Angelique's Revenge Part 13

Date: 1/29/98

From: AngeliqueBouchard

Angelique Bouchard, utilizing her namesake's body, sat in the foyer of the Collinsport Hotel. She spent most of the day observing Laura, watching her stroll around town. It took all of Angelique's self-control not to walk up to Laura and break her neck in full view of the Collinsport population.

Laura descended the stairs and stopped short on the bottom step when she spied Angelique, "Why Mrs. Collins, whatever are you doing here?" Laura said in an unpleasant tone.

Angelique smiled. "Just stopping to rest, Laura."

Laura approached Angelique, "I'm not one to play games Mrs. Collins. I'd like you to tell me exactly what it is you want. Don't think I didn't notice you following me today. If you have something to say then say it now."

"Very well," Angelique said as she rose from her chair. She studied Laura's face for a moment then continued in an hard voice. "I just want you to know that your death will be slow and painful." She walked briskly past Laura and left the hotel.

Laura stayed quiet for a moment, not moving from the spot on which she stood. She then turned and walked back upstairs to her room. "I don't know who she is or how she is related to Angelique Bouchard, but that witch will regret challenging me," Laura thought to herself. "Could she be reincarnated? Or perhaps she made a deal with the devil to return to earth," she wondered. "No matter, by tomorrow I will be rid of her." Laura entered her room and was greeted by Gerard who was casually lounging on her bed.

"Gerard, I want you to kill Angelique Collins, tonight."
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Angelique entered Collinwood and was greeted by Barnabas. "Angelique where have you been?"

Angelique was unaccustomed to having the living interested in her wanderings, "I had some errands to run. I guess I lost track of time."

"Well, come to the basement with me. You must see what we have discovered." Barnabas took Angelique's hand and led the way to the basement.

"We?" Angelique asked.

"Yes, the Stokes are here, along with Jeb Hawkes. Now you must prepare yourself."

"Angelique, I think we have found the cause of your haunting," Elliot Stokes said upon seeing them descend the stairs to the cold basement. "Behold Angelique Bouchard." Elliot moved aside to reveal a hole in which lay rotted, old bones. The stones had been lifted out of the floor to expose a long rectangular space that had been Angelique's grave for so long. The bones lay amidst shards of green material which once formed her servant's dress.

"I sensed this was an area where great trauma occurred," Jeb said. "Barnabas explained this was the exact spot where he found you one morning in a trance."

Barnabas held Angelique. "I know this is a gruesome sight, but Julia and Elliot believe once we give these remains a proper burial in holy ground, the haunting will cease."

"No!" Angelique blurted out. Seeing the surprised reactions on the other's faces she added, "I mean, shouldn't the police be notified?"

"I don't think that would do much good," Julia said. "The police can't possibly solve the mystery behind these bones. They've been here a long time."

Angelique recovered from her initial shock. At first she panicked at the possible effect of moving her bones out of Collinwood, but she then reasoned that her will was much stronger than any mortal ritual performed on her earthly remains. She decided it would not effect her hold on this body.

Jeb didn't say anything at the moment, but he felt an odd presence since Barnabas returned with Angelique. An evil presence, one that emanated hatred... and destruction.

TO BE CONTINUED