DARK SHADOWS REVIVAL SEASON 2
Episode 8
"Darkness Over Collinwood Part 1"
It was quickly approaching 2:00AM by the time Julia Hoffman and Willie Loomis stepped through the doors of the Old House at Collinwood. They were both terribly overwrought with heartbreak and exhaustion. Anxiety and a continued sense of loyalty seemed to be their only source of fuel at this point. They had lost so much, the shock only now beginning to kick in as they come to terms with the seemingly irreversible death of their friend, Barnabas Collins.
There was still work to be done. Julia knew what she had to do and it would be no simple task. She could only imagine the type of reaction that the Collins family would have in response to the news of Barnabas' death. If the authorities were to expect foul play of some sort, she could be held accountable, and Willie held as an accomplice. The odds seemed to be stacked against them invariably. They both knew, however, that they had a responsibility to not only report Barnabas' death, but also to hold back the dark forces which threaten to destroy Collinsport and everyone in it.
Victoria Winters wandered throughout the garden of the Great House, taking deep breathes and long strides across the pathway; allowing the cold night air to console her. Apart from the wind's gentle, almost mournful howling, everything was ever so quiet. The perfect conditions for deep thought and problem solving. There was so much she did not understand about Barnabas Collins. Even more perplexing was Dr. Hoffman's relationship to the man.
Is Barnabas truly dead? And if so, do I not have a moral obligation to he and the Collins family to inform everyone of his death? But what of Julia's protectiveness over him? What is she trying to cover up? The young woman pondered and analyzed these questions to the point of near insanity. She had begun to fall in love with Barnabas, and somehow felt indirectly responsible for his death. Her legs growing weak, Victoria felt as if she could no longer stand and took a seat on the pond's retaining wall.
She did not take her eyes off of the water as the reflection of Quentin Collins had suddenly become visible. Alarmed, Victoria turned around quickly looking up at the figure, her eyes interlocking with his; rendering her utterly vulnerable.
Through the specter's eyes came a glimmer of his weary and vengeful soul, projected outwards unto the young lady who was now entirely under his influence. His lips did not move as he communicated via telepathy. You're now under my power, little Governess. Your mind, my mind. Your will, my will. You will execute my every command. I've waited a very long time to avenge myself upon those responsible for rendering me as I am. And now, through you, I will have my vengeance. Do you understand?
Victoria nodded her head. "I understand... perfectly." Her dreary, monotone voice must have carried through the wind and picked up by Dr. Hoffman who had just started up the walkway. "Hello, Vickie." Julia had greeted her in hopes of starting a conversation.
She did not reply, instead staring blankly onwards. The Doctor took immediate notice of her peculiar state of mind. "Are you alright, Victoria?"
"I... Yes I'm perfectly alright." She replied. Julia nodded her head, unconvinced that what she had told her was true. She knew that something was very wrong with the young woman and therefor proceeded to ask her if she would like to accompany her inside. "You could catch pneumonia quite easily on a night such as this."
There was no immediate response from Victoria as the Doctor failed to break her trance. "Laura... I must find Laura Collins..." her voice breaking off with the wind. "I don't think you'll find Laura out here, Vickie." Julia grabbed a hold of her arm and gently directed her towards the house.
The Doctor knocked as loudly as possible upon the front door until Mrs. Johnson arrived to usher them inside. "Oh, Vickie, Julia, please come in. Is Ms. Winters alright?"
"Victoria doesn't seem to be feeling too well. Do you know if Mrs. Stoddard is still awake? It is an emergency." Julia told her.
"Why, yes, I believe she's in her room. I'll go and fetch her for you right now."
"Thank you very much Mrs. Johnson." Doctor Hoffman escorted Ms. Winters in the direction of the drawing room where Julia patiently waited for Mrs. Stoddard.
It was only a matter of minutes before Elizabeth entered the room. "Good evening, Doctor Hoffman." She had taken immediate notice of Vickie who didn't appear to be in the best of spirits.
"Hello, Mrs. Stoddard." Glancing from the mistress of Collinwood and then to the young governess sitting on the sofa in front of her. "I was starting up the path when I found Ms. Winters in this state. I thought it best to bring her inside out of the cold."
"Well, I'm certainly glad you did, is she alright?" Mrs. Stoddard walked towards Victoria, placing her hand upon her shoulder. "Why she's frozen to the bone. I'll fetch a blanket."
Julia took a step back from the fireplace. "I think Vickie is suffering from shock, Mrs. Stoddard."
"Shock?" Elizabeth spread the long, thick blanket over Victoria; restoring a semblance of warmth to her icy exterior. She continued, "I talked to Victoria only an hour ago. She did seem rather sad, but she refused to talk about it what was bothering her."
"Elizabeth, I think I know the cause of her strange state of mind. There's an urgent matter that I feel we must discuss. Perhaps Victoria should go to her room first, though." Julia had suggested.
"Of course." Mrs. Stoddard opened the door and called for Mrs. Johnson, who arrived to help escort Victoria to her room.
"What I have to say may come as a great shock to you and the rest of the family, but you all deserve to know the truth."
"Julia, what's happened?" Concern breaking in her voice as she prepared for the worst.
"It's Barnabas-" She choked.
"Barnabas? I don't understand."
"He's dead, Mrs. Stoddard."
Elizabeth could hardly believe what Doctor Hoffman had just told her. "Dead?! How- when did it happen?"
"Earlier this evening, after midnight. I was treating Barnabas for a rare blood disease that he had been diagnosed with only recently. Something went wrong with the dosage I had administered- I don't see what else it could have been. Willie an I tried our best to save him... but it was no use!"
"Have the authorities been notified of this?" Elizabeth inquired, still stunned in disbelief at the news she had received.
"Yes, I had Willie call them before coming over." Julia's countenance grew somber and withdrawn.
Mrs. Stoddard took a deep breath. "Roger and I shall accompany you to the Old House, presently."
Julia simply nodded without replying, proceeding to leave the room with Elizabeth.
Barnabas wandered aimlessly through the dark, misty forests of Purgatory in search of anything or anyone. The only source of light being a bright, full moon shining down from above. His knees could no longer support him, however. His legs suddenly collapsed, resulting in a hard fall to the ground. The dust inside his eyes made it impossible to hold back his eyelids for very long.
After lying on the ground for an incalculable amount of time, Barnabas had begun to awaken from his slumber to the sound of a man's voice. Light emanating from a lantern showed brightly in his eyes. The voice was very familiar to him. After the light had passed away from his face, Barnabas could identify his rescuer. It was Peter Bradford.