Subj: Consequences of Falling ch. 60
Date: 8/13/01 3:55:25 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Nicole

Eagle Hill Cemetery, 6:00 PM

"This is ridiculous," sighed Barnabas. He did not bother speaking up. He lagged behind the group so much that they were out of earshot. The moment he had risen, Constance stopped him from going into the drawing room. She had explained to him that Cameron and his lover were waiting above with Angelique and Chris, saying that he might want to enter the main house a different way so that they would not suspect that anything was wrong with him. Barnabas thanked her for the information, glad to see her thinking rationally for the first time in days. But then Constance began ranting about going to Eagle Hill Cemetery and searching for Quentin's body. Barnabas thought this plan ludicrous. He could easily admit that he missed Quentin but he would not search for a dead man. Then again, he had not slept with him. He did not understand her point of view. He almost felt horrible for questioning her, but she had interrupted his breakfast and would not excuse her for it.

Barnabas was surprised to see Constance walk towards him, her boots crunching through the snow and flashlight raised as if she might hit him with it. She did not bother playing the eye trick with him, knowing well that once cannot bewitch a vampire. "Can you tell me what your problem is?"

"This is stupid, Constance. This exercise will only lead to humiliation and disappointment for you," explained Barnabas. "You don't need this."

"You don't understand!" insisted Constance. "I feel him around me so often. It's so real! Besides, Cameron has seen Quentin and Chris saw Josef in this cemetery earlier today. What reason was here if not to hide a body? I'm going to find Quentin tonight."

"Do you honestly believe that?"

Constance stiffened and pulled away. "If you don't believe, you can leave! No one held a stake to your heart and forced you to come with us."

Barnabas thought of going home. It was cold and he was hungry. But the possibility of the infallible Constance DuVane falling flat on her face seemed too scrumptious an opportunity to pass up. He caught up to the group quickly, falling in between Angelique and Chris. He leaned next to his former love and asked, "Why are you letting your friend do such a thing?"

Angelique turned to him and snapped, "She does as she pleases. And I think she might be right on this count. She would not drag us to this dreadful place to look at an empty crypt."

Barnabas sighed and turned to Chris. "Do you really want to find Quentin?"

"No but I'm really sick of getting furry every full moon," explained Chris. He turned to Barnabas and asked, "Weren't you married to Julia? Where is she? Did she leave you?"

Barnabas turned away from Chris without answering, moving next to Cameron, who kept an insane distance from his father. Barnabas could not believe that Constance had talked five people who ought to know better into following her to this place. Angelique and Chris seemed to put a moderate amount of faith in her. The only two people more oblivious than Barnabas was the confused young couple. He turned to Cameron and asked, "Do you know why you're here?"

"I don't know. I don't understand any of this, but Astrid said she would explain everything later." Cameron turned to Barnabas and whispered, "Who are we looking for?"

Before Barnabas could answer he looked ahead. Angelique, Chris, and Constance had stopped in the tracks, their angry eyes focused solely on Barnabas. He could take the hint. He turned back to Cameron and said, "I'm not quite sure. Only Astrid really knows." Only then did the irate trio begin to walk again.

Once they reached Eagle Hill Cemetery the group split up, some taking the task more seriously than others. Barnabas and Angelique found themselves glancing amongst the tombstones for familiar names, looking for the friends and enemies of long ago. Cameron and Kelene examined everything, breathing in their new surroundings with eager, child-like curiosity. Constance and Chris made a bee-line for the mausoleum. Both stood start still in front of it. Barnabas crept up behind her and said, "You don't have to do this."

"Yes I do," she whimpered.

Constance pulled away from the men and tentatively approached the iron gate. She unlocked it and stepped inside. After checking the initial interior, Constance went straight for the hidden chamber. Barnabas, like the others, looked away. He supposed his yearning to see Constance disgraced had not been as great as he had hoped. Only upon hearing her scream did he run for the room. He stopped in the doorway, bracing his hands on the sides so that the impacts of four people running at full speed did not send him flying into the room. "Oh God, it's true!"

Quentin sat in the far corner, his knees pulled to his chest. His hair brushed his shoulders and he looked as if he had not shaved in days. The dark blue overcoat was dirty but seemed in good condition, as did the blue slacks. The black turtleneck looked tattered and the heavy black boots appeared badly scuffed. Constance was the only one who dared to approach him. She touched his shoulder and he pulled away, looking up at her with empty eyes. "Quentin," she whispered. "Do you understand?"

"Quentin? It can't be?" whimpered Cameron. "What is she talking about?"

No one paid him any mind. Barnabas left his post, followed quickly by Angelique and Chris. They circled around Quentin, calling his name and barraging him with numerous questions. Quentin did not seem to understand. He shut his eyes tightly and covered his ears with this hands. Barnabas did not understand how they were going to get answers from a man who did not seem to recognize his own name. He turned to Constance and asked, "What's going on?"

Constance sat against the wall, her eyes hidden by the shadows. "You're freaking him out."

"And I suppose you understand the situation?"

"Damn straight I do." Constance moved her hand in front of Quentin's face and snapped. She succeeded in gaining his attention, his eyes following her fingers to her face. She moved her fingers to her eyes and he foolishly looked into them, leaving him bewitched. "You will follow me. Nod if you understand." Quentin nodded. "That's good, darling. Now, rise to your feet." Quentin complied, standing when Constance stood. She calmly looked him over and asked, "Will you take my hand?" Cautiously, Quentin gave her his hand and Constance accepted it, bringing it to her lips for a chaste kiss. Quentin responded by closing his eyes and sighing. "I understand. Don't fell guilty because you don't."

"Why doesn't he understand?" asked Barnabas.

"The astral body has separated from the physical body. He's without a spirit, without a voice. I have to reunite body and spirit."

Cameron stepped forward at this point,, Kelene following close behind. He looked Quentin over, his eyes widening as he examined him. "It's the man outside my window," murmured Cameron. "It's the man from my dream." He turned to Constance and asked, "Why did you call him Quentin?"

"Because that's his name. This is Quentin Collins."

"The man from the portrait?" Constance looked away. "It can't be! He can't be alive and still look the same."

Constance forced Cameron to look into his eyes. "I'll explain at the Old House, okay?" He nodded. "Good." She squeezed Quentin's hand and said, "Let's walk."

Quentin seemed to think about the command but he walked with Constance. Cameron and Kelene followed behind, both moving in a grander daze than Quentin. They were followed by Angelique and Chris, both unreadable as they left the mausoleum. Barnabas left last, taking it upon himself to lock up. He could not believe that Constance had been right. If she succeeded in reuniting Quentin with his astral self and curing Jennings father and son, it would be an amazing coup. Barnabas only regretted that his affliction would force him to miss the action.

Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production.