AFTER THE BREAK UP

AFTER THE BREAK UP (READER ALERT: This story contains "explicit", "hard-core", even "pornographic" content. If the reader is offended, by such content, the author recommends the reader HALT, here, and read no further). SPECIAL NOTE: This is my first, published, attempt, at graphic content. What I had not known, at the time, when I was invited, to the party, was that I was being set up to be black-mailed. Although I had done my best, to be discreet, with approaching Shanta, it seems that Shanta had not only told her husband, Jamal, how much I enjoyed embracing her, and kissing her, but she was clever enough to leave out the part, about her enjoying the process. From what I had learned, about Jamal, he was not, formally, educated. As a result, his use, of "language", is limited to that which is of regular use, by street gangs. A Language, full of profanity, and something which, whenever possible, I avoid. As for the invitation, to the "party", when Shanta learned that I had declined Jamals invitation, Shanta whispered, to Jamal "Let me try". When Jamal said "Fuck it, bitch", Shanta knew this was about equivalent to his way of saying "Go ahead". Un-like her husband, though, Shanta was clever. Instead of just "throwing" the invitation, at me, Shanta approached me, with the tenderness, of a house cat. The way she extended the invitation was something I will, never, forget. Between her soft, warm, embrace, soft words, gentle tone, and a deep, french, kiss, how could I turn her down? The first complication, which Jamal ran into, was the fact that, just because Shanta and I had, by pure coincidence, met up, on the way, to the "party", and we were sharing a friendly embrace, Jamal thought his wife was "messing up" his plans. This, by being so openly close to me. At the "party", what concerned even Shanta was the fact that I consumed no alcohol. When Shanta asked, and I informed her that I, simply, did not like booze, mostly for the stench, I was surprised when, after Shanta finished her first drink, that Shanta switched to drinking water, just as I was drinking. Although the original plan was for Shanta to get me drunk, then guide me to a bedroom, have sex, and make it appear that I had raped her (Jamal had to remind Shanta to call out, LOUDLY "Stop, you are fucking me up!") it seems that the plan began to fall apart, even before Shanta and I reached the bedroom. Since I never drank any kind of booze, Shanta had to find ANOTHER way to get me to the bedroom. Problem was that she knew how to gain my cooperation. When Shanta snuggled up, to me, HOPING for my attention, she found that she had it, for certain. Especially when I moved on, from french kissing her, to carressing her brown body. When I began necking, with her, Shanta noticed that some of her friends smiled, at us, even as Shanta whispered, in my ear "Lets get a room", then she kissed me. With the room all prepared, Jamal, and a techie, observed, as his wife brought me into camera view, and Jamal watched, in disgust, as his wife took far too much TIME, drawing me to the bed. When Jamal asked the techie "What the fuck is that stupid BITCH doing?" The techie would say "It looks like a strip show, to me". Jamal, then, whispered (as though Shanta could hear him "Dammit bitch! Claw him, hit him. Do something. Atleast try to make it look like he is raping you". On the screen, though, all the two men saw was Shanta and I, sharing a deep kiss, then necking, and taking my time, carressing, and nursing, her beautiful, brown, breasts. Seeing what was going on, on-screen, Jamal felt that, to vent his rage, he had to hit a piece of furniture. Especially when he watched as Shanta put her head back, and moaned, smiling, as I pressed my face into her pussy. When I was done with this, Jamal really hoped I would insert myself, while belting Shanta, for making so much "passion noise". Un-fortunately, when I worked my way back up Shantas body, Jamal ended up listening, as I took more time, kissing, carressing, and nursing, her breasts. The way Shanta whispered "OOh, baby. Take your time", made Jamal want to vomit. When I came back up, face-to-face, with Shanta, Jamal whispered "God Damn it, FUCK her!", as I embraced, and kissed Shanta. Moments later, Jamal asked the techie "What is that fucking bitch doing?", as Shanta knelt before me, opened my pants, then drew my shaft into her mouth. When Jamal saw how LONG Shanta was taking, to blow me, Jamal asked the techie "What is the bitch doing? Painting, and remodelling, it?" After the two heard Shanta swallowing my stuff, and making "delicious" sounds, Jamal had to grab a beer, to calm down, even as, on-screen, I swept Shanta into my arms, then lay her on the bed. At this point, Jamal just hoped that Shanta remembered what Jamal had told her, including the words, to say. Problem was, even the techie noticed "Shes NOT fighting him. Shes enjoying herself", as the two men watched the monitor, and saw Shanta smiling on, or at, the screen. After Jamal watched me romancing his wife, for awile longer, then Jamal left the observation room, and returned to the party. His main thought was not about Shanta, though. It was the question of how he was going to pay off his debt, without a black-mail tape. Jamal then returned to the party, and began drawing various women aside, for sex. In the observation room, the techie decided just to let the camera's roll. He was just not in the mood to watch a white man fucking a black woman. Another time, yes, but not now. It was, probably, two hours later, when Shanta and I "finished", and I gave her a tender, french, kiss. Man, I felt GREAT, after that encounter. When Shanta stood up, to dress, I teased her, by bowing before her pussy, giving it a DEEP kiss, then carressing her rump, as I nursed her breasts, some more, and ended with another deep kiss. At this point, Shanta might have felt a bit ashamed, of herself, for having me, however, once we returned, to the party, and found Jamal working his way down a "line" of women, fucking each one, as fast as possible. Suddenly, Shanta did not feel ten percent as bad/ashamed. After I departed the party, and Jamal saw Shanta, smiling, like a kid, on Christmas day, Jamal practically dragged Shanta aside, then asked "Bitch! What the fuck were you doing?" When Shanta, innocently, asked "What do you mean?" Jamal asked "What was all that fucking kissing, and titty-sucking, all about?" All Shanta would say was "He's a gentle man". When Jamal said "You were supposed to fuck the shit out of him, then get your stupid, whore, ass, back here, so that we could charge the h.o.n.k.e.y with raping you". When Jamal added "What the fuck happened, in there?" Shanta did not know why but she got her back-bone up, and, in a low, determined, voice, said "Atleast he LOVES me. You never told me what to do, if I met up with a man, who was in love" Jamal told Shanta "Go, home, BITCH! I need to get some more pussy, then find a new way to black-mail the h.o.n.k.e.y". In fact, what Jamal had failed to do, was called RESEARCH. Had Jamal done his "home-work", he would have KNOWN that I not only loved HIS wife, but, also, that I had no wife, or family, of my own, for him to threaten. I was alone, in this world. Sometime later, though, when Jamal needed $250 extra, for a 20-to-1 bet, Jamal told Shanta "Go fuck that h.o.n.k.e.y. of yours. Give him whatever the FUCK he wants, in return for $250.00" Problem was that Shanta knew, as all women know, exactly HOW to obtain money, from the men who love them. This, without any shouting, or threats. Shanta knew that All she had to do was give a man what he wants (Making sure to whisper nice things, as well), all the while letting him have his way with your body. Shanta remembered that, during the "party", that, during the sex, she realized there was nothing she wanted more than my happiness. This is why she had done all she could, to make the sex more enjoyable. The only disturbing memory she had, of the party, was how, at one point, I took a break, from pumping her pussy, just to nurse. Like she wasn't aroused enough, already. When Shanta had felt her breasts, throbbing, in time, to her heartbeat, she had had to cover her face, with a pillow, to muffle her scream , of passion. Well, the pillow MIGHT have kept the SOUND inside the room, however, the moment, of climax, was so powerful, that it was similar to a telepathic broadcast. Telling every woman , within miles, that a woman was getting laid. The very thought, of the memory, made her pussy grow moist, even as she remembered how passionate I had been, with her. HOW was she to handle another encounter? Shanta decided to "play it calm", and just invite me over, "just for a chat". By the time I reached her place, Shanta was ready, and waiting. When she invited me inside, we shared some thoughts, about what had happened, since the party, but I must admit that her "show", of slowly, stripping, in front of me, increased my arousal to the point where, by the time she had removed her panties, my shaft was throbbing like crazy. I was, never, more greatful, than when she sat on my shaft, slipping it deep inside her body, then kissing me, and letting me rest, between her beautiful breasts. After a bit of this, Shanta whispered "The bedroom is that way". and I carried her to her bed. When I lay her on the bed, then whispered "What was it you wanted?" She whispered "Later. Love me, now". I did as she requested, and just hoped that I was loving her as deeply as she deserved. Man, I do NOT know which part, of her body, tasted better. Those beautiful lips, or her breasts. It was only after Shanta was certain that I was satisfied that she whispered her favor to me. Shanta whispered "Baby, I dont want you to give my husband one cent. He will, only, gamble it away, anyway." When I asked "Has he done this, in the past?" She nodded. When I asked "How MUCH HAS he gambled away?" Shanta smiled, even as she snuggled, closer to me, whispering "Enough to make it worth my while to give you two weeks worth, of my affection. IF you agree NOT to give him a single penny". When I asked "Mind if I just LISTEN, to what he has to say?" Shanta kissed me as she said "To listen, Yes. Give him a penny? NO!" Just a few days later, I sat, on the living room sofa, and Shanta was snuggled, close, warm, and fragrant, on my lap, even as Jamal gave his "presentation". Boy, his "presentation" was so full of "possibles", "potentials", and "maybe's", with all of it dependent on factors, which were beyond our control, I didn't need (But didn't MIND) Shanta's kisses, as I made up my mind. As I explained, to Jamal, I only gambled on times were I controlled atleast half of the outcome. Jamal had wanted me to gamble on a project, with control over less than one percent of the risk. When I declined the project, I was surprised when, right in front of me, Jamal told Shanta "Take this h.o.n.k.e.y. to th bed room, and fuck his ass off, until he changes his mind." With that, Jamal headed to the fridge, and grabbed himself some beer. This, while Shant guided me to a side room, and gave me a deep kiss, while whispering "Thank you, baby", while I carressed her, up and down. Less than two weeks later, Shanta gave me an update, on the news, regarding Jamal. This, she did as we removed our clothes, while preparing for sex. Shanta embraced me, and kissed me, as I carressed her beautiful, brown, body, while she whispered "We were right. As soon as the backers had Jamals, and his friends, money, they vanished. Now, Jamals friends are out, looking for the backers". As I lay her out, on the bed, and she asked "Do they really think they can find the crooks?" I kissed her, deeply, as I said "Doubtful. By now, the crooks are across state lines" Then I kissed my way down, from her lips, to her beautiful, brown, breasts. When I took my time, nursing, and, despite her mothers vague "warning", of "Be careful", my nursing her breasts was causing Shanta to wish that she DID have some "milk", for me. In fact, it was not long, after this, when, after some rally great sex, that Shanta asked me "Baby, if I fill my breasts, will you empty them?" I kissed her as I said "Ofcourse". Still, I should have known that some changes were coming, based upon the way Shanta broke her own rule, about "public intimacy". Shanta, still, had her "heart" set, on the idea of a man, with a shaft, twelve feet long, and three feet wide. This is the "man" Shanta wanted to "belong" to. This is why, when She and I became lovers, Shanta had asked me never to be romantic, in public. She said she did not want anyone to think that I was her "type". It would seem, though that, the more and more imtimately, that I loved her, the closer Shanta wanted us to be. She even began embracing me, in public. Shanta did, basically, "mind her manners", in public, until I began actively nursing her breasts. Although, in private, Shanta had no problem, with my nursing (In fact, she adored it), Shanta just hadn't expected the "bonus", which came from my nursing. The bonus that, the more I nursed, the more endurance I had, and the more powerful the sex was. Shanta also did not know how she knew, but, each time I was finishing nursing, she knew the exact second, when the "action" would restart. Shanta even smiled, brightly, each time I threw her down, on the bed, and fucked her, in an almost animal fashion. Then, came the "drawback". I mean, for months, prior to my nursing, Shanta, herself, had sent me to visit her friends. Most of the time, these visits were just about building kit furniture, which the womens "primary lovers" would NOT build, until AFTER the women gave up PLENTY of pussy. After Shanta had smiled, at the women, then told her friends how I let her "set my price"", based upon performance (work accomplished), her friends had decided to "try me out". Although most of these visits were to assemble furniture, there were, other, times, when the ladies asked me to read mail to them. I could understand the reason why the ladies had me read, and translate, the letters. Personally, I, really, have no idea of why state, and local government, have to use $10.00, to $25.00 (ten foot long, to twenty-five foot long) words, to say "You are to appear, on this date, at this location. Bring the following documents with you". To me, the process, of helping Shanta's friends, seemed fine. I just dont understand why, as if "out of the blue", Shanta became so "territorial". Even for my visits, to see her friends, and even when nothing happened, I was surprised when Shanta not only questioned me, about the visits, but told me NOT to help her friends, anylonger. When I asked Shanta her reason, and Shanta said "I am your woman. I will provide, for you", I really did not understand. I did have to "draw the line", though, when Shanta told me NOT to be friendly, with cashiers, nurses, or doctors. When I reminded Shanta that half, of the modern work-force, is FEMALE, I was shocked when Shanta said "I dont want you around other women". Since I thought Shanta was going through a "woman-thing", I decided to ask her friends and, even when Shanta found me TALKING, to her friend, Shanta came up to us, saying "He's MINE!", for some un-known reason. When Shanta and I returned to her place, and Shanta "set down the rule" that "I am the only woman that you need" "I told her "In bed, totally true". When Shanta said "For everything", I told her "Hold on", and "Back it down". When Shanta pointed to her bed, saying "THAT is OUR bed", and I agreed, but only until she added "I dont want to share it, with any other women". It was when she snatched my shaft, out of my pants, and squeezed, painfully, that I, for the first time, belted her, then told her "We need to talk". What amazed me was how, even as I discussed our returning to being "just friends", Shanta, still, sat on my lap, nude, and snuggled up, to me. I did promise her that we could, still, be friends, and even confidants, but that sex was no-longer to be on a regular basis. When Shanta asked, I told her "You can call me, when you want, or need me. Just dont expect it, on a regular basis." I was surprised when she whispered, to me "Same goes here". When I wrote out of "friendship agreement", though, I was never more surprised than I was, the day when I visited, to pack my stuff. When Shanta saw what I THOUGHT was "casual packing", I was surprised when Shanta asked "Why so FAST?" When I stopped packing, and sat beside her, on her bed, and asked "FAST? Any slower and I would have to stop, and have you". Moments later, we were nude, and I was having her body, all the way. In fact, before I realized, an hour was gone. After this, and without dressing, Shanta played the "load/un-load" game. As I loaded my carriers, Shanta un-loaded them. That is, atleast until I gave her a DEEP, French, kiss. At the front door, Shanta had me shove it into her body, for two more times, before allowing me to leave. And I did not complain, not one bit. It was two weeks later, though, when Shanta invited me back, to her place. Despite the invitation, though, Shanta would not tell me the reason, for the visit, until after we have some good sex, and no less than four times. (And, YES, it was, still, heavenly). Only after the fact did Shanta ask me her favor. It seems that ANOTHER investment group was coming to town, and Jamal wanted "in", on "The most solid investment which an investor could hope for". When Shanta showed me the papers, which the group wanted Jamal to sign, to me, it seemed more of the same, as before. "Potentials", "Possibilities", and "Maybes". Still, the one part, of the deal, which I was NOT in favor of, was the part which said that, "In return for a multi-year committment, "profits" would be "through the roof". Even as Shanta and I undertook our own investigation, of the deal, Jamal got on a "Winning Streak", and came away with $100,000. However, by the time Shanta found out, about this, Jamal had, already, "invested" the money, in the "project". (Even as Jamal was doing this, I had been speaking to a lawyer, who clarified the terms, of the contract, for me.) The document stated that, the buy-in price, of atleast $50,000, PLUS 100% of investors income, for five years, PLUS the complete "maxing out", of investors credit, the return on investment, would be 100,000-to-1. The biggest "hook", in the contract, though, was that funds could not be cashed in, for 75 years. Shanta thought the contract was "fuuny", as it applied to Jamal. This is because Jamal had NO credit, and the only reason why he had an "established" home was because of a combination, of Shanta's credit rating, and the fact that Jamal had a payee, to control his bills. Other than this, Jamal did not have anything, of value. All that the investment group would receive, from Jamal, was the $100,000. When Jamal told Shanta to "Fuck his brains out", for some cash, Shanta said "I have a better idea. YOU receive NO sex, for six months, and HE gets to fuck me all he wants". When Jamal told Shanta "Fuck YOU!", then turned away, Shanta knew exactly where he was headed. Right to the credit bar. A place where people could run up tabs, larger than the national deficit. Yes, Jamal would drink himself stupid, while getting fucked, by multiple women. This is why I spent the night, snuggled up to Shanta. This, as Shanta considered ALL she could have done, with that money... Still, Shanta wondered what I would, eventually, do, with all of my own earnings. Thanks to the deal, made with the computer programmer, Shanta knew that I not only had a fully functional web-site, but that, un-like those other fools, who thought that just having a site would make them "rich", Shanta watched how very regularly I posted new content to a site, whose value was in the millions. Still, Shanta felt she did not need anything more than what I was giving her. A firm dick,to suck, and fuck, and to have me fucking her, deeply, and "often". Yes, we were "just friends", but, as Shanta said "There was no law against friends being CLOSE!

SLEEPY HOLLOW #5 KATRINA'S REDEMPTION

SLEEPY HOLLOW # 5: KATRINA'S REDEMPTION Although becoming aware, of Katrina's previous "deceptions" had caused Ichabod Crane to question his wife's vows, to their union, and that these doubts would come under most considerable question, it would be these very doubts which would cause the Sleepy Hollow coven to seek an audience, with Ichabod. When Crane would inform Abby of the coven seeking an audience, with him, Abby's primary counsel would consist of "Be cautious. We know not what the covens intentions may be favorable to". When Crane would respond "Spoken like a true, colonial, woman". It would seem that, at that moment, Abby would realize something. During the passage, of time, following her own, recent, and prolonged, presense, in the 18th century, Abby Mills had, it seems, begun the semi-regular use, of colonial English, over modern English. Abby had caught herself, more than once, slipping into colonial English, especially when people would ask her "What did you say?" Even her fellow police officers had noticed the change. Mostly, though, Abby used colonial English, during the times when she found that "modern" English just did not, fully, convey, her message, in its entirety. Case in point: After word reached Washington D.C., that the sky, over a Sleepy Hollow shopping center, had "opened up", and that three people had dropped, out of the opening, and into the middle of the shopping center, Homeland Securiuty had ordered an even LARGER team too "gear up", and return to the community. The agency had given its workers only the obscure "orders", to "FInd out WHAT had happened. WHO came through the hole., and, above all else, determine if "enemy" agents could use this "tech", to sneak across America's borders. As a result, Homeland Security had returned to town, "charging in", guns at the ready, and, for a second time, in recent months, had terrified local citizens, by deploying federal troops, as though either planning for defense, or to launch an attack. As federal troops MARCHED on the Sleepy Hollow sheriff's office, terrified citizens began calling 9-1-1, and the police knew what the feds intended, even before the fax came in, stating what the feds intended to do. This is the reason why the police packed up everything which they could carry, in the short time, before the federal troops "stormed in", and the police had cleared the same work-space, which Homeland Security had demanded the use of, during the agencies previous visit. When duty officers would approach the feds, asking "May I assist you?", the senior, Homeland Security, official would say "If you have not, already, received it, you will, soon, receive a fax, containing new orders. Orders, placing this entire department under the control of Homeland Security." When a staff officer would ask "May I ask the reason, for this?", the official would say "You may ask..." then turned to other staff, saying "I want this place up, and running, NOW! I want patrols ready, within the hour". When the captain came out of her office, asking "And, just WHAT is going on, hhere?" The official would call, over the captains head "Has the fax come through, yet?" When an officer would say "I will check", The official would inform the captain As soon as the fax arrives..." Then, the officer would inform the police captain "Hot, off the printer.", then hand the captain the sheets, of printer paper. This, while the captain would address the officer, while looking at the official "WHAT does it say?" The officer would say "Basically, it says that the police department has been returned to the control of Homeland Security". When several police officers would groan, at this news, the federal official would spout "Thats right, "ladies". The federal government is in command. This, until the current threat, to national security, has been defined, and dealt with". When the captain would ask the official "Would you mind telling ME the reason, for your return? As well as what you hope to find". The Homeland Security official would say "Captain", most sarcastically "We are here, under FEDERAL approval. If you question our authority, I suggest you call the White House". This would be when Abigail Mills would invoke some of Ichabod Cranes somewhat dramatic, yet, at times, very useful, colonial English, as Abby would step forward, asking the federal official "Please pardon our concern, however, the citizens, of this community, are in severe apprehension, concerning the knowledge of federal soldiers, armed with powerful, automatic, weapons, are appearring, on public thoroughfares. Our citizens would appreciate the knowledge of your purpose, for invoking federal control". When a federal agent would say "What a mouthful", The senior agent would inform Abby "Your inquiry is note-worthy, officer. If I had more inforomation, available, to me, you would be the very first person whom I would inform. Most un-fortunately, at the present time, all that I have are rumors, of people, "falling to Earth", and not from aircraft, or rooftoops." When the police captain would ask "Where, and, when, did these events occur?" The agent would say "Maybe 48-72 hours ago." When the police captain turned to Abigail Mills, saying "My office, NOW", Abby, dutifully, followed along, as the captain entered her own, private office. When the police captain had Abigaill Mills behind her closed, office, door, then asked "Just what the Hell was that all about?" When Abby asked "What do you mean?" The police captain would say "All that formal English. Trying to "make points" with the feds?" Abby would correct, saying "I was trying to secure information. You understand, captain, that we have citizens, out there, who are "in hiding", while federal soliders are marching, in our streets. The citizens will need information, to retain thheir sense of safety. I, simply, defined our needs, to the feds". When the captain would ask "And WHAT happens WHEN the feds find out?" Abby would look out, of the captains office windows, see a federal agent, with a "listening device", pointed at the captains office, and Abby would write the captain the message: "The feds are listening. We need to close your office blinds". When the captain just stared, at Mills, Abby would ask "Do you mind if I do it?" The captain would nod, as Abby slipped about the rooom, turning the blinds, to "privacy" mode. When the captain would ask Mills "WHY would the feds be listening to US? After all, we ARE the police" Abby would remind the captain "That does not matter. To Homeland Security, EVERYONE is an "enemy", until Homeland Security decides otherwise". When the captain would ask "HOW do you know that the feds are listening?" Abby would say "One of the federal agents is using a laser-enhanced, listening, device. The same kind I read about, when I was trying for Quantico. The laser "reads" vibrations, of the human voice, on glass, just like the glass of your office". When the captain would ask "Then, WHY close the blinds?" Abby would say "Hopefully, the plastic, of the blinds, will reflect most of the sound vibrations BACK, into the room." It was not long, after the blinds were closed, that the senior, federal, official would knock, on the captains door, asking "Ladies, would you care to join us?" It was as the captain was exiting her office, that Homeland Security would state "You know, captain. When you act, in "secret", that makes you suspicious, to us". Then, someone else would ask "What doesn't make us suspicious?", while the captain would ask "Does it, really?" It would be only when everyone was assembled, that a federal agent would begin the briefing. "As we now, an un-defined "event", recently occurred, in this vicinity. At present, we have identified the location, where the event occurred. The location is at your communities larrgest shopping mall. We, also, know that an un-defined number, of persons, simply appearred, at this location, as if "out of thin air". "The problem is, we do not know who they are, how many, or whence they came. Un-fortunattely, we, also, have no leads, as to their form of travel." When a police officer would ask "Then, what Do you know?" The federal agent would say "We BELIEVE that, since no one has been reported leaveing this area, recently, that the un-knowns remain in the arrea. Washington D.C. has provided permission, for a door-to-door search, for the unknowns." When the police officer would ask "And what do you want US to do?" The federal agent would say "HANDLE any resistence, from the local population". When another police officer would ask "You mean ARREST our own people? Just because they resist you troops MARCHING into their homes?" The federal agent would say "Washington has given us written authority, and control. If necessary, your peoples resistence will be met with detention and, if necessary, with "enhanced interrogation. Am I clear?" This is when another officer would suggest "You mean, torturing our people, for resisting an invasion of privacy?" Abby would turn to the captain, saying "There is a better way". When both the captain, and the senior, federal, agent, would say "I'm listening." at the same time, Abby would suggest "Let the police department handle the searches. Our people KNOW us, and, I think, WE can do the job, with more civility". Before the police captain could say a word, the senior, federal, officer would say "You have two hours. After that, the federal government takes over." When Abby would respond "Thats impossible. This town is too big. We need atleast a couple of days." The senior, federal, official would say "Un-acceptable. We need to locate the unknowns, NOW. Either you find them, within the next two hours, or I invoke federal priority, and get the job done, by nightfall." Afterr this, and although desk officers would begin making phone calls, requesting the publics cooperation, even Abby mills would understand why the public had questions. What really made Abby, and her fellow officers, really irate was how, after just one hours worth of searching, the senior, federal, agent would inform the police "You've had your chance. Your search is taking way too long. I am invoking national defense priority. This town will be searched, fully and completely, by nightfall. Any resistence will be placed behind bars, by nightfall. This is when the federals brought in "battering rams", to smash in doors. This, even as the police called people, asking "Tell your neighbors.. Unless they want homes smashed to bits, have front doors open, and step aside, when the soldiers come in". When panicked townspeople would ask "Whats going on?" The police would say "No time to explain. Just do it". The police could do nothing more than to comfort many citizens, even as federal soldiers, under Homeland Security orders, began smashing doors off of hinges, which often, lead to screams, from tenants, who cowered, in fear. As people ran from their homes, while soldiers charged inside, a police officer would tell Abby Mills "No way will this thing end, well". Then, there were the times when Homeland Security MARCHED people out of homes. When Homeland Security MARCHED the people out, in flexicuffs, telling police "This one refuses to cooperate. Take them to a holding cell. Hold them until they decide to talk". By the numbers, of reports, flowing into the police station, more than twenty homes had been smashed, before word spread far enough, and the feds found doors wide open, and terrified citizens, trying to stay clear of the feds. Still, when federal agents BARKED at citizens "Tell me where the unknowns are", and citizens just looked, baffled, at the feds, then feds would say "FIne, more for "Enhanced Interrogation"." By nightfall, most of the city was either facing "Enhanced Interrogation", or awaiting interrogation. Even with this accomplished, as well as over $20 million, in property damage, the feds were annoyed that the "unknowns" had not yet been apprehended. Not even identified. Add to this the fact that the lie detectors showed that ALL of the people were "lying". After all, it is a known fact that lie detectors read stress, and heart, levels. "Spikes" allegedly indicate "lies". During the federal attack, on the private homes, every stressed out citizen, who was tested, on the machine, was shown to be lying. And why not? Homes were smashed, and family members dragged away, like animals, What else would be expected, under these conditions? And it sure did not help to have federal agents SHOUTING questions into peoples faces, such as "I DEMAND to know..." Every member, of the police force, understood why readings claimed that people were "lying". Who would NOT be stressed, under these circumstances? The time, when the police captin did step in, and ordered the feds to "Stand Down", was when Homeland Seurity decided to "make an example", of four men, whom Homeland Seccurity FELT, were NOT "cooperating". It was when the men were cuffed, to the bars, of prison cells, then Homeland Security began beating the men, with night-stcks, while shouting at the victims "Tell me what I want to know!" This is when the police captain would step into the cell-block, saying "Stand Down!". When the federal agents would reply "WE have juridsdiction, here. This is a matter of national security.", as the feds continued beating the men. The police captain would say "I dont care if the popes life is at stake. This is your last chance". This is when the federal agents would hear the click, of fire-arms being cocked, then the agents would turn to the police captain, and say "Lady, you are committing TREASON!" The police captain would say "I dont CARE. I am preventing a capital crime." When the federal agents placed night-sticks on the cell-floor, then stared at the police captain, as the agents departed the cell, police medics, soon gave medical care, to the "interrogation" victims. One of the victims would ask "What was it that they wanted to know, anyway?" To the relief, of the mercenaries, located OUTSIDE of town, and near the weapons range, when their scouts reported that the feds were focusing on the inner city, most of the members felt a deep sigh, of relief. This is because some of the mercenarries had, at one time, been "administrators" of "Enhanced Interrogation", and had resigned, from the service, over this practice. Now, the mercenaries made a pact,. If Homeland Security dared come near the mercenaries camp, the fighters were ready to "go down, defending themselves". This pact, however, would not be necessary, as word came down, that a terrified local had told Homeland Security about a strange "hole", which appearred, in the sky, over the shopping mall. It seems that, when the woman was dragged, to the site, courtesy of some "attention", from some night-sticks, and asked then the woman was asked "You know what these are for, right?" The terrified woman showed the federal agents where the "hole" had formed. Shortly after the woman showed agents the spot, she fainted, in shock. When a federal agent kicked the womans body, growling "Get up!", a voice, from thhe crowd, said "Cant you see. She's in shock". When two Homeland Security agents "charged" the crowd, found the source, of the voice, and barked "You! Forward!" When the doctor came forward, the doctor was dragged to the un-conscious woman, then a federal agent showed the doctor a night-stick, saying "You see THIS. You have exactly two minutes, to wake her up, or we use this". When the doctor would say "No promises", A federal agent struck the doctor, across the back, with a night-stick, then asked "What was that?" The doctor would say "Rapid pulse, Pupils dialated. Deep shock. Complete, mental, shutdown". When the agennt would growl "Speak English", The doctor would say "Deep shock. She will be "out", for days, maybe weeks, or even months. Impossible to say". When the federal agent moved close, to the doctor, whispering, menacingly "I am under authority, of the U.S. government to protect this nation, at ANY, and ALL, costs. You have thirty minutes, to wake her up, or I will use my authority. Do you understand?" When doctor, and "patient", were taken to a waiting van, the doctor would look out of the one-way glass, whispering "monsters". This because the doctor knew there was no way to FORCE a person out of a coma. The doctor would just have to face a federal beating, herself. While the doctor was treating the un-conscious woman, federal agents would receive more, bad, news. Once a Forensics team arrived, at the mall, and the agents asked for a scan, for finger-prints. When the head, of the Forensics team told the federal agents "You are kidding, ofcourse." When the federal agents asked "Why would we be kidding?" The Forensics tam leader would say "You do understand that this is a SHOPPING mall. That means thousands of people, past this spot, every, single, day". When the federal agent would say "I am only interested in the finger-prints, from one day, NOT the whole life story, of the mall". The Forensics worker would "spell it out", for the agent: "Look, this place is full of people, on weekdays, and weekends are even worse. I can guarantee you tens of thousands, of partials, but I WONT guarantee any, full, sets". Even after this explanation, the federal agents ordered the scan, which showed exactly what the Forensics team said it would show. Over 50,000 "hits", on "partials". When the federal agents demanded to know whichh sets, of prints, were from the day in question, Forensics would say "Good Luck". Soon after this, a soldier came, from the medic van, and informed the agent of the doctors message. "The doctor says you have two choices. Take the pair, to a hospital, for proper treatment, or shoot them, both, here and now". While the federal agents were enraged, at the events, of the day, miles away, inside the coven, Ichabod's questions, about Katrina's "loyalties", were in doubt, even as the coven called forth Katrina's spirit. This, the coven did only after informing Ichabod, of how the warlock had used his dark magic, to manipulate Katrinna's will. Granted, even the coven knew that Katrina was not "perfect", however, on the plus side, Katrina had been caring, even if not totally, honest. When Ichabod asked "How might I insure her trust, in the future?" The coven members responded by asking Ichabod how Katrina could trust, in him, again, especially after he had given up Abigails soul, to Purgatory, for his wifes soul. It would be only with the covens promise, that any deception WOULD be DEALT with, that Ichabod Crane would agree to allow Katrina's spirit to manifest, inside the coven. Back, at the police station, when Homeland Security would inform the police captain that "We CAN, and WILL, transport, the prisoners, to another location, if you refuse to cooperate with our procedures". The police captains only response, to this, was "Let me help you pack". (The police captain did instruct her officers NOT to cheer, or make jokes, as Homeland Security personnel prepared to depart Sleepy Hollow). In fact, the federal agent gave local law enforcement nothing, other than a "cold shoulder", as the feds packed, to leave. What the police could not believe was when the feds took their twelve prisoners OUT of the jail, trussed up like the people, who were headed for maximum security prison. It was only after the feds completely cleared out that Abigail Mills would ask the captain "Now, that the feds are gone, would you explain to me the reason why we did not inform the feds that it was US who fell from the portal?" When the captain responded, by asking "Did you not SEE those prisoners? Do you really want the SAME treatment?" When Abigail would say "There must be a way", the captain would say "Not with those federals. All they care about is prosecution". When Abigail would ask "What about Katrina's coven? Surely, they will alibi us". TThe captain would say "Oh, sure. We just tell the feds that our alibi is a coven, of witches. I am sure that a federal judge would just LOVE to hear that one". When Abigail would ask "What do we do, for those innocent people?" When the captain said "Its out of my hands. The feds will deal with it" Abigail could not believe her ears. This is when Abigail would leave the police station, and set out, to see Jenny. On the drive, to thhe mercenaries camp, Abigail would drive past several of the homes, which Homeland Security had "raided", and glimpsed people, cleaning up property, while handymen re-hung doors, and jambs. Thinking back, on the battle, at the police station, Abigail wondered WHICH group had done the most damage, to the town. The horsemen, of War, and the Hessian soldiers, or Homeland Security. To Abby, it was a "toss-up". By the time Abigail reached the mercenaries camp, she found that the soldiers already knew not only WHAT had happened, but where the prisoners were being taken, as well. Abby's concern, though, was that, just because these people knew that the prisoners were innocent, this group was preparring to do open battle, with federal authorities. In fact, Abby was just about to call in the proposed assault when Jenny stopped by the car, to ask her sister "Dont the prisoners mean anything, to you? I mean, they are our friends, and neighbors" When Abby would interrrupt, saying "And you are about to commit a felony, by trying to rescue them" When Jenny would ask "What other hope do they have? You have SEEN what happens, to the Gitmo detainees. How can you let that happen, to our friends, and neighbors?" Abby had no "easy answers", for this. All she knew was that, if a felony was about to take place, Abby had a duty, as a deputy sheriff. Then, Abby had an idea. She would drive into town, and report, directly, to the captain. No one needed to know that, along the way, Abby had stopped by the covens headquaters. Sttill, after departing the mercenaries camp, Abby decided to call in, on her cruisers radio. For some rason, though, all the radio gave her was static. Abby's next choice would have been her cell-phone, only she remembered that she had left the unit inside her locker, inside her bag, which was at the police station. As Abby thought "Swell!" in-communicado, until she could have maintenance look over her cars radio. By the time Abby reached the coven, it seems that the Wiccans were, already, aware, and planning to assist the innocent. As for Katrina, Abby noticed that Katrina looked about as human, as any, live, person. What Abby would ask Crane "Whats up?" Crane would say "What is "up", as you call it, id that the sisterhood is preparing a non-lethal way to free the prisoners." When Abby asked "I meant, what is Katrina doing here?" Crane would say "She appears to be making an appearance, of ammends, for past actions". When Abby would ask "Are you serious?" Crane would say "Most serious. In fact, the coven believes in Katrina's innocence. The priestess is adamant about proving Katrina's loyalty, to the coven. The coven appears to be of the unified thought, in the matter of proclaiming Katrina's loyalty." When Abby would ask "What about the bell, and the warlock?" Crane would say "It would appear that the coven membership are of the unified opinion, that Katrina was, at the time of the event, under the warlocks influence. Now, it seems that Katrina has been released, from this bond, and the coven want to know where Katrina's true loyalties lie". When the coven came up with a plan, to rescue the innocent, Abby would have felt certain that the activity would include explosives, and a shoot-out, with Homeland Security. This is why, when the priestess suggested a peaceful approach, Abby was not certain that the coven would be able to act as was being suggested. The basic concept, of acting, while the prisoners remained enroute, remained the center, of each groups plans. Abby, however, would only learn of the coven, monitoring the prisoner transport, when the priestess provided Abby with the trucks specifications. As the priestess woulld inform Abby, "collecting" the prisoners, and releasing their burdens, would not be a difficult process. What would be most difficult would be protecting the innocent, from Homelands "wrath". Especially once Homeland Security realized that its "prisoners" had vanished. Would Homeland Security return to Sleepy Hollow? 100% certain. Would Homeland Security tear the town, to pieces, looking for the "fugitives"? Most, or very, likely. This is why the coven was working on a two-part solution, to the problem. The first part would be freeing the innocent. The second part involved proptecting the innocent from federal reprisals. The best, if only, solution, which the coven came up with, was an amnesia spell. The plan would be to cast a "forget" spell, to produce the effect that, for up to one year, the innocent would not remember even who they were. The innocent would, of course, be hospitalized, under the generic term of "John Doe". As a further safeguard, the innocent would NOT be "grouped", at the same hospital. The innocent would be spread out, across America, in such a fashion, that it would take Sherlock Holmes to deduce the pattern. The only part, of the whole thing, which Abby had a problem with, was the fact that Katrina was involved. Warlocks influence, or no, Katrina was on Abby's "bad side", and it would take a LOT more covincing, before Abby would trust the woman, ever again. By the time Abby would return, to police headquarters, the station was "alive", with the story, that a federal prison transport, was found by the roadside, by a passing trooper. According to the incoming reports, "terrorist attack", and "freak accident", were being rulled OUT, since there was no evidennce of damage, to the van, nor to the drivers, on-board. The reports said the guards were sufferring Amnesia. Cause unknown. As for the transports "prisoners", although the "cage" remained intact, with no signs, of forced entry, the "prisoners" were gone, as if "into thin air". Abby would smile, as she thought "Oh, my god! They did it. The coven did it, and without shedding blood." Ofcourse, Homeland Security marched right back into town, demanding a house-by-house search. Homeland Security had even brought in two battallions, of federal soldiers, to aid in the search. Thankfully, in order to secure the search warrant, Homeland Security had been forced to seek permission, from a state legislator, who had e-mailled the Sleepy Hollow police. When the message read "I am asking for FULL cooperation, on this matter. Give Homeland Security whatever they want". This is why the captain came before the stations officers, saying "Listen up, people. Homeland Security thinks Sleepy Hollow is sheltering the "prisoners". This is why they are returning, with a regiment, of federal soldiers. As a result, I want each of you to contact as many people as possible, and inform the people to allow Homeland FULL freedom of movement. Remind our citizens that, the faster this raid is over with, the faster our lives return to normal." Even as the captain was issuing this statement, the senior, Homeland Security, agent, would be cautioning a few, heavily-armed, troops: "Expect great resistence. Keep weapons "hot" and "ready" at all times. Be prepared for radical resistence. Use night-sticks, when possible, however, I am certain that lethal force will be approved, if necessary." The problem, which Homeland Security found, upon arrival, at Sleepy Hollow, was that block after block, of homes, which the convoy passed, all saw that homes had doors wide open, with families standing, well off, to the side. When the U.S. Army soldiers saw this, as well, and a private asked their lieutenant "Do you, really, think we will need the "battering ram"? There was a collective sigh of reief, as the lieutenant said "If all the houses are like these, there is no need to even un-pack the "battering rram". We will un-pack the device ONLY if we find need, to use it. Although Homeland Security was performing like this was another 9/11, the soldiers deployed just as they had been training to do. What infuriated Homeland Security, even more than the wide open doors, and subservient occupants, was how often the agents kept hearing the word "clear", as soldiers exited houses. After hearing this, thirty times, a Homeland agent would tackle a home-owner, nearly starngling the man, while growling "Tell me where the terrorists are". When the terrified home owner would croak out "Iraq? Af-ghan-istan?" the Homelnd agent would begin punching the home owner, but only until Sleepy Hollow police put weapons, to the agents head. Once warned, that the police would fire, and the agent said "I am a federal agent, and **I** have authority, here." The police officers would say "Not to torture the people, of Sleepy Hollow". When the agent would growl "But, they are terrorist sympathizers!", and the police would ask "You have proof of this?", The agent would say "We have an empty truck, and guards, in the hospital" When the police asked "Do you have proof this THIS man was part of that?" The agent lowered the man, to the ground, and, with weapons still trained on the agents head, the agent would tell police "Interrrupting an interrogation. You must be terrorists sympathizers, yourselves". After two police officers took the agent away, at gun -point, the lead officer would accept a med-kit, from another officer, and begin treating the home-owners injuries. By the time Homeland Security had assaulted five, other, home-owners, during a search of 85 homes, and produced no results, the police captain would get tough, with Homeland Security, telling them "Take your goon squad and get OUT of my town. If you return, for ANY reason, I will shoot each of you, myself." The senior, federal, agent would no-sooner say "So, threatening a federal officer. I guess you dont CARE about that badge, after all" By this time, an army captain would report in, to the group, saying "Agent, we have finished the canvas. No sign of the suspects". When the agent would say "Impossible! The search cannot be over, this quick!" The soldier would say "All of my units have reported in. All they have found is open doors, and citizens, keeping well to the side". The police captain could see the deadly rage, behind the federal agents eyes, and knew the agent was thinking "If only I had a reason, I would burn this place, to the ground." Instead, in a menacing voice, the agent would tell the police captain "We WILL be watching", then, along with the soldiers, the agents would load up, and leave town. After the feds departed, the police captain would ask Abby "Just WHERE did the suspects end up?" All Abby would ask was "Do you really want to know?" The police captain would say "Not really. Just required to ask". Abby would say "Understood". As for Jenny, and the mercenaries, when word reached them, that the blitzkrieg was called off, the soldiers returned to camp, to celebrate not taking a drop of blood. This was a GOOD day. As for the rumors, of three women, "dropping from the sky", and into a shopping center, this, soon, became an "urban myth", told round camp fres. After all, who ever heard of people "falling, out of thin air"" Especially without parachutes. When the captain, Abigail, and Jenny, were reviewed, by a psychiatrist, all three agreed to say "We were out of town, and lost all track of time. Thats all it was". The psychiatrist cleared all three women. As for Ichabod, and Katrina, Crane, Ichabod remained wary of his wife. And not due to the warlocks influence, either. Ichabods concern remained over all the secrets, which Katrina had kept, since colonial times. Crane wondered how many other secrets Katrina had. And this left the question, of hw a marriage, could be based upon secrets. All Katrina would say, to Ichabod, was "When you are prepared to converse, on the matter, at hand, you will know where to locate me". All Crane could say was "As you wish, my lady".

SLEEPY HOLLOW #4: WOMEN IN TIME

SLEEPY HOLLOW #4: In the weeks, following Jennifer Mills abduction, and return, both Ichbod Crane, and Abigail Mills, would face issues, which had no simple answers. While Abigail Mills was facing Assualt charges, for tackling the officer, who had targetted Jennifer, while the woman was stuck on a run-a-way, flying, broom, And Jennifer Mills was leading a "team", of her fellow mercenaries, to the spot, where she had buried the teams supplies (nearly 200 years before), Ichbod Crane, himself, was having as much trouble, as was usual, with the "new", female, police captain. Although Crane, himself, like his mentors, George Washington, Bennjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson (among others), had seen no value, in denying either women, or negroes, their value, and rights, as people, Crane was finding himself, in the 21st century, doing verbal "battle", almost daily, with a woman who refused to understand that, legally, women had NO rights, back in colonial America. No matter how many times that Crane would say "In MY day..." (meaning the days, of colonial America), the woman just kept barking, at him, about womens rights. Even when Abby would try to re-phrase Cranes words, saying "He means, in colonial days", th captain would insist that Crane meant the modern day. This is the main reason why, as often as possible, Crane did his best to AVOID the police captain. Since it would seem that only the Mills sisters, and a few others, understood the meaning, behind Cranes words, Crane did his best to limit his conversations, to those who understood him. Ofcourse, Crane had made a "mistake", involving Jenny's recent abduction. An "innocent" mistake, but one which the captain was not likely to forget, anytime soon. After all, when the captain had asked for directions, to the mercenaries compound, and Crane had used his historical knowledge, to identify the camps location, Crane had done exactly what the captain had asked. When Crane had mentioned that the land was under the ownership, of a certain family, and the captain had asked for a map, Crane had produced a map, drawn, based upon the landmarks, of his day. Now, had the captain asked Crane to draw a map, based upon modern landmarks, he would have done so. Since the captain had, clearly asked for a map, based upon historical information, Crane had provided this. After the police raiding party found nothing, at the location in question (as Crane had tried to tell them), the captain had given Crane a severe "dressing down", for providing "false" information. When Crane had said "Madam! I knew the property owners quite well. They were loyal, and true. I visited their home, on many an occassion, so dont bother telling me that I am not aware of how to reach their residence". Later, while aiding an officer, with details, of a historic battle, for something the officer was writing, (while Crane awaited the arrival, of Abigail Mills), the police captain had charged from her office, barking "OUT!", to Crane, even as the officer was saying "He was just helping me with some details, for a project", the captain would bark "OUT!" to Crane, before signalling some officers, to put Crane out of the police station. Later, when Crane DID meat up, with the Mills sisters, and Jennifer commented, on how LONG it had taken, to find the supplies, despite her marking the tree's, Crane had suggested a method, which the colonies had learned, from the indian nations. When the captain found the three having a drink, and marched over, telling Crane "The next time you come into my station, making anti-woman remarks, I will place you under arrest, myself! Understand?" Even as Crane would say "Understood", Abigail would ask "Just what KIND of remarks was Crane making, captain?" Abigail was prepared to hear that Crane was being accused of making either race, or gender, hate remarks, so Abigail was surprised when the captain said "He thinks that being a man makes him superior to us. He keeps talking about how women should be "put in our place", specifically the kitchen. One more crack, and I will arrest you, myself". After the captain stormed out of the bar, Abigail asked Crane "What was that all about?" To which Crane would say "A member, of the "force" asked me the truth of the saying, that colonial women being "seen, and not heard". "I was, simply, informing the officer that it was a rather rude, but accepted, custom. A custom applied to ALL women, regardless of color." When Jennifer Mills would ask "Even white women were ordered to accept this?" Crane would say "All women were subject to this practice." When Jennifer would ask "How did the Founding Fathers feel, about this?" Crane would say "This is one, of many, reasons, why the colonies declared independence. We intended to create a land of equality. A land where a mans value was measured by his work, not by his race." When Jennifer would mention "When I was back there, I noticed that the women did not speak. What was that all about?" Crane would say "That is the way colonial women were raised. They did not speak unless spoken to." When Jennnifer would ask "Who made THAT rule?" Crane would say "I haven't the foggiest notion". For the remainder, of the evening, the three discussed how life had changed, over the past century. After reading no less than eight, history, books, about the only thing, which Abigail Mills was certain of was the fact that women had not been, legally, allowed to vote, until the 20th century. And not just black women, either. Not even white women were allowed to vote, until the nineteenth amendment, to the constitution, was passed. It would not be until after Abigail Mills was cleared of the Assault charge, and Jennifer Mills had returned to her training, with the mercenaries, that an un-expected event would occur. One evening, while the three were out, for a walk, after having a "brew", that, althougth all were certain that they were sober, none expected what would happen, that evening. Before the three, on the path, appearred Katrina Crane. Jennifer suppressed a smile when, as Abby saw Mrs. Crane, she, instinctively, drew her weapon. It was only when Jenny would ask "WHAT are you going to do, with that?" This is when Katrina Crane would mention "This would be my inquiry, as well". When Ichbod would ask "Katrina, for what purpose have you made your presense, known to us?" Katrina would say "I have made this appearance, as a plea, for forgiveness. I never intended harm to befall to any of you." When Abby would say "Well, guess what." Katrina would say "You must understand. When I met with the wizard, my powers were not as I would have preferred. His, dark, magic, was far more powerful, than I might have supposed." When Abby would ask "Okay, WHOSE side are you on, now?" When Katrina would ask "Side? I do not understand. What are these "sides"?" Ichbod would say "What the letenent means is "Do you, currently, remain under the warlock's influence?" Katrina would say "I am free of his influence. It would seem that the transformation cleansed my soul. I am, no-longer, subject to his influence". Although the three would remain suspicious, of the new arrival, Katrina would suggest "The purpose, of my presenting my presence, is to bring a warning, of dire events, which are, soon, to transpire. Moloch has not been banished. At present, Moloch is in preparation for the next phase, of his agenda. For this reason, Moloch is in session, with the horsemen, of Death, and War. I know not the details, of their coming actions, however, I am aware of the instance of the failure to abduct Miss Jennifer, and the attempted deceit, which was hoped would lead to Miss Abigail firing the shot, which would have ended Miss Jennifer's existence." When Jennifer would ask "Why would it matter if my sister shot me? Its not like we are The Waltons, or anything similar". Abigail would suggest "Jenny, that may be true, but we are family. To some people, family still means something". When Jennifer would quip "Oh, you are breaking my heart." Ichabod would interrupt "Might we focus our efforts on the dilema, currently at hand?" Ichabod would, then, suggest "Katrina, if you would be so kind as to ingratiate yourself, into the horsemans graces, again, perchance you might obtain more information, which may be of relevance, in the coming task." Even Abigail would stay silent, for a moment, while waiting for Katrina to say "Yes, my love". Instead, Katrina would say "As you wish", with a curtsey. After that, Katrina would begin to walk away, only to dissolve into thin air. When Jennifer would ask "Am I drunk, or did she just fade away?" Abby would say "If you saw it, as well, then we are, all, drunk, or Katrina did fade away". Ichabod would intercede, suggesting "If, perchance, Moloch, and the horsemen, retain the ability to access this realm, then would it not be prudent to seek out our own sources, and attempt to educate ourselves, regarding coming events?" When Jennifer would ask "You dont trust your own wife?", It would be Abigail who would ask "After what has happened, recently, would you?" Jennifer would say "Point taken." When Ichabod would ask "What point has been taken to what location?" Abby would say "Never mind." In the between-worlds realm, of Purgatory, Moloch would be hatching his latest plan, with the horsemen. A plan, which, IF executed, properly, would remove both of the Mills sisters, from the playing field, leaving Crane to face the horsemen, of Death, and War, alone. Although, this time, Moloch would instruct his minions to strike "late at night", so as to avoid being witnessed, in their actions, what Moloch did not take into account was where the Mills sisters would be, at the time of the abduction. The only reason why Jennifer was present, at the time, was because the police captain wanted to make her point clear. The captain would tell Abby, in front of her sister, "I DONT want my officers hanging around either with people, who think they know about the past, or with mental patients." When Abby would say "Crane has proven himself, more than once, and on a variety of cases. His knolwedge is valuable, to ME." When the captain would say "NOT the point", Abby would say "As for my sister. We ARE family. During my off-duty hours, I am allowed to see whomever I want. Even my family." The captain was just saying "Not in my police station." when, out-of-the-blue, some creatures appearred, in the captains office, and snatched the three women up before the captain even got her gun out of her holster. When the three women, next, saw their surroundings, and Abby saw the captain trying to take aim, Abby would say "Captain, put the gun away". When the captain responded "No way! Where are we?" Abby would say "Purgatory". When the captain asked, incredulously "WHERE?", Abby would say "A place where our guns are useless". When the captain would say "Impossible!", Abby would say "Go ahead. Fire at will". When the captain put off two rounds, at a nearby tree, the woman stood, in dis-belief, when the rounds went right through the tree, non-stop, and just kept going. This is when a familiar voice would say "Hello, Abby, Jenny". When Jenny asked Abby "It cant be, can it?" Abby would say "This is the realm of souls. Corbin, sometimes, comes here, to speak with me". Sure, enough, when Jenny looked at the man, there, before her, stood August Corbin. The man she had collected so many items, for , over the years. While the three shared a hug, the captain just sat, nearby, saying "This CANT be real. I MUST be asleep." When Abby would say "Captain, I would like you to meet Sheriff August Corbin." When Corbin stuck out a hand, the captain would say "No way. This MUST be a dream. I am NOT shaking hands with a dream". Corbin would say "Suit yourself". When Abby would ask Corbin "What is happening?" Corbin would say "Remember what I told you, before, about trusting your own judgement?" Abby would say "Like I could forget". Corbin would say "Remember that lesson. Remember it, and APPLY it, to coming events". When Abby would ask "What coming events?" Corbin would say "Remember...", even as he faded away. Moments later, Purgatory fell away, from the women, and, although both of the Mills sisters knew what to expect, Abby knew the captain would just argue, if Abby tried to tell the woman what to expect. Soon, the three women found themselves "falling", through what seemed like a vertical tunnel. The Mills sisters, though, being "veterans", of this type of thing, knew to curl up, into balls, for the coming "crash landing". (Both Abby, and Jenny, had to wonder WHY time-travel always dropped people like the people had jumped from a second story window). When the three reached the end, of the "tunnel", the captain noticed that the sisters were curled up, but had no idea what the reason, for this was. The captain wondered if Abby was a "chicken", behind her badge. Moments later, the captain learned the reason for the sisters "crash position". When the "tunnel"/"portal" opened up, the Mills sisters dropped, and rolled, mussing their hair, and jolting their clothes, but emerging without injury. The captain, though, NOT being a "veteran", ended up doing a "belly flop", and bruising her shoulders, as well as taking minor injuries. When the woman stood up, not noticing about her surroundings, then told Abby "Whatever that was, I need to see a medic, once we return to the station. When the captain looked about her, recognized some tree's, then said "This way. We can be back, at the station, in no time". Abby tried to tell the woman "Captain", but the captain was as hard-headed, as ever, even taking "point". Following, a distance behind, Jennifer would ask Abby "Should I ask "WHERE are we?", or should I ask "WHEN are we?"" Abby would say "Lets follow the captain, for as long as it is safe. If anything happens, we can duck back, under cover." To Abby's annoyannce, her sister would say "Good plan". Abby just could not believe how the captain walked right into town, not even noticing the lack of black-top, on the paths, and the "costumes", which people were wearing. Abby, and Jenny, both, sought cover, when the captain stopped a rider, on horseback, telling the man "Dont you know that we have an ordinance, in this city, about riding horses, on public thoroughtfares". When the man just looked at the captain, in dis-belief, then the captain told the man "Step down from there", Abby whispered, to herself "Captain, get OUT of there". Within moments, just as the sisters had feared, the captain was roped, tied, and taken to the sheriff's office, all the while shouting "I am an officer, of the law. You are, all, under arrest!" When the locals dropped the captain, at the Sleepy Hollows sheriff's office, saying "Sheriff, we have a real live one, here. Thinks she is the sheriff". When the captain said "I am NOT the sheriff. I am the captain of this precinct. Not un-hand me, NOW!" This is when the sheriff came to the captain, who thought that the man was some kind of character, in his western get-up, badge on his vest, and ten-gallon hat, she was not prepared for the man to say "Empty her pockets." When the captain said "How dare you!" The sheriff said "One more word, and I will, personal, toss you into a cell. I dont care if you IS a lady". When the captain said "I will have your badge, for this!", the captain was left speechless when the sheriff threw her over his shoulder, like a sack of groceries, carried her to a cell, and dumped her inside. The sheriff would, then, say "Stay put, and shut up, until a find a proper lady, to frisk you". Back, in the woods, Jenny would ask Abby "What do we do?", Abby would suggest "You said, the last time the horseman sent you here, you buried some suppies, right?" Jennifer would say "Yes, provided this is the same time, and not earlier". Abby would say "We better take the chance, and hope for the best". With that, the sisters would set off, in search of the supplies, Jenny had left, in the past, even as a very robust woman would tackle the captain, hog-tieing the woman, then delivering the captains belongings, to the sheriff. When the sheriff said "Thank you, ma'am", the woman would say "Anytime, sheriff". While the captain "stewed", in her cell, failing to realize that this jail used Kerosene lamps, instead of flourescent bulbs, for light, the sheriff would be in his office, with his deputies, trying to figure out the bizzarre things the woman had on her person. The men just could not figure out WHERE the woman had made a picture, of herself, which looked so life-like that it was like "magic". Then, there was the question, which a deputy raised, about the print, on the I.D.. as the deputy would ask "What sheriff's office would have a FE-MALE on staff?" The sheriff would add "Who ever heard of a female de-tec-tive?", whatever that is." Another deputy would ask "It cant be real, right sheriff? I mean, whoever heard of a FE-MALE captain?" The sheriff would say "Who ever heard of a female working in law enforcement?" Left baffled, by the captains I.D., the men moved on, to the captains side-arm, with a deputy asking "What kind of six-shooter is that?" The sheriff would say "Blast me, if I know. Dont look like any gun I ever seen, before.". While the sheriff, and his staff, were trying to understand 20th century technology, in the 18th century, the Mills sisters "struck gold", when they located Jennifers marks, on the trees, and recovered the supplies, which they might need, for a prolonged stay, in this place. Waiting until well after dark, the sisters approached the sheriff's office, and the window opening, for the cells. It was decided that Abby would approach the captain, HOPING that Abby could encourage the woman to keep calm. No such luck, though. When the captain saw Abby, the captain got loud as she ordered Mills, "Bring back-up, and get me OUT of this thing." When Abby TRIED to tell the woman, quietly, to BE quiet, the captain would say, most vocally, "I am your superior officer. You will NOT tell me to be quiet". Abby knew the "jig was up", when she heard a deputy call into the cell-block "Woman, are you going to be quiet, or do I have to come in there, and make you be quiet." As some as the captain called out "I am an officer, of the law", and Abby heard footsteps coming, she knew she had to leave the captain behind. Whatever happened, now, was up to the Mills sisters. When Abby and Jenny, retreated to the forest, for cover, and Abby told Jenny what had happened, Jenny was like "Terrific, hasn't that woman ever heard of "low-profile?" Abby would say "Not according to her profile. It seems that the captain has been a dogged law enforcer, for many years." As the sisters sat back, in the forest, ate rations, and contempleted their next move, Jenny asked the natural question, after having her initial idea, of using explosives, to blow the jail, declined, by Abby. The question of "Has Crane ever told you what people did, with those they thought were un-balanced, in his day?" Abby said "Crane has never mentioned it, but I recall that some of the history books, which I read, after speaking to Professor Malachai Olsen. Some of the books said that most territories not only had just a regional sheriff, and judge, who stopped by, from time to time, to hear any pending cases". When Jenny would ask "Did any of the books say anything about mental illness?" Abby would say "In Cranes day, it was called by the simple name: Insanity". When Jenny would ask "What happened to victims?" Abby would say "The books claim that, in most communities, the "crazies" were collected, at intervals, then carted off, to places, where they were either dumped, or chained up. Some places had staff, to watch over the people, while most were little more than "garbage dumps". It was when Jenny would ask "When do you think the next pick-up will be?" Abby would say "I guess that we can scout around. Try to find out." Jenny would say "First things, first. We need to ditch these modern clothes. We need to "blend in". With that, the first part, of the sisters "plan", went into effect. Back in the present, Ichabod Crane would be searching all over modern day Sleepy Hollow, for his co-worker. He just could not believe that it was true that, at the same moment, when Abby, and Jenny, went missing, that the police captain had gone missing, as well. It would only be when Katrina would appear to him, calling him by name, that Ichabod would receive the news. Katrina would say "Ichabod, I have learned of the horsemans plans, and Moloch's directive." When Ichhabod would say "Pray, enlighten me, Katrina". Katrina would say "The plan has been placed into action, to remove the Mills sisters from the present, and send them to the colonial past." When Crane would ask "What purpose would that serve?", Katrina would say "The hope is that you will be left emotionnally vulnerable, and required to face the coming battle, alone." In the 18th century, Abby had, no-sooner suggested ASKING some local women, for some clothing, when Jenny suggested "Why not just take some clothes, from a wash-line. Who would, ever, know if some clothes blew away, on the wind?" Abby would, no-sooner, say "No way am I taking part in any thefts. We may be two hundred years in the past, but I am still a law enforcer". While the sisters were trying to figure out how to find clothes, which fit the time period, they happened upon something which might, one day, turn into something like the Salvation Army. Once the sisters surveilled the place, the decision was made. Wait for sun-down, and use ONLY pen-lights. AVOID damage, if possible. To the sisters astonishment, they did not have to break into the building, at all. When Jenny would whisper "The house, of the Lord, welcomes all", Abby just gave her sister a look, then the ladies set forth to find "disguises", for their time, in town. Abby would remind Jenny "Remember, we need things which fit in, in the 1800's, not the 21st century." then added "Things which Negro women would wear". When Jenny would ask "What did black women wear, in the 1800's?" Abby would say "Good point. Probably hand-me-downs, from white ladies". Selecting a weeks worth of clothing, for each woman, the Mills sisters would retreat, to the forest, where they would place the filthy clothes into a bag, then grab some sleep, before sun-rise. A few hours later, the sisters would have "dived" into some rations, but the smell, from the clothes bag, was bad enough that both sisters admitted "Washing comes first, then eating". Using something called "Camp-site detergent", the sisters would soak the clothes, in a stream, then wash the clothes, thoroughly, and repeatedly, until all scent was gone. After that, Jenny would hang the clothes, from tree branches, to air-dry. While the clothes dried, the sisters would surveill the towns women, for proper actions, and behavior. (Yes, Abby remembered, all too well, her last visit, here, and how much trouble SHE had been in. Trouble which included being locked in a cell, herself. Upon returning to the 21st century, Abby had promised herself "When in Rome..." By the time the clothes were ready for wear, Jenny was full of questions, such as "Why are the women acting so subservient?" Abby would remind her "This is the way it was, in colonial times". When Jenny would say "That, still, does not make it right". Abby would remind her sister "Remember, we are NOT in the 21st century. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, understand?" Jenny would moan "I understand". Thankfully Abby had grown accustomed to Cranes "strange" vocabulary, during their work, together. Thankfully, Crane had taught Abby a thing, or twenty. Abby just hoped that she knew ENOUGH to get by. After all, this was NOT some test, for history class. If the sisters screwed up, here, they could wind up sold, as runaway slaves, or even hanged, if found to be "impudent". At Abby's suggestion, the sisters operated under the guise of "TALK as little as possible, and LISTEN as much as possible". Something with which, it would turn out, Jenny was, very familiar with. Although Abby was much more "familiar", with colonial speech, thanks to Crane, Jenny found herself excusing herself, and curtseying, much more than she planned to. Jenny just felt totally un-comfortable when she found atleast one man looking her over, like she was "for sale". She was about to say "Get a woman", when she saw Abby, gesturing, and, instead, whispered "Pardon me, kind sir. My sibling wishes my company". When Abby gave Jenny the news "The lepers wagon is due, in two weeks. We have until then to figure out how to free the captain". When Jenny asked "Lepers wagon? The captain does not have Leprosy". Abby would say "According to Crane, such wagons handle anyone, who is "ill". It does not matter if the illness is pneumonia, or dimentia. If a person is "sick", they are dumped in the wagon". When Jenny asked "Where are the people taken, for treatment?" Abby would say "According to the history books, hospitals wont exist, for another century. In this time, people are just taken to a place, where the disease runs its course." Jenny would say "And I thought that the psychiatric ward was bad". Abby would say "Compared to "todays" treatments, modern health care is pure heaven, even on its worst days." Still, Jenny would suggest "If they take the captain to one of those places, where you say there is minimal staff, we could rush the place, and no one would be the wiser." Abby would say "Nice try, sis, but Crane showed me one of those chain systems. A real one, not the ones the museums have. You would not believe how THICK, and STRONG, those things are". When Jenny would ask "How thick are they. The REAL ones?" Abby would say "The ones, which Crane showed me, could restrain an elephant, and it would take a professional welder a week, with the right tools, to cut a shackle off." When Jenny would say "It sounds like they treated these people like animals". Abby would say "In those days, they didn't know any better." After two more days, of sitting around, eating rations, Abby would catch a break, when she noticed some men tying "binding ropes" (As restraining rope was referred to, in colonial America). Abby remembered Crane saying something about these ropes being used for binding supplies, prior to transport, AND for binding prisoners, for transport. Crane had entioned something about communities using these ropes, instead of "cuff's", since, it would seem that anything, which went with prisoners was, never, seen, again. Since communities could not afford the loss of metal, used for cuff's, most villages used binding ropes, to transport prisoners. This is when Abby would tell Jenny "We can take the captain, during transport. The prisoners are only tied, with rope, so we can grab the captain, then un-tie her, after we are away from the escort." When Jenny would mention "Aren't there armed guards, with the prisoners?" Abby would say "Sis, you are, still, thinking of the 21st century. This is the 18th. Here, there are no such thing as Pinkertons, yet." Jenny would say "Swell". Then came the real question: Jenny would ask "Just HOW do we keep her silent, until help comes?" Abby would say "I HOPE we can convince her to be quiet". When Jenny would ask "And, if we cant, and she WONT?", Abby would say "I guess that we tie, and bind, her, until help arrives". When Jenny would ask "Help. From where? or WHOM?" Abby would say "I am hoping that Katrina's coven might aid us." Although Abby, after talking with Crane, was prepared for the "moonstrous bruiser", who would come, with the "leper wagon", Jenny did not know whether to be aroused, or terrified. The man was a solid piece of muscle. Jenny wondered what he would be like, in bed. That is, until Abby whispered "Focus. We are here, for the captain". When the man carried the captain out, over his shoulder, for a moment, Jenny fantasized that it was HER, on the mans shoulder. The fantasy, though, was shattered, when the man just DUMPED the captain into the wagon, with those others, like she was a bag of salt. After the wagon departed the jail, the Mills sisters would follow along, until they KNEW which trail the wagon was taking. When Jenny remarked "Not even an escort? How dumb are they?" Abby would whisper a growl "Remember: 18th century" Jenny would say "Right, everyone is trusting, and honest". Once the sisters noticed that the driver was keeping his eyes on the trail, they came up, behind the wagon, and got a surprise. Two prisoners jumped off the wagon, and no one said a word, to the driver. After this, when the captain scooted off her seat, the sisters noticed why the other "prisoners" were not moving. THEY were tied to the wagon. As to why the captain was not tied, the Mills sisters just thought it was luck. When the captain began to struggle, in the sisters grasp, Abby whispered "Its your choice, captain. Either cooperate, and be safe, or make noise, and we leave you here, for someone to find, later." It seems the captain saw the wisdom, of this, since she, FINALLY, stopped struggling. half an hour later, and Jennifer had the captains ties removed, even as the captain admitted "We are not in our own town, are we?" Abby would say "If you mean, are we not in our own TIME, then you are right". When the captain would ask "How do we get back home?" Jenny would suggest "How about a bath, first, THEN we worry about getting home?" The sisters then showed the captain the "hidden" lake they had been using, for bathing, and the creek, which they used for drinking water. After the captain took half an hour, in the lake water, with some "camping soap", then applied "camp-site" deodorant, the three ladies then shared some rations, while trying to figure out how to contact Katrina's coven. When Jenny asked Abby "I thought the coven banished Katrina, to Purgatory, for saving Ichabod's life?" The captain would watch, and listen, totally baffled, as Abby would say "I THINK we are in a time period, prior to this. When Katrina was, still, in the covens good graces." When the captain would ask "Coven? Saving lives? I hope you are not talking about the fairy tale, of witches". When the sisters just looked at the captain, and she said "You are , aren't you". Abby would ask "Do you want to get back home, or be stuck here?" When the captain said "Back home sounds nice". Abby would say "Time to try to signal Katrina's coven, then" Abby suspected that the coven already knew who they were, and where they were. The coven was just "playing it safe", until they were certain. After all, in this time period, more than others, "witches" were hunted, like animals, and roasted, alive. As a result, covens were cautious. Abby was not-at-all surprised when first contact was made by a novice, whose skills were just blossoming. The young woman just asked some basic information, then lead the three women back to the covens "quarters". Here, the captain would have her sense, of right, and wrong, tested, as she learned that these people were Wiccans, not dark witches. The captain found it wisest to remain silent, while Abby conversed with the covens members. Especially since the captain spoke even less colonial English than Abby did. In fact, the captain did not understand most of what was being said. She felt like she did, in grade school, learning to read. To Abby's relief, the covens memberrs took Abby's continual mis-steps in stride, as they saw that Abby was trying her best. Abby even faked some curtseys, at appropriate times, just as Crane had bowed, to the members, for real. It took awahile, but the coven came to understand what had happened. The women were, then, asked to wait, while the coven worked on a way around both Moloch, and the horsemen. When the captain asked Abby "How long will this take?" Abby would say "When I am with Crane, most of the time, things are ready, when we arrive. Other times, we have to "make nice", if it is information that we want. You should be ready to wait, for days, since we are going up against Moloch." What even Abby could not have predicted was what would happen, next. In a move, which NO one expected, Katrina Crane would visit the coven, with information, and materials, which the coven needed, for a successful spell. Once the spell was brewed, the covens priestess would ask the three women "Are you certain that this is what you want?" The women felt like saying things like "Hell, YES!", or "Just do it!", or other phrases, but Abby had cautioned that such phrases were not known, in this time. As a rsult, Abby had been chosen to give the groups answer. When Abby would say "Yes, sister, we are prepared for the journey to come". The priestess would say "Very well, then", and the coven began the incantation, which summoned the portal, which would carry the three women back to the 21st century. As though sucked into a giant vacuum, the three women found themselves inside another tunnel, and falling, again. This time, though, the captain would mimic the sisters actions, of curling into a ball. When the tunnel "spit" the three women out, they found they had an audience, as they had been dropped into the middle of the citys largest shopping strip mall. Thankfully, the ladies found a womens clothing store, which knew them, by name. Here, the captain called for a ride to base, telling the receiver "Never mind where we have been. Send us a cruiser". Half an hour later, while Abby was "catching Ichabod up", on the events, of the past century, the captain would go to the old archives section, and look under "historical documents", hoping that she would not find what she expected to find. If she did NOT find it, she could just claim it was all "just a bad dream". Problem was, she DID find what was left, of her disintregrated wallet, as well as the very FADED picture, on her police badge. These items, the captain found in a package marked "Female, who claimed to be a cop". Although the badge photo was only a few years old, the captain would have to submit a request, for a replacement, since this one was as faded as some of her great-grand-mothers pictures were. When photo control asked the captain "How did you make it look so old, when our files show it was taken only a few years ago?" All the captain would say was "You would not believe me, if I told you." Crane would report, to Abby, that the battle, which was supposed to have taken place, was called off, by Moloch, since this plan had been as bad as the previous one. When the captain had come up missing, the whole force had gone on alert. This was the opposite of what Moloch had wanted. Moloch had wanted to take both Sleepy Hollow, and Crane, by restful surprise. Once everyone was on alert, due to the disappearances, there was no way for Moloch to succeed. When Abby would inform Crane "Katrina was there, in the coven, at the time. She seemed to KNOW Jenny and I, but I dont know if it was the original Katrina, or if she had travelled back in time, to help us". Crane would agree "That would be a most difficult distinction to make, to say the very least" When Abby would say "Care to share", Crane would say "It has, long, been rumored that coven members are able to travel about, both in time, and in space." When Abby would ask "Do you THINK that Katrina travelled back, in time, to aid Jennny and I?" Crane lookdd puzzled, at this, so Abby suggested "Do you think Katrina is trying to pull a fast one, on us?" When Crane would ask "How does an amount of acceleration attempt to out-perform our actions?" Abby would say "What I mean is "Do you think she is playing a trick?"" Crane would ponder this as he said "I really wish I knew the answer, to that inquiry". As for Jenny, she was not-att-all surprised, when she returned, to the mercenaries camp, to receive a report, that nearly half of the rations supply was missing, from the cartons. Jennifer had no idea of how to explain that the rations had been consumed about two centuries prior to manufacture. Sleepy Hollow would be left to ponder what Moloch's, and the horsemens, next move would be.

TERROR THE FINAL BATTLE

TERROR: THE FINAL BATTLE By the year, 2021, twenty years, and countless bodies, would have passed, in the time since the still-suspicious attacks, on New York City. As these twenty years have passed, the American public would have passed from shock, to outrage, to vengeance, and, finally, acceptance. By the time the twentieth anniversary, of September 11th would arrive, this date would return to being nothing more than just another date, on the calendar. Just as December 7th has become. By the twentieth anniversary, even the media was, repeatedly, asking Congress the question "WHY are we still there?" Ofcourse, Congress would reply, sharply, "The terrorists are still out there! We MUST continue to attack them, before they can attack us!" By this point, in time, though, the only, real, support, which Congress had, for continuing the invasions, was the support of the military-industrial complex. By contrast, in congressional districts, across America, the "whisper" of "Why are we continuing to invade", had become a conversation and, by the twentieth anniversary, the question had evolved into a "call to action". In a growing number, of districts, politicians, who insisted "We must continue to attack THEM, to prevent them from attacking us", found their words, more and more often, falling on "deaf ears". This is because, by the twentieth anniversary, all that the American public saw, coming, from these invasions, were endless numbers of coffins. Containers bearing the remains of what should have been America's future. While politicans continued to shout "We must attack!", all that the low income people, and the working-class parents, could see, and understand, were the headstones, which filled American cemetaries. THESE parents no-longer cared about national "rallying cries", of "We must attack!". All these people knew was that Little League, School Proms, First Dates, and the words "They proposed", were nothing more than distant, and forgotten, memories. By the twentieth anniversary, rage, over the deaths, of nearly 3,000 people, on that terrible day, had evolved into acidic bitterness, over the fact that it was, now, known that Congress, and the super-rich, had left the fighting, and the dying, to the sons, and daughters, of Johhn Q. Public. Soon, members of Congress, even ceased all appearances, on news shows. This, after journalists would not cease asking "Its been twenty years. WHAT do we have to show for the lives we have lost?" Although the American public was, solidly, opposed continuing the endless invasions, Capital Hill would have no part in this. Congress would press on, with the "war", even if that meant without public support. And the "war" did drag on. The problem was that, between injuries, and age, the militaries ranks were worn so thin that, by the twenty-second anniversary, of the atttacks, Congress re-instated the Draft. This out of desperation for continuing on. And the "war" did drag on. Past the twenty-fifth anniversary, the thirtieth, and even the thirty-fifth anniversaries. Ofcourse, Congress made sure that their own families, and the families, of the super-rich, were exempt, from the draft. Still, Capital Hill was determined that the "War on terror" would continue, for as long as Capital Hill wanted it to continue. It would only be near the thirty-seventh anniversary, however, that the "war" would come to an end. And for two, very good, reasons. First off: The Middle East, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and other, Middle East kingdoms hasd been wiped off the map. All that remained, was sand, bombed out buildings, and the smell of death. Even childrens laughter was just a distant memory. Lives cut short, by endless bombings. And, after twenty years, of battle, no one cared which bullets had killed the children. The children were just as dead, whether from American, or other, bullets. Now, the only sound, on the desert, was that, of the wind. A second, major, reason, for ending the "war" was that America's own ghettos had been "drained", to fill the militaries ranks, during the draft, and the vacant ghettos were, now being deeded over, to private corporations, to be demolished, in favor of luxury condominiums. And why not? After all, everyone, in the ghettos, had been drafted, and killed in battle. Their bodies now lay, forgotten, in the un-marked sand-graves, somewhere in the Middle East. Once the un-employed were wiped-out, and the Middle East was no more, Capital Hill, FINALLY decided to announce "The war is over". After thirty-seven years, of combat, though, what was left, of America's soldiers, finally returned home, and the Pentagon was able to announce a 70% reduction, in wage pay-outs. There were, however, no "victory" celebrations, even when the last, surviving soldier, came home. The nation could feel nothing but tears, for the fallen. Although Congress would insist that this was a "Great Victory", the American people could only see the graves, and would remember this time as "Blacker than the Black Plague, or even worse than the Salem Witch Trials". There was no honor. Only duty, and, above all, SACRIFICE.

THE HAUNTING PAST MYSTERY OF THE WHITE HOUSE THREATS

THE HAUNTING PAST: MYSTERY OF THE WHITE HOUSE THREAT To say that Tami and I were shocked to be called in, on such a case, would be the worst understatement of the day. This is because it is, widely, known, and understood, that death threats, against any member, of the first family, are investigated, and prosecuted, by the U.S. Secret Service. As far as Tami, myself, or even Mr. Brown, knew, SENDING death threats, to any member, of the first family, was a felony. An act which could lead an offender, regardless of race, age, or gender, to an easy life sentence, even if the treats are not made public. This is the reason why Tami and I were so puzzled, as to the reason why WE were being asked, to investigate. Sure, the current president had plans, to tax the super-rich, in order to cover the costs of creation of a new jobs program, and that this was un-popular, especially among the top 0.001% of America's super-rich, however, most curiously, the death threat was not made, directly, against either the president, or the vice president. According to the Secret Service, even the general public was acknowledging the amazing resemblance between the current First Lady, and another First Lady, from a time of about 150 years before. According to the file, both First Ladies were well-educated (for their day), and both women were advocates, for public school improvements, emphasizing the current lack of quality, of school lunches. Both ladies had, also, gone, on the public record, denouncing public drunkeness. The media even compared the contents, of the current First Ladies reports, on how public drunkeness should be driven into the "Shadows of Shame" (In other words, the First ladies meant: If one wants to get drunk, they shall perform this act, in the privacy of their own homes. NOT on "display", for the general public), with the media comparing the contents, of the former First Ladies positions, with the current First Ladies positions. Granted, the media was correct, about atleast one thing, and that was that both First Ladies were "radiant beauties", who had the grace of ballerina's. But, this was where the comparison ended. Although the current First Lady could make even a navy blue dress suit appear fashionable, the previous First Lady had found different ways to make the ball-gowns, of her day, more comfortable, and even appealling, to the observer. Sure, the First Ladies builds were similar, even according to White House historical records, but the difference was that each womans facial features were her own. A person would have to be "falling down", or "passing out", drunk, to see any comparisons between the jet black hair, of the previous First Lady, and the much lighter hair, of the current First Lady. Then came the reason why the Secret Service had asked the Brown Agency to investigate the death threats. Although the letters, to the current First Lady, implied of the First Lady being "tortured to death", if the First Lady did not agree to "Stop paving the lower reaches (low income people), of society" the Secret Service had noticed that, throughout the letter, the First Lady was being referred to as "Kitty". When Mr. Brown informed Tami and I "The Secret Service has, already, verified that the former First Lady was nicknamed "Kitty", by those who adored her. "It seems" Mr. Brown would say "That the former First Lady had a habit, of snuggling up, to people, and even purring, like a kitten, if this is what it took to encourage people to endorse her husbands proposals. Ofcourse, it could, also, be the fact that, by contrast, she could bare her teeth, snarl, and even scratch, like a feral feline, against those who tried to block her husband, or demean his work". When Tami would ask "If the warnings are recent, then why bother with a couple of "ghost investigators"? Wouldn't the F.B.I. be a better choice, for tracking this down?" Mr. Brown would say "The F.B.I., C.I.A., and even Homeland Security, are, already, on the case. The problem is that there are just some things which have no quick-and-easy answers. I have agreed, with the feds that, IF the First Lady is, truly, in danger, we must act, to prevent this". When I asked "Problems?, Dangers? Like what?" Mr. Brown would say "Problems such as the finger-prints, on the notes. Finger-prints which, acccording to the feds, came from the hand of a person, who has been dead for 125 years. When Tami would ask What aren't you telling us?", Mr. Brown would say "Before I tell you anymore, I must have you sign these, federal, non-disclosure, forms." After Tami and I signed the forms, Mr. Brown showed us a copy, of the original notes. The first thing that Tami noticed was the graceful handwriting. A good comparison, of writing style, would be the Declaration of Independence. Another example would be the Bill of Rights. Then, there was the vocabulary, of the author. The author had used the same phrase style, in the modern letters, as had been used, in the days when "Kitty" was the First Lady. The notes also did not mention "torture", by NAME, however, the notes spelled out the authors intentions, using the diction of more colonial times. It was Tami who asked "Is it possible that the author somehow acccessed an old document? Maybe some personal item, which the national archives has failed to catalogue?' Mr. Brown would say "Yes, due to the content, of the note, even the F.B.I. thought of the same thing. As far as even the best analysts can tell, though, this note is "genuine", since all, previous, threats, made against "Kitty", were catalogued, over a century ago". When Tami would ask "What about a copy-cat? Maybe someone who has been studying the First Ladies?" Mr. Brown would say "Already under consideration. What the feds want us to do is to dis-prove any rumor, that spirits might be involved. The Secret Service is, also, asking that time-travel be ruled out". "So", Tami would say "The feds want US to prove that the author, of these threats, is a living, breathing, person." Mr. Brown would say "Essentially correct". After Tami and I had the case file, all to ourselves, Tami's first question would be "If the current First Lady is the authors target, then WHY mention the former First Lady. A woman who has been dead, more than a century?" All I could think of was "Maybe, to throw off the trail, of suspicion. Maybe, it is to make everyone think its some "looney", in the hopes that the Secret Service will lower their guard. Maybe, the author wants to make it easier, possibly, to kidnap the First Lady" When I reviewed the enclosed list, of "potential suspects", I was impressed to see my own name listed, as well. When Tami saw the list, and asked "Something I should know?" I gave Tami a brief summary, of some correspondence, regarding a former "president", and Tami told me "You are lucky that you are not in prison, or worse, dead. That man was a real "nut-job", while in office. Everyone knew it". All true, but, atleast, to me, "ancient history". The current concern was the question of whom, on that list, would be most likely to want to harm the First Lady. And WHY her, when her husband was the nations leader. She was "just a spouse". Still, I promised Tami "You can rule me OUT, of this threat business. The author shows a real writing style, which shows a real grasp, of English, Grammar, and Composition. As for me, I NEVER passed an English class, in my life". Tami would suggest "I wonder if a person might use "spell-checker", maybe set for classic English, in order to produce this writing style. You know, there are scanners, on the market, now, which allow people to scan documents, and even duplicate hand-writing, inside the program." When I reminded Tami "You are talking about very expensive software, there. Not the kind of money, which either pranksters, or loonies, would have". This also left the question of not only where did the author place hands, on a century old note, but, also, WHERE did the author find century old finger-prints? When Mr. Blue submitted Tami's question, to Mr. Black (the firms computer wizard), Mr. Black asked for twelve hours, for the results. It would seem that Mr. Black had another case, which he wanted to conclude, first, so he needed the extra hours. When Mr. Black presented his findings, describing how the act could have been accomplished, Mr. Browns main question was "How much would all of this software COST?" Mr. Black would say "For the level of sophistication, in these messages, I would propose a cost of $300,000, to $500,000." Mr. Brown would, then, deflate our "triumph", by stating "The C.I.A. already considered this possibility, and dismissed it. The agency says that any computer would leave "tell-tale" traces, which the agency's lab's would have detected." When Tami would ask "What about descendants? You know, grand-children, etc? If the First Lady had people, who did not like her opinions, then what would there be to stop parents from teaching children the parents own hatred, for the First Lady?" Mr. Brown would ask "Are you suggesting that someone's great-great-whatever is seeking revenge, for a 150 year old grudge?" Tami would only say "I am only suggesting that parents, often, teach children various "lessons", based upon family values, and history. For example: The Roman-Catholic Church "pounds" church "doctrine", into its young people, from the day of birth, until death. The Vatican, often tells their followers what to think, and so on." Mr. Black would say "That may be true. Look at me, for example. IF my parents had it their way, I would have been a bus driver, or garbage collector, by now. To "encourage" my "development", dad even took away my computer, and video-games. I could just never make the man happy. To this day, he is "peeved", that I decided to work in computers". Mr. Brown would admit that, he, too, had been a dis-appointment, to his parents. They had wanted him to become a priest. He would admit "I just could not give up the "pleasures of the flesh", just to study the Bible. I am only human, like the rest of you." Tami knew that her own parents had wanted a much different life, for their "baby girl". Her mother had tried, so dilligently, and for so many years, trying to impart, to her daughter, the "Joy's of Marriage, and Family". Tami understood that her mother had been broken-hearted, when the woman learned that Tami viewed her mothers life as more of a "prison", than a "paradise". Sometimes, though, Tami did wonder what might have been? This is why, more often, Tami had to restrain her emotions, especially around me. Yes, it IS true, that Tami and I had seen one anothher, nude, in the past, however, to be fair, it was all in the line of duty. For example: There was the time, at the lodge, by the lake, when neither Tami nor I had any idea that we were being "set-up". Had we known what was planned, for us, we would, never have accepted the offer, to begin with. On THAT case, it seems that Tami and I were coming too close, to solving a mystery, and, as a result, some local citizens decided to "burn us out". When the lodge caught fire, Tami and I dove out of the building, through the kitchen windows, then dived into the nearby lake, to make sure we were not on fire. Funny thing was though that, once the flames were extinguished, Tami stood, before me, all but nude, yet her first concern had been the pond water "damage", to her hair. When Tami saw her reflection, lit by the fire, in the waters surface, she told me "Dont look at me. I look dreadful". When I let out a laugh, and sat beside the pond, for a moment, Tami had asked me "WHATS so funny?", and I told her "You", Tami would retort "YOU don t look so great, yourself", and I said "Exactly!" Since it would seem that nothing, beyond our socks, and undergarments, had survived the fire, Tami and I had used the cover of darkness to return to the plane, where we "camped out", until the case was resolved. Still, Tami remembered looking at my libido, and wondering... Then, Tami had to pull herself back to the present, when Mr. Brown spoke to her. Tami had to blush, though, as she realized how moist her undergarments were, at the memory, of the fire. Tami would have to excuse herself, from the meeting, long enough to tend to her clothing. When Tami would return, asking "What did I miss?", Mr. Borwn was asking "Tami, I was wondering how the research is going" When Tami slipped, asking "What research?", Mr. Brown would remind her "By now, I would have expected that you would, atleast, have created a time-line, for these events" Although she would never admit it, Tami was having a hard time focusing on the meeting. Although we, of the males members, of the agency offices, would, never, notice it, Tami KNEW that the smiles, from the female staff members, meant that the women understood what it had meant, when Tami had ducked into the ladies room, a moment before. Tami had blushed a very deep red, even as another woman handed her some deodorant, then said "Girl, whoever the lucky man is, I HOPE he got a real good whiff of you". (Tami hoped, and PRAYED, for just the opposite). Once she had cleaned up, and wiped that stupid smile OFF of her face, Tami had returned to the meeting, where Mr. Brown, Mr. Blue, and Mr. Black, were taking turns suggesting the best way to proceed. After all, it was the First Lady's safety which was being discussed. Even I could understand the urgency, of the situation. After all, the current First Lady was equally respected, and adored, as both Mrs. Clinton, and Mrs. Obama, had been. In fact, there had been many times when the current First Lady had been compared to these, fine, women. This was yet ANOTHER rason why Mr. Brown was so determined, to help the feds. There was not a single person, at this firm, who had any ill feelings in regards to the First Lady. We were at a loss to understand why anyone would want to harm this woman. Sure, there was the fact that, during a two-week tour, of the southern states, the First Lady had been scheduled to visit various, historic, sites. The First Lady had even informed the media that she wanted to know MORE, about the each states side, in the Civil War. That and the reason why, to this day, Southerners were distant, to Northerners. The trip was cancelled, though, when ANOTHER note, which gave details of how the First Lady would appear, when hanging from a church steeple, her body visible, to everyone and all, for up to a mile distant. Although this note had been delivered, just as a previous one had been: via a package delivery service, when investigators questioned delivery service staffers, all that anyone could remember was that the bearer, of the note, was dressed like a proper gentleman, of colonial days. Most staff did not pay any attention, to the man, since there was a colonial festival in operation, and delivery service staffers thought that man was just an actor, mailing a package, during a break. How were they to know the man was delivering a threat, to the First Lady's safety? Now, Tami and I were beginning to see the "picture". The culprit(s) were history buff's, and, who better to twart a history buff, than a couple of "ghost investors". People who dealt with the "past", on a regular basis. Still, this left the question of a "copy-cat", a spirit, or a descendent. When Tami regained her "wits", she would suggest "I would like to check out that threat, about hanging the body from a church steeple." When Mr. Brown would ask "For what reason? The trip was cancelled". Tami would suggest "Yes, thats correct, but, what I want to know is HOW the criminal proposed to lift the body, through a church, up to the steeple, and hang it out, in view. All without anyone noticing". Mr. Blue would say "Very good point. Unless the criminal planned to lure the First Lady to the steeple, then kill her, in the rafters". Mr. Brown would ask "Since when would the Secret Service be stupid enough to let the First Lady out of their sight, long enough for someone to kill her, and pose her body?" Granted, the plan was full of flaws, but, maybe that is what Tami was after. Trying to find the flaw, in the situation. After all, how many times had Tami found some vital clue, to a case, just by being observant? With Mr. Brown's approval, Tami was preparing to take a commuter shuttle, to the village, where the threat said that the First Lady's body was to be displayed, while I was stuck with the worst possible duty. Sitting in front of a computer terminal, reviewing colonial fashions, and vocabulary. (Two things I could not care LESS about). It would seem, though that Tami was "batting 1,000", when the Secret Service learned of her destination, and offered her a seat, on a federal plane. Agency rationale, for the gesture? Tami was headed for the same, general, area, so it would not cost more jet fuel. Beyond that, Tami was working, to protect the First Lady's safety, just as the Service was. The only "parting of ways" would occur at the destination. Here, the Secret Service was to set up a security detail, for the vice presidents coming visit, to the area. SInce Tami's own car was parked in the belly, of Ghost Ship One, the federal motor pool would assign her a car (and driver). About this, Tami would not complain, especially after she learned that the driver was familiar with the area. At the church, though, Tami found some very real problems, with the plan, which might have ended the First Lady's life. The primary issue was that, when Tami reached the only church, which would meet the description, contained within the note, Tami would have to ask the senior pastor about the reason why the entrance, to the steeple stairwell, was locked. When the minister would say "It is not to prevent sabotage, nor criminal activity. This is a house, of the Lord. All are welcome." When Tami would say "I need to ask. Why is this door locked, if the church is open, to all?" The minister would say "It is not, widely, known, but, church records show that, maybe 170 years ago, before the doors were locked, some young boys made their way to the steeple, and it seems they were "playing around", when two of them fell, to their deaths. After that, and with community backing, the church installed the first locks, both the door, before us, and the hatch, in the steeple." When Tami would ask "Who else knows of the keys, and locks?", the minister would say "Dear girl, although the locks are not "secret", local people know it is forbidden, for anyone, other than church personnel, to climb to the steeple." When Tami would say "So, if a person wanted to pull any kind of a stunt..." The minister would say "They would not only have to force this lock, but they would have to make enormous noise, using a crow-bar, to force the top hatch." When Tami would add "So, sneaking in, quietly, would be impossible", The minister would say "Just as I informed the Secret Service. Whomever sent that message knows nothing of church practices." When Tami would ask "By the way, just how long has the steeple been under lock and key?" The minister would say "Since just after the childrens deaths. There was great mourning, yet the locksmith placed three other orders on hold, until our locks were installed, and tested." When Tami would ask "You said, Over a century ago. I am just curious, about the DATE, of the incident, and the death of the boys. On what date did this happen?" The minister would say "I would need to examine church records, for this information. What I dont understand is what the tragic death, of two, young, people, has to do with a threat to the presidents wife". Tami would suggest "I just want to "cover the bases". My boss will want to know." For some reason, although the Secret Service had completed its work, hours before, it seems that the contingent waited around, for Tami to re-join them, before flying back to base. As the team leader promised Tami "It did not delay us, at all. We just finished our paper-work, while we waited for you. Now, we can, ALL, fly back, on the tax-payers dime." Back at base, Tami would have to report "The person, who is sending those threats, has NOT done their "home-work" very well". When Mr. Bown would say "Explain", Tami would say "The minister showed me the locks, which keep people OUT of the steeple. Locks, which were installed over a century ago, after two boys fell to their deaths, from the steeple. The minister promised it is NO secret, that the locks are in place. The community ASKED for the locks. Also, only the church staff have keys, and the minister states that, even if the inside door could be forced, the hatch, in the steeple, would make enough noise, to draw anyones attention, if it were forced." When Mr. Brown would ask "So, may I inform the Secret Service that they are looking at a terrible prank?" I would be the one to say "No, sir. I do not believe that this is a prank. Not based upon my own research, of fashions, and vocabulary." When Mr. Brown would say "Explain", I would say "Its like this. Although no one, today, wears such clothes, or acts in this fashion, except for re-enactments, the problem is that the man, who delivered the letter, to the delivery service, is too natural. It is as if he is LIVING the part, not acting." When Mr. Brown would ask "So what? Many actors assume roles, after months, or years, of performances" I would suggest "I do not think the man was "performing". When Mr. Brown would say "Dont say "ghosts"" I would say "Either that, or this man is LIVING his role, not playing it". When Mr. Brown would ask "What about those messages? What do we get, from them?" I had to say "Basically, the same. It seems that someone has gone far beyond re-inactments, and seems to be LIVING the role". When Mr. Brown would say "So, we ARE looking for a LIVING person." Tami and I would not commit. We, really, did not know WHAT, or whom, we were looking for. When the next note came, it seemed more determined, even as it spoke, to "Kitty", saying "You cannot hide behind your "soldiers", forever. Eventually, you and I will meet, and your remains will be hung out, to dry". But, WHY was this person referring to the First Lady, by a historical nickname? And, WHY was the letter written in colonial script? The next day, when Mr. Blue came to work, he told all staff members, who would listen "I NEVER want to see another psycho movie, ever again. Eight hours, of watching people cut one another up, and for what? How do these psychos get loose, from captivity, anyway. Stupid movies never tell HOW. They just leave the viewers guessing, and screaming." This is when Tami got an idea, which I wish I had thought of. She put out a "general call", for any information, on both escapee's, and those who had been released, recently. When I suggested "Why not make it more general? Ask about anyone released, within the time frame, as well. Maybe, someone "back-slided"" Once Tami put in her requests, for information, all we could do was wait. While we waited, "Kitty" received another message, apparently directed at Tami and I. The message was very CLEAR, as well. "Your Ghost-Hunters will, never, capture me! I will have my revenge, Kitty. I will lay waste, to your "protection", then to you. You will, never, escape me, Kitty. You will be mine, forever!" Naturally, the first question, that the Secret Service would have was "How was this delivered, and from Where?" When a White House staffer would say "It was delivered by one of the re-enacters. I assumed they were on break." When the Secret Service would ask "Which ONE, of the characters?", the staffer would look around, then ask a few, of the staff's "characters" "Where is that guy. The one on the dark grey, tailored, suit, gold cuff-links, and that purple tie?" By the time the guides team leader would come forward, to say "We have no such character, on our staff. Are you certain, of what you saw?" The staffer was adamant. Within an hour, Mr. Brown had a copy, of the security footage, but what we three saw, was not what we expected to see. Instead of the typical "camera goes off-line, just as event happens" routine, instead, the camera's showed the staffer, apparently speaking, to thin air. After a few moments, of this, the note appearred, out of thin air, as if it was being handed, to the staffer, by a human hand. The staffer took the message, and posted it on. Five hours after this, the C.I.A. labs would report having gone over the footage, using every, known, technique. No matter what system the teams had used, it produced nothing but thin air, in front of the staffer, and then the envelope. It would not be until Mr. Brown ordered us back down to the "incident" site (The area where the church was located), and told Tami and I "Treat this as you would any other investigation. Start with the former First Lady, the one referred to as "Kitty"..." "...and work our way forward" Tami would say "Just like any other, ghost, case". Mr. Brown would smile as he said "Thats my girl. Now, take this "lunk-head" (me), and get to work. You have a case to solve". I know it may sound odd, however, right after Ghost Ship One arrived, on-scene, it seems that all messages abruptly stopped. This, even before Tami started her interviews, and I began taking measurements. For over two months, the White House received NOTHING. No notes, No e-mails, nothing. And all of this nothing, while Tami was interviewing people, and learning about the former First Lady, "KItty". As Tami would report, to me, and the firm, it seems that "Kitty" had few, local, admirers, in this area. (The "jury" was still "out", on the current, First Lady). Fom what locals had told Tami, it seems that "Kitty" was not so well liked, locally, back in the day, since Kitty had suggested that the rich share their tax-dollars, with the "lower classes". Kitty, it seems, wanted a quality education, no matter what ones "level", in society, was. It would only be at the end, of those two months, when Tami got a clue, about the notes. If legend were correct, then, allegedly, some man wanted Kitty to leave her husband, and marry the man (or ELSE). When Kitty remained with her husband, her "admirer" sent her a series, of threatening letters (Most of which, locals promised, were headed off, by the local sheriff). It seems that the man was so smitten, with Kitty, that he was heard to say "I would KILL, for her". Most of this, though was dismissed, as drunken loud-talking. A few times, though, the local sheriff placed the man in jail, until Kitty's tour, of any nearby areas, was long gone. To Tamis annoyance, though, no one remembered the mans NAME. All anyone remembers is that the man made very serious threats, against the First Lady. When I would ask "What eventually, became, of the man?", Tami would say "I wish I could say that he is dead, and buried, in a local cemetary, but I would be lying. It seems that, according to legend, atleast, that, after the president left office, the "admirer" just "vanished". Missing: Presumed Dead. When I asked "Just how OLD was this man, while he "stalked" Kitty?" Tami would say "Mid-thirties, to mid-forties". I would add "Then that, definitely, rules HIM OUT, as a suspect. If it were him, he would have to be..." And Tami would answer "Atleast 150, to 180 years old." Tami and I might have laughed at the thought, of a ghost, haunting people, in the past, however, with our own, past, cases, Tami and I KNEW just how "passionate" ghosts can be, if something really matters to them. But HOW to EXPLAIN this, to trained agents, who are looking for human targets? While Tami awaited responses, to "feelers", which she had sent out, to the local, psychiatric, community, and, even with the aid of locals, Tami and found it impossible to hoist a human-sized mass, to the steeple, without being seen, and attracting a crowd. It would seem, though, that Tami would make some, real, progress, with the regional, psychitrric, hospital, by using a technique, which I had used, yeards before, with my own "handlers". The "technique" was to, deliberately, NOT ask for patients names, but, to, simply, discuss conditions. In this case, one condition, in particular. When a doctor agreed to see Tami, and I asked if she wanted an escort, she would remind me "This is NOT a reprimand. It is a visit. I am going, in search of information, not a psychiatric review". When Tami drove, to the regional center, she was both happy, and sad, that she had not accepted the Secret Service's offer, of a ride. After all, the Service had some meetings, in the "general" area. Still, Tami felt the drive would do her good. What she never expected was what she found, at her destination. To Tami's point of view, the regional, psychiatric, center was nearly old enough to make Christopher Columbus's ships look "modern". The place had such a "Gothic" feel that Tami was wondeering if, at some time, in the past, the "hospital" might not have been a convent, or a mission. One thing was for certain, and that was that those crosses, on the roof, were NOT mass produced, in a factory. No, these things were far too "stylized". Ofcourse the building, to which the crosses were attached, seemed to be close to two centuries old, itself. In fact, were it not for the metal mesh, over the windows, one might think that this was one of America's oldest, remaining, grade schools. When Tami entered the front, of the building, she had a "flash-back", to her own school days. The days when the local schools, ancient, boiler was so un-reliable that parents, finally, broke down, and provided the school with some space heaters. Tami, also, remembered the year when, in desperation to prove that the school did NOT need air condtioning, the principal banned students from making "hand-fans", out of paper. That was the same year when the district decided that students did not need chilled water, in drinking fountains. In the case of the summer, Tami recalled that, after more than fifty students passed out, from the heat, and the local hospital blamed the ailment of Heat Exhaustion, that the district "ranted and raved", yet reactivated the water chiller. In the case, of the winter, when the cold caused students to miss too many days, of school, due to contracting the flu, from un-heated classrooms, the school district had "ranted and raved", again, about the need for taxation, yet the district HAD updated the system. Back in the present, Tami noticed that the hospitals reception area reminded her more of "Detention Hall", than a welcoming point. The place was spartan, at most. The reception "desk" was more like the guard station, at a prison. Only the receptionists polite welcome "warmed" the space, at all. After Tami told the receptionist whom Tami was to see, the receptionist made a call, then told Tami that the doctor would be "right out". When the doctor would greet Tami, and escort her to his office, this is when Tami became most discreet, in asking the doctor "What condition might cause a person to believe that they are living in the past?" The doctor would say "There are only two cases, which I know of, and both were caused by severe, emotional, distress. There have, ofcourse, been three, other casses, which I have heard about. However, both of these were caused by injury, to the head." The doctor would say "In the case, of the physical injuries, all staff could do was make the patiennts coomfortable, and hope that the brain would, automatically, "reset" itself." When the doctor asked "What is the reason behind your inquiry?", Tami would admit " The White House has been reciving threats, to a former, First Lady, nicknamed Kitty." When the doctor would say "I remember hearing something about that. But, hasn't Kitty been deceased, for almost a century?" Tami would agree, then ask "Doctor, would you know, of any reason, why anyone would want to harm the ccurrent First Lady?" When the doctor would ask "Where is your proof, of intent to hharm the First Lady?" Tami would provide copies, of the threatening letters, to the doctor (Tami did not, however, mentuion the "phantom" messenger, at thhe White House. This, at Secret Service request). Tami received an un-expected answer, to her questions, when the doctors comm buzzed, with news that a patient was "out", again. When the doctor excused himself, then locked the office door, promising Tami that it was for HER safety, that Tami went to the offices mesh-covered windows, and she was able to view the grounds, through the security webbinng. What Tami saw might have been impossible, except for our experience, with previous cases. As Tami peered out of the office windows, she saw a patient, in white attire, walking across the grounds. Tami might not have been suspicious, except that the patient seemed to be looking about, as though trying to find someone. This is when Tami made her most shoocking discovery. The patient was bound in a straight-jacket! Tami would wonder HOW, on Earth, that a patient could have travelled, out-of-doors, without setting off alarms, if their hands were bound, by a straight-jacket? Tami, then, watched, carefully, as security staff surrounded the patient, restrained the patient, then begn dragging the patiennt cabk inside the hospital. (Tami knew how the patient would feel, since Tami, herself, had been through similar experiences, herself). What really caught Tamis eye, though was how, with the group, in plain sight, Tami watched as, oone moment, the patient was bound, and being dragged, yet, just a couple of seconds laterr, there was no sign, of the patient. When the doctor returned to the office, promising Tami that "All is well", Tami believed thhis, just as much as she, and I, believed that Osama Bin Laden was responsible for 9/11. When Tami bid thhe doctor a polite "Farewell", and departed his office, my partner did what she did, best. On her way out, of the hospital, she LISTENED, as staff spoke of how a patient seemed able to depart a locked room, and walk about the grounds. All without setting off any alarms. When Tami heard security staff say "We SWEAR we had them, this time. They just vanished, right in front of us". As Tami bid thhe receptionist "Farewell", she departed the hospital, certain of her next move. Back at Ghost Ship One, Tami would contact the Brown Agency, requesting the computer section access psych records, specifically regarding "Astral Projection". After making this request, Tami would give me her "OOne Page Summary": "Since we, ALL, know that, nowadays, ALL doors, on psychiatric hopsitals, operate via numbered key-pads, I would like to knoow if you agree that it is possible that a person, in confinement, can enter a key-code, from within such a restraint?" When I told her "I dont see how", Tami asked "Beyond this, HOW can such a person even open a door? Even the door, too their unit, without the use of arms, and hands". When I agreed "Totally improbable., This is wehhn Tami would inform me "I saw such a patient, in coonfinement, yet roaming the hospital grounds, as though either looking for someone, or trying to avoid someone". After this, Tami hit me with the "Grand Finale". "Step one, the patient is detained, on the grounds, by security personnel. Step two, the patient, then, vanishes, right in front of the guards. Step three, moments later, the patient is reported, back inside their unit." When I asked "Tele-Portation?" Tami would say "I am thinking Astral Projection". Okay, but HOW did this connect, with threats, to the First Lady? Just about that time, Tami;s information arrived, and we felt reasonably certain that Tamis assumption was correct. According to the report, our regional, psychiatric, hospital was "playing host", to a patient, whose grasp, oon reality, was not only "compromised", but for whom a "special cell" was being prepared. The report stated that the patient was exhibiting supposed Telepathy, and other, unusual, senses. The report stated "For reasons, beyond staff comprehension, patient is able to depart their unit, in an un-specified manner, and move about hospital grounds." When I asked Tami what "Broken Grasp, on rality", meant, Tami opened that section, of the file, to find out that the patient THOUGHT that they were moving, back and forth, over a distance of about 150 years. The file said "Patient is awarre oof details, which only someone, present, at the time, would know. Caution: Staff suspectes that patient has, simply, doone superior research". Whehn I asked Tami "Do you, really, think that Washhington D.C. will accept that a mental patient is sending messages to the White House?" Tami would onl;y remark "We HHAVE seen stranger". Sure, WE hhad, but how were we going to convince the Secret Service? These people were trained to process HARD facts. If we toold them a mental patient was "zipping", from a psych ward... No, we needed something more tangible. Something like our previous report, which proved that it was impossible to move a body into a church steeple, without drawing attention. Tami and I were left, to scratch our heads, and wonder, until the nnext, full, moon. It was oonly oon the first night, of the full moon, that the patiennt appearred, aboard our plane, and not in patient garb, either. No, they were wearing clothing, and seaking, in a manner, befitting a persoon, living about 150 years ago. When the man said "Pardon the intrusion, however, I wanted you to be aware of my coming visit, to Kitty". She is, after all, not only the nations "First Lady", but she is mine, as well". When Tami asked the "man" "Just for the record, what is todays date?" Even I was shocked when the "man" mentioned a date, 140 years into the past. After the man told Tami and I "Tell Kitty that I am coming, for her", he dissolved, into thin air. When Tami's first response was to contact the hospital, the operator verified that the staff were, already aware of, and searching for, the patient. When Tami asked the obvious question: "How did the patient escape?" the operator would say "No further information is available". Our next step SHOULD hhave been to notify the Secret Service, but we hesitated, oon the question of "WHAT do we tell them? That a mental patient is tele-porting about?" No, the logical answer would be to seek out the covens assistance, again. After all, the coven had been teaching, and practicing, this craft, for centuries. When the local coven agreed too an audience, Tami and I found SOME relief, in the information, which the coven priestess provided. According to the priestess: The one you seek is not the one whom is before you. The one you seek perished, of the body, more than a century ago. It is the essence, of the anger, or rage, of the spirit, which lives on. If you wish to deal with this spirit, you must, first, encourage it to make its true form known. Its current form is little more than a vessel. The body, currently, is host to seperate entities. Until the essence, of the spirit is removed, the inhabitant is trapped. When Tami asked "But, how did the thing enter the patients body, in the first place?" The priestess would say "When the mind is weak, or distraught, this leaves the body vulnerable to invasion. The patients will must be strong enough to fight the essence. If it is not, then not even exorcism will vanquish the essence." Tami understood, even better thhan I, what the priestess meant. She meant that, as long as the patient was drugged "to the gills", to keep them tranquil, the essence would continue to return, just as regularly as tax season. When Tami asked "What about the past? What if the paths diverged, in the past?" The priestess would remind Tami "You do remember what happened, the last time you went into the past, dont you?" Yes, yes, WE remembered. To Tami and I, though, the big question was how to prevent a vengeful spirit from attacking the First Lady. Tami would ask me if I would consider calling "Kitty's" spirit, from her eternal rest, for assistance. Sure, Tami and I had called forth spirits, in the past, when the spirits had information, which we needed, to place the present, at rest. The spirits had come forth to "set things right", then returned to their rest. Still, before calling spirits forth, Tami and I decided to try travelling back, to Kitty's time, and try to un-ravel things, from there. Tami's primary objection, to time travel, was having to dress as women had dressed, in the past. Tami would have preferred to dress, as a young man, however, on two, of our past cases, people had been suspicious, especially of the fact that Tami's chest was not flat, and muscled, as mens chests were. In one case, we escaped just before Tami was found out, as a woman. Following the covens advice, Tami allowed herrself to be "shoe-horned" into the styles, of Kitty's day. Wehn asked how she felt, Tami would tell the sisters "I would be more comfortable wearing an M-1 tank, a helicopter, and two machine guns." Although the time-travel spell did what it was supposed to, and dropped us right when, and where, we were supposed to be, Tami and I found that history was a little less than correct, about making peoples acquaintences. By the time Tami "wrangled" an invite, to see Kitty, we had missed both opportunities, to change history. We had spent three weeks, in the past, and all we had to show, for our efforts, was a need to shower. Tami and I were just preparing to figure out a way to access the White House, with-OUT raising a terrorist alert, when the Secret Service called US. It seems that Kitty's suitor had decided to "up-the-ante", by sending Kitty a note, stating that, this time, he would hang her body from the flag-pole, atop the White House. That is, IF she would not leave her husband, and marry the psycho specter. It would, even, seem that, after the Secret Service sent a jet, to collect us, that the spirit had found, or created, a way too prevent the current First Lady, from leaving the White House grounds. In fact, according to information, which we received, enroute, everyone, who was inside the White House, at the time, was "locked in", by "un-known means". And I wont even pretend to say I understand how it was done, but, as our jet passed over the White House, headed for the nearby air-strip, Tami and I were on the jet, one second, then we were inside the White House, along with the other "captives". Somehow, the patient had gotten a hold of one, of the various, decorative, swords, which hang around the White House, as decorations, and the patient, whom Tami noticed was speaking, in colonial terms, was holding the blade, to staffers throats, whiule demanding to know where Kitty was. To me, Tami was taking to much of a chance, when she called out the spirit, asking it to free its victim, and meet Tami "face-to-face". When the specter demanded "I want to see Kitty, first!" Tami would bluff her way, through this, saying "KItty is not present, at this moment. Will you talk to me, instead?" To the total, and complete, dis-belief, of White House staff members, the mental patient, soon, dropped, to the floor, and lay there, un-conscious, as the blob, of dark energy, stood before Tami. When Tami told the specter "Oh, come on. I KNOW you can do better than that". Staff were shocked when the shadow took on a mans form, then stood before Tami, asking "Satisfied?" When a security guard tried to draw a bead, on the spirit, Tami shook her head, at the man. After all, what good would a bullet be, against a dead man? It would seem that Tami was "talking the man down", until his rage took over. When the man said "You just want to keep me away from Kitty! I want to see her, NOW!" Tami would only say "I can see why the sheriff place you in jail, whenever Kitty visited". When the man asked "How could you, possibly, know about that?" Tami would say "Its all in the history books. You were un-stable enough that everyone, near you, was afraid you would hurt them. That is why the sheriff locked you up, so often." When the man would insist "It was only because they wanted to deny me access to MY Kitty!" Tami would correct him, saying "They were protecting Kitty, from you." When the man tried to lunge at Tami, a guard would fire off a shot, to which Tami would shout "What are you DOING!?" When the guard noticed that his round went right through the man, and, just barely, missed my partner, the guard would whisper "What the hell?" Tami would spell it out. "You are shooting at a GHOST!". When the spirit would ask "Whose a ghost?" Tami would say "You are, or haven't you noticed." When the specter would say "I feel fine. Fit as a fiddle. I dont know what you are speaking of, young woman, but I have never felt better". This is when even I received a shock, as the spirit, of Kitty, appearred, out of thin air, and, speaking gently, told the man "It is the truth. We have, both, been dead, for over a century." Suddenly, the man lost his anger, as he begged Kitty "Please, tell me it was not I who caused your demise". Kitty would smile at the man, as she said "Age was my enemy, not you. You were just mis-guided. Now, come with me, and leave this world, to the living". When the man looked at the sleeping patient, and asked "What of him? I removed him from his place. Should I not return him, out of courtesy?" Kitty would say "We will, both, return this soul, to where he belongs". To everyones dis-belief, even as the spirits collected the sleeping patient, the man would ask "What is it like, where I am going?" Kitty would only say "That is for the master to decide. I might put in a good word, if you promise never to attack the living, again." Then, as though walking out of the end of a movie, the three would dissolve, until there was nothing left. Moments later, White House systems returned to functional status, and a group, of very confused workers, would resume stations. When the Secret Service was, finally, able to enter the building, and asked Tami and I how we had managed to leave the jet, in front of witnesses, but not using the hatches, even we had no idea how that had happened. After Tami placed a call, to the coven, to verify that the "man" was gone, We, then, accepted a ride, with the Secret Service, back to the supposed "crime scene". The S.S.'s rationale: We need to return to the site, anyway, to collect our gear. Since your plane is nearby, we can give you a lift, without using any extra fuel." At the community, the air force base, also, offered us a lift, back to the plane, itself, since, as our driver said "I need to collect the surveillance equipment, which we left, at the church, on the off chance that someone DID try to hang a body, from the steeple." When Tami asked "Any takers?" The driver would say "Just some kids, thinking it would be a good prank, to hang a scarecrow, from the steeple. The sheriff has the pranksters down, for "community service", for the next six months." Back at the plane, our pilots gave US the news. "The White House sends warmest regards, for solving the case." The pilot would add "NO one was about to admit that the First Lady was being stalked, by a ghost" When Tami asked "Would you blame them? After all, look at how many people have lost elections, just for suggesting that Earth is NOT the only, inhabited, planet, in the universe". We were just about packed, and ready to depart the area, when the video-conference line came up to power, and Mr. Browns face came on the monitor, saying "Well done. Another case, and the media none-the-wiser." When Tami would ask "Whats up, boss man?" Mr. Brown would put on his "classic" hurt-face, saying "Am I really that bad?" (While we suppressed chuckles), then added "As long as you are in that general area, a client would ask that you check out some reports locals are making." When Tami would ask "What KIND of reports?" Mr. Brown would say "Reports say that people are hearing "strange noises". Our contacts just wants us to check it out. Since you are the closest agents I have, on hand, I figured that you could just "Take a look". What do you say?" Tami would say "Looks like we are "on-the-clock", again. Mr. Brown would say "I will have my secretary send the file along, in a few moments. Good hunting!" Yeah, right. By the time the plane was airborne, the pilots had the revised coordinates, and we were on our way... Final Case Note: The hospital is refusing to even admit that the patient escaped their facility, nor will they admit to being baffled as to how the same man, who had escaped a locked cell, without staff being aware, had been found, later, resting, in his room. The patients files have been sealed, under some form of regulations, which will not allow the file to be viewed, until the year 3000. As far as Tami and I were concerned, the only thing, which counted, was that the First Lady was safe. We may not have been her husbands "biggest fans", but the woman had a way, of smoothing the "rough spots". We had to give her credit, for that.