Page 11 of Hollowed
Myheart felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.Idid not want to leaveHenryorSleepyHollow. “Nothing,”Isighed. “Iam thinking too hard,Isuppose.”
“Well, pottery is good for calming your thoughts.ButIam a good listener if you speak loudly enough.”Hepatted my shoulder and lingered for a moment. “Iwill be here when you are ready to face it,Katrina.”
Myeyes blurred asIfocused on the wet clay in front of me, channeling my frustration into the vase to distract myself from the tears building.IfIignored them, maybe they would not fall.
Atthe very least,Icould make this vase.Smoothingmy hands up and around the curve of the clay,Iwondered whatIcould do to escape my fate.Asquickly as the thoughts came,Ishook my head to clear them.Therewas no escaping this.NoescapingSleepyHollow.Noescaping death and the whisper of theHorsemanthat would spell my demise.
Asa witch,Ihad nowhere else to go.
Supposedly.
But… perhaps my mother had lied about that as well.Maybethere was another haven for me, another place where paranormals would be safe and not persecuted by the humans.Itwas a risk.Toobig a risk for me to take without proof, and too big a risk to leave without knowing where to go.EvenifImanaged to suppress my erratic powers enough to blend in with the humans, a woman my age, who was not married and unable to hear from one ear, was not exactly a common societal norm.Iwould stand out immediately, and that would almost certainly end in my death.
SleepyHollowwas my home, for better or worse, butIcouldn’t let it become my grave as well.Ihad two options: stay inSleepyHollowor try to escape… both ended in my demise.
Frustrationbubbled up in my chest, marrying despair and clawing its way from my throat with a choked sob.Tearsfell, streaking down my face and dripping onto the vase in front of me.Alump of misshapen clay stared back up, taunting me and whispering thatIwas a failure and could do nothing right.
Standing,Iwiped my tears with the backs of my hands and picked up the lump of clay, dropping it back into the container for tomorrow.
Iwashed my hands off slowly, the cold water grounding me.Itwould be wise to talk through my thoughts withHenry.Hemight not help me find a solution or a way to escape my fate, butIknew, if nothing else, he would hold me asIcried.
BeforeIcould go findHenry, though, he came out from the back office and pulled his stool up beside the counter. “Comesit and talk with me,Katrina.”
Myheart squeezed at the sadness in his voice, butIlistened and pulled up a second stool beside him.Despitemy desire for him to tell me how to survive, the voice in my head escaped my lips beforeIcould stop it. “Isuppose you want to tell meImust accept my fate?”
Hereeled back as ifI’dphysically struck him. “Heavensno, girl.”Hepulled my hands into his. “Iwant to tell you to do whatever it takes to stay alive.Perhapsyou should stop byCiara’sfor some tea.Seeingher might help clear your mind and help you explore your options.”
Ihad already been planning to seeCiaraonceI’dfinished my work. “Yes,Ineed to go see her.”
OneofHenry’shands reached up, meeting my cheek. “Iknow you are smarter than most, but you’ve lived a sheltered life.Haveyou considered leaving theHollow?”
Fora moment, the only soundIheard was the thump, thump, thumping of my heart in my ears. “What?”
“Thereis a world beyondSleepyHollow, you know.”
“CanIleave?”Inall my years,I’dnever imagined leavingSleepyHollow.Thiswas my home, and thoughIwas often unhappy,Ihad considered nothing different. “Whowould they have take my place?”
Heshrugged. “Thathardly matters, so long as you’re safe.”
“Ican’t do that to someone,”Icroaked.Therewas little doubt in my mind who they’d choose to take my place ifIleft, andIwould not leaveHenryorCiarato suffer my fate whileIran away.IfIwas to die,Iwould die inSleepyHollow; not at the hands of fearful humans whose pathIcrossed attempting to escape.
“KatrinaVanTassel, there is little you couldn’t do if you set your heart to it,” he said, smiling as he patted my cheek again.
“WherewouldIeven go?”
“Gotalk toCiara.Havesome tea, and then if we still need to discuss it, we will.”Hestood, pulling me up with him. “Now, go clean that clay off your face and go beforeCiaracloses.”
* * *
AsIapproachedthe apothecary shop, the sun’s fading rays colored the town in flaming orange and yellow, and a crisp, sweeping breeze cooled the sweat on my brow.
Isaw the bells on the door move asIentered the shop, thoughIcould not hear them.Thesmell of pungent herbs and sharp medicines overpowered my senses, causing my nose to itch.Warmthfrom the fire along the wall rushed over me, folding me into its embrace asIclosed the door behind me.
“Katrina,”Ciaragreeted, moving out from behind the counter to greet me.Shehugged me tightly before resting her hands on my shoulders as her swirling hazel eyes roved over my face. “Somethinghas happened since yesterday.”
“Youheard,”Isaid, defeat hanging on each word.
Hereyes darkened slightly, and she let out a sigh that held the weight of the world as she squeezed my shoulders. “Yes,Idid.Iam sorry.Theyshould have abolished this barbaric practice long ago.”