The Eastern Star
Ichabod Crane sat hunched, his head in one hand, the other was quickly turning the pages of an enormous book. He was so frantically engrossed in his research he failed to hear Jenny Mills and Joe Corbin enter the Archives.
"Hey Crane." Jenny said.
Startled, Ichabod involuntarily jerked around to face his two guests and knocked the book off the table. "I got it." Joe rushed to pick up the book and came face to face with Ichabod's exhausted visage. Blood shot eyes, hair disheveled, lips parched. He looked like a man ready to break at any second.
"You look like hell man. Did you sleep at all last night. You look like you haven't moved since we left at midnight."
"Master Corbin, Miss Jenny, we are so very close. I know it. The answer must be here somewhere. Why can't I see it? The longer she stays in the underworld, the less likely it is we can bring her back! It has been 22 days and 8 hours and we have yet to fathom a way to get her back." "How can I rest until her safe return? How can any of us?" He said somewhat harshly.
The distress he felt bordered on anger as he glared at Joe and Jenny. He couldn't understand how they could remain so calm. Truth be told, seeing them together these past three weeks had been trying for Ichabod. They had each other to turn to, what did he have? He realized how much he envied them. He also knew his anger was misplaced. He had only himself to blame for not revealing his true feelings to his fellow Witness. Jenny and Joe just stared during his little outburst, they knew the strain he was under.
Ichabod, calmed down and took a cleansing breath, before he spoke again.
"Forgive me my friends. I just cannot rest knowing the Lieutenant is languishing in that hellish place. There will certainly be time for slumber when we retrieve her and she is safe at home."
Ichabod 's hands were twitching nervously.
Jenny gently took both of Ichabod's hands in her own to steady them. "Listen Crane, we all want Abbie back. But you are not going to be any good to her in this condition. You're hardly eating, and you're not getting any rest."
Ichabod raised his left index finger to protest. Jenny wasn't hearing it.
"No, don't interrupt me. You need to sleep, now. It's bad enough you refuse to go back to the house. So cozy up on your cot and go to sleep! I mean it Crane. You're gonna pass out."
"She's right Crane, you look like death warmed over. And you know you can't argue with a Mills woman once they've made up their mind." Joe added.
"Indeed." Ichabod returned. What was the point of arguing. He was exhausted. "Will you..."
"I promise we'll wake you the minute we find anything. Now To bed." Jenny said firmly as she fluffed the pillows, on the cot.
Ichabod, laid down defeated, but grateful. Several moments later he was asleep.
"Wow!", Jenny observed, as she placed a blanket on her friend, "I've never seen him like this. I mean he was determined to rescue Abbie when she was in Purgatory, but this, this is different. He's a man possessed. I've never seen him this unhinged."
"Love makes you do crazy things. Believe me I know. I thought about becoming a Wendigo again to try and rescue you."
"What?" Jenny asked, incredulously.
"Yeah. I was desperate Jenny. I would have done anything to get you back.
It was Crane who talked me out of it. He told me that when love grips the heart, logic can abandon the mind."
"Well, Crane sure is a testament to that. He's a broken mess."
"You think Abbie knew?" Joe asked
"Knew what?"
"That he's in love with her?"
"I do. Maybe not at first. But I think it finally dawned on her. And you know Joe. I think it scared her to death."
"What do you mean, Jen?" Joe inquired.
"It's simple, Abbie is a control freak. Once those three little words are out in the open between the two of them, all bets are off. You can't control love. Abbie knew this. And I think it scared her shitless."
"Those two huh? I'm glad at least we didn't beat around the bush too long." Joe smiled.
"Yeah," Jenny said, taking Joe's hand, "Now let's get my sister back so she and Crane can figure things out once and for all."
Jenny and Joe returned to their search.
Ichabod Crane 's dead sleep, turned fitful approximately 30 minutes after he drifted off.
It was always the same dream, ever since his first night in the house without her. He would see her face, sad but resolute, just before she entered that damn tree. He saw himself powerlessly whispering "don't", as she told them to take care of each other. As if it would be easy for them... for him to go on without her. What a useless wretch he was. He felt like an abysmal failure for being unable to protect her... Again. She wanted to prove herself so much. She wanted to be so damned independent! If it had only been he who had made the sacrifice this time, he who had risked everything to save the ones he loved. Why was it always Abbie? What good was he without her?
The house that had provided him with such solace when they both shared it's space, was now "haunted" with the echoes of his life with Abbie. After three nights of reliving Abbie's sacrifice, he refused to sleep there anymore. The dreams, although still present, were less vivid at the Archives.
He actually felt more comfort in the place where their bond was forged in their early days together.
"Crane", Jenny said, as she gently nudged Ichabod's shoulder to wake him 2 hours later. "You have to see this?" She pointed to something on her laptop..
He sprang up quickly .
"What is it? What have you found?" Ichabod asked eagerly, as he gazed at the screen.
"Look at this portrait of Betsy Ross. Look at her necklace."
"That is a Masonic symbol. I do remember Betsy said it was a gift from General Washington. She was quite proud of it."
"Yes, But here's the thing. This particular symbol is the same as this one."
Jenny pointed to the open book Joe had. It revealed an illustration of a tree that seemed identical to the one Abbie entered, carved on the side was a five pointed star with a book and pillar in the center.
"It is the symbol of the Order of the Eastern Star."
"Yeah, And here's the weird part." Joe added. "This particular Masonic Order was not formed until 1850. 14 years after Betsy's death. "The question is..."
"How would Betsy have had that specific symbol at the time I knew her?" Ichabod interjected.
"Right and what connection does this symbol have to the tree Abbie went into?" Joe asked .
"Luckily, there's a branch of the Order of the Eastern Star right here in Sleepy Hollow." Jenny said.
It seemed Ichabod's coat was on in an instant. "Let us hope they have the answers we seek'
"Yeah. Well, let's do this", Jenny replied, as the trio quickly left the Archives.
The Sleepy Hollow Order of the Eastern Star was located in a non descript Federal style building just off of Main Street. There was a Festive wreath above an elaborate door knocker. Ichabod knocked twice.
The three visitors were greeted by a tall thin woman in her 40s.
"Oh my it is chilly this morning. Come in, You're just in time to join us for tea. The woman ushered her three guest into a quaint room with a large fireplace. There were two other women in the room, one with her back turned. Tea was the last thing on Ichabod's mind.
"Forgive me Madame, but we are here on a matter of grave importance. This is not a social call." Ichabod stated .
"Nonsense. There's always time for tea. Believe me we're well aware of why you're here Ichabod."
The dark haired woman said as she turned around to face the three visitors.
"Miss Corinth?" Ichabod asked incredulously.
"Surprise!" Zoe smiled...
Notes: This story is just my take on what Zoe's purpose might possibly be. Can she be trusted? What is Betsy Ross' connection to the Order of the Eastern Star? These questions and more will be answered in Chapter 2. This story takes some liberties regarding the true origin of the Order of the Eastern Star.