Dark Shadows: Revenge of the Vampires
Chapter 16
1
Tristan had his servant prepare his traveling coffin. The arrangements to travel to Collinsport, Maine were made and secured. He and Ramon would find David Collins and locate the time portal. It was time to end the existence of Dracula and Barnabas Collins. Time travel would provide the perfect way in which to do it. The Barnabas Collins of the late 1700s would not have any idea who Ramon was, nor would Dracula have any idea who Tristan was in the time he was about to travel.
There was a knock on his chambers door. "You may enter."
Ramon opened the door and walked in. "All arrangements are made for the journey to America, Tristan. The only thing left to decide is when you want to go."
"Right away, Ramon. We should leave as soon as possible. I want to destroy Collins and Dracula, and the sooner, the better. What I want to know is . . . are you up to this. Can you go back and kill Barnabas Collins?"
Ramon laughed. "Without hesitation. I am tired of his and Dracula's meddling in our affairs. It is time we ran the Vampire Council the way it should have been run from the beginning."
"And that is?" Tristan questioned, wanting to make sure Ramon was on the same page he was.
"Relax, Tristan, I will not betray you. I never would have if you just listened to me instead of treating me like you do the human servants. We will rule the council together. When we disagree, as you have made a condition of our partnership, we must agree or nothing will be changed."
"Good. I think we will be excellent partners. We both want the same thing, and that is the vampire race as the dominant race on the earth. We agree on that. I can't believe we were at odds in the first place. We must realize that the vampires of the world must be controlled to the extent that they cannot turn humans unless you or I sanction it."
"What about the council? Won't they have to agree as well?" Ramon asked.
Tristan laughed. "The council will be in name only. You and I will be the council. What the others want will be irrelevant. Only you and I will actually have a say. Anyone who gives us trouble will be destroyed. Just remember, we must agree, or nothing can be changed. That will force us to reach an agreement we both can live with."
"I can accept that," Ramon said.
Tristan wondered if Ramon was being honest with him. Could he really accept it or was he lying? Maybe he thought he could string him along until Collins and Dracula were destroyed. Would he try to destroy him and take control of his castle. Actually, it didn't matter to Tristan what Ramon was thinking, or what he would try to do. Tristan had already secured the loyalty of enough vampires to keep Ramon from doing so. When all was said and done; when Dracula and Collins were eliminated, Tristan would then order the destruction of Ramon as well. He only entered into the truce to obtain his cooperation until their goal of destroying the two vampires who stood in his way of becoming the head of the Vampire Council, or rather becoming the council himself. Anyone who opposed him would find a swift end to their undead life.
Ramon didn't trust Tristan any more than Tristan trusted him. Ramon had secured vampires loyal to him. He would see to it that they destroyed Tristan as well as Dracula and Collins. None of the current members of the current Vampire Council would be allowed to live either. It was essential he destroy all of them if he were to rule the council as he saw fit. Vampires would become the dominant race, and they would not be limited as to how many humans they could turn. Ramon was not about to set any rules in that regard.
He would have an enforcement army. Those who broke his rules would be destroyed. Of course, he would have one and only one rule, and that was every vampire in the world would answer to him and his enforcement squad. So what if they turned the entire population of humans. He didn't buy the explanation that vampires would have no one to feed on. That was rubbish. They would have animals to feed from. If they could raise humans for food, they could do the same with animals. Tristan was too stupid to see that animals would be much easier to control than humans. If there were no humans, they would only have to worry about keeping the vampire race in order.
Granted, animal blood didn't taste as good as human blood. It was much like the difference of champagne and beer. They would learn to live with it. After all, most of the world's vampires after they were turned, wouldn't even know the taste of human blood. Ramon just couldn't see where his argument was valid.
Then a thought hit him! Why not go back in time and kill Tristan there? It would be much easier. Like Tristan said, the knowledge of knowing each other in this time would not exist with Dracula or Barnabas Collins, that would also be true of him and Tristan. Tristan was a fool if he really thought he believed in his duo control of the Vampire Council. Then again, Ramon didn't believe him, not ever for a second. Tristan was scared of him. That had to be it. Maybe he didn't have the loyalty of as many vampires as he thought he did. The ones Ramon had assembled certainly had no loyalty to Tristan. They were quick to join Ramon in his quest to destroy him.
"Ramon, I think it is time for us to go to the private plane that has been charter for us." Tristan headed for the door. He paused before he went through it. "Just to show you that we are equals, you go through the door first. That would never happen if we were not partners."
Ramon played the part Tristan wanted him to play. He walked through the door before him. Did the man really think walking through the door first would gain his trust. He didn't trust Tristan, and he never would. Any attention he would receive would only be to deceive him. Sooner or later, Tristan would have to show his true colors. That was when Ramon would crush him.
He followed Tristan to the castle doors. Just how stupid did Tristan think he was. He led the way to the doors. He didn't allow Ramon to be up front for a minute. He couldn't wait to end his miserable vampire life. Ramon was well on his way to ruling the world.
2
Barnabas was becoming impatient. He had lingered in Collinsport much longer than he expected. There was no telling what was going on in Transylvania. There could be all out war for all he knew. He had to get back with or without the serum. Every day he delayed, the chances increased that Tristan or Ramon would kill Julia. Why did Angelique and Julia have to separate? Angelique made it back to the castle, then so could Julia, if they only had stayed together. It would've given them more time to plan the demise of Tristan, Ramon, and their followers.
He remembered back when Andrew sent his army of vampires to descend on San Francisco. Many of them didn't want the fight against Dracula and himself. He wondered how many of those in Tristan's castle didn't want this one. Then again, why would they be there in the first place. They were spread all over the world before this started. They simply could have refused to travel to Transylvania and take part in this senseless war.
He stood looking into the fire in the drawing room of the Old House. He heard the knock on the double doors. Barnabas went immediately to the foyer and opened them. David Collins came inside, not waiting for Barnabas to invite him to come in.
"David, what are you doing out after dark?" Barnabas scolded. "You know very well Elizabeth and Roger don't allow it."
"I have to talk to you, Cousin Barnabas. They won't listen to me, but I know you will."
"About what?" the vampire asked.
"About a dream I had last night," David said.
"A dream?" Barnabas didn't have time for listening to David's dreams. So the boy had a bad dream. No wonder Elizabeth and Roger didn't take it seriously.
"Yes, it involves you and me," David explained.
He supposed he was going to have to take the time to listen to the boy and calm him down. Aware the boy looked up to him, Barnabas didn't want to ruin that image David had of him. Someday, he might really need him, and Barnabas wanted to make sure he was there for him. After all, David was the heir to the Collins's fortune. He would one day be the master of Collinwood.
"Come into the drawing room and tell me about your dream, David."
The lad followed his cousin into the drawing room. Barnabas sat down in one of the chairs beside the fire and invited the boy to sit in the other. Once he had done so, the vampire requested he tell him all about the dream.
"Well, it wasn't exactly a dream, Barnabas," David began.
"What do you mean? If it wasn't a dream, then what was it?"
"It was a warning. I don't know who sent the warning, but that is what it was."
"Alright, tell me about this warning."
David gathered his thoughts. He wanted so badly for his cousin to take him seriously that he had to be sure he handled this just right. "There are going to be two visitors to Collinsport shortly. They are not nice people. "
Visitors? This reference caught Barnabas's interest right away. Could it just be a manifest of David's experience when the ghost of Quentin Collins forced him back in time? Or was this really some kind of warning? If it was, who sent it? He decided to keep an open mind regarding David's dream. "Go on."
"These visitors are enemies of yours, but they are after me to get to you."
Barnabas didn't like it. Should he dismiss it as the ravings of a little boy who had a bad dream, or should he take David seriously?
"Do these visitors have names?" Barnabas asked.
"I am sure they do, Cousin Barnabas. Everyone has a name, but I don't remember their names being revealed to me."
The vampire was afraid of that. "Alright, what else can you tell me?"
"Well, I think they are time travelers. They want to go back home, or at least that is the impression they gave me."
No longer able to dismiss the dream, Barnabas was alarmed with that revelation. "How do you know that they wanted to go home?"
"They want to go back to the past where they came from," David told him.
Tristan and Ramon. That had to be it. Somehow, they had entered David's dream, either to find out where the time portal was, or they did it without realizing they did. "Listen to me very closely, David," Barnabas told him. "You must be very careful."
"Then you believe me?"
"Yes, I believe you. The two people you were dreaming about could be two vampires that I am working with Dracula to destroy. They are trying to make vampires the dominant race in the world."
David's eyes became as big as saucers. "I don't understand, you and Dracula are vampires. Why would you stop them?"
"Because vampires would end this world as we know it. Neither Dracula nor I are going to allow it. The only reason we have been able to exist up to now is because very few know we exist. If the human race knew it, they would hunt us down and stake us."
"I would never do that, Barnabas. I know you are a kind and gentle man."
Barnabas smiled at the boy. If only the entire world looked at vampires with the innocence of David Collins. "Thank you, David. Now listen, I am going to see if your Aunt Elizabeth and Roger will let you stay with me for a while."
"Then you are going to protect me?" the boy asked.
"Of course. You are a Collins. No one will harm a Collins if I have anything to say about it."
"Thank you, Barnabas, but I want you to know I would not have told them where the time portal is anyway."
How innocent and naive the boy was. He would not be able to stand up to two vampires for even a second. All they would have to do is bite him, and he would be willing to tell them anything they wanted to know.
Once again, someone was knocking on the double doors of the Old House. "Stay here, David. I'll see who that is." The vampire went immediately into the foyer and opened the doors. "Professor, I am glad you came by. We have another problem. Come into the drawing room."
Without questioning Barnabas, Elliott Stokes followed the vampire. He immediately notice David Collins sitting in a chair by the fire. "Hello, David."
"Hello, Professor."
"David, I want you to tell the professor about your dream," Barnabas ordered the boy.
David repeated everything he told Barnabas just minutes before. When he was finished, he added, "But Cousin Barnabas is going to have me stay here to protect me."
"I don't think that is wise," the professor said.
"Why is that?" Barnabas asked.
"Because if they didn't find the boy at Collinwood, this would be the next place they would look. You can't protect him during the day. Tristan or Ramon could send servants after him. He would make sure that those who remain in the Old House would be no match for them."
"That's it!" David shouted. "The one person in my dream was Ramon. I remember now! He is the one that was here before."
"Was the other one Tristan?" the professor asked.
The boy tried to remember the name of the other man, but was unable. "I just don't remember."
"It is enough for me that he remembers Ramon," Barnabas said. "The other one has to be Tristan."
"I agree. I also think the safest thing to do is get David out of here," the professor said.
"What would I tell Elizabeth and Roger? I certainly can't tell them that two vampires are after the boy. They would think me mad."
"I see your point. However, the boy can't stay here." The professor thought for a moment. Why not have David stay with me? They won't know about me. They won't think to look for him with me."
"Again, Elizabeth and Roger would have to know where he is. Tristan and Ramon would simply force one or the other to tell them where David is. That would put you in danger as well as them. I can't allow that."
"Are you forgetting, my dear Barnabas, that I know how to protect my self from a vampire?"
"No, Elliott, but I also know what a vampire is capable of. You couldn't be on your guard forever. They would soon or later overpower you, and depending on how much trouble you gave them, they might choose to kill you. Again, I won't allow that."
"Then what do you propose?" Elliott inquired.
"I know!" said David. "I could run away from home. Well, not really run away, but Aunt Elizabeth and Father would thinks so. That way, I could stay with the Professor and they wouldn't find me."
Professor Stokes smiled. "It could work, but I would not recommend we stay at my cottage. They will probably search the entire area."
"Where would you go?" Barnabas asked.
"How about Windcliff. They would never think of a mental institution."
Barnabas smiled. "Alright, Professor, get in your car and take David to Windcliff. Do it right away, right now. I want him out of here."
"Come on, David, you and I are going to run away from home." David stood up and joined the professor.
"Professor," Barnabas said, "thank you. You are a true friend."
Stokes smiled at the vampire and led David Collins out of the Old House. Barnabas watched them go. He hated what this would put Elizabeth and Roger through, but if it was the only way to protect the boy from Tristan and Ramon, then all he could do was figure out a story later on to explain his disappearance.
3
Dracula, with Angelique at his side, entered the Vampire Council's chambers. They awaited the arrival of Morgan and Miranda. The couple became the head of the council after Dracula and Barnabas destroyed Andrew's army of vampires who invaded San Francisco. The two of them joined forces with a San Francisco detective to stop Andrew from destroying all of them and taking over the council. Morgan and Miranda were on the council and couldn't live with Andrew's decision to terminate the two vampires who opposed his idea of the vampire race becoming the dominant one on earth.
The doors to the chambers opened. Morgan and Miranda entered. They were followed by Damon and Eddie, two vampires who also had joined the fight on Dracula's side.
"Please Count, have a seat and tell us what is on your mind," Morgan said.
"I came to update you as promised."
Miranda looked around. "Where is Barnabas Collins?"
"That is part of what I came to talk to you about."
"Has he abandoned us?" Eddie asked.
"No, but he did go back to Collinsport. It seems Dr Hoffman has developed a serum that will allow vampires to walk in the daylight for short periods of time."
Amazed at this, Morgan surmised, "And you want to use it to kill Tristan's vampires during the day?"
"That is correct. The problem is, we don't know how long it will last."
"What you are saying, Count, is there is a possibility, it won't last long enough, and we could burn up in the sun before we could return to our coffins?" Damon asked.
"That is a possibility," Dracula acknowledged.
"I fear we could lose some of our vampire warriors if they knew that," Morgan said.
"That is why I have come to you. Barnabas should be back here shortly. He will bring enough of the serum with him for all of our vampires. Morgan, I am asking you not to tell them of the possibility of destruction."
The council members sat there in silence. Finally Eddie was the one to speak up. "That could mean our destruction, and leave Tristan and Ramon to end the human race."
"That is possible," Dracula admitted.
"I don't see how we can do that. We have no right to keep such information from them," Eddie said.
How many vampires do you think it would take to do the job?" Miranda asked.
"We must figure there is a human servant for every vampire in the castle. If there are a hundred vampires, then there are at least a hundred human servants," Angelique answered for Dracula.
"All of which who know the weaknesses of vampires," Eddie said. "I don't like this at all. Count, you know how much I respect you, but this plan is suicide."
"Not necessarily. Barnabas was going to have Professor Stokes look at Dr Hoffman's serum and see if he could figure out exactly how long we could remain in the sunlight."
"Professor? You mean he isn't even a doctor or a scientist?" Damon said.
Dracula turned to address Damon. "No, he is a professor who has studied the supernatural his entire life, in particular, vampires. If anyone can figure it out, he can."
"Count Dracula, this is our fight as much as it is yours. I personally think we may be underestimating the vampire friends who are here. We will probably lose some of them, but I would bet most of them will still go knowing the serum may not keep them protected for long," Morgan said.
"So, you will not keep this information from them?" Dracula asked.
"Why don't we wait until Barnabas returns to find out what he has learned," Miranda said. "We don't have to make this decision right now. He may have better news for us."
"I can accept that," Dracula said.
"Then let us call this meeting adjourned," Morgan said. The vampires left the chambers.
4
Tristan and Ramon arrived in Collinsport, although it would be a few hours before the sun would set and they would know it. Their servants took their coffins to the underground caves where Ramon had hidden his coffin the last time he paid a visit to Collinsport. Only this time, they took them a bit deeper into the caves. They would not be exposed as easily, and it would give their servants a heads up if anyone entered the caves. Besides, from what Ramon had learned, David Collins quite often played in the caves. Maybe they wouldn't have to go after him. Just maybe he would come to them.
The servants took turns guarding the entrance. One slept while the other stood guard. Both of them were armed with guns should anyone wander in the caves with the idea of harming their masters. They would protect them with their lives.
5
Mrs Johnson prepared breakfast for the Collins family. All of them were early risers, especially young David. He was always up ahead of the rest of the family. In fact, she was surprised she hadn't seen him yet this morning. Where could that boy be? The only time he didn't show up for breakfast was when he was sick. Certainly, he seemed fine last night.
Elizabeth Collins Stoddard entered the breakfast dining room. It was a different room than where the family ate dinner. In this room, they ate breakfast and lunch. Elizabeth was fully dressed with her hair and makeup in perfect condition. It was rare when the family saw her otherwise. "Good morning, Mrs Johnson. I am surprised David isn't down here getting in your way and snatching food when you are not looking."
"Maybe he stayed up later than he should have in his room," the house keeper and cook offered.
"Yes, that is probably it. He never goes to bed when he's sent," the matriarch agreed.
Roger Collins, Carolyn Stoddard, and Victoria Winters entered the breakfast room. Mrs Johnson began placing the breakfast food on the table. "Where is David?" Roger asked. "He knows he is supposed to be here on time for breakfast."
"You know David. He has a time schedule of his own. I'll go get him," Victoria offered. She got up and left the room.
"Shall we wait for him to start breakfast?" Carolyn asked.
"Heavens no!" Roger said. "It will be cold by the time he gets down here. Go ahead and serve breakfast, Mrs Johnson."
As she served everyone, Victoria returned. Everyone could tell by the look on her face that something was wrong. "What is it, Vicki?" Elizabeth asked.
"David is not in his room, and his bed was not slept in."
"He probably went outside," Roger said.
"Roger," Elizabeth said, "David never makes his bed until he is forced to."
"I am worried about him," Victoria said. "He always eats breakfast before he heads outside. And I agree with Mrs Stoddard, David would not make his bed until I ordered him to do so."
Roger began to show the concern the others were feeling. "Maybe we better check with Barnabas and see if he showed up there late last night. Barnabas wouldn't let him come back on his own, and he may have been too tired to walk him back."
"I would think he would call and let us know where David is now that Julia talked him into getting a phone in the house," Elizabeth said.
"I'll call Barnabas," Carolyn said. "She headed for the drawing room which had the only phone in the mansion.
"I swear we are going to have to start punishing that boy when he disobeys the rules," Roger said sternly. He looked around. "Everyone finish your breakfast." But no one had much of an apatite, including Roger.
Carolyn re-entered the room. "Willie says Barnabas is out of town and they have not seen David at all. He has not been at the Old House. Now, I am really getting worried."
Roger stood up. "I am going to call Sheriff Patterson. He can get a search party together."
6
Doctor Mosley had done it! With Julia's notes, he was able to figure out how to keep a vampire in the sun for at least six hours. That was certainly longer than the hour or two that Julia's serum would allow. The two of them just had to work together. They would be able to cure their respective vampires in no time at all. He spent the day mass producing the serum. He had no idea how much Barnabas and Dracula would need for their vampire friends, so he wanted to make sure there was plenty.
Looking at his watch, it was almost sunset. Barnabas would rise shortly. He would be very pleased with the results. Thank God for Elliott. He was not sure he would be alive today if Elliott hadn't stepped in to let the vampire know that he presented no threat to him. Hopefully now, he would trust him.
The door to Julia's lab opened, and the vampire stepped inside. When he saw the dozens of vials of serum, he walked directly over to Dr Mosley. "What are all these vials?" Barnabas asked.
With a great big grin, the doctor said, "I combined my serum with Julia's. You should be able to stay out in the sun for at least five, maybe six hours. Even then it will take more time for you to actually burn up. You would feel a burning sensation on your skin, but the sun wouldn't burn you up right away. It will be a warning that you have to get out of the sun soon."
"Congratulations, Doctor. You have given us the means to destroy the rogue vampires and save Julia. Please pack it up right away. I must return to Transylvania and break the good news to Dracula."
"Mr Collins, I will need to go back with you," Mosley said.
"That won't be necessary," the vampire said.
"I am afraid it will. The exact dosage will be different with each vampire. I will only be able to tell by the color of their skin. I am certain you don't want to be the one to guess if their color is correct for the dosage."
"No, I don't want to do that. Alright, get everything together. We are leaving within the hour." Barnabas headed upstairs to find Willie. "Willie!"
Loomis came down the stairs as Barnabas reached the end of the foyer. "Yes, Barnabas."
"Have Elizabeth and Roger called about David?"
"At least a half a dozen times. They are convinced he would come to you if something was wrong."
"What did you tell them?" Barnabas asked.
"I told them you were out of town, and that I had no idea how to reach you or where you went."
"Very good. Doctor Mosley has figured out the serum and produced enough for our vampire friends. He will be going back to Transylvania with me to administer the dosage to each of them."
"Barnabas, I would like to go with you," Willie said.
"No, Willie, you must stay here. If you leave, the family is going to wonder where you went as well. I don't want them suspecting you took David with you."
"Ah, come on, Barnabas, the family is way past that. They trust me now."
Barnabas was immobile. "No, I want you to stay here. Join the search. We have to keep up the belief that David ran away."
Disappointed, but knowing Barnabas wouldn't change his mind, Willie resigned to staying behind.
Barnabas appreciated Willie's concern, but he didn't want to put him in danger in Transylvania. It hadn't occurred to him that Willie also knew the location of the time portal.
Mosley came out of the basement. "Mr Collins, I'm going to have to give you a dose of the serum since we will be arriving in the daytime. Transylvania is on the other side of the world."
"How long does it take to take effect?" the vampire asked.
"About five minutes."
"That's a lot shorter time than Julia's serum," he said.
"I combined the two serums. That accounts for it being quicker to take effect."
"Willie will help us get it through the underground tunnel. Let's go."
They packed up the serum in three boxes. Each one of them carried a box through the tunnels. When they arrived in Quentin's room, Dr Mosley gave Barnabas as shot. After waiting five minutes, Barnabas explained how the portal worked, and the two men stepped into the time portal.
7
Tristan and Ramon awaken at the same time. Both vampires stepped out of their coffins and were greeted by their servants. "Any problems?" Tristan asked.
"None, Master," the servant answered, "but there seems to be a lot of activity in the woods."
"Did you check it out?" Ramon asked.
"No, sir. We didn't want to leave either of you unattended."
"Well then, let's find out what all the commotion is about," Tristan said. He signaled for Ramon to follow him. Ramon resented the gesture. It was further proof Tristan didn't consider him an equal, or he would have discussed it with him first. He would kill Collins, then he would travel back and kill Tristan too. That would leave him in complete charge.
They headed out of the cave and stepped into the night air. "What's that sound, Tristan asked.
"The ocean. This cave is close to the ocean. You better let me lead. I know the way to Collinwood."
Tristan didn't like taking orders from Ramon. The vampire was inferior to him, and as soon as he could, he was going to destroy him.
Ramon led them through the woods. They could hear voices calling out David Collins's name. The vampires kept their appearance away from those roaming the woods. "Isn't David Collins the one we are here for."
"Yes. Apparently, he is missing. Just our luck. Somehow, I don't think it is a coincidence. Collins must have found out that we are planning time travel. He removed the boy."
Ramon said, "I don't see how that is possible. How could he have found out? Maybe the boy just ran away, or is hurt somewhere in the woods."
"I suppose that is possible, but it presents a problem for us. How will we find out about the location of the time portal without David Collins?"
Thinking about the last time he was in Collinsport, Ramon grinned. "There is a way. When I abducted Julia Hoffman, I went directly to the Old House."
"Old House?" Tristan asked.
"That is what they call the mansion Barnabas Collins lives in," Ramon explained. "He has a servant. His name is Willie Loomis."
"We all have servants, Ramon. Just like ours did, Loomis would've travel to Transylvania with Collins."
"I don't think so. Why would he be needed? Dracula has many servants in that castle. He could easily order them to protect Collins as well."
The more Tristan thought about it, the more it sounded plausible. "Alright, for the sake of argument, say you are right. What makes you think that Loomis even knows about the time portal? Collins wouldn't want to give him any ideas about escaping into the past, or the future."
"You don't understand, Tristan. Collins doesn't treat Loomis like a slave. He treats him like a friend or like someone who works for him. He doesn't even bite his servant anymore. Loomis stays there out of friendship with Collins."
"Friendship with a servant? That's ridiculous! No vampire would lower himself to be friends with a human."
Ramon smiled. "No ordinary vampire would. Collins is anything but ordinary. He has become humanized over the years. Otherwise, why would he care anything about the humans in Collinwood? Remember, Tristan, he is conducting a romance with a human."
"I see what you mean. Alright, let's find out if Loomis knows where the portal is," Tristan said.
"I want to point out that we can't force him to tell us where the portal is by biting him. Collins would've bitten him to make sure our venom would have no effect on him," Ramon said.
"How do you know that?"
"Because, if you think about it, it is exactly what we would do. Collins is humanized, Tristan, but he is not stupid."
"Lead the way," Tristan told Ramon.
This time Ramon didn't resent Tristan telling him what to do. It had to be painfully obvious to Tristan that Ramon was the one in charge while they were in Collinsport. He liked it. Exerting authority over the pompous vampire! The only thing that kept Ramon from attacking him was he knew his days were numbered. He would travel back to his time and kill him.
They traveled through the woods, careful to avoid the humans searching for David Collins. It would have been so much easier getting the information out of the boy than it would be from Willie Loomis. Then again, he would only be able to resist them for a while. When they arrived at the Old House, Tristan looked around. "How can he live in this run-down place?"
"My understanding is Loomis is restoring it to its original condition. It takes time." Ramon, using the door knockers, announced their arrival.
Willie Loomis came down the foyer to the double doors of the Old House. Whoever was at the door was persistent. They kept banging the knockers against the door. "Hold your horses, I'm coming," he grumbled. Figuring it was again someone searching for David, he opened the door, prepared to tell them David hadn't been there. When he saw Ramon standing there, he attempted to slam the door.
The vampires pushed the doors open with such force, Willie went flying down the foyer. Dazed, he sat there, trying to clear the cloud that was threatening to overtake him. Suddenly, he was jerked to his feet.
The vampires stared at him with their teeth elongated. "Now this can go very easy, and we just might let you live, probably not, but it will be your only chance," Ramon said. Grabbing Willie by the throat, he dragged him into the drawing room.
"Barnabas will kill you if you harm me," Willie croaked, barely able to breathe.
"Collins will be dead soon. He won't be able to protect you and neither will Dracula. He will be dead as well," Tristan said.
"They are already dead and so are you," Willie smarted off. It had been a mistake as Ramon threw him across the room.
"Let that be a lesson for your smart mouth, Mr Loomis. If you do it again, I'll kill you now," Ramon warned.
"What do you want? You must want something or you wouldn't be here."
"Brilliant observation, Loomis. We do, indeed, want something. The time portal, where is the entrance into it?" Tristan asked.
"What? I have no idea. Barnabas didn't tell me. He was afraid I would use it to get away from him," Willie lied.
"Now that would be believable if you and Collins had a normal vampire to servant relationship, but we both know you don't. You are friends, as disgusting as that is," Ramon said.
"That isn't true. Why would I be friends with a bloodsucker?"
Ramon picked Willie up from the floor with one hand by the throat. "You are trying our patience, which we don't have much of. Tell us where the time portal is or you will die a very slow and painful death."
"I am not telling you anything," Willie insisted. "I don't know where it is."
"Tear off his fingers one by one, Ramon," Tristan insisted. "If that doesn't work, then tear off his arms and then his legs."
Willies eyes widen. How could he hold out with this kind of torture? He didn't want to betray Barnabas, but Willie couldn't stand pain either. As Ramon grabbed his hand, Willie cried out. "Okay, Okay, I'll tell you where it is!"
"Very good, Loomis. I knew you would see things our way," Ramon said. "Where is it?"
"In the West Wing of the Great House," Willie said, feeling terrible. He was betraying Barnabas, but he could not withstand torture.
"What is the Great House?" Tristan asked.
"It is what they call the main mansion. They also call it Collinwood," Ramon explained. He again grabbed Willie by the throat. "You will take us there."
"What do we need him for. We can find it," Tristan said. "Kill him."
"Do you have any idea how big that place is?" Ramon said with disgust. "We don't even know what room it is in.
"It's in Quentin's room," Willie said. He might as well tell them; they would force it out of him anyway."
"Suppose you take us there," Ramon said.
Willie already decided to take them through the woods. He wasn't about to reveal the underground tunnels that led to Collinwood. "This way," Willie said. Loomis attempted to head for the door, but Ramon grabbed his arm.
"Don't try anything, and don't call out to those searching for David. Remember who and what we are. We will kill them without hesitation if they spot us."
"I understand," Loomis said. He led them through the woods. Occasionally, Ramon would change their direction slightly to avoid the humans searching for David. When they reached Collinwood, Loomis pointed up to a window that led into the hall near Quentin's room.
"We will have to change to bat form to get up there," Tristan said. "We can kill him now."
"No," Willie shouted. If you do, you will never find your way back to the correct time." Willie had to think fast. He had to tell them something, true or not, that would keep them from killing him.
"You better explain that," Ramon said.
"First of all you don't know how the time portal works. Secondly, you will never arrive back here if I am not at this end. When you arrive at the other end, you can't come back unless there is someone here to help draw you back. You have to speak to the portal. I will hear you on this end, and then you will be able to enter and return here." Willie didn't care that everything he just said was all made up if it kept him alive.
"Do you think he is telling us the truth?" Tristan said.
"Yes, he is too scared not to."
"What's to keep him from not helping us to get back?" Tristan asked.
"You see that is the part you don't understand. If I don't help you come back, than I will be drawn into the time portal to where you are. We discovered that when I didn't help Barnabas come back. I was drawn to him."
"That doesn't make sense. Then how did he get back? How did you get back?" Ramon asked.
"It is simple, really. I became his return ticket so to speak. He was able to return only as long as I was with him. So you see, I have no choice but to help you, or I will be drawn back in time with you," Willie lied.
"That makes sense, Ramon," Tristan said.
"Alright, we won't kill you now. We'll wait until we come back. Now, for the next question. How do we know it will drop us where we are suppose to go?"
"That's easy. It just does. We never did figure out why or how it does it. It seems to know where you want to go," Willie said.
"Than, let's not waste anymore time." The vampires grabbed Willie and climbed the wall up the side of the mansion. It reminded Willie of the movie he had gone to see when in Bangor. What was the name of the movie? Oh yes, he remembered now, it was called Spiderman. He could climb walls as well.
Tristan forced the window open and the three of them entered the hall in the west wing. "Where is this room you called, Quentin's room?" Tristan demanded.
"This way," Willie answered as he led them to the room Quentin occupied so many years ago. When they arrived, Willie opened the door and went in. "The portal is right over there. You can't see it, but it is there alright."
"You are a very lucky man, Mr Loomis. I wanted to kill you and leave your body for Collins to find. I still will, it will just have to wait until you pull us back through the time portal."
Willie got an idea. "You know when I was a kid, I loved dinosaurs. I always wondered what it would be like to go back in time and see them for myself. It would be fun, don't you think?"
Tristan had to smile at the thought. "I had the same fascination as a kid. The T-Rex was my favorite."
"Really?" Willie exclaimed. "Mine too."
"Can we stop this childish nonsense and proceed?" Ramon said.
"Let's get it over with," Tristan. The vampires walked through the time portal. Ramon was thinking about Collinsport in Barnabas's original time, and when he stepped out of the time portal, he was in the woods in Collinsport in 1795. He walked through the woods toward the Old House. The woods was thicker, but familiar. He was certain he arrived in the right time and place. Loomis was right, the portal just seemed to know where you wanted to go.
Tristan did not fare as well. Willie had planted the idea of dinosaurs in his mind, so when he stepped through the portal, he was wondering what it would be like to see a live T-Rex. When he stepped out of the portal the sun was shining, but beginning to set. His skin began to burn. He knew it wouldn't destroy him as with the setting sun, it wouldn't have the full effect of the daytime sun. Nevertheless, Tristan screamed from the pain. His screaming brought a very large T-Rex out of the forest. It roared so loud, Tristan had to cover his super sensitive ears. Then another one came into the clearing.
For the first time in his vampiric life, the vampire was terrified. He started to run. He was so frightened, he forgot to use his vampiric speed which would have allowed him to outrun the pre-historic monsters. Damn Willie Loomis! He knew what he was doing. The time portal dropped you in a whatever time was in your mind. The ground shook with the weight of the furious beast as they ran after him. He didn't get very far when the first one reached him. It bent down and picked him up in its powerful jaw. Tristan screamed as its teeth tore into his body. The T-Rex bit the vampire in half and swallowed the upper part of his body. The accompanying dinosaur grabbed up the remaining part of Tristan, and the vampire was no more.