Chapter 8

Abbie's plan was perfect, or at least she thought it was. She told Henri that she wanted to talk about the future of their relationship. She also added that couldn't meet at her place because it was being painted. A simple lie, and one that was believable. It was now 6pm and Ichabod and Jenny should waiting at the cabin. Before leaving the archive room they all drank the Fortis juice, as instructed by James. Abbie checked here cellphone, sunset wouldn't occur until 8:30pm, which should give them more than enough time to defeat Henri. As Abbie pulled into the gravel driveway of the cabin, she scanned the area and checked for anything suspicious. Abbie quickly exited the vehicle, with gun and wooden bullets in hand.

"Crane, Jenny where are you guys," Abbie asked as she walked through the front door.

Crane appeared first. "Leftenant," he exclaimed. He was carrying a clove of garlic in one hand and a cross in the other.

"Crane why do you have that," Abbie asked suspiciously. "You know the whole thing about vampires hating garlic and crosses is a myth right?

Ichabod felt dejected. He slowly sat the items on a nearby shelf. Suddenly Jenny dashed into the living room. "Abbie, you're finally here! Crane and I will hide in the back room, and we'll be as quiet as possible. You need to call Henri and see when he's coming, we can't let him surprise us."

Abbie nodded, took out her phone, and called Henri. He finally picked up after the fifth ring, which was unusual for him. "Hey Henri, it's Abbie. I just wanted to know how close you were," Abbie said.

"Actually, I'm almost there now. I'll see you in a few minutes. Oh, I also bought you a gift, it's something I think you'd like," Henri responded sincerely.

Abbie smiled, which raised Ichabod's and Jenny's suspicion. "I can't wait to see it Henri. I'll take out the bottle of wine now," she said as she ended the call.

With only a few minutes to prepare, Jenny and Ichabod hurried into the room and made as little noise as possible. Abbie went to the bathroom and checked her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was in a half ponytail with the loose hair in curls. She carefully applied a new coat peach lip gloss, it was Henri's favorite. Abbie thought about touching up her makeup but interrupted by a knock on the door. Abbie's heart started racing and she began to feel sick. The plan was perfect in theory, but now it was time to put it to the test. In one swift motion she opened the door and saw Henri standing in front of her.

"Bonsoir mon amour," Henri purred as he planted a soft kiss on Abbie's cheek. There was something different about Henri tonight. He'd exchanged his usual attire for a slim fitting tan suit and aviator sunglasses. Abbie also noticed a gold chain, which obviously held the amulet.

Abbie looked over Henri a few times, pleased at what she saw. "Henri you look extremely handsome, please come in."

The pair made their way into the cabin and headed to the couch. On the coffee table sat a chilled bottle of red wine and two glasses. The butterflies in Abbie's stomach now felt more like a wild animal trying to escape. She couldn't help but wonder if Henri could read emotions as well as he could read thoughts. Henri leaned closer to Abbie and put his arm around her. "So, why am I really here Abbie," he asked suspiciously. Abbie shrugged her shoulders to release herself from his hold. She directed her attention to the bottle sitting on the table. She needed wine and lots of it.

Abbie poured a glass, trying to avoid eye contact with him. "We have a lot to talk about. I want you to be truthful with me Henri, I mean it."

"The truth about what," Henri asked.

Abbie rose from the couch and walked towards the fireplace. She had to say it, there was no other choice. "Henri, were you going to tell me that you're a vampire?"

"I was going to tell you when I thought you were ready. Abbie please, you have to understand this is not something I could just easily tell you. I thought you wouldn't understand. I thought that you would judge me before you even knew me," Henri stated.

"What reason would I have to judge you? Have you done something worth judging Henri," Abbie said.

"My kind have always been misunderstood. Abbie please sit down, I want to explain everything," Henri pleaded desperately.

Abbie had a decision to make. She could either shoot him now, or sit down and listen to his side of the story. She figured that it would be best to listen to him before she confronted him about the murders. Her thoughts then shifted to Ichabod and Jenny. Hopefully they weren't moving around too much, and hopefully Henri couldn't hear them. "Okay fine. Tell me your story Henri, I'm listening," she said unconvincingly.

"Thank you. I need you to sit," Henri said as he beckoned Abbie to the couch and she followed. "We vampires can allow people into our minds, to see every though and memory. Abbie I need you to understand how I was made into my vampire. I want you to understand." Henri reached out and touched Abbie's head. She instantly felt a rush of cold pass through her body. Abbie could visualize his memories.

"I'm the youngest of three sisters," Henri began. "My family came to this country from France when I was a small boy. I had a happy childhood, until my mother died when I was seven. Father died five years after that. I found myself being raised by my sisters, who were desperately trying to find husbands. Fortunately they all found good men and had families. Everything was going well for my family. I even managed to find a wife, surprisingly. But everything fell apart in the spring of 1798. Smallpox spread through the town like a wildfire. My middle sister and her three children all died."

"I'm sorry," Abbie said softly.

"My oldest sister Cherene lost her husband and only child. She went insane with grief. For days she wouldn't eat or sleep. Then she started keeping company with witches and other unsavory creatures around town. She met a vampire named Charles who convinced her that she could live forever. Cherene couldn't fathom dying so she let Charles make her into a vampire. I didn't understand it, I didn't want to. My beautiful sister was killed and turned into a monster! In life she was caring, but as a vampire she acquired a compulsion to kill. Nearly every night a new body was found."

Abbie pulled back from Henri. She wasn't prepared learn about his vampire sister. "How did you become a vampire," she asked.

Henri took a deep breath and exhaled. "It happened the night of October 17th, 1798. I was asleep when my sister came into my home and attacked me. I didn't know it at the time, but she had already murdered my wife. Cherene said she couldn't bear the thought of me dying, ever. She wanted us to be together forever. She made me! I tried to live as discretely as possible, but she made that nearly impossible. Throughout the centuries she continued to murder innocent people. In 1901 I tried to stake her and I failed. Several vampires have tried to stop my sister and they failed too. She fled to England but now she's returned to Sleepy Hollow!"

"You were turned into a vampire against your will. That's tragic," Abbie said.

Henri sipped his glass of wine. "It's very tragic. Now Abbie, I have a question for you."

Abbie looked at him nervously. She was the one that was supposed to be asking the questions, not him. "Yes?"

An wicked smile appeared on his face, more wicked than usual. "Why are Ichabod and Jenny hiding in the bedroom? Did you not think I would hear them? Honestly, I could hear their hearts beating the moment I arrived."

Abbie jumped off the couch and pulled out her gun. "Crane, Jenny," she screamed and they came running. Henri stood up, unbothered by Abbie and her gun. Ichabod and Jenny now stood at her side, prepared to assist in any way they could.

"Sweetheart put the gun down. It won't kill me anyway," Henri teased. He was enjoying toying with her, treating her like she was insignificant and weak.

"Don't call me sweetheart, sweetheart. How dare you tell me some sob story about your life! I know what kind of man you are. You're a murderer," Abbie shouted.

Henri laughed. He couldn't decide if he wanted to kill them all, or stay and listen to the accusations. "I'm a murder? What would make you think that?"

"You killed the man that almost hit Abagail," Ichabod shouted angrily. "And that family, you killed them too," Jenny added.

"Okay I'll admit it. I killed that man, but only because he deserved it! I care for you Abbie and I will kill anyone that tries to harm you. But I did not murder that family, that was all Cherene. This is the type of thing she does! I have to stop her and I would like it if you all helped," Henri roared as he stepped towards Abbie.

Abbie was fearless. She pointed her gun at Henri with her finger on the trigger. "Stay back Henri. Don't come any closer!"

"Please Abbie," Henri said as he continued to approach, ignoring her warning.

Pop! Pop! Two bullets exited the muzzle of Abbie's gun an entered Henri's lower leg and shoulder. He collapsed to the floor, screaming in pain. Abbie stared at him, his fangs were showing. She regretted not shooting him in the chest. "Abbie," he screamed. Suddenly his screams of pain changed into laughter as he picked himself up off the floor. "You used wooden bullets, how clever."

"Stay down Henri," Abbie shouted as she cocked the gun.

Not wanting to push his luck, Henri sat on the floor and stared intensely at Abbie. "You don't believe me. Well that is unfortunate. Without me you have no chance of stopping my sister. This town will be littered with bodies and you three will be to blame!"

Ichabod stepped closer to Henri. "You have two choices Henri. Leave this town or die."

Henri rose to his feet and adjusted his suite jacket. "I'll leave, if that's what you all want. But there will come a day when you will wish that I was your ally. Cherene will drain every drop of blood from your bodies, and I won't be there to save you."

Abbie shook her head, refusing to believe a word Henri said. "Go, now!"

Henri smiled as he reached in his jacket pocket and retrieved a small black box. "This is for you Abbie. There's no need to waste a good gift," he said as he tossed the box to her. "And yes, my feelings for you are genuine."

Within a blink of an eye Henri vanished, leaving an open door behind him. They looked at each other, trying to figure out what to do next. "Open the box Abbie," Jenny pleaded.

Abbie slowly opened the box and revealed a rose gold bracelet with four charms. A star, a seashell, a heart, and a flower. These were Abbie's favorite things and Henri knew that. She had never met a man that could look into her soul and see the real her. Abbie quickly removed the thought from her mind. Henri was no good and now he was gone. "What is it," Ichabod asked.

"It's a charm bracelet," Abbie said quietly. She felt guilty for even thinking a kind thought about Henri.

"Abbie, do you believe what Henri said about his sister? What if she really is in Sleepy Hollow," Jenny asked.

Abbie shook her head and exhaled. "I hope he's wrong, for our sake."

"Leftenant we must be on guard. Whether it is Henri or his sister Charlene, the people of Sleepy Hollow are in mortal danger," Ichabod said as he stared out the open cabin door.