"The Past Is Prologue - Chapter 1 (Plan B)"
Ichabod Crane was totally vexed! Why, he wondered had he not insisted Abbie stay at the Archives safe behind some huge, ancient tome. Handcuffing her to a chair had crossed his mind more than once. Instead, his very pregnant wife and he were trapped in a decidedly unpleasant situation with a horrifying skeletal minion of Moloch. Mrs. Abigail Crane was extremely stubborn. She was a 5 foot 1 inch spitfire, his own little "tempest in a pint sized tea pot". She would never back down in a fight against evil. That's why he loved her.
The demon was presently in a corner of the underground cell, with his back to them. Undoubtedly, the hideous creature was planning his next menacing maneuver.
"It'll take more than that pathetic attempt to scare us", his little "Tempest" shouted.
"Abbie, Abbie", Ichabod whispered, "You are just making him more angry. We do not have the advantage in this situation at the moment." The demon seemed unimpressed with Abbie's ravings and continued whatever he was doing.
Abbie was confused. "What are you talking about? Didn't you bring it? You know the incantation, the one that can send him in a blaze of fire straight back to hell!"
"You mean the one Hellhound ate, just before he cornered us?" Ichabod asked. Abbie was certainly not expecting that answer.
"OK.. so what's plan B?" Abbie whispered quickly
"I am afraid there is no plan B". Ichabod said. "It seems as though we are currently between the proverbial rock and a hard place."
"Like hell we are! Ichabod, there's always a plan B!" Abbie stated Then she remembered what had been in her pocket of her jacket for the past month. She held up a small pink envelope to Ichabod and said "I think I may just have found our plan B".
One month before:
Sunday dinners with the Livingston sisters had become a regular occurrence since Abbie and Ichabod's wedding four months before. The sisters enjoyed the company of their long lost ancestor and his delightful wife. Ichabod enjoyed seeing photos and hearing the family stories of his very colorful descendants. They had been introduced to several other members of the family. Abbie was most intrigued by Aunt Charlotte. Charlotte was 92 years old, and clearly the family matriarch. She entertained them all with her amazing stories of Sleepy Hollow's past and the Livingston clan's strong legacy in the township. There was an uncanny familiarity Charlotte had with the two Witnesses that seemed almost as if she had known them before. Abbie felt comfortable and secure with the sisters. Their love for Abbie, Ichabod and their unborn daughter was truly heartfelt. The sisters showered Abbie with good advice and motherly pampering everytime she visited. The knowledge that she and Ichabod were part of such an amazing family always made her smile. The Livingstons assured Abbie that her daughter would be quite special and blessed with the gift of clairvoyance. Abbie thought of Cynthia, Constance and Claire as her little girl's very own fairy godmothers. Their delighted anticipation of the birth of her little one was palpable.
On this particular Sunday, just as she and Ichabod were saying their farewells and about to return home, Constance reached into the draw of the dining room Breakfront and pulled out a small pink envelope. "Here Abbie", Constance said, "Don't open this until you really need to. Believe me, you'll know when that is."
"What is it?" Abbie asked curiously
"You'll see when the time is right." Constance replied. "Remember there are no accidents in life. Everything happens for a reason. We sometimes discover answers in the most unlikely places and therefore we should not be afraid."
Abbie was used to the cryptic messages the Livingston sisters would sometimes give to her and Ichabod. She knew the sister's gift of foresight had never let them down and she trusted them implicitly. So she took the envelope and put it in the left pocket of her favorite jacket. She didn't even think about it again until...
Abbie opened the envelope. there was a note and a second envelope marked "Do Not Open!" She quickly read the note written in Constance's beautiful handwriting:
"Abbie dear, If you've opened this note, you desperately needed a Plan B. Know that everything that will unfold is part of your destiny, do not be afraid. Do not open the second envelope until you reach safety. Now take Ichabod's hand and say the following:
When the puzzling problems of life perplex,
And dangers threaten and failures vex,
May the angels form a magic ring,
And shelter our lives from everything."
Abbie and Ichabod read the incantation together and were suddenly engulfed in a warm circle of white light .They experienced a serene, comforting sensation and in what seemed like mere seconds, they felt themselves being lifted from the cell they were in. They landed gently on a bench in what appeared to be a quaint city park.
"Are you alright Abbie?', Ichabod asked taking her hand.
"Yeah, I'm fine. At least" Skeletor ' is gone". Abbie noticed a discarded newspaper ,The Sleepy Hollow Gazette, placed on the bench. She picked it up and let out a short gasp.
What is it? Are you sure you and the baby are well, Abbie?" Ichabod asked with concern.
"I'm fine. The good news is that we're still in Sleepy Hollow. The bad news... " Abbie pointed to the date on the newspaper, "it's 1947!"
Notes: This is the first chapter in what will be a 3-5 chapter story .I have some fun ideas for the newlywed Cranes in this one. The little incantation Abbie and Ichabod recite was taken from a vintage postcard circa 1914. As always, please let me know what you think. I value your opinions, reviews really are love. Thank you for reading.