The group arrived and headed up the walkway to the house. Crane put his hand on the doorknob, but the door swung open freely.
"It would seem that someone is expecting us."
"Let's not disappoint them." Jenny pulled her gun and pushed by Crane. "Looks like they got a new decorator."
"It looks like a cheesy horror movie in here," said Hawley. "I don't know whether to run or laugh."
"Well," said Jenny. "If you run, I'll laugh, right after I shoot you."
Crane put his finger up to his lips then pointed up. They heard faint noises, almost mumbling sounds coming from the second floor. Jenny nodded and led the way up.
At the top of the stairs she looked around. The sound was still playing a creepy mix of backwards chanting all overlapping and in different languages. She headed toward the sound in the large room on the left.
Crane pressed his back against the wall on one side of the door, Jenny and Hawley did the same on the other. Jenny saw the door was cracked open just a bit. There were shadows moving around but she couldn't quite make out what they were doing. She locked eyes with Crane. He was ready. Just as she started to ease the door open, it flew open on its own.
"What took you so long?" Abbie's voice was light and fun. She stood on the far side of the room. "Honestly, I thought you had given up."
"Abbie?" Jenny took a few hesitant steps inside.
"You so want to believe that." Abbie slowly shook her head.
"I didn't hear the change in your voice, so I thought…."
"She doesn't have much time," Abbie interrupted. "How do you plan on stopping me?"
Hawley whipped a thin chain at Abbie that wrapped around her arms. She winced a little but still seemed strong.
"If you're looking to immobilize me, this isn't enough." Her eyes filled in all black and the items in the room started to float.
Crane had managed to sneak around the outer edge of the room until he was close enough to completely cover her with a heavy net made solely from iron. All the floating items dropped as Abbie's body collapsed to the ground, her screaming breaking the hearts of everyone in the room.
"Well, we got her," said Hawley.
Jenny forced her attention to Crane. "What do you think? Ring of salt just to be sure?"
He nodded. "Whatever it takes to keep the body here while we locate the soul."
"Jenny," Abbie's voice was soft and pleading. "Please, Jenny. Let me go."
Jenny clenched her hands into fists.
Abbie switched victims. "Crane! Ichabod, please. Jenny's lost her mind. She's wrong and you know it. Please, help me."
"I am helping you." He finished the salt circle and stood by Jenny not wanting to look at Abbie lying on the floor.
Jenny took in a deep breath. "Okay, so who's staying out? We need someone to keep an eye on her."
"I cannot in good conscious continue to stand idly by while she is suffering," said Crane. "I'm going with you."
"Guess that means I'm out by default," said Hawley.
Jenny scooped up a few pinches of the dust from a nearby dresser and put it in Hawley's hand.
"I'm counting on you to watch us. Don't fall asleep."
"Or else Freddy Krueger will get me, I know." Hawley let out a nervous laugh before locking his eyes with hers. "Be careful."
She smiled. "Always."
Jenny backed up next to Crane and gave Hawley a nod. He took in a deep breath, held up his hand, and blew the dust into their faces. Crane helped Jenny to the floor. She was out almost the instant she was down. Crane placed her carefully before nodding off beside her.