that sound too well, it haunted her in her dreams many nights on end.
Michael stood and grabbed his gun, walking outside. He could see a horse speeding up to the cabin, closing in faster and faster. He raised his gun and waited. As the figure came closer, Michael came to the horrifying realization that the rider had no head.
He didn’t know how but he could clearly see that much. The rider stopped and skillfully climbed off, grabbing his long cape. He calmly walked closer to the house, disregarding Michael. Michael let a bullet rip. The horseman flinched, pulled himself closer and closer. Michael shot again. The horseman picked him and threw him down the steps, just feet from his horse.
Michael gasped from the sudden blow and couldn’t move for several seconds. The horseman jerked the door open and Michael could hear his boots on the faded wood. He struggled to get up, finally rushing inside the house, throwing himself at the horseman. The horseman threw him again, this time Michael’s head connected with the table and he nearly blacked out.
He was startled out of his state when he heard Katrina scream. “Michael!” He sat up weakly and saw the horseman carrying her over his shoulder like a bag of flour. Michael desperately grabbed the table and stood up, again throwing himself in front of the horseman. The horseman grabbed Michael by the throat and tossed him like a ragdoll down the stairs, he stopped several inches from a tall tree. “Michael!”
The horseman had reached his horse and held her down while he grabbed the reins, the horse getting ready to take off. “Oh god! Michael!” He finally managed to stand, just in time to see the horseman ride off.
“Katrina!” He half-ran half-dragged his aching body to his own horse and scrambled on, quickly taking the reins and giving a firm pull, making the horse go as fast as he could, following the monster that had his bride and his baby.