The Bonds of Love pt 6
Date: 3/22/98
From: barnster

At Wyndcliff, Julia couldn't believe her eyes. The mutating bloodcell, had clearly gone into regression. She didn't know how, or why, only that it was happening. As she watched, the 'vampire' cell came under attack from Barnabas' immune system.

But one thing she was sure of, she had to see Barnabas. She had to know if he was all right.

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Maggie knew that something was wrong. Terribly wrong. She could sense that something had happened to Barnabas. Making up her mind, she left her room, and made her way downstairs.

On reaching the drawing room, she let out a scream of fear. Barnabas was writhing in agony, in a pillar of light.

Nicholas stood by, grinning. "How nice of you to join me, my dear."

"What have you done to him?" she cried, going over to Barnabas.

"Nothing.....yet."

"Your killing him!"

Nicholas sighed, patiently. "Killing is such an ugly word, Maggie! Think of it, has" his grin broadened. "the release he's craved for."

"You madman! Let him go!"

"I can't do that. You see as from tonight, you'll forget all about Barnabas Collins."

"Never! He's my husband! I love HIM!"

At her words, the light surrounding Barnabas vanished. With a moan, he sank to his knees, and Maggie rushed over to him. Nicholas let an oath of rage. And turned away from Maggie and Barnabas, shielding his eyes.

Maggie turned, and saw the ghostly images of six people she had never seen before. Two of the figures, a man in black, and a woman in what seemed peasant clothes, where each holding up a cross.

"Let the powers of Goodness and Light, consume thee!" intoned the man in black....

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Julia looked up at the brightening sky, worriedly. All she could think about, was getting to the old house in time. She had to be certain that Barnabas wasn't in any danger. And if the same thing that had happened in her lab, was also happening to him....

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A white light seemed to surround the six figures. One of them, a child, stepped forward. Maggie couldn't believe her eyes. The child, a little girl, looked almost like her own daughter. Could this be the sister, Barnabas had mentioned?

The girl smiled, then went to Barnabas. She touched his shoulder. He opened his eyes. "Sarah!" he whispered in surprise.

She smiled again, "I said I would come back, if you learned to be good."

Another figure stepped forward. One look at the wedding dress, convinced Maggie that this was Josette. They looked at one another with awe. It was like looking into a mirror. She too, went to Barnabas, and touched his shoulder.

When Josette touched Barnabas' shoulder, Nicholas screamed in agony. Maggie couldn't help her smile of pleasure.

Suddenly the white light was replaced by an unearthly red glow. And a voice boomed, "You will return, NICHOLAS! You have failed once more! There will be no redemption! The Fate that awaited Angelique, will now be YOURS!"

"No, Master! I can finish it! I can!" Then he gave an inhuman shriek, as an inner fire consumed him. Then he was gone.

One by one the ghosts winked out, all except those of Sarah, Naomi and Rev Trask, and Bapthia Mapes.

Naomi went over to Barnabas. He stared at her with fevered eyes. "Mother!" he croaked.

"Don't speak. You must save your strength, for the fight to come." Then she too vanished.

Sarah was the last to leave. "I forgive you, Barnabas," she said, hugged him, then left, too.

Unable to fight anymore, Barnabas closed his eyes.

"Barnabas?" asked Maggie, fear creeping into her voice. "Barnabas..." He lay motionless.

As Maggie buried her head in her hands, a insistent knocking came at the door.

Outside, the sun warned of approaching dawn.....

TO BE CONTINUED.