A/N – Thanks for the comments! * ReadtoRelax – Jenny agreed to consider getting married to get used to the idea. Brom agreed to wait, but his brush with the entity left him a bit insecure. Thanks! * mfaerie32 – lol * myhiggins25 – Glad you liked it!
Chapter 37 - Trouble
Jenny put down her napkin. "Will you pass the potatoes?"
Abbie handed her the dish.
"Thanks. By the way, Brom and I are getting married the Saturday before Thanksgiving and Ichabod is going to marry us."
Abbie started to choke and Frank patted her on the back as Ichabod's eyes grew larger than saucers and Macey clapped her approval.
"Congratulations," Cynthia said.
"Thank you."
Abbie gulped some water down. "Seriously?"
"Yup." Jenny knew exactly what Abbie was thinking. Now that Jenny had given in, Ichabod is going to hope that Abbie will do the same. "We could make it a double," she said wickedly as her sister glared. That comment seemed to spark Ichabod back to life.
"What was that last part again?"
"Oh, you're going to marry us."
He watched her shovel a fork full of potatoes into her mouth. "Pray tell, how would that even be possible?"
"You can take a course online," Jenny explained.
"Is nothing sacred anymore? I mean surely it shouldn't be that easy to become a man of the cloth."
"I don't need you to preach. I just need you to read the vows. How wonderful will it be for you to do this for your best friend after all these centuries?"
He gave her a little glare for the age slight.
"It would mean the world to us if you would consider it," Brom added.
Ichabod sighed. He isn't sure that he is on board, but he doesn't want to disappoint them either. "We'll look into it later."
Jenny wiped her mouth and then got up and kissed him on the cheek before sitting again.
"I'm so excited. We have to go dress shopping," Macey said.
"Definitely."
"Where are you holding the service?" Abbie asked.
"I'm not sure. We can't have it here because I don't want everyone knowing our business." There were a few sketchy friends she wanted to invite who always came through for her. "We could do it at the old church."
Abbie thought for a moment and started to chuckle.
"What?"
"I can see it now. You'll be standing at the altar and right when he says does anyone object, the lights will flicker and there will be a loud bang. You tell Ichabod to hurry and he quickly finishes and the happy couple kisses and then you whip out a gun you had stuck in your garter and say, "Let's get out there and kick some demon ass."
They laughed. "That would be wicked good," Macey said before looking at her watch.
"Where are you going?" Frank asked as he watched her walk towards the door.
"Out."
Ichabod smiled mischievously. "Tell Tristan I said hello."
Frank shot him a look. "I'll remember that when you're baby is old enough to have sex."
"That will not be a problem because my child is not going to leave the house after the age of twelve."
Abbie snorted. "We have a lot to discuss."
"I will love it if you will sing at the wedding," Jenny said.
Abbie smiled. "I would love too."
"I know the perfect colonial hymn you can sing," Ichabod said with a grin.
Abbie and Jenny shot him a look.
"Got ya."
Frank chuckled.
"You have a lot of planning to do in a short period of time," Cynthia pointed out.
"We can make it work. And honestly, if it's just us and I don't invite any outsiders, that's fine with me too," Jenny said.
"Then we could just have it here," Abbie said.
"I would be fine with that," Brom said. He didn't care as long as they are man and wife in the end.
About two hours later, Ichabod's eyes widened as he studies the cipher he is trying to decode. "I've got it," he said loudly, making Abbie and Jenny jump.
Cynthia looked up from her computer. "What did you find?"
"I figured out the cipher and I also think I know what that dark thing is looking for."
"What?" Abbie asked.
"During the war, Thomas Jefferson once alluded to a chamber that was beneath the hollow. I do believe he was referring to this town. The cipher is a series of coordinates that should lead to that hidden chamber. The land that neighborhood was built upon once belonged to William Beekman, who owned a huge expanse of land then known as North Tarryton. During the war, Major John Andre was captured and plans were stolen that became the major turning point of the Revolution. It just so happened that Major Andre was carrying plans to Benedict Arnold."
Jenny smirked. She loved how Ichabod pronounced the names of people he despised.
"It is rumored during that time that Gerardus Beekman, a supposed free mason, returned to Sleepy Hollow and hid an artifact in this chamber that only the elite families of the town knew existed."
"What was the artifact?" Brom asked.
"I'm getting to that."
"Never stop him when he's on a roll," Abbie quipped.
Ichabod raised an eyebrow.
"Continue," Jenny said.
"Gerardus was involved with the militia. He knew that with all the traitorous activity that this artifact should remain hidden in the bowels of the town from whence it originated. The artifact is Native American. The indigenous tribe in the area was called the Weckquaesgeek Indians. The Natives typically believed that the dead were not really dead, but traveled freely in between the spirit and physical realms. From what I have garnered from research, there is a tool or arrowhead that was believed to have once belonged to the local chief. There were many battles and he survived quite a few. Historians believe that he possessed a special tool that helped him move between worlds. At this point, I think Balaam is just trying to use whatever he can to come and go as he pleases."
The rest of them looked at each other and turned back to Ichabod.
"So, the cipher will lead us to the hidden chamber which is now probably inside of the house."
"Exactly. We re-scheduled our appointment for lunchtime tomorrow. I was trying to buy more time. The house that Slate occupied has a basement. I'm speculating that the house is built on top of the chamber and there is a secret room which will lead us to the artifact." Ichabod smiled.
"What is it about Mason's and secret rooms and compartments? If they kept up with their dusting, it wouldn't be so creepy," Abbie said.
"Is she starting to nest already?" Cynthia asked.
"Unfortunately, no," Ichabod said.
Abbie glared at him.
"Sophie and I will visit the house tomorrow. Hopefully with her keen senses and my intellect, we will find what we are looking for."
"Be careful. If it's Native American there will be protection around it."
"I will be very respectful."
Ichabod wrote out the cipher code and compared it with some old maps of the area to try and figure out if he was truly on track.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI
The next day, Sophie came over and Frank insisted on driving them to the house. They met the realtor and went inside.
"As you can see, it does need some attention, but since you are obviously a history buff, I'm sure you will see what a treasure it is," Ann, the realtor, said.
"Do you mind if we look around?"
"Not a problem. I need to make a few phone calls, so take your time and I'll meet you outside when you are done."
They quickly went down into the basement and poked around.
"Can you hone in on it?" Ichabod asked.
"Let me try something," she said taking out a pendulum. She asked it to show her the direction of the hidden chamber and it pointed to a wall.
Ichabod moved a few boxes out of the way and used a stone to knock on it until he heard a different sound. He took out a kit and put some liquid on the brick and scraped it a bit and that is when he saw what he is looking for. There is a small burrowed hole, so he puts the head of a tiny screwdriver in and pushed. The wall opened, letting out stagnant air and dust and dirt rained down on him. Sophie tried not to laugh at Ichabod, who looked like he had been in a dust storm.
"Not one word faux wife," he said turning on a flash light. "There are stairs. As I go down, put your hand on my shoulder and follow slowly.
"Okay."
He started to descend the stone staircase and Sophie jumped when Andy appeared. "You really have got to stop doing that."
"What is going on?" Ichabod asked.
"It's Andy."
"I'll watch the door so no one can lock you in."
"Thank you," Ichabod said.
Sophie squealed when she made contact with some cobwebs. "This is disgusting. I'm going to need a shower."
Ichabod chuckled. They finally reached the bottom. "Incredible," he muttered as he gazed at all the artifacts.
"Shine your light over here."
He did so and she used the pendulum again. "Over there," she pointed.
They moved quickly, avoiding touching anything if they could. It is all so well preserved. There are sculptures and all sorts of different artifacts lying around. They came to a table that has small boxes stacked here and there.
"What do you think?"
She used the pendulum. "Think simple. Some of these look to elaborate. They are of European descent."
He nodded and moved a few things around and uncovered a small box in the center. "I believe this is it," Ichabod said.
"It is charmed. There is Native American energy around it."
"Let's get it back to the archives," he said before slipping it into his pocket.
They moved as quickly as they could back upstairs and closed the door.
"Thank you, Andy."
"You're welcome."
They went outside, forgetting Ichabod's appearance. Frank grimaced and Ann yelped. "Oh my God."
"Oh, um, you really should have someone dust in the basement. It's a mess down there."
Ann nodded as they walked by. "Oh—the house—are you interested?"
"We'll talk it over and give you a call."
"Thank you!" she said watching them get in the car and take off.
"You couldn't brush yourself off?"
Ichabod started to and Frank yelled, "No—not in here." He pulled over and Ichabod got out and did the best he could to get it out of his hair and off his coat before getting back inside.
Frank shook his head and continued on.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI
Thankfully, they got back to the compound unscathed. Orion had been nearby the entire time to make sure that Sophie was safe. He joined them in the new archives.
"Well, at least it's here. The protection shield should keep it safe," Abbie said.
They put it in a special box that would help disguise it and along with the cipher, it was put in a safe.
"Now, we just have to get rid of the entities," Cynthia said.
"I think I am making some headway. I want to try a spell tomorrow to draw them to the house. We'll have Andy sneak a charmed fake arrowhead inside and when the toyol passes it to the dark one, it will bind them within the stone and we will dispose of it properly," Sophie said.
"You make it sound so easy," Frank said.
Sophie smiled. "Of course, we will be especially carefully not to cause a ruckus."
"Uh huh."
"Do you have this stone on you?" Ichabod asked.
"Yes. I brought it just in case."
Abbie's phone rang. "Macey, slow down." She put her on speakerphone.
"We were in the movie theater and the shadow figure was in there. It chased us out."
"Were there other people around?"
"A few. They ran too."
"Where are you?" Abbie asked.
"Tristan is driving."
Frank cursed under his breath.
"Go the apartment. It's protected," Abbie said.
"She has a key?"
Abbie rolled her eyes. "Of course, everyone else has one in case something happens while they are in town."
"I don't think it followed us," Macey said before grabbing Tristan's hand.
Her scream pierced the air and the line went dead.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI
Tristan swerved to avoid a tree that had fallen. "I don't know if that was paranormal or not, but we're almost there."
Macey closed her eyes and tried to calm down.
"Put protection around the car, Macey."
She conjured up some energy just in time before something big bounced off the windshield.
"How are we going to get from the truck upstairs?"
"We run."
Macey glanced at him for a moment and then concentrated on putting up a shield around them.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI
Frank raced towards the apartment with Jenny by his side. Orion, who flew above, went as fast as he could and arrived in time to see Macey and Tristan get out of the truck and make a run for it. Grabbing his weapon, he threw it and it sliced through the dark mist, effectively distracting it and giving them time to get inside.
They ran up the stairs and when they came to the hallway, the toyol is standing in front of the door. It smiled and lifted its hands and Macey growled and flicked her hand and it went flying through the air and slammed against the wall effectively stunning it. They made it to the door and she got it open and they slammed it shut. Tristan quickly locked it and pulled her into his arms. The toyol began banging on the door and they retreated further into the apartment. After a minute, it just stopped.
A few minutes later, banging pierced the silence, making them jump. "Macey, it's Frank and Orion. Let us in."
She ran for the door.
"Cushington," he yelled.
Macey grinned. It was the name of her stuffed dog when she was little. She opened it and they rushed inside and then she re-locked it.
Frank gripped her tightly. "Are you alright?"
"Yes."
He glanced at Tristan. "Thank you."
Tristan nodded and sat on the couch.
"That was so close."
"Did I see that little green piece of shit in front of the door just now?" Frank asked.
"Yeah. Macey used her energy to throw it against the wall. It bought us enough time to get inside."
He grinned proudly. "Way to go."Frank looked over at her boyfriend. "I guess you two do make a good team."
Macey smiled. "Thanks dad."
Orion hung back at first but then decided to sit, but when then chair sunk down lower than he expected, he jumped back up.
Macey giggled. "Try that one over there."
He was frowning as he sat down in the other one.
"Are you hungry?" Macey asked.
"Is there any food here?"
"I'll check." She knows there is, but he doesn't need to know that.