Chapter 12:
The darkened room was all but completely empty. The one exception to this stood in silent rage at the open window pane. The Horseman's electrifying eyes searched the bleak shadows, casted by the night, that surrounded his manor with a haunting aura. He sought long and hard for any possible sign of Charlotte-though he knew full well that she was likely long gone from here.
His blue-tinted lips drew back into a fierce snarl that flashed the sharpened white teeth behind them to an unseen audience before he raised a single, powerful arm up to brace himself against the windowsill.
He just couldn't believe it; he turned his back on the girl for less than an hour and she somehow had managed to slip away. Again.
Of course, it wasn't like this realization took him entirely by surprise...
"These women are always the same…" said the Horseman to himself through clenched teeth. They always think they can just run off and get away with it.
With only one thought in mind, he spun on his heel and marched purposefully across the room, leaving through its only door.
Determination sounded behind his step as the spurred leather boots he wore clunked heavily down the marble staircase. Then as he reached the bottom, in one fluid motion he snatched up the long, black cloak that was draped across the rail. Without pausing once, he swung the weighty garment about his broad shoulders and clasped it tightly in its place around his neck.
Storming down the foyer, the image of Charlotte's colorful face- lovely with her round, youthful cheeks which were faintly freckled by the sun as he recalled-filled the Horseman's mind.
That damnable woman...it seemed the more the Horseman thought of her, the stronger his fury grew.
By the time he made it to the front door, he had it practically torn right off its hinges as he stepped outside of the manor and continued on down the entrances' steps where his loyal, black steed stood tall and at the ready for him.
Coming to stand alongside his horse, he wasted no time reaching up and grasping the horn of the black leather saddle as he expertly swung himself up onto his seat in just a few short moments. Then, only after taking the reins in both hands, the Horseman securely slipped his feet into the stirrups and delivered a firm kick into his horse's side with the heel of his boots.
"HA!" the Horseman roared. Obeying his Master, the horse took off at great speed that carried with it a single purpose...
Once more, the Horseman would pay a little trip to the small town of Sleepy Hollow and there, he would take back what was rightfully his…...
Charlotte was nearly out of breath when she finally crossed over the old cobble stone bridge that took her back into town. It appeared to be around midday- judging by the amount of people that were still bustling about in the streets, she thought quietly to herself-most of whom all turned to gape as she passed on by. Some even turned to exchange a few mumbled and incoherent words amongst each other.
Feeling the sheer weight of their scrutinizing stares upon her shoulders, Charlotte inwardly cringed.
No doubt, the young woman guessed, that this attention had something to do with the fact that she had gone missing for almost 24 hours the night before, just shortly after the Horseman had rode into town...
On that note, she could not fault them for their display of judgmental wonder towards her. But nonetheless...Charlotte couldn't help but wish that they didn't make it so apparent just now.
"Let them talk all they want." the young woman reminded herself as she held her head high and moved along with a cool, hasty stride. As of right now, being the center of gossip was the last thing she needed to worry about. Instead, she was more interested in finding Mrs. Adams.
And if she knew her older friend as well as she thought she did, she already could figure out just where exactly the older woman would be...
As she approached the old, white church at the far side of town, she slowed her pace to an easy walk, allowing herself the chance to fully catch her breath. The church's white picket fenced gate had been left open, permitting Charlotte to breeze on into the church grounds.
Pulling open one of the large front doors leading into the church building, Charlotte felt a wave of relief wash over her as she spotted Mrs. Adams all the way down in the front, kneeling on the ground in prayer. From the way Mrs. Adams' shoulders were hunched and how she had hung her head, Charlotte could tell that this poor woman suffered immensely from exhaustion.
Not wanting to disturb the older woman's peace, Charlotte treaded lightly and headed to the front where Mrs. Adams was praying where she proceeded by taking a seat in the wooden pew right behind her.
Charlotte decided that she would wait for Mrs. Adams to finish her talk with God before saying anything about her presence. While sitting patiently, she couldn't help but catch on to a few words that Mrs. Adams was softly murmuring out loud,
"God, if indeed that poor girl was taken by him..." The older woman started quietly, "…please... show her mercy Lord because we all know that HE won't…." she finished before adding softly, "...and…..she's innocent..."
Touched by the deep concern her friend had for her well being, Charlotte felt her throat knot up with emotion. Then, as silently as she had come in, she rose to her feet and moved towards Mrs. Adams' kneeling form before she herself kneeled down right in front of her.
Reaching out, she softly placed her hands upon the older woman's shoulders affectionately,
"... she's also still here." The words Charlotte spoke came out no louder than a whisper.
Mrs. Adams' eyes fluttered open as she raised her head up only to stare the younger woman in the face. At first, her expression held confusion, like she couldn't believe what she was seeing but when Charlotte offered a small, sad smile and nodded her head, her face lit up with joy.
"Charlotte!" Mrs. Adams cried before she threw her arms out and pulled the young woman into a tight motherly embrace which Charlotte naturally returned.
Gripping Charlotte's shoulders firmly, Mrs. Adams pushed Charlotte back to quickly look her over, "How….I don't understand….your house.." her voice trailed off as her words seemed to mesh together.
She quickly shook the initial shock off and stated in a much firmer and controlled voice, "….what happened? We all thought that the Horseman…" Her voice trailed off, not being able to finish her own sentence.
Charlotte nodded her head in understanding, "I know…" The young woman drew in a steady breath of air as she continued on, "...He did pay me a….visit." It took every ounce of willpower that she had to not cringe at her own choice of words, "... But as you can see I'm fine." Charlotte assured.
"But...What did he want?" Mrs. Adams asked, her eyes grave with unease.
"He was looking for someone…" Charlotte answered as simply as she could. "...Mary."
"And?" Mrs. Adams pushed onward.
As though fearing the very walls had ears of their own, Charlotte took a quick nervous glance around before confirming all suspected rumors regarding the night before. "He found me instead." she finished in a hushed voice.
Mrs. Adams let out a soft gasp, "So he took you?" She asked as she brought a hand up to touch her lips which were parted with horror.
The younger woman nodded her head solemnly, "Yes."
"But then he let you go?"
Charlotte quietly turned her head away, suddenly seeming burdened by a heavy guilt she now felt hesitant to confess, "Well…..not exactly." She murmured as she casted her eyes down to the floor, "I had found a chance to escape. And I took it without a second thought." She explained.
However, as her mind dwelled further on thoughts about the Horseman, Charlotte couldn't help but begin to wonder just what kind of consequences would follow her actions.
"Oh my dear….." Mrs. Adams' empathetic voice murmured softly, "….this is far worse than what I could have ever thought." A heavy silence that lasted no longer than a few moments then fell over the two women.
"Mrs. Adams..." the younger woman spoke, quietly breaking the stillness that had settled inside the church, "...What am I to do?"
At once, Mrs. Adams reached over and took Charlotte by her two hands before she pulled the two of them to their feet. "Come. We'll head on back to my place. We have much to talk about still but while we do so, I'll make you something hot to drink and then we can work on getting you all cleaned up."
Seeing no room for argument there, Charlotte could only nod her head an unspoken compliance and allowed Mrs. Adams to gently direct them out of the pews and down the aisle together.
Without needing to speak another word to each other, the two women left the church side by side as they made their way back through town to Mrs. Adams' comely house. Once there and safely inside, the older woman ushered Charlotte into the only washroom.
"Give me just a moment..." Mrs. Adams spoke as she swiftly ducked out of the small room, leaving temporarily so that she could go and fetch some water.
When she came back a few minutes later, she was carrying a deep, round basin that was filled with steaming water and had a fresh rag already inside it. After placing it on a wooden table that was beside a big brass tub, she turned her full attention back onto Charlotte who stood patiently in complete stillness.
"Now first things first, let's freshen you up a bit, my dear." Mrs. Adams stated while she grabbed the wet rag and took a moment to quickly ring it out. Then, with the thoroughly damp rag in hand, the older woman moved forward and began to softly scrub the exposed areas on Charlotte's arms and hands which were splattered with thick dirt and mud. "You'll feel much better, I'm sure."
Charlotte took this time to look herself over in the oval shaped mirror that hung on the wall closest to the door and there, she saw with grim features that she rather was on the filthy side. Mud ran all the way down the front of her green dress and it even had managed to work its way up as far as her neck and the underside of her jaw.
"…..I'm such a mess." Charlotte stated in a displeased tone. Mrs. Adams gave a curt laugh,
"Believe me, I've seen worse." She returned, trying to keep the conversation light. "It's one of the many things that come with being a mother of two boys." Mrs. Adams added before she handed the rag over to Charlotte who took it up with a grateful smile before she began washing her neck.
"Let's see if I can find something fresh for you to wear."
While Mrs. Adams left the bathroom once more to hunt down some clean garments, Charlotte finished scrubbing the mud from her body.
Then when she was certain that she had gotten all the visible grime off her skin, the young woman reached behind her back and started working on the ties of the ruined gown she was wearing.
As it grew loose, Charlotte peeled it off her body and allowed it to fall into a pile of dirty green silk upon the ground. Standing in only her corset and petticoats now, Charlotte waited for Mrs. Adams' return. When the older woman walked back in a couple minutes later, she was carrying in her arms a simple looking work gown of faded violet that was trimmed with gray.
She walked over to Charlotte and swiftly slipped the dress over the younger woman's head, "This ought to fit you nicely." She stated with assured confidence as she helped Charlotte into the replacement dress. It was long sleeved like most dresses women wore these days, with the usual tight fitting bodice and corset back. It was a gown of uncomplicated design - no lace or special beading - just soft cotton. When the dress was on properly, Mrs. Adams knowingly laced up its back.
"There." She stated with approval, "That should do for now."
Charlotte turned about, feeling much better now that she was clean again and comfortably clothed, "Thank you." She said with an appreciative smile. Mrs. Adams returned the warm expression with one of her own before she linked their two arms together and led the way out of the bathroom.
Within moments, the two were entering the solitude of the kitchen that was right down the hall which was alight with a crackling fire and smelled of sweet freshly baked bread and meat. The pleasing aromas made Charlotte's mouth water, and reminded the young woman of just how famished she was.
"Are you hungry, Charlotte?" It was as though the older woman could read her mind.
"I am, yes." Charlotte answered as she was directed to take a seat by the fire while she watched Mrs. Adams fetch a plate and prepare it with a generous slice of salted pork, cheese and wheat bread. The scene was a sight for sore eyes-one could even call it deceptive in its own way.
As reassuring as it was being welcomed into a friend's household and care after everything, it didn't change the fact that last night had happened. And the knot that still sat, churning at the bottom of her stomach, was warning Charlotte that the nightmare that was surrounding her wasn't over yet.
"You seem troubled..."
Hearing Mrs. Adams' voice shook Charlotte from her private thoughts just in time to see the older woman come forward and offer her a plate of food. Taking the donation with a grateful smile, Charlotte softly shook her head as her eyes fell to floor. "A part of me just can't help but wonder if coming back to Sleepy Hallow was the right thing to do..."
Mrs. Adams blinked with surprise, "This is your home, Charlotte...of course coming back was the right thing. How could you think otherwise?"
Charlotte took a moment to break a piece of cheese off and pop it into her mouth. The taste of sharp creamy cheddar filled her mouth and she chewed the flavorful morsel slowly to savor it. "But what if he comes back?" The twenty-year old woman returned after swallowing her first bite, "...he could come back, I'm almost certain of it."
Mrs. Adams sighed and gave a solemn nod, "This is a true possibility..." she agreed, "...but...it always has been. Our town has survived the Horseman before...and we will continue surviving."
"If people start getting hurt though..."
"Hush, my dear...you must not think such thoughts."
"But.."
"No more." Mrs. Adams cut her off in much more firmer tone though her eyes remained soft and understanding as always. "...now continue eating. You'll be needing much strength." she advised gently before carrying on, "...Also...for safety reasons, perhaps you should spend tonight in the Church, Charlotte."
"Is that even allowed?" the young woman returned between small bites of food.
"Oh yes. Especially if…" Mrs. Adams took a moment to look around as though making sure there were no prying ears that were listening in, "...he's riding around again. The church always offers its sanctuary for anyone who needs it."
Charlotte swallowed and nodded her head for a quick second. "Well I suppose I have no choice then…after all….I'm sure my front door hasn't been fixed since his last call."
"Good girl." Mrs. Adams stated with soft approval, meanwhile Charlotte turned her head to glance out of the kitchen window only to see that the sun would more than likely be setting below the horizon within the next hour.
"The evening will be upon us.." Charlotte mumbled to herself, "…Perhaps it would be best to head out now before it gets to be too late." She stated as a feeling of uncertainty began settling in the back of her mind.
Mrs. Adams nodded her head in understanding before she fetched a neatly folded hand towel and handed it towards Charlotte. "Of course. Please wrap your leftovers up and take them with you. I'll walk you out."
Charlotte did as she was told before setting the empty plate on the ground by her feet and rising from her place before the warm fire. "You've been too kind...I don't know how I'll ever be able to repay you."
Mrs. Adams smiled before linking their arms together once more as they moved from the kitchen, through the house and towards the front door. "Just promise me that you won't wander around once the sun goes down, Charlotte." It was a pleading request.
Charlotte glanced over at the older woman and offered her an assuring smile, "Fear not, I'll be staying indoors for the night."
Relived, Mrs. Adams wasted no time pulling Charlotte into a tight, motherly hug. When they parted, she proceeded by opening the door up for the younger woman. "Stay safe my dear."
Charlotte nodded her head, "I will." she assured as she stepped out of the house. She took a moment to give a quick wave back to Mrs. Adams who stood in her doorway watching her leave before she went her own way, heading back through town towards the church.
The streets were nearly empty at this hour minus a couple of stragglers here and there, the young woman noted as she carried on.
When Charlotte arrived at the old white building, she swiftly passed through its rickety picket fence and headed for the closed double doors up front. After pulling open the left door, she entered the building and found it empty-a concept that she found to be just a little bit alarming considering certain, and unfortunate circumstances.
Granted, she didn't mind being alone...
Solitude was a blessing compared to the known terror that Charlotte felt certain would come again the second her town became shrouded by night's heavy shadows..