Subj: The Homecoming--Chapter 4
Date: 4/4/02 2:50:30 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Peggy Boone

Elliot and Adam were both worried about what had happened to Barnabas. They knew that when they had gone into the kitchen, he had been sitting in the living room and when they went back in to join him, he was gone.

"Did Barnabas tell you he was going anywhere?"

"No. When we were sitting in the living room, he didn't say anything. He didn't even notice I was sitting across from him."

"Did he take your car?"

"No, the keys are in my pocket. I'll be back later."

"Where are you going, Adam?"

"Back home. He could have gone there."

"How do you know?"

Adam proceeded to tell Elliot about how Barnabas had gone back to his house and that he had found the mirror hanging back up on the wall as if it had never been broken.

"I'm coming with you."

"What can you do?"

"I'll think of something."

The two of them got into Adam's car and drove to his house. As soon as they parked the car, Adam realized that there wasn't any way that Barnabas could have gotten in. Adam turned to face Elliot.

"Barnabas isn't here."

"How do you know?"

"there isn't any way for him to get in. I only have one key."

"Maybe he went home."

Soon, they found themselves in front of the Old House. Adam knocked on the door. When Willie opened it, he was surprized to see Adam in the doorway. He immediately thought something was wrong with Barnabas.

"Is somethin' wrong?"

"Is Barnabas here?"

"Is he supposed to be?"

"We don't know where he is."

"Could he have gone to Collinwood?"

"We don't know. We hoped we would see him and could take him back." Willie put on his jacket and started for the door.

"Where are you going?"

"To Collinwood to see if Barnabas is there."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"You can stay here to see if he comes back here."

Adam and Elliot sat in the drawing room waiting for someone to return. Adam was considering going to try to find him, but he figured Elliot would try and stop him. Adam stood at the window watching for anyone to come. They didn't know where Julia was. They didn't know how to tell her that Barnabas disappeared from Elliot's. Willie walked up to the door at Collinwood and knocked. When the door was opened, Willie saw Elizabeth standing in front of him.

"How have you been, Willie?"

"I've been good, Mrs. Stoddard."

"Do you want something?"

"Is Barnabas here?"

"I haven't seen him for quite awhile."

"Will you tell him I'm lookin' for him?"

"I'll be sure to if I see him."

"Thank you."

After Willie left Collinwood, he started driving toward Collinsport. He hoped to see him in town or on the way. He didn't know where Barnabas had gone. He wondered if Adam and Elliot had found him. On the way back to the Old House, he hoped that when he got back there, Barnabas would be there. When he walked in the door, the look in Adam's dark eyes told him the answer; he had not returned home. Adam went over to the chair where Willie was sitting and put a hand on his shoulder. "Are you all right?"

"Not really."

"Is there any place you think of where he could have gone?" Willie sat and thought for awhile. Then he jumped up and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?"

"I might know where he is."

"Come on. I'll go with you."

Willie hesitated for awhile. He knew of his fear of Adam. "O.k."

when they got outside, Adam reached into his pocket to get his car keys, but Willie put his hand on his arm. "We don't need the car. It is around here." The two of them soon arrived at Eagle Hill Cemetary.

"Why is he here?"

"He is here." They had walked for awhile until they found him. He was sitting at a grave. Willie didn't have to read the headstone to find out who was buried there.

Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production