Subj: Quentin's Thoughts and Barnabas' Demise XXII
Date: 5/30/99 11:20:36 AM Central Daylight Time
From: Mysterious Millicent
Quentin's Thoughts and Barnabas' Demise XXII
Collinwood........
The front door opened and Rachel and Quentin came in. Quentin looked awful. His clothes were torn and tattered, there was blood on it and he had scratches all over him. He was weak and not too stable on his feet. Aristede and Beth (who had been in the drawing room), came running to the foyer.
"Quentin! Your home and safe!" Beth said. "Thank the Lord."
Quentin looked at Beth and said wearily, "Yes, I am home and safe. But someone out there is probably dead because of me!"
Rachel said, "Quentin, don't think about it now. We need to get you up to your room and cleaned up before someone sees you."
"Yes, Quentin. No one must see you like this, or they will start to wonder what is going on." Beth said.
"Yes, " Quentin sighed. "Let's clean Quentin up and make him look respectable like a Collins should! Make him look like a fine gentleman who has no connection to the murders that have been taking place in Collinsport!"
Rachel looked at Quentin and felt so sorry for him. She realized that he must be feeling so terribly bad for all the murders he had caused. But it was not really his fault. It was the fault of the curse. "Quentin, please listen to me. I realize that you think you are responsible for all the killings here. But remember, you are not at fault. It is the curse. It is not you!"
"What good is that?" Quentin said in anger. "I am under a curse, but I, Quentin Collins am responsible for all the things I do. And I Quentin Collins did kill those women."
Rachel was starting to get irritated at this self-pitying attitude Quentin had suddenly adopted. "Yes, your right Quentin! You are responsible. And I am sure that you want to die for what you have done. So, perhaps we should just take you to the Sheriff and tell him what you are. Then he would see to it that you are held accountable for your crimes. And your name would be dragged through the mud, so to speak. And then tell me, Quentin, would that make you feel better?"
Quentin did not respond but just looked at Rachel,
as did Beth and Aristede. They had no idea she could be so wise. They really
thought that she was kinda light in the head. Rachel continued. "And Quentin,
once the Sheriff and the people had decided to lynch you or hang you, what do
you think Jamison would think? How would he feel about the Uncle that he loves
so much and wants to be so much like? And what do you think this would do to
the Collins name and Jamison's future? Think, Quentin! Think! Think
what all of this would do to Jamison!"
Quentin looked at Rachel for a few moments and then he smiled slightly. "Thank you Rachel for reminding me why I must find a cure for this curse. My family and Jamison are my reasons! And.......my daughter!" And with that, Quentin began to climb the stairs towards his room with Rachel, Beth and Aristede following close behind.
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Petofi's Place at the Mill........
Petofi sat in a chair, his legs tied to the legs of the chair and his arms tied to the arms of the chair. There was also a rope around his chest keeping him sitting straight. He had no chance of getting out of this. And for the first time since the Gypsies had taken his hand, he was really frightened.
King Johnny Romano looked at Petofi and said, "You tired to get the hand back, and we ain't gonna let you get away with that. A bargain is a bargain, and your bargain was signed in blood. So, whatcha gotta say?"
Petofi just glared at King Johnny, for he knew whatever he said, he would only make King Johnny even more angry. His only hope was that they would not kill him. But he also knew that was very slim.
"Nuthin to say, Petofi? before I pass sentence on ya?" King Johnny taunted Petofi. When the Count refused to reply, King Johnny laughed and said, "And where is the great Petofi now? Cowering like a stupid man!" King Johnny looked around and then said, "Marco!"
Johnny's right hand man came to his side immediately and said, "Yeah, Johnny?"
"Stay here with him and make sure he does nothing until I get back!" And King Johnny left the house.
For the next several hours Petofi was forced to sit and listen to the scoffing and nasty taunting of the gypsies. Some time later in the late afternoon, King Johnny returned. He walked over to where Petofi sat wearily and said, "So, Petofi, are you ready for yer sentencing?"
Petofi glared at King Johnny and said, "Get on with it!"
King Johnny smiled and said, "Ok, as you will Petofi.!" He backed away a bit and let room for a small caped figure to come into the room. Then he said in a booming voice. "It is hereby declared, the sentence of the Romano Clan for going back on a bargain is the Sentence of Recurrance!"
Petofi's eyes grew larger and he said loudly, "NO!'
The small caped figure stepped into the room and removed the cape. It was Julianka, King Johnny's daughter. She looked at Petofi with angry eyes and putting out her hand with the little finger and the pointer finger extended and the rest folded she began the curse!
In a clear voice, Julianka spoke,
"The path you walk is treacherous, through no fault
of your own,
The Moon when full will reveal the form by which you'll be known
Each night of the full moon, horses will take to the hoof
And the night will be pierced by the howl of the wolf"
King Johnny and the other gypsies joined Julianka in sarcastic blast of laughter.
And when the laughter died down, King Johnny looked at Petofi and said, "It
is time for us to go Petofi. Enjoy your sentence." Once more laughter again
began as the gypsies moved towards the stairs and in a few minutes they were
gone and Petofi was left still tied to the chair. And he looked towards the
window in fear, knowing that the moon was still going to be full tonight.
Once more from the opening of the cave by the sea, a woman stood smiling and said, "The Second!"