The Dullahans Mother

By Elizabeth Diligo

In small-town Wisconsin, Mayma is one of many to be inflicted with a life-altering change. At only six years old, she is turned into a Dullahan, an immortal headless horseman. On the night she is to be rescued from being tortured, the government strips her and all others like her of the right to be human. Her only salvation, Officer Amber Walkin, who against the eyes of the law takes in Mayma to raise as her own daughter. Her only goal is to give Mayma the best, most normal childhood she can all while seemingly the rest of the world would see Mayma as nothing more than a hunted trophy.

Along the way, Mayma will, against Walkin's desire, be witness and befriend those fighting for what they believe to be just. As opposing views are thrown about, the line becomes thinner on who to side with.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798889824268

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Chapter 1: Torture

Chapter 2: Common Threads

Chapter 3: Can't Fly

Chapter 4: Search Revealed

Chapter 5: New Faces

Chapter 6: Next Lesson

Chapter 7: Hard Time

Chapter 8: Don't Ask

Chapter 9: Brief Reprieve

Chapter 10: Devil's Wedding

Chapter 11: Scream Out

Chapter 12: Teary Cheers

Chapter 13: New Normal

Chapter 14: Another Surprise

Chapter 15: Nothing Happened

Chapter 16: Truths Told

Chapter 17: New Threat

Chapter 18: Another Day

Chapter 19: Dead Ends

Chapter 20: Sought Repentance

Chapter 21: Close One

Chapter 22: No More

Chapter 23: New Rules

Chapter 24: Last Day

Chapter 25: True Fear

Chapter 26: Lost

About the Author

cover.jpg

The Dullahans Mother

Elizabeth Diligo

Copyright © 2023 Elizabeth Diligo

All rights reserved

First Edition

Fulton Books

Meadville, PA

Published by Fulton Books 2023

ISBN 979-8-88982-425-1 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88982-426-8 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Chapter 1

Torture

December 24, 2020–September 16, 2021

After the US government vaccine for the virus of 2020 was successful and distributed worldwide, the world started to go back to normal, mostly. In the wake of the virus, a new mutation—well, mutations—began to develop in a small percentage of the world. No one knew why, but one thing is for certain in a world already having a hard time with race issues: the mutation caused the humans to develop features of mythical creatures. This was after being regressed to a child state. For most individuals, the age was only temporary, lasting one to two months before returning to adulthood and being granted some supernatural power. Common knowledge was that this change only happened to individuals between twenty and thirty-five. Unfortunately for one unlucky individual, this change differed. Her name, Mayma Smith, and she was already only a child and now a Dullahan, a headless horseman. The pain of the mutation was so severe it caused her to pass out and fall into a coma. Upon finally waking up, she found that she had been chained up in her own home, like a satanic wall ornament. In front of her was her precious German shepherd, Milli, locked in her kennel looking half starved. All around her were teens and twenty-somethings partying and trashing her family's home. She tried to yell, but the words didn't come. However, her movement attracted the attention of a man. He didn't say anything, just ignored her till everyone but him and a few others were left. Where was her mommy and daddy?

Hey, you alive? With these words, Mayma, in her tiny weakened body, managed to lift her shoulders and the smoke that had been pouring out of where her neck should be. There were four people standing in the dimly lit room. The man who spoke was a decent-looking man, healthy with a sort of kindness in his eyes, short, and overall small. Of course, one look at the four faces in front of her and the feelings of relief were crushed and replaced with fear and dread when his smile twisted into nothing short of evil incarnate. Hey, Matt, go to the kitchen and get me a knife, would ya? A heavyset man quickly ran downstairs only to return moments later with a large chef knife.

Should this do, Adam? Taking the knife, Adam, the one at first glance looked to be her savior mere moments ago, now slowly slit her thigh. Though it hurt she could scream, after briefly bleeding, her wound closed completely. He cut again and again, each time moving to more and more painful locations, bleeding, healing, bleeding, and healing. You wanna try, Chris?

Chris, a tall, lanky man, shook his head, grinned, and took a video with his phone. Too good not to use it for movies, haha. What about you, Meg?

Meg was a tiny woman with a very tan complexion and gratefully took the knife and jammed in right through Mayma's tiny chest before ripping it out. This time the pain took her breath away. Fuck, way to ruin the… No way. Mayma's body healed itself once again.

Chris looked at Adam and the others. I have classes in the morning. We all agree this stays secret between the four of us? Officially, she's just a movie prop. Almost in unison, they all nodded and left Mayma and her starving pup alone in the room.

They took turns coming to feed Milli, never letting her out of her kennel. Adam and Meg started using Mayma as a dartboard. Matt and Chris started stinging electronics through her body. They'd pushed themselves out within a few hours, but in those hours, Mayma looked like a Frankenstein's monster stereo system. This went on for months. Once a week, they threw a party, and she could hear them trashing her family's home downstairs. One day after the music had stopped, Chis brought a new woman to see Mayma. Chris had his arm around her shoulder, like a frat boy. By this time her clothes were little more than scraps, and the Wisconsin winter air had started to set in. That was to be the least of her concerns as she would soon find. Chris handed his phone to the girl. Tell me when, Jaz. With the pointing of a finger, Chris tore the last of the scraps covering her innocent, now scarred body and took her off the wall. He thrust into her bottom with it. Blood poured out of her tiny weakened body, but like always, she couldn't scream. Jaz just laughed. What kind of a sick world had the world become? After he was finished, he pinned her back up on the wall before her wound could heal.

Months later, while Chris and Jaz were screwing each other as they usually did before using Mayma's body as a plaything, Chris's hand touched something under Mayma's bed, and for the first time in over nine months, Mayma had a voice, but all she could do was utter the phrase, Make it stop. Please make it stop. Jaz looked under the bed, and though it was dark and almost impossible to see, she managed to pull Mayma's head out from under the bed. Tears were running down Mayma's face. Please, just let us go.

Jaz turned to Chris, tears rolling down Mayma's face. What the fuck is this?

Jaz's question had Chris searching for an excuse. Babe.

His word only pissed Jaz off more. No, don't babe me, Chris. You said she was a movie prop you made. Chris just looked away while he rolled his eyes at the wall. What the fuck is—

We found it, okay?

I'm letting her—

Like hell you are. You know the new mutant antiracism laws. With Chris blocking Jaz's way to Mayma, she ran out of the room as the others shuffled in.

Adam jabbed, Wow, never had sex that terrible.

Shut up, Adam. It's this dumb head's fault! Chris chucked her head into his gut, her tears soaking his shirt.

Adam dropped her head on the bed. We gotta get rid of this before she can remember our faces.

Pointing at the door, Matt yelled at Chris, If she rats, we're done! I wondered why none of us had to pay rent yet. It was probably paid up.

Shortly after they all left, the sounds of new voices echoed through the house, Hello, anyone home? As the police entered, they held their breath. The smell and sight of Mayma still pinned chained to the wall, skin scarred and blood soaked. Just as the officer was about to turn, the officer saw the child's hand stretched out toward a human head on the bed. As the officer came closer to the bed, she saw how unkempt her face and hair were. As more officers entered the room and let the rest of Mayma's body down off the wall, she passed out, and her body fell limp. Another officer tried to help Milli out of her kennel, but with a starved-dog smile, she closed her eyes and collapsed. Her heartbeat and breathing stopped there. Paramedics entered and carefully placed Mayma's body on a stretcher and carried he head to the ambulance waiting outside. The scene was examined carefully. They found countless homemade torture devices and video and other recording equipment. One of the officers looked to his female counterpart. She's a strong girl to have survived this kind of treatment.

The woman looked at him. No, Officer Jay. It looks like she was a Dullahan.

Jay's face twisted into a questioning look. What's your point, Chief Walkin?

Walkin's face fell into empathic dismay. According to legend, Dullahans are immortal beings who guide mortals to their afterlife. In other words, she couldn't die even though I'm sure she wanted nothing more than to make it stop.

The first thing Mayma saw when she came to was a bright room. It was a small room. As she looked around, her shoulders moved slightly. A man in blue scrubs leaned over the hospital bed on the wheel stool. Hey there, sleepyhead. She immediately jumped and shifted in the opposite direction. Pain shot through her body, immobilizing her. He shifted back very respectfully. Sorry 'bout that. Try to relax. I know it's hard, so no rush, but do you mind if I ask you some questions? Silence. Of course, silly me. Let's try tapping. Tap once to wait, twice if you're up for talking. She tapped twice. Great, first, some introductions are in order I think. My name is Carl. I'm a nurse here at Phoenix General hospital. Over there is Chief Officer Walkin. Do you know who you are? Just tap once for yes or twice for no. It was at this point Mayma noticed the slightly familiar officer sitting by the door. She the tapped once. Are you open to telling— With two taps, he swiftly stopped. He then pointed at the head sitting. Is this your head? Looking across the room, Mayma recognized the head as her own, and her heart rate instantly rapidly increased, and her hands started to shake. Walkin came forward and tenderly held one of Mayma's hands.

Shh, shh, it's okay, you're okay. Her voice was firm but soft and mothering. With this her heart rate began to regulate until it stabilized. I take it you haven't seen your reflection since your change. With two soft taps, Carl and Walkin softly let out a sigh. When we found you and touched your head, it spoke. Can we try that? After one tap, Carl gracefully picked up her head at which point Mayma for the first time saw her own headless body. Carl offered her head to herself to which Mayma gingerly took her head and turned herself around, setting herself in her own lap.

Walkin asked, Are you still open to questions?

With tears in her eyes, she wallowed, Not now. With tears still rolling down her cheeks, Mayma fell asleep. Carl then put her head back on the counter so as for her not to drop it. Just then the TV switched on. The last channel on was the new network.

Sorry about this. It happens every now and then. IT said they were going to fix it like a week ago. Before Carl could reach the remote, the news anchorwoman said something that shook both Carl and Walkin and likely the world.

It sounded so cheerful coming from her lips. The president has made it official after several months of deliberating. The houses have decided to follow suit with so many other countries in the United Nations. Mutants will no longer be viewed or given the same rights as human beings and will be given the same humane treatment as all other wild creatures. Furthermore, anyone found harboring an exotic wild animal will be given just such punishment in a court of law. Walkin turned their attention to the little Dullahan, who lay still, visibly broken even as she slept. They hadn't even been able to learn her name yet. Any mutant found within urban areas should be euthanized as humanely as possible immediately.

Carl stood and lowered the blinds and grabbed a large hoodie from a closet. Put it on her and get her out of here. I will give her head a sedative. We've been friends for so long I know you won't let me lay a hand on her.

Walkin looked furious. Sure she didn't want any more harm to come to her. All she could do was ask, Really, and what will you tell them when the rest of her is missing?

Since no one really knows much about Dullahans, we'll just say vanished into smoke. They nodded to each other and put the hoodie on her tiny body. Carl injected a small dose of the sedative behind her ear. Shortly after her vitals dropped, Walkin ripped the leads off and hid her body inside the hoodie Carl had offered her. Moments later, the room filled with doctors and other nurses.

What happened? They asked, obviously confused and concerned. Without skipping a beat, Walkin rattled off the code that was set to be given if the determination of the government was to be antimutant. With her words, the air felt as heavy, and the weight on the shoulders of every doctor and medical professional within earshot nearly pushed them to the ground. Walkin used this time to grab the hoodie with Mayma in it and walk out the front door.

After a short while, Mayma woke up, once again being bombarded with lights, but it was different. These lights were swift and moving. Cars maybe? In a cheery tone with a little dismay, Walkin said, You're finally awake again. Sorry, I'm sure it must suck always waking up in new places so much today. I do wonder why you didn't return to your normal age. Must have something to do with what you went through. Can I ask what is your name, dear, and how old were you before you changed?

Despite not having a head, the hood of the hoodie sat neatly where the top of her head would be. Turning to face Walkin, she held up six fingers.

You're kidding. The mutation only affected people between twenty to thirty-five. Even without a face to read, Walkin could tell she was telling the truth. She then handed Mayma her notebook, which Mayma did as she was asked. Mayma Smith, nice to meet you, so mind if I ask where your parents are, then? Surely you didn't… Once again even without a face or a mouth to hear, it was clear Mayma had no idea and was hurting. Walkin decided she would look into it when she called into the station later. Anyways, you can stay with me for now. My sister lives with me. She's blind, so she won't be able to… There was a long pause before Walkin changed the subject. You were asleep when it happened, but the government has decided to see anyone who experienced a mutation from the vaccine as no longer human.

Mayma scribbled frantically, Will I ever see Mommy and Daddy again?

I'm sure you will. She smiled while not knowing herself if she was lying through her teeth. They drove in silence for several minutes before Walkin turned onto a long dirt road. Well, here we are. Home sweet home. Walkin decided it was best if she carried Mayma. Guess I should get you some boots as soon as possible. Mayma clung tightly to Walkin. It was a little awkward for Walkin. She always wanted a child, but her nickname as chief from the other police made most suitable men turn tail. It was kinda pathetic actually. Whatever the case was, she had her hands full now. Lucky for her, her sister was used to her routine and got the door for her. Today was usually grocery. Hey, Mels, sorry I couldn't get to the store tonight.

Mels's voice was sweeter and kinder than Walkin's. That's okay. It seems you got your hands full.

I guess I do. Mayma, this is my little sister, Melody. Mels, this is Mayma. Some things happened, and she's gonna be staying with us.

Nice to meet you, Mayma.

A few moments of silence went by before Walkin finally spoke up, I guess I should have mentioned Mayma's gone through a lot and is mute from it.

Melody, sounding more and more like a princess from a movie, replied, My goodness, I'm sorry to hear that, dear. Back when I was little, I lost my eyesight. She might not be able to see, but she was quite a beautiful woman. Her hair was incredibly long, almost as long as her jacket. Would you like to listen to some music? She stretched out her arms. Walkin, without a second thought, started to hand her over, at least until Mayma latched on tighter. How about I get a bath ready for you? It may be September and getting colder, but hygiene is still just as important. This was the first time Mayma had realized how long she had been afraid for her life, unable to live, unable to die.

Thanks, Mels.

Her tone, though still sweet, was now taking on a more natural rhythm. No problem, Amber. Yet another first, but could she really trust these two? Walkin seemed nice and relaxed despite her strong, muscled, almost manly body. Was this girl really her sister? They seemed to be polar opposites.

While she was filling the tub, Melody would start asking her question after question only to remember Mayma couldn't speak before being right back at it with more questions. All Mayma could think was that she was kinda dumb. As soon as the tub had filled up, Melody finally left her alone. After sitting in the tub for a minute, she started to relax and sink down into the tub. As the water reached her neck, it soon became harder to breath. She sat up so fast she almost slipped back in. The water was nice and soothing still even with the almost drowning. Through the thin walls she could hear Walkin and Melody in the room next door. What were they talking about? Walkin sounded distressed. What were they talking about?

Amber, are you sure?

Almost a hundred percent. Her words were certain but also filled with dismay.

Poor Mayma.

Now she had to know.

I would have never thought we'd find her. What happened to her parents was tragic. Of course, I can't go into details, but this will probably break what's left of her.

She couldn't stand it anymore. She leapt out and threw on the towel Melody had set out for her and ran to the other room. The room next to the bath was Walkin's bedroom. They knew that she had heard them. Everyone knew her little heart was yelling, Tell me, tell me what happened to my mommy and daddy! Walkin set her phone down on the bed behind her, then came and knelt down next to her. Your parents are John and Emilia Smith, last December.

Amber, maybe now isn't the time. Melody's words were fast and concerned.

Mayma saw Walkin's notebook and scratched, Where's my mommy and daddy?

They're safe. Those words were just to hold back tears.

She shoved the book in Walkin's face and added a line, Don't lie.

Walkin couldn't hold back. She embraced Mayma and just cried. I'm sorry, your mommy and daddy passed away.

After staying alive for so long, hearing those words made her thoughts run wild. She wanted to call Walkin a liar again. How could she tell? There was no way she'd lost everything. Walkin never mentioned Milli, but she knew, she knew she was alone. When would her nightmare end? The torture, the sleeplessness, watching her dog starving holding on for her, the world turning on her, and now she found out she'd never see her mom and dad again. After all that, Mayma collapsed. She wasn't asleep. How could she? She might end up somewhere else. Instead, she sauntered over to the nearest corner and clenched her knees.

Hours passed. Both Melody and Walkin offered her blankets and a lie down, but she refused all gestures. It took a while, but after a long time, she finally did pass out from exhaustion.

Chapter 2

Common Threads

September 17, 2021

By the time Mayma finally did wake up, Walkin had to go back to work. Melody laid a blanket on her and tried to stroke her cheek only to find nothing but smoke coming from where her neck should be. So instead, she stroked her arm as cautiously as she could. Her sister must know that bringing a mutant home would be breaking so many laws. And she calls me the reckless one, ha. Well, looks like she has a pretty softer side than I thought. After realizing how awkward she must seemed talking to herself, she headed to the kitchen for coffee. After Mayma was sure the coast was clear, she snuck out of the bedroom and followed Melody to the kitchen.

After a few moments of being watched while sipping coffee, Melody spoke up, It's okay to be shy. I promise I'm not gonna hurt you. I also would hate to see my big sis lose her job. Of course, even if that did happen, it for sure won't. I couldn't live with myself if I turned you in. Wanna know a secret?

Mayma cautiously sat down at the large kitchen table. Was it really just the two of them?

The truth is, Amber and I aren't actually sisters. Way, way back when I was about your age, some older boys used to tease me for just being a girl. Anyways, one day I had had enough and told them I would spend three days alone in the woods, something even they wouldn't do. Amber heard about it and without a second thought went looking for me. It had barely been a couple of hours when she found me. We weren't good friends or anything, so I couldn't figure out why she cared so much. Found out later that my it was my brother Carl's so-called friends who were picking on me. He also has a major crush on Amber since even before this. Anyways, when she found me, I was already in tears. As we started to walk back, I slipped and hit my face on some sharp rocks. They cut my eyes, making me permanently blind. Sometimes I think she blames herself for that day. Of course, if it wasn't for her, I probably never would have made it home. We've been best friends ever since. I do wish there was a way that I could get to know you, deary.

With Melody's words, Mayma couldn't help but get up, and while she couldn't cry, somehow Melody could feel her tears of loneliness. It was unlikely Mayma would ever get a normal childhood in any sense of the word. And with the world against her, she wasn't in for an easy life.

Just then, the doorbell rang. I wonder who that could be. As soon as Melody was sure Mayma was out of sight, she opened the door.

Hey, sis. He was frantic and in a hurry

Carl, how you been? Melody's voice again switched, this time slightly annoyed by her brother's lack of pleasantries.

I've been alright. Is Amber here?

No, I'm afraid she's not. Why? Have you finally decided to man up and ask her out?

Come on, you know I'm too chicken for that. No, it's really important. Would you have her give me a call as soon as possible?

Of course. Don't you work tonight? You should probably get going. As soon as the door closed, Mayma shuffled out from where she had been hiding. Sorry about that. It was my brother, Carl, the one I told you about. He works as a nurse in the emergency room at Phoenix General Hospital. Mostly a good guy, little weird, and lovesick over Amber. Kind of funny if you think about it. If they got married, then the two of us really would be sisters. I know I'm not very entertaining, but I know the TV has internet, movies, music, and all that stuff. With that began a princess marathon till late into the night.

Soon enough, Walkin's squad car rolled.

I wonder what's taking her so long even if she has groceries… After a few horn honks, the doorbell rang. "Why are you using the front