Fallen Angels. Chapter 1
From: Beverly LaCroix
Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 21:59:51
Mature
Chapter 1
Dark Saviour
The last thing Jenny clearly remembered was running through the woods,embracing
the night in a desperate attempt to flee from her anguish. She'd thought that
leaving the prison that Collinwood had become for her would save her, but it
hadn't. The cries of her babies and the hideous voices that haunted her had
followed her into the darkness; the moonlight seemed only to amplify their depraved
insults and laughter, and Jenny couldn't run fast enough to escape them. Fear
and exhaustion had eventually overwhelmed her, and she had collapsed, trembling
and sobbing until she finally succumbed to unconscious bliss. Now she was awakening,
and in the half-light of the candles that had been placed around the room she
saw such luxurious splendor that she thought she might have died. The bed she
was resting in was warm and soft, piled with thick blankets and goosedown pillows
that comforted her even in the midst of her growing confusion and unease. The
rest of the room was exquisite as well, with a large picture window tha was
framed by gauzy lace curtains, a marble fireplace that gave life to a roaring
fire, beautiful antique furniture and a vanity table covered with trinkets and
perfume bottles. It was a room fit for a woman of royalty, and Jenny was in
awe of its beauty despite feeling that she didn't deserve such luxury. She was
still absently admiring the room when the door slowly opened and a man she didn't
recognize entered. He was a handsome older man, with an imposing stature and
dark eyes, eyes that seemed to look straight through her. As he approached,
Jenny clutched the sheets tightly, her sudden fear of him causing tears to burn
her eyes...who was this man, and why could she hear his voice so clearly in
her mind when the others were nothing more than confused noise?
"Don't be afraid," he spoke this time, his voice echoing the same concerned
compassion that she had felt him project into her mind. "I"m not going to hurt
you."
"Who are you?" she sobbed as he sat next to her on the bed and took her into
his arms. His embrace was peaceful and comforting, and she clung to him desperately,
as though her world would end if he let her go. She didn't want to leave the
safety of his arms only to be tormented over and over by the cries of her lost
babies, and the treachery of a man whom she had once loved more than the world
that revolved around her...a man whome she had believed loved her the same way.
"My name is Barnabas Collins." He felt her body tense at the mention of his
family's name and he rubbed her back gently and rocked her in his arms. "I know
my family has mistreated you, Jenny, but I promise you I won't. I'd like to
help you...if you'll let me."
She raised her head from his shoulder and looked at him with such sadness in
her eyes that it almost caused him physical pain to be confronted with her suffering.
"How do you know my name?" she whispered, "Everyone has forgotten me..."
"Not everyone," he murmured, shushing her soft cries by covering her lips with
his in an intimate caress. She moaned and opened her mouth, kissing him deeply
and Barnabas was surprised by her response. He pulled away, and she tried to
to pull him back to her, but he held her away from him to look into her face
and eyes, and he saw her yearning and desire to be loved. He pulled her close
to him again and she put her arms around him and laid her head on his shoulder,
now quiet.
"Jenny, can you tell me what happened between you and Quentin?" Barnabs asked
her in a soothing, hypnotic voice. He could feel her starting to get hysterical
again, and knew he had to be patient with her. He didn't think she was insane,
just very lonely and very hurt. It was times like these he wished Julia was
here-she would know how to care of the lost child Jenny had become.
"Jenny, wait here for a moment," he told her, thinking of a way he could comfort
her. "I will be right back." He was glad she had quieted down, but he could
tell it wouldn't last. When he started to leave, she looked hysterical, so Barnabas
looked into her eyes and told her in a hypnotic voice to lie back down, and
he promised he would return shortly.
"You do believe me, don't you Jenny?" Barnabas asked, never taking his eyes
from hers.
"Yes, yes I do," Jenny said, believing him, but not knowing why.
Barnabas knew that Magda had gone out for the evening, so he called to Sandor
as he descended the stairs to wait for him in the living room. After a few brief
moments, Barnabas heard the front door slam, and knew from the heartbeat it
was Sandor.
"Mister Barnabas, you needed me for something?" Sandor asked.
"Yes, I want a bath prepared and I want it done now," he ordered the gypsy.
"Yes sir," Sandor replied. His curious nature made him wonder what was going
on, but he knew better than to ask and incur Barnabas' wrath. Instead, he merely
left the room to do as his master wished.
After Sandor left, Barnabas returned to Josette's room where he tended to Jenny,
slowly undressing the unkempt woman. He took note of the bruises that covered
her body, brusies tha were probably caused by her bumping into things, and from
the brutal abuse of some hired servant. She was worthless now, not needed, and
so thrown away like the refuse the servants burned. Barnabas was bristling with
anger, ashamed to be associated with a family that could treat someone this
way. If he could have confronted Quentin in that moment, his young cousin might
not have survived the encounter, but he knew he wouldn't accomplishd anything
thinking like that. He had to remain calm for Jenny's sake.
He continued to undress her, the warmth of her skin burning his hands as he
massaged her shoulders and whispered reassurances to her. Suddenly, Jenny grabbed
his hand and put it on her left breast. Barnabas didn't react as he felt her
nipple harden at the touch of his hand, but he noticed that here eyes were still
wild (AND????)