Science Fiction Fantasy Snippet - 01/12/13

          Welcome to another Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday!  I hope everyone had a great holiday season and got in some quality reading.  For this snippet I stayed with the same WIP I worked from for my last contribution.  It focuses on a young boy, Sam, and how his colorful and unexpected family history comes crashing into his life.  The story deals with legends and lore and the power of imagination.  I hope you enjoy.  Lastly, make sure that you check out all of the snippets contributed this round by a truly talented group of writers and leave a few comments along the way.  It’s like tipping your literary waiter.
          Sam locked the brakes on his bike, eyeing the covered bridge in front of him.  A small creek flowed below it, spreading the smell of mountain laurel native to the area.  Supported by decades old railroad planks, Sam had never questioned their ability to support his weight during the timed five seconds it took him to cross.  The sight of the shadowed expanse always drew him back to his favorite ballad of one doomed Ichabod Crane and his fateful encounter with the headless rider.  His foot hovered over the pedal as he listened for the sound of approaching hoofs, glancing behind him before he jolted out over the aged timbers.   The bike’s almost flat rear wheel slowed him down as it thumped across each board, jarring his neck and shoulders with each rotation.  Sam glanced into the dark recesses of the rafters as a swirl of dust darted in from outside, catching him by surprise.  Pain shot through both eyes as he shot out the other end of the bridge.  His front wheel struck a rut in rough cut dirt road and Sam soared over the handle bars, landing head first into a bank of dandelions.          A hoarse voice called out behind him, “It’s time, Sam.”