Subj: Petofi's Maze chapter 19
Date: 3/11/99 9:31:21 PM Central Standard Time
From: miranda

Chapter 19

A cold fear enveloped Julia as she realized her life was about to end. The only light in the black room was that of the glow coming from Tom's red eyes. "Leave me alone!" she shouted.

"We are going to be together forever, Julia," Tom whispered in a menacing manner.

"No!" Julia said desperately while trying to step backwards without tripping over yet another skeleton.

Julia began to make out Tom's silhouette and realized that there was another light approaching. She heard footsteps, as did Tom who turned to face his foes. Barnabas and Angelique entered the room.

"Move away from her, Jennings," Barnabas ordered.

Tom gazed at the stake in Barnabas' hand and smiled. Barnabas raised the stake, but just before he struck Tom's chest, he transformed into water. The stake and Barnabas hand sunk right through the cold water. Tom began to laugh and quickly seep into the ground. Angelique thrust the torch into the water. Tom let out a howl of pain and was transformed into his original form.

"Now Barnabas!" Angelique shouted.

Barnabas quickly staked Tom Jennings through the heart. A trickle of blood dripped out of his mouth as he grasped his chest and then fell lifeless to the ground. Angelique murmured some words and lit his corpse on fire. It was consumed in a matter of seconds and didn't even leave a scorch mark on the ground.

Julia breathed a sigh of relief. "Angelique, Barnabas, I am so happy to see you both."

"I am so glad we found you before it was too late," Barnabas said.

Angelique watched the look of concern in Barnabas' eyes and thought about the deep feelings he still must possess for Julia. Jealously stabbed at her heart, but she reminded herself that the only real threats seemed to come from women who looked like Josette.

"Angelique, Barnabas told me about you helping him tonight, but I didn't think I'd be seeing you this soon," Julia said. "Thank you for all your help tonight."

"You're welcome Julia," Angelique replied.

"We should leave now," Barnabas said.

"Wait," Julia said as she took Barnabas' flashlight. She walked over to a far corner and returned with a large clay pot. "I caught a glimpse of this right before my light went out." She removed the lid releasing a whoosh of air. Julia's body jolted and she let go of the pot. It crashed on the floor and shattered at her feet.

"Julia, what's wrong?" Barnabas asked as he steadied her.

Julia blinked several times. "Barnabas is that you?" Her voice was not her own. It was heavily accented. "It is Barnabas… and Angelique!" Barnabas and Angelique stared openmouthed at Julia's sudden change. "What? Don't ya know me? It's Magda Rakosi."