Title: All Hollow's Eve
Author: Mandy McLean (a.k.a. Flirtatiouspris)
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Anything X-Files belongs to Chris Carter; not me. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow belongs to Washington Irving. All events in this story are fictional and are not meant to, by any means, contain any factual events.
Summary: Mulder and Scully stumble upon the real "legend of Sleepy Hollow" when they're called out to Sleepy Hallow, NY where several teenagers have been mysteriously beheaded. Takes place in season 7.
September 08, 2000
Somewhere on the edge of town, Sleepy Hollow, NY
11:38pm
"Don't worry, Cara. No one will find us out here." Darren assured his girlfriend. Cara grimly looked around the deserted forest that rested just beyond the field they were walking in. The trees stood tall with their spindly limbs that stretched out as though beckoning her. A faint howl passed through the trees sending shivers up her spine. She clutched Darren's hand tighter.
"That's the point. No one will find us out here." She observed bleakly. Darren shook his head and continued on out further on the path that paralleled the gloomy forest outskirts.
"You said you wanted to be alone; away from the others. Besides, I'll make it up to you once we get there." He purred into her ear, sending pulses that electrified her whole body. She giggled slightly.
"Okay; but this better be worth it. My mom would kill me if she knew I was out here alone." The two walked on for a few more steps before the forest fell silent. Cara looked out into the woods again; feeling uneasy she stepped closer to Darren.
"Darren, it's gotten quiet." She hissed.
"Cara, it's okay. I've been out here a million times. There's nothing out there. It's just your imagination. Now come on." Darren pulled Cara along. She kept up while she glanced at the forest again. A horse's whinny rode through the wind filling her ears.
"Darren! Did you hear that!" She exclaimed. Too frightened to move, she stopped and turned towards the forest, "Something's there. I can feel it!" Darren pulled on her arm again, edging her towards him.
"Stop it, Cara! Let's just go. I'll take you home." He breathed out exasperated. The sound of hooves stomped louder and louder as the forest began to move with fright. The trees rustled and the wind howled. Cara's blonde locks swirled around her dancing to a sound she didn't want to hear. As Darren reached for her back and ushered her towards the town, the sound of a horse whinny screeched out across the wind. Darren turned towards the forest and saw the silhouette of a horse carrying a rider. He grasped Cara's hand tight.
"Cara, run!" He cried out and they took off running. The horse galloped after them gaining speed. The rider remained silent as it leaned forward pulling out a glistening sword. Cara ran as fast as her body would let her; her heart ached for air and her eyes stung from the wind. The horse speed even faster until it was almost on top of them. Cara turned to look at the attacker when she saw what was chasing them; a headless rider. It raised its sword. Then within seconds, Cara felt a hot pain shoot up her neck until she felt nothing, then darkness.
The truth is out there…
All Hollows Eve
By Mandy McLean
October 28, 2000
F.B.I. Headquarters
Mulder's Office
"Mulder your not serious, are you?" The petite, red head contorted her face in anguish as though she had just experienced a bad horror flick.
Fox Mulder shot his partner a crude "who me?" look which then in turn caught the icy stare of her frosty blue eyes.
"These kids were murdered, Scully." He stated seriously pointing to the slide projecting off the wall which showcased the deceased body of a female whose head was most certainly not there.
"Yes, I can see that but I'm not going to accept that some headless horseman is our number one suspect." Scully crossed her arms and sat up rigid.
"I never said that. I was just merely educating you in Sleepy Hollow folklore." He stated as he threw her a puppy dog look. Dana Scully rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"Fine, whatever; when are we leaving?" Exasperated, she gave up.
"I thought you would never ask."
En Route to Sleepy Hollow, Westchester County, New York
October 29, 2000
Highway 100
4:36pm
Scully turned the pages of the report horrified at the gruesome images that were laid before her; images of lifeless bodies, all around the ages of eighteen or so, all without heads. It appeared, in Scully's medical opinion, that the heads had been severed with a very sharp object and very quickly. As she turned through the pages, she found out that no suspects were reported and no weapon had been found to date. She glanced back up at Mulder who was shamelessly humming to the horrid song that filled the car.
"We're almost to the Sheriff's station. Lieutenant Hayes is going to brief us there." Mulder explained as he turned the car left towards the main road of Sleepy Hollow. Scully nodded as she closed the files and tucked them back into the folder. She pulled back her crimson tresses that dangled in front of her face and turned towards the window. The town was sleepy alright, she mused but beautiful. The trees illuminated the river with streaks of orange, yellow and coppers. The river gleamed brightly in the sunlight. The wind picked up slightly sending leaves swirling down the town's street. It was definitely a stunning place. The car came to a slow stop outside the Sleepy Hollow Police Department. Scully opened her car door and stepped out onto the concrete ground. Her heels clicked against the ground as they made there way towards the small and quaint station that look more like a house than an official building. Mulder pushed the door open and a small bell tinkled as they passed through towards the front desk.
The woman at the front desk eyed them carefully as she put down the phone, "Hello, can I help you?"
Mulder pulled out his badge prompting Scully to do the same, "We're agents Mulder and Scully of the F.B.I. and we're here to see Lieutenant Hayes."
She nodded and motioned the two of them forwards into the area behind the desk. They followed behind her as she weaved her way around a few small desks towards a small office in the back. She knocked on the siding of the door, and nodded towards the agents.
"Agents Mulder and Scully are to see you sir." She nodded curtly before heading back up towards the front. Lieutenant Hayes stood up and offered his hand.
"Hello and welcome. I'm so glad that you both are here. I've been knee deep in this case for weeks now. I'm assuming you made it here just okay?"
Mulder nodded, "We did and thank you for contacting us about this case."
"I'm glad; you see I've been racking my brains about this and I've come up less than dust. I was told that you dealt with cases like this all the time." Scully shot Mulder a look. He ignored it and continued on.
"So Lieutenant, I've gone over the cases here and I'm still a bit sketchy about all the details. The bodies from the latest attack are still at the morgue, I assume?"
Lieutenant Hayes nodded, "Yes, sir. The place is full I might add though. Seven bodies is a lot here in Sleepy Hollow. Heck, I don't think there's anything here in town you'll find bigger than our old church that only holds a maximum capacity of a thousand. I'm not sure if anybody's informed you about the motel situation here but the only motel close by is being renovated. The closest one after that is about ten miles out south. My wife and I have a small bed and breakfast out on the main road. It's booked solid with all the work going on at the motel but we have one room left that we keep as a guest room for our own family. It's got two beds."
"That would be fine, Lieutenant. Thank you." Mulder offered.
"Please, call me Robert. No more formalities. I really do appreciate all the help you folks are doing for us."
The Hayes Bed and Breakfast Inn
Sleepy Hollow, NY
October 29, 2000
11:28pm
"We're going where?" Scully asked as she slumped down on the chair facing Mulder's bed where he was picking up his gray jacket.
"Scully, I think these kids were messing around out in those woods that surround the town. I think we should start there."
"At eleven thirty at night? Are you serious?" She turned her mouth into a pout.
"You're not scared are you?" He chided as he stepped out into the brisk chilly night. Rolling her eyes she followed.
Sleepy Hollow Forest
Sleepy Hollow, NY
October 30, 2000
12:13am
The dark, crisp night was thick and it wafted all around her; she couldn't help but feel chills up her spine. She quickly followed Mulder's lead into the dark forest knowing she was going to regret Mulder's actions. She rubbed her arms trying to keep warm in the icy wind. Mulder quickened his pace as he trekked on through the trees and leaves. The only sound trailing after them was the crunching of leaves they left behind.
"Mulder, this is ridiculous! I know why were out here and I refuse to believe in an old wive's tale." Scully hissed out in the general direction of Mulder.
"Oh come on Scully, where's your sense of adventure? Besides all the bodies were found here in the woods. Something's going on out here and I intend on getting to the bottom of it." Mulder continued out into the woods stepping even further making the town lights dissipate. To lighten the mood, Mulder spoke again, "Tomorrow's Halloween."
"And?" Hearing a hinting tone in Mulder's voice, Scully pressed him even though she knew it something she didn't want to hear.
"Don't you know the legend, Scully?" He asked quizzically.
"About Washington Irving's story about the headless horseman or the galloping Hessian of the Hollow and how he lost his head in some "nameless battle" and that since then every night he rides forth to the scene of the battle looking for his head? No I can't say that I have heard the story, Mulder." Scully answered with a typical "Scully" tone.
"Alright then, tell me this, why is Hallows Eve such a festive event here in Sleepy Hollow?"
"What are you talking about?" She asked as she pushed past some more branches.
"Besides from the actual story Irving wrote, these townsfolk have their own version of the story. They claim that on Halloween he comes out closer to the town than he does any other night and cries out into the wind. The bridge from the story is no longer there, it burnt down several months ago in a small forest fire, but the townsfolk swear he never crosses the river except on Halloween. A small few have even claimed to have seen him wandering the edges of town moaning."
"Mulder, that's just a story. There's no fact in it. Why would an apparition seek out and kill anyone who dares step into his woods for three hundred and sixty four days a year and then for one night a year, take a break? These people live in a small town with a crime rate of one percent and an even smaller percent of entertainment. Of course these people are going to make up elaborate stories to regale to the outside world so that they find some excitement in their otherwise boring lives. Those kids were killed by someone of flesh and blood who has seen too many horror flicks to last a life time." Scully followed after Mulder who seem too transfixed on the surroundings that he ignored her last statement. The wind picked and sent swirls of leaves around them. Scully pulled tirelessly at her strands of auburn hair as they pulled loose from her hair tie. Sounds of a hose whinny hummed quietly through the air as she fumbled with her vest trying to pull the zipper up higher. She stopped and listened.
"Mulder did you hear that?" She whispered as she stood perfectly still trying to hear any other sounds. Mulder turned to face her. A shrill scream flew out into the night. Scully turned and pointed in the direction of the dank forest. She trailed quickly after the sounds. Mulder followed, gun drawn. Heavy heaves of jagged breaths escaped past her lips as she ran faster through the woods towards the inhumanly cry. Twigs snapped at her arms and the wind whipped viciously at her eyes but she continued on. Mulder did the same. As a clearing come towards them, Scully saw the bodies before she even came to a stop. She cocked her gun as she stepped cautiously forward towards the two limps forms before her, both missing a head. Mulder stumbled into the clearing after her and turned towards the path leading out of the clearing. No sounds, no nothing. Small amounts of blood littered the leaves around the bodies. Scully inspected the leaves around the bodies only to notice a burnished heart pendant. It twinkled in the moonlight as she picked it up. Pocketing it in small bag, she turned to the bodies. Mulder looked closely at the floor noticing the tracks.
"Scully what do those look like to you?" He asked, gulping breaths of air.
Scully stared at them for a moment before she realized exactly what they were, "Horse tracks."
TBC….