Barnabas walked the halls, his footsteps pounding against the old wooden floors. He walked the same halls, over and over again. His mind was bewildered, frustrated. He didnt know what to think. Would Julia come back, or never return again? He didn't know.
It seemed Eilizabeth knew everything about Julia. She said she would come back. But Barnabas wasnt too sure about it. Julia was upset, and shocked. Who knew where she was? And now, they were stuck with her mother, confused in the large room below. She didn't know Julia was a vampire, that Barnabas attempted to murder her, and that she had been staying in Collinwood all along.
Julia learned a few things about her sister, too. Sarah, her sister was sent to a mental assylum. For the crazy, or insane. One thing she didnt know about her sister, was how she got out and raised a child. How did Maddie turn out so quiet, and calm? How did she live with an insane woman all her life?
Barnabas shook his head at the thoughts spinning throughout his mind. He was clueless to everything it seemed. Nobody ever told him anything, he was always figuring out things himself.
He walked slowly back to the large steps, that led to where everyone was murmuring and sitting. He placed a hand on the side railing, and cleared his throat. Causing everyone to look to his direction. His posture said straight, and perfect. He lifted his head slightly, and his eyes shot to Elizabeths.
She gave him a warning glare. She knew what he was thinking, even before he knew himself. He blinked rapidly, then looked at all the over faces in the room. They stared at him confused, wanting to know a solution to this mess. His glare caught Julia's mothers. She was concerned and frightened. Not knowing anything, about anyone. She had only gotten here an hour or so ago. She was completely clueless to this crazy household.
Barnabas slowly walked down the stairs, not even glancing at his own feet. He knew this place like the back of his hand. Of course it was his home, why wouldnt he? He nodded his head towards Julia's mother, to confirm that everthing was to be explained. She nodded back, and folded her hands in her lap.
Barnabas finally reached the bottom step, and smoothingly waltzed towards the middle of the room. His shoes hitting the wood.
Everyone's eyes followed his presence. He stared staright ahead of himself. He cleared his throat once again, and saw Willie. He was sitting on one of the chairs, and was rubbing his head. He looked dazed, and confused.
Barnabas then turned around, to have every family member in his eye sight, "Now," he started, as calmly as he could, "I know this day hasnt been pleasant to us, at all."
Elizabeth nodded, and folded her hands behind her back. She shifted on her feet uncomfortably.
"I have a proposal," Barnabas' eyes set on Elizabeths, "Would you like to hear it?" He raised an eyebrow.
Elizabeth glanced at each and every person in the room, and sighed, "Of course Barnabas." Her voice was low, and shaky. She was scared, and worried. Barnabas could tell.
"Alright," Barnabas said, "I propose, we have another party. As you younglings call them," he said glancing at Carolyn and David.
"Barnabas," Elizabeth shook her head, and took a step towards him, "What do you suppose that will do?" she asked, furrowing her eyebrows.
Barnabas thought for a moment. Letting thoughts, and ideas jumble in his head until he picked one out. He blinked a few times, and looked at the floorboards. He didnt know if it would work, but it was worth a shot. What else do they have to loose?
"The happe-party," he corrected himself, "With draw Victoria in, making her curious to as why we are celebrating."
Elizabeth shook her head, "Barnabas that isnt enough. Victoria isnt going to show herself right then and there," she said.
Barnabas raised his eyebrows, "I wasnt finished, my dear."
Elizabeth tilted her head, and eyed him suspiciously. What was he planning? She didn't know. She would just have to listen and find out.
Carolyn laughed sacastically, "What are you going to do? Set someone as bait?" she snapped.
"Carolyn," Elizabeth said, warningly. Carolyn scrunched her nose, and folded her arms. She was obviously in a worse mood than the rest of them.
"No," Barnabas said, "I would like to-" he stopped. His voice seemed to be caught in his throat. He couldnt get the sentence out.
Elizabeth sighed, "What is it Barnabas?" she asked.
Barnabas glanced at her, and tapped a fingernail on his cane nervously. He swallowed, and seemed as if he was afriad.
"I would like to..." he trailed off again. He shook his head, and ignored his embarrasment, and guilt. He burst out,
"I would like to ask Julia's hand in marriage."
...
Elizabeth slammed shut the two doors to her office. It was odd having them shut, they were usually open. Barnabas jumped a bit, when the slamming rang through his ears. He felt nervous. Elizabeth seemed mad. He didnt know why.
"What the hell are you thinking?" she snapped at him. Barnabas raised his eyebrows. He had never heard Elizabeth curse, especially in front of adults.
"I do not understand your arguement," Barnabas said politely back. Elizabeth gave him a warning glare. She leaned against her desk. Her palms holding her up. She shook her head and sighed.
"Barnabas," she said quietly, "Do you know what love is?" she asked.
He looked to the ground in front of him. He wasnt sure he could answer that question. Of course he knew what it was. But, the way Elizabeth said it, he felt as if he had never experienced it.
Elizabeth sighed, "You have no idea what Julia has gone through, Barnabas." She turned to face him. Her face sad, and angry at the same moment. Barnabas didnt know how to respond. He was trying to focus on Elizabeth, and everything she was explaining. The way it seemed was she wasnt asking him any questions.
"You can't propose to her tonight," Elizabeth said blankly.
Barnabas furrowed his eyebrows, and tapped his cane on the floorboards, "And why not?" he asked defensively.
"Proposal," Elizabeth started, "Proposal is supposed to be for love, not a plan to lure Victoria here!" she hit the desk. Her plam making a loud noise that echoed throughout the room.
Barnabas sighed. She was right. But he knew something she didnt. He grinned, and stood up from his seat, "Make sure our guests arrive tonight." He started to walk towards the doors.
Elizabeth looked at him wide-eyed, "Barnabas, I don't know what you're thinking. But, you cant propose tonight."
Barnabas turned around to face her, "I can, and I shall."
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes, "Barnabas, you shall not."
Barnabas grinned again, and his eyes brightened, "Its not just for the plan dear," he said turning back around, "It's because I love her."
With that he opened the doors, and walked down the hall. Elizabeth set a hand on her desk, and leaned. She shook her head, and sighed. How would she stop Barnabas? The answer was, she couldnt. He was determined.
...
The moonlight shown down on the house. The windows shined, and the stars twinkled. Cars were crammed into the trail that led to the house. People pouring through the doors.
Julia took in deep breaths. They were having a party? Right now? She shook her head, and tapped her foot. She was angry. How could they be celebrating, after Maddie was taken. They were all crazy after all. They were idiotic.
She spotted Willie, standing at the door welcoming people in dullingly. She frowned at him. He was a jerk, too. Even if he wasnt in this family.
She hid behind a tree by the house. Bark scraped her legs, and got caught onto her dress. She didnt care. She wanted to hit every person in that house, at that moment. Celebrating? Idiots.
She waited until the last of the crowd piled into the house. Willie walked in behind the crowd, gesturing for them to move faster. He closed the doors behind them. The music was still loud and hearable. The beat pounded in her ears, and rang. She tried her best to zone it out.
She walked carefully to the steps, and put her ear to the door. Of course, she didnt know why she did it. It wouldnt of mattered, you could hear people talking, and walking everyone around the house. Inside or out. She sighed, and grabbed the door handle. She twisted it carefully, and slowly. She bit her lip, and peaked through the crack. People were everywhere. More packed than before. Willie was out of sight.
She saw Elizabeth walking through the crowd, nodding and talking. Julia looked carefully for anyone else. She finally opened the door enough for herself to slide in. She quickly got in, and closed the door. She hid behind a small wall, and looked for anyone who noticed her. Everyone seemed to be minding their own business. Thank god.
She quickly buried herself into the crowd. Her shortness came in handy in this situation, and she was glad for it. She looked around caustiously for anyone of the family to be lurking around. She finally reached the way to her room. She ran, as fast as she could, trying not to draw attention. She didnt want anyone to know she was here. She was angry. How could they throw a party at this point in time?
She finally got to her door, and opened it quickly. She got inside, and shut the door with a thud. She closed her eyes, and leaned against the door. A sigh of relief escaped her lips. She shook her head, and wiped a few peices of hair out of her face. She opened her eyes again.
She gasped, and saw a pale figure sitting in the seat her patients usually sit at. He had his cane leaning against it, and his hands folded. He stared at nobody. He stared into space. Julia's breath was caught in her throat. He finally glanced at her, and look at her wide-eyed.
She stood there, and stared at him in shock. Out of all the people in this household, he was the one she saw. The one that noticed her here.
She spoke clearly, "Barnabas," she said, "what are you doing here?"