Subj: A More Consistent Origin Parts 1-5
Date: 12/27/98 11:53:36 PM Central Standard Time
From: Whitey Pale

Part 1

Life had never been easy for Alexis Bouchard during her life in Martinique. She was the product of a union between the daughter of an illiterate maid at a dockside inn, and an itinerant sailor who had only stayed for a night. All her life, Alexis had suffered the violent mood swings of her mother, who at times nurtured her and at times beat her. The best times were when she had become old enough to help her mother with her work. However, the good times were few as Alexis became a teenaged beauty and a symbol of advancing age to her mother.

When Alexis became pregnant by a traveling sailor, her mother could not stand the notion of having a grandchild. With the blessing of the innkeeper, who wanted no additional mouths to feed (unless they could pay for the privilege), Alexis was banished to the streets. Not knowing where to turn, she asked strangers for help. However, it was a poor area in time of drought, food was scarce. Alexis was unable to convince anyone to take her in, even with the promise of work, because she was pregnant.

One steamy evening, alone, hungry and desperate, Alexis could not bear life anymore. She decided to return to the docks and throw herself into the ocean. However, just as Alexis was about to do this, she heard a commanding voice say, "You'd better watch your step, miss, or you'll fall in."

Startled, Alexis turned around and saw a well-dressed, mustached man carrying a walking stick. While Alexis had heard of fabulously wealthy people that lived on other parts of the island, they had never come where she lived. "I'm sorry to have surprised you like that," the man said. Then, with a stricken look, the man walked to Alexis and said, "Why, your clothes, your face, are you all right?"

Something about the man's manner was reassuring, so Alexis tearfully told him her story. The man listened sympathetically, then said to Alexis, "I'm very glad to have found you, Mme. Bouchard. My employer sends me all around the island in search of women such as yourself who have fallen on unfortunate circumstances. Come with me. I will take you to a corner of the island where a number of them live. We will care for you until you have your child, and then place you as a servant with one of the wealthier families on the island. All we ask, is that you help with the work at our little settlement until you leave."

For Alexis, the offer was too good to be true. She accepted immediately and thanked the polite, mustached man, then realized that she did not know his name. "My name is Dawson," the man said as they walked into the night, "Evan Dawson."

Part 2

Alexis was very happy living at the settlement that Evan Dawson had led her to. There seemed to always be about 20 women there, some pregnant, others deserted or beaten by their spouses, lovers, or families. All of the women who Alexis had met that first morning were friendly and supportive. Well, almost all of them were friendly. The day-to-day operations of the settlement were run by a tall, strong and brusque woman named Danielle Roget. Outwardly, Roget was not unfriendly, but somehow Alexis had the impression that Roget's imperious manner was the result of barely concealed contempt for the women at the settlement.

Roget only spent private time with one or two of the women, but even they seemed to Alexis to be afraid of the settlement leader. Alexis only saw Evan Dawson when he brought new women to the settlement or took one away to be placed with a wealthy family.

Each of the women at the settlement shared a hut with another woman, except for Roget. Alexis's roommate was Stephanie Nicoise, a middle-aged woman whose husband had left her for a young girl. Nicoise said that she was waiting to be placed with a family, but had volunteered to help act as "mentor" to the new arrival.

Alexis was amazed at the settlement. While not wealthy by any means, the settlement had all of the amenities of a comfortable town. Stephanie told Alexis that the wealthy residents of Martinique had endowed the settlement with money to help unfortunate women overcome their circumstances. Stephanie said that the settlement was called the Tribe of Judah. While Alexis had sketchy knowledge of the Bible, and had not been brought up with a religious background, she did know that Judah was one of the original tribes of Israel, and, as a result, told Stephanie that for the first time in her life she felt "clean." Stephanie laughed raucously at this, but quickly apologized.

Each day, Danielle Roget posted the work schedule for the settlement, which alternated so that each woman could learn all the skills they would need when she took her new position in a wealthy household. While Alexis did not feel as if she was working harder than she had at the Inn, she certainly was more tired at the end of the day. At around 10 p.m. each night, Alexis found that she could not keep her eyes open and would fall into a deep, sound sleep until the next morning. She never woke up during the night. Alexis figured that this was due to her pregnancy.

Alexis wanted to be as sociable as possible. After finishing her chores, she joined groups of the women in social activities. She soon learned that the favorite pastimes of the settlement were strange card games and magic tricks. Fascinated, Alexis learned how to read tarot cards and how to make fire change direction from a distance with a wave of her hand. She eagerly wanted to learn more, and soon picked up more tricks, some of which she thought were jokes, such as preparing voodoo dolls.

One night, at around 10 p.m., Alexis returned to her hut feeling very tired. She was surprised that Stephanie was not there. In fact, Stephanie's belongings were gone. Just then Alexis was startled to hear a low growl behind her. She wheeled around, and saw a wild animal, jaws bared, not 10 feet away from her, ready to pounce. Alexis screamed.

Suddenly, a tall figure appeared behind the beast. The figure raised a hand and the beast immediately stopped, turned around, let out a bloodcurdling yell, and collapsed. The figure then stepped into the moonlight for Alexis to see. It was Danielle Roget.

Part 3

Alexis stared straight at Danielle Roget, in shock partly from the threat of the beast, and partly from the way Roget had slain it with a raise of her hand. "It is fortunate for you that I came along Alexis," Roget smiled somewhat condescendingly, "otherwise you would have been killed."

"B-b-but how--?" Alexis stammered.

"It is dangerous to be a woman alone." Roget interrupted, "There are so many dangers, so many predators. Your own experience has shown you that. I have learned to defend myself, to protect myself from all who can harm me. This is what we are trying to teach the women who come here, how to survive."

Alexis was now more fascinated than afraid, "how--I mean, can I learn how--"

Roget interrupted again, "how to survive?" she smiled. "It will take a lot of work, a lot of study, and a lot of commitment. We all must stand together and help ourselves, for no one else will. Are you willing to make any sacrifice, do whatever it takes?"

"Yes!" Alexis enthusiastically answered.

"I felt sure of it. That is why we placed your roommate in a position today. You are ready to stand on your own. You will come to the clearing by the tallest tree in the middle of the woods outside the settlement when the moon is at its highest. Do not be late." Roget said.

"I will try to stay awake," Alexis said, as the fatigue that had befallen her every night since she arrived at the settlement began to overtake her.

Roget smiled, walked over and placed a hand on Alexis's forehead. "I think that now you will find yourself less fatigued at night." When Roget removed her hand, Alexis was suddenly wide awake and alert. Roget then left Alexis, who excitedly waited for the appointed hour.

That night, when the moon was at its highest, Alexis made her way to the clearing. As she approached, she heard music and loud chanting and singing. When she arrived, she saw many of the women in the settlement in costume, dancing and singing before a tree stump that had on it a hooded container. On one side of the stump was a robed figure with a jeweled mask and a scepter. The masked figure was also chanting and singing and, although the voice was muffled, it sounded as if it were a man. Danielle Roget was standing on the side of the stump opposite the masked figure.

When the masked figure saw Alexis, he called out, "Alexis Bouchard! You have come to join our community, our coven, to learn the powers you will need to defend yourself and to serve our great master, Judah Zachary!" Alexis was puzzled by the name "Judah Zachary," which she had never heard before. The figure continued, "To join our coven, you must become one with us. You must join with the master. You must step forward now!"

By now Alexis was beginning to become a little frightened, but she stepped forward towards the masked figure. He continued, "lift the cover, Alexis! See what you must see to take that first step to ultimate power!" At the mention of power, Alexis became excited again and lifted the cover from the container on the stump. Then she screamed. For looking up at her was a disembodied head, eyes open, with a large grin.

"Do not be afraid Alexis!," the masked figure said. "You are blessed to behold our master, Judah Zachary, who one day, with our help, shall walk this earth again! Until that day, we shall serve him by gathering wealth and power!"

Much as she wanted to, Alexis could not avert her eyes from the gaze of the head, which was still smiling. She tried to speak, "I, I, I never---"

Danielle Roget broke into a large grin and said almost tauntingly, "you never thought you were joining a coven of witches? Did you really believe that the 'GOOD' wealthy citizens of Martinique really care about battered or fallen women? That they would set up a settlement with their precious gold to help them? HA! Using the powers that Judah Zachary has taught us, we have infiltrated their homes and businesses, and, disguised as servants, have used our powers to make them serve us! Join us Alexis, do not be afraid! Without us, you will be crushed beneath their boots like an insignificant ant! With us, you can make them pay!"

Alexis considered Roget's words and realized that they made sense. Based on her sad life experience, why would anyone care about what happened to an illiterate, impoverished, illegitimate 17 year old pregnant girl?

Roget sensed she was getting through, "You have seen but a sampling of our powers. We can teach you secrets that you have never even dreamed. Secrets that will ensure that you will never fear or want again."

The masked figure chimed in, "Place your hands on the box, Alexis! Look deeply into the eyes of Judah Zachary! Swear eternal allegiance of yourself and your unborn child!" At the mention of the child, Alexis began to hesitate, so the masked figure quickly added "You do not want your child to suffer as you have suffered. As your mother had suffered!"

This was enough for Alexis. She placed her hands on the box containing the head of Judah Zachary, looked deeply into his eyes and said "I swear eternal allegiance to Judah Zachary by myself and my unborn child." The assembled women cheered and chanted. Underneath the jeweled mask, Evan Dawson smiled. There would be no human sacrifice tonight, unlike the last such ceremony when the woman refused to swear allegiance....

Part 4

Alexis found herself even more happier at the settlement following her conversion to Judah Zachary's cause. The women were even more friendly towards her, and more willing to teach their skills of the black arts. And, as Danielle Roget had promised, Alexis was never again fatigued in the evening, and was able to take part in most of the strange rituals that took place every night in the clearing by the large tree. She still did not take part in some of the rituals, which were left to Roget and a few of the women, but Alexis did not mind. Rumor had it that those rituals dealt with sacrifices--some whispered human sacrifices--in the deepest part of the woods. Alexis did not want to know. All she wanted was the power to defend herself as a single mother in a threatening world.

As her due date approached, Alexis learned that she would be placed as a servant in the household of a wealthy and distinguished attorney on Martinique. That placement would come 30 days after the birth of her child, following a special ceremony in which the child would be bathed in blood and consecrated to Judah Zachary's service.

Alexis delivered her child on a chilly October evening. It was a hard birth, but the child, a girl was in perfect health. Alexis decided to call the child Angelique, because she had what Alexis believed to be an angelic complexion. Alexis did not find this as ironic as some of the other women did, because she still felt that her association with Zachary was a matter of learning self-defense.

Thirty days after the birth, on a cloudy, moonless night, Alexis took her daughter, Angelique, to the consecration ceremony. In front of the tree stump on which the head of Judah Zachary resided in its protective container, was a makeshift cradle, crafted with tree bark, filled with blood and surrounded by lit black candles. Alexis did not want to know from where the blood came.

The women of the settlement who were officially part of the coven made two lines leading up the pathway to the cradle, and formed a canopy with their arms, under which Alexis walked while holding a sleeping Angelique swaddled in a blanket. As always, Danielle Roget and the figure in the jeweled mask (which by now Alexis had guessed was Evan Dawson) flanked Judah Zachary's head.

"Alexis Bouchard! You have come to consecrate your child to the service of our great, eternal master, Judah Zachary! We bid you, welcome!" Evan Dawson intoned from behind the jeweled mask. At that point, Danielle Roget lifted the cover off the box containing the head. Judah Zachary's eyes were open and he was smiling at Alexis. By now, Judah's smile warmed Alexis and did not frighten her.

"Show our master the new life that shall be consecrated to his service!" Dawson boomed. Alexis removed the folds of cloth so that the head of Judah Zachary could see the peacefully, slumbering Angelique.

What happened next terrified Alexis so much that she nearly dropped her baby. The smile disappeared on Judah Zachary's face, replaced with a scowl so fierce with anger that even Danielle Roget was startled.

Alexis froze and stared at the head which was staring straight at her child. Suddenly, Evan Dawson yelled nervously behind his mask. "Away! You must all leave immediately! Go to your huts and do not leave until you are told!" The women, who had not known fear from the time they had joined the settlement until that night, did not need to be told twice. They dispersed quickly, including Alexis and her child, who were given a wide berth by the frightened residents who feared that speaking to them would be unwise since it appeared that, somehow, Alexis was the cause of Judah Zachary's wrath.

Only Danielle Roget and Evan Dawson remained. In Danielle Roget's brain a voice sounded, "you must leave also. I wish to communicate with Dawson alone."

"But master," Roget protested, "I am your most trusted servant. I carry out your will with far greater commitment than Evan Dawson, who is unfit to carry the mantle of his ancestors--"

"Enough!" Zachary thundered in Roget's mind, "Such sniveling is unworthy of someone such as yourself. I said that I must speak with Dawson alone. You will receive further instructions soon. For now, you must go to your hut and not interfere. For if you do, even your loyal service to me will not save you." Danielle Roget glared at Dawson, who by now had removed the ceremonial mask, then she stormed away back to her hut.

Evan Dawson was terrified. He had never seen Judah Zachary so angry. After Danielle Roget had left, he timidly asked, "Master, what is wrong? Why are you displeased?"

The eyes of Judah looked straight at Evan Dawson with a look that could have bore through his heart. In Dawson's mind, he heard Judah's voice say, "that child must die, TONIGHT!"

Part 5

"But Master, why must the child die?" Evan Dawson said, somewhat amazed at what could be taken as impertinence.

His brain thundered with Judah Zachary's telepathic response. "When I saw the child's face, I could sense that she is the reincarnation of Miranda DuVal, the woman who betrayed me!"

Miranda DuVal! Evan Dawson knew the story well. It had been passed down from his great-grandfather, Nicholas Dawson, the first high priest of Judah Zachary's coven, back when Zachary was alive and living in Collinsport, Maine in 1692. Miranda DuVal had been one of Judah Zachary's most promising disciples: ambitious, resourceful and committed. However, she was also somewhat naive and impulsive, occasionally letting her emotions get in the way of her judgment. She was also very beautiful, so beautiful that Judah Zachary had to have her. Judah slept with Miranda, who thought that Judah loved her and would make her his wife.

When Miranda learned that Judah had also slept with several other members of the coven, she sought revenge by betraying Judah to Amadeus Collins, who had Judah and his coven arrested. Nicholas Dawson, a prominent attorney, had kept in the background (and behind a mask, although not Judah Zachary's jeweled one), so he was able to escape detection by the authorities. Miranda seemed to regret her betrayal, but on the stand at trial, Amadeus Collins goaded her into testifying against Zachary. Judah Zachary was convicted and beheaded, but not before he cursed Amadeus Collins and his family and promised revenge on Miranda DuVal.

Zachary's head was to be burned, but a substantial bribe to an illiterate gravedigger by Nicholas Dawson enabled the head to be saved. Nicholas could not get at the body, which had been entombed in a coffin
covered by a huge wooden crucifix. In any event, the head was most important, and it was easier to abscond with the head without suspicion.

Nicholas Dawson took the head of Judah Zachary to the West Indies, where they both hoped that the inhabitants' talents for voodoo and reanimation (e.g., zombies) could make Judah Zachary whole. However, all of the grisly attempts were futile. Finally, Zachary decided to bide his time and create a new coven in Martinique, led by Nicholas Dawson and his descendants. Zachary hoped that one day he would be free to wreak his revenge on Amadeus Collins' descendants. In the meantime, the Dawsons shuttled between Collinsport and Martinique, supposedly running an import-export business, but in reality gathering information on the Collins family for Judah Zachary.

Evan Dawson's mind snapped back to the present. "Master, how can you be sure that the child is Miranda DuVal?"

"How dare you question me! I sent Danielle Roget away, but I know that she is right. You are not like your ancestors. You enjoy the wealth and power, but do not truly serve me or our true master. In this sense, you are as pathetic as many of the women in our coven, such as Alexis Bouchard. I warn you Evan Dawson, I let your family serve me on account of your great-grandfather, and only you know the story of Miranda DuVal, but if you defy me . . ."

Evan Dawson knew that Judah Zachary was right. Unlike some of his ancestors, he had never killed anyone. Now he was being asked to kill a defenseless child. However, Evan Dawson had an exceptionally quick mind, and reflexively (and, under the circumstances, rather boldly) said, "But Master, if the child is the reincarnation of Miranda DuVal, would it not be sweet justice to make her the instrument of your revenge on the Collins family?"

Judah Zachary was about to unleash a spell that would cause Evan Dawson great pain as punishment for his impudence, but paused because Dawson's words evoked his interest. "How?" Zachary's voice impatiently growled in Evan Dawson's head.

Dawson tried to keep his composure as he spoke. "As I told you, on my last trip to Collinsport, I learned that Moses Collins had died in a shipping accident, leaving the family business in the hands of his eldest son, Joshua Collins. Joshua is much like Amadeus Collins was, autocratic, stubborn, self-righteous and demanding. Realizing your revenge against Joshua should be very satisfying."

Judah Zachary was getting edgy. "I do not follow you Dawson."

Dawson knew he had little time, so he pled his case quickly. "Joshua has one son, Barnabas Collins, who is about six years old. Joshua and his wife have been unable to conceive anymore children. If this continues to be true, then Joshua Collins will have only one tenuous heir. Wouldn't it be fitting if Alexis's child grew up to be the instrument of your revenge against Joshua Collins, through his son, Barnabas? After all, consider the personalities involved. Miranda DuVal was resourceful and determined, but naive when it came to love. The Collins family is arrogant and prideful. They take what they want and then discard it when they are through. Put the two together and it will be like lighting a match to gunpowder"

Judah Zachary was not convinced. "Your plan is very speculative, Dawson," his voice snarled in Dawson's head, "and even if it could work, it is much too dangerous. Miranda DuVal betrayed me once, and she will likely betray me again if she has the chance. If this child does fall in love with this Collins, why would she not protect him and betray me?"

What had begun as an effort to spare himself from spilling blood, had suddenly become an exciting plan to Dawson, as his mind weighed the possibilities. "Your concerns are well-taken, Master. We must ensure that the child never knows about you. To do so, we will need to enlist her mother---"

"HER MOTHER!!" Zachary interrupted, "All that wretched soul wants is power to protect herself. She cannot be trusted! No, Dawson, you must kill the child tonight!"

"Hear me out, one last time," Dawson said, immediately regretting his use of the word "last," "there is a way to get the child's mother to help us without having a clue as to what is really happening. If you disagree, I will slay the child immediately."

"Well!" Zachary glared at Dawson. Dawson then explained his plan to Judah Zachary. As Dawson did so, the expression on Zachary's face began to soften. Soon the face appeared as if it would laugh if it could. "All right, Dawson, we will try it your way. But if you fail . . ."

"It will not fail." Dawson blurted out as convincingly as possible.

"It had better not. Now, bring Alexis to me--without her child--immediately!