The Headless Horseman of Monroe County

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The Headless Horseman of Monroe County

Chapter three

"Decapitated?" Dean looked over at Sam.

"Yeah it's a pretty messy scene up there; I suggest you two stay away."

"Believe me we will." Sam said as he watched the ambulance pull away.

"You heard him Sam; he said the man was decapitated."

"That still doesn't prove anything Dean. He worked around dangerous equipment….it happens."

"Yeah maybe, but a Horseman also decapitates its victims….I'm telling you Sam, we got us a Horseman." Dean was getting excited at the prospect of a hunt.

"Maybe, but let's not jump to conclusions until we check around."

"Okay….Let's see who's next on our list." Dean pulled out the list of names and addresses the reporter had given them. "Mary Ralley…." Dean checked a map of the area. "Looks like she lives about a mile from here."

Mary Ralley's house

They knocked on the door and a woman of about fifty came to the door.

"Yes?"

"Hi, we're from Real or Not magazine and we're writing a book on urban legends. We read in the paper about the sightings of a Headless Horseman in the area and we saw that you were one of the people who actually saw it." Dean said as he gave the woman his most charming smile. "We'd like to ask you a few questions for our magazine."

At first the woman hesitated but then the thought of being written up in a magazine changed her mind.

"Sure, ask away."

"Would you like to tell us what you saw?" Dean and Sam both pulled out tablets.

"I'll be in the magazine?"

"Yes, with your permission of course."

"Of course you have my permission." The woman was excited at the thought that her story would be published in a magazine, her neighbors would be so jealous.

"Thank you….now would you please tell us what you saw that night Ms. Ralley?"

"I was riding home alone after going shopping about two miles from here and all of a sudden this figure on a horse came galloping out of the woods. At first I was just startled but then I saw he had no head."

"Go on…"

"He just stood in front of my car for a few seconds then ran off into the woods on the other side of the road."

"That's it?" Dean hoped she'd be able to tell them more.

"Yeah."

"Did the Horseman appear to be fully formed?" Dean asked, he knew that sometimes the spirit of a Horseman would flicker off and on and part of the body sometimes appeared to be missing.

"He appeared to be, yes."

"You couldn't see through him?"

"I don't think so."

"Could you hear the horse's hoofs on the road?"

"Yes, quite clearly, it was an unusually warm night and I had my window down, the sound was quite clear."

"Could you tell me again exactly what the Horseman did?"

"Nothing. He stood in front of the car for a few seconds then rode off into the woods."

"We appreciate you taking the time to talk to us Ms. Ralley." Dean said as he and Sam turned to leave.

"You can call me Mary…Ms. Ralley is so formal."

"Thank you Mary." Sam turned around and smiled at her then headed with Dean toward the car.

"Don't you need me to sign something?" The woman asked following them.

"Sign something?"

"So you can use my story… Don't I have to sign some kind of release form?"

Dean glanced at Sam.

"Oh of course." Dean smacked the palm of his hand against his forehead. "So stupid of me to forget." He handed her a form he had on his tablet and hoped she didn't read it. "Just sign here." He pointed to a line that said signature.

She signed it and handed it back to him.

"When will the article be published?"

"Oh it'll take a month or two, but we'll be sure to send you a copy."

"Thanks, I can't wait to read it."

Dean and Sam both gave her a smile then continued toward the car.

"What did you give her to sign?" Sam asked once they were in the car.

"Oh…" Dean gave a little laugh. "She just signed a form to order more tablets."

Sam shook his head and smiled.

"We got to be more careful next time and print up some kind of release form from the computer."

"You can do that today sometime."

"Well what do you think?"

"I'm beginning to think you're right. This could all be a prank." Dean looked over at Sam. "Horsemen don't make sounds. Their horse is a spirit whose feet never touch the ground."

TBC