Page 26 of Headless Hollow

“What? What…what is…that,” I asked, my eyelids getting heavy. I stared at the orange mask and realized that he was right. There was a tiny part of me that understood him and craved him, but it could never work. Not now, after everything he’d done, and he knew it.

He cupped my cheek.

“Rest, Pumpkin. Rest and dream of me.”

Fourteen

Izzy

“Izzy, wake up, Izzy.” I couldn’t seem to keep my eyes open, and everything was out of focus. Blinking, I looked up at Brianna as she shook my arm again.

“What happened,” I asked as Brianna helped me sit up.

“I don’t know. I woke up, and he was gone.”

She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders, but she was still naked. “What happened with all the hooks?”

She shrugged. “He must have taken them out. I don’t remember. He had me on something.”

“Are you okay?”

Brianna nodded and stood holding out her hand for me. More was coming back, and I looked around. Branson was gone, and my parents still hadn’t moved. Accepting her help, I stood and sucked in a sharp breath as every muscle screamed at me. I was still naked and Brianna held out another wool blanket that I quickly wrapped around my shoulders as I hobbled over to check on my parents. The closer I got, the easier it was to realize that it was a lie. They were nothing more than holograms. This was why he always stood in the way and kept them far enough in the shadows that I couldn’t tell. Where were my parents, and what did he do to Branson?

Glancing around, I wouldn’t have known that we were all held captive. Everything was gone. The chains, the cot, and all the implements he’d used on me were cleaned up like it never happened. My body told me that every second of it was real. The only thing that remained was the guillotine. It was like a reminder of all the chaos and trauma he’d caused. Limping outside, the sun was starting to rise as we made our way toward the farmhouse. It was slow going, and the rocky ground felt like glass shards on our bare feet.

Climbing the stairs to the porch, I knocked, but no one answered. The lights were on inside. Pushing open the door, I listened for any sign of the Horseman, but all was quiet.

“Mom? Dad?” We walked through the kitchen into the living room and there was my mom and dad, tied up in the position he had them out in the barn. I quickly rushed to untie my mom from the decorative pillar that separated the living room and the dining room area as Brianna helped my dad.

“Oh my god, Izzy. What happened to you? And where is the man?”

“I’m okay. Are you okay, Mom?”

“I’m fine, just tired of standing.” She rubbed at her wrists, and I glanced at mine. They were red with cuts, but the Horseman had put some sort of ointment on them, and they no longer stung. I had no idea what to make of him or what happened, including his declaration of twin souls.

“Dad, I need your rifle,” I said, pulling on a long coat and stepping into a pair of rubber boots.

“I’m coming with you,” he said, standing a little too quickly and falling back down into the chair.

“No, I’m good. Just stay here.” I quickly grabbed the gun from the safe and made sure it was loaded before heading out. Could I shoot him? I didn’t know, but I couldn’t let him continue to hurt Branson. I’d held up my end of his game. I did what he asked and had an aching brand on my hip to show for it.

As fast as I could I walked outside and looked around before finding a pair of boot marks in the early morning dew. Following them, I marched into the scraggly trees that led toward the cliffs. I’d never been allowed to play out this way, not even as a teenager. My father said it was too easy to fall in the rushing water below, and they might never find my body. That had been enough to scare me into not venturing far from the house.

Ignoring my body, I picked up a light jog. I was sure I looked like one giant bruise and yet I was also secretly the most satisfied I’d ever been in my life. What was I doing running through the woods with a gun? I should be in a hot shower, not adding to my injuries. I was going to pay for it tomorrow, but that was a tomorrow issue. A man’s voice and the distinct mechanical growl of the Horseman reached me, and I quickly turned in that direction. I couldn’t make out what they were saying, but the argument wasn’t friendly.

I burst out of the trees to see Branson wrestling with the Horseman. They were locked in a heated battle as they threw punches and then gripped each other’s arms as they each tried to get the upper hand. I couldn’t get a clear shot as they moved around on the rocky edge. Branson pushed hard, and the Horseman stepped back. He raised the large blade that had been used on me, ready to strike.

Branson held the knifed arm away as he pulled the gun that was tucked into the front of the Horseman’s jeans. The struggle was wild as the two large men fought for control before Branson managed to free his arm and fired three times. The Horseman stumbled back, his hand going to the wound as if not believing this was happening. He looked up at me, those red eyes finding mine, and the world stopped for just a breath. I was conflicted. I wanted to yell no and run to him, but I also wanted to push him over the edge. Then, just like that, he stepped back and off the cliff.

I blinked, and a tightness formed in my chest. He deserved to be punished for everything he’d done, but there was something about the way he saw me, the way no one else ever had. It hurt to think no one ever would again. Shaking myself out of it, I ran to Branson.

“Oh my god.” Branson collapsed to his knees, laying the gun down on the ground. I cupped his face. “Are you okay,” I asked, startling him. Branson smiled as he looked up, and his eyes registered who it was. Wrapping his arms around me, he pulled me down onto his lap and held me like I was going to disappear.

“Fuck, Izzy. I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to stop him. I felt so helpless hanging there and forced to watch. I wanted to kill him for what he was doing to you.”

“I’m sorry you had to see that and for all the things I said.” He shook his head as he smoothed back my hair.

“No, don’t apologize. You did what you had to, and you saved me. You saved all of us. I love you, too. I tried saying it back, and I just wish I’d said it sooner. I thought for sure he was playing you and that he was going to kill us all, and then I’d never get the chance to tell you how I really feel.”