Subj: Shadows of the Past part 9
Date: 8/13/00 12:57:16 AM Central Daylight Time
From: KimD
Barnabas watched Vicki go with regret. He looked out at the night sky, where the moon hung by itself. This had been the only existence of his cursed life for so long. He wanted nothing more than to keep her with him, but he was better off alone. He cared about her too much to let her become involved in his life.
Bob Rooney was a bartender at the Blue Whale. He had been a bartender for as long as most people could remember, and he seemed to know everyone and everything that happened in Collinsport. Vicki hoped that he could remember something about Moreen.
Vicki walked through the doors of the Blue Whale, which had few late afternoon customers. She walked up to the Counter where Bob was. They exchanged the usual greetings and small talk; Bob was usually interested in what was happening at Collinwood. “Bob, do you remember a women named Moreen Davis?” Vicki asked. “She was a servant at Collinwood over twenty years ago.
Bob looked around the room, and seemed to be thinking. “Yes, I remember Moreen. She wasn’t around here for long though.”
“Can you tell me anything about her?”
“No, I’m afraid not. I wasn’t very familiar with her.” He moved to the other end of the counter to wait on a customer.
Vicki stepped back, away from the counter, and came face to face with the stranger who was in Collinwood a few days ago. “Oh, hello,” Vicki said, startled to find him there. “I didn’t realize you were standing there. You were at Collinwood a few nights ago?”
“Yes, I was looking for help, but I’m afraid I wasn’t received very well.”
“Yes, Roger has been acting moody lately. I don’t think we were introduced. I’m Vicki.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” He paused. “I’m Stan.”
“I’ve never seen you around here. Have you ever been in Collinsport before?”
“Yes, but it’s been a while. My wife left me, and brought our baby here. I came here hoping to find her.”
“I wish you good luck.”
She stood up leave when he seemed to really see her for the first time. “Is something wrong? You look somewhat sad.”
“It’s nothing,” she said and started toward the door. She tried countless time today to push the events of last night out of her mind, but they kept coming back.
Night came and with it another dream. This dream was vague and shadowy, but Vicki could hear voices, one male and one female. She could also see two indistinguishable forms. She could recognize Moreen’s voice, and the other was familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it. The voices were as low as a whisper. “What are you doing here?” Moreen asked taking several steps away from the unknown man.
“I came to find you,” the man answered stepping forward.
“You don’t have to worry. I’ll leave, and I won’t tell anyone anything about you.”
“No. I want you to stay here. I want to know what you’re doing.”
“You can’t keep me here.” Moreen clenched her fists as if she would like nothing better than to lash out at the man. “Ryan’s coming to get me.”
“Then I’ll have to keep a very close eye on you.”