Every Tree Has Its Roots

Chapter 2

Isabella was quite taken back by the long embrace from this stranger. She allows him his moment and waits for him to release her. Ichabod looks upon her alabaster face, his hands still shaking. "Pardon my intrusion Ms. Van Tassel, I did not mean to startle you."

Abbie nudges Ichabod with her elbow, her head gesturing away from the girl. He walks out of earshot, making sure Isabella was still in his line of vision. Abbie's brown eyes lock on to him like heat seeking missiles. "That was not cool. You nearly scared her to death. I know finding out you had a son and now a great however many granddaughter is a shock and a joy but you have to control the urge to hug her again."

"Quite right Ms. Mills, I will conduct myself with the utmost civility in the future with Ms. Van Tassel." Ichabod straightens the collar of his jacket as he walks back towards his granddaughter.

The dainty girl dips down picking up her gardening gloves, her rosebud lips curling into the sweetest smile. She moves her hand, inviting them into her home. "This house belonged to the first Van Tassel to settle in Sleepy Hollow. I inherited it from my parents and my cousin Greta was staying with me until she gets back on her feet. I'm sorry, where are my manners. Can I offer you anything to drink?"

Placing a kettle on to boil, Isabella can see the small smile breaking across Ichabod's face. "Tea please." He answers her as Abbie shakes her head.

"I'm sorry to cause you all this trouble Ms. Van Tassel …" Isabella interrupts her, her eyes dancing like licking flames.

"Isabella, please. Ms. Van Tassel makes me sound so old." She turns back to the retrieve the tea from the cupboard as Abbie continues.

"Like I was saying Isabella, I'm Lieutenant Abbie Mills of Sleepy Hollow PD and this is my partner Ichabod Crane." The sharp tone that escapes from Isabella's mouth sends chills up both their spines.

Ichabod instantly goes to his feet, his hands reaching for his granddaughter. "Are you well Ms. Van Tassel?"

The blue of her eyes bursts into two orbs of brilliant teal as she gazes up at Ichabod. "Your name is Ichabod Crane?"

He nods to her, her eyes darting over to Abbie. Dancing around the counter, she rushes off to her bedroom. Abbie and Ichabod share a quick glance before they too rush off after her.

"Ms. Van Tassel … Isabella, do you want us to leave?" Abbie can see the reluctances in Ichabod's eyes; she could tell he wanted to stay.

The pale crimson beauty emerges from her bedroom carrying another old leather clad book. She asks them to join her in her living room, her face alight with wonder.

"This journal was left by my very great grandfather by his mother Katrina. Iden Van Tassel took up the journal and passed it on to his two sons, Evert and Craver. It has been a family tradition that each decedent write in the family journal. I want to read you this passage if I may." She opens the book as Ichabod and Abbie look on.

"Go ahead … we're all ears." Abbie looks over to Ichabod who is sitting on the edge of his seat.

"I write to you this day my son in the hopes that the good Reverend Knapps will bring up you to be a good man. I want you to know of your father and the bravery he showed the day he died. His name was Ichabod Crane and I tell you now so that someday you come to know of your true heritage. The name Van Tassel was given to you to protect you my sweet boy but always carry in your heart the truth, that you are a Crane." Her blue eyes smile up at Ichabod as she hands him the journal.

She slowly opens it to reveal a charcoal drawing of the man sitting before her. The moment seems to go by in slow motion as Ichabod closes the journal and holds it to his chest. "I have a very strange but none the less true story to tell you. It will require you to keep that open mind you seem to have."

Ichabod begins with how he was injured in the Revolutionary War, of his wife Katrina and finally ending with the demons he and Abbie are battling to stop the apocalypse. With a held breath he waits for Isabella to start screaming or order them from her home but instead she returns the embrace from earlier.

The two of them talk until late evening, Abbie finally sees Ichabod relax for the first time.

When the sun starts to cast shadows across the small house Ichabod gives Abbie an uneasy glance. Abbie stands, placing her hand on her sidearm. Isabella doesn't understand what is going on as Ichabod takes her hand and rushes her out of the house.

Suddenly a dark apparition creeps across the floor, slides up the wall and lurks in the dark spots. The light was starting to wane outside as the moon crossed paths with the sun.

Running full out towards the car, Ichabod holds tight to Isabella's hand. They make it to the car only to hear a hissing sound coming from underneath it. "Shhe … isss … mine." The voice comes from every direction at once, it's ice cold tone surrounding them.

Abbie opens the car door only to have it close shut again. The three of them go on guard, Ichabod pulling Isabella behind him. "Lieutenant, I believe we are in grave danger."

Turning around Abbie's eyes catch a greenhouse all lit up. "Isabella … is that your greenhouse?"

From behind Ichabod she answers, her small hands clutching his jacket. "Yes … the lights come on every night and go off every morning."

As if reading each other's mind, Abbie and Ichabod make a mad dash for the greenhouse, Isabella being towed along.

Once inside the greenhouse they can see the darkness try to find passage in but the light keeps it at bay. "We have to make sure we cast no shadow, we must stay in the light." Ichabod wraps his arms around a now shaking Isabella, her blue eyes starting to tear up.

"What is that thing out there and why does it want me?" Her doleful look causes Ichabod to hold her tighter.

"It wants your light but I promise on my word it will not touch you." He kisses the top of her head as he looks over to Abbie.

"Thank you … grandfather." The words melt Ichabod, his heart slowing from its once quickened pace.

Abbie tells Ichabod to stay in the greenhouse with Isabella as she goes for the car. He nods to her, telling her to be careful.

The shadow comes once more to the door as Abbie opens it. Her calves burn as she pushes her legs to give her all they've got. Once in the car, she turns on the spotlights, aiming them at the darkness swirling around her.

"Give … her … to … meeee." The disembodied voice hisses again as it grows into the form of a man.

"I'll give you something but it's not that girl." Turning her spotlights towards the shadow she watches it break apart and fade back into the dark.

Pulling the car up to the greenhouse she throws open the passenger door and yells for Ichabod. He runs, pulling Isabella in the car with him. "We haven't much time Ms. Mills. This demon has us at a disadvantage as long the moon is yet high."

"I got that Ichabod … I can only think of one place to take her. Hold on … it's gonna be a long night." Abbie pushes the accelerator to the floor, her hands gripping the steering wheel tight.