Chapter 2

Daphne paced back and forth, her temper was being held in check by Julia's calm yet demanding voice. "Inspector Le Croix, I am telling you Dr. Lang is responsible for the disappearance of my husband, Barnabas Collins and Quentin Collins."

Gaston Le Croix had heard enough and stood, "Madam Stokes, it was Dr. Lang that reported your husband and others missing. They did loose his boat so if anyone had a complaint to register it should have been Dr. Lang."

Daphne had heard enough, "Look, I don't care that Dr. Lang called in the missing boat and our loved ones missing with it. I care that Mr. Quentin Collins, Mr. Barnabas Collins and Professor Elliott Stokes is still missing and no one is doing anything about it." Daphne's calm sweet temper had reached its limits.

Gaston sighed, "I can sympathize with your anxiety Miss Harridge. Be that as it may, we have limited resources to expand any search for your loved ones. I would suggest you contact your American government and have them add resources to ours and perhaps we can find them. I do feel it will be futile considering they have been missing a week."

Julia was incensed, "Then you sit on your plump ass and do nothing, we will get our government to send out a search team. Trust me Inspector, if you think we are being difficult now, it is about to be dialed up a notch and the steam is coming."

Julia snapped that suit jacket down over her hips turned to Daphne and curtly ordered, "Come on Daphne, we are going to get something done." Julia had set her purse on a cabinet when she had entered the building, now with some force she jerked it off the cabinet and slammed out the door.

Standing outside the police station she looked around, "We need to go to Lang's clinic and confront him." Julia hailed a cab and soon enough they were pulling up in front of his clinic. With shear determination she marched to Lang's house first. Following close behind her was Daphne; she had never seen Julia so angry.

Using her fist she banged on the door and called "Open up! Eric, open up!"

The door was opened by Neiva. "Doctor Stokes?" Julia pushed past Neiva to look around the house.

"Where is he?'" Julia spun eyes flashing and ready for a fight.

"Who Doctor?" Julia watched the young girl stand passively in front of her.

"Dr. Lang, where is he?"

Neiva did not know if she should be afraid or curious watching the stern faced expression of Dr. Stokes." He is gone; he left about a week ago. He said he had patients he needed to tend in Maine so he and the Clarks packed up and went home."

Julia shot a knowing look to Daphne. "Neiva, as a white witch, can you locate people?"

Neiva thought a moment. "I can ask the elements to help and try to find someone but why do you need this?"

Julia had to take a deep breath and let it out slowly before she responded. She certainly did not wish to use her anger to frighten the child and at this moment she had a lot of anger built up in her. "Professor Stokes, Mr. Barnabas and Mr. Quentin are missing and it is making Mrs. Vicki unhappy. Would you help us find them?"

Julia watched as a myriad of emotions ran over the child's face. "Of course, I would help Mrs. Vicki she is a sister of the powers it would be our duty to help her."

Julia finally felt some relief from the worry that had gripped her when she discovered her husband and dear friends were missing. "Tell me what we need to do?"

Julia extended a hand to the girl with a smile. Neiva took her hand and returned her smile.

"We need to go to Mrs. Vicki's house and Patricia needs to come with me." Daphne felt a wave of relief wash over her because now something positive was finally being done.

Quentin moved through the heavy brush gathering more dead wood to keep the fire going. He was growing concern with Barnabas being absent for almost six hours. He had set out to find a water source and had not returned. As the last of the rafts provisions dwindled, the men collectively made plans for a long siege.

Barnabas had volunteered to search for water, while Quentin had gone in search of edible fruits. Elliott had stayed close to the shade and fed the signal fire. Quentin had hit the jackpot with fruits; he had found a plethora of tropical edible fruits. Now to make their life a bit more bearable they needed to find shelter and water.

Quentin made his way to the beach where the fire burned and dropped his load of wood by the pit. "Any word Elliott?"

Elliott sat up from his position under the make shift lean-to. "No dear boy I am afraid not. By the looks of those clouds we are going to be in for a storm before nightfall."

Quentin looked at the fire and then at the clouds. "Great, we have exactly 3 matches left."

Elliott looking very disheveled stood and moved to Quentin's side. "I say we could look for some flint that would help with making sparks and we have my monocle, it will help with refracting the sun and starting a fire."

Quentin glanced around and smiled, "We will figure it out Professor, you go sit down and I am going in search of Barnabas."

A crackling sound in the brush and the subject of Quentin's search appeared. "Did I hear my name?"

He looked dirtied, wet and hopeful. "Cousin Barnabas, I was worried, you have been gone so long."

Barnabas laid the heavy water filled canteens on the ground next to Elliott. "I found water and I found a cave. I explored it and it is dry, and empty of any vermin that would wish to do us harm."

Elliott lifted the canteens and sighed, "If only it were sherry." Barnabas afforded his friend a smile.

"Have heart Elliott, I am sure we will be found soon. If I am a judge of any character and I know your wife we will be found."

Elliott smiled then glanced down sadly, "Let us hope it is soon." He did not wish to venture that he was not feeling well and was afraid that he was starting to show signs of dehydration.

Quentin stood by the fire not wanting to use up their dry wood supplies if they were going to be deluged with a storm. "So Barnabas how far is this water source and cave? I think as the Professor was so kind to point out we are about to be hit with a storm."

Barnabas looked to the west and saw the thunderhead rolling their way. "I would suggest gentlemen, we gather our stores and head this way."

He nodded to the east, we have a short walk to the water and water fall and the cave is near the falls." Stokes stood gathering up the first aid kit, and canteens Barnabas had brought back. Quentin picked up the wood and moved it to the lean too trying to shelter it from the impending storm. T

hen he bent to pick up the duffle bag of what little food was left stuffing the fruit he had found earlier into the bag. "Lead on Cousin." Quentin smiled as he bowed to his cousin.

The hike was made along a rutted craggy pathway. They had to stop to allow Elliott to mop his face and catch his breath. Once Elliott had gotten his wind they moved forward approaching the falls just as the wind picked up announcing the advent of the storm.

Barnabas wanted pick up the pace, but knew it would tax Elliott. They all were pretty drenched when they made it to the entrance of the cave. Barnabas looked around for a place to try and build a fire pit and found a good place to vent the smoke out of the cave.

Making a ring of stones, Barnabas used the small camping shovel to dig a small pit. Standing he looked around to see if he could locate some dried kindling. If they did not get out of their wet clothing he knew from prior experience that they could all easily succumb to a fever.

Quentin solved the problem by producing a few of the dead limbs he had found earlier. Together he and Barnabas taking care not to use but one match had a warm fire going. With the fire lighting up the cave, Barnabas began exploring with a lit branch.

There down a narrow passage he discovered this cave had been inhabited once before and not by wild life. In a small antechamber he found a treasure trove of stores that must have been hidden by pirates some years back.

The wood cases were beginning to fall apart from age and the dampness. Exploring the boxes he discovered inside were bottle of oil for hurricane lamps, some odd pieces of gold and jewelry. Searching around the camber he found dry rotted blankets a makeshift cot, some sailcloth that had weathered the years better than the other stores he had found. The biggest bonus he had found were makeshift torches that must have been left by the previous owner.

Lighting a torch, he moved out of the antechamber fully intent on exploring the other chambers off the main area. Quentin met up with him as he exited the narrow pathway. "Well looks like you found something helpful."

Barnabas nodded, "I also found a fortune in jewels and coins in the cave, along with some hurricane lanterns and oil to fill them."

Quentin smiled, "Looks like we found an old pirate hold."

Barnabas nodded, "I know there are other chambers maybe we can find other helpful items while we wait to be rescued."

Quentin looked around his demeanor had been more upbeat and hopeful. He knew he could not give into the melancholy his cousin habitually displayed when adversity had plagued him.

He could not really fault him, after all, he had been chained for nearly two hundred years in a coffin as the world changed around him and he had lost those he most loved. "Shall we explore?"

Liz sat watching the last rays of the sun vanish into the ocean. She had never felt so content and happy. Waiting on the deck of their cabin, for George to join her for a glass of wine she continued to enjoy the sunset.

From her spot on the balcony she could hear the other passengers in surrounding cabins getting ready for the evening festivities. George moved from their room to the deck, leaned down to kiss his wife then sat next to her taking her hand into his. "Mrs. Patterson, you look very lovely tonight." He had made it a point to say this every night since they had been married and he particularly loved the way her face lit up with a smile.

She looked at their hands linked together. "Mr. Patterson, I love you very much and you look very handsome this evening." They both were dressed for the formal dinner night. Liz had opted for a deep blue empress style dress accented with her pearls, while George sat resplendent in a black tie and tails tux.

"I kind of hate for this to end. It has been such a wonder finding myself married to you each morning I awoke and then to have you here with me alone with no distractions has made my life complete."

Liz smiled, "I love the time we share together. I do miss the kids."

George smiled, "Yes, I kind of miss them too. They are growing up so fast. They are in college and soon enough they will be getting married and having children of their own."

Liz frowned as she thought of Vicki. "I hope their lives are as complete as Vicki seems to be. I just worry about her and this pregnancy"

George drew her hand to his lips placing a light kiss on her knuckles. "She has you for a mother and me for a father, she is going to be fine. She is a part of both of us so I have no doubt she can weather anything. Look at what she has been through so far."

Liz glanced at their fingers entwined then smiled, "I know but I am a mother and I think its my job to worry about these things."

George laughed, "As long as you don't let it depress you. Then you can worry all you want my dearest Liz."

Taking one last look as the sun gave up its light to the star filled night she spoke softly, "Shall we head to dinner my dearest husband?"

Julia paced the drawing room floor waiting for Neiva and Patricia to arrive. Daphne moved from the kitchen area with a tray of snacks. "Bess will bring in the tea trolley, unless you want something else."

Julia stubbed her cigarette out in the ashtray with some force. "That is fine. I really am not hungry."

Daphne had wrinkled her nose at the smell of the cigarette, which prompt her to open the French doors to the veranda. "Julia allowing yourself to get sick will not help Elliott once we find them."

Julia slumped in a chair and ran a harried hand through her short hair. "I know, I am just anxious because the longer we wait, the higher the risk for Elliott not making it back alive."

Daphne saw the anxiety levels of her friend and moved to hug her. "It will be fine. We are going to find them and bring them home."

Julia hugged her back. "I have to believe that Daphne, this is breaking my heart. I know he is out there somewhere and he needs me."

Bess wheeled the tea trolley into the drawing room. "Ladies tea is served." She offered them a smile of encouragement. The whole house had been upset since the disappearance of the men. Hearing the door chime, Bess went to answer the door.

Bess then returned shortly with Neiva and Patricia. "Doctor Stokes, we are ready. We need to go to the docks and meet my cousin Roland. He will drive the boat while we follow Earwayna."

Julia frowned? "Earwayna?"

Patricia had been practicing her English she volunteered. "She is the element for water. Then we will ask Canice to help with the wind to guide us. They will take us to Mr. Barnabas, Mr. Quentin and the Professor."

At this point, Julia did not care if they called upon Beelzebub himself as long as they were on their way to find Elliott. "Doctor Stokes, you are going on a boat, you will need to change clothing."

Neiva noted that a two-piece suit was not appropriate for a boat ride. Julia stood moving back to the room she had shared with Elliott and changed into a pair of clam diggers and a t-shirt. Daphne looked at the two island girls.

"The weather is looking kind of rough for a boat ride. Are you sure we should do this today?"

Neiva looked from Daphne to her sister. "We need to do this because Canice said Professor Stokes is not doing well on the island."

Daphne looked surprise, and alarmed "Island? Then they are not in the boat?"

Patricia looked around the room then back to Daphne, "Canice says Dr. Lang did a bad thing and set them adrift in a dinghy. They were about ten miles from here when they saw an island. Earwayna guided them to safety."

Daphne did not understand this concept of elements guiding the men to an island. All she wanted was to find her fiancé and bring him home along with his cousin and good friend.

Julia moved into the drawing room with her doctor's bag and nodded to those present. "Let's get going and bring them home." Julia, Daphne, Neiva and Patricia exited the manor house, following the girls to a waiting truck they all climbed in.

"We are going to hit some rain, but we need to go now."

Julia nodded and pulled a small plastic poncho from her bag. "I am prepared." She handed the packaged poncho to Daphne, "Thought you could use this one." Daphne accepted it with grateful smile.

Patricia and Neiva stood on the bow of the boat; arms stretched upwards, "Oh sweet serenade of the seas, we implore you to guide us true to those we seek. Give us a sign to direct our passage."

Patricia lowered her arms and looked to the rolling swells that rocked the boat. The skies were becoming more threatening. However, on the horizon a small waterspout formed and began to move. "There! Roland follow the waterspout!"

The whole area around their boat was growing rougher with higher swells of the waves. The boat moved forward Neiva felt the caress of the wind on her body. "Canice is here. She is keeping the high winds away until we make landfall, then she has to let nature return to its balance."

Julia and Daphne watched astonished as the waterspout formed and began a forward movement away from them. Daphne and Julia thought the water should have been churning their boat or at least swamped the deck from the storm; instead the appearance was their boat had been placed in a protective bubble.

The waterspout danced along the top of the water moving forward and Roland continued to follow as his cousins stood on the bow of the boat communing with the elements. A few more minutes, and Roland shouted, "There! Island ahead."

He moved the lever by the wheel causing the boat to move into a faster speed. The waterspout held its position spinning in place at a location near the island's landfall. Roland headed the boat for the waterspout. Approaching the island both women watched in amazement as the waterspout dissipated from view. "That was remarkable."

Daphne muttered to Julia. Roland shouted to Neiva and Patricia. "Prepare for landing!" Both girls waited as he slowed his speed riding the waves to shore, they moved to shallow water, both girls grabbed a rope and jumped into the water. There they held the boat until Roland could cut the engines.

Roland jumped into the water he secured the boat. Moving back to help Julia and Daphne from the boat, they all noticed the area around the boat was dry and not affected by the rain. The island was being windswept and drenched by a torrential down pour.

Neiva and Patricia stood on the shoreline, "Canice the fair and just, Aerith, mother to the earth guide us true to those that mean so much to your sister Victoria."

They waited, the wind moved to a light breeze and then from the heavy jungle foliage two women appeared. One dressed in the islands growth, her hair as green as the trees leaves, and dressed with the flowers of the island, she stepped forward with the transparent figure of another woman as fine in features as the one called Aerith.

Together their voices drifted with the wind across the expanse of the beach, they turned motioning the others to follow. "Follow us."

Daphne found that the sound of their voices were soft and musical to her ears. Julia turned to Roland, "I will need my medical bag."

Patricia and Neiva moved forward following the elements. Daphne turned to Julia, "I am going on ahead, and you can catch up. I am afraid to let them out of my sight." Daphne fell into step next to the girls as they moved into the jungle.

Julia waited while Roland retrieved her medical bag from the boat's hold. Taking out her poncho she slipped it over her head. Roland handed her the bag, "Doctor, I need to stay with the boat, follow the others they will lead you to your husband."

Julia moved in haste in the direction she had last seen Daphne. When she exited the area around the boat the rain lashed at her body driving her forward, she followed the newly formed pathway listening for the voices of the girls.

She knew she was not that far behind them and could see Daphne's outline up ahead of her. Reaching them just as they broke through a clearing where a pond and waterfall fell. Aerith moved past the waterfall and stood in front of a cave. She smiled and waved them on, 'Here you will find what you seek!"

Daphne rushed forward calling, "Quentin! Barnabas! Elliot!" Reaching the front of the cave Aerith disappeared absorbing her self back into the elements of the surrounding earth.

Canice smiled at the girls, "Give our sister our regards and blessings." She like Aerith smiled shifted and disappeared into the rage of the wind lashing the island. From inside Daphne could smell smoke.

Then a weak voice called "Daphne?" Daphne pushed forward to find a pale and disheveled Elliott sitting on a large rock. "Quentin! Barnabas! The Calvary has arrived!"

Anxious and anxiety ridden Daphne watched Quentin and Barnabas appear from the interior of the cave carrying bags that appeared weighted. Daphne rushed to Quentin hugging him tightly to her, "Oh Quentin!" She grabbed him he dropped the bags he was holding spilling golden coins and jewels onto the floor.

Quentin grabbed Daphne and held onto her tightly. "I knew you would come."

Julia entered the cave as Quentin and Daphne were reunited. Julia paused lone enough to see Elliott sitting tiredly on the rock. She like Daphne ran to her husband dropped to her knees to look him over for any injuries. "Elliott! I was so worried."

He smiled affectionately at his wife, "I missed you too my sweet Julia." Throwing decorum to the wind, she wrapped her arms around his neck planting a big passionate kiss on his lips. Elliot was shocked then gave into the pleasure of his wife's passionate embrace.

Wrapping his arms around her, Elliott held onto Julia, "My dearest Julia. I have missed you."

Daphne looked at Barnabas, "Vicki is doing fine, she was resting and waiting to hear from us."

Barnabas smiled, "I am certainly glad to hear that."

Neiva and Patricia stood in the mouth of the cave. "We have to be going soon, Canice and Earwayna cannot hold the elements for much longer without upsetting the balance of nature."

Barnabas stooped to gather the coins together in one of the bags. "I for one am ready to leave this island and get home to my wife."

Barnabas moved to the girls stopping long enough to hand them a bag of coins. "Ladies, you will find that the contents of this bag will make your life and those of your family more comfortable."

Neiva opened the bag and her eyes lit up. "Oh Mr. Barnabas thank you! Now we can come and visit you and Mrs. Vicki in the states and not have to work for the evil Dr. Lang ever again!"

Hearing Lang's name, Barnabas' face grew cold with anger. "Yes well Dr. Lang has a lot to answer for his actions. Come we need to get home."