Subj: Petofi's Maze pt 3
Date: 1/20/99 6:50:18 PM Central Standard Time
From: miranda

Chapter 3

Julia sat in the sparsely lit drawing room of the Old House, her thoughts preoccupied with the somber mood Barnabas had been in since returning to the present. He had seemed so ambivalent towards her, towards Willie, and towards everyone and everything she once thought he valued and appreciated.

The biggest shock came this evening when Barnabas revealed he desire to return to 1897 permanently. He did not just want to occupy his 1897 body for a time as before. Barnabas wanted to go there and live out his remaining days with Kitty Soames.

Julia tried to cover the hurt in her eyes and attempted to reason with Barnabas. She was adamant that he could not possibly risk the chance of altering history. After consulting the Collins family history book they discovered Lady Kitty had married Edward Collins. She bore him no children and their life seemed uneventful. Reason did not prevail with Barnabas however; he was willing to take the risk if it meant he could finally be reunited with his most cherished love.

Julia then tried logic. If he used the I-Ching wands to transport his life force to his body in 1897 his present day body would still be here sitting in limbo. It would create a paradox should his 1897 body not occupy the coffin in vampire form until Willie released it. Obviously some mysterious force had transported his body back to the coffin and reverted it back to its vampire form when Julia called Barnabas' life force back to the future.

"Then we will find another way," Barnabas stated firmly before abruptly leaving Julia alone with her thoughts. She weighed the pros and cons of helping Barnabas with his desperate scheme. Who was she to refuse to assist Barnabas in the one thing would truly give him peace and contentment? Was she his friend or would she stand in his way in hopes he would someday respond to her with more than only friendship?

A knock at the front door interrupted Julia's contemplative thoughts. She rose and straightened her skirt. "Who could be here at this late hour?" she thought.

Julia's jaw dropped when she swung open the door. Their clothes were contemporary and hairstyles updated, but there was no mistaking that before Julia stood Quentin Collins and Beth Chavez.