Chapter 10 [Ten minutes earlier—Wabash Congregationalist Church]

Across the green, all seemed quiet within the church's whitewashed walls. Bibles rested in their places along the pews. The seating areas had nary a speck of dust on them. The walls, although having things to say if they could talk, remained quiet as if in silent contemplation….

…such was the business of non-service days in that place….

…save that one….

A few wisps of mist collected in the corner before forming into a pillar and then a full portal.

From it, Ichabod emerged first and looked vigilantly around at the surroundings. He affirmed, "We are safe it seems."

"Of course we are," Katrina concurred. "The sisters wouldn't send us here if that wasn't the case. Step forward, Katherine. We are indeed secure in the church."

"Wish I felt that way. These places creep me out," Kate complained. She ground her teeth while glancing around skeptically at the surroundings.

"It is not the place, Dearest. While I worship the goddess, I can assure you that the preacher can make or break the sanctuary's sanctity," Katrina assured her.

"Indeed. The Reverend Caldwell is a most tolerant man. Besides your mother and I shall keep you safe, Katherine," Ichabod noted. "That I vow."

"I know, Dad. Thanks," Kate expressed while feeling herself calming down ever so slightly. She still felt uneasy from the lectern and the iconography on the windows about herself.

"Even I can deal with it here," Dave concurred while stepping into the church accompanied by his wife. "We're set, Dee Dee! Thanks!"

Behind them, the portal closed again and dissipated as if by a stiff breeze allowing the area to warm again ever so slightly.

"So we're back on Earth? Where to now?" Kate queried. Her stomach growled at her. "Is there some place we can eat around here? Sorry. Beyond the muffin Dr. Dubois gave me this morning, I haven't eaten anything today."

"MacLindy's is right across the green. They make a mean chili burger among other things," Angie pointed out.

"And they do great chicken salad too," Dave affirmed. "Come on. It's our treat."

"I can most assuredly do with something to consume," Ichabod agreed. "Come along, Ladies."

"Even if one has to deal with the beef sandwiches? You do make a mess, Ichabod," Katrina teased with a mischievous smirk.

Ichabod stiffened. "Yes…well that was most regrettable indeed." He straightened himself and strode toward the church's front.

"Maybe we should be cautious?" Katrina supposed allowing the seriousness to return to her face. "My former sisters could be waiting outside."

"Possibly." Angie opened the front door and peered outside. She saw that all seemed to be order across the green as it was most days. "Doesn't seem out of sorts. Come on." She beckoned them down the stairs.

Dave almost crept down the stairs himself. His eyes shot this way and that confirming his wife's prognosis. Yet his scalp was going numb. His scar glowed. "It looks that way. Katrina, come with me." He shook his head while stepping out onto the common's grass. He sniffed the air.

And then his eyes glowed….

"We have company," the historian confirmed. "Be alert! All of you! There's magic afoot!"

Katrina focused and nodded. "Aye!" She muttered a spell and waved her hands.

Across the square, Rebecca and Deborah reappeared suddenly. They stared in disbelief at the newcomers by the church who'd discerned their presence….not to mention the villagers who were unnerved by their sudden appearance.

"At last, Traitor!" Rebecca yelled fiercely.

"Do not provoke anything, Rebecca! We cannot speak here!" Katrina responded just as adamantly. She stiffened but made no attempt to cast another spell.

"If I may offer my farm as a possible place?" Dave proposed.

"FOOL! You and your demon are the LAST ONES we'd trust!" Deborah snapped. She threw a fire burst impacting him and flinging him against the church. "We'll finish him first! Then we'll deal with the traitors!"

"DAVE!" Angie rushed to his side forgetting about the danger. She looked his spasming form over to make sure there weren't any physical burns at least. Still she saw his face contorting from the pain.

"STOOPID! GIT BACK!" the Child bellowed while pulling himself to his feet. "Warned ya 'fore! Now Ah whup yer butts!" He staggered toward the two attackers shrugging off attack after attack like it was so much rain water.

"Unbelievable! By the goddess, Deborah, what will we do? The demon takes our best spells!" Rebecca realized. She looked fearfully at her leader. "What can we do?"

"Keep fighting! Keep…." Deborah insisted.

A large psychic burst drove the two witches across the square and toward MacLindy's.

"Now Ah'll finish ya! Ah'll….!" The Child glared at the sky. He felt a familiar buildup of energy around the area. "Wha' the Hell?"

A bright light blinded the combatants. They all heard a voice command, I say enough to this conflict!

Then they all vanished from view leaving the villagers to wonder what had just happened and where they had all gone.

Best that some things were left a mystery for the present, it seemed….