I do not own Sleepy Hollow. I only own Amelia.

Story Start

A stressed sigh left me as I looked at the letter that my uncle had sent me. He wanted me to be there to spend time with my cousin, Katrina. Of course he didn't care that I couldn't stand Sleepy Hollow and all of the people that live there. I loved my cousin dearly, but I did not love the mindset of the town. I grew up hearing all about the Headless Horseman and I did believe in him, which is part of the reason why I left that town years ago to live with distant relatives in New York.

"Miss Amelia, we're almost there," I heard the driver of the carriage shout.

"Fantastic, I bet they are throwing a party tonight too," I mumbled as I moved some of my long brown hair out of my face. I looked at the straight strands and wished they would hold a curl but they never would.

The town was foggy upon arrival, which was normal for this place. I felt a shiver race down my spine as the carriage stopped at the entrance to the town. Carriage drivers really didn't go into Sleepy Hollow, just to the entrance and they dropped you off. I paid the driver before making my way into the town with my bags.

"It never changes," I muttered as I saw people shutting their windows as I walked past. "Fear rules this land," I whispered as I made my way deeper into the town and eventually I ended up at my uncle's home.

I could hear laughter and music from outside and I knew that tonight was another night of parties. I entered the home without even knocking and rolled my eyes when I saw most of the town at the party.

"Amelia," Katrina shouted and I dropped my bags to open my arms for my cousin, who attacked me with a hug. "I've missed you so much," she continued not letting me go yet. I frowned when I felt her shiver slightly.

"I have missed you too. How have you been, cousin?" I questioned as she motioned for some of the servants to grab my bags and take them to my old room when I used to stay here.

"Have you not heard?" Katrina asked with a shocked expression.

"What has happened?" I inquired as we moved to a quieter area of the house.

"The horseman has risen. He has already killed someone," my cousin said and I gently grabbed her shaking hands.

"The only reason he would rise is if someone dug up his grave and took his head," I said remembering the legends.

"No one has been brave enough to go out to his grave to check, but let's not talk about that now. I'm just so happy you're here. I've missed you. Come, let's enjoy the party and I must introduce you to Brom. He is my fiancé," Katrina said quickly changing the subject.

"Someone has to be controlling the horseman, but who would dig up his skull?" wondered through my mind as Katrina led me by the hand into a large group of men so she could introduce me to her fiancé.

"Brom, I would like to introduce you to my cousin, Amelia Van Tassel. Amelia, this is my fiancé Brom," Katrina said with a happy smile as Brom and I looked at each other.

"Nice to meet you," I said and he grabbed my hand to kiss it, but he made me cringe when he practically slobbered onto my knuckles. I gave a tight smile as I discreetly wiped my hand onto the skirt of my dress.

"Very nice to meet you as well. Katrina has spoken highly of you," Brom said and I just nodded.

"Is that my dear sweet Amelia?" I heard my uncle shout and I gave out another sigh before turning around.

"Hello, Uncle Baltus," I said happily before my uncle pulled me into a hug.

"I'm sorry to call you here during such a dark time, but I knew Katrina would need you. You always help us stay calm and level-headed here," Baltus said as he released me from the hug.

"Well I will do what I can to help," I told my uncle before he was distracted.

"So what do you think of your step-mother?" I asked and Katrina just glared at me. I gave a laugh and a look that said we would discuss the woman later. I had not met the new Lady Van Tassel yet, but I had received many letters from my cousin speaking of how horrid the woman is.

"Oh you should play the witch game," Katrina suggested with a smirk and I glared at her.

"Oh that would be great. Boys gather in a circle around Miss Amelia," Brom said and I really just wanted to hit him.

I hated this game. I told my cousin that repeatedly as she blindfolded me and made me spin in a few circles before I begrudgingly tried to find a space where no one was standing. My trick to this game was to always find where no one was standing and escape the circle, quit the game, and not have to kiss any of the men.

All of the men around me stopped their chuckling when my hands hit someone's coat. Dread filled me as I pulled off my blindfold and saw a man that I didn't know standing in front of me with a confused expression. He had dark hair, dark clothes, and pale skin. He was handsome and it made my heart flutter for a moment before I composed myself.

"Sorry about that, are you new to town?" I asked even though I heard my cousin hiss that I had to kiss him. I ignored her as I waited for the mystery man to answer me.

"Yes, I'm actually looking for a Baltus Van Tassel," the mystery man said as he also seemed to compose himself.

"I'm Amelia Van Tassel, Baltus is my uncle. I will take you to him," I said kindly as I threw the blindfold off my neck and motioned for the man to follow me to where my uncle and his new wife were standing.