Subj: Dark Shadows: Mirror/Mirror -- 3
Date: 12/9/98 12:41:43 AM Central Standard Time
From: Melody

Mirror-Mirror Chapter 3

Quentin paced around his room. Every day it seemed to get smaller while his patience held on like a tattered spider web swaying in the wind. He picked up the pictures that Julia gave him last night. The twins had turned four last week and despite the cloud of despair that hung over Collinwood, his mother insisted that they have a party to celebrate. He looked at each one as if discovering a new work of heart. His favorite was the one with Marissa and David smiling as they each held a shiny new tricycle steady as the twins happily sat on them. The look of joy on their little faces was priceless. He put the pictures down. It was another shining moment he was NOT part of.

Cyrus came in pushing a small cart. "Good morning Quentin," he said pleasantly. "How are you feeling?"

"Cyrus." Quentin's eyes glared. "You have asked me the SAME thing every day since I've been locked up in this prison and I've answered the same way! I HATE IT HERE!"

Cyrus ignored Quentin and proceeded to set up his instruments.

"Barnabas will coming by tonight." Cyrus motioned for Quentin to hold out his arm.

"Oh joy." Quentin was not enthusiastic. "Another evening of chess and listening to Barnabas pontificate on how he's doing his best to rectify this situation."

"We are doing our best Quentin."

"I know, Cyrus. I'm just sick and tired of being COOPED UP! I WANT MY LIFE BACK! I want to be able to go riding again with David! I want to be able to give piggyback rides to the twins! I WANT TO BE ABLE TO HOLD MARISSA IN MY ARMS AGAIN! I'm starting to miss those special moments in the twins' life. Moments that become treasured memories. This is killing me Cyrus."

"Quentin, I'm sorry. I don't know what else I can say. We are doing our best."

"No Cyrus, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for venting my frustrations on you."

"It's all right Quentin I understand. In the meantime, can I do anything for you?"

"As a matter of fact you can." Quentin's face brightened. "I'd like another bottle of brandy and a sketch pad."

"A sketch pad?" Cyrus tried to conceal his displeasure over Quentin's drinking.

"Just something to help pass the time." Quentin answered.

"All right Quentin." Cyrus prepared to leave. "I'll stop by later with the items you requested."

"Fine."

Outside Quentin's room, Cyrus shut and locked the door. He decided it was for the best that he didn't mention about going to see Marissa today to get some plant extracts.

*****

Quentin poured himself a glass of brandy, which at the moment,was his ONLY pleasure.

A tapping sound coming from the barred window suddenly caught his attention. It sounded like someone was trying to get his attention by throwing a rock at his window. He walked over there only to drop his glass to see Victoria waving at him. His shock turned to a burning anger.

"VICKI!!! YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!I WILL SEND YOU TO HELL WHERE YOU BELONG!!!!"

******

Marissa sat with Elizabeth in the parlor drinking tea.

"So have you decided on a name for the yellow Violet yet?" Elizabeth asked as she refilled the teacups.

"As a matter of fact I have." Marissa said. "I'm going to name it after Cassandra. She was such a wonderful friend to me and was so supportive of this endeavor, It wouldn't be right if I called it anything else. And in case people think I have forgotten about Jamison, my next project will be dedicated to him."

"Oh Marissa." Elizabeth was touched. She reached over and hugged her. "You have such beautiful heart. I don't know what this house would do without you."

Cyrus walked in the parlor. "Elizabeth. Marissa. Hello!"

"Cyrus!" Marissa exclaimed as she got up to give him a big hug. "What a marvelous surprise."

"Come sit down and join us." Elizabeth said. "It's been too long since we've last chatted."

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to take a raincheck." Cyrus looked uncomfortable. "I have a serious project that needs constant attention and I've been having trouble looking for these certain plant extracts." He handed Marissa a list.

"I think I can scrounge those up for you."

"Thanks."

"Cyrus, you will promise to come for a visit when you get some free time won't you?" Elizabeth asked.

"Definitely!" He promised.

"Well good." She smiled. "Don't work yourself too hard now."

Marissa excused herself and Cyrus said goodbye and they went to the hothouse.

*****

"Thanks Marissa." Cyrus headed to the parking garage where he bumped into Julia.

"Cyrus! What are you doing here?"

He held out the vials. "I needed these."

"So how was your meeting with Quentin?" She inquired.

"He's walking a thin line Julia. I don't know how long we can control him. Incidentally, he wants another bottle of Brandy and a sketchpad."

"A sketchpad?" Julia looked incredulous.

"If it passes the time for him, we shouldn't even ask."

"I suppose so." Julia agreed. "I really don't like his drinking. I better talk with Barnabas about this before he sees him."

"Good. Now I better be off. I'll talk to you later."

****

Marissa stood by the fresh graves, perplexed at seeing the second batch of planted flowers, dead. Feeling demoralized, she placed the freshly cut flowers around the graves to compensate for dying plants.

"I'm sorry," she said somberly.

"It's not your fault."

Startled, she whirled around to see Claudius smiling at her.

Marissa dropped the basket and her eyes widened with shock. "Claudius!" she gasped.

**********

To be continued