“How are you feeling today, Maxine?”

Maxine leaned forward.

“Pretty good.”

“I’m glad, I’m glad. So far you are doing quite well with the hormone therapy process, and your health is great in the tests. Are you managing the doses well?”

“Yes, yes, I have them organized.”

Maxine had started hormone treatment a few months ago, all thanks to Kit and Select, who had supported her throughout.

Suddenly, the phone started ringing.

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t put it on silent.”

Looking at the screen, she saw that the call was from Select.

“Hello?”

“Maxine! I’m glad you picked up, I have something very interesting! Are you busy?”

“I’m at a check-up.”

“Oh, sorry! They haven’t pricked you, have they?”

One curious thing she had discovered was Select’s irrational fear of needles. It was in the early days when the estrogen was injected with a needle, and there she saw Select faint as soon as the syringe was removed.

“Don’t worry, they don’t prick me anymore. What’s the important thing you have to show me?”

“We are going to Sleepy Hollow! When you get home, pack your bags.”

Meanwhile, in a shadowy mansion, a fearful butler made his way to the main hall.

“Freya! We have located him…”

A lady in extremely expensive clothes and a stern expression turned towards the butler.

“What have I told you about calling me by my name?”

“That it is… forbidden.”

“On your knees.”

Trembling, the butler obeyed the command, as Freya took out a whip from a drawer.

“I have told you a thousand times, for every order not obeyed, a punishment.”

SLAP!

The butler held back tears, almost breathless, as he received the harsh punishment. He felt his flesh tearing, blood flowing.

“Now, tell me, what is it that you want?”

“It’s about… about Sleepy Hollow, madam.”

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Freya’s eyes lit up.

“Really? Finally, I have been waiting for news about this for years!”

“Do you want me to prepare the vehicle, madam?”

Freya gave the butler an inquisitive look.

“I told you, no stupid questions, you know the answer.”

Raising the whip again, she struck the servant once more.

Select and Maxine were waiting for the vehicle that would take them.

“Do you think Kate will arrive safely?”

“I have no doubt, Maxine.”

Just as he said this, Kate Wilson appeared running.

“Sorry, sorry! I’m not late, am I?”

“Not at all, you’re right on time.”

The car appeared at that exact moment.

“Great! Ready to explore a new place?”

“I suppose.” Kate replied.

Select excitedly got into the car, followed by Maxine and Kate.

“You look a bit serious, Kate.”

“I was expecting something more exciting than searching for remains of a gentleman in a village in the middle of nowhere.”

“What happened to your sense of adventure, Kate? Maybe there’s something more thrilling along the way.”

“Sure…”

Select shrugged, realizing nothing would change his friend’s mind.

“Select, why is Sleepy Hollow so important?” Kate asked.

“Wait, you don’t know the story?!” Maxine exclaimed.

“You’re really full of surprises, Kate, not knowing the legend of the Headless Horseman…”

“Stop underestimating me for that! Wait, did you say Headless Horseman?”

“It’s an old tale, about a horseman riding without a head through Sleepy Hollow, they say he is looking for his decapitated head there.”

“This is getting interesting…” Kate smiled brightly.

“But I can tell you there is probably no ghostly horseman, it’s just a legend.”

“Like Excalibur?” Maxine observed.

“Good point…”

But this was different, there wouldn’t be any Headless Horseman… right?