Sleepy Hollow, 1799 (Based off movie)

"Murder! Murder!" A voice calls out in the distance. I twirl my head around so I am facing where the voice had called. My long, blond, curly hair swishes and hits my face, I quickly brush it away.

"Murder?" I whisper to my families maid, Sarah. "Do you think the Hessian has struck again?"

"Yes, I think that is what he said. But, I don't think there is any need to worry about Headless Horsemen riding around, Ma'am. It is only the figment of ghost stories." She replies soothingly as she tends to our garden.

I try to believe her I really do, but after the second, well now actually the third beheading, in the past two days, and now I cannot help but think that maybe there is a little more too it than just murder in Sleepy Hollow.

"Katrina! Come inside dear. It isn't safe outside!" My stepmother, Lady Van Tassel calls.

"You should come in too," I tell Sarah, "It isn't safe working out here while the Hessian is galloping around!" I tell her.

"Yes, thank you Ma'am," She replies as she picks up her garden gloves. I pick up my skirts and walk to my families mansion, Sarah follows closely behind.

When I reach the doorstep my stepmother greets me with a warm smile, "You better go upstairs and get your new dress on. The ball is being held here tonight and you need to look your very best!" I smile, nod, walk through the doorway, and begin walking up the stairs to my bedroom on the third floor.

I reach my room and push open the door and step inside. It is plain white with a closet, four-poster bed, duvet, and vanity. I sashay over to my closet and pull it open. Inside I find my four plain gowns and my new gown. I pull it out and examine it. It is the palest pink with a long, flowing skirt, lace around the bodice and bottom of the skirt, and has a darker pink sash tied around the middle. I sigh, pink is not one of my favorite colors, I prefer blues or greens, but no matter. I pull off my simple blue gown and pull on the new one. It fits perfectly, I look into the mirror. An eighteen year old girl with big, hazel eyes, long curly blond hair down to my stomach, and button noise stairs back at me. I've been called beautiful before, even the most beautiful and kindest girl in Sleepy Hollow, but sometimes I have a difficult time believing it. I can point out every flaw even now as I look into the mirror. The darkest in my eyes that always makes me look frightened, tiny mouth, ghost pale skin, I look away.

And, even though I am not in the mood for a dance tonight, because the newest death, I pull on my most shining smile and walk down the stairs. I am greeted with the flickering of candlelight and the upbeat dancing music.

"Good evening Katrina," A familiar voice greets me as I'm kissed on the cheek.

"Hello Brom," I turn and say. "'Tis a perfect night for a ball don't you think?" I lie.

"But, of course," He smiles. Brom is to be married to me sometime, but we are not yet engaged.

"Brom," My father calls to him, "I have news to discuss."

"One minute Mr. Van Tassel," Bram calls back and smiles to me.

He leans in for a kiss, but I push him away with a smile, "It could be important." He gives me another small smile and walks toward my father. It's not that I don't like Brom, I do, it's just that I haven't had a say in the marriage and there could be so many more amazing people out there, I just haven't met them yet.

A circle of ladies and men have been made and one of my friends, Sophie, motions for me to join them.

"I think we should play Wickity Witch!" She tells everyone in the circle, they all nod. I start to back away.

"I don't think..." I begin to say when I'm cut off by Sophie.

"I think that Katrina should go first!"

"But, I don't think that would be a very good idea..." I am abruptly cut off by Sophie again.

"Come on Katrina it will be fun!" She smiles her bright smile and I can't argue any more.

"Ok, I will go." I finally say, smiling lightly. Ever since I told Sophie about trying to find new people she's been trying in any way possible to get me to meet another man, and Wickity Witch is the perfect way to do it. How you play is one person, usually a women, goes into the middle of a circle of people of the opposite gender, and then the person in the middle twirls four times then walks around the circle of people until she/he picks another. Once the person is picked the person in the middle is to kiss the chosen person. Sophie finds this game a ton of fun, but I dislike it very much, but I don't want to displease Sophie. So, I go into the middle of the men and tie on the blindfold Sophie has given me and twirl around four times, and then the game begins.

"Who's got a kiss for the Wickity Witch? Who's got a kiss for the Wickity Witch?" I say as I roam around the circle of men. I finally choose a man who stiffens under my touch. I reach up and feel his face, "Is it Theodore?" I ask.

" No. Pardon, miss, I am only a stranger." I strange voice I do not know replies. Strange there is not a person in Sleepy Hollow I cannot identify by voice.

"Then have a kiss on account," I say, kissing him lightly on the cheek. I then pull off the blindfold and look up after whom I have kissed. He is a handsome man with dark brown hair, brown eyes, and is a head taller than me. His handsomeness catches me off guard at first and I'm just about to tell him that I haven't seen him before when I turn my head and see that Brom has been watching me this entire time. I quickly step away from the man and look toward Brom. He doesn't look very pleased.