Chapter 28
"Hmm," Willie said after hearing the story how Barnabas and Maeve met Max. Turning around in the passenger's seat to look at Max in the back, Willie asked, "So, young lady, how do ya feel about meetin' yer dad and knowin' what he is?" Max didn't answer, instead stared out of the front window beyond the dashboard. Willie looked at Maeve as she looked through the rearview mirror.
Concerned, Maeve asked, "Max, dear, are you alright?" She didn't get an answer so she pulled the car over to the side. Parking the car, then turning around to look at Max, Maeve and Willie stared at the woman who looked like she wasn't present. "MAX!" yelled Maeve.
Still staring out of the front window, Max said, "I know where they are and you don't have much time," Max pointed between her companions, "Follow this road up to the top and I . . . we may prevent what might happen." Willie stared nervously at her before he turned around to look up the hill.
"Of course!" Willie exclaimed, "They're at Widow's Hill. Hurry, Maeve, we gotta rush like Max says!"
"So, you still deny what you are, Mr. Collins?" William asked fiercely, shaking the gun and aiming at Barnabas' heart.
"Yes of course," Barnabas said slowly, in a soft tone, trying to reason with the highly excitable man. "That's an interesting story but it still doesn't prove I'm that man. It would mean I was over 200 years old. That makes no sense. No one can live that long." Trying to make the lad feel guilty, Barnabas explained, "If you kill me, you will be a murderer. Do you want that on your conscience? How will your father and mother feel?"
"But I wouldn't be killing a man. I'll be doing what my father should have done that first day he let you out of your coffin!" William stressed. Barnabas glared at him and growled under his breath.
"What are you talking about?" Barnabas snapped.
"You tell others it was your father who arrived in 1967 from England. I say it was you, the same Barnabas Collins from the 18th century," William sneered.
"That's absurd," Barnabas snapped impatiently.
"Is it? Let me tell you what else I learned. I read articles in the 1967 newspapers about cattle found dead, drained of blood and no clues," William added to his evidence. "Then I read articles about women attacked the same way the women were in the last 18th century. A local Collinsport girl, Maggie Evans, kidnapped and presumed dead, made the headlines in 1967. I believe you had something to do with that too and you involved my father," William protested. "I read an article that Maggie mysteriously turned up and no one found out what happened. Then I read an article about my father accused of kidnapping Ms Evans and a deputy guarding the Evans' cottage shot him five times in the back. Fortunately, he survived and then sent to Wyndcliff Sanitarium."
As an afterthought, William said, "Dr. Julia Hoffman ran that sanitarium and she was your friend, as I recall. Did she know what you were?" He looked down thinking, then said, "Hmm, she was a doctor." Sensing movement, William jerked himself out of his revelation and focused on his target again. He noticed his carelessness allowed Barnabas to take a few steps forward. "Stop right there," he demanded and placed both hands on his weapon.
"This still doesn't prove anything. You just want to blame me for all your troubles," Barnabas said unconvincingly.
Wanting to end this discussion, William confessed, "I heard the whole story from your lips. Yesterday, I was standing behind the door of the secret staircase in the drawing room, listening to your confession," William's voice elevated. "I heard everything. My father let you out of your coffin and then you took control of him. After that, you made him your slave," William yelled shaking the gun at Barnabas.
William and Barnabas stared at each other for several minutes. Time seemed frozen for both men, both calculating their next move. Then William cocked the hammer, aimed and said, "Now it's finally time to rid the world of a monster.
Maeve had just stopped and parked the car when Willie jumped out of the passenger's side. They ran towards the two men and then saw William Loomis pointing a pistol at Barnabas, ready to fire it.
Barnabas watched William take careful aim and knew he had to act immediately. "NO," he screamed and leaped into the air at his attacker. William was true to his word. He released the trigger rapidly six times, emptying the pistol faster than the target could reach him. Barnabas fell to the ground.
"NO!" A hand grabbed William's hand and pulled the pistol from his grip. There was no resistance as the stunned man stood looking at the still figure lying at his feet. "What have ya done?" yelled his father. William turned to look into the face of the man he loved and trusted.
"I did this for you, father," William said tearfully, pointing at Barnabas' body. His mind was whirling.
Dropping the gun on the ground, Willie grabbed his son and pulled him into an embrace. Meanwhile, Maeve ran to Barnabas and turned him on his back. She checked him and then turned to stare at Max. Standing up and approaching her, she demanded, "What's the meaning of this, Max?" Maeve said sternly. "I just check him and he isn't destroyed."
"WHAT?" Willie and his son screamed in unison. "That's impossible," cried William, "those were silver bullets!"
Maeve continued to stare at Max as Willie went over to Barnabas' body. Willie placed a hand on Barnabas' chest and pulled back quickly. "It can't be … it's impossible," Willie jumped up. "Barnabas has a heart beat!"
At that exact moment, the vampire's eyes opened. Sitting and then standing up, Barnabas looked around. Remembering what happened, his anger elevated. He saw William staring at him and started to lung for him. With all his strength, Willie held him back. "NO, Barnabas, wait," Willie cried. Barnabas stopped. He noticed Willie and the others for the first time. Then he looked down at his chest, examining his body for any wounds. When he didn't find any, Barnabas looked up at the others confused.
"What's the meaning of this? He shot me six times. I heard the shoots and felt the impact," Barnabas agitatedly exclaimed. Willie stared and shook his head not understanding either. Then they all looked at Max.
Max walked up next to William and picked up the pistol where it had been dropped earlier. Opening the chamber, she emptied six silver bullets into her outstretched hand. They looked at the bullets and then at her.
"Max, what's going on?" Barnabas asked disoriented.
Beginning to understand, Maeve moved closer to Max and said, "I've been at this a long time. You've always been with me, guiding me to my destiny. The pieces are starting to fit together and now we are all here." Maeve spoke to the 'Powers-to-be' but she meant for her companions to hear and know also. "You are channeling through Max and using her to complete this blood destiny. You are controlling the events so everyone can come together and finish this. What's next?" They all waited.