Subj: Where Are the Angels? Chapter 21
Date: 10/12/00 3:57:47 AM Central Daylight Time
From: Melissa
"Josette," a voice called.
"Barnabas," Josette cried. But when she turned no one was there. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder. She spun around and stood face to face with Jeremiah.
"Josette, Barnabas needs you," he said, and disappeared.
The phone rang in the hall as Joshua walked past; he and Naomi were staying up till Barnabas called with news about Angèlique.
"Hello," he said.
"Can I speak to Joshua Collins," the man over the phone said.
"This is Joshua Collins."
"I'm calling to tell you that your son has just been imitated into urgent care."
"What happened," Joshua asked.
"I don't have that information Sir."
"We'll be right there," Joshua said hanging up the phone. "Naomi!" he called.
"What is it?" she asked coming out of her sitting room.
"The hospital just called, Barnabas is in urgent care."
"Oh my god, what happened?" Naomi cried.
"The man over the phone didn't know. We have to get over there now," he said.
"We have to tell Sarah and Josette," Naomi insisted.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Can you tell me where Barnabas Collins' room is, he was just brought in?" Josette asked.
"Are you family?" the nurse asked.
"Yes," Josette replied.
"He's in that room over there, his parents are in there now."
"Thank you," Josette said.
She walked into the room and was shocked by what she saw. Barnabas lay on the bed, his face very pale. It looked like his blood had been completely drained from his body.
Naomi was sitting by his side; she looked up at Josette with damp eyes. Joshua was standing behind her, with his hands on her shoulders. A sob escaped from Josette's lips. Joshua came over and took her into his arms.
"Just when things were going the way they were supposed to," she murmured.
"Mr. Collins?" a voice from behind him said.
"Yes?" he asked turning around.
"I'm doctor Michaels," the man said.
"What happened to my son," Joshua asked, still holding Josette.
"He was found laying by the side of the road not far from his car. It seems that he had some car trouble, the hood of the car was not closed completely. From what the police can determine, they think he was attacked. By what we have no clue yet. We have never seen anything like this before."
"Why is he like this?" Naomi asked.
"He lost a great deal of blood, but there was no blood at the scene. We don't know what kind of weapon was used just yet."
"Is he going to be all right?"
"We're going to give him a transfusion, but until then we won't know anything. Right now it's very serious."
"Thank you Doctor," Joshua said.
Naomi got up, "I'm going to check on Angèlique," she kissed Barnabas' forehead.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Joshua asked.
"No, stay with Barnabas, just in case he wakes up," Naomi said squeezing his hand as she left the room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"How do you feel," Naomi asked Angèlique.
"I feel so tired," Angèlique said. "Is Barnabas here?"
"Yes, he is. That's why I came."
"Mrs. Collins? Dr. Ball would like to see you," the nurse said.
"Thank you," Naomi said. "I'll be back," she told Angèlique.
"I have a question for you," Dr. Ball asked.
"Yes, what is it."
"Do you know how many months pregnant Angèlique was?"
"What?"
"You didn't know she was pregnant?"
"No I had no idea."
"I don't think she knew herself."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"How is she?" Joshua asked.
"She's sleeping, they had to give her something. She's blaming herself. There's something else."
"What?"
"I can't tell you here," Naomi said, and took her husband by the arm. "Angèlique was pregnant."
"I don't believe it?"
"The doctor told me that she lost the baby when she fell."
"Does she know?"
"No, and I think it best that she never knows."
"Naomi we can't keep something like this from her. She has a right to know."
"I know, but it would kill her if she found out now."
"Mama," a voice called.
"Sarah," Naomi cried, and pulled the little girl into her arms.
"What's wrong with Barnabas?"
"He's been in an accident," Joshua told his daughter.
"Is he going to die?"
"I don't know sweetie," Naomi said looking at her husband.
"Can I see him?"
The three walked into the hospital room, Josette got up when she saw them come in and went out the door quietly to let the family have some time together.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After the transfusion, the doctor came to the family waiting room where the Collins' were all waiting.
"The transfusion has helped, he is still in a serious condition, but it looks more promising. We'll know more in the morning."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Josette sat beside Barnabas, she couldn't believe that this all was happening. Things had started out so well, why did everything have to change?
It was like some spell had been placed on everyone.
It was almost dawn, she was relieve to see a little color back in Barnabas' cheeks again. Joshua had tried to get her to go home, but she couldn't leave him. Not now.
A sound from the bed broke into her reflections. She looked away from the window to the bed and saw Barnabas begin to move.
"Josette," he whispered.
"I'm right here Barnabas," she said taking his hand in hers and kissed it softly.
"Where am I?" he asked trying to turn his head.
"You're in the hospital. You were found by the side of the road. Do you remember anything about what happened to you?"
"Red eyes, there was a dark figure coming closer and closer to me," Barnabas said.
"Who was it?"
"I don't know, it was too dark to see the face. How's Angèlique?"
Josette placed a hand on his cheek, "Your mother has been with her," she said.
"Josette I have to tell you something, very important."
"What is it?" she asked.
"I never wanted anyone, but you. I love you," Barnabas whispered.
"I know," Josette began, but Barnabas stopped her. Sunlight began to pour into the room.
"Angèlique, she's a. . . " the words died on his tongue, and he began to scream and writhe on the bed in pain.
"Barnabas, what is it," Josette cried. "Somebody help me," she screamed.
Doctors and nurses rushed into the room, pushing Josette back against the wall. Joshua and Naomi stood in the doorway, with fear in their eyes.
Just a suddenly as it began Barnabas stopped. The doctors continued to work.
"What's going on," Josette cried.
A nurse took her by the arm, but Josette pulled away and tried to get close to Barnabas.
"Please get her out of her," Dr. Michaels said.
"Come Josette," Joshua said, leading her out of the room, still holding onto his wife.
"What's happening in there?" Naomi asked.
Joshua didn't know and wished a doctor would come and explain what was happening. When a doctor finally came he felt a wave of dread wash over him.
"Mr. and Mrs. Collins, I'm sorry," Dr. Michaels said.
"No," Josette cried wildly.
Naomi fell against her husband sobbing. "There was nothing we could do."
"I thought he was improving?" Joshua said swallowing down a sob.
"It seemed that way to me. I really don't know what happened. I am very sorry," the doctor said.
"Can we go see him now?" Joshua asked.
"Yes of course."
The three walked back into the room. Naomi looked down at her son. She couldn't believe that he was gone.
Josette almost hysterical, ran to his side. "Réveillez Barnabas s'il vous plaît. Ne me laissez pas comme ceci, de non cette façon. Pas après tout ce qui s'est produit. Veuillez revenir,"** she sobbed in French.
Joshua looked at his son's face, the color seemed to have returned, and it almost looked like he was sleeping, he thought of the first time he saw his son, what a proud day that had been.
"I'm going to get Sarah," he said walking out of the room, tears streaming down his face.
To be continued. . .
**This is what Josette said--Wake up Barnabas please. Don't leave me like this, not this way. Not after all that has happened. Please come back