Subject:  A Return to the Shadows part 33
From:  Kim D
Date:  Mon Jul 23, 2001  3:11 am

Barnabas was a vampire. Quentin had thought they were only legend. His first thought was to pack up and leave Collinsport. He had spent most of his life going from one place to another. Why should Collinsport be any different? He already knew the answer. It was his home, though he hadn't been here long. It was Collinwood and everyone in it. He had felt more connected here than he had any place else he had ever been. His past was here.

Quentin retreated back into the dark, toward Collinwood. Quentin wondered who Barnabas Collins really was, and if anyone else knew about him. The family hadn't seemed at all unusual until now. They had been so honest with him that they didn't seem to have anything to hide. As he entered Collinwood he found Julia removing her coat. "Good evening Julia," he said.

"Hello," Julia said turning to Quentin.

"What do you know about Barnabas Collins?"

"He came here from England last year." She was stopped by the amused look on his face. She looked at him questioningly.

"I've already heard that story. Now I'm looking for the truth."

A mask fell over her face revealing nothing, but that told Quentin that she knew Barnabas's secret. "What makes you think that isn't the truth?"

"I saw him," he said coming closer to her, "by the woods. I saw what he did. I know what he is."

"I can't tell you anymore than you already know. It's not up to me to tell you anything." After everything Julia had already done, she was unwilling to get involved in anyone else's problems. Elliot was right, she needed to take time to make herself happy. "If you want my advice you'll stay away from Barnabas."

"It may be too late for that. He saw me."

"Are you sure he saw you?" Julia didn't want to imagine what Barnabas would do to keep his secret. She was instantly and unhesitantly drawn into his problem.

"Yes, I'm sure. He looked right at me. And then there was Vicki."

"Vicki? You mean she was with him?"

"Yes, that's why she's been acting so odd lately,"

Julia had been spending so much time at the lab and at the hospital that she hadn't noticed Vicki. Even when she had been in Collinwood she hadn't seen Vicki. "I'll talk to him," she offered, eager to find out what was going on.

Quentin looked amused at her suggestion. "Talk to him?"

"He can be reasoned with."

"Do you really think talking will do any good?"

"I don't know, but it will be a start. I would still like to advise you to stay away from him." She wasn't sure her warning would do any good. Her own natural curiosity had led her to confront him.

Julia's curiosity grew as she climbed the stairway to Vicki's room. She didn't doubt that Quentin was right, but she had to see for herself. It made sense to her. He had been fascinated with Vicki's resemblance to Josette ever since he had first seen her. She walked down the hall and knocked on the door of Vicki's room. When she received no answer she quietly opened the door. Vicki was lying in bed sleeping fitfully. Julia brushed the hair from her neck as she rolled onto her side. There she found what she was looking for, and what she knew she would find. The two puncture wounds. She started to with draw from the bed when Vicki opened her eyes.

"Julia," Vicki said warily, "is something wrong?"

"I was concerned for you. How have you been feeling lately?"

"I've been fine." Vicki drew back and looked up at Julia with curiosity. "Why are you here?"

"I know what's happened to you. I helped Carolyn, I can help you too."

"I don't need any help." Vicki turned from Julia, hoping she would leave.

"He'll destroy you," Julia stepped back. "He'll make you just like him."

"I think you should go now." Julia sighed as she left the room. She knew Vicki would be unwilling to listen. Carolyn hadn't listened either.