Chapter 10

"I know. Now tell me how to kill Pandora."

Ichabod was a little taken aback by Abbie's words, he had been worn down so far he didn't know what to believe any more but one look into her soft warm brown eyes he knew she meant it. His heart thumped with renewed hope. Only that hope was shattered when he realized he had not yet come to a conclusion with his theory on how to kill the demi-God and her husband.

"I have only uncovered a portion." Ichabod's face fell and Abbie leaned in so her face was mere centimeters from his.

"We don't have much time."

"Like the pagan gods and goddesses of Greek mythology, the end came whence worship to their deities was replaced by new religion. So it is pliable to theorize that one way to destroy a god is to replace that god with another."

Abbie's lips began to curve upwards as her mind scrambled to finish the puzzle and then her lightning bolt moment came.

"Do you know the Lord's prayer Crane?" Abbie questioned.

"Of course," replied Crane his wheels turned just as quickly and then he came to the same revelation that his partner had just experienced.

Abbie kissed his cheek, grinned, and then replied, "Okay then. On the count of three, say it with me." She took his hand, and then turned to face Pandora. But unfortunately Pandora was standing just next to the base of the pyre.

"I'm disappointed in you sister. But I've always learned in the end you can't depend on anyone but yourself. It was the same then. I suppose that is why they say history always repeats itself. Which is why I guess we will just have to go with the first plan—everyone dies."

"Pandora, please. I did not want Ichabod's last thoughts of me to be of someone who stabbed him in the back," Abbie plead but it was too late. Pandora's eyes had turned red. With her powers she flung Abbie away from Ichabod and bound her to a tree.

"Say Goodbye."

With one flick she had reignited the flames around Ichabod. In a frantic panic Abbie cried, "I'll do whatever you want to ensure that he lives. Please, I'm begging you."

"The time for begging is over."

"I love him," replied Abbie in desperation, her eyes brimming with tears as the flames rose higher, now almost up to Ichabod's waist.

"Good then you can watch him turn into ashes before you do as well."

Pandora smiled wickedly, closed her eyes, and she began to chant words that made fireballs fall from the sky.

Abbie prayed silently to herself that something might end this madness and then she heard an odd clinking noise followed by the restraints on her wrists loosening. She glanced behind her and saw Jenny standing there with an axe in her hand. Abbie wanted desperately to hug her sister in gratitude, thankful that she was alive and well but she knew Ichabod needed her help first.

"Go, save him," Jenny insisted.

"Keep her distracted. We have a plan," replied Abbie nodding over to Pandora who by the looks of it was attempting to bring her husband back into this realm again. Abbie stepped toward Ichabod but turned around quickly to add, "Jenny, what you said earlier, about not being able to live in a world without your sister—Ditto."

Jenny smiled and then pulled out a machine gun out of her bag. Abbie was almost to the pyre when she heard the first shots go off. She prayed she could get to Ichabod fast enough to save them all. Focused on her mission she waited until close enough then Abbie took a running start towards the pyre, and lunged over the flames.

It was so hot she wasn't sure she would make it through unscathed, but by some strange miracle she did. Unfortunately when she reached Ichabod he was already unconscious. Abbie slapped his cheek in attempt to rouse him but he did not react. So she did the only thing she could think. She took both his hands in hers and began to recite the Lord's Prayer.

At first nothing happened. Abbie worried they might both be swallowed by the flames and she tried it again, this time louder. The second time around the flames around them died down. She could see Jenny now taking cover from Pandora's fireballs but the last fire ball dissipated before it reached its target proving that the words were weakening her.

"Jenny, recite the Lord's prayer," said Abbie and then Jenny joined in that was until Pandora lunged for her throat.

In the distance she could see Pandora's husband in ghostly form struggling to get through to this realm but this time his image was fading in and out. Abbie shouted it louder.

In all of the chaos she did not realize Joe had arrived and had tackled Pandora. Noting that they were all chanting the verses he joined in.

With the last "Amen" Pandora had finally vanished along with her husband.

Struggling for breath, Jenny glanced around at the smoke and burnt char that was now Sleepy Hollow Park Reserve and then Abbie felt Crane slump into her.

"Jenny, I need that axe," shouted Abbie urgently hoping the smoke inhalation hadn't poisoned Ichabod's respiratory system.

Jenny ran to fetch the axe and gave it to Joe who returned it to the burnt pyre and cut away at the ties around Ichabod's hands and ankles.

When Ichabod was free his legs buckled. Abbie tried to catch him and Joe rushed around to help Abbie carry him off the pyre.

"He need's CPR," said Jenny and Abbie took off her coat and rolled up her sleeves.

"Maybe Joe or I should do it. Your lungs can't be much better off than his," Jenny added but Abbie shook her head.

"No, we have a connection. It has to be me," she replied. Abbie pulled open the ties on his tunic exposing his chest and started on the chest compressions, and then she tilted Cranes head and performed mouth to mouth. When the first attempt didn't work she began to grow worried and tried it again.

"I'm not going to let you leave this time, do you hear me?" Abbie stated while pumping harder on his chest. But when there was still no response her breathing grew heavy and the tormented look on her face gave evidence of clear distress.

"I'll take over," said Jenny noting that Abbie was looking drained but Abbie refused. Abbie knew if he stayed under for much longer he would have permanent brain damage and she pushed a little harder.

"Get the truck so we can transport him to the hospital," Abbie said to Joe in an effort to stay in control of this, but in truth her hope was fading with every passing second. She tried not to let her emotions get the best of her lowering her mouth to his once again.

Abbie muttered lowly into his ear, pleading one last time, "Please, stay with me Ichabod."

After one breath, she felt a rumble in his chest followed by a loud cough. The sound was music to her ears.

Joe grabbed some water from Jenny's duffel bag and handed it to Crane.

When Ichabod finally composed himself and drank some water, now sitting up he looked around at the site before him. It looked as if they had been in a war. Abbie's car was turned over, and trees, brush, and foliage had been burnt black.

"Were we successful?" Crane asked after taking a couple swigs.

"Yep, any day you need us to rescue your damsel tukus we'll be there," replied Jenny with snark.

"I am eternally grateful for having my tukus rescued. Thank you," replied Crane.

"It's no sweat. All in a day's work," said Joe with confidence patting Crane on the shoulder in assurance. Having been an EMT he went to get some things from his truck to ensure Ichabod was okay.

"Yes, I suppose it goes with the territory of our mission." Crane agreed glancing over to at Abbie who had been strangely quiet. "And how did you fare Leftenant? Any battle wounds to report?"

Up until that moment Abbie had been holding it together pretty well, or so she thought, but when Crane's eyes met her this time, she couldn't help herself but to throw her arms around him. Grateful tears leaked from her eyes when one arm came around to hold her back.

"I'm going to see if Joe needs any help," said Jenny excusing herself from the private moment between Abbie and her partner.

When Jenny had left and several minutes had passed Ichabod finally replied, "This conclusion must mean that you decided to overthrow Pandora. I however still do not understand why you insist on doing these things yourself."

Ichabod thought he heard a small chuckle, eager to know if Abbie truly meant what she had said earlier because he had heard every word she had spoken to Pandora before fire began to rain from the sky. But it was also highly possible and more likely given her past behavior that she was merely blowing smoke in order to gain Pandora's sympathies. His heart hammered nervously and he placed his hand on her cheek gently, caressing her soft skin before enquiring, "It was quite the evening for revelations as well."

Abbie glanced up this time her eyes blotchy and Ichabod paused for a moment hesitating because he didn't want to ruin things between them again but ultimately he realized had to know the truth and finally asked Abbie, "Did you mean what you said earlier? Do you love me?"