Fates Intertwined Chapter 13
The Archives looked like they hadn't been used in decades. File cabinets and shelves were everywhere fit to bursting with papers and books. There were dust and cobwebs everywhere along with most of the stuff inside being covered with tarps.
To Ichabod and Irina the place took them back to much happier and familiar times.
"The Battle of Lexington was plotted in this chamber," mused Ichabod.
"Well, now it's where hard copies go to die," said Abbie, fighting back a sneeze from the layers of dust all over the place.
Picking up a book, turning it over in her hands, Irina inquired "Another figure of speech, I take it?"
"Old police reports, newspaper articles, historical records. Pretty much everything we'd ever really want to know about the history of Sleepy Hollow," said Abbie.
"Recorded history," corrected Ichabod, removing one of the tarps. "It appears little of what actually transpired found its way into your textbooks."
"Got it," said Abbie, causing Ichabod and Irina to snap their heads towards the direction she was in. "Corbin's files."
The tarp was pulled off of the files with great haste. Abbie used the key and just like that it became open to them. Instantly all of the files containing everything the late Sheriff Corbin knew were open to them. By the look of things he'd done a lot of research.
Technically difficult for Irina not to be impressed by this.
Sharing a look with the other two, Abbie said "We better split this up."
The mountain of files was then divided equally amongst the three of them. Cover more ground this way.
They didn't have much time to look through it all night was fast approaching.
After what felt like hours had gone by without them noticing Irina finally found what they were looking for.
Clicking her fingers together to get their attention, not taking her eyes off of the papers laid out in front of her, Irina said "I've got something."
Ichabod instantly dropped what he'd been doing rushing over to Irina.
Reading over her shoulder, Ichabod said "Serilda of Abaddon."
"Abbadon? Is that a place," asked Abbie.
Shaking his head, Ichabod said "No, it's a form of Romani Greek. Otherwise referred to as the language of the Gypsies."
"You speak Greek," said Abbie, curious.
Nodding, Ichabod said "Among several languages, yes. My memory's eidetic. I retain what I see with near perfect precision."
"You have photographic memory," said Abbie.
"Sights, sounds, even smells," said Ichabod.
"A skill he always likes to show off," said Irina, grinning.
"Shush," chided Ichabod, continuing. "Except, ironically, for the 250 years I can't seen to recall, which makes it of little use." He then refocused his attention on the information Irina had unveiled for them. "Ah, here we are. It appears Serilda's fate was sealed by her enemies. A benevolent coven known as the Sisterhood of the Radiant Heart. Their leader used white magic to weaken Serilda, making her vulnerable to mortal attack. A hunting party finally captured her in the woods around Sleepy Hollow. In Romani Greek, she said, 'By the turn of the blood moon, the ashes of you ancestry will be mine. Your flesh will be my flesh. I will live again.'."
"The magistrate who sentenced her, what was his name," said Abbie, anxiously.
"Uh…," said Irina, tracing her finger over the words until she found it, "Robert Daniel Furth."
"The victim in the car accident, his name was Jeremy Furth," stated Abbie.
" 'The ashes of your ancestry will be mine'," quoted Ichabod. "She requires the ashes of his descendants to return to life."
"This Jeremy is a descendant," added Irina.
"But surely not the last. She must complete her resurrection by the turn of the blood moon. That's tonight," said Ichabod. "We must find who she'll seek out next."
It's night now. Their time was up.
Making a quick stop at the department Abbie called in a favor to find information on the Furth family. Luckily the results showed a possibility that Serilda would definitely go for in her search for vengeance.
"According to genealogical records the magistrate had a son whose bloodline traces to Jeremy Furth. He, also, had a daughter who married into another family. The Hemmingtons," informed Abbie, leading the group as they headed for her patrol vehicle.
"Did you locate Miss Hemmingtons descendants," said Ichabod, an urgency to his tone of voice.
"Only one in Sleepy Hollow. On Bedford," said Abbie.
The trio loaded into the patrol vehicle. Abbie floored the gas and they were off racing against time.
They needed every second they could get. There's no more time to waste. Who knows how big of a head start the dark witch Serilda had on them.
The three of them set out for this family and hopefully save their lives before Serilda gets to them before they do.
Authors Note:
Good they found all that information from Corbin. Now they have a witch of darkness to content with on this case.
Also, the anniversary for the terrible tragedy of day of 9/11 year's ago just occurred.
I was a very young child when that happened. All I can remember that day was my mother picking me and my little sister up from grade school. At home my sister and I learned what happened in New York City. My father came home soon after fearful that we were all going to be attacked. That was one of the scariest days of my life. I know for a fact I'll never forget it. I doubt anyone will.
For those reading this right now I know we can't all be together, but I ask that you share a moment of silence and prayer, no matter your religion, out of respect for the people who died that day and those alive who are still suffering from being there that day. And those of you who may be either going to a restaurant or a bar please raise a glass in a toast for those survivors and fallen.