The Lull Before The Storm Pt.4
Date: 8/5/98
From: marcos1

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Pay attention," Doctor Julia Hoffman said, "watch the shiny medallion. See how beautiful it is. Watch the light reflect from it." She moved it in front the young woman's face, who was slowing falling under the hypnotic spell. Julia looked at the blank stare on her face.

"She seems to be completely under," Eliot Stokes remarked. He narrowed his eyes. "Julia, I don't understand why you called me over here. The techniques of hypnosis, I'm very familiar with. It's a long drive from Rocksport College to Windcliff..."

"Eliot, this is very different," Julia replied. "If you will just be patient...I will show you. To give you some background, this patient is named Jane Doe. She was found walking aimlessly around the docks of Collinsport, two months ago. She was dressed in very old clothing, dating from the late seventeenth century, apparently suffering from a complete loss of memory. She had no idea of who she was, or where she came from."

Eliot puffed on his pipe. "Interesting...and have you found out anything using hypnosis?"

Julia's face lit up and she nodded her head. "Yes, I've had the most amazing results...but in a very surprising way." She turned her attention to the young woman, stretched out on the couch. "And now at the click of my fingers, I want you to go back...a long way back, before your birth...before you were alive."

"There was darkness," the young woman said. "I was in a dark tunnel and there was a bright light shining in the distance. It beckoned to me..."

"Go back further," Julia demanded. "Tell me of what happened before. Tell me who you are."

"My name is Odette Saint Marie," the young woman replied calmly. But then a storm of emotion seemed to cast a dark cloud upon her and she became distracted. "No, Monsieur...he is lying. I have never been part of his coven. Monsieur... Judah Zachery is a monster. He worships the dark Lord. I've never been a part of such wanton wickedness...I only seek to heal using herbs and potions from the woods...please Monsieur don't...." She started to roll around on the couch, twisting her head in agony. "Fire...don't burn me, it hurts...don't... please...oh... someday, I will return and prove my innocence. My people have healed mortals since the beginning of time...the cone of power...."

"Odette," Julia said firmly. "When I next click my fingers you will awaken and remember nothing." She clicked her fingers.

"Doctor," Odette asked, "did I remember anything?" Her brown eyes looked up longingly. "I feel like it's very important that I remember. I have a strong feeling that I have a purpose here...something vital."

"You remembered your name is Odette Saint Marie," Julia replied smiling. "I'm very happy with the progress you have making." She stood up and pointed at Eliot. "This is my friend Professor Eliot Stokes...and if you would excuse us...I need to talk with him privately. Please go back to your room, Odette. We will talk later."

Odette stood up. "Odette Saint Marie...that is my name...thank you Doctor." She walked towards Julia and hugged her, pausing to kiss her on the cheek, walking out of the room.

Eliot's eyes widened. "My--My, this all very interesting, Julia," he said thoughtfully. "The name of Judah Zachery rears it's ugly head again. But, Julia, one question lingers in my mind...if this woman did live and die in his time...for what reason does she return?"

~~~~~~~~

At the house by the sea, Angelique sits by the fireplace staring into the flames. "Nicholas, I burn with such a fever. My hunger seems to increase each night for the velvety ambrosia that comes from mortal men," she said acquiescently.

Nicholas stood near her smiling. "And it will." His eyes glittered mischievously. "Angelique, you are now the nocturnal blowjob queen of Collinsport." He laughed.

Angelique's eyes glared with rage. "Don't be so crude. If it wasn't for this incredible hunger, I would be proud to be one of the daughters of Lilith. She was the first woman created by God, cast from the Garden Of Eden, because she insisted upon being on top during the sex act with Adam. She would not be submissive. She could not be tamed. She even became Satan's consort...but was too much even for him."

"But you are cursed with the hunger," laughed Nicholas. "Now, your place is on your knees before a mortal man." His eyes narrowed. "Because you are nothing but a shell, my dear...you have no soul. It is only through semen and the life force contained within...that you continue to exist at all."

Angelique stared into the fireplace. 'Yes, I will feed...but never on Barnabas...never on my beloved.' She thought.

To be continued--