Information Overoload

It is the year 2010 in the little town of Malvern, sitting quietly under the shadows of the Hills in which it is famous for. The local High-school was preparing for an odd experience for a few of its pupils...

"The select few of you which will participate in this incredible experience will be part of something to remember. Each and every one of you chosen will have the opportunity to live as people used to live back in 1799 as part of a small community which was mainly Dutch. This experience will last just over a month and the people selected will be pardoned of any homework due in that time." Mrs. McMahon began, in her usual droning voice towards the Year 11 students sat before her in the assembly hall. " I would like to add that any student chosen that does not wish to participate has rights only to back out if the situation is serious, in easier terms, you cannot back out of this. You students that are sat there now thinking about the fact you do not want to be part of this should reconsider. It is a once in a lifetime experience, do not let lack of modern technology hold you back." Her voice finally gave up the long linked words as her presence was replaced by that of the Headmaster.

"Thank you, Mrs. McMahon for your detailed explanation. If you would like to chat amongst yourselves for few moments, while we randomly select the participating students." Mr. Peck's words were heard very clearly and everyone began to talk.

"What'cha think of that then?" asked an exited, tall, brown-haired girl.

"Not sure, sounds okay I suppose." I replied, slightly shorter in height than the girl before me, with lengthy chestnut hair. "Charlotte?"

"Hmm..." She was obviously the least interested out of the three of us, but gave a slight nod, signalling she didn't really mind. "Kim, Charlotte... It Sounds AMAZING! Think about all the fun we would have!" Esteé was obviously very interested in being part of this, and even if she wasn't chosen, I'm sure she would find a way of getting herself to be part of it all, one way or another.

"Quiet down. Those chosen, stay inside the assembly hall when everybody else leaves so we were able to tell you more about what you are going to be part of. How exciting. Now in no particular order..." Mr. Peck began to read out a list of names... after every name Esteé moved further and further to the edge of her seat, hoping she was next to be read out.

"Kimberley Hessiate" I sighed and sank slightly into my seat. What have I been dragged into now. Esteé looked at me, almost envious, the list seemed to reaching its end.

"Charlotte Perks" She sank into her seat and crossed her arms. Don't think she's pleased. Esteé was almost hanging off her seat as the final name was read out.

" And finally, Esteé Richardson." Just as he had finished pronouncing her name there was a reasonably loud "Yessssss" hissed out of her lips, fists clenched towards her chest, and a broad smile etched across her face. She looked towards me and Charlotte as everybody else left slowly to go back to their lessons.

"Yes! We can do this together! Its going to be amazing!" Esteé sat back into her seat and the talk amongst the chosen was hushed into silence.

"Now for the in-depth information." Mr. Peck began, flicking through a few pieces of paper that were gripped tightly in his left hand. "You will not be the only participants in this. Other Schools are involved as well, each painting a different part of the picture revolving around the once apparent standing village of Sleepy Hollow." A murmur of voices interrupted his speech, discussing the name that many people had not heard of. "Quiet please. Most of you will not possess any knowledge of Sleepy Hollow, a few may of heard it from legends, even myths. Sleepy Hollow was described in many of them as a small farming town, sitting at the feet of a woodland. Within this community, there were 5 town elders; Baltus VanTassel, Magistrate Phillips, Notary Hardenbrooke, Reverend Steenwyck and Doctor Lancaster. In the legend, set in 1799, there had been 3 murders in the usually quiet town of Sleepy Hollow, all of which had been decapitated, within 2 weeks. After a disagreement in the early New York Ichabod Crane was sent to Sleepy Hollow where he was to find the murderer and take him back to be dealt with. After introducing himself to Mr and Mrs VanTassel he and the 5 town elders began to talk of the mysterious murders." The speech was interrupted again by the school bell marking the beginnings of the net lesson. "Carrying on. The town elders expressed their opinions that they believed it was the Headless Horseman whom was responsible for the deaths. Ichabod Crane immediately attempted to reassure the men with his beliefs of the murderer being of flesh and blood. But Baltus VanTassel continued with the story of the bloodthirsty Hessian Mercenary. They described him as a frightening man with his teeth filed down to sharp points, hired for the mere fact it was the Revolutionary war and the side in which he was on, was taking no chances with loosing. His famous trait of beheading people finally caught up with him. Twenty years previous of 1799, not far from Sleepy Hollow, he was ambushed by Continental troops and his horse shot down. On foot, he was losing the officers when he ran into two little girls collecting wood. He attempted to tell them to be quiet, but one of them took a stick and snapped it,casing noticeable noise, and the officers caught up with him. During the battle between the Hessian and the Soldiers, the Hessian was stabbed, beheaded by his own sword and buried. Ever since, the elders claim that the burial site, the western woods, are haunted, but Crane dismissed the story and begins his own investigation. It is found throughout the legend that the Hessian has risen from the grave and is riding around on his black steed decapitation people until his head is returned to him. It is later discovered that Baltus VanTassel's wife is the summoner of the Headless Horseman, using his head as blackmail. At the end of the legend, Ichabod Crane, Katrina VanTassel and Young Masbeth witness the Horseman regaining his head and taking Lady VanTassel back to hell with him. Rather an interesting story don't you think?" a lot of the pupils in the hall were mesmorised by the long and detailed speech.

"Now your part in this is you are going to rebuild the Legend. There is a patch of land up in the north where it is believed Sleepy Hollow used to stand many years ago. All legend of course." He let out a nervous laugh. "You pupils will be the villagers, living in sleepy hollow. Dyson Perrins High-School are going to be the Continental troops and Hanley Castle High-school are going to be the opposition of the troops." A hand shot up into the air. "Yes?"

"Sir, I was just wondering..." The boy asked, "What school is going to be the Hessians?"

"No school are going to be the Hessians. That's final."

"And what about the people getting decapitated?" The boy asked again.

"We will use fake people. Now enough questions. Your parents will be notified and you will leave tonight where you will arrive in the morning and help build your village. From the day that the village is built, that is when we will start reliving the legend. If you would like to line up on the far side of the hall, we will pair you up and tell you what it is you are going to be doing." At that everybody stood up and moved to become part of the line in groups.

"So... What'cha think now?" Esteé asked, turning towards us.

"Sounds all right actually" Charlotte admitted, turning towards me.

"Sounds okay." I said, smiling. It was finally our turn in the line, we were handed a piece of paper between the three of us and walked off, towards the seating area.

"Right," Esteé started, " We are going to be living in the Windmill as people who have been thrown out of the village due to suspected witchcraft." Her face lit up with a smile beaming over her face.

"Yay." Charlotte said, with lack of enthusiasm in her voice. "Away from everyone else, with no contact and no technology, no proper heating and a draughty old windmill. Whoopee!" The sarcasm was thick on her voice, but Esteé didn't seem to notice.

"We have to wear the clothes and everything!"

"And that consists of?" Charlotte asked, leaning close to try and get a look at the piece of paper.

"Corsets and long dresses." Esteé smiled. I simply sighed. Well, we should make the most of it, just be grateful that we wont have any Hessians after us." I laughed before standing up.

"Would make it more fun..." Charlotte spoke, trailing off. "Ill see you in 20 minuets I suppose." We all walked in separate directions to collect our few items, including dresses and shoes, a pass into the stables to collect our one and only horse and our rations for the first night there.

I wonder what is going to happen...