Subj: Petofi's Maze part 8
Date: 2/14/99 12:01:22 PM Central Standard Time
From: miranda

Chapter 8

"So this is how it all began," Chris said to Quentin and Barnabas. "I couldn't help but wonder sometimes if I did something to cause the curse to come upon me."

Chris, Quentin, and Barnabas walked through the woods surrounding Collinwood in silence for a moment; the only sound being the crunching of the old dead leaves under their feet.

"I'm sorry, Chris," Quentin offered.

"What do you mean? You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm glad I know how this all began," Chris replied.

"That's not what I mean," Quentin said running his hand through his thick brown hair. "I'm sorry you have to suffer for what I did. In all these years I haven't had to see how my curse has affected my descendants until now. It was one thing when I was paying for what I did, but to see how you have suffered makes me realize how far reaching my actions really were."

"I don't blame you Quentin. It's this curse that is evil, not you."

"I promise you that I will try to find a way to break this curse," Quentin said adamantly. "And if I run out of time, I'm sure Barnabas will find a way."

"Don't talk like that Quentin," Barnabas spoke up. "We will all work together and find a way to defeat Petofi and rid Chris of this curse."

They reached Collinwood and entered through the heavy wooden doors.

"Barnabas, Quentin, Chris," Elizabeth greeted, "please come into the drawing room and meet our new guest."

Carolyn, Roger, David, and Maggie greeted the trio as they entered and eyed the "stranger". Barnabas' eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Petofi, but did well at hiding his alarm. He was just the same as Barnabas remembered him: curly salt and pepper hair, large frame, coke bottle glasses.

"May I introduce Count Victor Finn-Gibbons," Elizabeth announced.

"How do you do," Petofi greeted, mutely conveying his message that anyone who choose to divulge his true identity would suffer dearly.

After the introductions were made Barnabas and Quentin offered small talk and smiled politely as the others gushed over the visiting "count". At the first opportunity Barnabas and Quentin retreated to the foyer and spoke quietly. "Time is running out Barnabas. Two months has dwindled down to weeks. Petofi arriving here tonight can only mean trouble. After he takes my body he obviously has other plans for the rest of the family." Quentin was particularly concerned about David. Being the spitting image of Samisen, Quentin especially wanted to
protect him from Petofi's evil intentions.

"Quentin I have been thinking. Even if time runs out and the transfer is made, that doesn't mean we have lost. The last time Petofi took your body you were able to take it back. Perhaps we can do the same this time."

"I regret to tell you that your plan is impossible." Barnabas and Quentin spun around and stood face to face with Petofi. "I must confess that I withheld some information from you my dear boy. When the transfer is made my body will die. It is unfortunate that I left that little detail out, but I'm sure you understand my position."

"I'd like to kill you right now," Quentin said between clenched teeth.

"Quentin, why do you have such animosity towards me? I gave you everything I promised and now it is time for you to live up to your side of the bargain," Petofi said with obvious sarcasm.

"If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have had to make that bargain to begin with," Quentin retorted.

"If it was not for me you would have suffered from the werewolf curse and never would have been granted eternal youth," said Petofi smugly.

"That's enough," Barnabas interrupted. "I think it best if you leave Petofi."

"Please remember for your sake not to refer to me as "Petofi" in front of your family," Petofi said and then added with a smile, "or should I say 'my family'." He walked back into the drawing room laughing to himself, leaving Barnabas and Quentin to contemplate their ominous future.