Vicky jumped when she felt a mans hand touch her shoulder. Not moving or opening her eyes, Vicky shook away not wanting to see Barnabas or Michael. It wasn't until she heard someone else voice that she had to look.
"It's alright Miss Winters, it's over now. You and Mr. Collins are safe." the policeman stated.
Vicky looked up to him, a huge amount of relief coming over her. Looking behind him, she spotted Michael dead on the ground and Barnabas still alive, "How did you find us?"
"We followed this guy from town. I got here and entered finding him pointing a gun at Mr. Collins. It was then I knew he had to be stopped before he shot an innocent man." The policeman smiled, bending down, "Now let's get these shackles off of you and Mr. Collins."
"Thank you so much." Vicky smiled rubbing her ankle when he removed the shackle, then moved over to Barnabas doing the same.
Just then another policeman entered the warehouse coming over to his partner, "I contacted the sheriff, let them know they were both safe. He stated we are to take Miss Winters, and Mr. Collins to Collinwood. A doctor Hoffman is there to take care of them both."
"Good, here help me. Mr. Collins has a high fever, and we need to get him there soon as possible." The policeman got his hand under Barnabas arm, as the other one did the same.
Together, they got him to his feet, getting him outside and into the back of the police car. Vicky followed right behind not able to stare at Michael's dead body knowing he wouldn't trouble them any more. Getting in the back seat of the car with Barnabas, Vicky couldn't help let out a sigh knowing they were free. Looking over to Barnabas, Vicky noticed his eyes were open but didn't know if he knew what was going on.
Taking his hand in hers, Vicky smiled, "Barnabas, can you hear me?" Barnabas slowly turned his head to her voice, "Vicky..."
"Yes, it's me Barnabas. We are free, and going home. Do you understand?" Vicky asked.
"Julia..." Barnabas whispered her name.
Vicky nodded, "Yes, Julia is at Collinwood where she is going to take care of you. You are going to get better. Michael is dead and wont come back."
It didn't take long before the police car turned up into the road going to Collinwood. Vicky couldn't help but let some tears fall, thinking she would never see the mansion ever again. Looking over to Barnabas, he was resting however she couldn't help but smile noticing he also had a smile on his face. As the policeman parked the car close to the door as possible, Vicky spotted Roger and Willie coming up to the car, following Elizabeth and Julia. One of the policeman let Vicky out, as she came around hugging Elizabeth while Roger and Willie got Barnabas out, carrying him in their arms. Elizabeth watched them carry them into the house, before thanking the policeman for finding them and bringing them home. Stating they had other business, Elizabeth watched watching them leave down the driveway. Vicky walked in with Elizabeth as she followed to where they had taken Barnabas. Entering in one of the guest rooms, Julia was on the edge of the bed with her medical bag while Barnabas was laying beside her. Roger and Willie stood at the edge of the bed, where Elizabeth and Vicky joined them. They all watched in silence as Julia examined Barnabas, wanting to be of help if they could. Finally Julia had finished, getting up off the bed turning to face them.
"How is he Julia?" asked Elizabeth.
Julia shook his head, "Not good I fear. His fever is high, his pulse weak."
"Can't anything be done for him?" asked Willie not wanting to see his master die.
"Yes, Willie, we are going to help him long as there is breath in him." stated Julia.
Roger asked, "Julia, what can we do to help him? Just tell us and we will do all that we can."
Mrs. Johnson entered the room, "How is Mr. Collins?"
"He has a fever, Mrs. Johnson. However you are just the person I needed to see." stated Julia.
"What is it you need?" questioned Mrs. Johnson wondering what she could do.
"Take Miss Winters here, get food and water into her. Then take her to her room and give her this." Julia rose handing her a pill, "It will let her sleep."
"No, I'm not going to leave. I want to help also." Vicky spoke up.
"You will help him Vicky, just like everyone here will. However first in order for you to help him, you need food and rest. Don't worry I promise to come get you if he takes a turn for the worst." Julia stated.
Vicky nodded following Mrs. Johnson out of the room leaving Julia, Roger, Elizabeth, and Willie waiting their instructions. It felt like forever before Julia looked to them, having pulled out a pad and pencil writing a few things down.
Looking up Julia spoke, "Elizabeth, I need you to go and get some sheets. I would have asked Mrs. Johnson, but I don't want Vicky to be left alone."
"Sure Julia, how many do you need?" asked Elizabeth already at the door.
"As many as you can grab." ordered Julia, before looking to Roger and Willie, "Roger, Willie, you two have the most important jobs."
Roger nodded, "Whatever you need Julia, we will get."
"I need ice, loads of it. Also alcohol, and not the kind you can drink. We need tons of both in order to break his fever." Julia explained.
"Ice and alcohol, right Julia. We'll get it." Willie nodded.
"We have lots of ice in the ice house, but we'll have to go into town for the alcohol. I'm afraid we don't have any here." Roger frowned.
"Then go get it, quickly!" Julia stated, as they both rushed out of the room.
Hearing a moan, Julia turned around finding Barnabas tossing restlessly on the bed. Julia sat on bed, touching his forehead, praying that they would get back quickly so that she could start working to get his fever down. His eyes were open however Julia knew he couldn't see her, as fever was gazed over them. As he started muttering in delirium, Julia began soothing him in hopes her words would get through the delirium into him.
"Vicky...no...Michael...don't..." Barnabas began muttering.
"Barnabas, Barnabas, can you hear me." Julia spoke to him.
"Don't please...don't...Vicky..." Barnabas tossed on the bed.
Julia took his hand, "Vicky is safe, you both are safe. Please calm down."
Barnabas body seemed to relax as Julia kept talking to him. In a few moments, Elizabeth returned her arms full of white sheets. Placing them on the table, Elizabeth moved over to Julia looking down at Barnabas, looking around for Roger and Willie.
"I sent them into the town to get some alcohol along with ice. I need both to try to get his fever down." Julia explained.
"How is he?" asked Elizabeth sitting on the edge of the bed slowly as not to disturb him.
Julia sighed, "He comes and goes, muttering in delirium calling out to Vicky and Michael. He must be having dreams at the warehouse."
"How, and why did Michael have to do this." Elizabeth spat with anger.
"We will never know, Elizabeth. Just that it is over, Michael is dead, and we have back Vicky and Barnabas." Julia frowned.
"Yes, that is all that matters." Elizabeth agreed.
Just then Barnabas became restless again, as he started to rise, crying out, "No...Michael...bring her back...I must go to her...Vicky!"
"Elizabeth help me." Julia instructed as they both eased him back down onto the bed.
"Please, Barnabas lay still. Vicky is upstairs resting and you must too." Elizabeth spoke to him.
Julia sighed as he relaxed once more, knowing the more he would move around, the worse he would become, "Please Roger, Willie hurry back here." Julia thought to herself knowing they couldn't hear her.