Dark Shadows: Risk of Discovery
Chapter 2
1
The wind was blowing. A storm was in the air. Julia Hoffman looked up. The top of the trees were bending with the wind. Everyone in the area was used to the storm prone weather.
"Barnabas, maybe we should have taken the vehicle. It looks like it is going to storm."
The vampire looked up to the sky. "It will hold off long enough for us to reach the Great House. We can remain there until the weather clears."
They continued walking, unaware they were being watched. A distance away, Desandra watched them navigate through the woods. He knew where they were headed. He recognized Barnabas Collins. The woman with him was a mortal. There was nothing more disgusting than a vampire who consorted with a human woman. If he wanted her, then why didn't he turn her? Humans were inferior. They were food, nothing more, nothing less. Yet, Collins had an obvious affection for her. He displayed it in the manner in which he treated her.
Desandro wasn't about to underestimate Barnabas Collins. He had become a legend among their kind, almost as much as Dracula himself. Collins was known to be much stronger than his years as a vampire. No one seemed to know why, he just was. Desandro had been a vampire longer than Collins, yet he hesitated to take him on directly. He was not confident he could take him. Too many of their kind had been in battle against him in San Francisco. Those who survived the battle refused to go up against him again. Desandro tried to recruit several to join him in his quest to destroy Collins, but no one was willing to join him. They were scared of him.
Desandro continued to keep his distance from them. He stayed just far enough away that Collins would be unable to detect his presence. He would already be aware Desandro was in the area. Actually, he saw to it that he was. That was the reason for attacking the girl near the Blue Whale Tavern. He wanted the Collinsport vampire to know he was in the area. He wasn't ready to confront him. He needed to prepare for that. In the meantime, he would wreak havoc on the citizens of Collinport.
It would not be long before everyone believed in vampires. Once he was able to do that, he would reveal Barnabas Collins to them as a vampire. No plan was fool-proof, he knew that. Yet, he believed it to be as near fool-proof as a plan could be. He would watch as the people Collins pledged to protect turned on him one by one. And, he would let Collins know who did it to him. He would destroy him once and for all.
Barnabas and Julia reached the Great House. The rain started coming down. Thunder sounded in the distance. They hurried to the double doors of the mansion. Barnabas reached up for the door knockers and banged them against the massive doors. A moment later, the doors opened. Young David Collins stood there. When he saw it was his cousin, a big grin spread across his face. It wasn't that long ago, the ghost of Quentin Collins tricked him into crossing the staircase into the past to convince his human self to transcend into the future so he could live again. Barnabas and his San Francisco friend went back into the past to rescue him. It was then David's memory came back and he realized Barnabas was the original Barnabas Collins whose portrait was displayed in the foyer of the Great House. He was not his cousin at all, but his ancester. It was a secret David would never reveal to anyone.
"Hello, Barnabas, Miss Hoffman. Come in." David greeted his cousin with excitement. He looked upon his cousin with new eyes. He was a vampire! No one else in the family knew it, only him!
Barnabas and Julia came in as the thunder was increasing in intensity. Lighting was flashing, lighting up the foyer momentarily and then returning it to the dim lighting in the foyer.
"Good evening, David. Is Elizabeth in?" Barnabas asked.
"Yes, he and father are in the drawing room. I don't know what is going on. They keep talking in hushed tones. It is like they are scared for some reason."
Barnabas formed a special bond with young David as a result of their journey into the past. He could trust the lad. "David," Barnabas began. He looked around and then lowered his voice to a near whisper. "A woman was attacked near the Blue Whale. There is another vampire in Collinsport."
The youngster's eyes widened. "Is it someone you know?"
"No, David. I don't think so. My kind is supposed to respect life. They are only to take enough blood to sustain themselves. It is against the Vampire Council's rules to kill them. No one I know would break those rules."
A concerned look came over the future master of Collinwood. "That means everyone is in danger, doesn't it, Cousin Barnabas?"
"Yes, it does. That is why it is important that you never leave this house after dark, and encourage everyone else to stay in," Barnabas told him.
David thought about it for a moment and then said, "I'll do that, Cousin. You can count on me."
"Good boy, now where did you say Elizabeth is?"
"In the drawing room."
Barnabas and Julia walked over to the double doors of the drawing room. Knocking on the door, they waited.
"Come in," Elizabeth Collins called out.
Barnabas opened the doors and stepped back to allow Julia to enter in front of him.
"Barnabas, Julia, we were about to call you. Have you heard what happened near the Blue Whale?" she asked.
"We were there," the vampire told her. "Tragic for the young lady." He walked over to the davenport and sat down. "I must insist that no one go out after sunset." To add credibility to his statement he added, "And if you must go out during the day, all ladies must be accompanied by a man."
Roger stood at the credenza, pouring a drink. "We were just discussing that. That is exactly what everyone in this household is going to do. Would you like a drink, Barnabas?"
Despite not really wanting one, Barnabas answered in the affirmative. He turned down drinks so often he was afraid they would begin to notice. Roger poured the drink and brought it over to him.
"Did you talk to Sheriff Patterson?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes. They don't have any suspects as of yet," Barnabas answered.
"What did she die of?" Victoria asked, entering the conversation.
"We don't know that as of yet," the vampire said, turning his attention to Victoria.
"What do we know?" Roger demanded.
"Not much right now, Roger," Julia said. She glanced over at Barnabas, knowing Roger sometimes get on his nerves. He was doing quite well concealing his temper. "We should know more when the sheriff completes his investigation. In the meantime, everyone stay in at night and be alert in the daytime."
"Has anyone noticed any strangers in town?" Barnabas asked.
Everyone exchanged glances and began shaking their heads. Not that Barnabas was expecting anyone to say they had. The vampire would not reveal himself since he was here to kill. By revealing his presence, he could easily become the number one suspect. "Well, be sure to inform either me or the sheriff. A stranger in town will need to be checked out.
He set his glass down on the table in front of him after taking several sips of the sherry. "Julia and I will take our leave. We just wanted to make sure you knew about tonight's events." The vampire stood up. Taking his cue, Julia Hoffman did the same.
"Will you be staying with Barnabas tonight Julia?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes, thank you for asking."
Barnabas looked around. "Where's Carolyn?"
"She went out with that Buzz character. I am getting worried about her," Elizabeth said. "You wouldn't consider finding her, would you, Barnabas?"
"I will indeed. When I locate her, I will escort her back to Collinwood."
"Thank you, Barnabas."
"Not at all, Elizabeth. It would be my pleasure." He and Julia walked out of the drawing room into the foyer. Elizabeth Collins Stoddard followed them to the double doors. "You are always looking out for the family. I don't think you realize how much we appreciate it."
The vampire smiled. "Family is everything. Looking out for them is my duty." He and Julia stepped back out into the wind and rain.
"I thought we were going to stay until the rain stopped," Julia said, pulling her scarf from her neck and placing it around her head.
"We will not be in the rain long." Barnabas picked her up. Using his vampiric speed, he deposited her at the door of the Old House within a couple minutes. "I will see you inside. Do not venture out without me."
Barnabas watched her go inside, transformed into a bat, and flew back toward the Blue Whale. Carolyn and Buzz probably showed up at the Blue Whale after the commotion died down. It was the place to be for young people. They went there for drinking and dancing. When he arrived, after making sure no one was around, he transferred back to human form. Barnabas walked up to the door of the tavern, opened it and went in. Looking around, he did not spot Carolyn or the man they referred to as Buzz.
He couldn't understand her attraction to the young man. He was strange by any standards Barnabas lived by. He didn't approve of him. Yet, he never felt it was his place to interfere. He could only hope Carolyn would wake up and realize Buzz, or whatever his real name was, was simply beneath her. Joe Haskell was much more suited for her. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. Joe was now seeing Maggie Evans.
Barnabas went up to the bar. Addressing the bartender, he asked, "Have you seen Carolyn Stoddard or the young man everyone calls Buzz?"
"I'm sorry Mr Collins. They were here earlier, but left after all of the commotion outside. I haven't seen them since."
"Did they happen to mention where they were going?"
"No sir, at least not to me. Is there a problem, Mr Collins"
"Not that I am aware of. Mrs Stoddard wanted me to make sure she arrived home safely."
The bartender continued cleaning glasses while speaking with Barnabas Collins. "After what happened tonight, I don't blame her. No woman should be out by herself until they catch the maniac who killed that girl."
Barnabas thanked the bartender and left the Blue Whale. Returning to bat form, he flew over the road that led to Collinwood. If Carolyn was riding the motorcycle with the young man, they would not be going through the woods. He promised Elizabeth he would find Carolyn and it was exactly what he intended to do.
2
"We are getting soaked!" Buzz complained. "Why didn't you let me take my motorcycle?"
Carolyn had to admit they were definitely soaked right through their clothes. The rain had started out as a mist, but now it was coming down in buckets! "I thought it would be nice and romantic to walk through the woods back to Collinwood. How was I to know that it was going to rain?"
"Did you bother to check the weather?"
"Just how am I supposed to do that? Do you see any television sets in the Great House?"
"Your family needs to come into this century. I can't believe there isn't one single television in the house. Everyone has a television these days."
"Well, we don't." Carolyn was chilled, but she had no intention of admitting that to Buzz. He was already in a lousy mood.
"You will never talk me into this again, I'll tell you that!" he complained.
She was beginning to wonder why she even went out with him. Nobody in her family liked him, and her Uncle Roger was constantly trying to get her to dump Buzz. In his own words, he was becoming a bit of a drag.
Out of nowhere, a stranger stepped in front of them. Startled by his appearance, Carolyn stopped her forward motion. "I've never seen you before, are you lost?"
The stranger smiled. "Actually, I am. Is this Collinsport?"
Carolyn remembered what happened at the Blue Whale. She was immediately wary of the stranger. If he was new to the area, what was he doing walking around in the woods? She would have thought he would have come in an automobile and found Collinsport Inn. She looked over at Buzz. He didn't seem to have the same apprehension regarding the stranger that she did.
"How could you not know where you are?" Buzz said.
"Well, I sort of know where I am. You see, I am new in town and I am staying at the local hotel. I thought I would take a walk. Unfortunately, I entered the woods when I shouldn't have. Now I am lost. I have no idea how to get out of these woods. I'm hoping you can help me." He took a step toward them.
Carolyn immediately stepped back. She definitely didn't want to get any closer to him. His story just didn't seem plausible. Who in the world would take a walk in a strange area and enter the woods. Some people got lost in the woods for days, some even died.
"Turn around and go back in the same direction you came from. Stay on this path. You will reach the road. Turn right and continue until you get back to the Collinsport Inn," she told him.
"Is there any chance you would walk back with me? I am afraid I will not be able to find my way out," the stranger said.
"If you stay on this path, you will find your way out. Now if you will excuse us, we've gotta get out of this rain." Carolyn grabbed Buzz's arm. "Let's go. We have to get back to the Great House."
Desandro could tell she was completely wary of him. It was a definite possibility that she may have been at the Blue Whale and knew about the dead girl. It would explain her uneasiness around him.
"We are already soaking wet," Buzz said. "We might as well help him."
"No, Buzz. He can't possibly get lost with the directions I just gave him. Considering what happened tonight, my mother is going to be very worried about me."
"It wouldn't take that long, and you do have an escort," the stranger said. He noticed the young lady was avoiding his eyes. He had to get her to look at him. "I don't think I got your name."
Carolyn looked at him. For a reason she didn't understand, she couldn't look away. "My name is Carolyn Stoddard."
Holding her eyes with his, he smiled and said, "Stoddard? Are you related to Elizabeth Collins Stoddard? You mentioned the Great House. I believe that is what they call the mansion that she lives in."
Feeling uneasy, Carolyn wasn't sure she should reveal anything to this stranger. Yet, she couldn't look away from him. Something in his eyes . . . She didn't know why she was so taken with him, yet, didn't trust him at the same time. It didn't make any sense. Before she realized it, she answered him. "Yes, I live at the Great House, otherwise known as Collinwood. Elizabeth Collins Stoddard is my mother."
He smiled at her, continuing to hold her gaze. "It is a pleasure to meet such a beautiful woman. I am headed to Collinwood. Perhaps I can save your friend the task of escorting you to the Great House."
The jealousy rose in Buzz. He didn't like the stranger, not one bit. Nor did he like the fact that Carolyn seemed to be enthralled with him. Not believing in the supernatural, he had no idea why she did. Buzz didn't realize the stranger was a vampire. "She doesn't need you to escort her to Collinwood. I'll do it. I have to pick up my motorcycle anyway. And, I am not her friend, I am her boyfriend.
Desandro almost laughed at the young man's jealousy. If it weren't for Carolyn Stoddard as a witness, he would end the bum's miserable life. Maybe he would do it anyway. After all, he could bite Stoddard and take control of her. She would never report what she saw then. Yes, that was what he decided to do. He took a step toward Buzz.
"Carolyn, what are you doing out here alone?" Barnabas Collins said. The presence of Buzz was obstructed by a tree.
"She is not alone," Buzz said. He couldn't stand Barnabas Collins. The man thought he was better than he. The whole Collins family had that air about them. If it weren't for his obsession for Carolyn, he would steer clear of the entire stuck up family.
Carolyn looked around. Where was the stranger? He was nowhere in sight. "Where did he go?"
Although Barnabas had no idea who she was talking about, Buzz certainly did. He glanced around them. He didn't see the stranger anywhere either.
"Where is who?" Collins questioned.
"The man that was talking to us? Didn't you see him?" she asked her cousin.
Barnabas became suspicious. It bothered him that whoever the man was, he disappeared as soon as he appeared. "I didn't see anyone other than the two of you. Did you know him?" The vampire was afraid he knew the answer to his question.
"No, he was a stranger. I have never seen him before," she answered.
"What about you?" He looked at the man Carolyn seemed so taken with. How could a Collins be so attracted to the likes of him? It simply baffled him. She shouldn't have given him the time of day. Yet, Carolyn continued to see him on a regular basis. It pained Elizabeth that her daughter would spend her time with a man she considered unworthy of a Collins.
"He was here a minute ago until you showed up," Buzz answered. He would have told Collins to get lost if it weren't for knowing Carolyn was extremely fond of him. In fact the entire family seemed to look up to him as the family protector. Quite frankly, Buzz couldn't see where he was much. If it were not for Carolyn, he would have already kicked the man's stuck up ass.
Barnabas was certain he showed up just in time. He had a strong feeling the man they were conversing with was the vampire he was looking for. No one he spoke to saw any strangers in town recently. "What did he look like?"
Carolyn shrugged. "Like anyone else I guess. Well, except for his skin. He was very pale, like he was sick. Although, he didn't seem sick?"
"Did he have an accent?" the vampire asked.
"Come to think of it, he did. Don't ask me if the accent identified where he is from," she stated, "I couldn't tell you. I am not good with that sort of thing. He did have a brooding sort of look. I couldn't take my eyes off him."
That cinched it! Barnabas was now convinced they had met the vampire who killed the woman at the docks behind the Blue Whale. "I think I should escort the two of you back to Collinwood."
"We don't need you to escort us anywhere." Buzz's tone was defiant. He didn't want to spend the last few minutes he had with Carolyn with Collins tagging along. "She has me to escort her back to that huge joint."
Trying to control his anger, Barnabas decided to make it clear they didn't have a choice. "A woman was murdered tonight. I have no intention of depending on you to protect Carolyn if it became necessary. You can come along or go away. It makes no difference to me." He took a step toward Buzz with the intention of intimidating him. It didn't work. The young man interpreted it as a physical threat. Doubling his fist, he took a swing at Barnabas. Buzz had no idea the danger he put himself in with his action. Fortunately, Barnabas kept his temper in check. With a bit of vampiric speed, he reached up, grabbed Buzz's fist, and pushed him backwards. He fell hard to the ground. it only served to anger him further. He got up and roared back at the vampire.
Carolyn got in between the two men. She was worried what Barnabas would do to Buzz. She witnessed first hand that he was extremely capable of defending himself. Anyone who was foolish enough to start a fight with him, ended up on the losing end of a fight. Actually, it couldn't even be referred to as a fight. Barnabas would end it immediately. "Buzz, just stop it! Barnabas is just concerned about our safety.
The vampire refrained from correcting her. He could care less about Buzz. He was nothing but a bum. If Barnabas's personal code of ethics was that of a normal vampire, he would have already ended the man's existence. However, he vowed to only kill in self preservation. He would not allow himself to become the monster a lot of vampires chose to be. And yes, it was a choice. He was that monster when he was first released from his coffin after being imprisoned for 200 years. Over time, with the help of Julia Hoffman, his humanity returned. Unlike most vampires, he deplored what he was.
"Look, Carolyn, it's either him or me. I don't need some rich stuck up jerk, who thinks he's better than me, to escort me to Collinwood. Tell him to get lost!"
"Buzz! Barnabas is family. There isn't any reason he shouldn't accompany us to the Great House."
"Suit yourself." He turned from them and hurried off in the direction of Collinwood.
"Buzz!"
"Let him go, Carolyn," Barnabas soothed. "He needs to calm down. My presence will prevent that from happening.
She kept looking in the direction Buzz had disappeared. Deciding Barnabas was right, he usually was, she nodded and took his arm. "Shall we?"
The vampire smiled down at her. "We shall." They walked arm in arm, following in the direction of the Great House. "Your young friend is rather hot-headed."
"I suppose he can be, but Buzz is rather good to me, Barnabas."
"He is beneath you." He noticed the look on her face. "I know it is not my place, but you could do so much better."
"You sound like Mother," she said.
"Your mother is a very smart lady. You should listen to her."
"I do listen to her, just not this time. If the two of you would get to know Buzz, you would find he is actually a very nice guy."
Knowing there wasn't any way he could change her opinion of him, Barnabas decided to change the subject. "After what happened tonight, the sheriff is asking that no one goes out after dark."
"Oh come on, Barnabas. I could understand having an escort, but not being able to go anywhere? Collinwood can already seem like a prison. Besides, I was perfectly safe with Buzz. He can handle himself just fine."
"It didn't seem that way to me. I handled him easily. What do you think the killer would do to him? At any rate I do not want you out after dark unless you are with me, is that clear. If you want to go to the Blue Whale, I will escort you there and back. I promised not to interfere with you in the evening when you are there. Is that clear?"
She knew better than to argue with Barnabas. He would not back down. She had too much respect for him than to start an argument. "Alright. I'll do as you ask."
"Good girl. Now, let's get you home."
They walked in silence. The vampire used his vampiric senses in an attempt to determine if the rogue vampire was nearby. He could sense him. He had no doubt the man who approached Carolyn and Buzz was the vampire he was searching for. Fortunately for both of them, he came along when he did. Buzz would likely be dead, and Carolyn would be under the thrall of the invader.
When they reached the double doors of the Great House, Carolyn noticed Buzz's motorcycle was gone. She wondered how much damage control she would have to do with Buzz. He would take her decision to allow Barnabas to escort her to Collinwood as a betrayal to him. Barnabas opened the double doors and waited for Carolyn to enter in front of him. A very relieved Elizabeth came out of the drawing room.
"Oh thank God! Barnabas, thank you for finding her and bringing her back to the Great House," she exclaimed. "Carolyn, we need to talk about you going out at night until the killer is found and stopped.
Heading off what he knew could develop into an argument between mother and daughter, Barnabas intervened. "Carolyn and I have already had that talk. She has agreed not to go out at night unless I escort her to and from where she wants to go."
Carolyn didn't want to listen to any more lectures. "I am going up to my room. Goodnight, Mother. Smiling at Barnabas, she thanked him for escorting her home and then ascended the stairs.
Elizabeth watched her daughter until she was out of sight. Returning her attention to Barnabas, she requested his presence in the drawing room.
"I really must be going, Elizabeth," the vampire said, "Julia is waiting for me. I would like to spend some time with her before we both retire for the night."
"This will only take a minute."
Barnabas resigned himself to the delay and followed her into the drawing room. He waited until she sat down on the davenport before he joined her. "What is it you wanted to talk to me about?"
Folding her hands in her lap, she looked him in the eye. "You have been such a calming and positive influence on Carolyn and David as well. Both of them respect you tremendously. I have come to depend on you to help keep the family together. I cannot tell you how happy I am that you decided to leave your home in England and join us here."
"Thank you, Elizabeth. You have very much made me feel a part of the family."
She took his hand. Frowning at the coldness of his touch, she remarked. "It must be very cold outside, your hand is freezing cold."
"I am afraid it is part of the blood disorder Julia is treating me for. I have very poor circulation." Part of the statement was true. His vampiric blood disorder was the reason for his cold touch.The circulation of blood had nothing to do with it.
"How is the treatment coming?" she asked him.
"Very slow I am afraid. Julia is confident she will be able to cure my condition eventually.
"Well, I hope so."
"Elizabeth, this can't be what you wanted to talk to me about," Barnabas said.
"No, it isn't." She hesitated for a moment and then continued. "I know you work during the day, but I was wondering if you could stay in Collinsport tomorrow."
If only she knew what she was asking. As a vampire, he couldn't come out in the daytime. He would burn up in the sun. "Why is that?" he asked.
"Victoria has to make a trip into town. A woman from the orphanage she was raised in is going to reveal to her who her mother is."
"That's wonderful, Elizabeth. Victoria will be very happy."
"She can't be allowed to know."
Barnabas was dumbfounded. "I don't understand. Why can't she know?"
"What I am about to tell you, you must promise never to reveal it to anyone. Not even Roger knows. Do I have your word?"
"Yes, of course."
She looked away from her cousin. The discussion was most distressing to say the least. She couldn't think of anyone she trusted more with the secret. She certainly couldn't tell Roger. He was far too emotional and opinionated to understand. "Barnabas," she hesitated again before saying, "Victoria cannot know who her real mother is."
"Why not?"
She couldn't look at him for fear of the disgust she might see as she revealed her shame. Finally, she looked up. "She can't know that I am her mother."
Shocked at this revelation, Barnabas was momentarily speechless. "I don't understand. If she is your daughter, then why did you keep it from her all these years? Why did you put her in an orphanage to begin with?"
"I did what was best for her at the time. You see, when I was very young, I had an affair. I became pregnant. Knowing how my father would feel about it, I left Collinwood and went away to have the baby. Father would never have accepted the child. I couldn't bring her back to Collinwood. I did what I thought was best for Victoria. I decided to put her up for adoption. The orphanage was confident she would be adopted very quickly. Unfortunately, that turned out not to be the case. There weren't enough families in the area to place all the children. I used the money my father gave me on a regular basis to send to them for Victoria's care.
"When my parents died, I started paying for her entire care. Of course, it was kept from Victoria who her benefactor was. When David's last governess left, we placed an ad for a new one. You can imagine my shock when Victoria applied for the job. At first I was not going to hire her, and then I reconsidered. It was a way to have her close and in my life. So, after convincing Roger she would be an excellent governess, we brought her to Collinwood."
"I don't understand. Why not tell her the truth, Elizabeth?" Barnabas asked.
"How could I possibly explain to her that I abandoned her? I can't take the chance she would not understand and would leave Collinwood, hating me for what I have done."
"I don't think you are giving her the credit she deserves. I believe, with your explanation, she will understand," the vampire offered.
"No, Barnabas. I just can't chance it."
He nodded. "Alright, then tell me what it is you want me to do."
"Please leave early in the morning and convince the agency to tell her it was a mistake and they really do not know who her mother is."
Barnabas thought about it. It would mean having Julia inject him with the serum that would allow him to be out in the sunlight for a while. How long was the question. If he remained in the sun longer than the serum would allow, it would be the end of his existence. That was not an option. Although he was more than willing to sacrifice himself for his family and the people he loved, he would be leaving them with a killer vampire loose in Collinport. Yet, he would do as Elizabeth asked. Julia would have to figure out the proper amount of serum to protect him long enough to get the job done.
"I will do as you ask, Elizabeth. I will go to the orphanage and convince them not to tell her."
Her smile was one of relief. "I can't tell you how much this means to me. I will, of course, reimburse you for whatever you would earn for the day."
"That is not necessary," he told her. "I don't have to work. I am independently wealthy. I only work because I enjoy it." He smiled at her.
She kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Barnabas. I knew I could depend on you."
"I will leave first thing in the morning." He stood up, taking her hand. She stood up with him and escorted him to the double doors of the Great House. As her cousin left, she could help but think what a gentle, kind, wonderful man he was. Keeping her secret just proved Barnabas couldn't hurt anyone.
The vampire stood outside the Great House. He had to speak with Julia immediately. It was important to find out if she had enough serum for the mission he was about to partake. If not, she would have to spend the night making more. But first, he wanted to go back to the spot where he found Carolyn and Buzz. The need to use his vampiric powers to see if he could sense the direction the rogue vampire went was overwhelming.
Barnabas turned into a bat and flew to the location he found them in the woods. Concentrating, he pushed his senses to the limit. Not really expecting to sense the vampire since too much time had elapsed, he was surprised when he felt his presence. It was definitely a vampire Carolyn and Buzz had come upon. He would like to use his senses to find him tonight, but decided it was more important he speak with Julia and be sure there was enough serum to complete the task Elizabeth entrusted him with.
Barnabas turned into a bat and flew back to the Old House.