About half an hour later, Doctor Wadsworth, whom had been Victoria's physician ever since she was a child, had arrived and was busy examining her careful. Meanwhile, Victor impatiently pace back and forth across the bedroom floor, preparing himself for the worst, though he was finding it quite impossible to do so. As soon as the doctor left his wife's side, Victor nearly pounced on the man.

"How is she," he asked immediately, feeling his heart race with fear. The doctor smiled a comforting, sort of fatherly smile and patted Victor reassuringly.

"She's going to be fine, my boy," the doctor told him. "There was no sign of trauma to the head and her vitals were normal. She probably fainted from the shock of the attack more than anything else."

Victor let out the breath he hadn't known he was holding and smiled. "That certainly is good to hear."

"Yes," Dr. Wadsworth agreed. "She is going to have quite a noticeable bruise on her cheek, however. Who would you say did this to her, if you don't mind my asking?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," Victor replied.

"I've seen a lot more than you think, young man," the old doctor said in a wise voice. "Try me." Victor sighed.

"Barkis Bittern."

"Barkis Bittern," the doctor cried incredulously. "Do you mean Barkis Bittern, her deceased first husband!"

"Yes sir," Victor replied.

"My, that is quite a shocker," Dr. Wadsworth said as he shook his head in disbelief. "Why, if I wasn't around that night of your near wedding to that lovely corpse, I wouldn't believe it!" Victor could think of nothing to say, so instead he just smiled politely. Dr. Wadsworth glanced over at Victoria, who was still sleeping in her bed.

"It's a shame this had to happen to such a lovely woman," the doctor said sadly. "You know, out of all my patients, she has to be my favorite." He leaned in a little closer to Victor. "Don't let this get out, but I think most people in this town are just too self-absorbed and cold." Dr. Wadsworth smiled a reminiscent smile. "She was the only one you seemed truly…extraordinary."

"I know what you mean," Victor agreed with the man as he gazed upon Victoria. He turned to the doctor and smile gratefully. "Thank you very much, doctor. I truly appreciate all that you did tonight." Victor took the old physician's hand and shook it warmly.

"Your welcome, my boy," he replied. "Oh! And before I forget, here," he said as he pulled out a tiny package of white powder from his bad and handed it to Victor.

"It's a sort of sleeping potion. You see, when some people undergo a traumatic experience, such as attacks from their evil husbands who were supposed to be dead, they may experience nervousness which may lead to insomnia. If Victoria ever has trouble sleeping, just mix this in with some sort of drinking liquid and it will help her get to sleep. And don't worry about it being to strong, I used very little amounts of the chemicals that actually induce sleep and the liquid it has to be mixed into will dilute it further."

"Thank you doctor, you're very kind," Victor said to him as he slipped the package into the pocket of his jacket. Dr. Wadsworth smiled once more.

"So I've been told," he said good-naturedly as he turned to leave. "Goodbye, young man. Take care of yourself, and be sure to take of my favorite patient as well."

"I will," Victor assured him. And with that, the doctor opened the door and walked out of the bedroom. Victor smiled after him. It was nice to know that there were in fact people out there who still cared for him and his wife. Now he knew why Victoria always spoke of him so fondly.

I'm so glad she's alright, he thought as he returned to Victoria's bedside. I don't know what I would have done if…

Victor shook his head to clear himself of that thought. It was just too horrible to bear. He wished she would wake up to give him some reassurance of her well-being.

As if she heard his thoughts, Victoria began to whimper slightly and stir. Her eyes then fluttered open and she sat up quickly in her bed. She looked around frantically before spotting him.

"Victor," she cried in a relieved manner. Victor immediately sat down next to her and wrapped his arms around her.

"Oh Victoria, Victoria, I'm so glad you're alright," he told her as he held her close for encouragement. He was stunned however, when he could feel her entire body trembling. He gathered her closer.

"Victoria, darling, what is the matter," he asked worriedly.

"Oh Victor," she said in a fearful voice. "It-it was Barkis!"

"I know darling, I know," Victor replied in a slightly cooing manner. He gently began to rock her in his arms to provide some sort of comfort to her.

"He-he was supposed to be dead! It was all supposed to be over! But now, now he's coming after me," she cried as tears brimmed her eyes.

"I know darling, but you mustn't be frightened. I will not let him lay another hand on you," he reassured her.

"You don't understand," she cried. "He's never going to stop! He's gone mad with thoughts of revenge and he finds me at fault! He will not be happy until he completes his quest! He'll take me away!" At these words, Victor froze. He looked down at her with disbelief and shook his head.

"No! No, he can't, darling! He can't take you away. I won't let him," Victor said as more of a reassurance to himself. Victoria nodded in disagreement, tears now rolling freely down her cheeks.

"He will! He'll take me away from you! We'll be parted forever," she said between sobs. She held Victor tighter and buried her head deep within his chest, as if he would slip away from her any second. Victor could think of nothing more to say. All he could do was hold her close and sit in silent disbelief.

She's right, he realized with a feeling of the up most horror. If revenge is what Barkis wants, he won't stop until he completes it. Oh good Lord, then what is to come?

Victor continued to hold Victoria the same way and gently stroke her hair for about a half an hour before he realized she had fallen asleep. He gently laid her down on the bed and after a quick change, laid down and joined her side. He then closed his eyes and attempted to sleep, knowing perfectly well that nightmares would plague him from then on.