Subj: The Obsession of Maggie Evans, Chapter XVI
Date: 3/16/99 2:11:27 PM Central Standard Time
From: Beverly LaCroix

Change

Sam Evans was frightened, and he didn't know why, but the fear was there, a constant companion. It had started a week before when going to the Old House to visit his Maggie, who had been sick. His memory was fuzzy, and when he tried to think about it clearly, he would see two red eyes overlaying a -- what seemed to be a large wolf, mouth open, fangs bared, saliva dripping from his deadly jaws, and it -- it -- was coming for him. That's where the memory ended. The one thing that remained was the foul and rotten odor surrounding the wolf, the fetid breath, and the fear that grew with each memory. Sam did what he always did in the face of decision, fear, any problem that he could not explain or fix, he took to the bottle. Peering out the window, he thought he saw -- no, it couldn't be. Looking away from the window, convincing himself it was a large dog, he was drawn back to the window -- yeah, there it was, he saw it. It was the wolf! Terror cut through him like a sharpened sword, ripping through him nonstop. The red eyes were fixed on him, as the wolf stood three feet from where he was. The dogs began their nightly chorous, Sam groped for his bottle. Something was biting at the bottom of his pants leg, shaking if off, he finally reached his bottle. Picking it up, readying to uscrew the top, and take in the fiery liquid that would quiet these new demons that had plagued him for a week. They were getting stronger, more persistent. The irritation of moments before was back, like a pesky insect. What was pulling at his leg? Looking down, he saw, it was a rat! Terrified, he kicked his leg chaotically. Oh no, there was more than one. Dropping his bottle he ran for the front door, opening it he was confronted with the daunting presence of the big timber wolf, fangs glistening, eyes red, poised to strike. Backing in the cottage slowly, he made his way to the phone, only to be stopped by, what seemed to be thousands of rats, in reality, there were probably no more than 20. They were huge, having been summoned from the docks by the voice of their powerful vampire master. Only allowed to go so far to the human, they could not touch him, only hold him hostage, and they obeyed their master perfectly, the man could feel unseen eyes burning through to his very soul. at the rodents obedience. The rodents were gleeful as the fear of the man emanated from him. It was food for them, for they could feel the pleasure of their master.

Standing at the window of the Old House, burning eyes glared through the windows, undaunted by the streaming rain, and occasional lightning, quite naturally followed by the low rumble of thunder. Feeling satisfied, a smile caused the sinister countenance to change to one of evil cruelty. He lowered his hand, and turned around to face the young beauty he was vindicating. No one would be able to cause her pain, and remain unpunished, not even her father.

"Maggie, how nice to see you." Barnabas said softly. She was lovely, he thought looking at her thoughfully. The violet colors she had chosen to wear this evening suited her as well as it had Josette.   Maggie smiled at her husband as she went to greet him, taking his outstretched hands in hers, she reached forward to kiss him on the cheek.

"Maggie, have you had dinner?" Barnabas asked her?

"Yes, I ate earlier, thank you, Barnabas."

"Are you okay? The nausea, is it gone?" Barnabas asked with a concerned look on his face.

"So far so good. Now, stop worrying about me, I'm fine, and I intend on staying that way." Maggie answered him, laughter in her voice.

They were sitting in the wingbacked chairs in the drawing room in front of the fireplace. There was a low fire burning, but it wasn't really necessary, the evening was mildly cool. Summer was here. Maggie had recovered, and to the outsider they looked like any married couple talking about the arrival of their first child.

"Would you like to play chess" Barnabas asked Maggie.

"You know I'm not very good, Barnabas, even though you've assured me, you're the greatest teacher in the world," Maggie told him teasingly. Barnabas stood, walked over to Maggie, taking her hand in his, helped her up, and before she could protest he had pulled her into his tight embrace, wanting her so badly, he felt himself losing control. His fangs were pushing at their sheaves, his eyes were golden with desire, dusting her face with light feathery kisses, moving down to her carotid, kisses that were becoming deadly. His hands caressed her very gently at first, he heard her moan, smelt her desire, her need. He could smeel the blood racing through her veins with a need that was matching his. His eyes glowed red as his touch became more insistent, rougher.   Her breasts swelled, pushing into his chest with urgency. Then he felt the baby, and heard the rythm of its heartbeat, and pushed Maggie away from him.

"Goddamn you, Barnabas Collins!" Maggie screamed at him.

"Maggie, stop it. You know we can't, and you know it's for the baby's sake as well as yours. I promised you I would not harm you or the baby, and you agreed," Barnabas told her, not touching her, he was afraid he would lose complete control.   She was angry, and he could hear her heart beating hard, and it excited him, the scent of her blood was becoming overbearing.

'I NEED YOU!" Maggie screamed at him.

"Maggie, it is not possible, now stop this immediately," Barnabas told her in a low firm voice.

"Yes, you're right, of course. I'm sorry. I think I'll go upstairs, and read awhile, if that's okay with you," Maggie said much calmer, but she wouldn't look at him, she just stared at the fire.

"I think that would be a good idea. I'll be up in awhile, when you're calmer. I'll have Willie take you some milk and something light to eat." Barnabas told her in a tone of finality.

"Thank you, Barnabas," Maggie said, still not looking at him, as she walked up the stairs.

"Maggie, I'm going out for awhile." I'll see you in a bit." Barnabas said as she had ascended the stairs about halfway.

Maggie stopped, turned around and looked at him very hard, said nothing and continued on up the stairs.

Barnabas didn't miss the hurt in her eyes, but he couldn't be moved by it, not now.

Walking into the kitchen where he knew Willie was, instructed his servant to have Dr. Hoffman come and check on Maggie, and that he would be going out for the evening.   No doubt it would please Dr. Hoffman when Willie informed her of his absence. He knew the doctor was very afraid of him, and she had good reason to be, smiling at that thought. Grabbing his cane, and cape, walked out the door.

Entering the bedchamber, Maggie walked over to the window, looked out and saw the disappearing figure of Barnabas headed towards Collinwood. The night was beautiful, clear, warm, a good night for a walk Maggie thought as she envisioned Barnabas and Vicki walking along the cliffs, talking intimately, Maggie shook her head and cleared that vision as soon as it appeared. That is not the kind of thinking she was prepared to indulge in right now.

Walking over to the settee in the large room, she sat down, and begin to repeat over and over to herself, "I will not lose control." it became a chant, almost like a mantra. Her tone was loud enough for her to hear and no one else. Reasoning that if she said it aloud enough times, it would go back inside her brain, and become a part of her. Maggie had had enough time to think about what losing control had almost cost her, and it wasn't her life that she was so concerned about, it was the thought of getting so sick that her father had been allowed to take her from Barnabas, and she had almost been taken away to be locked up with the hopelessly insane.

Maggie knew that the reason Barnabas had married her in the small cold ceremony last week that had taken place in the drawing room was because of the baby, but she had no intention of being so out of control that he would let Julia take her away and lock her up again. Very angry with herself for losing control tonight -- it was so hard, her body betraying herself at his touch, wanting him to take her savagely, taking her blood, being a part of him like no other, but that was not to be. If there were only a way, she thought after completing her chanting. She felt stronger, could think a little more rationally now, try to formulate a plan to get through the next few months without exhibiting the wanton behavior that had occurred tonight -- hopeless! There's no way. I'm trapped, she though clenching her fists, not moving. Feeling the control leave that she had fought so hard to regain moments before, Maggie felt the tears slide down her face. Angrily wiping them away, taking a deep breath, she got up to answer the door, knowing it would be Willie with her nighttime respot.

Taking the food, Willie informed her that Dr. Hoffman would be by in awhile at Barnabas' request. Closing the door, behind Willie Maggie took the tray and sat down on settee again, began to eat, and wait for Dr. Hoffman.

Entering Collinwood, Barnabas hung his cape and cane on the tree by the door, as Mrs. Johnson waited so she could announce his presence to Mrs. Stoddard.

Entering the beautiful drawing room, Barnabas saw Elizabeth, and always thought how much she resembled his mother, and then noticed that Carolyn was engaged in conversation with her.

Rising to greet Barnabas, Elizabeth said, "Oh, Barnabas, what a pleasure to see you. We were just talking about Maggie. Is she with you?"

"No, I'm afraid she's not. She was feeling rather tired, and after what she went through, I feel that it's best she rest and take it easy for the time being. But she sends her regards." Barnabas answered his cousin, wondering what they could be talking about that concerned Maggie.

"Oh, hello, Cousin Barnabas," Carolyn said.

"Carolyn, always a pleasure." Barnabas said taking her hands in his.

"Where's Vicki?" Barnabas asked nonchalantly.

"She's upstairs with David." Carolyn replied quickly.

"Oh I see. Is everything okay with David?" Barnabas asked showing concern for his younger cousin, masking the disappointment at not being able to see Vicki. Barnabas knew it would be futile to request her presence now.

"Barnabas, as I said when you came in, we were talking about Maggie. I know she went through quite a bit with her health, and she now seems to be doing so much better. Do you think Dr. Woodard would allow her to travel to California with Carolyn and I? We have a small estate in Bel Air, as I'm sure you know. Roger does business out there with some of the shipyards, and we purchased the piece of property a few years back.

"Well, my point is, I think it would do Maggie a lot of good to go with Carolyn and I to shop for herself, and the baby." Elizabeth said.

"Shop!" Barnabas said incredulously. HIs eyes had widened, and he was shocked at what Elizabeth was suggesting.

"Yes, Barnabas, shop. Not only shopping, of course. The weather is beautiful out there this time of year, we know a few people, and Maggie could socialize a little, go to the beach. Oh I don't know, Barnabas, I'm starting to sound a little silly. I realize that, but the last time I saw Maggie, which was last week at your wedding, she looked very depressed. I know it's understandable, but I think you must do or allow others to try and help her overcome that kind of depression" -- Elizabeth was saying.

"Elizabeth! How can you say that! Maggie was very happy when we got married. She was laughing and smiling, talking with Carolyn and David, she seemed perfectly fine to me. I haven't noticed any signs of depression since either. She's emotional, and from what I understand that is due to her condition." Barnabas said.

"Cousin Barnabas, Mother is right. Maggie was very sad and depressed-looking. She may have been laughing, but she couldn't hide the look in her eyes, and it was sadness and depression," Carolyn said.

Barnabas was trapped with no way out, and he knew it was pointless to argue with Elizabeth. Obviously, she had made up her mind, and there would be no changing it without doing some harm to their relationship. Then there was the problem with Dr. Woodard, who was not Maggie's doctor, and no one knew Julia Hoffman was a doctor, more problems. Well, that was one that could be dealt with quite easily. He would let Dr. Hoffman deal with that particular one, he thought to himself, his look becoming nasty and evil.

"Well, it looks as if I'm outnumbered. What about Maggie? Are you giving her any say so in this?" Barnabas asked lightly, knowing that Maggie didn't have a choice once his Cousin Elizabeth had made up her mind.

"Barnabas, what a thing to say. Of course, she doesn't have a choice. Carolyn and I have made up our minds, and Maggie will be delighted to go, once she hears the names of all the movie stars she will be able to meet," Elizabeth said teasingly.

"Cousin Barnabas, are you afraid to let Maggie out of your sight for a week?" Carolyn said joining her mother's teasing tone.

Barnabas left feeling somewhat dismayed, he heard footsteps, and detected a familiar heartbeat, stepping into the shadows, watching, "Why, Dr. Hoffman, so pleasant to see you," Barnabas said in a deadly voice. Hearing her heart beat begin to race in fear, almost tasting the fear, relishing it, he told her what she had to do. Before she could reply, he was gone.

Barnabas was frustrated at not being able to control the situation that Elizabeth had presented to him. He knew there was nothing he could do about it, and if he did stop Maggie from going, he would take the risk of alienation from Elizabeth, and that he couldn't risk, because of Vicky. She wasn't going with them, that caused Barnabas to smile. As he made his way to the cottage and Sam Evans. Barnabas' eyes glowed red, as he concentrated, and felt himself begin to change form. The large gray timber wolf was now pacing back and forth in front of the cottage, keeping up a low steady howl. He was hungry. He could smell the human's fear. He tried to move closer, but there was that wall that he couldn't see, stopping. He had tried and tried to go through it, only to be frustrated, and finally angered.   Snarling, and snapping, the wolf tried and tried, but he still couldn't get through that wall that did not look like a wall. He knew that the man who was not a man, that had red glowing eyes did not want him to go through the wall, and he had to obey. Hearing the movements of tiny animals scurrying in the cottage, made him more desparate to get in the cottage, so he could get at the man, and maybe the animals. The low moaning sound that had come from the house earlier had now stopped.

The wolf's ears went up, alert, he sensed the presence before he heard it or saw it, it was suffocating him, then he saw the red glowing eyes of his master. His master was now a large black and silver wolf. Its huge head and body were fearsome in appearance. At the sight of his master in this form, the grey timber wolf crouched down on his stomach, crawling in submission to greet him.

Inside the cottage Sam Evans was frozen with horror. Having made it to a chair, he was afraid to move, afraid the huge rats would eat him alive, afraid to go outside because the wolf was waiting for him. A few minutes before dawn, Barnabas released the rodents from his will, commanding them to go back to the docks from where they came. Scurrying away the wolf sensed them, and wanted to go after them, but the large black and silver wolf would not release him from the invisible grip he had around his neck. If he moved he would choke to death, so he stayed completely still. Seeing the break of dawn, the wolf knew that his master would leave him before sunrise. The wolf felt the impending sense of his own doom surrounding him like a visible wall. But the wolf was granted a reprieve, when he sensed his master's will was for him to retreat back into the forest, and be here again, when total darkness fell.

Watching the giant black and silver wolf change into the man form, the wolf felt the grip release from about his shaggy neck, and ran off into the woods.

Finally from sheer exhaustion Sam Evans fell asleep in the chair, never moving, when the dreams began.

To be continued...