The Unfortunate Orphans

Chapter 1

This story is a crossover of the 1960's gothic soap opera Dark Shadows and the book series/movie A series of Unfortunate Events. It takes place primarily in the Dark Shadows universe and is written in the soap opera format.


"The dawn of a new morning at Collinwood. It is unknown to everybody that a series of unfortunate events are about to happen at the Great House on the Collins estate. Nobody knows what those events will be, their causes, or the end result of those events. All that is known is that three orphans will be living at Collinwood and that they will arrive this afternoon."

Roger and Elizabeth are in the drawing room of Collinwood discussing the orphans.

"Do you know anything about these orphans?" asked Roger in his usual pompous tone of voice.

"I didn't get much information when I was talking to the orphans' financial banker, Mr. Poe. What I know is that the eldest girl's name is Violet Baudelaire, the middle boy's name is Klaus Baudelaire, and that the youngest one is Sunny Baudelaire," said Elizabeth

"Sounds like three kids that I never heard about," said Roger. "When are they arriving?"

"Sometime this afternoon," replied Elizabeth

"I hope they don't act anything like David?" said Roger. He looked worried, as if the orphans might team up with David and discover every secret on the Collins estate. He poured himself a sherry and quickly drank it down.

"I don't know about that Roger, all I know is that we are to take care of them and that they have a vast fortune which they will receive once the eldest orphan, Violet turns 18," Elizabeth replied.

"How are you going to tell the rest of the family about these orphans?" asked Roger.

"I have decided to keep it a surprise," said Elizabeth.

"Keep it a surprise!" exclaimed Roger.

"Yes Roger, a surprise. However, I will tell Dr. Hoffman and Barnabas," replied Elizabeth in a calm tone of voice.


Meanwhile, at the Old House, Barnabas is sitting in his usual thinking pose in his usual chair in the parlor. He couldn't believe that it had been a week since he had been cured from his vampire curse. He remembered how way back in 1796, he shot Angelique and believing that she would die, Angelique placed the vampire curse on him and that everybody who loved him would die. Now for the first time since then, he could walk in the daylight and see his own reflection in the mirror.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. He got up and walked into the foyer, and opened the door. It was Liz.

"Good morning Cousin Elizabeth," said Barnabas.

"Good morning Cousin Barnabas. Do you mind if I come in?" said Elizabeth.

"No I don't mind. Come in," said Barnabas, gesturing for her to come inside. He closed the door once she walked past him.

"So what brings you here so early in the morning?" asked Barnabas.

"I have some imporant news to tell you," replied Elizabeth.

"Important?"

"There will be three orphans arriving at Collinwood this afternoon. Their names are Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire," explained Liz.

"The Baudelaires?" asked Barnabas in disbelief.

"Their mansion was destroyed in a fire a couple months ago and their parents died in the fire," continued Elizabeth.

"How unfortunate," said Barnabas.

"You sound as if you knew the Baudelaires Cousin Barnabas," said Elizabeth.

"I'm sorry if it sounded that way. My ancestor knew the Baudelaires back in 1795 and 1796 just before he went off to England. They lived in Collinsport at the time." explained Barnabas. "They left shortly before my ancestor left Collinsport due to the events that happened during that time."

"What events if I may ask?" asked Elizabeth.

"No one knows of the terrible events that happened other than the death of most of the Collins family of the time. Anyway, is there anything else that I need to know about the Baudelaire orphans," said Barnabas.

"Yes, they have a rather large sum of money that will become theirs once Violet turns 18," said Elizabeth.

"Is Violet the eldest of the orphans?" asked Barnabas

"Yes she is Cousin Barnabas. Anyway I'd better get back to Collinwood. Breakfast is almost ready. You should come to Collinwood and have breakfast with the rest of the family," said Elizabeth.

"I'd love to Cousin Elizabeth," said Barnabas. He grabbed his coat and his wolf's-head cane, then left the house with Elizabeth.


Later that morning, Barnabas arrived back at the Old House with Julia after breakfast.

"Barnabas, what do you wish to tell me?" asked Julia. Apparently, Barnabas had told her that he was going to tell her something important once they were back at the Old House.

"It's about the Baudelaires. Their mansion had caught fire a couple of months ago and three children are orphaned because of the fire. They are coming here to Collinwood to stay," explained Barnabas.

"Collinwood, but why?" asked Julia.

"Cousin Elizabeth didn't tell me that much about the orphans except that their names are Violet, Klaus, and Sunny. Violet is the oldest and once she turns 18, they will inherit the Baudelaire fortune," said Barnabas.

"Somebody must be after them if they are coming to live at Collinwood," said Julia.

"Nobody knows if anybody is after the orphans or not, but if anybody is after them, I swear that I will protect the orphans," said Barnabas.

"Be careful Barnabas, you aren't a vampire anymore," said Julia.

"I know Julia. We should just keep a close watch on the Baudelaires for the time being," said Barnabas.

"That sounds like a plan Barnabas," said Julia.

Meanwhile, back at Collinwood, David was reviewing secret letter from a mysterous man. This man was named Lemony Snicket telling him of three orphans named Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire. There were also some pictures of the kids that were delivered with the letter. The letter was for David's aunt, but he had sneaked downstairs to get the mail before Elizabeth could.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. David hid the letter and pictures before opening the door. It was Vicki and Carolyn.

"Hello David, mind if we come in," said Carolyn.

"Sure," said David. The two girls entered David's bedroom.

"We were wondering what you were doing?" asked Carolyn.

"Oh, I was just thinking," said David.

"Thinking about what?" asked Vicki.

"Just about some things," said David.

"What things?" asked Vicki. She knew that David seemed to be hiding something.

"Just some things," said David.

"David, I don't like it when you hide things from me, now what were you thinking?" asked Vicki.

"Just about three orphans and the fact that they're arriving at Collinwood this afternoon," said David.

"Who told you that three orphans would arrive at Collinwood this afternoon?" asked Vicki scoldinly.

"I just felt it," said David.

"David, I just think you're being silly. There are no orphans arriving at Collinwood this afternoon," said Vicki

"Maybe you should get out of the house for a while. I'll see if my mother will let me take you to Bangor tomorrow," said Carolyn

"Will you!" exclaimed David. He suddenly got excited, apparently forgetting about the Baudelaires.

"I will," said Carolyn. The blond girl had a smile on her face.


That afternoon, there was a knock on the door as was expected. Elizabeth walked into the foyer and opened the door. It was the Baudelaire orphans and Mr. Poe. Violet was the tallest of the orphans and had brown hair and brown eyes. Klaus was a few inches shorter than Violet, but had the same color eyes and hair. Sunny was just an infant. She had four sharp teeth, brown eyes, and blond hair.

"Excuse me, but are you Elizabeth Colins Stoddard?" asked Mr. Poe.

"Yes I am please come in," said Elizabeth.

Mr. Poe and the Baudelaire children enter the foyer. The kids seem to look at every detail in the foyer from the chandelier, the grandfather clock, the front doors, the doors to the drawing room, the stairs and landing, and the portrait of Barnabas Collins.


That's the end of Chapter 1. Chapter 2 will be up shortly with the Baudelaires meeting the Collins family.