Subj: A Return to the Shadows Part 15
Date: 2/25/01 9:29:37 PM Central Standard Time
From: KimD
A Return to the Shadows
By
Vicki Reed and Kim
Part 15
Maggie Evans looked down at her dear friend Carolyn. Her red hair limp around
her shoulders her face gaunt and pale. She had watched Daphne die, she knew
that Joe was dead, and now Carolyn was hanging on by a thread. She looked at
all the machines, hearing them hum. She held tightly to Carolyn's hand, when
she felt someone touch her shoulder; she looked up to see Roger.
"You all right?" he asked, sitting down beside her.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"We're going to find who did this Maggie, we are going to find them. Sometimes
I think Barnabas Collins is responsible for this, and now some other cousin
of ours is at the house."
"I don't know Roger, I just don't know." Maggie said, her eyes glassy. Over
and over she played her visions out in her head, trying to see the eyes of the
man who had attacked Carolyn, but it was always just out of her reach. "I'm
going to get a cup of coffee Rog, I'll be back."
Maggie walked down the long foyer of the hospital, hearing pings of machines
and the talk of nurses, she also noticed Julia Hoffman with a very refined man
on her arm. "Julia!" Maggie said.
"Maggie! You are just the person I wanted to see. I must speak with you."
"Maggie," Julia said as they walked to a more private part of the hospital where
they could talk freely, "I want to you to meet someone. This is Professor Elliot
Stokes. He's an expert in folklore from NYU, and a friend of mine. Elliot, this
is Maggie Evans." Maggie and Professor Stokes exchanged greetings. "I asked
Elliot here to help with all the problems we've been having."
Maggie wondered what Julia knew that would cause her to call for an expert in
folklore. "You know what's been happening don't you? You know who's responsible
don't you?"
"Yes, and I need your help." Julia hoped Maggie wouldn't ask what was going
on or who was behind it. She feared that Maggie would want to do something drastic,
like Joe had done. She told as little of the truth as she could. She knew she
really didn't have any other choice. She needed his help, and she knew if she
hadn't told him he would have persisted until he found out the truth for himself.
Julia turned to Elliot. "Maggie has special abilities. She can see things."
Professor Stokes turned to look at Maggie as if he was seeing her for the first
time. "That's a very special talent you're blessed with."
"It's no so special when you figure out that the future's something you can
do very little to change." A sad look crossed Maggie's face as she thought of
the close friends she had already lost. "Sometimes I wonder if it isn't more
of a curse than a blessing."
"Maggie, I want to make things better, and I need you to help me."
"What do you have in mind?" she asked, shaking herself out of her reverie.
"I want to contact the spirit world. Have you done this before?"
"Yes, and I'm sure you understand how dangerous it can be."
"Yes, but I'm willing to accept complete responsibility for anything that may
happen."
"Alright, I'll help. Do you want to tell me what all this trouble's been about?"
Barnabas Collins walked into the hospital, feeling remorseful for what he
had done. Mrs. Johnson had told him that everyone was at the hospital. He knew
they would me. He pretended to be shocked as she also told him about what happened
to Carolyn. Seeing Carolyn would only bring fourth guilt over all the hurt that
he had caused. His life had once held such promise. He had had his family, and
the love of his sweet Josette. He would give anything to change his life to
the way it once was, before all the death and destruction.
He thought of Victoria. She was so much like his Josette. He wondered again
what she had seen in the past, and if she had found out his secret. If she had
she wasn't ready to reveal anything yet. He still worried that she might tell
the wrong person.
Elizabeth was watched over her daughter, when Barnabas walked in. "Good evening."
he said. As any mother would Elizabeth immediately sensed something was wrong
was her child. It was the faintest movement of Carolyn's hand. "How is she?"
At Banrabas' words Carolyn suddenly arched up, shooting up out of the bed. The
machines all blinked and beeped.
"My God!" Elizabeth screamed. "Barnabas, get help!" As Carolyn twisted and moved,
moaning, Barnabas did not move, it was if the whole scene entranced him. Then
Carolyn began to speak. "Barnabas!" the girl cried. Elizabeth looked at him
in fear. "Get someone! Now!!!" she clung to Carolyn's hand. "What is it about
Barnabas?" Elizabeth begged.
"No Barnabas," Carolyn screamed. "Please don't touch me! No! No!" Elizabeth
suddenly felt a chill go straight down her back, as Barnbas stood still. Roger
ran in the room. "What the hell..." he looked at Carolyn who was still dazed
and frightened. That was when the nurses ran in, and Barnabas quietly slipped
down the hall and out of sight.