The Lull Before The Storm Pt.2
Date: 7/26/98
From: marcos1

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The hands on the old foyer clock had nearly reached eleven o'clock, when there was a knock at the front doors of the great house. Elizabeth Collins Stoddard had been sitting in the drawing room. She had been having trouble sleeping, a victim of frequent bad dreams. "Just a minute," she called out. She opened the door to see the troubled face of Sheriff Patterson.

"Liz," Sheriff Patterson said softly. "I really hate to bother you at this late hour." His eyes narrowed and there was a deep furrow in his brow.

"Of course, Sheriff," Liz said, motioning him to enter. "Please come in." He followed her into the drawing room. "Can I get you something...some tea or coffee?" She pulled her housecoat closer, a blast of chilly April air still lingered in the room from the opened front doors.

"No, thank you," Sheriff Patterson replied. He hesitated for a moment. "Liz, I've some very disturbing news for you. Your daughter Carolyn has escaped from Windcliff." He nervously scratched his cheek.

Liz's eyes widened, she swallowed hard. "When...how--?" She had a sinking feeling in her stomach.

"Apparently earlier this evening," Sheriff Patterson replied. His eyes narrowed. "And as to how...we just don't know."

"Does he know?" Liz Stoddard asked. "Does Willie--?"

"Not yet," Sheriff Patterson replied. "But I intend to go to the Old House after leaving here. And I plan upon having one of my deputies watch that house around the clock until we find Carolyn." His brow furrowed. "I don't personally feel like Carolyn is dangerous...but that probably will be the first place that she turns up."

Liz nodded her head. "Thank you, Sheriff." They started to walk towards the front doors. Liz bit her lip trying to stay calm, she felt tears starting.

Sheriff Patterson touched her shoulder. "Try not to worry...we will find your daughter...she will be safe." He walked out, the cold outside air was in contrast to the warmth of the drawing room fireplace.

Liz closed the doors and began to cry.

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At the House By The Sea, Carolyn Stoddard sat looking at her benefactor, thinking that he looked like the devil to her. "Why did you bring me here, luv?" She asked, swaggering her shoulders. "I'm a lady and have places to go...I need to go see Carl."

"Carl...Carl Collins," Nicholas said smiling. "Of course, Carolyn...err... Pansy...there will be time for that later. Now, drink that glass of wine." He pointed to a glass on the coffee table. "It'll help you sleep."

"I always did like a little drink now and again," Carolyn said, reaching out. She felt the warm, pungent liquid flow down her throat. "But I still need to see Carl---" Her words faded off, as the special potion in the drink did its work. She nodded off to sleep, slumping down on the antique divan.

"Well, that took long enough," a female voice called from the outer room. "I never thought that she would stop talking about Carl Collins. Does she really believe that she's Pansy Faye and her fiance is Carl Collins...who died in 1897?"

"Yes...Angelique, she does," Nicholas replied smiling. "And I believe that we can use that to our advantage...but we must be wary." His eyes narrowed. "The real Pansy Faye had a powerful psychic gift...she could be dangerous."

"What about me?" asked Angelique. The tension in her voice was clear. "What have you done to me this time...I feel very strange?" She was wearing a low cut white gown, with a golden amulet hanging between her breasts.

"You, my dear...are a Succubus," Nicholas laughed. His eyes danced with pleasure. "And as to what that is...the answer will become quickly apparent to you, in time." He poured himself a glass of wine, smirking. "Like a vampire, a Succubus needs to feed."

Angelique walked closer to him and knocked the glass of wine from his hand. The sound of broken glass echoed thru the room. She was furious. "I've heard about those creatures and know what they feed on---" Her alabaster skin turned a bright red.

Nicholas laughed louder. "Yes, my dear, you heard right...." He felt such delight in this... because now he could get his final revenge upon the Collins family and demean Angelique at the same time. This plan was going to work out wonderfully.

To be continued--