Subj: A Return to the Shadows part 32
Date: 7/15/01 9:23:11 PM Central Daylight Time
From: KimD
Quentin had been trying to discretely keep track of Vicki ever all afternoon.
She'd looked like she was in a daze. She had barely spoken to anyone. Even David
noticed something odd about her. The change in her whole attitude had been so
sudden. He tried to talk to her a few times today, but she seemed detached.
She still refused to even acknowledge that anything was wrong, but in her eyes
he could see pleading and desperation. He was determined to find out what was
happening.
She grew restless as evening came. She had seemed to be anxiously waiting on
someone. She sat in the study, seemingly engrossed in a book, but she hadn't
turned the page in fifteen minutes. She kept walking over to the window, and
staring out as if searching for something. "What are you looking for?" Quentin
asked as he entered the room.
She whirled around as if surprised to see him. "I just thought I saw something
outside, but it's not there now."
"Maybe we should go out and make sure nothing's there." He said it to corner
her, and see her reaction.
She looked alarmed at the idea of both of them going outside. "No, that isn't
necessary. I'm certain it was only my imagination."
"You look as if you've been waiting on someone." He came closer to where she
was standing.
"Maybe I was," she said spitefully and turned from him, hoping that he would
be angry enough to leave.
He put a hand on her shoulder. "I only want to help."
"Then you can leave," she said turning back around to face him, that same desperate
look in her eyes that he had seen before.
"Alright." He turned and left. A single tear slid unheeded down her face. Vicki
sat down on the couch tiredly. She bowed her head and closed her eyes to block
out the image of Quentin. He had looked so exasperated when he left. He had
been trying to get through to her ever since she had been bitten.
That's when she heard Barnabas's voice in her mind. All thoughts other than
what she must do disappeared from her mind. She could only think of the pleasure
he would bring. She left the room and eagerly left the house to meet him. Quentin
followed Vicki at a discrete distance. It was obvious that she wasn't paying
attention to him, or anything else around her, but he was afraid someone else
would be. He followed her to the edge of the woods where she met with Barnabas
Collins. He watched her to willingly into his arms and felt burning anger and
jealousy. Was this why she had been so distant lately? She was secretly in love
with Barnabas. Why hadn't she told him? He nearly left, but something kept him
there. He watched as they kissed, and felt very much like a voyeur.
Quentin watched as Barnabas drew back slightly and move to her neck. He was
shocked as he saw Blood trickle down her neck. He couldn't quite comprehend
what was happening. All he could do was stare in wonderment. He stood there
for an unknown amount of time watching. After several minutes Barnabas raised
his head, fangs bared and looked up to where Quentin had thought he was hidden.