This chapter is dedicated to IST, my sole reviewer for chapter 7. I warned
you it gets dark!
*
As soon as the little ones quieted down a bit, Jack took a good look at his sorry surroundings. They had all the ingredients they needed to have one hell of a party- music, women and rum, especially rum. And yet here they were, the town folk, sitting or standing, having quiet and awkward conversations. They signed up for a party, not for this. Well, he would just have to take care of that...
Jack strolled over purposely to one of the finest looking young ladies in the room. She had golden hair and a soft smile and was laughing with her other female companions. Always in groups, they were, and then they get all offended when you want to work around that. Women! "Pardon me, lass," Jack said in his lilting voice, drawing the woman's attention at once. She gave him a half bored, half interested gaze, inspecting him carefully.
"Yes?" She asked, feigning disinterest. But Jack could see past that act, he knew women pretty well inside out, so to speak. So he smirked his trade mark smirk and leaned forward to whisper in her ear:
"Care to dance?"
A shudder passed through her body and she blushed slightly. "Oh, but I hardly even know you, sir!"
"Captain Jack Sparrow," Jack said, bowing to her, his deep chocolate eyes inviting and promising a good time. She smiled widely and introduced herself, but Jack didn't pay much attention to her name. He never could bother to remember a lass' name, a fact that more often than not got him into trouble and left a burning red mark on his cheek. He could swear his left cheek was tanner than his right, and it wasn't from the sun.
"Now that that's done with, how 'bout that dance?" He grinned at her, his golden teeth showing.
"But there's no music!" She laughed. She was toying with him, this one. She's so young, he won't get much more than a dance from her. Oh well.
"Ah," Jack smiled, waving a finger. "That can be arranged!" He snapped his fingers at the musicians, ho were busy in some serious discussion or another. They didn't seem to hear him, so he smiled apologetically at the lass and tried again. At last he rolled his eyes, turned around and whistled loudly. Suddenly all eyes were on the bizarre pirate, who said: "Music, if you'll please."
The musicians shrugged and complied, playing an upbeat piece. Jack grabbed her hand and spun her around, before dipping her, to her great delight. People were laughing and cheering, and pretty soon more couples joined in with the dancing, some old drunks bellowing the words not in time and slurred. Things seemed to be going according to plan- he was dancing with a pretty lass who was dizzy and giddy from all the spinning, the party was starting to liven up and people were having fun.
He was showing off his footwork now, trying, successfully, to impress the lasses. The men in the town were clumsy at best and though could keep up a dance or two; they could never do anything more intricate than the basic steps. Jack gave in to the rhythm and the music and the atmosphere and completely forgot about the weather and Will and Elizabeth and Katrina and her daughter. That is until a soaking wet young woman came barreling in and fell on the floor.
"Jack Sparrow?" She searched the room, her gestures frantic. Everyone went deathly silent, looking at the newcomer with trepidation, as though sensing what was about to occur.
"Aye," Jack said, eying the disturbance. She interrupted his fun and from the looks of her, he wasn't going to enjoy the rest of his evening.
"Will and Elizabeth sent me," the girl said, as she was helped to her feet. "My name is Clara Killian, they said you'd be here..." She mumbled before shaking her head. "I saw HIM- the headless horseman, that is. He was heading into town- I think he was going after Widow Van Brunt and Mary!" The crowd drew in surprised gasps. "The Turners and my mother went after him- they asked me to get you."
"Where were they heading?" Jack asked, his mood suddenly serious and all business like.
"To the outskirts of town- near the harbor." Clara said, biting her lip. "You might want to hurry, sir, he was galloping mighty fast on his black steed."
Jack nodded his head and hurried out, running in the pouring rain towards the harbor, hoping he wasn't too late. "He'd better not lay a hand on my ship," Jack muttered under his breath, as he ran faster. "Or I'll make sure he'll be missing more than His head."
"Shhh," Will said, listening intently. "I think I hear something." They both stood still, their hearts beating loudly in their ears and panting. Beth Killian reached them after several moments, clearly not up to running in this weather and at her age.
"Voices," Elizabeth said, her eyes widening. "I think it's coming from over there." She pointed out in the dark to some bleak location.
"The harbor," Beth said, her arms resting on her knees as she tried to steady her breath.
"Are you alright?" Elizabeth asked concerned. They couldn't waste a moment, but she would feel bad about leaving her here...
"Go," Beth understood. "I'll catch up, I know the way."
"That makes one of us," Will sighed, as he and his wife ran blindly, using the yelling voices as a beacon.
"Their yelling just makes it easier for Him to find them," Elizabeth shook her wet hair out of her eyes, as she tried to squint in the dark.
Will frowned and turned to her, a bemused expression to his face. "Can He even hear them? Without any ears, I mean. And how can he tell where He's going?"
"I'll be sure to ask Him that when we catch up to him," Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Sometimes her husband could ask the worst questions at the worst possible time. She saw the two figures ahead of them, still very much alive. The two women stopped their argument when they saw the strangers approach.
"Who-?" Katrina started to ask.
"There's no time to explain, your lives are in danger," Will said urgently, as he grabbed her arm. "The Headless Horseman was spotted heading-" They all heard it at the same time.
Hoof beats.
"-Here," Will finished, that endearing lost puppy look adorning his features. They saw Beth running towards them, saying something, but they could not understand it. The huge black stallion suddenly emerged from behind her, closing the distance with incredible speed.
"Beth- behind you!" Elizabeth screamed, her voice scratchy. Beth turned around slowly, in the middle of her run and watched with horror the glinting axe held at his side. She tripped and fell over a fence. She recovered and tried to crawl on the wet ground, her dress attracting filth and mud. She looked up hopelessly as her dress got tangled with the fence and she was stuck.
"NO!" Will cried, as the axe was held low and the horse did not show any indications of changing his course. He would trample her! Something held Will back and he turned to see Katrina's daughter clutching his arm painfully. He freed himself and started running in her direction, even though he knew he was too far away, he would never make it in time.
Just as the horse was about to reach the fence, Jack ran forward and tumbled with Beth out of the way. The headless horse came crashing through the fence and Will had to dive out of the way at the last moment. He watched as Elizabeth took charge and grabbed both women's arms, running with them towards the waters. It was an absurd idea, to be sure, that water would have more of an effect on him than decapitation, but his love for his wife only grew. He got up, brushing the mud off and ran into the horseman's path, trying to create a diversion, willing to risk his life.
But there was apparently no need, for the horseman came about in a circle and sped back into town. Will stared after the figure, confusion not beginning to describe his puzzlement.
"I don't understand," he said out loud. "He didn't kill us."
"Don't sound too disappointed, mate." Jack said with a huff as he got up and noticed the state of his clothes and hair. "It'll take hours to clean this all out!"
"Thank you," Beth said, shaking. "For saving my life."
"Yeah, yeah." Jack said dismissively with a wave of his hand. The three women came rushing back, clearly just as bewildered.
"What just happened?" Elizabeth asked, looking at the diminishing spot.
"Maybe he saw you guys and decided not to try?" Mary suggested, rubbing her arms and staring at the fence with dread.
"We were no match for him," Will argued. "He had nothing to fear, and besides, doesn't he just kill anyone who gets in the way?"
All six of them stood still for a moment, before they began to walk back into town, their steps heavy.
"Maybe he wasn't after us after all," Katrina said softly. Six pairs of feet suddenly stopped. They all looked at each other, before starting a wild dash into town.
*
"What are we going to do?" A little orphaned girl asked. She had sandy blond hair that was uncombed and deep brown eyes. At the moment she had tears running down her face and was sniffing her pretty little nose. Clara glanced at the girl, Dana was her name. She put on a smile and said:
"Don't worry, we'll be alright, he's not coming here."
"How do you know?" School Master Connolly asked, his voice pitching. "What makes you think he won't come after us later?" They were murmurs running through the Inn now, and Clara cursed that cowardly schoolmaster. He got everyone nice and scared now, pretty soon they'll be running and shouting and a whole mess.
"You- Masbath, got any guns?" An older looking man asked, more men nodded and said: "Guns, we need guns."
"I don't keep any at the Inn," Jonathan shrugged. The men looked disappointed and nervous.
"We'll just have to go out and get from one of the houses," a man said. Everyone looked at each other, the same question burning in everyone's minds: "Who will go?"
Jonathan sighed. "Oh for Pete's sake!" He was no hero, but he was damned if that THING was going to get him lying down, he won't let his son remember him as a chicken. "The Van Brunts live near- and you can bet ol' Brom Bones kept guns. I'll go, but I can't carry all 'em guns by myself." Several people, including his son volunteered and set out carefully, but quickly to the Van Brunt residence.
No one interrupted them on their way there and so they searched the house top to bottom for riffles and any kind of weapon. Jonathan was searching upstairs when he heard a faint noise that sounded like a sigh. He opened one of the doors and stepped inside, prepared for a fight. But it was only old Mr. Van Brunt, lying in his bed and sighing. Jonathan took a step closer and saw up close the pale greenish skin and the sunken in face. He grimaced and was about to turn around and leave, when a hand shot up and grabbed his sleeve. Mr. Van Brunt clutched on for dear life and muttered something too soft to hear.
"Come again?" Jonathan asked, as he stepped closer, his ear inches from the old man's mouth. The old man repeated his words, and this time Jonathan heard it loud and clear. His eyes widened and he stared down at the old man, about to ask him something. But the old man was fast asleep.
"Let's go!" One of the men cried to Jonathan from downstairs. "Come on, Masbath!"
Jonathan slowly started walking out of the room, his eyes fixed on the figure on the bed. He went downstairs and grabbed a riffle, and they all headed back to the Inn. Outside they saw six figures running and waving their arms like crazy.
"The horseman is coming, the horseman is coming!" Jack yelled. Luckily Mary knew a shortcut back to the Inn; otherwise they would have never made it in time.
"What?!" Jonathan asked, his hand instinctively clutching his son's shoulder.
"Get back inside!" Jack yelled, looking behind. Lightening struck the sky, illuminating a lone figure on a small hill, looking down at them. Well, actually not quite 'looking' per say, seeing as how he didn't have a head.
"Back to the Inn!" Jonathan yelled and they all followed him back inside. "Help me barricade the door!" Some of the men put down their riffles and started stacking furniture in front of the door.
"What's going on?" Clara asked her mother, as she took in their appearance and actions.
"The Horseman is heading this way." Beth said, hugging her daughter. "Come on, let's give the men a hand."
The door shook under the blow of the axe, and the men picked up their pace, stacking tables and boxes, to no avail.
"It won't work," Jack said, stroking his beard. The mud stuck to his fingers and he rubbed them on his pants, only to get them even dirtier. "Darnit!" He cursed and wiped them on the counter. "He won't tire, he can go on and axing the door until he manages to get in."
"No he won't," Young Masbath said. "He can't be out in day, everyone knows that."
"'everyone knows that'," Jack mimicked him. "Fine, but we still have several hours before dawn, I doubt the door will last more than a quarter of an hour."
"We can't stay here," Will said, agreeing. "Having us all together in one place will just make it easier for him."
"Freddy," Jack said, pointing at him. "Anymore other common knowledge about this horseman?"
"He hates water," Dana chirped up.
"Whoever has his head controls him," a boy said.
"He stacks up all his heads-"
"He drinks his victims' blood-"
"He's in league with witches-"
"He can't set foot in a church," Master Connolly said. The men looked at him. "I listen to the children's stories from time to time," he blushed fiercely and ducked his head.
"Alright then," Jack said, making up his mind. "Assuming that's true, we have a better chance there than here."
"But the moment we set foot outside He'll kill us!" Mary said frantically, as the wood of the door began to splinter.
"Is there another entrance?" Elizabeth asked Jonathan.
"Yes, out back." Jonathan nodded.
"We'll need a diversion," Will said, deep in thought.
"I'm glad you volunteered," Jack smiled, as he looped his arm around his shoulder. "We'll draw Him out and you all head to church, we'll meet you there."
"How do you know where it is?" Will asked him with a frown.
"I did a little sight seeing earlier," Jack excused it. He grabbed a riffle and passed one to Will. "All of ye- and I can't believe I'm saying this- go to the Church!"
The crowd began to shove in the opposite direction and Will cast Jack a frightened glance. "Nervous?"
"Nah," Jack shrugged, training his riffle where he approximated the head to be. He then realized his mistake, and lowered it a bit. They waited as the seconds ticked by and more and more wood splintered in the deafening silence. Finally the door burst open and the horseman walked in, 'looking' for someone.
"Hello love," Jack smiled, as he shot at the walking stiff. Will fired as well and they shot at him as many times as they could. The Horseman was unaffected and Jack sighed. "Why is it that the dead simply refuse to die?"
"Watch out!" Will yelled, as the axe came hurtling down at them. They jumped to opposite directions and rolled into a defensive stand. They continued to shoot, their backs to the door and backing up. The horseman seemed to lose interest and was searching the room. Jack drew out his sword and charged at the horseman, meeting his rusty axe. He began sparring with him, trying to anger him. It must have worked, because the horseman focused on him now, and slashed at his chest, drawing blood. Will went behind the bar and started throwing bottles at the figure. Jack ducked and scowled.
"Try not to hit me, I'd prefer if a bottle did not connect with my head again so soon, still recovering from that last one."
"Sorry," Will shrugged. The horseman strode towards him menacingly, trapping him behind the bar. Jack jumped on the figure's back, giving Will enough time to jump over the bar and get out of the way. The horseman shoved Jack off, and he came crashing down into the corner, breaking a chair as he came down.
"Ouch," Jack whined, as he rubbed his back. He looked up in time to see the axe coming at him and he rolled out of the way. Will helped him up and they started running out of the entrance, the horseman hot on their trail.
"Well, it worked," Will smiled grimly. "We've managed to piss him off." They turned a corner and went up against the wall, waiting for him to pass them by. But he didn't. Will frowned and peeked behind the wall, but there was no one there. They heard the 'swiiiish' of the metal cutting air from behind, and they both ran out, nearly tumbling.
"I think we've distracted him long enough," Will commented, as they ran around in full speed, making for the church.
"I couldn't agree with you more," Jack grinned tiredly, his hand on his chest. He wasn't sure how deep the wound was, but he was feeling slightly dizzy. They ran and ran and ran, their feet sinking a bit in the mud and the puddles, until the church was visible before them.
"Oh no!" Will said desperately. There were several people still outside, that hadn't reached the church yet. Mainly the School Master and his children.
"Get them inside!" Jack yelled at him. He looked once more behind and watched with growing horror as the black horse rode beside the horseman, who jumped on its back and galloped forward.
They were both helpless witnesses of what happened next. Master Connolly grabbed two of the youngest and lightest kids and ran with them inside. One of the women grabbed little Dana and ran with her, but not fast enough. The horseman came swooping down and chopped off her head and her lifeless body fell to the ground. Dana screamed and cried, getting to her feet and trying to get to the church. Will ran as fast as he could and he nearly managed to lift the girl up when the axe came down on her as well. He sank to his knees at once, not believing what just occurred.
""Get up!" Jack said urgently, though he was sick to his stomach. He could not stand the murder of children, especially in front of his very eyes. Whenever they looted a village he made sure they left the children alone, they were innocent and had done nothing wrong. He could understand his friend's reaction, he felt like he was going to vomit, but if he doesn't get Will into that church right now...
He grabbed Will's arm and yanked him painfully to his feet, dragging him along. The horseman grabbed the girl's head and paused. Jack used that opportunity in order to get around the horseman and get inside the safety of the church. Providing the stories were true, that is. There was no one left outside and they were all staring out the doors and windows like sheep.
The Headless Horseman did not enter the church ground, but remained close by, so the plan appeared to have worked. But to the huddled crowd, it was not a cause for celebration. Mary Van Brunt especially was mortified and thought back with some irony that it was her birthday today and all these people came to rejoice with her. Yay.
"Jack, you're injured," Elizabeth said startled. Jack looked down at his chest and remembered that the horseman got a good slash at him with that sharp axe. It seemed like it happened ages ago.
"It's just a scratch, pet." Jack tried to smile to reassure her. She went to fetch Beth, who was at the other corner with her daughter. Beth came over and tried to inspect the injury, but it was covered in slime and mud. She took a wet cloth and started to clean the wound, eliciting a sharp intake of breath from Jack.
"Oh don't you be a baby too!" Beth reproached him lightly, stealing a glance at Will. "You Pirates are supposed to be men, suck it in." Jack bit his tongue and allowed her to take care of him, too exhausted to refuse or argue.
"We were never properly introduced," Elizabeth said to Mary and Katrina, smiling at them tightly. "I'm Elizabeth Turner, this is my husband- Will Turner."
"Ah, so you're Elizabeth Turner," Katrina grinned. "Jack's been telling me about you. I'm Katrina Van Brunt, this is my daughter, Mary."
"When did he manage to speak to you?" Elizabeth wondered. 'And how come she calls him by his first name...'
"Yesterday and this morning," Katrina said, glancing over at Jack.
"How's your hand?" Jack asked Will, indicating his soaking bandages with his head.
"Better," Will said sheepishly. "I've been meaning to apologize for that, it was uncalled for."
"Of course it was called for," Jack rolled his eyes. "But I do find it refreshing not to be slapped or hit on the back of my head."
"Have I apologized for that yet?" Will smiled embarrassed, remembering clubbing Jack from behind, when he went to rescue Elizabeth. "I didn't trust that you had Elizabeth's best interests at heart-"
"I didn't," Jack agreed. "Still don't. Jack Sparrow serves only one man- and that be Jack Sparrow himself."
"Trust and 'serving' are not one and the same," Elizabeth argued, as she looked up lovingly at her filthy husband. "I trust Will with my life, that doesn't mean I serve him."
"And I trust Elizabeth with my life," Will kissed her passionately, rubbing some of his filth inadvertently onto her. "Though it seems I often serve her." She hit him playfully on the arm and he rubbed his hands across her arms, causing her to giggle. Jack couldn't comprehend how those two found the time to be all giddy lovey dovey, with everything that's happened and still happening. Then again, they aren't the first crazy couple he met...
*~*
"Don't worry, Mate." Jack said to Bill, as he joined him on the deck of the Pearl. "I'm sure we won't be stuck here forever, Captain Saunders will find something for us to do- there has to be a village to plunder, treasures to hunt..."
"It's not that," Bill sighed and rubbed his tired red eyes. "It's-"
"Lemme guess," Jack rolled his eyes. He pretended to concentrate hard, his hand clasped on his eyes and he hummed a bit, before saying: "It's a lass."
"Christina won't speak with me," Bill said miserably. He reminded Jack of a lost pup. Those big stupid brown eyes...
"No worries," Jack shrugged. "You'll find another lass by the end of the month."
"I don't want 'another lass'!" Bill yelled before managing to control his voice. He heaved a sigh and dropped his shoulders. "She's different, Jack. I love her; I'm INLOVE with her and I... I want to marry her."
"Blimey!" Jack said surprised. "Marriage! At your age? You'd be throwing away a fine career as a pirate, whatever happened to wanting to inherit the Pearl?"
"At first I hoped that my family could come with me," Bill admitted, knowing how silly that sounded. "Now I'm thinking Saunders will never retire." Bill shook his head morosely. "But it does not matter, Christina won't speak with me."
"I'm sure you'll get over your differences, it was just a small fight." Jack tried to help, patting him on the back. He wondered how this sentimental fool ever became a Pirate, he was all wrong for the part.
"I asked her to marry me and then I told her I was a Pirate," Bill said, wincing.
"You WHAT?"
"I didn't want to lie to her," Bill said quickly, defending himself. "I want there to be complete and utter trust between us."
"So I gather she didn't take it well," Jack said smiling.
"She said she 'needed time to think about... Everything'," Bill leaned over the railing and looked out at the sea. "She went to speak with her church's minister- Which is funny, because she told me she traveled so often with her parents, she barely entered her church, let alone spoken with the minister-"
"Hang on," Jack said, an idea flashing through his mind. "I've got it! I'll go impersonate that minister, tell her she'd be out of her mind not to marry you and before you know it, Robert's your uncle and Fanny's your aunt and you've got yourself a wedding! Which I'll be invited to, naturally."
"That is the craziest idea I have ever heard," Bill laughed. "And who says 'Robert's your Uncle and Fanny's your Aunt'? You're not blending in very well with those sayings."
"It was never my intention to blend in," Jack interjected. "I guess you don't want my help."
"No, I'm sorry," Bill said hurriedly. "These crazy ideas of yours always work, please." Jack smiled and asked for directions to the church, before running off to carry out his plan. "I hope I haven't made a huge mistake." Bill said out loud and looked out at the sea.
*
"Hello? Is anyone here?" A young voice called out in the empty church. It was late afternoon on a weekday, but where was the minister?
"In here," a hoarse voice croaked to the left. Christina frowned and walked towards the door where she heard the voice. "Father?"
"Yes, my child." The voice croaked.
"May I come in?"
"NO! I mean... I'm very ill at the moment, I wouldn't want you to catch what I have."
"Oh," Christina said, slightly deflated. This conversation would be hard to have with the door between them. "I'll just come again another time."
"No, my child. Whatever it is seems to weigh heavy on your heart."
"It does," She said surprised. 'How did he know?' "I don't know where to begin."
"Take your time."
"There is this man- the most wonderful man I have ever known," Christina smiled in fond memory. "He's kind and gentle and heroic- he saved me from a bunch of thieves, that's how we met."
"Go on."
"I have falle- grown quite fond of this man, and he has of me. Or so I thought," she finished bitterly. "It turns out he lied to me all along, made me believe he was someone he was not."
"Did he do this to hurt you?"
"I don't think so," Christina shook her head. She had flowing, straight black hair and deep brown eyes. "I... He said he was afraid I wouldn't love him if I knew who he really was."
"It seems to me that he loves you very much."
"Then why would he lie to me?" She asked, agitated.
"Perhaps he was afraid he would lose you. You were so dear to him, that the mere thought of not having you-"
"So he thinks of me as a property? A trophy?" She asked, confused.
"No! I meant... He did tell you though, did he not? Why do you suppose he did that? He could have kept up the lie and you wouldn't have been the wiser."
"He wants us to be able to trust one another," She smiled to herself. "And I want to trust him, but... But he's a Pirate! He steals and lies for a living! And his life would always be in danger, how could I possibly marry him? What sort of a life would that be for our children?"
"I cannot answer that. All I can say, is... If you really love one another, you will find a way," Jack said. He smiled as he heard her pause and knew that he had her hook line and sinker. She was ready to at least speak to Bill again, let him take care of the rest. This was his mess after all. He looked from the corner of his eye at the tied up minister, lying on the floor. He was unharmed, but was nevertheless staring daggers at Jack. "All's fair in love and war," Jack whispered to him.
He looked up and gulped when he saw two uniformed officers heading for the church. Drats! Someone must have told them he walked in... He must be getting famous by now... He needed to leave and NOW.
"Sorry," he said to the minister as he untied him, and took his clothes. He threw a few shillings at the ground for 'donation' and said to the door in his hoarse voice: "I'm sorry, I have to leave now. I think you should work this out with the young man and don't just pass on love." He put the robes on and covered his face, as he went quickly through the door and the front. Christina looked after him with gratitude, but the officers seemed suspicious. They dashed outside, but by then Jack was long gone.
*~*
"We can't stay here forever!" One of the men shouted, his eyes small and mousy. "We'll starve to death before that demon gives up on us!"
"We don't need to stay here forever," Jack reminded him. "We stay till daybreak, creatures of the night rarely attack in broad day light. Besides, the children say he doesn't kill at day-"
"Alright, but what do we do tomorrow night? And the next? Assuming the rumors are true," the man was beginning to get on Jack's nerves, and so he got up to address the crowd.
"This is our safe haven, if you may. We go about our business by day, regroup here at night, and Robert's your uncle and fanny's your aunt and we'll all make it, Savvy?"
"The children!" An old woman cried suddenly, burying her face in her hands. "Why go after the children?"
"You mean he's killed children before?" Will asked outraged. This whole thing was making him feel ill and furious.
"Yes, Sir." Frederick Masbath said. "Almost everyone that was killed was a child."
The rain continued to pour down the window and lightening crossed the sky, followed by a roaring thunder. Soft hoof beats could be heard circling the churchyard. Jonathan Masbath suddenly started, realizing something. "Children... What the old man said....." He looked up, fear striking at him and he walked over and yanked Jack by his sleeve. "I must speak with you at once! I think I know what's going on."
Jack nodded, a bit dazed and the two left to the other room, to speak in private. Mary walked over to Schoolmaster Connolly and spoke softly with him, smiling every now and then. Things seemed to calm down and there was less than an hour until dawn.
"Well?" Jack asked eagerly. They were in a secluded room, no one would interrupt them.
"I wasn't sure until now, it was all just rumors.... But now it must be true, otherwise why go to all the trouble...?" Masbath muttered to himself. "I don't know who. It could be the Van Brunts, it could be any of the children, though not the really young ones of course..."
"Get to the point," Jack said irritated. His chest was throbbing, and he needed a long and hot bath.
"Don't know who, but I know why." Masbath said finally, nodding his head. "I was at the Van Brunts' house and the old man said something to me that didn't make any sense at the time, I just assumed he was nearing his end and that's why it was so important to him. He said: "My Last Will", and now it makes perfect sense! Those children, they're-"
But Masbath never got around to finishing that sentence, or any other for that matter. A piece of wood from the fence went hurtling through the window and dug sharply into his skull. His eyes widened in surprise, but his death was instant. He hovered on his feet for a moment before he was yanked through the window, outside and lay by the feet of the Horseman.
Jack stumbled backwards and went back into the main room, shutting the door behind him.
*END PART 8*
Author's note: Wow this is long! We're coming along and moving on with the plot!
IST- My love! My sole reviewer! If the suspense killed you before with my evil cliffhangers, just wait! *evil laughter* I loved that line and any other 'head' jokes, I also liked them in the movie. I hope the humor stays in tact in the next chapters as well, because this is going a bit dark. Glad the minor characters appeal to you as individuals!
Ivy
As soon as the little ones quieted down a bit, Jack took a good look at his sorry surroundings. They had all the ingredients they needed to have one hell of a party- music, women and rum, especially rum. And yet here they were, the town folk, sitting or standing, having quiet and awkward conversations. They signed up for a party, not for this. Well, he would just have to take care of that...
Jack strolled over purposely to one of the finest looking young ladies in the room. She had golden hair and a soft smile and was laughing with her other female companions. Always in groups, they were, and then they get all offended when you want to work around that. Women! "Pardon me, lass," Jack said in his lilting voice, drawing the woman's attention at once. She gave him a half bored, half interested gaze, inspecting him carefully.
"Yes?" She asked, feigning disinterest. But Jack could see past that act, he knew women pretty well inside out, so to speak. So he smirked his trade mark smirk and leaned forward to whisper in her ear:
"Care to dance?"
A shudder passed through her body and she blushed slightly. "Oh, but I hardly even know you, sir!"
"Captain Jack Sparrow," Jack said, bowing to her, his deep chocolate eyes inviting and promising a good time. She smiled widely and introduced herself, but Jack didn't pay much attention to her name. He never could bother to remember a lass' name, a fact that more often than not got him into trouble and left a burning red mark on his cheek. He could swear his left cheek was tanner than his right, and it wasn't from the sun.
"Now that that's done with, how 'bout that dance?" He grinned at her, his golden teeth showing.
"But there's no music!" She laughed. She was toying with him, this one. She's so young, he won't get much more than a dance from her. Oh well.
"Ah," Jack smiled, waving a finger. "That can be arranged!" He snapped his fingers at the musicians, ho were busy in some serious discussion or another. They didn't seem to hear him, so he smiled apologetically at the lass and tried again. At last he rolled his eyes, turned around and whistled loudly. Suddenly all eyes were on the bizarre pirate, who said: "Music, if you'll please."
The musicians shrugged and complied, playing an upbeat piece. Jack grabbed her hand and spun her around, before dipping her, to her great delight. People were laughing and cheering, and pretty soon more couples joined in with the dancing, some old drunks bellowing the words not in time and slurred. Things seemed to be going according to plan- he was dancing with a pretty lass who was dizzy and giddy from all the spinning, the party was starting to liven up and people were having fun.
He was showing off his footwork now, trying, successfully, to impress the lasses. The men in the town were clumsy at best and though could keep up a dance or two; they could never do anything more intricate than the basic steps. Jack gave in to the rhythm and the music and the atmosphere and completely forgot about the weather and Will and Elizabeth and Katrina and her daughter. That is until a soaking wet young woman came barreling in and fell on the floor.
"Jack Sparrow?" She searched the room, her gestures frantic. Everyone went deathly silent, looking at the newcomer with trepidation, as though sensing what was about to occur.
"Aye," Jack said, eying the disturbance. She interrupted his fun and from the looks of her, he wasn't going to enjoy the rest of his evening.
"Will and Elizabeth sent me," the girl said, as she was helped to her feet. "My name is Clara Killian, they said you'd be here..." She mumbled before shaking her head. "I saw HIM- the headless horseman, that is. He was heading into town- I think he was going after Widow Van Brunt and Mary!" The crowd drew in surprised gasps. "The Turners and my mother went after him- they asked me to get you."
"Where were they heading?" Jack asked, his mood suddenly serious and all business like.
"To the outskirts of town- near the harbor." Clara said, biting her lip. "You might want to hurry, sir, he was galloping mighty fast on his black steed."
Jack nodded his head and hurried out, running in the pouring rain towards the harbor, hoping he wasn't too late. "He'd better not lay a hand on my ship," Jack muttered under his breath, as he ran faster. "Or I'll make sure he'll be missing more than His head."
"Shhh," Will said, listening intently. "I think I hear something." They both stood still, their hearts beating loudly in their ears and panting. Beth Killian reached them after several moments, clearly not up to running in this weather and at her age.
"Voices," Elizabeth said, her eyes widening. "I think it's coming from over there." She pointed out in the dark to some bleak location.
"The harbor," Beth said, her arms resting on her knees as she tried to steady her breath.
"Are you alright?" Elizabeth asked concerned. They couldn't waste a moment, but she would feel bad about leaving her here...
"Go," Beth understood. "I'll catch up, I know the way."
"That makes one of us," Will sighed, as he and his wife ran blindly, using the yelling voices as a beacon.
"Their yelling just makes it easier for Him to find them," Elizabeth shook her wet hair out of her eyes, as she tried to squint in the dark.
Will frowned and turned to her, a bemused expression to his face. "Can He even hear them? Without any ears, I mean. And how can he tell where He's going?"
"I'll be sure to ask Him that when we catch up to him," Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Sometimes her husband could ask the worst questions at the worst possible time. She saw the two figures ahead of them, still very much alive. The two women stopped their argument when they saw the strangers approach.
"Who-?" Katrina started to ask.
"There's no time to explain, your lives are in danger," Will said urgently, as he grabbed her arm. "The Headless Horseman was spotted heading-" They all heard it at the same time.
Hoof beats.
"-Here," Will finished, that endearing lost puppy look adorning his features. They saw Beth running towards them, saying something, but they could not understand it. The huge black stallion suddenly emerged from behind her, closing the distance with incredible speed.
"Beth- behind you!" Elizabeth screamed, her voice scratchy. Beth turned around slowly, in the middle of her run and watched with horror the glinting axe held at his side. She tripped and fell over a fence. She recovered and tried to crawl on the wet ground, her dress attracting filth and mud. She looked up hopelessly as her dress got tangled with the fence and she was stuck.
"NO!" Will cried, as the axe was held low and the horse did not show any indications of changing his course. He would trample her! Something held Will back and he turned to see Katrina's daughter clutching his arm painfully. He freed himself and started running in her direction, even though he knew he was too far away, he would never make it in time.
Just as the horse was about to reach the fence, Jack ran forward and tumbled with Beth out of the way. The headless horse came crashing through the fence and Will had to dive out of the way at the last moment. He watched as Elizabeth took charge and grabbed both women's arms, running with them towards the waters. It was an absurd idea, to be sure, that water would have more of an effect on him than decapitation, but his love for his wife only grew. He got up, brushing the mud off and ran into the horseman's path, trying to create a diversion, willing to risk his life.
But there was apparently no need, for the horseman came about in a circle and sped back into town. Will stared after the figure, confusion not beginning to describe his puzzlement.
"I don't understand," he said out loud. "He didn't kill us."
"Don't sound too disappointed, mate." Jack said with a huff as he got up and noticed the state of his clothes and hair. "It'll take hours to clean this all out!"
"Thank you," Beth said, shaking. "For saving my life."
"Yeah, yeah." Jack said dismissively with a wave of his hand. The three women came rushing back, clearly just as bewildered.
"What just happened?" Elizabeth asked, looking at the diminishing spot.
"Maybe he saw you guys and decided not to try?" Mary suggested, rubbing her arms and staring at the fence with dread.
"We were no match for him," Will argued. "He had nothing to fear, and besides, doesn't he just kill anyone who gets in the way?"
All six of them stood still for a moment, before they began to walk back into town, their steps heavy.
"Maybe he wasn't after us after all," Katrina said softly. Six pairs of feet suddenly stopped. They all looked at each other, before starting a wild dash into town.
*
"What are we going to do?" A little orphaned girl asked. She had sandy blond hair that was uncombed and deep brown eyes. At the moment she had tears running down her face and was sniffing her pretty little nose. Clara glanced at the girl, Dana was her name. She put on a smile and said:
"Don't worry, we'll be alright, he's not coming here."
"How do you know?" School Master Connolly asked, his voice pitching. "What makes you think he won't come after us later?" They were murmurs running through the Inn now, and Clara cursed that cowardly schoolmaster. He got everyone nice and scared now, pretty soon they'll be running and shouting and a whole mess.
"You- Masbath, got any guns?" An older looking man asked, more men nodded and said: "Guns, we need guns."
"I don't keep any at the Inn," Jonathan shrugged. The men looked disappointed and nervous.
"We'll just have to go out and get from one of the houses," a man said. Everyone looked at each other, the same question burning in everyone's minds: "Who will go?"
Jonathan sighed. "Oh for Pete's sake!" He was no hero, but he was damned if that THING was going to get him lying down, he won't let his son remember him as a chicken. "The Van Brunts live near- and you can bet ol' Brom Bones kept guns. I'll go, but I can't carry all 'em guns by myself." Several people, including his son volunteered and set out carefully, but quickly to the Van Brunt residence.
No one interrupted them on their way there and so they searched the house top to bottom for riffles and any kind of weapon. Jonathan was searching upstairs when he heard a faint noise that sounded like a sigh. He opened one of the doors and stepped inside, prepared for a fight. But it was only old Mr. Van Brunt, lying in his bed and sighing. Jonathan took a step closer and saw up close the pale greenish skin and the sunken in face. He grimaced and was about to turn around and leave, when a hand shot up and grabbed his sleeve. Mr. Van Brunt clutched on for dear life and muttered something too soft to hear.
"Come again?" Jonathan asked, as he stepped closer, his ear inches from the old man's mouth. The old man repeated his words, and this time Jonathan heard it loud and clear. His eyes widened and he stared down at the old man, about to ask him something. But the old man was fast asleep.
"Let's go!" One of the men cried to Jonathan from downstairs. "Come on, Masbath!"
Jonathan slowly started walking out of the room, his eyes fixed on the figure on the bed. He went downstairs and grabbed a riffle, and they all headed back to the Inn. Outside they saw six figures running and waving their arms like crazy.
"The horseman is coming, the horseman is coming!" Jack yelled. Luckily Mary knew a shortcut back to the Inn; otherwise they would have never made it in time.
"What?!" Jonathan asked, his hand instinctively clutching his son's shoulder.
"Get back inside!" Jack yelled, looking behind. Lightening struck the sky, illuminating a lone figure on a small hill, looking down at them. Well, actually not quite 'looking' per say, seeing as how he didn't have a head.
"Back to the Inn!" Jonathan yelled and they all followed him back inside. "Help me barricade the door!" Some of the men put down their riffles and started stacking furniture in front of the door.
"What's going on?" Clara asked her mother, as she took in their appearance and actions.
"The Horseman is heading this way." Beth said, hugging her daughter. "Come on, let's give the men a hand."
The door shook under the blow of the axe, and the men picked up their pace, stacking tables and boxes, to no avail.
"It won't work," Jack said, stroking his beard. The mud stuck to his fingers and he rubbed them on his pants, only to get them even dirtier. "Darnit!" He cursed and wiped them on the counter. "He won't tire, he can go on and axing the door until he manages to get in."
"No he won't," Young Masbath said. "He can't be out in day, everyone knows that."
"'everyone knows that'," Jack mimicked him. "Fine, but we still have several hours before dawn, I doubt the door will last more than a quarter of an hour."
"We can't stay here," Will said, agreeing. "Having us all together in one place will just make it easier for him."
"Freddy," Jack said, pointing at him. "Anymore other common knowledge about this horseman?"
"He hates water," Dana chirped up.
"Whoever has his head controls him," a boy said.
"He stacks up all his heads-"
"He drinks his victims' blood-"
"He's in league with witches-"
"He can't set foot in a church," Master Connolly said. The men looked at him. "I listen to the children's stories from time to time," he blushed fiercely and ducked his head.
"Alright then," Jack said, making up his mind. "Assuming that's true, we have a better chance there than here."
"But the moment we set foot outside He'll kill us!" Mary said frantically, as the wood of the door began to splinter.
"Is there another entrance?" Elizabeth asked Jonathan.
"Yes, out back." Jonathan nodded.
"We'll need a diversion," Will said, deep in thought.
"I'm glad you volunteered," Jack smiled, as he looped his arm around his shoulder. "We'll draw Him out and you all head to church, we'll meet you there."
"How do you know where it is?" Will asked him with a frown.
"I did a little sight seeing earlier," Jack excused it. He grabbed a riffle and passed one to Will. "All of ye- and I can't believe I'm saying this- go to the Church!"
The crowd began to shove in the opposite direction and Will cast Jack a frightened glance. "Nervous?"
"Nah," Jack shrugged, training his riffle where he approximated the head to be. He then realized his mistake, and lowered it a bit. They waited as the seconds ticked by and more and more wood splintered in the deafening silence. Finally the door burst open and the horseman walked in, 'looking' for someone.
"Hello love," Jack smiled, as he shot at the walking stiff. Will fired as well and they shot at him as many times as they could. The Horseman was unaffected and Jack sighed. "Why is it that the dead simply refuse to die?"
"Watch out!" Will yelled, as the axe came hurtling down at them. They jumped to opposite directions and rolled into a defensive stand. They continued to shoot, their backs to the door and backing up. The horseman seemed to lose interest and was searching the room. Jack drew out his sword and charged at the horseman, meeting his rusty axe. He began sparring with him, trying to anger him. It must have worked, because the horseman focused on him now, and slashed at his chest, drawing blood. Will went behind the bar and started throwing bottles at the figure. Jack ducked and scowled.
"Try not to hit me, I'd prefer if a bottle did not connect with my head again so soon, still recovering from that last one."
"Sorry," Will shrugged. The horseman strode towards him menacingly, trapping him behind the bar. Jack jumped on the figure's back, giving Will enough time to jump over the bar and get out of the way. The horseman shoved Jack off, and he came crashing down into the corner, breaking a chair as he came down.
"Ouch," Jack whined, as he rubbed his back. He looked up in time to see the axe coming at him and he rolled out of the way. Will helped him up and they started running out of the entrance, the horseman hot on their trail.
"Well, it worked," Will smiled grimly. "We've managed to piss him off." They turned a corner and went up against the wall, waiting for him to pass them by. But he didn't. Will frowned and peeked behind the wall, but there was no one there. They heard the 'swiiiish' of the metal cutting air from behind, and they both ran out, nearly tumbling.
"I think we've distracted him long enough," Will commented, as they ran around in full speed, making for the church.
"I couldn't agree with you more," Jack grinned tiredly, his hand on his chest. He wasn't sure how deep the wound was, but he was feeling slightly dizzy. They ran and ran and ran, their feet sinking a bit in the mud and the puddles, until the church was visible before them.
"Oh no!" Will said desperately. There were several people still outside, that hadn't reached the church yet. Mainly the School Master and his children.
"Get them inside!" Jack yelled at him. He looked once more behind and watched with growing horror as the black horse rode beside the horseman, who jumped on its back and galloped forward.
They were both helpless witnesses of what happened next. Master Connolly grabbed two of the youngest and lightest kids and ran with them inside. One of the women grabbed little Dana and ran with her, but not fast enough. The horseman came swooping down and chopped off her head and her lifeless body fell to the ground. Dana screamed and cried, getting to her feet and trying to get to the church. Will ran as fast as he could and he nearly managed to lift the girl up when the axe came down on her as well. He sank to his knees at once, not believing what just occurred.
""Get up!" Jack said urgently, though he was sick to his stomach. He could not stand the murder of children, especially in front of his very eyes. Whenever they looted a village he made sure they left the children alone, they were innocent and had done nothing wrong. He could understand his friend's reaction, he felt like he was going to vomit, but if he doesn't get Will into that church right now...
He grabbed Will's arm and yanked him painfully to his feet, dragging him along. The horseman grabbed the girl's head and paused. Jack used that opportunity in order to get around the horseman and get inside the safety of the church. Providing the stories were true, that is. There was no one left outside and they were all staring out the doors and windows like sheep.
The Headless Horseman did not enter the church ground, but remained close by, so the plan appeared to have worked. But to the huddled crowd, it was not a cause for celebration. Mary Van Brunt especially was mortified and thought back with some irony that it was her birthday today and all these people came to rejoice with her. Yay.
"Jack, you're injured," Elizabeth said startled. Jack looked down at his chest and remembered that the horseman got a good slash at him with that sharp axe. It seemed like it happened ages ago.
"It's just a scratch, pet." Jack tried to smile to reassure her. She went to fetch Beth, who was at the other corner with her daughter. Beth came over and tried to inspect the injury, but it was covered in slime and mud. She took a wet cloth and started to clean the wound, eliciting a sharp intake of breath from Jack.
"Oh don't you be a baby too!" Beth reproached him lightly, stealing a glance at Will. "You Pirates are supposed to be men, suck it in." Jack bit his tongue and allowed her to take care of him, too exhausted to refuse or argue.
"We were never properly introduced," Elizabeth said to Mary and Katrina, smiling at them tightly. "I'm Elizabeth Turner, this is my husband- Will Turner."
"Ah, so you're Elizabeth Turner," Katrina grinned. "Jack's been telling me about you. I'm Katrina Van Brunt, this is my daughter, Mary."
"When did he manage to speak to you?" Elizabeth wondered. 'And how come she calls him by his first name...'
"Yesterday and this morning," Katrina said, glancing over at Jack.
"How's your hand?" Jack asked Will, indicating his soaking bandages with his head.
"Better," Will said sheepishly. "I've been meaning to apologize for that, it was uncalled for."
"Of course it was called for," Jack rolled his eyes. "But I do find it refreshing not to be slapped or hit on the back of my head."
"Have I apologized for that yet?" Will smiled embarrassed, remembering clubbing Jack from behind, when he went to rescue Elizabeth. "I didn't trust that you had Elizabeth's best interests at heart-"
"I didn't," Jack agreed. "Still don't. Jack Sparrow serves only one man- and that be Jack Sparrow himself."
"Trust and 'serving' are not one and the same," Elizabeth argued, as she looked up lovingly at her filthy husband. "I trust Will with my life, that doesn't mean I serve him."
"And I trust Elizabeth with my life," Will kissed her passionately, rubbing some of his filth inadvertently onto her. "Though it seems I often serve her." She hit him playfully on the arm and he rubbed his hands across her arms, causing her to giggle. Jack couldn't comprehend how those two found the time to be all giddy lovey dovey, with everything that's happened and still happening. Then again, they aren't the first crazy couple he met...
*~*
"Don't worry, Mate." Jack said to Bill, as he joined him on the deck of the Pearl. "I'm sure we won't be stuck here forever, Captain Saunders will find something for us to do- there has to be a village to plunder, treasures to hunt..."
"It's not that," Bill sighed and rubbed his tired red eyes. "It's-"
"Lemme guess," Jack rolled his eyes. He pretended to concentrate hard, his hand clasped on his eyes and he hummed a bit, before saying: "It's a lass."
"Christina won't speak with me," Bill said miserably. He reminded Jack of a lost pup. Those big stupid brown eyes...
"No worries," Jack shrugged. "You'll find another lass by the end of the month."
"I don't want 'another lass'!" Bill yelled before managing to control his voice. He heaved a sigh and dropped his shoulders. "She's different, Jack. I love her; I'm INLOVE with her and I... I want to marry her."
"Blimey!" Jack said surprised. "Marriage! At your age? You'd be throwing away a fine career as a pirate, whatever happened to wanting to inherit the Pearl?"
"At first I hoped that my family could come with me," Bill admitted, knowing how silly that sounded. "Now I'm thinking Saunders will never retire." Bill shook his head morosely. "But it does not matter, Christina won't speak with me."
"I'm sure you'll get over your differences, it was just a small fight." Jack tried to help, patting him on the back. He wondered how this sentimental fool ever became a Pirate, he was all wrong for the part.
"I asked her to marry me and then I told her I was a Pirate," Bill said, wincing.
"You WHAT?"
"I didn't want to lie to her," Bill said quickly, defending himself. "I want there to be complete and utter trust between us."
"So I gather she didn't take it well," Jack said smiling.
"She said she 'needed time to think about... Everything'," Bill leaned over the railing and looked out at the sea. "She went to speak with her church's minister- Which is funny, because she told me she traveled so often with her parents, she barely entered her church, let alone spoken with the minister-"
"Hang on," Jack said, an idea flashing through his mind. "I've got it! I'll go impersonate that minister, tell her she'd be out of her mind not to marry you and before you know it, Robert's your uncle and Fanny's your aunt and you've got yourself a wedding! Which I'll be invited to, naturally."
"That is the craziest idea I have ever heard," Bill laughed. "And who says 'Robert's your Uncle and Fanny's your Aunt'? You're not blending in very well with those sayings."
"It was never my intention to blend in," Jack interjected. "I guess you don't want my help."
"No, I'm sorry," Bill said hurriedly. "These crazy ideas of yours always work, please." Jack smiled and asked for directions to the church, before running off to carry out his plan. "I hope I haven't made a huge mistake." Bill said out loud and looked out at the sea.
*
"Hello? Is anyone here?" A young voice called out in the empty church. It was late afternoon on a weekday, but where was the minister?
"In here," a hoarse voice croaked to the left. Christina frowned and walked towards the door where she heard the voice. "Father?"
"Yes, my child." The voice croaked.
"May I come in?"
"NO! I mean... I'm very ill at the moment, I wouldn't want you to catch what I have."
"Oh," Christina said, slightly deflated. This conversation would be hard to have with the door between them. "I'll just come again another time."
"No, my child. Whatever it is seems to weigh heavy on your heart."
"It does," She said surprised. 'How did he know?' "I don't know where to begin."
"Take your time."
"There is this man- the most wonderful man I have ever known," Christina smiled in fond memory. "He's kind and gentle and heroic- he saved me from a bunch of thieves, that's how we met."
"Go on."
"I have falle- grown quite fond of this man, and he has of me. Or so I thought," she finished bitterly. "It turns out he lied to me all along, made me believe he was someone he was not."
"Did he do this to hurt you?"
"I don't think so," Christina shook her head. She had flowing, straight black hair and deep brown eyes. "I... He said he was afraid I wouldn't love him if I knew who he really was."
"It seems to me that he loves you very much."
"Then why would he lie to me?" She asked, agitated.
"Perhaps he was afraid he would lose you. You were so dear to him, that the mere thought of not having you-"
"So he thinks of me as a property? A trophy?" She asked, confused.
"No! I meant... He did tell you though, did he not? Why do you suppose he did that? He could have kept up the lie and you wouldn't have been the wiser."
"He wants us to be able to trust one another," She smiled to herself. "And I want to trust him, but... But he's a Pirate! He steals and lies for a living! And his life would always be in danger, how could I possibly marry him? What sort of a life would that be for our children?"
"I cannot answer that. All I can say, is... If you really love one another, you will find a way," Jack said. He smiled as he heard her pause and knew that he had her hook line and sinker. She was ready to at least speak to Bill again, let him take care of the rest. This was his mess after all. He looked from the corner of his eye at the tied up minister, lying on the floor. He was unharmed, but was nevertheless staring daggers at Jack. "All's fair in love and war," Jack whispered to him.
He looked up and gulped when he saw two uniformed officers heading for the church. Drats! Someone must have told them he walked in... He must be getting famous by now... He needed to leave and NOW.
"Sorry," he said to the minister as he untied him, and took his clothes. He threw a few shillings at the ground for 'donation' and said to the door in his hoarse voice: "I'm sorry, I have to leave now. I think you should work this out with the young man and don't just pass on love." He put the robes on and covered his face, as he went quickly through the door and the front. Christina looked after him with gratitude, but the officers seemed suspicious. They dashed outside, but by then Jack was long gone.
*~*
"We can't stay here forever!" One of the men shouted, his eyes small and mousy. "We'll starve to death before that demon gives up on us!"
"We don't need to stay here forever," Jack reminded him. "We stay till daybreak, creatures of the night rarely attack in broad day light. Besides, the children say he doesn't kill at day-"
"Alright, but what do we do tomorrow night? And the next? Assuming the rumors are true," the man was beginning to get on Jack's nerves, and so he got up to address the crowd.
"This is our safe haven, if you may. We go about our business by day, regroup here at night, and Robert's your uncle and fanny's your aunt and we'll all make it, Savvy?"
"The children!" An old woman cried suddenly, burying her face in her hands. "Why go after the children?"
"You mean he's killed children before?" Will asked outraged. This whole thing was making him feel ill and furious.
"Yes, Sir." Frederick Masbath said. "Almost everyone that was killed was a child."
The rain continued to pour down the window and lightening crossed the sky, followed by a roaring thunder. Soft hoof beats could be heard circling the churchyard. Jonathan Masbath suddenly started, realizing something. "Children... What the old man said....." He looked up, fear striking at him and he walked over and yanked Jack by his sleeve. "I must speak with you at once! I think I know what's going on."
Jack nodded, a bit dazed and the two left to the other room, to speak in private. Mary walked over to Schoolmaster Connolly and spoke softly with him, smiling every now and then. Things seemed to calm down and there was less than an hour until dawn.
"Well?" Jack asked eagerly. They were in a secluded room, no one would interrupt them.
"I wasn't sure until now, it was all just rumors.... But now it must be true, otherwise why go to all the trouble...?" Masbath muttered to himself. "I don't know who. It could be the Van Brunts, it could be any of the children, though not the really young ones of course..."
"Get to the point," Jack said irritated. His chest was throbbing, and he needed a long and hot bath.
"Don't know who, but I know why." Masbath said finally, nodding his head. "I was at the Van Brunts' house and the old man said something to me that didn't make any sense at the time, I just assumed he was nearing his end and that's why it was so important to him. He said: "My Last Will", and now it makes perfect sense! Those children, they're-"
But Masbath never got around to finishing that sentence, or any other for that matter. A piece of wood from the fence went hurtling through the window and dug sharply into his skull. His eyes widened in surprise, but his death was instant. He hovered on his feet for a moment before he was yanked through the window, outside and lay by the feet of the Horseman.
Jack stumbled backwards and went back into the main room, shutting the door behind him.
*END PART 8*
Author's note: Wow this is long! We're coming along and moving on with the plot!
IST- My love! My sole reviewer! If the suspense killed you before with my evil cliffhangers, just wait! *evil laughter* I loved that line and any other 'head' jokes, I also liked them in the movie. I hope the humor stays in tact in the next chapters as well, because this is going a bit dark. Glad the minor characters appeal to you as individuals!
Ivy