Secrets Past chp 13
Date: 6/24/98
From: barnster
When Barnabas left the mausoleum, he headed towards the graves of his mother and younger
brother.
His mind was a myriad of thoughts. Just what was it, that his father was hiding? He was sure of
it!
As he neared the graves, Sabre began to growl threateningly, braking into his thoughts.
"What is it, boy?" he asked as he held the leash more firmly, and peered into the darkness.
Slowly a form began to take shape, and the threatening growl, became a low ominous snarl.
"Sabre!" hissed the boy, as he remembered the last time Sabre had acted this way. That had been
when Sarah had fallen ill.
"You have trained him well, Barnabas Isaac Collins," said the stranger, with admiration, in his
voice. "He is a credit to you."
"Who are you, and how do you know me?" he asked the stranger, suspiciously, unconsciously
bring Sabre nearer to him. Who continued to warn the stranger.
"I know a great deal about you," said the stranger, from the darkness that seemed to surround
this nocturnal visitor. "And your father," he added, with what Barnabas sensed was a grin. "Who
I am, is not important. Now, Sabre. I mean your young master no harm," said the stranger,
directing his attention to the dog. Bending down, he stretched out a hand, and stroked the dog's
muzzle.
Instantly, the dog calmed, and licked the offered hand. "Good dog!" he enthused. "You really
have done a remarkable job, young Collins! And with my guidance, you will go far."
Barnabas felt a sudden twinge of fear, and he stepped backwards. The stranger rose to his feet
again. "You need not fear me. I am perhaps, the only friend you have."
"I don't need friends!" he snapped back, defiantly. "Sabre is the only friend I want."
The strange shook his head, sadly. "A boy of your age, needs friends. Especially, when his father,
is in love with the woman who killed your mother."
Shocked, Barnabas could only stare at him. "You mean she really let my mother die?"
"Of course! How else could she get what she wanted?"
"She let my mother die, because she loves my father herself?" he asked, his eyes blazing with
fury.
The stranger smiled to himself. 'Where Nicholas and Angelique failed, I will succeed!' he thought
to himself. 'Yes young Collins, you will indeed go far!'
"You will know I speak the truth soon enough. Just as your dreams, will soon reveal the truth."
He frowned. "What truth? And how do you know about my dreams?"
"You have seen the coffin in the secret room of the mausoleum. Surely, you've figured it out
now? I can see that you haven't. I see that you still have a lot to learn."
He knelt down, so that he could look the boy, in the eye. "Look into my eyes, Barnabas," he
intoned in a hypnotic tone. "See what has yet to be revealed. See the truth, that someone has
successfully kept form you, until now."
In a matter of minutes, he learned Angelique had destroyed Barnabas, as he had first thought. He
instead choked her to death. He was the reason; Josette had jumped from Widows' Hill. Joshua
discovering what his son had become; Naomi discovering what he was, taking poison, and dying
in his arms. And finally, the death of Lt. Nathan Forbes. And the subsequent chaining of the
coffin.
Even as the events flashed through his mind, he could feel the fury surge through him. But even
as the images stopped, he felt another feeling engulf him, as well. The pain Barnabas had felt at
the death of Josette and his mother. And finally, the pleasure in the killing of the man, Barnabas
blamed for Naomi's death; Lt. Nathan Forbes.
Seeing that he had succeeded in his mission, the stranger smiled, evilly.
"Now, listen carefully. When you leave here, you will forget this meeting ever took place. But
you will subconsciously remember what you have seen. Your father will ask questions. You must
answer them so that he isn't suspicious. Do not let him know, that you know the truth. Sabre will
guard you, during the day, while I cannot. Do you understand?"
"Yes," said the youngster, vaguely.
"Excellent!" smiled the demon. He placed his hand over the boy's eyes. "Look to the darkness,
for guidance, Barnabas Isaac Collins. Dreams are of the future, but also of secrets past. And it is
there, that you will find your true self."
With a click of his fingers, and vanished completely. With the spell broken, Barnabas shook his
head, as if to clear it, and then headed for home.
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