Chapter Text
Chapter 1
New York - 1843
Martha smiled to herself, her journey had been tiring but eventually successful. This Mr Pratt was a low man in the worst way but she managed to lower his price just by her power of persuasion. She was positive that Johnny would be satisfied by the transaction. Thinking of her employer, Martha sobered immediately. She wasn't proud of being the "henchwoman" of such a disreputable personage but he offered her his protection and never reneged on his word.
The arrival of the diligence for Sleepy Hollow interrupted her musing. The young woman pulled her baggage towards the carriage only to have it ripped from her hand. She was about to shout thief when her eyes met a smiling face.
- May I? This looks heavy.
The young man appeared innocent enough -and charming as well- and the luggage was indeed heavy so she let him.
***
Sleepy Hollow - Present Day
- Any progress?
- Not since the last scan. It might just have been a reflex...
- But she seems to be responsive, she's...
- Listen, I know it's hard to hear but it's been ten days. Eventually somebody will have to make a decision for her. Besides, we can't keep a Jane Doe here, you know that.
- She's not a Jane Doe!
- One last name isn't a ID! The only reason I haven't notify the authority is because you and I go way back but I can't wait any longer. Maybe someone is looking for her.
- Kevin, please. You said we could trust you.
- OK. Two more days, that's it, then I report her.
***
The Hudson River Valley - 1843
This man was insufferable! He hadn't stopped talking since the departure of the carriage and his charms had faded away proportionally with his idle talk about his passionate employment as a post office clerk. Martha politely stiffed a yawn when he- a Mr Daniel Langford- started to detail the history of the envelope while wondering if she could finish the journey on foot.
- So you're a religious woman?
- Excuse me?
What an odd question to be asking not the less to someone you don't even know.
- It's just that you keep fiddling with the cross at your neck. I presume it's because it's important to you.
Martha thought to call him on his rudeness but decided against it. At least he wasn't talking about stamps anymore.
- Not really. My father and my grandfather were both reverends though, so I guess I wear this cross more as a habit.
- The scriptures are among my many passions, in particular Matthew's book...
Martha barely managed not to make a snide comment at that.
- Revelation resound more with me. An old family legend that we pass down from generation to generation.
- Do you have any children?
- Just a daughter, therefore the next generation is assured.
Mr Langford heartily laughed at that. It startled Martha, then she realized that his constant verbosity was the result of his nervousness. She was about to ask him what made him so uneasy when a woman appeared out of nowhere. This vision wasn't a first for Martha but this time the strange apparition talked to her.
- It's time. Brace yourself.
And just like that, Martha's all world was turned upside down.