A/N – Thanks for the comments, favorites, and follows! * ReadtoRelax – Thanks! * cocoalounge – Very! * mfaerie32 – lol too funny!
Chapter 10 – Crashing Down
Abbie studied Ichabod for a moment as he gazed out the window. He hadn't spoken a lot since the previous night. Something seems to be troubling him and she wishes that he would confide in her. As if he had sensed her eyes upon him, he turned his head and met her gaze. Seeing the look in her eyes, he realizes that she is worried.
"I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention to worry you."
"It's okay. I figured that you'd talk to me when you were ready."
He sighed and made his way over to the table and sat down. "So much has happened and I admit I'm a little nervous about the diary."
She reached over and grabbed his hand. "We'll deal with it together."
He nods and then averts his gaze.
"You never mentioned what happened with Abraham."
"We said a few words of apology and agreed to try to mend our friendship."
Abbie rubbed her thumb over his hand. "Are you truly okay with that?"
Ichabod shrugged and sat back. "To a degree. I feel like we are both different people now. Circumstances and choices have taken a toll on our camaraderie. I don't think we can recapture the innocence of our initial bromance as you so aptly stated."
"Give it time Crane. I'm sure you both will find your way."
"Indeed," he said slightly smiling. "I saw you had a moment with Katrina. You two aren't going to become besties now are you?"
Abbie made a face. "Hell no, but we agreed to work together. Are you going to be able to do the same?"
"I shall take one for the team as well."
"You've been hanging around Jenny too much."
Ichabod smiled. "I am very fond of your sister, although she teases me endlessly."
"You are an easy target."
Her phone vibrated and she listened for a moment before putting it back on the table. "It's time."
Ichabod stood and then pulled Abbie into him and hugged her tightly. "Be careful today."
"You too."
He kissed her on the forehead and they headed out.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
"Katrina thinks she has narrowed it down."
"Is it in the barn?" Abbie asked.
Jenny shook her head. "No, there is a tree not too far from it. She thinks it's buried at the base of it."
"Any sign of weirdness?" Abbie's darted as she scoped out the area.
"Nope."
Ichabod joined them. "Hello, Miss Jenny."
"Hey Crane."
Katrina and Abraham approached and then greeted them. "Ready?" Katrina asked.
"More than ready," Abbie said.
They walked over to where Frank was standing and then headed for the tree.
Ichabod visually surveyed the vast property. It is beautiful, almost like an oasis in the middle of a dessert. Considering all the years that had past, it is relatively unchanged from the seventeenth century. While he had learned to appreciate some technology, he still longed for the time when things were a bit simpler.
Frank reached the tree first and started to dig. Jenny and Abbie watche apprehensibly, both a little worried about what they are going to find.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
Andy approached Henry who is sitting outside staring at the lake.
"What do you want?" Henry asked without looking up.
"You need to leave now."
Henry turned and looked at him. "Whatever for?"
"Because when they find out the truth, you'll be in danger."
Henry sighed. "I don't understand."
"Balaam wants to protect you. There is something you need to know."
Henry's jaw clenched. "What?"
"Not here," Andy said nervously looking around. "Follow me."
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
Frank's shovel hit something solid and he threw it aside and tried to pull what looked like a metal box out with his hands.
"What is it?" Jenny asked.
"It's a box," he said trying to wipe the dirt off of it before handing it to her.
Jenny frowned and studied it for a moment before passing it to Ichabod. "There's some writing on it."
"It says Tulpa," Ichabod said with a frown.
"What's that?" Abraham asked.
"It's something that is conjured. They are a type of thought form which means that someone can conjure a being by his thoughts. Over time, a tulpa can develop a mind of its own and it will free itself from its maker's control."
Jenny voiced what everyone is thinking. "What does a diary have to do with a Tulpa?"
"There's only one way to find out," Abbie said firmly. "Open it, Crane."
He nods and after a few unsuccessful pulls, the top opens and the diary is revealed.
They stared at it for a moment and when no one made a move, Abbie grabbed it and started to flip through it as everyone waited patiently.
Ichabod watched her face reflect the horror she was reading and then her eyes filled with tears. "Abbie?"
"This is really bad," she muttered. "Crane, I don't know what to say."
Katrina grabbed the book out of Abbie's hand and when she finished reading it, she visibly paled and passed out. Abraham caught her and lowered her to the ground.
"Please Abbie," Ichabod said softly.
She blew out a big breath, "I'm sorry Ichabod, but Henry is not your real son. He is a tulpa. The coven created him."
Ichabod felt like someone had dumped a ton of bricks on his head and he couldn't breathe. When he thought of all the sacrifices that had been made for a son who wasn't even his, it made him sick to his stomach to realize he had indeed been played. A distraught Katrina woke up and started to sob as Abraham lovingly tended to her.
She had given up Ichabod for a man who wasn't even her son. All the sacrifices were for naught. Ichabod can barely stand her and Henry is—God she doesn't even know what to think. She wondered if he knew and had been playing her along or if he was an innocent victim as well.
Ichabod slowly turned and faced Katrina as Abraham tried to sooth an ache within her that could not be dismissed. She had thrown him aside for a fucking tulpa. He is livid. All the guilt he had felt… He muttered, "No," under his breath and then hissed and started to walk away.
"Ichabod," Abbie said reaching out to him.
He held his hand out. "Please, do not offer me confront right now. I just can't accept it."
She is a little hurt but a big part of her understands. Most of her life she had closed herself off when something bad happened. He just needs some time to process. A single tear dropped down her cheek as she watched him walk away and disappear over the hill just beyond them.
Jenny reached out and touched her. "He'll come back. He's just hurt."
"What if he doesn't?"
"Then I'll be here for you."
Katrina had begun to wail and Abbie couldn't take it anymore and hurried towards the car. She got inside and shut her eyes, silently willing the headache that she now had away. This is a terrible mess and she isn't sure if Crane can handle it. He has already been through so much.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
Ichabod lay back in the grass and looked up at the sky. "Why?" he asked receiving no answer or comfort. The sense of loss and despair over the lies that had been told is like a darkness eating him inside out—overwhelming his battered soul. Abbie. He left her in purgatory for Katrina and their fake son had almost killed him. It was all for nothing. All the pain she had suffered due to his love for a wife that so easily left him behind without a second glance. The tears start to stream rapidly down his face. He heard a movement and sat up, realizing he had no idea where he was.
A woman walked towards. As she got closer, his mouth dropped open and he looked at her with disbelief. "Carolyn? But how?"
She smiled. "Oh Ichabod. After all you have experienced are you really going to question my existence?" she said plopping down across from him. "You look like you could use a friend."
He wiped his face and then cleared his throat. "You are not real."
She lightly touched his hand. "Oh, but I am. Let me help you Ichabod. I can take away the pain and make you feel so good. You don't belong here. I can return you to your rightful place."
He didn't want to feel anymore and it is more than tempting to take solace in her kindness, but he can sense something is amiss. As much as he would like to have Carolyn back in his world, she is dead. "While I appreciate your most kind offer, I'm afraid that my heart lies with someone else."
Carolyn dismissed his words. "She can't help you right now. Only I can help sooth your pain. Choose me Ichabod and all the lies and betrayal will fade away."
She touched his hand again and Ichabod gasped at the peace that flooded his body and the next thing he knows he is on his back and Carolyn is straddling him.
"Let me make you feel good Ichabod."
He gasps as she began to grind against him. "No," he yelled pushing her away.
She rose up and her eyes changed colors and Crane pushed himself back, trying to scramble away. And that is when he heard Katrina. She hurled a ball of blue light at Carolyn and the demon screeched and then disappeared. He quickly stood and watched her move closer as he tried to get his bearings. "Thank you."
She nodded and stopped in front of him. "I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you, but it's all that I have done. I loved him, Ichabod. I felt such overwhelming guilt for leaving him and I wanted to make up for all the years that he suffered so greatly." She paused and moved even closer. "I loved him with all my heart and now it's all gone. We have no idea what happened to our real son; the son I thought I was protecting." Tears are pouring down her face. "We have to find out what happened. I can't move on until I know. Please say you'll help me. I know you hate me and I deserve every minute of your ire, but this is our son, Ichabod."
He sighed. He too wants to know what happened to him. They need closure. "Okay."
She ran into his arms and he held her as she cried, but he didn't feel a thing. He is completely numb. Abbie stood off in the distance watching them and it is breaking her heart. If he lesaves her for Katrina, she will kill him with her bare hands and the witch better run.
Jenny noted her sister's murderous demeanor. "Damn Abbie."
"After all she did to him—he is standing there holding her. I can't believe this shit."
"He just found out his son doesn't exist. I really don't think he's into her anymore."
Abbie averted her eyes. She couldn't stand the sight of them anymore. "I'll wait by the car."
About twenty minutes later, Katrina and Ichabod walked back to the cars looking completely broken. Jenny gave her sister a hug and Abbie and Ichabod got into her SUV and neither said a word.
Ichabod wanted to say reach out to her, but he just couldn't. The pain that is radiating off of him is almost too much to bear. Abbie drove back to the cabin wondering where the hell she stood. Andy had warned her and now she wished she could just go back and not look for that stupid diary. It had ruined everything.
Finally, she pulled into the driveway and turned off the car. "I know you're hurting, but just know that I'm here for you Ichabod. You don't have to go through this alone," she said slipping out of the car and shutting the door. She took one last peek of him, hoping for some kind of sign he's still in there, but Ichabod's eyes are closed so she retreats into the cabin. She got ready for bed and after an hour, she heard him enter the house. When he never comes into the bedroom, she lets herself fall asleep, hoping that by tomorrow he will open up for her.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
Ichabod woke up early and watched Abbie sleep. He had really missed sleeping with her, but he felt like he needed some time alone to sort through his thoughts and deal with the anger that is churning inside of him so that he didn't take it out on her. Quickly, he got dressed and is surprised to find Abraham walking towards the house when he opened the door.
"What's wrong?"
"She's in a bad place and I can't reach her. I know she hurt you badly, but can you go talk to her?"
Jenny pulled up and then approached them. "What's going on?"
"Katrina is a wreck and I came to see if Ichabod would talk to her," Abraham said softly.
Jenny didn't say anything. This situation is a mess and she wonders how Abbie is handling it.
Ichabod sighed. "Fine. Is Henry there?"
"No. We haven't seen him since before we left yesterday."
"I'll be right back."
Abraham handed him his keys.
Jenny glanced at him. "Come on. I have breakfast."
He followed her into the house and Jenny put on some coffee and handed him some donut holes. She watched with a smirk as the formerly headless horseman popped a few into his mouth. God her life is crazy. "So, I guess I won't ask how you are doing."
Abraham quickly plopped into a chair, his mind going over the last twelve hours. "It was a rough night."
"Look, I don't usually beat around the bush. Do you think Katrina wants Ichabod again?"
Abbie froze in the doorway and waited to hear what Abraham would say.
"I don't think so. I think she wants her son and she's distraught that she gave up so much to be with Henry, but I don't think she has any illusions about how Ichabod feels about her."
"I'm sorry you have to deal with all of this. It must be hard being in your position."
Abraham nodded. "It is, but it's of my own doing. I have always loved Katrina more than she loves me and it was my love for her that led me to make some rather bad decisions." None of this was easy for Abraham. It had been rough for him when Katrina had brought him back and helped him quell his anger. He had finally felt like his old self again and now everything is falling apart.
Jenny smirked. "You think?"
Abraham slightly smiled. "I like you, Jenny Mills. A feisty woman is always interesting company."
Despite herself, Jenny actually likes him. She understands twisty very well.
Abbie moved into the room. "Hey, Abraham."
He considered her with concern. "Good morning."
Abbie didn't reply, choosing instead to pour herself some coffee and then join them at the table. "I take it that Ichabod is with her?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't know what else to do. Henry has disappeared and despite herself, Katrina is worried that he will turn evil again and try to hurt us once the truth is revealed to him."
Abraham understands that Abbie is put out about Katrina and Ichabod spending time together. He is too, but he will do anything to ease Katrina's pain and he feels Ichabod could help.
"We need to find Henry. The timing is suspect and I have a feeling this is going to end badly."
Jenny fidgeted for a moment. "You guys don't think that he went back to the house do you?"
Abbie's heart dropped. "Let's go."