Chapter 4
Eric was stunned; he set back and studied the creature in front of him. Had anyone told him when he got up this morning that he would be meeting a honest to god blood sucking creature such as a vampire this day he would have laughed in their faces. He sat forward and looked from the fanged filled face of Barnabas Collins to Julia. "I would have never believed such a creature, and excuse the term Mr. Collins, I know you do not wish to be referred to as a creature, but a vampire? I only dreamed of such a thing being an actuality."
Julia had sat tensely when Barnabas has bared his fangs and threatened Eric. "Yes Eric I understand our incredulity and that you must be stunned to discover the very thing you had written your dissertation on as being a fact and not a fiction. The facts are that he does exist, I have to a point using my own serum been able to give him relief from the blood lust and allowed him time in sunlight but once we upped the dosage he grew to a man of two hundred years old."
Eric had sat back and nodded his head thinking about what he had just been told. "I will assure you Mr. Collins your secret and your health condition is utterly safe with me. I am precluded to divulge any of your medical background by an oath we take as doctors and there are laws that protect you from others finding out about your condition and that is under a law called HIPPA. So I won't have to fear death from you once I begin treating you with Julia."
Barnabas snapped his mouth shut and retracted his teeth and sat back looking at this doctor in front of him. "You must understand that I am driven by needs and desires that repulse me and I find reprehensible. The other part of this has a self preservation drive set in to protect me from anyone that would seek to destroy me."
"The reason we have come Eric is a lot more complicated. It involves Victoria Winters and Barnabas. The one that brought this curse on Barnabas was a scorned witch that lived almost two hundred years ago." Julia looked at Barnabas then back at Eric who was guarding his thoughts. "I think it best that Barnabas tell you how he got the curse."
Barnabas' gaze grew distant and he looked down at his hands clasped together in his lap. "I was in Martinique and while there, I met my betrothed Josette DuPres, a delicate creature of great beauty and as warm as the trade winds of the Caribe. We were very much in love. I had made a trip to the island to secure a trade agreement between her family and my family. While there and before I met Josette there was a maid."
Barnabas stood and moved restlessly behind his chair to lean over it. "Angelique Bouchard was very lovely, and very seductive and I was a man of normal urges and desires and she made herself available to me. She and I began paramours and she would come to my room nightly seeking to share her body with me. I was not about to turn down such a willing and very lovely morsel so I succumbed to my desires and needs."
He sounded ashamed of his actions being so base and what would ultimately lead to his downfall. "Then Josette returned from Paris with her Aunt Natalie and I was struck by her shear beauty and her tender qualities. Angelique was all but forgotten." Barnabas had turned away from Eric Lang's non-responsive look and peered about the comfortably appointed room. "After our families had secured a contractual bond of marriage between Josette and myself plans were made to bring Josette to Collinsport so we could be married. "
Barnabas paced back and slumped down in the chair he had set in previously. "Josette had sent Angelique ahead of her so she arrived before Josette. This is where events become somewhat convoluted, you see my father and mother had hired a governess for my little sister Sarah. Her name was Phyllis Wick. Apparently, during this time in the past, Collinwood in the future had decided to hold a séance to try and discover who was attacking the citizens in town." He looked crestfallen having to admit his blood lust had sent him out to destroy human life.
Julia sat forward, "During the séance something went horribly wrong. There was a storm and then the room lost its powers and the candles went out and Miss Winters was missing and in her place was a Phyllis Wick. We surmised that they had switched places in time." Julia turned her attention back to Barnabas.
"I have two sets of memories from that time. One involves Miss Wick and one involves Miss Winters. When Victoria had shown up at the old house on Collinwood's estate she was totally out of her element and appeared to be disheveled and confused. Miss Winters also bears a striking resemblance to my fiancé' Josette. When she appeared at my home, Angelique was already there. "
Barnabas sighed and looked ashamed of this next confession he was about to make. "With the arrival of Angelique she thought she would be able to resume our tryst and pick up from where we had left our affaire in Martinique. I was not about to foul myself with a servant with my bride coming to Collinwood. So I rejected her and her love for me." Barnabas' voice grew soft and was filled with the anguish of the events he was reliving. "Because I had rejected her, she decided that she would use her vile witchcraft on Josette and my brother Jeremiah. She cast a spell over them both making it an attraction to each other that could not be denied. So under the powers of her sorcery they were attracted to each other and they eloped."
"When I found out what they had done, I challenged my brother to a duel. Because I had lost the love of my life, I no longer wished to live. So, my plans were to have a duel with my brother and let him have a shot at me while I had not loaded my gun." Barnabas' voice was racked with the pain of the memory of the duel that had happened between Jeremiah and he." "I raised my weapon knowing that I had not loaded the weapon and when I fired I was shocked to discover that I had fired a loaded gun. My brother was hit and laid dead at my feet."
The memories of that night were torturous to him, he had again rejected Angelique and when she confessed that she had placed the spell on Josette and on Jeremiah because she wanted him to love her he had began to choke her to death. It was during this act of rage and anger that she had cursed him, "I curse you Barnabas Collins. You will never know love, you will never be loved for whoever loves you shall died and this will live with you through eternity!" He watched the life leave her body. With the help of Loomis, he had taken her body to an unmarked grave and buried her. Later that night a woman appeared in his room resembling Josette and attacked him draining him of his life and making him into the creature that now sat sadly before Eric Lang.
"I understand that she cursed you to be a creature of the night Mr. Collins but how does Miss Winters figure into all of this?"
Julia sighed and looked down. "From what we have been able to learn from the disjointed memories she had during that time, Vicki took Phyllis place and she was the one accused of witchcraft. She was tried for being a witch. The tribunal sentenced her to hang by the neck on the gallows."
Barnabas sighed, "This is where things get hazy for us all. You see my father had discovered what I was and that I had called Josette to come to me so we could be together for the rest of our lives. However, Angelique did not die and she once again meddled in our lives. She made Josette so afraid of me that she ran from me that night into the storm tossed night to a place called Widow's Hill. I of course went in pursuit of her and when I approached her wanting her to come away from the cliff she jumped to her death."
Barnabas closed his eyes and cringed in anguished remembering that night. While I was dealing with what should be done with me, I had asked my father to end my life and told him how he could do such a feat. My father was not an affectionate man and had suffered the loss of two sons, my sister had succumbed to a fever and died. Then my mother had been driven insane and died. He was left with one son Daniel. I begged my father to end my life and he said he would."
Julia knew he was filled with remorse and anguish. "His father could not destroy his son, so he had him chained with crosses in his coffin for two hundred years. That was until Willie Loomis released him. His first act was to attack Willie but not kill him and then he went to Collinsport and that s where he found Daphne Collins. I do not believe Barnabas knew he was attacking a relative when he attacked Daphne."
"Yes, unfortunately she was the first available meal to me and I could not help myself. That is when I believe that Doctor Hoffman was brought into the situation to help Daphne, unfortunately for Daphne she was beginning to remember me and my attack and I could not prevent myself from preserving my life even at the expense of a relative."
Eric had listened to his accounting with Julia's interjections and again he had to have some clarifications. "Miss Winters?"
"the day my father locked me away in my coffin. Miss Winters was taken to the gallows. At the time she was hanged, Miss wick who had become very ill was fighting for her life at Collinwood, when death would have claimed Victoria, she switched places once again with Miss Wick who was hanged as she was when she had been the governess for my sister."
Eric found all of this astounding. He sat back and thought about how he would proceed. "Why not take them to your clinic Julia?"
"That is the crux of my problem Eric. You see Angelique came forward to this time and she possessed me. I became the protector for Barnabas while he slept during the day. While I was under her possession . . . " Julia swallowed hard she was about to admit to something that would make her vulnerable to Eric. "Joe Haskell, Daphne's fiancé found Barnabas while he slept during the day and he had gone to destroy him. While possessed by Angelique I stabbed and killed Joe. Shortly thereafter Angelique jumped from my body to another body. That of a white empowered witch named Maggie Evans. We knew that if anything happened to Phyllis Wick while she was in this time that Vicki would be doomed to die in the late 1700's. So Angelique as Maggie tried to remove Phyllis who was being cared for by me at Collinwood from the machines that were keeping her alive. It was at the moment the hangman threw the lever and Victoria began to fall to her death the exchange was made."
Eric frowned, "Very traumatic for Miss Winters I am sure. It is a wonder she could show some normal tendencies after such a horrible ending to her time into the past. I was bad enough she was thrust out of her time and elements but to be accused of witch craft during a time of such outlandish treatment of those poor women had to be horrific for her." Eric recalled the lovely young lady that lay sleeping in his guest room. "So why not at your clinic Julia?"
"Because Angelique is in possession of another body and we don't know who it might be or how they could effectively harm Barnabas or Victoria. So, I said that we would be going to my clinic but wanted to divert to here because no on knows about you or your clinic. I would like to set up rooms for them at Wyndcliff but keep them here."
"I see, a very smart move if you ask me Julia. I would be happy to help you with what you have accomplished so far. All I need is to know what special accommodations we will need to provide Mr. Collins during his stay here? I must confess, this is the first time I have entertained or treated a vampire. So you will forgive me if I am a bit distracted by the unique situation."
"I only require a dark room to rest in during the daylight hours. Julia has been providing me blood in packets to help me keep my need for blood under control. I have tolerated some daylight during overcast days or for short durations in the sun." Barnabas sounded exhausted.
Eric nodded. "I suppose you will wish to see Miss Winters. I would suggest instead of having you actually admitted to the clinic here, you shall be introduced as my new houseguests from New York and I shall accommodate you here in my private quarters. Julia did you bring a specimen of what you have been working with in regards to this serum?" Eric stood and moved to his door. "I think we could put you across the hall from Miss Winters. There is less direct sunlight allowed into that room and I will have special blackout curtains hung to give you more protection."
Julia was glad that Eric had seemed so agreeable to help her with her unique problem. "Eric you realize that we will never be able to publish our results in this matter and we will always be tied to this secret for the rest of our lives."
Eric had to admit in the beginning of having this situation explained to him he had been excited about the notoriety he would gain for his discovery. Then he realized that to expose this situation to the world would ultimately push Julia and him out of the picture and he was sure the government agencies would interfere trying to use Barnabas as a weapon if they could. Not to mention if they discovered that Miss Winters had actually transcended time and went back in time nearly two hundred years. She would be far more traumatized than she was already,
"I understand Julia." He smiled, "The fact I get to work with you side by side is reward enough for me. Now Mr. Collins will you follow me this way?" Eric Lang led Barnabas back down the hallway he had traveled earlier while carrying Victoria. Across the hall from her door Eric paused and opened the door. "Please make yourself comfortable. If you need anything just let me know. I will be more than happy to see to your special needs."
Victoria was back in that same dream where she was held prisoner in a dank and dark cell. The air was stifling with the overwhelming scents of body waste and odor. She rubbed her arms praying she had not become lice infested and she had drawn her legs under her body and rubbed her arms. Turning to the narrow barred window she peered out to see the workmen building a gallows for her execution. Absolute fear held her transfixed watching them build a device that was to be her ultimate destruction.
The sound of keys rattling against the huge iron key ring let her know someone was coming and she prayed it was Peter Bradford. She had come to rely on him and had placed her hopes that he would be successful in seeking her release. Turning with an expectancy of seeing Peter her heart fell when 'he' entered the room with his licentious look and his nasty smelly body towering over her. "Witch, I have come to try and redeem our soul. Are you willing to repent and seek salvation before your death?"
Vicki had pressed her back against the wall of her cell and turned her head away from the horrible man that had been the prosecutor of her case as a witch. "I am no witch! I tell you I am not a witch." She did not want to look upon his boiled encrusted face or the look he raked over her body devouring in the ripeness that she represented to him.
"Then you will be branded before you are sent back to your unspeakable master satin!" He had advanced on her grabbing her by her wrists and jerking her rudely against his body. The contact he had made with her aware of the lust he was feeling and the want of his needs. Victoria feeling the hardness of his sex pressed to her body knew all of this immediately. Vicki gave out a scream of terror when he had grabbed her and she was sure that before this day was over he was going to have his way with her and she was going to be branded like cattle.
"Leave her alone! Guard! Escort the Reverend from the room now!" Peter had moved into the room to recue her from the hands of Trask. Peter had laid a hand on his shoulder and pulled hard against him separating his hold on Vicki then stepped between them.
"I see the witch has beguiled you as well Master Bradford. Take care you do not follow her to the gallows for being the witch's consort!" Trask had snarled his threat to Peter's face almost spitting on him.
"You will leave before I thrash you within an inch of that worthless life." Peter stood protectively in front of Victoria watching Trask back out of the room. Turning her gathered her in his arms feeling her tremble from her near rape by Trask. "It is going to be fine Victoria. I am here and he is gone." She looked with terror filled eyes into his soft soulful gaze.
"Oh Peter he was horrible. He said he was going to brand me before I was sent to my master." Her eyes filled with tears.
"I know, I will not allow it." He pushed her hair from her face then lowered his lips to her lips and kissed her deeply. "I swear I will find a way to get you out of here. " He gently guided her back to the ledge she had sat on earlier. "I came to let you know the ice packs worked, Daniel's fever has broken. I also bring tragic news. I regret to inform you that Josette took her own life last night."
"She jumped from widows hill or did she fall?" Vicki had closed her eyes pushing back the anguish of knowing she would come to this horrible end.
"We are unsure, it appeared she was fleeing from someone and when she became trapped on the precipice of the hill she turned and jumped to her death." Vicki dropped her head and sighed deeply.
"Josette believed as I did that I was her reincarnation in my time. I had hoped I could have prevented her death or that of young Sarah." Vicki's eyes clouded with her tears and she used the back of her hand to wipe the tears.
"YOU, " Peter had spoken more forcefully then took a breath. "You Victoria saved Daniel. He lives because of you and Mr. Joshua Collins is very grateful. He has written the governor to ask for a stay of your execution and for a retrial."
Victoria sniffed, "What of word on Barnabas? Did he die or does he live?" She had sounded hopeful for a positive outcome of that situation because that was the one part of the story in the family history that had been different.
Peter looked down, "We are not sure Victoria. I have not seen him but Loomis has seen him and from what Loomis says he is alive he is just a tragic figure because of the death of Josette. It was hard enough on him to loose her to Jeremiah but then to have her die in such a horrible way has pretty much destroyed his morale and his will to want anyone to believe he lives."
"Peter in my time we have a Barnabas Collins that looks exactly like this Barnabas Collins and we had women being attacked like the women here were attacked. We believe that this person or thing that was attacking the women was a vampire."
Peter frowned. "This Barnabas in your time. Do you believe he is a vampire?"
"Oh no, I have seen him in the daylight." She grew thoughtful thinking about how things had changed for her with the Barnabas during that time.
"Victoria did you hold tender affections for this Barnabas?" He was sounding crestfallen hearing her speak with such loving thoughts about that Barnabas.
"I thought we were falling in love with one another and then he began to put distance between us and I was confused."
Peter took her into his arms. "I must confess I have grown very fond of you Victoria and I have hopes of having you free and when that occasions does come and I refuse to think it will not. Would you consider my proposal for courting you?" He had stroked her hair from her face with such tender fingertips and looked hopefully into her gaze. "I find that I am falling in love with you Victoria. Hopelessly and forever in love with you."
He had bent his head to capture her lips with his and kissed her deeply allowing his own emotions to give him hope that perhaps she would share his feelings. "Peter if I live through this I would welcome your attention." She smiled and felt his lips cover hers. The kiss was broken by the sound of keys being inserted into the locks. "Time is up Bradford you have to leave now."
Vicki was now being led to the gallows. Peter was struggling against the guards that had led Vicki to the steps. Somewhere in the chaos of that moment someone had drawn a gun and Peter was shot and he had fallen. Vicki had screamed, and in her dream she could hear that scream and it was loud and tearful. "PETER! NO! PETER!" She had collapsed and had to be dragged to the hangman.
Something was holding her, no it was someone was holding her close and speaking her name with tenderness and concern. "Victoria. It is all right you are safe here with me. I am not going to leave you. I am here."
She opened her eyes and looked blankly at Barnabas. "Barnabas? Is it really you? Have you come to save me from the gallows? Did Peter live?" She buried her head into his chest and released the emotions of her moment before she felt her body fall through the trap door.
"Victoria you are safe. You are here in your time and do not have to worry about hanging from the gallows. You are safe and you will be protected and loved." He looked into her wide confused dark eyes and smiled.
"You do still care? I thought you had decided not to pursue a relationship with me?" She pressed to his body feeling safe in his arms. "I thought we were of like feelings and then you became so withdrawn and cold towards me. But you do care?"
"Victoria I am very fond of you. I think we will take our time together slowly so we both know we are making the right choice." He held her back and hoped she could read through the words he had just spoken. All he saw was confusion and pain. The pain was from the loss of his affection. She pulled away from him and laid back down rolling to put her back to him.
"Good night Barnabas." She spoke softly and closed her eyes withdrawing into herself and putting up a protective wall against any more pain from his rejection of her profession of love.
