Subj: A Return to the Shadows part 38
Date: 9/8/01 10:09:29 PM Central Daylight Time
From: KimD

Laura was here. Stunned by this news Maggie sat, absorbing it in. This would mean trouble for all of them. The last thing she had expected was for Laura to return. "Laura? I thought she was in England."

"She arrived here today. It was completely unexpected. She said that the institution let her leave."

"They didn't give you any notice? Have you called them yet?"

"No, not yet." Her sudden appearance had shocked him so much that he hadn't yet considered calling. He got out of bed, then went to the phone and dialed the number for the institute. A pleasant female voice answered the phone announcing the name of the institution. "This is Roger Collins. I'd like to speak to Dr. Heywood," he said asking for the man into whose care he'd admitted Laura. A short time later the doctor answered. "Dr. Heywood," Roger started in his most commanding tone, "my wife is here." He heard the doctor's muffled curse. "She claims that you released her. Is this true?"

"No, it isn't. Mrs. Collins escaped from our care last week. We've been looking for her ever since."

"Why wasn't I informed of this?"

"We tried to call you, but we couldn't get through. If you return her to us we can readmit her as quickly as possible."

"That won't be necessary." Without another word Roger hung up the phone, then turned to Maggie and explained to her what had happened. "I'll have to look for another place for her since that one is unreliable." Roger blamed the institute for Laura's disappearance and for not getting in contact with him. Maggie knew Laura was the reason the staff of the institute couldn't contact Roger. Nothing could have stopped Laura from come home without anyone knowing what she was doing. Maggie also realized Laura had powers. No matter how many times she had tried to talk to him about it Roger didn't want to face that. "I'll see you later Maggie." He kissed her then turned to leave. With Laura home Maggie knew he wouldn't be back.

Laura looked around the bedroom she shared with Roger. They had occupied this same room years before, when they had first been married. The room was large, done in browns, with a large window overlooking the grounds. Roger thought she didn't know that when he left her he had went to Maggie Evans, and had been with her for the past several months. Locking her away had left him free to have a fling with Maggie. That was the reason she had returned here, to make him suffer.

It was afternoon when Vicki received a call from Maggie. Behind Maggie's friendliness Vicki could hear her urgency. "Could you come to my home this afternoon?" Maggie asked, trying to sound cheerful. Maggie had to talk to Vicki away from Collinwood, where Laura could be listening.

"Of course I can be right there," Vicki responded then hung up the phone.

Watching from her bed room window, Laura saw Vicki leave and knew she was going to Maggie's. She knew it was about her return and Roger. Sitting down at Roger's desk Laura lit a single candle. She stared into it and concentrated on Victoria Winters. She recited a spell while she continued to stare into the candle. "In the eyes of a candle flame, all be heard and none be blamed, as the ear upon my will, information of that persons thoughts so shall my head feel. Let be heard what is not, and let be know what shall never be, so it is and so shall it be." Immediately she felt the connection with Vicki and noticed something odd about her. There was a vacntness about her. Maggie noticed it too as Vicki entered her home. "You seem different. Is something wrong?" she asked.

"No, I'm fine. I guess I'm just tired." She smiled and tried to appear normal. Maggie still looked worried, but dismissed it.

"Roger was here earlier. He told me that Laura was back. You're the only one I can talk to about this. You're the only one that I've told about Laura."

Maggie lit a cigarette then exhaled a stream of smoke. "I know that she wants to kill him, and punish me. I've tried to talk to Roger, but he won't listen to anything I have to say about her. As long as she's here I won't be able to see Roger. I won't know what she may be doing to him."

"Maggie," Vicki said uncertainly, "what is it you want me to do?"

"I'm not going to ask you to solve my problems. All I'll ask is that you watch out. If you notice anything strange happening, call me. There's no need for you to try to stop whatever may happen. Laura's powerful. She's could do anything to keep anyone out of her way."

Vicki agreed to help Maggie. Maggie looked closely at Vicki again. "Are you sure you feel alright? You look a little pale." Maggie could have easily used her abilities to find out what was wrong, but wouldn't do so without permission.

"Don't worry so much about me. I'm alright." As Vicki left Maggie's house the images stopped coming through to Laura. Blowing out the candle Laura stood up. She realized that what was wrong with Vicki was a vampire. She didn't know who the vampire was, but that wasn't important.

Hearing the sound of the door opening she turned. In the doorway stood Roger looking at her as if he were considering his next words. He stepped inside, closed the door, and said, "I called Dr. Heywood. Why did you leave?"

"I couldn't stay there. I hadn't seen you or David for over a year. I belong here, not there. Besides, I'm not crazy." She stepped closer to him until they were almost touching. Silently she implored him not to send her to another institution. "I know that I acted oddly before, but I'm better now. I can prove it if you let me stay."

"Of course you can stay," he said giving up instantly.

Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production.