“That’s kind of rude of him,” Daphne said.
Suddenly the figure and its horse charged the bridge, coming to a halt midway across. The sudden movement startled Sabrina’s mount and it took all her strength and balance to get it back under control. It also made her mad.
“Listen, man. You are freaking out my horse, so cut it out with all the creepy spastic stuff,” Sabrina said.
The figure did not respond.
“I’m warning you, pal. You do it again and I’m going to knock your block off!”
The figure edged his horse closer and stopped in a beam of moonlight. There its horrible shape revealed itself. The horse had eyes filled with flickering flames and a sulfuric smoke blasted out of its nostrils. Its rider wore what appeared to be an ancient military uniform, but whether it was a man or a woman was impossible to tell, as the figure did not have a head. A chill ran through Sabrina. She had been face-to-face with lots of creatures one might call monsters but all of them had heads.
“I know what story we’re in,” Daphne said as the figure drew a long, silver sword from his sheath. “This is ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.’ That’s why the trees look familiar. This is set in upstate New York—less than fifty miles from Ferryport Landing. That dude is the Headless Horseman.”
“Get on the horse,” Sabrina demanded.
“Did you hear me?” Daphne said. “I know the story.”
“I heard you. Get on the horse!”
Puck snatched the little girl from under her arms and hoisted her onto the horse.
“I’m assuming the plan is to run,” Puck said.
Sabrina clenched the horse’s reins tight in her hands. “Any pointers on riding a horse?”
“It’s easy once you get them started,” the boy fairy said.
“And how do I do that?”
Puck raised his hand and smacked the horse in the behind so hard it sounded like a thunderclap. The horse squealed and took off like a shot. Sabrina and Daphne were bounced around like Ping-Pong balls but held on to the horse with all their strength. All the while, the black menace followed from behind.
“They should put seat belts on this thing,” Daphne cried. “If we don’t slow it down, we’re going to fall off.”
“But if we slow it down, he’s going to get us!” Sabrina shouted.
Just then, Puck zipped by with his wings flapping furiously. Pinocchio hung from below, complaining about his “man-handling.”
“Where’s the White Rabbit?” Daphne asked.
Puck shrugged. “He refused to come, so I left him—something about being afraid to fly. Hey! Did you know that guy chasing us doesn’t have a head?”
“Maybe that’s why they call him the Headless Horseman!” Sabrina shouted.
“I bet that hurt,” Puck said, almost as if he respected the spooky figure. “I wonder what happened to it.”
“Uh, it’s right there!” Daphne cried as she pointed back to the monster.
Sabrina craned her neck and saw the Headless Horseman removing a ghostly, freaky head from its saddlebag. It was wrapped in filthy rags.
“Sabrina, stop!” Daphne said, pulling hard on the reins. Their horse skidded to a stop on the pebbled path. A second later, the Headless Horseman’s head flew past them, sailing into the woods and rolling down an embankment. If the girls hadn’t stopped their horse, it would have hit them for sure.
“Did he just throw his head at you?” Puck cried. “’Cause that is totally awesome. Wait a minute. I just got a great idea for centerpieces at our reception . . .”
The Headless Horseman stopped for a moment as if confused, and then he steered his horse off the road and down the embankment.
“That was the most deplorable experience of my life,” Pinocchio complained. “I have never been so poorly treated.”
“Never, really?” Puck said. “I’m so proud of myself.”
“Uh-oh,” Daphne said.
“What’s uh-oh,” Sabrina asked.
“The ball of yarn is missing,” Daphne said, searching through her pockets.
“Maybe it fell on the road during the chase,” Sabrina said, scanning the ground beneath her. There was nothing but fallen leaves and the occasional mouse.
“I need a closer look.” Daphne climbed off the horse, as did Sabrina. They slowly walked back the way they came.
“Aren’t you three concerned about the fellow with the missing head?” Pinocchio said. “What if he comes back?”
“I’ve read the story,” Daphne said. “We’re at the end. He’s probably waiting there until it starts over. Sabrina, I’m not seeing it.”
“This is all very tedious,” Pinocchio complained. “I don’t see why I should have to assist you in your search. Set me down by a tree and come back for me when you have found your trinket.”