Subj: Where Are the Angels? chapter 25
Date: 1/9/01 1:49:50 AM Central Standard Time
From: Melissa
"What are you saying," Josette asked.
"You must be careful," Jeremiah told her. "The evil hasn't died with Angèlique, it will live on unless you can stop it. You're the only one who can do that, Josette."
"I don't understand Jeremiah," Josette said.
Before Jeremiah could say anything to her, he seemed to fade, she could hardly hear what him. "He's alive."
"Jeremiah. Come back, who's alive. Is it Barnabas? Please come back I need to know," Josette cried frantically.
But he was gone, Josette sank into one of the large chairs and began to sob. She felt so lost, how had things come to this? What went wrong? Why did she and Angèlique have to fall in love with the same man?
She wiped her eyes and caught sight of the photo album that Aunt Natalie had sent her. She opened it and found the photos of Barnabas and herself. They were so happy in these pictures. She found herself laughing in spite of tears. She had so many memories that she would cherish for the rest of her life.
What did Jeremiah mean when he said, "He's alive." Was he talking about Barnabas? Was Jeremiah really there, he was dead, was it possible? Was she really awake or had she fallen asleep in the library, and this was a dream.
She closed the album and went up to her bedroom. She blew out the candles that she had lit earlier. When she got to her dressing table, the music box that Barnabas had given to her sat there, she opened it and the haunting melody began to play. She closed her eyes fighting back the tears. She closed the lid and turned off the lights and climbed into the large bed and tried to fall asleep.
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At sunset Barnabas woke up from a restless sleep, he was not used to this, he had to be so careful. He was afraid that someone would find him there. He needed to find a safe place to sleep. Collinsport wasn't a safe place for him, there were too many people around that knew him. He would have to leave, the sooner the better. But he couldn't leave with out seeing Josette one last time.
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Ben Stokes sat in the bar that used to be The Blue Whale. Russell Bening had bought The Blue Whale, but the area had changed, he moved into the bar into a better area, and made it a place that you could take your family too, yet could go for a drink. Ben had hoped that several drinks would numb him. He couldn't get over what had happened. He felt responsible for Barnabas' death. If he had come forward sooner maybe Barnabas would still be alive today.
It was nearly one in the morning when Ben stumbled out of the bar. He wasn't as drunk as he would have liked to be, but the bartender said that he was disturbing the other patrons.
When he got to his car, he fumbled with his keys dropping them, he fell to his knees to look for them but couldn't find them.
He walked away not caring if anyone stole his car, how far could they get. The police didn't have that much to do in Collinsport.
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Hiding in the shadows Barnabas watched Ben walk away from the bar. Ben had always been a good friend, he was always ready to help. Barnabas felt sorry for him as he watched Ben.
He decided to follow him perhaps he would be of some help to him.
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Ben stopped and turned around, he could have sworn that someone was following him, but when he turned he couldn't see anyone.
He turned back and found himself standing face to face with Barnabas Collins.
"Shit," he cried jumping back. He knew that the person before him couldn't be Barnabas, there was no way.
"Hello Ben," it was Barnabas Ben realized, no one sounded like him. "It's really me."
"How can it be?"
"Angèlique she couldn't just kill me she had to make me suffer for eternity."
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Josette slept only a few hours that night, she finally decided to get up at four the next morning after lying awake for three hours.
She went into the master bathroom, and turned on the faucet. Water began to fill the tub, she opened the cabinet and got out the bottle of bubble bath. She poured some under the running water.
The water was hot, she hadn't realized it until she lowered herself into the tub. It felt good; she closed her eyes and leaned back.
She loved the bathroom of Valrosa, Barnabas had it built to her taste, the tub was large enough to fit three people. The thing that she like the best about the room was the large windows that looked out onto the cliffs.
The scent of roses and lavender hung in the air, calming her. Had that all been a dream? She turned her head to the window, she opened her eyes. She jumped forward, Barnabas was standing in front of the window looking in, he smiled and held out his hand.
She closed her eyes and opened them again, he was still there, this was no dream, he was standing outside her window.
She got out of the tub, the water dripped from her body, she went to the door and opened it.
"Josette," he said, and with those words she ran into his arms.
To be continued. . .