Soooooooooo sorry this took so long, but do not fret. I will never give up on this story. Never!
Sleepy Hollow and it's characters are not mie, but Clara is!:)
It was like she was half asleep and half awake because Clara knew she could not clearly identify her surroundings, but from the way her blurred vision produced the pictures of the world, she knew she was outside, still in the Western Woods
It was like she was half asleep and half awake because Clara knew she could not clearly identify her surroundings, but from the way her blurred vision produced the pictures of the world, she knew she was outside, still in the Western Woods. She wanted to get up, but her body would not obey her commands. She just lay there, in the grass.
Suddenly, as if her thoughts were stopped in her head, paused for a moment, she could sense someone else near her, or rather behind her. Her blue eyes opened rather wide. She was fully awake now. A very faint shadow was cast over her and she almost whimpered with fear. She closed her eyes, preparing herself for whatever fate was coming.
But her eyes opened again as she felt someone stroking her dark brown hair. She didn't really know what was going to happen to her or if she was in real danger, but as if the person could read her thoughts, she could feel the presence leaving her. Pretending she was not awake, she watched as the person rode off on his horse, but it was not a person she was expecting. It was the horseman.
Once she was sure he was gone, she looked off into the direction the horse had gone. Terrified out of her mind, she debated whether she should stay or not, but her fear finally took over and she slowly stood up. Luna was no where to be found, but knowing her horse, the frightened mare was probably back in the stables. Then, in a scared manner, she fled from her grassy bed and off into the darkness of the woods. She slowly made her way through the trees. Soon, she found herself back in the main part of town, but people were staring at her. Unused to all the attention, she trotted over to her house upon the huge hill.
Knocking on the huge door, she waited patiently for someone to answer. Soon the door opened and Katrina's face popped out. Once the young girl saw who it was, she literally tackled Clara to the ground with a cry of happiness. "You have returned! Are you alright?" she exclaimed.
Clara narrowed her blue eyes playfully and pushed her adopted sister off of her. "Yes, yes I'm fine."
Katrina sighed with relief. "Thank God. Those were the worst 2 days of my life."
Clara froze. "2 days?"
Katrina looked puzzled. "Yes Clara. You have been missing for 2 days."
Clara was shocked. 2 days? It seemed more like a couple hours. Questions suddenly popped into her mind. What had happened in those 2 days? Was she okay? How long had she been in the horseman's possession? The though of the demon ghost made her shiver. He had not killed her like he should have. In fact, he had been very gentle with her; almost like he was making sure she was okay after she fainted.
Katrina looked at her worried. "Clara, what happened out there?"
Part of Clara's inner mind told her to shut her mouth, while the other just wanted to pour out the thoughts. "Oh nothing. I was unconscious most of the time." At least that was the truth.
Katrina brightened. "Father has called a representative from New York to investigate all the murders going around."
Clara raised an eyebrow. "Any idea on who their name is?"
Katrina shook her head. "Not yet, but he arrives tonight."
Clara looked confused. "But tonight's father's annual party with the town isn't it?"
Katrina's face brightened even more. "Yes. I haven't seen Brom in it seems years. It will be nice to see him again."
Clara narrowed her eyes. "You mean more like 2 days lover girl?" she teased.
Katrina narrowed her chocolate brown eyes right back at her. "Get into the house and get ready. The party starts in a few hours."
Clara just scurried on in and ran up the stairs to her room. Even though the thought of a new face in Sleepy Hollow made her happy, the though of the horseman flooded her mind and her face fell.
Why wasn't he as evil as everyone said he was? It wasn't because she was a woman, she was sure of that. Was it because of her age? No. no it couldn't be that.
As she quickly rampaged through her closet, she found the perfect dress. It was a gorgeous dark, almost back, blue. The collar was a light grey, while darker grey flecks spotted it. Smiling, she quickly undresses from her dirty, ratted light blue dress to her new clean on.
Walking over to her mirror, she gasped as she saw how dreadful her hair was. Tangled with bits of branches and twigs in all places, she shuddered. Grabbing her brush, she did her best to brush her dark dark brown hair clean. She winced as she hit a knot or poked herself, but kept on brushing.
Her bright blue eyes looked into the mirror at her slightly pale face and they almost started watering. She felt like a tortured soul. A poor tortured soul that needed a purpose.
She smirked as she found herself almost crying. Why was she crying? She had no reason to. She sighed very slowly before she collected her emotions and continued to brush her almost black hair until it was smooth and shiny.
When she was finished, she looked out the window and into the woods. She sighed with such sorrow at the thought of leaving without being told. She then turned away, but before she did, a flash of pure black made her look again, but it was gone like that.
Staring out her window, she gazed into the darkness of the shadowy woods. She felt such a bond to this town; she felt everyone was her family. Hearing stories of the Headless Horseman always brought shivers up her spine, but in a way, she felt sympathy for him.
"Please, I want to see you again." She whispered, almost hoping he could hear her before she rushed downstairs.