Dark Shadows Fan Fiction

If you like Dark Shadows fan fiction, you’ll love the Midnight’s Edge Series written by David Chappuis and Michael Klinger. Midnight’s Edge is the time of night when the veil between the living and dead disappears, and for a brief moment in time, the dead can return to the mortal realm and live again. Join us as we tell the story of Jeremy Wickcliff, a vile, evil spirit who drives a young woman to madness and drastic measures as part of his cruel plan to return to the mortal realm and to his life to seek revenge on all those who stole his life.

ME is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Lulu and Smashwords – Midnight’s Edge for a link to the Official Website

Midnight’s Edge: The Secrets of Sleepy Meadows- Book 1

Book one of the series is available on a special .99 promo on Kindle for a limited time.

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Midnight’s Edge: The Possession- Book 2

Kindle: Midnight’s Edge: The Possession- Book 2 – Kindle

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—-

My name is Victoria Winters. The halls of the great house of Collinwood are full of secrets this night. Elizabeth Collins-Stoddard will soon discover that no matter how far the past is buried, it will find its way into the present. The revelations will serve to affirm everything I ever suspected about my past, but will also change the future for everyone else forever.

—

“I never thought in a million years that I’d find my way back to Collinwood,” Maggie said, entering the front hall of the main house. “But it feels good to be back. I somehow feel as though I belong here.”

“You mean you fit right in with all the ghosts and goblins that walk these halls?” Quentin said, following close behind.

She turned to him and smiled. “That’s not what I meant. It’s funny. As a kid growing up in Collinsport, all I ever heard about was the spooky, macabre house on the hill. Legend said that people would come into this house and never come out again. I remember the first night I met Vicky. I tried to convince her to get as far away from this place as she could. I was lost a bit after I lost Pop, not quite sure what I was going to do or where I was going to go next. This house became a home.”

Quentin embraced her. “And now you’ve come back as Mrs. Quentin Collins. Things are going to be different now. You never have to feel lost or alone ever again. You’re going to have everything you ever wanted. I promise you that.”

Maggie’s smile faded. “Can you promise me that? After what you said in Bangor about what you are?”

“What I am is someone who loves you and would do anything to make you happy. I’d never do anything to hurt you, Maggie. Ever. You have to believe that.”

Maggie’s eyes met his, and he kissed her. “I do believe that.”

“I forgot a bag in the car,” Quentin said. “I’ll be right back.”

Maggie touched his arm. “I’ll get it. You find Mrs. Stoddard and break the news.”

“Maggie, you’re my wife now. She’ll insist that you call her Elizabeth, and so must I.”

She nodded. “I’ll work on that.”

When Maggie got to the car, she heard a rustle in a nearby bush. She gasped and turned around.

“Is someone there?”

Hearing nothing, she turned back to the car, opened the door, and grabbed the suitcase in the back seat.

“Hello, Maggie,” Joe said.

Maggie let out a shriek and turned around. “Joe? What are you doing here? How did you get out of Windcliff?”

“I was released,” Joe said. “I’m under Dr. Hoffman’s continued care, but I’m doing much better.”

“I see. Well, I’m pleased that you’re doing so well. Excuse me; I’ve got to get back inside.”

“Maggie, wait. You’re my best girl. I bet you can do better than that.”

Maggie studied his face, seeing the hope in his eyes. “Joe, I don’t want to hurt you, but things have changed since you’ve been in Windcliff. I didn’t know if you’d ever be well enough to be released. I had to move on. Do you understand what I’m trying to tell you?”

Joe’s face fell. “There’s someone else.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t intend for that to happen, but it did. Quentin Collins and I were married in Bangor just a short while ago.”

Joe grabbed her arm. “Married? You’re making a mistake. You’ll never find with another guy what we had.”

Maggie writhed in his grasp. “You’re hurting my arm.”

Joe let go. “Maggie, I’m sorry. I…”

She rubbed her arm. “I’ve got to go. Take care of yourself, Joe. I mean that sincerely. I hope that Julia can provide you with the help you obviously still need.”

—

“It’s extraordinary, isn’t it Barnabas?” Liz said. “That Vicky’s here?”

Barnabas studied Vicky’s face, and despite his love for Angelique, there was still a part of him that remembered the time where his only desire was to make her his. He wanted her to be the reincarnation of Josette in every way. “Yes, it’s extraordinary. I’m still not exactly sure what happened or where she’s been, but I intend to find out.”

“Sebastian Shaw found her and brought her here. I don’t know why or how she got there, but he found her in a cave at the foot of Widow’s Hill.”

His eyes narrowed, and he remembered that’s where he’d met his son for the first time. “Are you sure that’s where she was?”

“Yes, I believe that’s what he said. It doesn’t matter. All that matters is I’ve got my daughter back in my life. It’s going to be different from now on. There will be no more secrets between us and no more running from the past. I should’ve told Vicky the truth when she first came here. She knew there was more to the flimsy excuse I gave her about why I commissioned her to come here from New York. We’ve missed out on so much time. I’ve got a second chance, and I don’t intend to waste it.”

“Elizabeth, I’m sorry. I really must go.”

Liz’s eyes widened. “Now? We’ve just got Vicky back. She’s still unconscious. I’m not even sure she’ll survive. Forgive me for saying so, but I think your place is here with the family.”

“I’d agree with you at any other time, but I’ve got an urgent matter that’s come up that cannot wait. Please excuse me.”

—

Outside the room, Carolyn had overheard what Liz said about Vicky being her daughter. She wasn’t sure how she should feel, relieved to know that Vicky was alive, hurt that her mother would keep such a secret, or indifferent about the entire thing. It didn’t surprise Carolyn that her mother lied. It hadn’t been the first time. Rather than confronting Liz, she ran instead, not knowing what she would say to her or even if she should bother. She didn’t think that there could’ve been any worse betrayal than the secret her mother kept about her father, but she’d been wrong.

Walking around in the woods and lost in thought, she hadn’t heard Joe sneak up on her.

“You shouldn’t be out here alone,” Joe said. “There’s spooks out in the woods at night.”

Carolyn turned to him with tears in her eyes. “I’ll take my chances.”

Joe realized she was upset for the first time. “Hey, what is it? I didn’t scare you that much did I?”

Carolyn shook her head. “It’s not that. I just found out my mother’s been lying to me my entire life. I don’t know why that would come as such a surprise. Joe, Vicky’s my mother’s daughter.”

He nodded. “I know.”

Carolyn fumed. “You know? How could you know and not tell me?”

“I tried. I overheard your mother and your uncle Roger talking about it in the drawing room. That’s what I wanted you to hear that night that you chastised me for listening at the door.”

Her face fell. “I’m sorry. I should’ve listened to you. I’m so tired of the secrets and all the lies. I feel like there’s no one in my life that I can trust. My life has been nothing but a façade.”

“You can trust me, Carolyn.”

“I believe you. In fact, I think you’re the only one I can trust these days. Marry me, Joe.”

He chuckled nervously. “Marry you? I wanted to marry you once, and you turned me down over and over again.”

“I must’ve been out of my mind to stay in that house. I’m going to break out of that prison my mother calls home once and for all. Will you marry me?”

While Maggie was the only woman he ever wanted and knowing that he wouldn’t stop until he got her back, he found himself able to say yes.

—

In the drawing room at Collinwood, Barnabas embraced Angelique.

“What was it that you wanted to talk to me about, my darling?” Angelique said.

“We must not let Crispin walk in the night any longer,” Barnabas said. “When dawn comes, I must go to his coffin and destroy him.”

Angelique’s eyes widened. “I understand why you feel this way, but he’s still our son. I don’t know if I can just stand back and watch him be destroyed.”

“We’ve discussed this before,” Barnabas said. “We agreed that it would be better for him if he didn’t exist only at night, a prisoner to the curse.”

“You made that decision for us. I never committed to that plan fully. I told him that we would be enemies if he wished to harm you in any way, but as a mother, I don’t know if I could follow through on that promise. There’s part of me that’s human.”

“You don’t fully understand what’s happened. He somehow went back into the past and stopped Vicky from committing suicide. They found their way back here, and he’s been keeping her prisoner in a cave near Widows Hill.”

“Victoria Winters is alive?”

“She is, and I won’t let anyone or anything harm her, not even our son. She’s innocent. She’s done nothing wrong, and I will protect her using any means necessary.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I see. You would rather see our son destroyed than Victoria.”

“Don’t speak to me that way,” Barnabas said. “I remember what you did to Vicky in the past. Framing her to be the witch that cursed Collinwood was cruel, but I know you’re not that person any longer. Vicky’s presence here changes nothing. You’re still the only woman I love.”

Angelique smiled. “I believe you when you say that. Alright, Barnabas, I will do whatever it is you wish me to do. I want my son to have peace just as much as you do.”

—

At the Collinsport Inn, Crispin found his way into Drew’s room, who was still unconscious after an altercation with Roger.

“Wake up you useless fool,” Crispin said. “We need to talk.”

Drew groaned and started to come to. His eyes widened as the room came into focus and he propped himself up on the bed. “How did you get in here?”

Crispin came closer to the bed. “You know the answer to that. You can’t get away from me no matter where you go. I always know where you are and I’m always watching you. You let Victoria Winters get away.”

Drew gulped. “No, I didn’t. She’s right where I left her.”

“Don’t lie to me. It’s useless. You know, I’ve only kept you alive because I needed someone to watch over Ms. Winters and me during the day. If I can’t depend on you for that, what good are you?”

Drew stood up, his voice shaking. “Give me another chance. I’ll prove to you that I’m worthy.”

“I’m tired of your incompetence,” Crispin said. “You made a fatal mistake when you let Victoria out of your sight. You were too concerned with Roger Collins to do what I asked you to do. I warned you before that your loyalty was only to me. I told you what would happen if you ever betrayed me. It’s time for you to pay the price for your disloyalty.”

—

Crispin found his way back to the cave at the foot of Widows Hill to find Hallie waiting for him.

“What are you doing here?” He said, curtly. “I didn’t summon you. The sun’s almost up. We’ll both be destroyed if we don’t get to our coffins.”

“I have to talk to you,” Hallie said. “It can’t wait.”

A rooster crowed outside.

“We haven’t got any time for that. Get to your coffin.”

“If you don’t move, you won’t live to see another night.”

Crispin’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean by that?”

“I went to Collinwood planning to lure David outside. My plan got derailed when I overheard your parent’s plans for you. Barnabas is going to destroy you and Angelique isn’t going to stop him.”

Crispin smiled. “I see. How interesting.”

The rooster crowed a second time.

“What are we going to do?”

Crispin shrugged. “Me? I’m going to do nothing. I haven’t the power over my mother to stop her. I know who does. I’m going to make them both sorry that they ever crossed me.”

“What does that mean?”

“You’ll see.” Crispin paused, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. “I call upon the powers of the dark that are available to me this night. One of your own has betrayed you and has given her life to the power of good. She must be punished for her betrayal; she must suffer. There’s one man who lives in the pit of hell that’s darker and more sinister than the devil himself. I call upon the spirit of Nicholas Blair to come to me. Allow him to live and breathe again, allow his spirit to do my bidding. Angelique Bouchard must suffer. She must endure a thousand deaths if necessary. Escape from your bondage, Mr. Blair. Return to roam the earth and seek your revenge. Rise and live.”

Hallie covered her ears as intense screaming filled the air, the sounds of wailing, shrieking, and pain filled the air. The air smelled of sulfur, and there was a blinding light in front of her. When the light faded, she realized that Crispin’s call had been answered.
There before them stood the warlock, Nicholas Blair.

Crispin broke the silence. “Can you speak? Can you understand me?”

“I can.”

“I haven’t got much time before dawn, so I need you to listen carefully. I’m the one who summoned you here from hell, so you’re here to do my bidding. You will do what I tell you to do. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Good. You have but one job to do. Go to Angelique Bouchard and Barnabas Collins. Keep them away from my coffin through any means necessary. Is that clear?”

“It is.”

“Make them suffer, Nicholas. I want you to inflict more pain and agony on them than a human being has ever experienced. They must pay for attempting to destroy me.”

A sick twisted grin crossed Nicholas’ face. “It will be my pleasure.”

—-

What exactly is Midnight’s Edge? ME, as the witches call it, is a time of night when the veil between the living and the dead disappears. ME can only be used by witches and warlocks who have studied the Craft and are aware of the nuances and rules needed to use it.

In the book series Midnight’s Edge, Jeremy Wickcliff, an evil spirit who’s studied the dark arts in the ghost realm, uses ME to reach the mortal realm. You can read about how he does it and the aftermath in our gothic/supernatural series Midnight’s Edge. The series is full of the same paranormal, supernatural, and dramatic elements you loved about Dark Shadows, but with brand new characters and storylines. With spirits, witches, and parallel realms, Midnight’s Edge will be sure to keep lovers of the supernatural fantasy genre spellbound.

ME is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Lulu and Smashwords – Midnight’s Edge for a link to the Official Website

Midnight’s Edge: The Secrets of Sleepy Meadows- Book 1

Kindle: Midnight’s Edge: The Secrets of Sleepy Meadows- Book 1

Print: Midnight’s Edge: The Secrets of Sleepy Meadows- Book 1 – Paperback

Nook: Midnight’s Edge: The Secrets of Sleepy Meadows- Book 1 – Nook

Midnight’s Edge: The Possession- Book 2

Kindle: Midnight’s Edge: The Possession- Book 2 – Kindle

Nook: Midnight’s Edge: The Possession- Book 2 – Nook

Print – LULU.com: Midnight’s Edge: The Possession- Book 2 – Print version

Like us on Facebook:
Midnight’s Edge Facebook Page

Subscribe to our mailing list to be notified of upcoming Midnight’s Edge and other series releases:
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Meanwhile, in Collinsport…

My name is Victoria Winters. There’s a strange, brooding, and manipulative man who lives on the grounds of the large house of Collinwood. Sebastian Shaw claims to be a mystic, a man who claims to be one with the universe, and have a power that comes from above. The only power that he truly has is one of deception and the ability to lie as easily as he breathes. However, despite his flaws, and despite his motivation, Sebastian Shaw is about to become my savior.

—–

As soon as morning came, Sebastian headed to the cliffs at the foot of Widows Hill, not sure of what or whom he’d find. The entire way, he thought about the conversation he’d had hours before with Elizabeth Stoddard, who’d told him that her daughter, Victoria Winters, came to her in a dream, claiming to be alive and trapped in a cave below the hill.

Sebastian had chalked Elizabeth up as an eccentric and macabre older woman, who didn’t live in the real world. It didn’t matter to him though because she believed his story about being a true mystic, and as long as she did, he had a free ride, a place to live and a steady income. He spent the walk thinking about how he’d use Elizabeth’s dream to ingratiate himself further with her.

He got to the cave to find it empty. He didn’t realize that Crispin’s slave, Drew always kept watch there during the day, but he wasn’t there this morning because Roger preoccupied him. Sebastian was able to walk in without any interference. The cave was damp and dark, and the farther he got into the cave, the darker it got since the only light shining in was from the sun pouring through the small entrance.

The cave went on for what seemed like miles, and after he had walked for several minutes, he came to a part where the cave split into right and left sections. He explored both, and found nothing on the left, but as he investigated the section on the right, there, laying on a concrete slab and still unconscious was the woman that Elizabeth described. Her long, dark hair fell upon her face. Her 18th-century dress was torn and dirty. All he thought about was how he’d get her out of there, not because he cared about her well-being, but because he cared about his. He’d be able to write his ticket with Elizabeth by coming to Victoria’s rescue.

He looked down her with a sick, twisted smile. “Thank you, Ms. Winters. Because of you, I’ve just hit the jackpot.”

With that, he picked her up carefully and made his way out of the cave.

—–

Julia went to the old house to see Barnabas, not liking how they’d left things. She entered without knocking and called out for him. He didn’t answer, but instead, she came upon Angelique.

“He’s not here,” she called out. “He’s gone to Collinwood.”

“You,” Julia said, facing her. “I knew it was only a matter of time before you would come here.”

“It is good to see you too, Julia,” Angelique said, going into the drawing room. “Would you like to sit down?”

Julia stood with one hand on her hip. “No. Just tell Barnabas that I was here.”

She was about to leave, but Angelique stopped her. “Julia, wait. Why must you feel the need to be so hostile against me? We were friendly in the past. Is it because Barnabas loves me? I cannot help that.”

Julia smiled. “And I bet you’re over the moon, aren’t you? What kind of spell or manipulation did you use on him this time? Did you threaten to return the curse to him again?”

“I have done nothing. This time my dear Julia, you’re the one who has manipulated him by keeping my existence a secret. You’ve hurt him deeply, all in the name of love. I always assumed that it was only a mortal emotion until I met Barnabas. I still don’t quite understand why love makes people do what they do.”

“I’ll admit nothing to you. You’ve destroyed everyone that Barnabas ever loved. His mother, Sarah. If I’m not careful, I may end up like Josette.”

Angelique chuckled. “I will do nothing to you. I’m not as I was. The love that Barnabas has given me has changed me.”

“I see. You think that because you share a son, you’re bonded without witchcraft.”

“We are.”

“I feel sorry for the kid who has you for a mother.”

“I haven’t the time to argue with you. You can see yourself out.”

Angelique left the room, and before Julia could go to the door to leave, she heard the same elfish voice she’d listened to the last time she was in the old house taunting her.

“See, Julia? You’ve got no one. No family, no friends, only me.”

She started to ascend the stairs, having heard the voice coming from an upper level as she had before. It continued to provoke her until she got to the landing to the door leading to the attic.

“Who’s up there? Who are you?”

“Don’t you recognize my voice, Julia? I know you remember. Come up here. I’ve missed you.”

She climbed the attic stairs and slowly opened the door.

“Where are you?”

“By the painting.”

Julia picked up a candlestick from a nearby table, lit a match, and held out the candlestick in front of her. In the corner of the room, she and Barnabas had stored Quentin’s painting. There, standing by the painting was a creature lurking in the dark. She could tell by the dim illumination that it had yellow eyes and a devilish grin accented with sharp teeth like razors. A foul stench filled the air.

“Now do you remember me, Julia?”

She shook her head. “Og? No, it can’t be. You’re not real. You were never real. Angelique conjured you up to get revenge on me.”

Og stepped closer. “Remember how I’d come to you at night when you were a little girl? Well, Jewels, I’m back, and this time, there’s no escaping me.”

“Leave me alone, please. Please just leave me alone!”

As Og drew closer, she could see more of his features. It wasn’t human. It had long ears and a long nose. Its yellow eyes glowed, reflected in the candlelight. He was a troll, something out of a fairytale.

Julia dropped the candlestick, put her hands on her face, and screamed.

—–

Joe snuck into Collinwood through the back stairs, careful not to be seen and entered Carolyn’s room.

“I’m glad you came back,” she said, turning away from her mirror and facing him. “I need to talk to you.”

He approached her. “Me first. I have to tell you something. It’s about my time at Windcliff.”

She led him to the bed, and they sat down. “Please, me first. It’s about Maggie. I’ve spoken to Quentin, and I think he’s going to ask her to marry him.”

Joe was silent for a moment. “I see.”

“I know that that’s probably hard for you to hear, but I’m telling you so that you can move on with your life.”

“With you?”

She nodded. “It’s possible, isn’t it? We did date once many moons ago before you moved on to Maggie.”

“I seem to recall you thought I was boring because I wanted to settle down.”

“That’s all changed. I’ve changed.” She took his hand. “I realized how wrong I was to let you go. Joe, I’m falling in love with you.”

He broke away from her and stood up. “I can’t do this right now.”

She stood up too. “Don’t push me away. Maggie’s moved on, and you need to as well. It can only help your recovery.”

He grabbed her arm. “Don’t talk to me about my recovery. You have no idea what Hell I’ve been through in that place. You have no right to tell me what to do and not do.”
She writhed in his grasp. “Joe, you’re hurting me.”

He let go, and his eyes widened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…I have to go.”

Without another word, he turned to leave and left Carolyn standing there calling after him. He wasn’t entirely convinced that he could trust himself not to hurt her.

—–

Barnabas entered the drawing room at Collinwood to find Elizabeth staring at the fire.

“What was it that you wanted to see me about?”

Elizabeth approached him and took his hand. “Barnabas, I can’t explain it, but she’s here, she’s here.”

“I can sense your excitement. What has this woman got to do with me?”

“My dream was right. I convinced myself that it was just a dream, that she wasn’t alive. I had to, or else I would’ve had to accept the fact that I’ve gone mad, but I haven’t. She’s alive, and she was just where she told me she’d be, in the cave below widow’s hill.”

Barnabas thought about Crispin in that moment, and about how he’d confronted his son there, but didn’t say anything to her.

“I’m afraid I still don’t understand.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Come with me upstairs. It’s best if I show you. I had Sebastian bring her up to my room. She’s still unconscious, but she’s alive. I’ll have to ask Julia to examine her.”

As Barnabas followed her up the stairs and to her room, his sense of curiosity grew. When they entered the room, he walked up to the bed slowly, not knowing who he was going to see.

A small smile crossed his face. “Vicky.”

—–

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What exactly is Midnight’s Edge? ME, as the witches call it, is a time of night when the veil between the living and the dead disappears. ME can only be used by witches and warlocks who have studied the Craft and are aware of the nuances and rules needed to use it.

In the book series Midnight’s Edge, Jeremy Wickcliff, an evil spirit who’s studied the dark arts in the ghost realm, uses ME to reach the mortal realm. You can read about how he does it and the aftermath in our gothic/supernatural series Midnight’s Edge. The series is full of the same paranormal, supernatural, and dramatic elements you loved about Dark Shadows, but with brand new characters and storylines. With spirits, witches, and parallel realms, Midnight’s Edge will be sure to keep lovers of the supernatural fantasy genre spellbound.

ME is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Lulu and Smashwords – Midnight’s Edge for a link to the Official Website

Midnight’s Edge: The Secrets of Sleepy Meadows- Book 1

Kindle: Midnight’s Edge: The Secrets of Sleepy Meadows- Book 1

Print: Midnight’s Edge: The Secrets of Sleepy Meadows- Book 1 – Paperback

Nook: Midnight’s Edge: The Secrets of Sleepy Meadows- Book 1 – Nook

Midnight’s Edge: The Possession- Book 2

Kindle: Midnight’s Edge: The Possession- Book 2 – Kindle

Nook: Midnight’s Edge: The Possession- Book 2 – Nook

Print – LULU.com: Midnight’s Edge: The Possession- Book 2 – Print version

Like us on Facebook:
Midnight’s Edge Facebook Page

Subscribe to our mailing list to be notified of upcoming Midnight’s Edge and other series releases:
Midnight’s Edge Web Site

—–Meanwhile, in Collinsport…

My name is Victoria Winters. The great house of Collinwood is surrounded in darkness this night. It’s a darkness caused by secrets and caused by lies and false truths. Several residents are keeping secrets, secrets that they’ve buried deep inside, convincing themselves that they can live with what they’ve done. What they don’t know is that those secrets are about to be exposed, and when they are, the lives of the residents of the great house will never be the same.

—–

Carolyn was walking down the hallway in Collinwood and stopped at David’s door when she heard crying coming from inside. She knocked on the door and opened it without being invited.

“David?”

He sat up on the bed and wiped the tears from his eyes.

She sat down on the bed. “What’s wrong?”

He shrugged. “Nothing.”

She smiled. “Come on now. I know you’ve been crying.”

He got up. “No, I wasn’t. Crying is for babies.”

“I’m not a baby?”

He turned to face her. “What do you mean?”

“I cried when Jeb died. Do you think I’m a baby?”

“No.”

“Well then, tell me what’s wrong. Is it because of what happened to Hallie?”

“Kinda, but it’s not what you think. She’s not dead, you know.”

She got up and went over to him, putting her hand on his arm. “I know you want to believe that, and I understand why, but you know she is. You need to accept that.”

He shook his head. “I snuck into the hospital. In the place where they keep the dead bodies. She sat up. She talked to me. She looked kinda funny.”

She stifled a chuckle. “I’d imagine she would. It’s not every day that a person comes back from the dead.”

He huffed. “You don’t believe me, do you?”

“I’m sorry. I know this is serious.” She cleared her throat. “David, you saw what you wanted to see.”

“I saw her. She asked me to help her.” He studied her face. “You don’t believe me either. Nobody ever believes me. That’s why my father wants to send me away. He thinks I make up stories.”

Her eyes widened. “What do you mean that Uncle Roger wants to send you away?”

“I saw him doing something strange, and he doesn’t want anyone to know. He wants everyone to think I’m a liar.”

“Nobody thinks you’re a liar.”

“You do. You don’t believe me about Hallie.”

“David…”

“I don’t understand some things, like why nobody believes me about anything, but how a man and another man can be…How they can…”

Her eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”

He sighed. “It doesn’t matter. All that matters is that I’m not going to let my father send me away. I’ve got to be here to help Hallie.”

She went to the door. “Don’t worry, David. No one is going to send you away. I’ll talk to Uncle Roger.”

As Carolyn got out into the hallway, she reflected on the conversation that she’d just had with David. She hadn’t known what he’d seen with Roger and assumed he was escaping into a fantasy about Hallie being alive to escape his real issues. No ordinary boy wondered how two men could be together, and the only reason why he’d be asking is that he had curiosities.

—–

After her confrontation with Barnabas and having heard that ominous voice in her head telling her she was all alone, she had to push those thoughts out of her mind. She surmised that the voice was the result of the guilt she carried for lying to Barnabas about Angelique being alive. She had to focus on what was going on in the real world, and that meant finding Joe before he hurt himself or someone else.

She’d just left the Blue Whale, and after not finding him there, she walked the docks. It was a chilly night, and she shivered as she put her hands in her pockets. Her thoughts began to gravitate back to the voice she’d heard outside the old house, but in the distance, she saw a man staring out at the water. She remembered that Joe had been a fisherman and spent a lot of time at the docks. Knowing that the docks would be almost deserted, it was a perfect hiding place.

Julia approached him slowly. “Joe Haskell?”

Joe turned to her. “I knew it was only a matter of time before you found me.”

“Did you?”

“Windcliff called you, didn’t they?”

“Yes, and I knew I’d find you here.”

“You’re going to bring me back, aren’t you?”

“It’s my duty as a doctor. You’re not ready to leave. You can’t just escape.”

Joe stared through her. “How would you know if I’m ready to leave? You stopped coming to see me.”

“I realize that and I’m sorry if you felt as if I abandoned you, but I’ve got a lot of other responsibilities, and I left you in the care of some excellent doctors who update me weekly on your progress.”

“I bet your other responsibilities include Barnabas Collins, don’t they?”

Julia took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a puff. “What happens in my personal life is none of your concern. You’re my patient, and that’s the extent of our relationship.”

“You didn’t answer my question. Are you sending me back or not?”

Julia took another puff. “It depends on if you are you going to stay away from Maggie Evans?”

He shrugged. “Maggie and I are over.”

“Don’t insult me, Joe. You’re still in love with her, and we both know it. You have to stay away from her. You’re no good to her in this condition.”

He nodded, and his eyes filled with tears. “I know I shouldn’t have left, but I am getting better. I promise. I couldn’t stay there locked up any longer. If I promise to stay away from Maggie until I get well, will you help me?”

She studied his face, convinced of his sincerity. “I’ll treat you in secret. No one will know you escaped, and when you’re ready, we’ll tell everyone you were released.”

Joe smiled. “Thank you, Julia.”

“Thank me by keeping your promise. If I find out otherwise, I’ll send you back. Come with me. We’ll start your sessions tonight.”

—–

In Bangor, Maggie knocked on the door of Quentin’s room, refusing to be thrown out and discarded by him as if she didn’t matter.

He opened up the door and scowled. “What are you doing here? I told you I didn’t want to see you. Go back to Collinsport and leave me alone.”

Maggie put her hand on her hip. “I’m not going anywhere until I get an explanation.”

“I gave you one. You sicken me, get out of my sight.”

Maggie remained firm. “Tell me you don’t love me and I’ll go.”

His face softened, and he turned away. When he did, she entered the room and shut the door behind her.

“That’s what I thought, Quentin. If you love me as you say you do, like I believe you do, you’ll tell me the truth.”

He turned to her. “If I do, you’ll think I’m mad.”

“Well, perhaps I already do. One minute you love me and the next you don’t. That’s not rational behavior. Help me understand.”

He sighed. “Alright. I’m only doing this so that you’ll stay away. What I’m about to tell you is going to sound crazy, but it’s true. First of all, I’m not a descendant of Quentin Collins. I am Quentin Collins, the one and only.”

Maggie’s eyes widened. “What are you saying?”

He put up his hand. Let me finish. “I was born in 1870.”

“You don’t have to insult me, Quentin. If you don’t want to tell me the truth, fine, but don’t lie. You’d be 101 years old.”

He put his hands on both her shoulders. “I’m asking you to trust me. I am who I say I am. It’s a long story, but here’s the short version. In 1897, I was the victim of a gypsy curse. I was married to a woman named Jenny, who was once a gypsy and she had a sister, Magda. Jenny went mad and tried to kill me. She would’ve succeeded if not for a witch named Angelique. She came after me again with a knife. I killed her in self-defense and her sister cursed me as revenge.”

“Cursed you, how?”

“I became a beast that walked like a man. When the moon was full, I became a wolf, unaware and not in control of my actions. I’ve killed in that state, more times than I can count. I was cured by a man named Count Petofi. He had great powers, and through that power, a portrait of me was painted in 1897. It not only took on the curse, but it gave me eternal life. The painting ages, I don’t. That’s why I still look as I do.”

Maggie looked away from him and ran her hands throught her hair. She looked back at him.

“This is all just too fantastic.”

“I know it seems that way, but there’s more in the world than you can ever understand. Barnabas and Julia know of my curse. They’ve helped me. The painting is in the attic of the old house.”

“So you have proof that what you’re saying is true?”

“Yes. What I don’t understand is why it’s happening again.”

“You mean the reason why you treated me as you did is because of the curse?”

“I did it to protect you. I don’t understand why it’s all happening again. Something must’ve happened to the painting.”

Maggie put her hand on his cheek. “Alright. We’ll figure out what it is together.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that it changes nothing. I still want to be with you. I still want to be your wife. I love you, and that’s all that matters.”
He pulled away. “You don’t understand what you’re committing to.”

“What I understand is that I don’t want to be without you. I don’t care about anything else. Marry me, Quentin, and let me help you.”

Quentin pulled Maggie into an embrace, followed by a passionate kiss. What she’d said didn’t negate his fear for her, but it did allow him to give into his desires. He was going to be with Maggie regardless of the cost.

—–

After his confrontation with David, Roger left the house and went to the Collinsport Inn in secret in the middle of the night to be with Drew. In the morning, Roger got up and started putting on his clothes. Drew sat up in bed.

Roger turned to leave. “Needless to say, I can expect your discretion about this?”

“Why are you so ashamed of me, Roger? Ashamed of us?”

“I refuse to get into this discussion again. You know why you must remain silent.”

Drew got out of bed. “What I know is that you’re afraid. Would it be the end of the world if people found out? It wouldn’t change anything.”

Roger’s voice rose. “It would change everything. I’m a Collins. We don’t behave in such a manner.”

“How do you behave? Walk all over the little guy as you continue to build your fortune? Underpay your worker’s and work them to the bone? That’s okay? Your money isn’t going to give you comfort Roger.”

“I’m willing to send my son away because he’s found out about me. I can’t allow my secret exposed.”

“You’re a coward, do you know that? If you’re not going to tell, I should. Once it’s out, you’ll feel so much better.”

Roger grabbed his arm with all his strength. “You will say nothing! If you even say one word to anyone about anything, I’ll kill you, do you understand?”

He let go, and Drew rubbed his arm. “Don’t ever threaten me.”

“Drew, it’s much more than a threat. I guarantee you it.”

—–

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—–Meanwhile, in Collinsport…

My name is Victoria Winters. The brief peace and tranquility that befell the great house of Collinwood has ended now. Fear, uncertainty, and betrayal have replaced it. While Barnabas and Angelique have made an unthinkable decision to destroy their son to save him from an eternity of being a creature of the night, Quentin Collins has found the curse of the werewolf unexpectedly returned to him. A young boy, David, has been rejected by his father one final time, and may be forced to leave Collinwood as a result. Perhaps leaving this place may save him, perhaps not being under the influence of the great house will provide him with the chance for a normal life, or perhaps being a Collins provides no escape from the pain that plagues them. No matter where they go, the Collins family cannot escape from themselves and the self-destruction that’s inside them.

—-

“Collinwood,” Mrs. Johnson said, answering the phone. “Just a moment please.” She turned to Julia, who was seated on the couch. “Dr. Hoffman, it’s a Doctor Simmons from Windcliff.”

Julia stood up and took the phone. “Thank you. This is Dr. Hoffman.”

“Julia,” the voice said on the other end of the phone. “I’m afraid I’m calling with some rather disturbing news.”

“What’s happened?”

“It’s Joe Haskell. I’m afraid he’s escaped.”

“Escaped? When?”

“It’s been several days. He’d become increasingly agitated in the days leading up to the escape. His sessions had been going well, but when I expressed concern that he wasn’t quite ready to be released, he became hostile, almost violent.”

“I should’ve been notified of this immediately. You know very well that he may be a harm to himself or others. Why did you wait so long to call?”

“We felt it be best that the police handle the matter, but it’s become clear that they’re unable to find him. He kept asking about a woman, a Miss Evans I believe, who lives in Collinsport. I’m convinced that he’s most likely on his way there.”

“If the police find him, call me at this number. I’ll see what I can do from here.”

Julia hung up and turned to find Mrs. Johnson staring at her with a perturbed expression on her face.

“I try to make it a practice not to get involved in other people’s affairs, but I can’t help but worry when I hear the police being referenced. What’s wrong?”

Julia sighed. “It’s Joe Haskell. He ’s escaped from Windcliff.” She began to head to the door. “Notify Mrs. Stoddard immediately. He may be coming here.”

“Where are you going?” Mrs. Johnson asked.

“To the old house to see Mr. Collins. He needs to know about Joe’s escape.”

On the way to the old house, Julia was preoccupied with thoughts of what could happen if Joe came in contact with anyone at Collinwood. He’d had a complete psychotic break, and it was quite clear to her during her sessions with him that he wasn’t quite fully recovered. She hadn’t known that not only had he already been in contact with Carolyn, but he’d also been in the house in secret, putting her and anyone else who lives at Collinwood in unseen danger.

Julia burst into the old house without knocking. “Barnabas? Are you here? I must speak to you.”

“I’m here,” came the reply from upstairs.

The voice didn’t belong to Barnabas, but rather it was a voice that was unfamiliar to her. It had a cold, ominous tone to it.

Julia started for the stairs. “Who are you?”

A cackle filled the air. “Come now, Julia. Don’t act as if you don’t remember the sound of my voice. I know you do.”

Julia began to ascend the stairs. “I don’t know you. Answer me. Who are you?”

“Come to me and find out, Julia.”

—–

Angelique stood outside the cave at the foot of Widow’s Hill, recalling the conversation she had earlier with Barnabas about destroying their son. She was torn because in her heart that once housed nothing but hate, resentment, and a desire for revenge, she had a genuine love and affection for her son, something she never thought she’d be able to feel for anyone other than Barnabas. It was her love that caused her to arrive at this decision. She hadn’t wanted him to suffer any longer with the curse that had plagued his father for centuries. She wanted her son to be at peace. Now that she was ready to confront him for what could be the final time, she was beginning to have second thoughts about being able to go through with it.

“Mother,” Crispin said, as Angelique entered. “I told you never to come here. We have nothing more to say to each other as long as you continue to defend that bastard father of mine.”

Angelique reached out for him, but he backed away.

“Don’t touch me. If you’re with him, you’re against me, and that makes us enemies.”

“I’m not your enemy regardless of what you believe. I could never be. We’re part of one another.”

Crispin scoffed. “You don’t need me any longer now that you have him, isn’t that right?”

Angelique shook her head. “Your father has nothing to do with us. I’m speaking of the relationship that you and I have with one another.”

“Are you deaf, Mother? I think the fact that you’re two centuries old is finally catching up with you and you’re losing your hearing. We have no relationship.” He turned his back to her.

Angelique grabbed his arm and forced him to face her. “Don’t turn your back on me. I’d hoped that I could come here to make peace with you, but I realize now that it’s futile. Don’t spend the rest of your days filled with anger and resentment like I did for so long. You must forgive those of us who you feel have wronged you.”

He pulled away and smirked. “Like you forgave my so called father for jilting you? You caused the death of the woman he loved and indirectly the death of his dear sister, Sarah. Did you feel any pity for him? Any remorse?”

Angelique looked away, ashamed. “I’ve changed for the better. Your father’s love has changed me.” She met his stare again. “I implore you to give up this uncalled for vendetta while you still have time.”

“I’m immortal,” Crispin said, proudly. “I’ve got all the time in the world.” He paused, staring her up and down. “Leave me. You’ve gone soft. I have nothing more to say to you.”

“As you wish,” Angelique said. “But if you force me to leave, I’m no longer your mother, and I shall be forced to treat you as I would any other enemy. If you wish for us to be enemies, it shall be so. I won’t let you come between Barnabas and me. I’ve waited too long for the two of us to be together. You will do nothing, or you’ll face the consequences.”

Crispin shrugged. “I don’t have to do anything. She’s going to do it for me.”

Angelique narrowed her eyes. “She?”

Crispin led her to the back of the cave, where Victoria Winters remained in a coma-like state.

“I was going to kill her,” Crispin said, studying Angelique’s reaction. “I wanted Barnabas to see her suffer and die slowly. After seeing your reaction, I may just let her live so that I can watch you suffer. You’re jealous of her, jealous because she resembles Josette.”

“That isn’t true.”

“Like hell it’s not.”

“I can’t believe that you’d transcend time to save Victoria Winters from death, just to take her life once more. What you’re planning for Barnabas is beyond cruel.”

“Whatever I know about cruelty I learned from the master. Now leave. The sight of you sickens me.”

—–

“You wanted to see me, Mrs. Stoddard?” Sebastian said, entering the drawing room.

Elizabeth went up to him, putting her hands on his arms and searching his eyes desperately. “You must help me, Sebastian. Please say you will.”

He led her to the couch, and they sat. “You must calm down. Take a deep breath and tell me what’s gotten you so upset.”

“I’ve just awoken from another dream about my daughter. She was trapped and calling out to me for help.”

“You’ve been having dreams about Carolyn?”

She shook her head. “No. I’ve been dreaming of my other daughter, Victoria Winters. She’s the one I’ve told you about. She’s the reason I sent for you.”

“I see. And these dreams have convinced you that she’s in danger?”

She wrung her hands. “She must be. She said she’s trapped in one of the caves at the foot of Widow’s Hill, and that she can’t escape. I’m so confused. The last time I saw Vicky, she faded into the past. She would’ve passed on centuries ago. How could she be here now? She isn’t a spirit that much I’m sure. I wish I could understand what’s happened to her and how she got here. A man of your gifts being what they are, I know you can help me find her. Can you tell me if you can see what cave she’s in?”

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, letting the breath out slowly. He had no power, no supernatural ability. Maggie had been right when she accused him of being a charlatan, but Elizabeth had faith in him, and he knew how to exploit that. He stood up.

“I’m not getting a clear sense about it, Mrs. Stoddard. It’s going to take a lot of concentration and meditation if I’m going to get a clear picture.”

“Of course,” she said. “Go if you must, but the minute you get anything, you must come back here immediately and tell me. I’ll pay you very well for your time. I’m counting on you.”

He smiled at her. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Stoddard, I know exactly what I’m doing.”

After he’d left her, he thought about heading to the caves. He didn’t think that he had anything to lose by checking it out. If Elizabeth’s dream had any merit at all and he could locate Victoria, he knew he’d be able to write his meal ticket with the Collins family for the rest of his life. He didn’t realize though that he’d be dealing with forces that wouldn’t let him anywhere near Victoria and that if he tried, he wouldn’t live long enough to extort any money from Elizabeth Stoddard.

—–

“Julia?” Barnabas said, entering the old house. “Where do you think you’re going?”

Julia, who had made it half way up the stairs, turned around. “I heard a voice up there.”

“Voice?” he said, approaching the bottom step. “There’s no one else in this house. Willie’s out for the evening.”

“I’m telling you there’s someone up there.”

“Hello?” he said. “If there’s someone up there, I shall be inclined to phone the police.”

There was nothing but silence.

“I told you there was no one up there.”

She came down the steps and met him. “I know what I heard.”

“It’s no matter.” He moved toward the drawing room. “Come in here. I want to speak with you.”

She complied, and he sat down in his chair by the fire.

“I need to speak to you first,” she said. “That’s why I’ve come here. It’s Joe Haskell. He’s escaped from Windcliff, and the police haven’t been able to locate him. The staff up there seem to think that he’s on his way here, and I was hoping that we could locate him together.”

“Were you?” he said. “I don’t believe that helping you locate Joe Haskell is a matter that takes priority.”

She squinted, studying his face. “Barnabas, how can you say that? You saw him before he left here. The man was clearly insane, and although he’s made progress toward recovery, he’s still got a long way to go. Someone at Collinwood could get hurt if he comes back here.”

He stood up. “I suppose by involving yourself with Joe Haskell, you think you can forget what you’ve done?”

She narrowed her eyes. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“Angelique’s alive, Julia, but you already knew that, didn’t you?”

“I examined her in 1840 after she was shot by Trask. She had no pulse.”

His face fell. “Please, Julia. After everything we’ve meant to one another, don’t lie to me.”

“I…I’m not.”

“Angelique’s not only alive, she’s here. She told me everything. She was weak but alive after the shooting. She wanted desperately to find me, but Desmond had already destroyed Quentin’s stairway through time. She’s waited 130 years to reunite with me. You’re a doctor. You had to have known that she was alive.”

She stuck her chest out. “Alright. I admit it. But I had my reasons.”

“Yes, you wanted me to come back to the present with you, and you knew I wouldn’t leave her. I can’t believe you would be so selfish.”

“Selfish?” She said, touching his arm. “She’s the one that’s selfish and manipulative. I knew that she’d hurt you again if you stayed with her. Just as she always has. How can you forget what she’s done? Causing your curse, Josette’s death, and indirectly the death of your sister and mother. She destroys everything she touches, Barnabas.”

He pulled away. “That’s in the past. She’s changed, we both have.”

“Don’t be naïve. You can’t trust her. You have to know that by now.”

“It’s not just her who’s here. I have a son, Crispin.”

Her eyes widened. “A son?”

“One that I’ve never had the chance to know because of you, and he resents me for it. He is how I once was, and he’s vowed vengeance on this family for it. If anything happens to my family, you have no idea what you’ve done.”

“Barnabas, I know you’re angry but–”

“Angry? No Julia. I’m not angry. I’m hurt. I trusted you. After everything we’ve been through I would’ve never imagined that you’d betray me.”

She put her hands to her face. “Betray you? No, Barnabas. I did what I did to protect you.”

“Because you love me?”

She looked away. “I’ve never denied that.”

“And you decided that you were going to punish me because I can’t love you in the way you want me to.”

She met eyes with him. “How can you think that of me?”

“I don’t know what to think about you any longer, Julia.”

“What, what are you saying?”

“I think it best if we don’t see one another for a while. I’d like you to leave.”

She sighed. “You can’t mean that.”

“But I do mean it.”

Her eyes searched his. “But you will forgive me?”

“I’m not sure if I can do that. Now please go.”

“Barnabas…”

“It pains me to look at you. Just go.”

She left without saying a word. Once she got outside, she shivered and buttoned her coat. She hadn’t gotten any further than 50 feet from the door when she heard the strange voice again that she’d heard inside the house.

“See? Even Barnabas doesn’t want to have anything to do with you now. I’m all you’ve got.”

She looked around, searching the air for the source of the voice. “I don’t know who you are, but you’re not going to get to me, you’re not!”

“Oh, but I already have,” came the reply. “You’ve got nothing, no one. No one would even notice if you just vanished. The one person who cared about you has just shunned you, and now you’re totally and utterly alone. I’m the only friend you have.”

She put her hands to the side of her face. “I’m not listening to you any longer.”

The voice, that of a small man, chuckled. “I’m in control of you now, just as I was when you were a child. You’re losing control just as you did then, only this time there will be no way back from the brink of insanity.”

“Leave me alone,” Julia said, as she ran into the woods towards Collinwood. “Leave me alone!”

—-

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My name is Victoria Winters. The peace that was once at Collinwood is no more. A young girl is dead but has risen. Barnabas Collins’s curse has been passed on to the next generation while Quentin Collins’s has returned from a past he thought long dead. There is heartache, fear, uncertainty and turmoil in store for the residents of the great house tonight and in the days and nights of their tomorrows.

—–

After having to decide at the hospital what needed to be done with Hallie’s remains, Stokes decided that he wanted to be alone. Signing the paperwork for the cremation made her death final. As a professor and a man of science, death was a natural part of life, something he’d encountered on countless occasions. However, as an uncle, it was too emotional for him to think about. Hallie was the only family he’d had left, and it was incomprehensible to him that life could be cut short so young.

He found himself down by the docks, hopeful that a walk would clear his head. The water had a calming influence on him in everyday life, but as he looked out at the fog wafting over the water, all he could think of was how it was a perfect metaphor for his thoughts, jumbled and cloudy.

“I know I’m not a man of many emotions,” Stokes said to nothing or no one specific, “but I want you to know how much I cared for you, Hallie. My only comfort now is knowing that you’re with your parents again. I only wish that you were here so that I could tell you that.”

“Wishes can come true sometimes,” a voice said from the fog. It was unmistakable to Stokes who it was.

Stokes turned around quickly. “Hallie?”

Hallie appeared out of the fog. She still wore the nightgown that she passed in. As Stokes squinted to see her in the dark, she hadn’t looked the same. Her eyes were darker, her skin more pallid.

Stokes took a step back. “This can’t be possible. Julia pronounced you dead.”

“Dr. Hoffman isn’t the best doctor, just ask Barnabas Collins. Her accuracy leaves a lot to be desired.”

“I checked myself. I sat with you in the morgue. You had no pulse; you weren’t breathing.”

She smiled. “But yet here I am. I think it’s your love that’s brought me back. She put her arms out. “Hold me, Uncle Eliot. It’s so lonely and cold here.”

He shook his head. “You’re being here is scientifically impossible.”

“Forget what science tells you. You wished for me to be here, and I’ve come back to you. Come away with me.”

“Whatever you are you’re not Hallie.” He backed up further. “Stay away from me.”

“I can’t,” she said, now exposing her teeth and moving closer. “We’re family and we’re meant to be together.”

—–

“It is you,” Barnabas said, reaching out for Angelique. “I wasn’t sure if I would ever see you again.”

She rushed into his arms. “I would never let anything separate us, not time, not death, nothing. You must know that by now.”

He broke the embrace, looked deep into her eyes, and kissed her. “What the boy said was true? You were alive when I left 1840?”

She nodded. “I was very weak, but I was alive.”

“Then you heard me confess my love for you?”

She smiled widely. “It’s all I ever wanted, Barnabas. I’d longed to hear those words for over a century. It was the only thing that kept me alive. I’d want to give up, to stop fighting, but knowing how you felt gave me strength. I knew I had to get back to you.”

His face fell. “Only when you woke up I wasn’t there. You must forgive me. I didn’t know that you were alive. I would have never left you if I had known. I meant every word I said. I love you.”

He kissed her again tenderly.

“When I finally woke up, Desmond told me that you had gone back to the present. I tried to follow you using the stairway, but he had destroyed it as he’d promised he would. I’ve been waiting 131 years to find you again.”

“And we have a son?”

“I didn’t know about him until after you’d come back.”

He stepped away from her and faced the fireplace. “He’s what I was. How could that be? I’m a mortal man.”

Angelique put her hand on his shoulder. “The curse will always be a part of you. It’s in your blood. It lies dormant now because I’ve made it so, but it’s inside of you.”

He turned around. “He’s already killed one person, a young girl, Hallie Stokes. If you have any control over him at all, you must stop him before he gets to anyone else.”

“I’ve tried reasoning with him,” Angelique said. “He’s different than you were. I didn’t make him what he is, so I have no power over him. He will not listen to me.”

“Why does he hate me so? He’s threatened every member of the Collins family out of pure hatred for me.”

“I’m afraid his hate for you is my doing. He saw how miserable I was without you. He saw what that did to me.”

Barnabas shook his head. “But I didn’t know about either of you.”

“I know that. He saw my hurt, my anger. It wasn’t anger toward you, but rather at the world. For once I had everything I’d ever wanted, and I lost you all over again, just like I did when you became spellbound by Josette. It wasn’t fair then, and it’s still not.”

“I can’t believe that Julia would lie to me. I trusted her more than anyone in the world, and she betrayed me.”

“She loves you, Barnabas, can’t you see that? She knew you’d never come back with her if you knew I hadn’t died.”

“I can’t think of Julia now.” He took her hand. “I don’t blame you for his hatred. I don’t blame you for your anger. We’re together again. We must forgive each other now. I only want to be with you.”

“I want that too, but Crispin won’t allow it. He should’ve never come here.”

“How do you propose we deal with it?”

“We must destroy him.”

His eyes widened. “How can you even make such a statement? He’s our son.”

“He won’t stop until he destroys you and all things Collins. I don’t want him to have to suffer, to roam the night, with a thirst for blood that is never quenched. I made you what you were to punish you. It’s not the existence I want for him. You lived that life. You know the loneliness he feels, the desperation whether he admits it or not. I don’t think you want that for him either.”

He nodded. “You’re right. We must come up with a plan. We must figure out how we’re going to do it, how we’re going to give our son peace.”

—–

After his terrifying experience with Hallie at the morgue and not having anywhere else to go in the cold, dark night, David had no other option than to go home. The last person he’d wanted to see was Roger, especially after hearing Roger’s revelation that he’d never wanted a son. This didn’t shock David since he never acted like he had, but it had still hurt him to hear it out loud.

When he got to the house, he ran up the stairs and went straight to his room. He cried as he thought about losing Hallie and what had become of her. No one would ever believe that she’d come back even if he wanted to explain it. No one ever believed him when he said anything. They just accused him of making up stories. He couldn’t tell anyone. They’d think he was lying or insane. They’d send him away, not that Roger needed an excuse. After what he’d heard, he surmised that Roger might anyway.

There was a knock on the door. David, startled, wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

Roger entered the room. “David, I think we need to talk about what happened earlier tonight.”

“I don’t want to talk to you, leave me alone.”

Roger sat down on the bed. “I can see the tears in your eyes son. I know I’m the cause, and that upsets me a great deal. I know what you heard me tell that man. I admit it’s true that I never really wanted a son, but you never once heard me say to him that I didn’t care for you, did you?”

David shook his head.

“That’s because when you were born, my feelings changed. I’m proud to have you to carry on the Collins name. I’m proud you’re my son.”

“I saw what you were doing. I know people think I’m just a little kid, but I know more than you think I do. I know what that means.”

“Drew and I are friends; that’s all. He was just showing a gesture of friendship.”

“Men don’t show friendship that way, father. Don’t talk to me like I’m stupid. I’m not.”

Roger stood up. “I don’t know what you think you saw, but that’s all it was I’m telling you.”

“You’re a liar and I hate you! I hate all of you! I wish you’d go away and never come back!”

“If you want me to leave, fine. But I will make one thing clear. You are not to mention what you thought you saw to Elizabeth or anyone else. As long as you live in this house, you will do as I tell you, or you’ll never step foot inside Collinwood again. Am I clear?”

“I wish you were the one that were dead and not my mother. How’s that for clear?”

“I see,” Roger said. “If you feel that way, perhaps you should leave. It may be better for you after what’s happened to poor Hallie. I’ll start making the arrangements for you to leave in the morning. Is that what you want?”

David didn’t answer.

“Alright then. I suppose it’s done.”

After Roger had left, David spent the next several minutes crying himself to sleep. All he wanted was Roger’s love and approval. No matter what it didn’t seem like it would ever come.

—–

It was just after sunrise when Quentin awoke in a haze. It was a familiar feeling, one that he’d had many times. He couldn’t remember the night before, and when he awoke, he found that his clothes were torn. It had happened again; he had become the werewolf. He’d gotten back to the inn early enough not to be discovered in his current state. As he showered and packed his bag to head back to Collinsport, he thought of nothing but Maggie.

I had to push her away to protect her, just like I had to push Beth away. How will I ever explain it? Will she ever forgive me? Perhaps it’s better if she doesn’t, perhaps it’s better if she does keep her distance. Damn Magda for doing this to me, for never allowing me to be happy. Why now after all these years is the curse upon me? What’s happened to Tate’s portrait? I must get back to Collinsport and find out.

When he reached the front desk, he found a group of people standing around clamoring. He turned to the desk manager,
who looked at him solemnly.

“What’s happened?” Quentin asked, putting his room key on the counter. “What’s the matter with everyone?”

“A girl was attacked in town last night,” the manager said. “Some jogger found her in a wooded area first thing this morning. Cops think that some animal got to her. It tore her to shreds.”

“I don’t think I want to hear it.”

“Poor thing,” the manager persisted. “I guess there were signs of a struggle. She put up a hell of a fight but she was no match for it.”

“I said that’s enough!”

The clamoring stopped, and the group looked at Quentin.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Collins. I shouldn’t be talking about this with the customers. All I’ll say is that it’s a good thing you’re leaving Bangor today. It’s not safe here.”

You’ll all be safe now that I’m leaving, Quentin thought. It’s the people of Collinsport that are going to be in danger now. It doesn’t matter where I go. I can’t stop the killing, I can’t stop the destruction. God, please help me and have mercy on me. Have mercy on all of us at Collinwood.

—– The End —–

Jenny’s Not Dead, written by the author’s of Dark Shadows Fan Fiction, comes the spine-tingling mystery series. Here’s a glimpse in Jenny’s Not Dead:

In the town of Lake Forest, nestled in the cool mountains near a misty Loon Lake, mystery dwells in every shadow.

Jenny Rourke, tragically orphaned at a young age and adopted by Helen Shore-Rourke, was left with a hole in her heart that would eventually be filled by a rugged gentleman named Wayne Beckett. Unfortunately, their romance would be cut short. Fate caught up to Jenny, and she succumbed to a sudden death in an explosive car accident, leaving her husband and family devastated beyond belief.

Her death was plagued with mystery. What was she doing on that winding road so late at night? Why had she been acting so strangely? Why did someone with so much life ahead of her have to die so young?

Years later, her intuitive nephew, Alan Case moves to Lake Forest, running away from a tumultuous past and feelings of regret. He hopes to find solace and a future in the small city, but soon finds that secrets run amuck within the Shore family and his own. Two odd families whose lives are intermingled in lies, murder and intrigue.

When Alan finds clandestine information that Jenny left behind, he and his lover are thrust into a story tinged with deception and begin to believe that Jenny’s Not Dead.

Jenny’s Not Dead for Kindle

My name is Victoria Winters. Barnabas Collins has just come face-to-face with the mirror image of his former self. A sinister young man has revealed his true identity. He’s admitted to being one of the undead and to being the one that was responsible for Hallie Stokes rising as a vampire. Barnabas now sees the evil that lurked in his eyes and the darkness in his heart that others must have seen when they looked upon him once. Not only has the young man’s presence in Collinsport proven to Barnabas that he can’t escape the past he thought he left behind when he was made a mortal man, but that his future is about to change forever.

—–

Barnabas stood silently in the cave at the foot of Widow’s Hill, desperately trying to make sense of Crispin’s revelation.

“Father?” He finally managed, still not wanting to accept it. “That can’t be true.”

“I don’t want it to be true any more than you do, but its reality.”

Barnabas narrowed his eyes. “I don’t believe you. I don’t know what you’re trying to gain with this vicious lie, but it’s not going to work.” He paused. “What is it you want? Money? The prestige that comes with the Collins name?”

Crispin laughed. “Prestige? The Collins’ family is cursed, everyone knows that. My Mother made sure of that when you shunned her for Josette Collins. The people of Collinsport are grateful not to be one of the so called ‘prestigious’ Collins family. All that’s in store for us is misery and death.” He smiled. “Perhaps there is one benefit to being your son. Thanks to inheriting your curse, I’ll never get sick, I’ll never grow old. Being a Collins isn’t so bad after all.”

“How do you know of Josette?” Barnabas asked. “I want the truth.”

He shrugged. “I told you how. I know all about how she jumped from Widow’s Hill when she refused to become what you were. I know about how your mother, Naomi, committed suicide when she couldn’t accept the truth. Then there’s your sister, Sarah. She was so consumed with fear that she ran from you, caught her death of cold. Their deaths were your fault. Every single one of them.”

Barnabas started after him, enraged. “How dare you speak their names to me.”

Crispin put his hand up. “Think about it. How would I know all this? Joshua Collins made sure that none of this got into the Collins family history.”

Barnabas shook his head. “I don’t know how you know these things but I still don’t believe you. Angelique was dead when I left 1840. I know that. There’s no way she could’ve given birth to my son.”

“How do you know? Because your confidante Dr. Hoffman said so? Let me give you some advice, those that are the closest to you have the most to gain by destroying you. Dr. Hoffman was jealous of your relationship with my mother. She would’ve said anything to get you to come back to the present with her.” He paused, peering into Barnabas’s eyes with hatred. “You devastated Angelique when you left her again. Just when she learned to forgive you, you broke her again. You need to pay for that. You’ll see everyone you love fall. The past and present will parallel each other. Then, when you have nothing left, you will become what I am, and we’ll truly be bonded as father and son.”

“Julia would never betray me.” Barnabas said, turning his back. “You’re not mortal. I suppose it’s possible for you to know more than an average man knows.” He walked to the entrance of the cave and faced Crispin once more before leaving. “The one thing I’m confident about is that Angelique is dead.”

—–

At the Wayside Inn in Bangor, Quentin and Maggie lay in bed, basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking.

Quentin smiled. “Are you happy?”

She looked into his eyes, not quite sure how to answer. “I am, but more surprised really. I’ve had feelings for you for quite some time; I just didn’t know how to express them. Everything has happened so fast.”

Quentin’s smile faded. “Do you regret what we’ve done?”

Maggie sat up. “Please don’t think that. I don’t regret a thing. I’m just worried about how people will react, that’s all.”

“You needn’t worry. You’re like family to Roger, David and Elizabeth. They’ll be thrilled to know that we’re together.”

Maggie smiled, her doubts melting away. “Do you really mean it?”

Quentin was about to answer with a kiss, but as he leaned in he got a sharp, searing pain that started in his abdomen and soon radiated over his entire body. It was a feeling that he knew all too well.

Maggie was startled. “Quentin, what is it? What’s wrong?”

There was a full moon tonight, but it had been years since he’d had to live in fear of the full moon.

What’s happening? Why do I feel this way? Something’s happened to Tate’s portrait, the one he painted that possessed Petofi’s powers. It’s the only explanation. The portrait should be changing, not me.

“Quentin?” Maggie said, getting out of bed and putting on a robe. “Answer me. What’s wrong? Should I call a doctor?”

He met eyes with her and peered at her with as much fake contempt as he could muster. “What’s wrong,” he said through clenched teeth, “is that I’ve gotten what I wanted from you. It’s the only reason why I was ever kind to you in the first place. Now I have no use for you.”

Maggie’s eyes widened. “That can’t be true. I know you aren’t that kind of man. What’s really happening?”

“I don’t want to see you anymore.” He groaned. “Can’t you understand? The sight of you sickens me. That’s why I feel ill.”

Maggie began to tear up. “You can’t mean this.”

“I mean every word. Take your clothes and get out of here before it’s too late.”

Maggie touched his shoulder. “Too late? Too late for what?”

Quentin pushed her away and she fell to the ground. “Get out now!”

Maggie gathered her clothes quickly and left in tears. Quentin didn’t know what hurt worse, his physical pain, or what he felt for having to reject Maggie for her own sake. A moment later none of that mattered. Everything had gone black and Quentin Collins was once again the werewolf.

—–

“Thank you for coming,” Liz said, opening the door to Sebastian Shaw. “I know it’s late and that you’ve had to come from a distance. I appreciate your willingness to come.”

Sebastian entered the foyer and she shut the door behind him. “I’d do anything for you Mrs. Stoddard. You must know that by now.”

Liz smiled. “You’re not the easiest man to find. Luckily I have some very good contacts. I needed to see you.”

He put his hand up. “You don’t have to say another word. I can feel the danger surrounding this house. It’s in the air. The heaviness is so thick I can barely breathe.”

“Yes, we are in danger. I shouldn’t be surprised that you know that. My daughter, Vicky, came to me from the other side. She tried to warn us. I brought you here to try to help us determine the cause and stop it.”

Sebastian tried to hide his surprise. “The same Vicky that used to work here? Carolyn’s talked to me about her. I didn’t know that she’s your daughter. Of course the stars only tell me what they want me to know.”

“Carolyn doesn’t know about Vicky and I prefer to keep it that way. There’s no purpose in telling her now.” She paused and grabbed his arm. “Can you help us?”

Sebastian’s eyes lit up. “Of course, but it’ll take time. So much time in fact that it may distract me from my other clients.”

“Don’t worry about that. You’ll be compensated handsomely for your time.”

“It’s not about money, Mrs. Stoddard. I’m a traveler; I spend my time going from place to place. I’m a free spirit and don’t like to settle in one place too long.”

“You can move into the cottage on the property temporarily. I promise you that you’ll have all the privacy you want and I’ll make sure that you have whatever you need there. I can send Mrs. Johnson down there to clean it first thing in the morning.”

He smiled. “I can’t say no to you Mrs. Stoddard. Of course I’ll do anything I can to help you.”

——

Barnabas decided to walk from the cave back to the old house. The entire way he was preoccupied with the conversation he had with Crispin earlier. Barnabas had said that he didn’t believe him, but the more he thought about it, the more that he had his doubts. He wondered how Crispin knew so much about Barnabas’s past and the Collins family history. If he were a fake, he sure was thorough. However, how could he even research? Anyone who knew the real truth of the Collins family was long dead unless there was a slight possibility that Crispin was telling the truth.

As Barnabas entered the house and entered the drawing room, the last bit of doubt that he had for Crispin’s story was washed away. There, waiting for him in his chair, was Angelique. He almost wasn’t surprised to see her. He knew that if she were alive, she would eventually come to him. He was taken aback by her beauty. She hadn’t changed since they last saw one another in 1840.

“Hello Barnabas,” She said, standing up. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Have you?” Is all Barnabas could manage to get out.

“I know that Crispin’s been here and I’ve come here to warn you. If you thought I was ruthless and cruel, he’s worse than I could ever be. He’s consumed with vengeance and rage. Our son will not stop until he destroys you.”

—– The End —–

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My name is Victoria Winters. Death has once again come to the great house of Collinwood. A young girl has lost her fight to stay alive. As the residents of the great house mourn her, they don’t realize that she isn’t really dead, rather she is now immortal, a captive of the undead. Young David Collins has gone to the hospital thinking he will say goodbye. He doesn’t realize that by doing so, he has put himself in grave danger and that his own life could be hanging in the balance.

—–

David waited for the guard outside of the morgue to step away before he snuck in. He should’ve been afraid, but he wasn’t. All he could think about as he approached Hallie’s lifeless body on the table was his own grief and the guilt that he felt for leaving her alone in the woods the night she was attacked. Even the fact that the sun was setting wasn’t enough to scare him. He just wanted to make amends.

David pulled up a stool beside the table and sat. “My Father and Dr. Hoffman told me to stay away. They didn’t think I should see you this way. I had to come. I had to see for myself that you aren’t coming back. I snuck out of the house to come here. It’s not like it was that hard. No one notices me anyway.” He paused, fighting back tears. “I feel like I’m all alone now. My Father doesn’t want me around. I heard him say so. He never wanted me or my mother. He used us. I saw him with a man…they were…I don’t know what I saw for sure. I know what I heard though. Father was so furious when I caught them that he demanded I go to my room. That’s when I snuck out to come here. I don’t know what to do or where to go. You were my only friend and now you’re gone. I’m sorry for leaving you out in the woods alone that night. I should’ve stayed with you. It’s my fault you’re gone. It’s all my fault!”

Unable to hold back the tears any longer, David put his head down and sobbed.

“Maybe you can still make it up to me,” Hallie said.

Startled, he looked up. Hallie had sat up on the table and stared at him with lifeless eyes. Dark circles appeared underneath them and her skin had a pallid tone to it.

David pushed himself away from the table. “You…you aren’t dead? Dr. Hoffman said you died.”

“Dr. Hoffman’s a quack,” she said. “Do I look dead to you? I was just sleeping.”

He stood up and went to the door. “I’ll go get someone.”

“Please David. Don’t leave me alone again. It’s dark and cold here. I’m scared. You won’t leave me again will you?”

He got closer. “I thought you were gone forever.”

She put her arms out. “I would never leave my best friend. Come to me, David.”

David approached her slowly and then stopped. “You’re not Hallie. You’re not. I know that. Help! Someone help me!”

He turned and ran out the door, not stopping to see if he was being followed.

—-

Julia sat in the drawing room at Collinwood staring out the window. She couldn’t help but notice that it was getting dark, and she knew what that meant. She had wanted to destroy Hallie as soon as she died just to make sure that she couldn’t come back. Eliot had been so insistent in staying with the body and not letting Julia dispose of it that she couldn’t come up with a feasible explanation for doing that. She knew that the hospital was guarded and just hoped she could get there before it was too late.

“Julia, are you listening to me?” Liz asked.

“What Elizabeth?”

“You haven’t heard a word I’ve said, have you?”

She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I guess I have a lot on my mind.”

“You’re thinking about Hallie, aren’t you? How could you not be? That poor child. David is utterly heartbroken. Eliot’s putting up a strong front but I can only imagine how he feels.”

“Death is a part of life. We all have to die.”

“Julia!”

“I don’t mean to sound callous, Elizabeth, but as a doctor, I see death all the time. You get used to it, I suppose. It’s a natural thing.”

“There’s nothing natural about a child dying. I think it’s a travesty.”

“I don’t mean to be rude, but I really have to be going.” She stood up. “There’s some paperwork that needs to be processed to issue Hallie’s death certificate.”

Elizabeth studied Julia’s expression. “Why have you been so distant lately? I can see that something’s bothering you. Barnabas too. Can’t you tell me what it is?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Of course you do. I saw you and Barnabas whispering in the corner earlier. You didn’t think anyone noticed, but I did.”

Julia sighed. “Barnabas has had a tough time with Hallie’s death. It’s irrational, but he feels like he should’ve been able to save her. Barnabas thinks he can save the world, and he has trouble coming to the realization that he can’t.”

“He’s a good man. Of course he wanted to help her. We all did. Its awful feeling so powerless, especially with the looming danger that’s coming our way.”

“Elizabeth, you had a dream. Vicky wasn’t here. She only exists in your subconscious. It’ll be much better for your state of mind if you accept the truth.”

“As you do?”

Julia’s eyes widened. “I’m a scientist. I live my life based on truth.”

“Except where Barnabas is concerned. I see the way you look at him and light up when someone mentions his name. You feel more than friendship. I know the look of a woman in love.”

Julia shook her head. “I don’t have time for this nonsense. I really must be going. Excuse me.”

As Julia made her way outside, she was preoccupied with what Elizabeth had said. It was true that she was in love with Barnabas even if he couldn’t return her feelings. She loved him enough to lie. She had been harboring a secret so large, that she was worried that Barnabas would hate her if he found out. She loved him enough to make him think he had lost everything, to make him think he had lost Angelique. Julia was the only one that knew the truth that Angelique wasn’t really dead when she and Barnabas left 1840 to return to the present.

—–

At Collinwood, Carolyn went to the phone as it rung.

“Carolyn, this is Quentin. I was hoping to catch Barnabas. Is he there?”

“No,” she said solemnly, ”I’m afraid he’s not.”

“What’s the matter? You sound upset.”

“Hallie Stokes was attacked by some wild animal in the woods. Julia did what she could for her but she didn’t make it.”

Quentin swallowed hard, not surprised by the possibility of another vampire at Collinwood, but didn’t let on.

“I’m very sorry to hear that. I was calling because Barnabas asked me to come home, and I wanted to tell him that I got hung up with Maggie in Bangor. Maybe I should come home after all.”

“There’s nothing you can do here, Quentin.” Carolyn paused for a second, thinking about Joe’s feelings for Maggie. “You say you found Maggie? How is she?”

“She’s fine, ready to come home.” He paused. “I was going to wait until we were back to announce this, but I’m so happy. Something’s changed between Maggie and me. We both admitted that we have feelings for one another beyond friendship.”

She perked up. “I see.”

“Don’t tell anyone else. I want to tell them in person.”

“When you get back, will Maggie Evans be Mrs. Quentin Collins?”

“I wouldn’t go that far. We’re still exploring our options.”

She smiled deviously. “Why wait, Quentin? Look what’s happened to poor Hallie. She thought she had all the time in the world and now her life is over. If you want something, want someone, you need to go for it while you still can because life’s short. Just think about it.”

Carolyn’s smile didn’t waver as she hung up the phone. She hadn’t had anything to smile about just a moment ago, but knowing that Maggie may be diverted to another man gave her hope. She didn’t care who Maggie ended up with as long as she stayed away from Joe.

—–

“I should kill you now you inept fool,” Crispin said, approaching Drew at the cave below Widow’s Hill. “I told you Ms. Winters needed to be moved to a safer place. You had all day to arrange it. Imagine my surprise when I awoke and still found her here. You’re lucky I was able to find somewhere to move her.”

Drew put his hands up in a defensive motion. “I was going to do it. I swear. The day got away from me.”

“I’m so sick of your excuses! You spent the day with Roger Collins, didn’t you? Maybe if I were to get rid of him I will finally have your undivided attention.”

Barnabas, who had been standing at the entrance, interrupted them. “You will not go near Roger Collins.” They turned to face him. “If you go near Roger or anyone else in the Collins family, you will regret it. You will pray for death.”

Crispin chuckled. “Your threats may intimidate an ordinary man Barnabas Collins, but I’m far from ordinary.”

“I doubt that,” Barnabas said. “You’re just a boy. I’d hate to have to harm you, but if you continue to threaten my family, I will have no choice. I don’t know how you know me, but I demand to know who you are.”

“You’re very resourceful,” Crispin said. “I knew you’d find me.” He smiled smugly. “You demand to know who I am? Your family is my family.”

Barnabas squinted. “What do you mean?”

“You knew my Mother, didn’t you? Angelique Bouchard?”

Barnabas froze for a second, his eyes circling the space near him as he mind searched for possibilities. He determined there were none. Angelique was dead.

“Angelique cannot be your mother. Now I know that you’re either a liar or insane.”

“Some people may successfully argue both points, but you’re wrong about one thing. Angelique could be my mother if I were over 100 years old, if I were just as you used to be.”

Barnabas nodded. “So you’re the one that attacked Hallie Stokes.”

“I am what you made me. I inherited your curse. Hello Father.”

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—- The End —-

Please return next month for more Dark Shadows Fan Fiction!

My name is Victoria Winters. Daylight has come to Collinwood, daylight for everyone but me. I am still trapped in a dark, lifeless place, helpless to prevent the imminent disaster that’s starting to take shape around me. A young girl lies near death, victim of the cruel and heartless being who has also been my captor. Barnabas Collins is about to learn of the existence of this being and although he’s unaware of the connection that exists between them, he will soon realize that the safety of the entire Collins family rests with him. I fear that Barnabas will be just as powerless to stop him as I have been and that we will have no choice but to watch the Collins family fall one by one.

—-

Willie hadn’t even gotten through the door of the old house before he saw Barnabas standing in the foyer staring him down with an ice cold glance.

“Where were you last night? You’d better have a good explanation and you best not lie to me.”

“Barnabas, I know you’re upset, but you need to listen to me.”

“Don’t tell me what I need to do. You work for me not the other way around. Do I need to remind you of your place here? You know that Hallie is gravely ill. I may have needed you last night.”

“I was at the cave at the foot of Widows Hill. I followed the man that I saw hangin’ around Roger there.”

“I told you that Roger’s business was of no concern of yours. Is that the best excuse you can come up with?”

Willie shook his head. “You don’t understand. There was another guy there. A kid really. He was orderin’ Roger’s friend around and he was lettin’ him. There’s something weird goin’ on here.”

Barnabas studied Willie’s expression. “Yes, and I can see what it is. Must you always be so peculiar? It gets exhausting trying to make sense of your ramblings.”

Willie wasn’t fazed by Barnabas’ comment. “They were talkin’ about Roger. The kid was upset that the other guy had went to see him. The kid said that this guy, he called him Andrew, couldn’t go anywhere without his permission. Andrew tried standin’ up to him but then the kid threatened Roger. Andrew backed down after that.”

Barnabas for the first time appeared interested. “Threatened Roger? How?”

Willie shrugged. “He just mentioned takin’ Andrew’s punishment out on Roger, whatever that meant. The kid has somethin’ over him. It reminded me of what you did to me.”

Barnabas’ eyes widened. “Are you sure?”

“I’ll never forget that feelin’ of bein’ a slave. Andrew had that look. He’s afraid of him. Why else would a grown man be afraid of some kid? They’re also hiding someone there, a woman. I don’t know who it was. They heard me outside and I had to get outta there.”

“I see. If this young man is anything like I was, we may have just found out who attacked Hallie.”
—-

Barnabas and Willie stopped talking when they heard footsteps coming down the stairs. It was Stokes followed by David.

“Has there been any change?” Barnabas asked.

Stokes nodded. “Not for the better. Hallie’s vitals seemed to stabilize a bit last night. As soon as morning came she got much worse. Julia’s been monitoring her all night.”

“It’s my fault, professor,” David said. “I shouldn’t have left her alone in the woods. She would’ve been alright if I had stayed with her.”

Stokes put his hand on David’s shoulder. “You mustn’t blame yourself. You may not have been able to protect Hallie from whatever animal did this. You may have wound up hurt of worse yourself.” He turned back to Barnabas. “Have you remembered anything else from last night?”

“No. As I told you, Julia had left here to go back to Collinwood and we both heard a scream in the woods. I went out to investigate and Julia had already come upon Hallie. That’s when we brought her back here. It was closer than Collinwood and it was the middle of the night.”

“And you’re sure you didn’t see anything else?”

“I’m positive. I would’ve told you if I had.”

“Hallie looks pretty bad,” David said. “Dr. Hoffman thinks that she’s going to need to go to the hospital.”

“Oh?” Barnabas said. “Eliot is that so?”

“It is. Julia doesn’t think she can do much more here. Hallie’s vitals have continued to drop even after the transfusion that Julia gave her. Julia thinks it would be best if Hallie were moved to the hospital where she can be monitored more closely.”

“I’m afraid it’s too late for that,” Julia said, entering the doorway. They all turned and looked at her. “Eliot, I’m sorry. I did everything I possibly could. Hallie’s dead.”

“You’re lying!” David said. “That’s not true.”

Julia put her hand on David’s shoulder. “It is. I wish it weren’t.”

David yanked himself away. “Don’t touch me.”

“David, I’m sorry,” Julia said. “I know you were close friends.”

Stokes stood stoic. “Was she in any pain, Julia?”

Julia shook her head. “I kept her as comfortable as I could.”

“I appreciate that. At least poor Hallie is with her parents now.”

“I don’t care about that,” David said. “She was my friend. I want her here.”

Barnabas approached him.

“Leave me alone! I hate you! I hate all of you!”

David ran out the door and stokes went after him.

“That poor kid,” Willie said. “She had her whole life in front of her.”

“It saddens me to think that I used to inflict the same grief on people that Eliot and David are experiencing right now,” Barnabas said.

Julia’s eyes widened. “I was so focused on trying to keep Hallie alive that I didn’t even think about what would happen if she were to die.”

“You mean she’ll come back?” Willie asked.

“We have to stop that from happening we haven’t got a moment to lose.” Barnabas said.

Stokes reentered the room. “I couldn’t catch him. The poor lad just needs some time alone. I know how he feels.”

“We’re all very sorry for your loss, Eliot.” Barnabas said.

He nodded. “I’d like to see her.”

“Of course,” Julia said. “Once you’ve said your goodbyes I’ll make the arrangements to have the body taken away.”

Stokes put his hand up. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll take care of everything.”

“You’re grieving, Eliot. Let me handle it.”

“With all due respect Julia, Hallie is my family. I’ll handle everything. I’m not going to let her out of my sight.”

—

Roger opened the door at Collinwood to find Drew standing there and was exasperated.

“What are you doing here? You can’t just come to my home. Someone may see you.”

“I didn’t know where else to go,” Drew said, obviously shaken. He pushed his way inside without being invited. “I needed to see you.”

Roger shut the door behind him and pointed to the drawing room. “In there.”

Once they were both inside Roger shut the door for privacy.

“Have you gone mad, Drew? I told you never to come here.”

“I haven’t gone mad yet but I will if I stay here. That’s the best that can happen to me considering the alternative.”

“What are you talking about? Spit it out man.”

“I can’t. You wouldn’t understand. I came here to tell you that I’m leaving and I want you to come with me.”

They didn’t realize that David had entered the house. He was blinded by tears and had come home looking for comfort from his father. He pressed his ear up to the door of the drawing room when he heard voices inside.

“I can’t just leave,” Roger said. “I could never explain it to the family. Then there’s David. I can’t leave my son.”

“You don’t care about David,” Drew said. “You never did.”

“Don’t tell me how I feel. How dare you come into my home and make such an outlandish accusation?”

“Is it outlandish, Roger? David was just your cover, just like Laura was and we both know it.”

Roger turned away. “I don’t know what you want from me.”

Drew grabbed his arm and turned him around to face him again. “I want you to admit your true feelings for once in your life. Stop being the almighty Roger Collins and just be a regular man who’s not afraid to admit how he really feels.” Drew touched his face. “I’m in trouble Roger, and I’m scared. My life’s in danger if I stay here and so could yours be. I don’t expect you to understand, but I’m asking you to trust me. I wouldn’t be so afraid if you were by my side.”

“Do you want me to admit that I got married and had a son just so I had an heir to carry on the Collins name? I admit it. It doesn’t change anything.”

“It changes everything.”

David, upon hearing Roger’s admission, finally realized why his father had always been so distant and cold. He never wanted him. Suddenly his sadness turned to anger and he burst into the room to confront Roger. He didn’t expect to see his father kissing another man.

—

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My name is Victoria Winters. A strong night wind howls in the distance. It sounds like the widows wailing, warning me to run, telling me that I need to escape this place. But I cannot run, I cannot escape. I’m trapped in between the land of the living and the land of the dead. I’m suspended in time as the world I know continues around me and the people that I love continue to live without me. They’re unaware of my existence here, and I am unaware if I even really exist at all.

—–

Willie stood silently outside the cave at the foot of Widow’s Hill. He’d watched that man named Drew enter and followed him close behind. He didn’t recognize Crispin, but he could tell that Crispin wasn’t pleased by his tone.

“Where have you been all night?” Crispin asked. “You aren’t supposed to leave unless you get my permission. You know that.”

“I went for a walk.”

Crispin grabbed his arm. “Don’t lie to me. You went to see Roger Collins didn’t you?”

Drew struggled in his grasp. “No!”

“Yes you did. You forget that I know where you are and what you do at all times. I only asked you to see if you would lie to me.” He sighed and let go of Drew’s arm. “Andrew you disappoint me.”

Drew rubbed his arm. “Roger Collins is a friend. I’m allowed to have friends. I’m allowed to have a life.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. You have no life. You have no existence. Your only purpose is to serve me.” He paused. “I think you’re forgetting your place. If you truly don’t want to do as you’re told there’s always the alternative. Is that what you want?”

“Sometimes I think so. What I have with you isn’t any kind of life.”

“Perhaps not. Maybe you don’t care what happens to you, but I bet you care about Roger. How would you like it if I took your punishment out on him?”

Drew hung his head. “I won’t go anywhere, talk to anyone, or do anything without your approval.”

Crispin nodded. “I knew that would change your mind. She isn’t to be left alone here. Someone could find her. No one can know about her until my plan’s ready.”

Willie couldn’t see clearly enough through the darkness to see who they were talking about but he knew he had to tell Barnabas immediately that they were holding someone against their will. Drew was obviously involved with Roger in some way, and he knew that involvement could bring danger to the entire family.

“You’re obsessed. I don’t know why you can’t let this vendetta go. If your mother were here she wouldn’t allow this.”

“Don’t you talk to me about my mother, ever! I should kill you now you silly, useless fool.”

The tone in Crispin’s voice made Willie suddenly afraid. He couldn’t help but cry out.

“Who’s out there?” Crispin eyes scanned the distance.

Willie turned and began to run as fast as he could back up the hill.

“Go after them!” Crispin pointed towards the entryway.

Once Drew was gone, he turned to Vicky who was moaning softly. He stroked her hair tenderly. “Patience Ms. Winters. It’ll all be over soon. I promise you that.”

—–

At the Wayside Inn in Bangor, Maggie went to her room to start packing and let out a scream when she opened the door to find Sebastian Shaw waiting for her.

“I didn’t mean to startle you,” he said. “I’m sorry.”

“How did you get in here?” she said, curtly.

“The Innkeeper let me in. He saw us here together when we arrived so he didn’t think twice about letting me in.”

“What do you want?”

“I wanted to talk to you. I hear you’re going back to Collinsport. I just wanted to make sure that you’d stick to our agreement.”

Maggie sighed. “I’ll keep my end of the bargain as long as you keep yours.”

He smiled. “My end?”

Maggie crossed her arms. “You know perfectly well. I won’t tell Mrs. Stoddard that I found you lurking in her room as long as you stay away from Collinsport.”

“You’re making a big deal out of nothing.” Sebastian’s smile faded. “I’ll go where I want when I want. I don’t like to be pushed around.”

“You don’t fool me you know. Mrs. Stoddard may believe in you, but I know the truth.”

“Which is?”

“You’re a charlatan. That’s why you were snooping in Mrs. Stoddard’s room. You don’t really know anything about her so you were looking for something that might give you some insight on her life. You were trying to trick her into believing that whatever information you received would be from some great astrological force.”

“I’m an acclaimed astrologist, Ms. Evans. I only tell people what I see.”

“A whole lot of nothing, I bet. That isn’t the worst of it. I know what you were doing to poor Carolyn.”

He squinted. “Carolyn? I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean. I hardly even know her.”

“But she knows you, or at least she thinks she does. You look just like Jeb Hawkes and you know it. She told you so.”

“So I suppose that’s my fault too. I can’t help it if I look like her dead husband.”

“No, but you don’t have to use it to your advantage either. I saw the way you looked at her. You were going to use the fact that you look like Jeb to get close to her. I think it’s cruel to take advantage of her that way.”

“If I’m so bad then why did you come with me?”

“I just wanted to get out of Collinsport for a while and I knew that if I asked you for a ride then I could at least get you away from them and be able to keep an eye on you. The Collins’ are the closest thing I have to a family, and I won’t stand by and watch them be taken in by you.”

“Are you through?”

“Not quite. Quentin asked me about you and I told him you were harmless. I didn’t want to alert him without cause. Don’t make me regret it. You step one foot into Collinwood and I’ll tell Mrs. Stoddard everything.”

“I see that no matter what I say I won’t convince you I’m not the bad guy.”

“I don’t disagree with you.”

“Alright. You win. I’ll stay away from Collinwood.”

What Maggie didn’t know was that it was a promise Sebastian had no intention of keeping.

—–

“Excuse me Ms. Evans,” the clerk at the Inn said as Maggie came down the stairs. “Mr. Collins is waiting for you in the restaurant.”

“Oh? I thought he’d be ready to go by now.”

The clerk shrugged. “He asked that I send you in the minute you came down. That’s all I know.”

“I wonder what this is about.” The entrance to the restaurant was closed and when Maggie opened the door, she found that it was also dark and empty. A few small candles illuminated one table.

Quentin greeted her with a smile. “I’ve been waiting for you. It took you a long time to pack.”

She thought about how unpleasant her encounter with Sebastian had been but she didn’t say anything. “What is all this?”

“I rented out the restaurant for the rest of the evening.”

“I thought we were going back to Collinsport.”

He pulled out a chair for her. “We have to eat, don’t we? I thought we could have dinner first.”

“But why are all the lights off? Why is it just us in here?”

“Maybe I just wanted you to myself for a little while before we went back.”

Maggie’s color flushed. “Quentin I…”

He grabbed her hand. “Maggie, let’s be honest with one another, shall we? We all know that Roger and Elizabeth consider you family, but I think of you as much, much more. I thought we were getting close before you left. Was I wrong?”

She shook her head. “No you aren’t.”

He took her hand. “I didn’t think so. Why did you really leave?”

“I was afraid I suppose.”

Quentin took his hand back. “Of me?”

“No of course not. Of how I was feeling. You’re a Collins, I’m just a governess. What I was feeling was inappropriate.”

“There’s nothing wrong with being a governess, Maggie. Besides, you could be much more if you wanted to be.”

“Quentin, what are you saying?”

“I’m saying that this has been just as confusing for me as it has been for you. We’re both trying to sort out our feelings. What I know for sure is that what I feel for you is greater than friendship. I’d like to explore this further if you’ll have me.”

Maggie smiled and got up from the table. He stood up too and she fell into his arms. They kissed until they were breathless. “Of course I will Quentin. You’ve made me happier than I’ve been in a long time.”

Maggie may have been happy at that moment, but neither she nor Quentin knew what Crispin had planned for the Collins family. If one thing is for certain, happiness never lasts long in Collinsport especially if your last name is Collins.

—– The End —–

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My name is Victoria Winters. Darkness has once again befallen the great house of Collinwood. A young girl, Hallie Stokes, has been attacked, bringing an end to the false sense of tranquility that once had been felt in the house. Unbeknownst to the residents of Collinwood, Hallie has become a victim of a vampire, a creature of the living dead. His presence is still unknown to them but soon his existence will change the Collins family forever. His presence coincides with the arrival of two strangers, a young boy who has kept me a prisoner in my own body and a man who is a prisoner in his own right. Their arrival will destroy the Collins family unless I can prevent it, but I am lost inside myself and desperate to break free.

—–

“I’m waiting for an answer Willie,” Stokes said in the drawing room of the old house. “Your demeanor tells me that you know more about what happened to Hallie then you let on.”

“I told you I don’t know nothin’!”

“And I don’t believe you.” Stokes paused. “Are you responsible for this?”

Willie, who had his back to Stokes, whipped around to face him. “I wouldn’t do anything to hurt that kid or any kid.”

“Well then what aren’t you telling me?”

“You wouldn’t understand. No one would.”

“How do you know I wouldn’t understand unless you tell me?”

Willie swallowed hard, ready to tell Stokes the truth. He was tired of the lies and of the deceit. He was desperate for a normal life and devastated about the fact that it was obviously not meant to be. Before he could speak, Barnabas entered the room.

“Yes, Willie, how do you know Eliot wouldn’t understand?”

“I…”

Stokes turned to Barnabas. “He’s acting as if he knows something.”

Barnabas approached Willie. “Is that so? Willie, if you know something, you’re to tell me right now.”

Willie put his head down. “I don’t. I swear I don’t. He won’t believe me.”

“Alright Willie,” Barnabas said. He turned to Stokes. “I’m sorry he couldn’t be of more help.”

“He’s acting rather peculiar, Barnabas.”

“That’s nothing out of the ordinary for Willie. Is it?”

Stokes shook his head. “I suppose I should check on Hallie. Excuse me won’t you?”

Once Stokes had went upstairs, Barnabas turned to Willie. “You were about to tell him weren’t you?”

Willie’s eyes widened. “No. I wasn’t going to say nothin’.”

“Yes you were. If I hadn’t come in you would’ve told him everything. Do you really think anyone would believe you? They’d think you’d gone mad. You’d end up in Windcliff again. Is that what you want?”

“Are you threatenin’ me?”

“I’m trying to warn you, but take it as you must.”

“I got to get out of here. Outta this house before I really do go crazy. I’m goin’ for a walk.”

Willie got halfway to the door when Barnabas called out. “Remember what I said if for no other reason than your own sake.”

—–

Roger stood in front of Liz in the drawing room at Collinwood. “I’m disappointed in you, Liz. We’re supposed to be a family and you’ve done nothing but lie to me, about Paul, about Vicky. The thought that you had another daughter and didn’t tell us. How could you keep that from us?”

“How dare you judge me? I never lied to you.”

“You didn’t confide in me either.”

“Just like you confided in me about your problems with Laura or how you consulted with me when you married that gold digger Casandra?”

Roger scoffed. “I refuse to talk about this any further.”

“I see. It’s okay to throw my past in my face but you refuse to talk about yours. You should be ashamed.”

Roger’s tone softened. “I don’t mean to hurt you further. I’m concerned about you. When you say that Vicky’s coming to you…” He sighed. “You’ve been so ill in the past.”

“There’s nothing wrong with me Roger. Vicky did come to me. She says we’re in danger.”

“It was probably a dream. A vivid one granted, but just a dream.”

Liz shook her head. “You’re wrong. It was more than that and I’ll prove it.”

“How?”

“I’m going to locate Sebastian Shaw and bring him back here.”

“I refuse to let that charlatan back in this house.”

“He isn’t a charlatan, he’s an accredited astrologist. He can help us.”

“This is insane.”

“Must I remind you that this is my house? I only permit you to stay here. You are not to tell me who is and isn’t welcome here.”

—–

As Elizabeth and Roger continued to argue, Carolyn snuck up on Joe in the foyer who had been listening at the door.

“Just what do you think you’re doing?”

Joe turned around to face her and he put his fingers to his lips.

“It doesn’t surprise me that Mother and Uncle Roger are arguing again. I’m tired of that broken record and could really care less about what either one of them have to say.”

“You would if you knew what was going on.”

Carolyn put her hand up. “Save it. You know, I outta throw you out of here Joe Haskell. I let you spend the night because I felt sorry for you being alone and all and then I find you here eavesdropping. It’s none of your concern.”

“But Carolyn, you really need to hear this–”

“And another thing, if you aren’t over Maggie, all you have to do is say so. You don’t have to lie about it.”

“What do you mean?”

“You were mumbling her name in your sleep.”

“I am over Maggie. I was having a dream, that’s all. You really need to talk to your mother. It’s important.”

Carolyn took him by the arm. “If my mother catches you here we’ll both be in for it. Let’s get you upstairs.”

—–

Carolyn and Joe were no sooner upstairs when Elizabeth came through the door. “Sebastian Shaw is coming to this house whether you like it or not and that’s the end of the discussion.”

Roger remained in the drawing room alone sipping on a brandy. It surprised him when the phone rang being that it was the middle of the night. When he picked up the phone, he found out it was Drew.
“I need to see you tonight. All I’m asking for is for you to meet me for a drink. I need to talk to you.”

“It’s late and I’m going to bed. You’ve got some nerve calling me so late or calling this house at all for that matter. What if I hadn’t been the one to pick up the phone?”

“It’s urgent, Roger. If you ever cared for me at all, you’ll come.”

Roger sighed. “This had better be important. I’ll give you a half hour not a moment more.”

A few moments later, Roger was in the woods where he encountered Willie.

“What are you doing out here Loomis? Don’t you know how late it is?”

“I could say the same thing about you.”

“Where I go and what I do is of no concern of yours.”

Willie looked down. “Why do you always gotta be so mean to me? Why does everyone? I haven’t done nothin’ to nobody.”

“Are you drunk?”

Willie looked up and made eye contact with Roger. He chuckled. “I’m not but maybe I outta be. I thought it was finally over and then it wasn’t.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I can’t tell ya. I can’t tell no one. It’s better if you don’t know anyway.”

“For once we agree on something. I don’t have time for this nonsense. Go home Loomis. Barnabas is probably looking for you.”

Roger didn’t realize it, but Willie didn’t go home. He wanted to be anywhere but there. Instead he decided to follow Roger. When they got to the Blue Whale, Willie recognized Drew as the man Roger had met down by the docks the day before. Willie was curious about why Roger had kept meeting this man in secret. All the more curious was how the man had attempted to greet Roger, not with a hand shake, but with a hug. Roger had rejected the attempt and while Willie couldn’t hear what they were saying, Roger was obviously upset.

Willie waited outside the Blue Whale for a while until Drew appeared alone. He surmised that Roger had stayed for another drink. Barnabas had warned him when Willie tried to tell him about Drew that Roger’s business was no concern of his, but he needed something to distract him from having to lie about what happened to Hallie. He found himself wondering what it was about this man that visibly upset Roger at every encounter. He was never good at minding his own business and tonight would be no exception. He followed Drew until he got to the cave at the foot of widows hill, the same cave where he helped keep the imprisoned Victoria Winters.

Willie had to decide whether to follow the strange man into the cave…

—– The End —–

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