Subj: Mirror Mirror Chapter 9
Date: 3/25/99 7:04:59 PM Central Standard Time
From: Melody
Marissa suddenly came to her senses. "No!" She pulled away from him. "This is agony but I JUST CAN'T!"
She buttoned her blouse.
"Tell me you don't love me." Claudius implored her. "Look me straight in the eye and tell me."
"Claudius, I'm sorry but I can't…I… need to think!" Marissa ran off and Claudius called out for her.
****
Barnabas paced around his parlor as Sabrina sat in one of the chairs with her feet propped up by a footstool.
"Barnabas, he's getting worse." She said before taking a sip of lemonade. "Look how he hurt himself this time."
"I know." Barnabas sighed. "I'm afraid the only alternative we have is to keep him moderately sedated. He's dangerous when he's agitated and I'm beginning to fear for you and the baby."
"Oh Barnabas, is it necessary? I don't think he'd go that far." She patted her stomach. "Besides, he seems to enjoy my visits."
"Sabrina, I do not want to take any chances. Promise me when you go in there, you will wait for me, Julia, or Cyrus to accompany you."
"Alright." She relented.
Cyrus walked in and plopped down on a chair next to Sabrina's. "He's out for the night."
"Cyrus, I want you to keep him moderately sedated throughout the day. I can't risk Sabrina's safety when he gets agitated." Barnabas said.
"I'm already ahead of you Barnabas. I wrote down a mild prescription for Julia to pick up. We'll probably have to mix it in his food since he fought me when I gave him this injection. It won't knock him out, but we'll be able to control him more sufficiently."
"He'll be a zombie." Sabrina realized.
Barnabas was touched by Sabrina's concern for his cousin.
Cyrus handed Barnabas a piece of paper as he got up. "Will you give this to Julia, I need to lie down."
"Certainly."
"Are you alright Cyrus? You look awfully pale!" Sabrina noticed his worn expression.
"I'm just tired Sabrina plus I've realized a few things about my life that I'm not to pleased about. If you excuse me."
They watched him as he left the room.
****
Vicki shut then locked the door of her room.
"No!" She cried out, squeezing her fists so hard that blood oozed from them.
"Their love is obviously stronger than I assumed. I need to think of something that could assist the progression of that spell. A catalyst to drive Marissa to Claudius."
Smiling, Vicki lit a candle and closed her eyes.
*****
A light rain began to fall as Burke Devlin walked down the deserted road. He smiled knowing that it wouldn't be long before someone would call upon him for the unique services he offered then, thoughts of her began to flood his mind again.
He found her by accident, the way it usually happens after more and less giving up. For years he had sent out signals, random waves of telepathic energy, one forlorn SOS after another from the desert isle of the dark soul on which he was a castaway. Occasionally he'd meet people of his kind, but all of them seemed to either live in some form madness because of their 'gift'. They never gave him what he wanted which was companionship, harmony, a marriage of true minds. Then one day he heard her voice and it stirred him to the deepest core of his being.
And then he found her, a bored wife and mother who wasn't using her abilities to their full potential. He encouraged her, groomed her, and one moment she savored the power and she was his.
Their time together was glorious. Traveling from city to city, robbing people of the little faith and morality that blocked the darkness from coming through. Mortals were so easy to corrupt if you tempted them with their dreams and deepest desires. But then she grew more and more confident and stopped needing him. Then one day, she imprisoned him in the basement of a condemned church. "Goodbye Darling." She cooed. "It's been fun, but frankly, I'm beginning to get bored."
"Oh how she under estimated me." He laughed aloud. "But never again." He would make her need him again… even if it hurt.
****
Claudius poured himself a glass of wine but suddenly hurled the glass to the wall.
"What happened to me? " He wondered.
"But she responded! She must remember what we shared!"
He walked over to the framed photo of Marissa and his sister. "I 've got to find out MORE about this Quentin Collins!"
*****
Marissa poured herself a drink and sat on a chair. She hoped the drink would numb her senses preventing her from going to him. Claudius. Hearing his name gave her a feverous yearning. Oh how the way he touched her! It was like they never lost those years. She suddenly picked up the phone but quickly put it down again. "No!"
"Marissa?"
She turned to see Roger standing at the doorway.
"Are you alright?" He looked concerned.
"It's just been one of those days Roger, would you like me to pour you a drink?" She offered.
"Please do." He smiled, sitting down beside her. "It's been one of those type of days for me as well. I've been going through Cassandra's things."
"Oh Roger, I would have been more than willing to help you."
"I know, and you are a darling for saying that but I needed to do this with Amy. You understand don't you?"
"Yes." She reached over and gave him a hug.
"I knew you would, you are a wonderful influence on this house Marissa. And you were a wonderful friend to Cassandra, which is why Amy and I wanted you to have this." He said, handing her a velvet box.
"What is this?"
"Open it and find out." He smiled.
Marissa opened the box and gasped when seeing the gold charm bracelet.
"Amy remembered how you admired it Marissa, and we thought you should have it."
"It's beautiful Roger," She wiped a tear from her eyes. "I'll cherish it forever."
"I know you will. Now tell me, when is that husband of yours ever going to come home?"
Marissa's face grew pale. "You will have to ask him that." She got up and walked out of the room.
*****
In the mid morning hours of the next day, Claudius walked up the steps to the porch of Tony Peterson's home. As quickly as he knocked, the door opened and there stood a stunned Carmen.
"CLAUDIUS!"
"Hello Carmen." He smiled. "I see you are still as beautiful and vibrant as ever."
"And you're still as charming as ever!" She took his arm. "Come in! It's been far too long!"
"Yes." He grinned. "It has."
*****
Julia walked out of Quentin's room.
"It's done." She told Cyrus. "He didn't suspect anything as he was eating his breakfast. "
Cyrus couldn't answer Julia. He just walked away, immersed in his guilt at having to decieve his best friend.
****
Marissa was sitting in the parlor reading the paper when the phone rang.
She chose to let Mrs. Johnson get it in the kitchen's phone.
Julia walked in the room.
"Good morning, Julia."
"You are just the person I wanted to see."
"Really? What can I do for you?"
" I was wondering if you could direct me to where I can find a the plant derivatives that pharmaceutical companies synthesize for medicine."
"Oh I can help you with that. It may be a bit outdated, but I have a reference book that can help you."
Just then they heard a scream prompting them to run out of the room.
Marissa shrieked in horror when seeing Toby lying on the foot of the stairs.
"Toby!" She cried, running to him.
Roger, Elizabeth, David and Amy came running from the dining room with Kate lagging behind them.
"Oh my God!" Roger exclaimed as Elizabeth covered her mouth in shock.
"Amy. David. Get Kate upstairs now. "
David picked up Kate and he immediately went upstairs with Amy following him.
"Roger, go get Cyrus quick!" Julia commanded.
Elizabeth looked up and noticed the red wagon laying upside down, halfway down the stairs and Clarice running down the stairs. "Oh my goodness!" She exclaimed. " I was upstairs reading to Mrs. Beacham, when I heard Mrs. Collins scream! WHAT HAPPENED? Is there anything I can do."
"Thank you Clarice but it would be better if you just go back to Aunt Nora's room, We have it covered."
"Alright. The poor little boy!" She looked down at Toby who was crying out in pain as his mother held his hand.
As she headed back to the old bag's room she heard Cyrus and Roger coming in from outside.
*****
"You know Claudius, I always thought you should have been the one to have married my Marissa." She told him as they sat in the gazebo drinking coffee.
"Really?" Claudius looked pleased.
"Yes, I always thought you were the right man for her…" She suddenly dropped her cup.
"Carmen?" He looked concerned. "What is it?"
"Something has happened. Claudius you MUST take me to Collinwood RIGHT NOW!"
"Alright." He looked confused.
*****
To be continued