We are cranes

Things i would not like to remember

Imagine- Ichabod tells Isabella the story of how he got the markings on his hands

It was the early afternoon, probably around 2:00 pm, cardinals chirping could be heard and there was a soft breeze blowing through the trees. Thankfully it wasn't too cold outside, since New York was usually always cold. Some people were walking their dogs, some sitting on benches and reading a book, or just chatting with one another.

Katrina was at the market, getting some things for the house so it was just Ichabod and Isabella at home. Ichabod was sitting in one of the chairs, well more of slumped down, his hands dangling off the arms of the chair with his head tilted to the side. He had a very busy day at the police department so he was exhausted. Being a policeman, or constables, that's what they were called back then, was not an easy job.

On top of that, Ichabod did some examinations on bodies, quite frequently I might add. Being a policeman, you have to know a lot about the human body, so if anybody is injured in some way, you can do everything you can until health officials show up. Also, you have to learn different techniques on how to catch criminals, you have to know rights, etc. Ichabod was very good at his job, so much so, that he was actually being considered for a sheriff position.

Anyway, back to the crane house. While Ichabod was sleeping in the chair, Isabella walked downstairs, humming softly to herself as she made her way to the kitchen to get a glass of water. Then without warning, a small gasp came from Ichabod, his body jolting as his eyes snapped open, now awake. His body hunched forward, his hands gripping the arm rests as his chest heaved.

Isabella heard the gasp and she quickly looked over her shoulder before walking to her father and kneeling down in front of him, taking one of his hands in her own. She could see the fear in her fathers eyes and could only imagine that he had another terrible nightmare. One thing you should know about Ichabod, if you don't know already...

He was known to get nightmares, really bad ones at that. Some were about the hessian, or the headless horseman if that seems more known to you. As far as Ichabod was concerned, considering what happened between him, his wife and the hessian, they were good. Now they weren't best friends, but they had nothing against each other anymore. They didn't know if they would ever see him again, but only time would tell.

"Hey hey hey..." Isabella said softly so as not to further startle him, her thumb gently running over his knuckles. "Are you alright? Did you have another bad dream?" She asked and Ichabod, who was a little zoned out, swallowed a lump in his throat before snapping out of his daze, a bead of sweat on his forehead. He looked down at their hands before looking at his daughter, slowly taking her hand in his own and gave a small nod.

"I-I'm alright, my cardinal. Just... had a little memory, is all. One I wouldn't like to remember..." he said, his eyebrows furrowing slightly. He hated having nightmares, or bad memories, and he wished they would just vanish into thin air, but he couldn't help them.

Isabella looked down at his hands, and she noticed a couple of small, round markings. She slowly positioned his hands so they were palm up and she saw a bunch of said markings, that also looked to be a little red. Now she had seen these before, but never really asked how he had gotten them. She didn't want to pry the issue but she couldn't help her curious mind.

Ichabod saw her looking at the marks on his hands and he let out a soft sigh before taking her hands back in his, giving them a gentle squeeze. He figured it was time that she knew. He never really told her about his childhood; one, he didn't like reliving it, and two; he didn't want to frighten her in any way. But she was 16 now, so he figured she could handle it.

"Darling, I don't think I've ever told you about how I got these markings..." he said as he moved a strand of her hair out of her face. Isabella shook her head no and Ichabod let out another sigh, his head hanging slightly.