The Adventures of Samantha Bloom Curse of Sleepy Hollow: Chapter 1
The hardest part of writing a story is figuring out how to start. You can have the whole story planned out in your head, know the characters better than your own mother and even know how long the story will be and how long it will take. But it’s those first few words that are the most important, the words that draws the reader in and helps them decides whether the book is worth reading next to the pool while on holiday or deserves to collect dust on the shelves forever more..
These first few words is what I always longed to write. My name is Samantha Bloom. At the time, I was a normal New Yorker girl in her early twenties, working in a small book store, sealing and stacking books. Not exactly the exciting life more protagonists lead, but it payed the bills and kept food stocked in the cupboards. It had always been a dream of mine to see one of my books on these shelves. I’ve always wanted to be an author, ever since I was a little girl and my mom used to read me and my sister fairy tales. My mom was good like that. She loved books, as did my dad. I’m sure they could have helped me a lot with my writings. But they died when my sister and I were still very young. I still miss them but life goes on.
For years I’ve been trying to write a book they could be proud of, but to no avail. I had plots, characters, and twists. But when it came to actually writing it I would often find myself staring at a blank page or leaving it only half finished and moving onto a different project. It was a vicious cycle. I was beginning to believe I would always be working in that little book store until I was old and grey, not leading a life of adventure and excitement like the protagonists in the stories I could never finish, with the highlight of my week being the weekly TV guide.
That was until that fateful day, that Monday morning when I was stacking new best sellers, that the door opened and she stepped through. The young woman who entered the store was very familiar to me, with long wavy black hair, eyes as green as freshly cut emeralds and a New York police uniform to complete the look. She looked nothing like me, who had short brown hair and brown eyes, wearing clothes older than most of the books in the store. This was Elsa White; my best and, arguably, my only friend. We had known each other since grade school, since she saved me from some bullies who made fun of the massive fish eye lenses glasses I used to have. (I still need glasses, but not so big and only for reading). We were hardly apart ever since.
Even so, it was surprising to see her when both she and I were supposed to be at work. Books weren’t really her thing so it was obvious she was here just to see me. And with that big grin on her face, I already had a sinking feeling in my stomach. What outdoor adventure was she going to drag me into now? “Sleepy Hollow,” said Elsa as I stacked the latest issues of, what could only be described as, old lady romance novels. “That’s where we’re going this weekend.” “Sleepy Hollow?” I asked. “Yeah, you know, that little town where that Headless Horsemen story took place.” “I am familiar with it, yes. But why?” “Because it’s Halloween and I want to take a spooky vacation.” “You know Sleepy Hollow isn’t like the one in the book, right? Also, you sure this isn’t an excuse so you don’t have to go patrolling this Halloween and get egged again?” “How dare you Samantha Bloom?! I am an officer of the law. My duty comes first!” “Ah huh.” “Besides, I was thinking it could give you inspiration for that book you’re always working on. Any progress with it by the way?” “I rewrote the first two chapters last night for the 8th time so…..yeah…..” “See, this trip is exactly what you need.” “And how am I supposed to get the days off?” “I’ll talk to your boss, say we need a clever crime writer to help us with a mysterious murder. Oh, that would be a great idea for a book! Bloom and White, a writer teams up with a police officer to solve crimes, steals the hearts of all the men they meet and make bad puns that sound cool only when they say it.” “Maybe you should be a writer, White.” “So that’s a ‘yes’ on the vacation?” “Elsa, I can’t, I’m working.” “Great! I’ll pick you up at 9AM sharp. See you then!”
Before I could protest Elsa turned and walked out the door, disappearing into the crowd of people that inhabited the New York day light. I sighed. This was the type of woman Elsa White was; when she wanted something, she wasn’t taking no for an answers (especially if it had to do with me being social.) It was annoying at times but I admire her confidence. Confidence is what I lacked most.
By some miracle I did manage to get Friday to Monday off so I could go on this little adventure Elsa had planned for us. I packed what I needed; clothes, toothbrush, a book I was reading and my lap top, all that sort of thing. Elsa arrived at 9AM sharp, we packed my stuff in her old red car and we were away. And as we set off I found myself actually looking forward to what lay ahead. Who knew, maybe Elsa was right. Maybe vacation would bring the inspiration I needed. But not in a way I could have ever imagined……..