There was shouting, screaming and an array of colours in the dark night sky.
Fireworks. I thought to myself inwardly. And chuckled at my unnecessary fear.

"Ahem." I turned, remembering Tony whom I was talking to. I had clung to him in my fright. I let go of him.

"Um sorry for that," I said looking everywhere but at him.

"It's no problem. I shouldn't have told you those stories," he said apologetically.

We fell silent to admire the display in the sky. The colours splashing and mixing with each other in the dark night sky. It looked like a painting.

"Sorry?" Tony asked puzzled. I had thought out loud.

"Nothing." A smile plastered on my face. Great, just what I need. I meet a guy on my holiday and freak him out by talking to myself.

I let my gaze linger on his face for a while. The fireworks cast a shadow on his face and his green eyes lit up as he gazed at them. Amazement and something like admiration was in his expression. I looked away so I wouldn't look more freaky as I stared at his face.

"Hey handsome." A voice chirped from Tony's left as the fireworks stopped. A young woman about my age with her breasts spilling out of her plunging neckline batted her eyelashes up at him. Her lips were a dangerous red, matching with her dress.

"Can I help you?" Tony asked his annoyance evident as she had now latched onto his left arm.

"We can go somewhere and possibly do something," she chirped again jiggling the goods more fiercely this time to get his attention.

"Look, I'm not interested. I'm already taken for the night, sorry." He wrapped his are around my waist as he said this. "Go to that guy, he might be interested." Tony gestured to a tattered looking drunk staring at her and licking his lips.

She glared at me. "Ugh you are unbelievable. You'd leave all this," she gestured to herself. "And go for that straight ass boring goody." She tripled the glare as she said the last part.

I suddenly felt self conscious. Was I really a straight-ass boring goody? Tony answered the question.

"She's not any of those things," Tony said as he pulled me closer. "And yes, I'd rather be with her than all this," he gestured to her.
He took my hand in his and we walked into the crowd, away from her.

I was p dumbfounded, he just said he wanted me. It could've been out of good measure because she insulted me but it was good to hear.

"Thank you" I said.

"For what?" He asked.

I wasn't sure for what really. I withdrew my hand from his grip, whether he wanted me or not, he was still a stranger.
It was silent for a while. We moved away from the crowded street to a small path leaving the noisy men and women behind.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

Tony just smiled and said "You'll see."

It was silent again as we walked slowly.

"So what do you do?" I blurted out suddenly.

"Oh, I'm a farmer. Fruits, vegetables and a few livestock. I have a few acres in my town and I'm here to acquire more land. I have a lot of workers, but I still get my hands dirty." He said with a shrug.

Well, that explains his muscular build, really broad chest and his hands.
"What about you?"

"Huh?"

"What does Rebecca do?"

"Oh sorry. I work in a bakery. And this is the only time I have to take a break," I said.

"Well then I bet you'd make a mean pie or chocolate cake or something sweet I can't picture now."

"Nah," I said suddenly blushing.

We fell silent again. We were now by a small pond or river. I couldn't make it out. The canopy of trees cast a shadow from the moonlit night. There was a fallen tree by its bank so we both sat there.

"I take it that you come here often" I said kicking a few stones into the water. A few fish came up to see who could be disturbing them at such an ungodly hour. I'm sure if they could talk, they would've yelled some obscenities at me.

"Yea, it's my place. I come here to rest and clear my head"

"So you'll know if there's any crocodile or any other creature lurking in this waters?" I asked.

"Um, yeah..." He said unsure.

I was horrified and ready to run for my life when he burst out laughing.

"You should have seen your face..haha.."

"Funny" I playfully glared at him and punched his arm.

"You're too violent for your size you know" he said rubbing his arm.

I smiled. Tony was good company, this trip just got better.

"Why are you staring at me and smiling?" He asked and I blushed furiously.

"It's.. its um..nothing" I sputtered.

A comfortable silence fell between us and we just listened to the water and the area all around us.

"We should get back" Tony said standing up and I did so too.

I didn't like the silence as we walked back. It was always this way when I meet someone new. But Tony didn't seem to have a problem with it.
As we got closer, I noticed that the sound of merrymaking was no longer there. The whole place was deserted.

"Oh no" I panicked.

"Come on" he said dragging me away from the open. "I might not believe in the horseman, but that doesn't mean I'd make myself a possible sacrifice"

Then we heard them coming. Horses. We ran to hide in a dark corner. All the horsemen I'd seen so far had heads until..He approached.

It was the worst sight ever and it made me shiver. Goosebumps appeared on my skin, not from the cold but the ghostly sight. My heart rate increased in anticipation.

He wore a suit of armour with a spear in his right hand. He seemed normal except for one tiny little detail.
He was headless.

"It seems these fools get smarter by the year" The horseman laughed. "Last year I'd gotten a real beauty. A dumb one I might add"

This statement incited laughter and snickers from the other six with him. I was glad that they at least had heads.

"We can't let them know we're here" Tony whispered. "Let's go"

I trailed behind Tony as he held my hand and walked in front. But my attention was on the horseman. I'd never seen anything so ungodly so...out of this earth.

That's why I didn't see it. I didn't know when I kicked a bucket. Literally kicked a bucket.

"What was that" the headless rider asked suddenly alert. "We're not alone. Search the area"

"Seriously?" Tony asked frustrated. I bowed my head in shame.

"I'm sorry"

"Sorry won't get their minds off us. Let's go hide somewhere else"

We started darting behind buildings and corners. But my legs couldn't endure for much longer and I fell.
"I won't make it Tony, go save yourself" I said.

He shook his head and swept me up like a bride. And I tried my best to not inhale his intoxicating manly scent.

"We'll hide in here" he said getting into an abandoned cottage and setting me down.

The horse men were now within the area and we hid in a closet. There just had to be a spider in the corner I chose to squat.
"Tony..." I called.

"Shh, you'll give us away"

I stayed as still as could, but the spider was toying with my self control and was now on the hem of my gown. I gave up and shrieked.

"Seriously?" Tony asked. He must hate me now. First the bucket and now this. All I had to do was hope that they didn't hear us from where we were.

Within seconds we heard footsteps within the building.

"Come out, come out petty human. Here girl" a voice echoed through the whole house.

"How do you know it's of the female gender, boss?" A weaker voice spoke.

"You stupid fool. How dare you question the master? Didn't you hear that scream? It has to be a female, a scared one at that". Another voice chuckled.

Tony gave me a look that told me 'not a sound from you'. I looked down shamefully. It was my fault the horsemen were currently in this building.

I sucked in dusty air as a shadow stopped by the door of the closet. But then the person passed by. I let it out in relief. But then the door was suddenly yanked open and we both tumbled on the floor at his feet.

The man let out a wicked laugh and pressed his boot on my back.
"They're over here master"

I shut my eyes tightly and pinched my hand, hoping this was a dream. But when I opened my eyes he was there. The headless man. I gasped in horror.
Dark mist erupted from inside his body, where his neck was meant to be. The mist was continuous.

"Well, well it truly is a female" The horseman said. "And what would you be called?" He asked bending down to my face as if studying me with unseen eyes which just creeped me out.

"R.. Reb..Rebecca"

"Rebecca. Lovely name for a lovely woman". He stood up straight.
"Whatever were you thinking staying out till now?" He tsked. But all I could think of was how he was speaking.

"My dearest" I shivered at the endearment. "I'm afraid you'll have to come with me"

"No". A firm voice said beside me. All seven heads excluding the headless horseman turned to look at him.

"I said no" Tony spoke louder. "Take me instead"

They all burst out laughing and that seemed to anger Tony. They laughed like dying seals for what seemed like minutes.

"Come on Tony. Drop the act" The headless rider stated with a knowing look.

I was shocked. But what shocked me the most was that no one else looked as shocked as I was.

"How does he...? How do you..? Do you know them? What?!!"

* * * * *
Another cliff hanger. I know I'm too good.
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Love,Vicki.💟