Ghosts Of The Past

Chapter 2

Lily walked into the dark room, only a lamp shining on the patient who was sitting in a chair facing the windows. All the shades were drawn and the patient was sitting quietly. Lily cleared her throat gently as she regained her composure; she hadn't felt that rush in her stomach ever before. She looked at the file then back at the patient. She could see he was restrained, yet he was acting very calm, as if he was planning his next move or trying to figure out what was happening.

Lily: Mister.... Crane?

Ichabod: Mmmm?

Lily: My name is Lillian Williams. I'm a student psychiatrist here. May I speak with you? (He motions for her to sit in the chair on the other side of him, about 3 feet away)  I just have a few questions if that's alright with you?

Ichabod: I have answered everything asked of me to this point, so why would I stop answering the queries now? (Lily made notes as he spoke- Patient speaks with accent, possibly foreign?)

Lily: I appreciate your cooperation. I'll try to keep everything as simple as possible. (Lily adjusted her glasses as she wrong, keeping her face on the paper) So tell me about yourself, Mr. Crane.

Ichabod: I have explained my story at least a dozen times. (Lily could feel his anger rising by his voice, but she also feel the fire building in her stomach) My name is Ichabod Crane. I was born August 18, 1751 in London. Please, put that in your wretched file so I do not have to explain it again! (He stands and looks at Lily, she glanced up at him, her stomach turning as her eyes lock with his as he whispered) Katrina?

Lily (gasps and looks back down at the file as she clears her throat again) Miss Williams is my name. So you were born in 1751. You realize that makes you 271 years old, right?

Ichabod (sits back down in the chair keeping his eyes on Lily, answering her calmly): I am as confused as you, Miss Williams. I was upon my horse traveling through the forest to Tarrytown and blacked out. When I awoke, I was still in the forest but everything was different. The bright lights. It was like day lighting the night sky. And machines with bright lights moving quickly.

Lily (kept writing her notes then looked up again at Ichabod): And who is Katrina, Mr. Crane?

Ichabod (states at her as he speaks): She is... was... my intended. You are quite similar to her (he stands up and slowly walks toward Lily with a hand reaching out)

Lily (stands up nervously and puts her hand out trying to stop him): Mr. Crane. Please stop. (She feels a sudden rush over her as their fingertips meet and she mumbles to herself) What the hell is happening...  (she snatches her hand away and stares at Ichabod, whispering) Who ARE you?

Ichabod (shakes his head looking confused): I already told you...

Lily shakes her head as the nurse comes in and clears her throat before walking quickly out of the room and stopping at the nurses station. She could barely breathe. She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. She needed to speak to her grandmother as soon as possible because what is happening right now is crazy.

Lily left the hospital and when she got to her home in Cottage Heights, she went straight to call Andrew.

Andrew: Hey, Lily. How'd the research go?

Lily: Andrew, this is insane. He believes he was born in 1751. It's really a fascinating case.

Andrew: I thought you'd like it with your personal family history. Maybe we can go to your grandmother this weekend and get some of the history from her.

Lily (thought about it for a second): Actually, I think I should go alone this weekend. You know how Granny can get. I don't wanna make things complicated for her.

Andrew (sighs): Sure. Want me to come over?

Lily: Andrew, I just don't think tonight's going to be a good idea. I'm sorry.

Lily hangs up the phone and goes to her closet to pull out her laptop and sets it up on the bed with the patient file for Ichabod Crane. She started transposing the notes for her research. After a couple of hours, she closed the laptop and stood from the bed, stretching. She looked over at her watch and decided to drive back to the hospital. There had to be a logical explanation for what was going on and how this person knew about her ancestor.

Lily walked off the elevator on the third floor and checked in at the nurses station before going to Ichabod's room. Lily felt that same rush of fire as she opened the door and walked into the room, but this time, it was tolerable, almost like she was doing something right and wrong at the same time. She clears her throat.

Lily: Mr. Crane?

Ichabod (he quickly turns to face her before he stands up, his hands still restrained) Hello, Miss Williams. Please, have a seat.

Lily: Thank you. I just have a few more questions if you don't mind. (She moves the chair closer to his as she watches him, pulling out her notepad) Why are you so calm right now? It says here you haven't been sedated or given any meds.

Ichabod: There is nothing to upset myself about. I know the truth and am only able to tell you what i know to be fact. And i know I need to get back to my time.

Lily: What do you think happened? I mean, to bring you to this time.

Ichabod: I can't be sure. I only know that Katrina was a leader of The Sisterhood of the Radiant Heart. It was a coven of witches. She was a pure-blood witch. One of the few. Not many knew either. She possibly could have done something with a spell... (he stops talking when he noticed Lily's face) What?

Lily (leans forward whispering): Do you have any idea how crazy this sounds? You said I favor Katrina?

Ichabod: Quite. She too had auburn hair and your eyes are green as hers were.

Lily: Katrina. Van Tassel? (Ichabod nods, standing and walking towards her as she keeps her eyes on the notepad before looking up and standing to move behind the chair)

Ichabod: Wait! (He stops and puts his hands out, still restrained) I won't hurt you. I swear. (Lily slowly stood straight and moved closer to Ichabod, her instincts telling her to trust him)

Lily: Katrina Van Tassel was my 6th great grandmother. How would you have know that I look like her? (She took a step closer to him)

Ichabod (smiling): She married...and had a family? That is truly wonderful. (Ichabod looked rather sad for a moment)

Lily: Mr. Crane, will you give me some time during the weekend to research what you e told me and come back on Monday?

Ichabod: Of course. I doubt I shall be released at time soon. 'Tis a shame I cannot help with the research. Before I came to the colonies, I taught history at Oxford.

Lily: I'm sure you'd be very helpful. But this is research I should do on my own. I appreciate the offer though. For now, relax and maybe you'll remember more about who you are and what happened by Monday.

Ichabod (nods): Perhaps.

Lily couldn't help but notice how handsome Ichabod was. Tall, dark shoulder length hair. Deep blue eyes; something in his eyes put her at ease, she felt like he wouldn't lie to her. She felt like she needed to figure out who he really was and get him back to his friends and family.