Chapter 13
"It was a warm March day twenty years ago. David was in school and Carolyn had just put Nancy down for a nap. Willie was fixing a shutter at the back of the house and Maggie was chatting with Mrs. Johnson in the kitchen. Roger and Liz had gone into town. I had just stepped out of the shower when I saw it. The word written in the steam on the mirror. It said only one word, "Mine."
At first I thought it was someone playing a joke or simply my imagination. But I knew, I knew deep inside who had written that word, to remind me. Count Andreas Petofi, my greatest enemy. I dropped my towel and ran from the bathroom. I went to my bedside table and took out my gun. I heard laughter, evil laughter. I couldn't tell where it was coming from, but I knew it was in the room with me.
I cried out for him to leave me alone, but the laughter continued and it grew louder. That cackling laugh. I blacked out then, and the next thing I remember I was dressed and down in the foyer. Nancy came running down the stairs screaming Willie's name. She dashed out the door and I followed. When we reached the back of the house we found him lying on the ground with a broken neck. He had fallen from the ladder, or so it seemed. But I knew who had pushed that ladder. He was still laughing....in my mind. Somehow, when I lost consciousness, he entered my mind. This was a warning, showing me that he had control of me, and I was at his mercy.
He would make passes at Carolyn while she was still grieving. He would try and trap her in dark corridors, never left her alone. I was beastly to her and she hated me for it. Finally she couldn't take my abuse of her anymore. She left for a stay in New York to help her get over the loss of Willie and to get away from me. She left Nancy in the hands of Roger and Liz.
.
Their deaths followed Willie's several months later, In late April Roger was killed in a car accident on his way back from Bangor. Two months later Liz died in her sleep. At least that was what was believed, but I knew it was my hands that had held the pillow over her head as she slept. The part of me I still had control over told Carolyn to never come back to Collinwood, she would never be safe from me. Petofi then threatened her with Nancy's life if she ever did. What kind of monster separates a mother from her child? He had his evil plans for her even then.
When she asked about her mother, Petofi told her that Carolyn had gone to New York to become an actress. That she abandoned her and never loved her. He told David lies about his father too. That Roger wasn't his real father and he had no legal claim to the Collin's fortune. Then he-I, oh Barnabas I'd beat him! I've never been more ashamed of anything in my life.
Maggie, oh the hell I put her through. She was so good to the children, she loved them so much. She's tell them they'd get away from me. When Nancy was about seven, Maggie tried to escape with them. She and David had gone to get Nancy but I blocked her in the hall. I told her she'd never escape me, that she was mine and always would be.
David launched himself at me and I kicked him to the ground. Maggie tried to scratch my eyes out but I caught her fists and held her to me. Leaving David bruised and beaten on the floor I carried Maggie to my room where I took her brutally. David crawled to the doorway attempting to save her but all he could do was watch helplessly, his hate for me stronger than it had ever been. When it was over Maggie ran to his side, begging him to get up, they'd leave this house if it was the last thing they did. I grabbed David by his arm and threw him into the room locking it behind me. She ran for Nancy's room but I grabbed her, pushing her aside and locked the door before she could reach it. I gave her an ultimatum, either she could be my wife and give me her complete obedience or she could leave and never come back. She chose to leave, vowing she would find a way to get the children away from me.
I've killed people without remorse Barnabas. I've hurt the people I love, and it's because of Petofi. Please you must get him out of me! Before he again takes over my mind and kills you. Please."
Quentin looked at him pleadingly. If Barnabas couldn't help him then he would be lost. He became Petofi more and more each day and soon there would be no more of Quentin Collins, except his body. An empty shell of the man many had once loved. In it's place only a dark shadow, concentrated evil and it would show Barnabas Collins, and the rest of the world, no mercy.
