Dark Shadows Among Us

Chapter 29

29.1

Doctor Julia Hoffman found herself in a corridor. As she traveled down it, she noticed several doors. All of them were closed. How would she ever know what door would lead her to Barnabas and Chief Ironside? She stood there, confused. If she chose the wrong one, who knows where she would end up. Not only would she not find Barnabas, she might be stranded where ever the door led.

Then she heard Josette's voice. "Follow your heart, Julia! You know which door leads to our Barnabas. Just listen to your heart. You will find him." Josette's voice faded as quickly as it came.

Julia looked at all the doors. She could not just stand there and do nothing. She had to find Barnabas. Nicholas was in control of nearly everyone now. It would only be a matter of time before he would take control of her as well, if she stayed in the present time. Her only chance was to find Barnabas. He must be warned. He could not fail or the Collins family would remain under the control of the Leviathans.

She went back to where the doors started. Standing in front of the first one she closed her eyes and waited to see if she felt Barnabas' presence. She felt nothing. Julia moved on to the next door. Again, after standing there for a moment, she could not sense anything. She moved on to the third one.

Something was different. It was if something was pulling her towards the door. She did not understand what it was, but someone or something wanted to draw her to whatever was beyond it. Julia walk directly over to the door. The pull became even stronger. Was this the right one? Would it lead her to Barnabas? She had to be sure.

She stood in front of the door and closed her eyes. Whatever was compelling her towards walking through it, was now so strong that she could not ignore it. Placing her hand on the doorknob, she opened it. It had to be the right one. Josette said to follow her heart. She could feel Barnabas' presence. Yes! This had to be the door that led her to the vampire! It was as if a fog had engulfed the room inside. She could not make out anything. Julia squinted her eyes trying to focus an something... anything.

Then she heard his voice. It was Barnabas. Julia did not hesitate. She stepped inside. When she did, the world around her changed. She was still in the Old House but not the one that she knew. It was the same house, only different.

Although Barnabas was restoring the Old House of the present, this one was different. It smelled different. It looked...newer. It had the same type of furniture but everything looked more vibrant. She must have arrived in 1797. She must have.

Julia decided to try to find Barnabas. She would have a hard time explaining her appearance to anyone else. She certainly was not dressed for the times. Julia wandered through the Old House. She was amazed at how much newer this Old House seemed. But, then she really should not be, since it was newer. It was two hundred years newer!

Julia decided to go to the one room that she knew Barnabas spent most of his time in, when he was home. Heading for the drawing room, she did not run into anyone along the way. The fire was burning bright in the fireplace, but there was still a chill in the air. Not that Barnabas would notice it in his vampiric state. Vampires were impervious to the cold.

The house seemed deserted. She had no choice but to wait for Barnabas to come back. She certainly could not go roaming around the estate in the clothes she was wearing. She wished she had had more time to change her clothes. Aware that Barnabas had clothing of the time period in the attic of the Old House, she could have found something more appropriate to put on.

She heard the double doors in the foyer open. Julia held her breath. She certainly did not want to run into Angelique before she had a chance to talk to Barnabas.

"Barnabas, are you here?"

Julia felt relief when she heard the voice of Professor Stokes. Wait! It could not be the professor. He was not here in this time. He was back in the present and had undoubtedly been taken over by Nicholas Blair and the Leviathans. But that voice! It was Professor Stokes' voice.

The man came around the corner. He had a surprised look, but one of recognition. "Countess DuPres? I thought you went back to Martinique?"

Julia looked around, as if to see who the man was talking to. No one else was in the room. He had to be talking to her. But, who was Countess DuPres? She tried to remember if Barnabas had mentioned her when speaking of the past. She just could not seem to recall anyone by that name. Wait! She did recall Barnabas telling her that everyone in her time resembled someone from his. She must resemble the Countess DuPres that this man was now calling out to.

Julia took a closer look at him. Her eyes widen in shock. It was Professor Stokes and ... yet it wasn't. He looked like the professor but his hair was unruly and much longer, and not slicked back like the professor wore his. He wore what look more like servant's clothes than what would be expected of a wealthy Collins. Of course! A servant... Ben Stokes, Barnabas' personal servant, and an ancestor of Professor Elliot Stokes.

"Good evening, Ben." She spoke in what she hoped was the accent Countess DuPres would have used over two hundred years before her time.

Ben looked her up and down. "Why are you dressed that way?" His eyes lit up as if he had just realized a revelation. "You are not the Countess."

"I... well, I am..." Julia stammered, not knowing what to say.

The doors to the Old House opened. Ben turned to see who was coming in.

Barnabas walked in to the drawing room. Shock registered on his face when he saw the woman standing in front of them. "Julia! What are you doing here?"

Julia hurried over to the vampire who took her into his arms. After kissing and hugging her, he released her and eased her back so that he could look into her eyes. "I told you to go to Doctor Lang's clinic. I wanted you safe from all this."

"I am sorry Barnabas, but I had no choice. Things have taken a bad turn in 2015. Nearly everyone is now under the control of the Leviathans. Chief Ironside's people fell first. They were unable to resist without the chief's influence over them."

"And Willie?" Barnabas asked.

"I am afraid so. I suspect Professor Stokes is also under their influence by now. Nicholas was there. I was able to escape with Josette's help with the use of the I Ching."

"And what of Angelique?" Barnabas asked. "Did she betray all of you to Nicholas?"

Julia shook her head. She did not like the idea of defending the witch, but she had been true to her word. She had helped them. Julia told Barnabas about the doppelgangers of Chief Ironside and himself that Angelique had created to try to fool Nicholas.

"Obviously, he was not fooled by them," Barnabas observed.

"I think he already had control of Ed Brown and probably used him to gain control of Mark Sanger. He must have learned that you and Chief Ironside were not in the Old House. I barely escaped."

Barnabas smiled. "I am glad you did." Then he remembered one other individual. "What about Maggie Evans? Has he discover where she is?"

"No, Barnabas, but it is only a matter of time. The professor knows where she is."

Barnabas turned to Ben. "Ben, I would like to present to you, Doctor Julia Hoffman. She is the woman from the future that I was telling you about."

Ben stepped forward. "It is an honor to meet you Miss Julia."

Julia reached out her hand and Ben took it. "Barnabas has mentioned you to me. I would like to thank you for looking out after him, Ben."

"It is my pleasure, Miss Julia."

"I think we better find a way to explain Julia's presence here in this time. Obviously, with her resemblance, everyone is going to think that she is the Countess DuPres," Barnabas said.

"As did I... at first. If it had not been for the clothes, I would not have realized she was from another time.

"You must find Julia more suitable clothing to wear. Please go to the attic and see what you can locate. But before you go, what transpired at Victoria's trial?"

"Victoria Winter's is on trial?" Julia asked.

Barnabas turned to her. "For witchcraft. Angelique helped set her up for Reverend Trask and Abigail Collins. They will never accuse another of witchcraft. I will see to it"

"Yes, of course," Julia replied, remembering.

"Mister Barnabas, Angelique testified at the trial. She accused Miss Winters of witchcraft. Mister Bradford is going to have Miss Winter's testify tomorrow and tell her story."

Barnabas frowned. Although, he was well aware this was going to happen, he had hoped to avoid it. "Then Miss Winters will be found guilty of witchcraft."

"I am afraid so," Ben agreed. "Isn't there anything we can do about it?"

"I am going to try, Ben, but please remember these events have already taken place and changing history is not going to be easy," the vampire warned him. "Now please, get Julia something more suitable to wear."

Ben bowed and left the drawing room.

Barnabas took Julia into his arms once again.

29.2

Ironside sat in the corner. He was feeling the dampness. It was not that long ago that he had been sitting in a wheelchair. Right now, he was wishing he still had that wheelchair, if only just for something to sit on besides the cold floor. You would think they could at least give him a cot or a chair.. or something.

Robert Ironside was used to being in charge. Even when he was in situations where he wasn't, he was at least dealing with human adversaries. Barnabas had sent him in here to find out as much about the Leviathans as possible. How was he going to find out anything at all, if they kept him cooped up in this cold dungeon? He needed to find a way out of here. But even if he did, how could he stay hidden from the Leviathans and still learn what he needed to learn?

Why in the world didn't he stay in San Francisco? This trip had cost him dearly with the loss of Eve Whitfield. If Barnabas was unable to reverse the past, Ironside would never forgive himself for her death. He should not have brought his staff here in the first place. He had only put them all in danger. He seemed to be able to resist the Leviathans, the witch and the warlock. If he only knew how he was able to do it, he might have been able to pass that knowledge onto Ed, Eve and Mark. If he had, Eve would still be alive today.

Ironside rolled his eyes at that thought. Today was 1797. Eve would not be born for two more centuries. He thought about that. Why did they have to stay and prevent Barnabas from his chance meeting with the Leviathans? All they had to do was return to their own time before Eve Whitfield was murdered. Then he would be able to do things differently and prevent her death. Yes, Ironside decided. That was the answer. He had to get out of here and insist that Barnabas go back to their own time... well at least his own time. This was really Barnabas' time.

"It won't work, Chief Ironside," a little girl said in front of him.

The detective tried to focus his eyes. The ghostly figure in front of him was giving off such an extreme amount of light to eyes that had been in darkness far too long, that he was unable to look at her without squinting. Even then, he could not adjust to the brilliance to recognize her form. Not that he needed to, the voice was all he needed to hear.

"Sarah... Sarah Collins?"

"Yes, Chief Ironside. I have talked to my brother. I realize now what has happened to him. I am not sure I understand this time travel, but he is my brother and I must help him. He has asked me to help you."

Ironside felt a pang of relief at the thought of some kind of help. Without it, the situation was beginning to look hopeless. He did not see how he could possibly fulfill Barnabas' request without getting out of this room.

"What won't work?" Ironside asked her.

"Going back to your time before Barnabas is prevented from his chance meeting with the Leviathans," the little girl replied.

"And why not?" Ironside thundered.

"Because you would not return before your policewoman was killed. When you return, it will be after whatever changes from the history you alter here."

Ironside realized that he had said nothing aloud. His ideas were only thoughts in his head. The ghost must be able to read his mind. "How did you know what I was thinking, Sarah?"

She swayed back and forth in front of him. "I didn't... exactly. It was as if I could sense what you were thinking. I cannot read your mind."

Not sure he believed that, Ironside let it go and said, "My hands are tied," Ironside said. "Can you help me out of the bindings?"

"You have the ability to help yourself out of them," the little ghost told him. "I cannot touch you, Mister Ironside."

He remembered what happened back in 2015 when he tried to take hold of what he thought at the time was a little girl. His hands went right through her. Of course she would not be able to remove the bindings on his hands. "How can I do that?"

"Barnabas said you are a very smart man. You must think, Mister Ironside. You can remove the bindings yourself," Sarah repeated. She pulled out a wooden flute and began playing a tune.

The detective recognized the medley. 'London Bridge is Falling Down." Helooked around as Sarah continued to play the tune over and over. As he moved around the dark, musty room, the ghost girl followed him. The light that surrounded her illuminated whatever area he wandered into. Over in the corner, Ironside spotted something shiny. He walked over but could not make out what it was. Stepping aside, he looked back at Sarah Collins. "Sarah, come closer."

The little girl did as requested and moved next to the detective. The light she gave off revealed a rusty knife on the floor. Ironside smiled but wondered why she did not just tell him it was there.

Again, as though she could read his mind, Sarah said, "There is only so much I can do to help you, Mister Ironside. I can only advise you. I can not do things for you. I am a ghost after all."

He smiled at her. "You did just fine, Sarah." Ironside put his back to the wall and slid his body down until he was in a sitting position. Backing up to the knife, he picked it up and turned it towards the ropes that were binding his hands. When he attempted to saw the ropes, the knife slipped out of his grip and fell to the floor.

"Flaming knife!" He reached back down and picked it up once again. He turned it towards his wrist, only this time more carefully, making sure he had a better hold, he began sawing through the ropes. It took him much longer than he had anticipated due to the dullness of the blade. Finally, the ropes gave way and dropped to the floor. Ironside rubbed his wrist to bring the blood flow back into his hands.

"Now, how the blazes do I get out of here?" Ironside grumbled.

"Barnabas said you are a detective...whatever that is. He said you would be able to discover things. So, you will have to discover how to free your self," she told him.

He looked at the little girl. "Sarah, just why is it, that you can't tell me?"

She shrugged her shoulders at him. "I just can't, that's all.

"Alright then. You said there is a way out of here, then I will find it. You will need to follow me around the room. I will need the light you are projecting."

"What is projecting?" Sarah asked.

"You give off light. I can't see in the dark. I need the light you give off," he explained.

"Oh, I see. I can see in the dark," she said.

"I suppose all ghosts can see in the dark."

Again, she shrugged. "Barnabas can see in the dark too but he is not a ghost."

"That is because he is a vam... " Ironside stopped, thinking it probably was not a good idea to tell her that her brother was a vampire. He left her and began checking out the room. If Sarah Collins said there was a way out of here, then he believed her. Barnabas had sent her to look out for him. He chuckled to himself. He never thought he would need a guardian angel, let alone one that was a ghost.

For ten minutes he searched the room, looking for something that would help him break out. Yet, he found nothing. The chief picked up the knife and walked back to the door.

"You can't get out that way, Mister Ironside," Sarah told him. "You are not thinking. This is not San Francisco. You cannot think that way."

Ironside had been a detective for over twenty years and he stood there, being told by a ten year old girl how to do his job. No, not a girl but a ghost. "Okay, so how should I think?"

Sarah shrugged her shoulders. "You have to think. You are smart. Barnabas said so."

Ironside stared at the girl. "Think she says. I am dreaming I am in the past dealing with vampires, witches, warlocks, and ghost. My kind of thinking makes no sense in this world." Suddenly, he turned towards the little ghost. "Think like I am in a horror movie, is that it?" He went back to the door and ran his hand down it and both sides of the frame.

Sarah smiled. "Now, you are thinking."

He looked back at her, seeing she was grinning at him. He knew instantly he was on the right track. He continue to check the wall on each side of the door. Running his fingers down the cracks in the wall, he felt for a lever or a switch that would open the door. He remembered there had been several in the Old House and at Collinwood. When he did not find anything, he began moving away from the door.

Sarah sighed. Ironside looked back at her. From the look on her face, he gathered he was not going to find the secret panel leaving the door. It had to be here somewhere. He decided he must have missed it, so he began rechecking the area he had gone over when he heard Sarah sigh again. He turned around and gave her a look that would have made Ed, Mark or Eve cringe. Yet, Sarah looked back at him and stared him in the eye.

He took a step back and inspected the area around the door. He looked up. There did not appear to be space above the door that would indicate a secret panel, but then it would not be secret if it was easy to spot. The chief was a tall man, six feet two inches. With that height, he had a long reach. He raised his arm above his head and touched the top of the door frame. "Who in the blazes puts a door frame on a dungeon?" he grumbled. He looked back at Sarah, half expecting her to start sighing again but saw a smile on her face. The secret panel was up there somewhere. When he did not find anything above the door, he stretched and reached higher.

Sarah sighed. It drew another famous looked from Robert Ironside. He did not bother to recheck the same area above the door for fear he would have the flaming ghost sighing again. He ran his hand across the top of the door frame. Sarah began singing "London Bridge is Falling Down." Ironside shook his head and pushed along the lower section of the door frame. When he got to the middle, the pressure from his fingers moved a section of it upwards. A large button appeared encased in the opening that was revealed. The detective pushed the button and the door opened into him.

He looked back at Sarah, who was grinning at him. "See, Barnabas was right, you are smart."

He shook his head and muttered under his breath "But apparently not as smart as a ten year old ghost."

29.3

Nicholas Blair could not have been more pleased with himself. He now had all of Collinwood under his control...everyone that is, except Angelique and Doctor Julia Hoffman. Angelique would come back to the Old House soon or later. All he had to do was wait. This time she would not be able to talk her way out of it. He had tolerated all that he was going to from her. This latest betrayal was the last straw.

Nicholas knew that eventually her obsession with Barnabas Collins would be her downfall. What was it about that infernal vampire that would make an otherwise excellent witch so unreliable? She was the best at her craft but when it came to Barnabas, she was simply unreasonable. Why did she want him so terribly? For a witch, mortal men were a dime a dozen.

The fact that she was an extremely beautiful woman; she could have her pick of men. Why then did one man have such a hold on her. Nicholas did not know the answers to these questions and it did not really matter that he didn't. She was finished on this earth. Her meddling had gone to far this time. She had turned on him completely and joined forces with that vampire and the detective from San Francisco. Now, she would find out what it was like to live with the master century after century. He doubted she would be able to talk the master into giving her another chance on this earth. Angelique could be depended upon for only one thing, and that was to completely disobey everything that was expected of her, in order to continue her obsession of Barnabas Collins.

He looked into the fire. He wondered if the master would use it to end her existence completely. If he did, she would have no one to blame but herself. It did not matter to him one way or the other. All he wanted to do was find out where Maggie Evans was, and then he would cast her off to live with the Dark Lord.

He heard the double doors to the Old House open, and Willie Loomis appeared in the doorway leading from the foyer.

"Yes, what is it Mister Loomis?" Nichols said with authority.

"I have located Angeligue as you have requested, Nicholas," Willie informed him. His nervous manner made Nicholas want to kill him right then and there. How could Barnabas Collins have picked such a scared little man to be his servant? No wonder he was in constant trouble. With people like Willie Loomis protecting him; Angelique pursuing him, trouble followed him where ever he went.

"Where is she?" he demanded of the vampire's servant.

"She has been checking up on time travel. I believe she is going to try to travel back in time to help Barnabas. She certainly is not checking on time travel for any good reason. She wants to alter the past.

"Yes, I understand that but of course, it will not be allowed. Now, just when do you expect her back here at the Old House?

Nervously, Willie answered. "She should be here at anytime. She told me to tell Professor Stokes she wanted to talk to him about the I Ching."

'I Ching? She is going to avoid the staircase in case I have found out about it. She must think that I would have found out about Collins and Ironside being gone. She knows that I would move in as soon as I did. Very clever...but this is the last time Angelique is going to interfere with the master's plans."

The doors to the Old House opened again. Nicholas smiled when he heard the voice coming from the foyer.

"Willie, did you locate and tell Professor Stokes that I want to talk to him? Willie? Where are you?"

Loomis looked at Nicholas for direction. He put his fingers to his lips to make sure Willie remained quiet.

Angelique came into the drawing room. Her eyes widen in fear when she saw Nicholas sitting in Barnabas' chair by the fireplace. "Nicholas!"

"Hello, my dear, you seem surprised to see me. You have been very busy, haven't you."

"I just came from your cottage. I came to tell you what I have learned. Barnabas and Ironside have gone back into the past to prevent the meeting between Barnabas and the Leviathans. I have been working on finding out what they are up to," Angelique lied. She had to try to convince Nicholas that she was working for him or she was in real trouble.

Nicholas stood up and walked over to her. Shaking his head and his finger, he said, "It won't work, Angelique. Not anymore. Your meddling is coming to to an end. You have disobeyed me for the last time."

"But, Nicholas! I am telling you the truth. I created the doppelgangers to convince them that I was helping them. You can't possibly think that I would help Barnabas. I despise him!"

"You're finished, Angelique. I simply can't trust you."

"No, Nicolas! You must believe me! I have been trying to get information for you!" Angelique was beginning to panic.

"Your obsession with Barnabas Collins has finally destroyed you. You are finished. Nothing you say will change what is about to happen."

"Nicholas, you have to listen to me. Please don't do this! Please give me another chance!"

"No more chances. You will never change."

Beside the fireplace, a form began to reveal itself. Horrified, Angelique watched as the master stood next to the fireplace.

"Angelique! You have betrayed us!" The voice was hollow, as if he was speaking from a tunnel.

"No! Please, it is not true! Nicholas is wrong. I have been trying to help him!" Desperation was creeping into her voice. It was becoming shrill.

The master put his hand up. "Stop! I will not listen to your lies any longer. You assured me that you could accomplish your mission, and would not allow your obsession with Barnabas Collins to interfere. You have failed!"

"No, please... " she wailed before she was interrupted.

"Enough! You will come with me!" the master shouted.

"No, please! I beg of you!"

"You will come!" the master commanded.

In complete panic, Angelique turned to flee. The master raised his hand at her and a fire appeared. It surrounded her. She screamed. "Oh god, no! Please, don't do this to me." She screamed as the flames licked her skin.

Then suddenly the fire disappeared and Angelique with it. Willie looked around. He would never had known that either the master or Angelique had even been in the room. There was no sign of their presence.

Ed Brown and Mark Sanger walked into the drawing room. "The staircase is appearing every hour now," Ed told him.

"Fabulous!" Nicholas exclaimed. He would be able to go back in time now that Angelique could meddle no more. "Mister Sanger you will come with me. You shall accompany me back to 1797, and Sergeant Brown, you will locate Maggie Evans. I will expect her here when I return. It is time to stop Barnabas Collins and Robert Ironside once and for all.

TBC...