She told him about her vision – what both sisters had witnessed that day. She explained why their minds had been silenced. Of course Moloch had won against them. They were mere children, they didn't know. When she'd finished, she looked to him.
"Where are you right now?"
Ichabod swallowed. "In Jeremy's – Henry's – unmarked grave."
Abbie winced.
"He bound me there so that I could not stop him." Ichabod spit the words out like they were poison.
"And Katrina?" Abbie inquired.
Ichabod bowed his head.
"She is with the horseman of death. He took her, as was promised."
Abbie shook her head, looking down.
"God damn…" she murmured softly.
"Had I but known…" Ichabod whispered fervently to the floorboards. "What fulfilling this prophecy would mean…what it would do to both of us…"
"You'd take it back?" Abbie quipped sardonically. Ichabod's eyes flashed to her face. Her expression, though disbelieving, was sympathetic.
"For all the world." He answered solemnly. Abbie tried to smile genuinely at that, but pain – pure, apparent pain – twisted her features into a grimace.
"You remember what you said to me?"
Ichabod winced, his eyes shutting against the memory, faithfully preserved like so many of his others.
"That I would not betray your trust for the world." He whispered. It was ironic, how he could remember things even when he didn't want to.
"And that you and I, we would choose our own destiny. No forbidden roads, no shady deals, no prophecies…," She trailed off as her voice suddenly waxed thick. She blinked rapidly, before shoving off the wall.
Crossing to where Crane stood, Abbie grasped his hand in hers. He hadn't notice the silent tears that had streaked down his cheeks, until she raised her thumb to wipe them away.
"I'm sorry…for planting the idea in your head." She whispered. "I should have never volunteered to stay."
She locked her gaze with his. "I should have known better than to tempt fate like that."
"Is that an admission of guilt?" Crane couldn't help but bait her.
"No." She enunciated the word by squeezing his hand. He laughed, once, at her tenacity. It was a pained sound.
"And…," she continued, "I'm sorry for beating you up."
"Beating me? I hardly think that's fair…" Ichabod returned. "I can think of a variety of small mammals that could have easily inflicted more damage than-" He broke off with a hiss when Abbie poked the left side of his jaw. The minx. He'd nearly forgotten that one.
Abbie smiled.
"You do look a little worse for wear."
He met her gaze, and gently clasped his other hand about hers. His smile faded as he contemplated exactly what to say to her. How he could ever make amends. He began with the most honest declaration he could express.
"I am so sorry." He whispered. No, that didn't nearly cover it. "I-"
He stopped when Abbie's head suddenly jerked away, her eyes refocusing on something behind him.
"What is it?" He spun, but saw nothing behind him but the pink windowpanes, stark against the bright moonlight. He felt her pry her hand from between both of his, and turned back in confusion.
"It's time for you to go, I think." She whispered hoarsely. She managed an acrid twist of the lips as she backed away, towards the shadows.
"How do you know?" he asked. She shrugged.
"It's just a feeling." She looked beyond him again. "And a good one, at that."
Ichabod felt himself being slowly pulled backwards, towards the windows. She was right – he was leaving her. He looked back and saw tears streaming, unchecked, down her face.
"Ichabod?" she choked.
"Yes?"
"Do you remember what you said to me? About why my sister and I fight?"
Of course he remembered.
"Because you care deeply for one another."
Abbie nodded. Her lower lip quivered, but her shoulders remained strong. Ichabod fought against the mist to keep her in sight, but it was useless.
"Time to wake up." Were the last words he heard.
So I hope you at least enjoyed some of this! I know that parts of this fic are definitely OOC, and that I bent the story a little to suit my own desires. But I hope you got something cool out of it. Thanks for reading!
