Dark Shadows 1974

Dark Shadows 1974 – Part 1
Date: 9/30/97
From: MelodyX

As Melissa Holdridge drove up the winding road to the Collinwood Estate, the bright afternoon sunshine was slowly being engulfed by an ominous set of gray clouds.

"Why am I so nervous?"

A pretty yet unassuming woman in her late 20's. Melissa spent the early part of her youth waitressing and teaching preschool while studying to be a landscape architect. After 3 years of hard work, she was about to embark on her first independent large-scale project.

David Collins, an east coast lawyer had happened to see her work on an estate she did in Malibu, California and called her. He had not only offered her a substantial sum of money but room and board for refurbishing the gardens. There could possible be more work after the first job.

"Stop being so paranoid!!" she admonished herself "You know you are going to do a great job!"

She was still laughing at herself when Collinwood began to rise out of the woods. "My God! Its so big!"

She slowed down near this parking garage and stopped. In the distance, she was surprised to see a slightly smaller yet faded building of Greek Revival-style architecture.

It was Collinwood that impressed her the most. From the information that was given to her-she learned that Collinwood was over 300 years old and descendants from the original family who founded Collinsport still resided there. It had 65 rooms and was patterned after a French chateau from the renaissance period.

As she stepped out of the car, a scruffy old man dressed in overalls and wearing a baseball cap walked out of the garage.

"Afternoon Miss" he said "I'm Luther. I take it you must be that landscape woman that's going to fix the gardens"

"Yes" she said "I'm Melissa Holdridge, the landscape architect."

"Welcome to Collinwood." he said "A word of warning- Do what you came here to do as fast as you can then get the hell out. This is no place for a pretty girl like you." Melissa looked confused. "Excuse me?"

"Missy- This whole place is haunted. That brown hair of yours is going to speckled with gray by the time you get through with the job. I can guarantee that. "

Melissa laughed. "I don't believe in ghosts and sir, its only natural to presume that a place with such a rich history would be haunted."

"Well suit yourself. Move your care in the garage then follow the path to the big house. They are expecting you."

"Thank You."

The old man tipped his hat to her then trodded off.

As Melissa was halfway to the house it started to rain.

As she made it the steps, she suddenly lost her footing on a loose stone and fell backward hitting her head.

As she lay on the wet ground a peaceful blackness overcame her just as a middle aged man and woman ran out. "Oh my God!" The woman with faded blonde hair exclaimed "How many times did I tell Luther to fix that step!!!!"

The man reached down and gathered the fallen woman in his arms. His once sullen green eyes suddenly brightened and widened with shock.

"My God Carolyn!!!" he gasped. "She looks so much like Marissa!"

Carolyn shook her hand. "Quentin if that's Marissa that I want to know her plastic surgeon. Now lets get this woman inside before she does of pneumonia"

END OF Part I Intro

I'm handing the pen over

Dark Shadows 1974 – Part 2
Dark Destiny, Pt 2
Date: 9/30/97
From: Sheriff Patterson

As she came to, Melissa found herself in a bedroom. Much of the furniture was antique, Victorian style. Melissa was eager to examine all her surroundings. When she got up, though, she was greeted with a sharp headache. She found an icebag on her pillow next to where had head had been. It must have fallen off while I was unconscious, she thought.

A tall handsome man knocked on the wall next to the doorway. "Can I come in?" he said.

"Please" she responded. "I'm Melissa" she groaned, then slumped back down.

"You're going to have to rest for a while" he said. "My name is Quentin. Forgive my staring, but you look just like my wife."

"Oh? I'd love to meet her" grumbled Melissa, still feeling the effects of her fall.

"I'm afraid she's ... no longer with us." explained a saddened Quentin.

"Oh, I'm sorry" she said.

"It happened about 20 years ago, but we really don't like to talk about it."

Just then another person entered. She was very beautiful and elegant. Her hair was a faded blonde color, and she wore a very expensive dress and more jewelry than Melissa could ever afford.

"Oh, Carolyn", said Quentin. "I'd like you to meet Melissa."

"Yes, you must be the new landscaper we hired." said Carolyn outstretching her hand. "I'm so sorry our relationship had to begin on such a bad note."

Melissa grinned. "Don't worry, I won't sue."

Luther was outside working. He had just finished mowing the lawn and parked the tractor next to the garage. He reached for his squeeze bottle and drank the water. A man needs something stronger'n this to keep him workin' in this place, he thought to himself He was eager to go down to the Blue Whale for drinks with Dutch and Jake.

He wiped his head with a towel and began to head for the caretaker's cottage where he lived. As he passed by the flower garden, he noticed something odd. Those flower weren't there yesterday, he noticed. As he walked onto the stone path, a terrible chill crawled up his spine. Luther was frozen with fright.

Then just as suddenly the feeling passed.

"You ain't gettin' me!" he shouted seemingly at nobody. "I ain't scared o' you" he yelled while knowing it wasn't true.

Paranoid, Luther walked carefully along the path, keeping a watch over his surroundings.

"Oh, God! Get away from me!" he yelled, then bolted for the cottage.

A deep, menacing laugh echoed throughout the garden.

Luther slammed the door, locking his five locks that he had installed on the door. He scurried around the house, drawing the shades and shutting the windows. He finally ended up in his bedroom, every light in the cottage was turned on. Luther buried his head in the pillows and began repeating to himself "It's not real. It's not real. It's not real."

Later that evening, Melissa was feeling better and began walking around. I need some fresh air, she decided.

She passed Quentin in the hall.

"And where are you going?" asked Quentin with a smile on his face.

"I thought I might get some air." She gazed hopefully at him.

"Feel free to walk wherever you want. Just watch your step!"

She stepped outside and inhaled the New England air. It's been a while since I've been here, she thought. I've really missed it. She passed by the gazebo and sat down to enjoy the sunset.

"It sure is a beautiful sunset." The male voice startled her. She turned around to find a young man, dressed in a fine suit, hand-tailored, no doubt. He wore an expensive watch and carried an attaché case. "I'm David Collins. You must be the new landscaper."

"Melissa Holdridge, at your service."

He kissed her hand. David was always the proper gentleman -he learned from his "cousin" Barnabas. "Allow me to show you around."

Melissa nodded sheepishly. Not only was she getting a personal tour of the great Collinwood Estate, but she was getting escorted by a handsome, young man!

"This is the Old House." David explained.

"The Old House? How old is it?"

"It's over 300 years old. My ancestors built it when they first came to America. Collinwood was built about 100 years later."

"Does anyone live here now?"

"Actually it's been abandoned for the last several years. After cousin Barnabas disappeared, no one wanted to move in. Some say it's haunted."

Melissa giggled. "Luther said this place was haunted. I didn't believe it. I guess I have to see it to believe it."

David was suddenly very serious. "Be careful what you wish for."