Sleepy Hollow Page #12

Katrina follows Masbath's slow advance.

Ichabod's pulling... the flap suddenly gives, revealing a

blood-soaked, wide-eyed, gap-mouthed HUMAN HEAD.

Ichabod recoils. Behind him, Katrina stifles a scream,

taking Young Masbath in her arms to keep him from looking.

It is Philipse's head, hanging off the trunk flap, held by

roots grown around and into the flesh.

Ichabod reapproaches, back of his hand to his mouth.

FOUR other SEVERED, DECAYING HEADS are held by ingrown roots

within the dewy innards.

KATRINA:

My God... what has happened?

ICHABOD:

He... he tries to take the heads...

they will not pass.

He looks to the branches towering above.

ICHABOD:

Must be some sort of gateway. But,

why this place... ?

YOUNG MASBATH:

We should go.

ICHABOD:

Why this tree?

Ichabod begins looking at the ground, moving around the tree.

He gets to his knees, pushing mud away.

Uncovering a flush HEADSTONE carved with "666."

ICHABOD:

(to himself)

"Climb down to the Horseman's

soulless place."

(to Masbath)

Bring the shovel.

EXT. WESTERN WOODS, TREE OF THE DEAD -- LATER DAY

Rain. Young Masbath's crouched, muddy, rifle across his

knees. He's watching the tree.

Behind him, Katrina climbs out of the shallow grave near a

pile of mud. Ichabod hands up the shovel.

KATRINA:

Masbath, we've found it.

Young Masbath goes to the grave. Ichabod pulls at thick

burlap cloth, straining as it comes away.

Ichabod looks down, disbelieving.

ICHABOD:

It cannot be true.

WE SEE:
roots have gripped the Horseman's bones and tattered

uniform. The skeleton is all there -- except the skull.

ICHABOD:

Why is it every grave I open holds

a new mystery inside?

KATRINA:

The skull is gone.

ICHABOD:

Yes. I did notice that, thank you.

Ichabod climbs out, weary in body and spirit. LIGHTNING.

THUNDER. He stares at the bones.

ICHABOD:

This is his silent shrieking... and

his desire, to reclaim his head.

Ichabod turns, looking to the bordering forest.

ICHABOD:

"He who holds fast the Horseman's

desire will guide his reaping hand."

(pause)

Someone controls the Horseman.

KATRINA (o.s.)

Ichabod!

Ichabod turns, looks...

Katrina and Young Masbath back away, because the ROOTS in the

grave are ALIVE, further entwining around remains.

Ichabod spins to the twisted tree...

The vertical SUTURE SEETHES, pulling inwards... sucking

Philipse's head back in and closing, bubbling.

Ichabod bounds over grave dirt pile, hastening Katrina and

Young Masbath along as he flees.

At the tree, the suture swells.

Ichabod, Katrina and Young Masbath pass where their freaking

horses are tied to a fallen trunk, heading for cover.

A RUMBLING is HEARD from the twisted tree, which suddenly

BURSTS wide, spitting smoldering cinders.

At the tree line, Ichabod, Katrina and Young Masbath cower,

looking back.

From the tree wound, a glow brightens, till the Headless

Horseman and Daredevil EXPLODE into existence...

They hit the ground running.

Ichabod watches the Horseman ride away with bolts of

LIGHTNING STRIKING the GROUND BEHIND.

The Horseman disappears in the forest.

ICHABOD:

His next victim is chosen!

(to Masbath)

Give me distance, then guide her

back to the Hollow.

Ichabod runs towards the horses.

YOUNG MASBATH:

Constable!

EXT. WESTERN WOODS -- DAY

The Horseman rips past on Daredevil.

EXT. BEHIND IN WESTERN WOODS -- DAY

Ichabod rides as fast as Gunpowder is able.

INT. KILLIAN'S HOME, KITCHEN -- DAY

Small home. Killian, Thomas and Beth have finished supper.

Beth clears plates as Killian picks his teeth with a knife.

THOMAS:

May I be excused, father?

KILLIAN:

Do you deserve to be?

THIRD MAN:

(shyly)

I think so.

KILLIAN:

(smiles)

Then, go.

Thomas gets down from his chair. He goes to the fireplace to

light a tallow wick, which he takes to the next room.

INT. KILLIAN'S HOME, WHITE ROOM -- DAY

Thomas plops on the floor and lights his MAGIC LANTERN: a

lantern with an outer sleeve of glass painted with

silhouettes of lions and monsters.

Thomas turns the lantern and looks to the walls where the

creatures, shadows are thrown. He roars for them, imagining

them real and having a grand time.

INT. KILLIAN'S HOME, KITCHEN -- DAY

Beth comes for more dishes.

BETH:

Don't pick teeth. You teach Thomas

bad habits.

Killian pulls her to him, playful.

KILLIAN:

I am a bad habit. There's nothing

for it.

BETH:

(kisses him)

No one knows better than I.

INT. KILLIAN'S HOME, WHITE ROOM -- DAY

Thomas continues his fun, shadow animals circling him.

In the shifting light, a baby spider comes from a crack in

the wall. Then, another spider skitters out. More follow.

EXT. FORESTS -- DAY

A black horse runs, hooves pounding the ground. THUNDER is

HEARD. The horse slows and stops... it is Brom's horse, with

Brom aboard. Brom looks skyward.

The storm harshens, roaring through the trees. Distant

HOOFBEATS can be HEARD. POUNDING.

Brom takes his rifle off his shoulder. The HOOFBEATS grow

LOUDER and PASS, far away. Brom turns in the saddle and

WHISTLES. He kicks his horse and rides.

INT. KILLIAN'S HOME, WHITE ROOM -- DAY

Thomas still watches shadow beasts, but sees something else.

He goes to the crack where hundreds of spiders flee all

directions. Thomas is amused.

INT. KILLIAN'S HOME, KITCHEN -- DAY

Behind Killian, mantelpiece stones pulse, breathing almost

imperceptibly. Demonic faces form, then disappear and reform

again, shifting. WIND HOWLS.

INT. KILLIAN'S HOME, WHITE ROOM -- DAY

Beth enters, looking at Thomas.

BETH:

What are you doing there?

The magic lantern stops spinning. Shadow creatures freeze.

INT. KILLIAN'S HOME, KITCHEN -- DAY

The ENTIRE HOUSE CREAKS. Killian looks up. CREAKING STOPS.

The HOWLING WIND is LOUD.

INT. KILLIAN'S HOME, THE WHITE ROOM -- DAY

Beth comes to Thomas' side as he points.

THOMAS:

Spiders.

Beth bends to see the swarming spiders. She looks up,

noticing the FEROCITY of the WIND.

INT. KILLIAN'S HOME, KITCHEN -- DAY

Killian stands, looking up. The HOUSE CREAKS again, then

suddenly the WIND CEASES. Silence.

KILLIAN:

Beth...

INT. KILLIAN'S HOME, THE WHITE ROOM -- DAY

Beth picks up Thomas. The magic lantern creatures begin

spinning anew, all around.

INT. KILLIAN'S HOME, KITCHEN -- DAY

With a ROAR, the fire flares. Killian looks.

WHHOOOSH the fire shoots up the fireplace. Gone.

Behind Killian, the DOOR SPLINTERS INWARDS. The Horseman

steps in, a battle axe in each hand. WIND BLASTS...

The DOOR to the other room SLAMS.

Killian grabs a kitchen chair and hurls it at the Horseman.

The Horseman swings, smashing it aside.

KILLIAN:

Beth... run!

INT. KILLIAN'S HOME, WHITE ROOM -- DAY

Beth hugs Thomas to her as she backs away.

KILLIAN (o.s.)

(from kitchen)

Get out!

INT. KILLIAN'S HOME, KITCHEN -- DAY

Killian grabs an iron skewer from the fireplace, swings it to

fend off a blow from the Horseman.

The Horseman swings the other axe. Killian ducks. The axe

cracks fireplace stone, throwing sparks.

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