14: Barnabas in Parallel Time

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#CC9900" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="047005a0dwnjzk.gif"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cassies Writing"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B>     | </B><B> </B><B> </B><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>Cassie's Writing</B></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id109.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="1: Stolen Memories"><U><B>1:  Stolen Memories</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id110.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2: A Complex Puzzle"><U><B>2:  A Complex Puzzle</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id111.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="3: Peeling the Onion"><U><B>3:  Peeling the Onion</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id112.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="4: Secrets Revealed"><U><B>4:  Secrets Revealed</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id113.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="5: Going Home Again"><U><B>5:  Going Home Again</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id114.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="6: ThingintheBox"><U><B>6:  Thing-in-the-Box</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id116.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="7: Challenging the Leviathan"><U><B>7:  Challenging the Leviathan</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id117.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="8: Circling the Wagons"><U><B>8:  Circling the Wagons</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id118.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="9: Jebs Curse"><U><B>9:  Jeb's Curse</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id119.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="10: Spell of Jealousy"><U><B>10:  Spell of Jealousy</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id120.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="11: Carrying the Weight"><U><B>11:  Carrying the Weight</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id121.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="12: A Fiendish New Year"><U><B>12:  A Fiendish New Year</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="13: Barnabas Crisis"><U><B>13:  Barnabas' Crisis</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>14:  Barnabas in Parallel Time</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id124.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="15: Clues to Disaster"><U><B>15:  Clues to Disaster</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="16: Demons Possession"><U><B>16:  Demon's Possession</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id126.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="17: Breach of Trust"><U><B>17:  Breach of Trust</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id127.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="18: Labyrinth of Emotions"><U><B>18:  Labyrinth of Emotions</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id128.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="19: The Amanda Dilemma"><U><B>19:  The Amanda Dilemma</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id129.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="20: Ziganas Cure"><U><B>20:  Zigana's Cure</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id130.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="21: The Approaching Storm"><U><B>21:  The Approaching Storm</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id131.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="22: Enigma at Collinwood"><U><B>22:  Enigma at Collinwood</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id132.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="23: Reunion in Hell"><U><B>23:  Reunion in Hell</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id133.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="24: Scattered Through Time"><U><B>24:  Scattered Through Time</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>14:  Barnabas in Parallel Time</B></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cassies Writing"><U><B>Cassie's Writing</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id107.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Alternate Destiny"><U><B>Alternate Destiny</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div>      The Old House loomed ahead of him.  He sighed and checked to make sure the cross was still around his neck.  He opened the door and walked in.  The candles were lit; but then they'd still been burning when he'd carried Sabrina out.  <I>Could've caused a fire</I>, he thought.  <I>Maybe it would be better that way</I>.  No one was in the drawing room.  He went to the back, to the kitchen--it was hardly likely that Barnabas would be there, but maybe Willie was there.  The kitchen was deserted.</div> <div>      <I>Maybe he won't be back until dawn</I>, he thought.  <I>Maybe I can go and lie</I> <I>down for awhile</I>.  He felt really tired.  Now that the excitement was over, he realized his head was aching again.  His nose had stopped bleeding but his jaw ached where Barnabas and then Chris had hit him.  It would feel good to lie down.  He was starting up the steps when the voice came out of the shadows in the corner of the drawing room:  "Quentin?"</div> <div>      He started.  "Barnabas?"  His cousin moved out of the shadows so that Quentin could see him.  Quentin's knees felt weak and he sat down on the stairs, fighting the feelings of rising panic.</div> <div>      Barnabas moved toward him.  "Did I frighten you?  I'm sorry.  I was afraid you might be Sabrina..." his voice trailed off.  "How is she?"</div> <div>      "All right," Quentin replied, trying to keep his voice calm and steady.  "She's back at the cottage with Chris.  Julia's with her."</div> <div>      "Thank God," Barnabas said, obviously very relieved.  "What about you?  Are you all right?"</div> <div>      "Yes," he lied.</div> <div>      "I'm sorry about everything, Quentin.  I lost control of myself.  I never intended to hurt you--or Sabrina."</div> <div>      "I know you didn't."  Barnabas reached out and touched Quentin's face briefly.  His hand was icy cold, and Quentin drew back involuntarily.  "You're afraid of me," Barnabas stated heavily, with regret.  "I wish I could tell you not to be, but I can't.  I don't know what I am capable of anymore."</div> <div>      Quentin was sorry he'd pulled away.  "Don't give up hope.  There must be something we can do."</div> <div>      Barnabas smiled.  He'd withdrawn his hand but then placed it on Quentin's head in a very rare gesture of affection.  "I don't want you to worry, Quentin.  I'll do what I need to, to protect the family.  Julia will take Sabrina away?  To Windcliff?"</div> <div>      "Well, as a matter of fact, Chris and I had another idea."  Quentin wondered if Barnabas would accept the idea.  Maybe if he did, he could convince Julia.  He quickly explained his idea about taking Chris, Sabrina, and Amy to Cuddeback.  Barnabas had uncharacteristically sat on one of the lower steps to listen.  "What do you think?"  he asked.</div> <div>      "For one thing, it would remove Chris from the area.  He would be safe from Bruno--and Jeb.  What about this--bomb shelter?  Is it secure?"</div> <div>      "Just as secure as the mausoleum--maybe more so.  It was designed to hold people for a year after a nuclear attack.  It's impenetrable."</div> <div>      "Nuclear attack," Barnabas echoed.  "I cannot fathom such a thing happening--it is far beyond my understanding."  He interrupted his reverie.  "If you are quite sure that this shelter would be a safe place for Chris to stay while the moon is full, and if you are sure that Sabrina would be capable of handling him--then I suggest we try it."</div> <div>      "Good, you can help me convince Julia," Quentin said, relieved.  "And Sabrina won't have to worry about the next full moon.  I'll go with them and stay with them until she--" He broke off.  "Until she's better," he concluded.</div> <div>      "I will talk to Julia," Barnabas said, and Quentin knew from the tone in his voice that he would convince Julia whether she liked it or not.  "I want you to get some rest.  You've been up all night."</div> <div>      "Oh, I've done that plenty of times before. You don't have to worry about me.  I'd rather wait with you, if you don't mind."</div> <div>      "You don't trust me?"</div> <div>      "No!"  Quentin protested.  "It's not that, I just--I'm just worried about you."  What he really wanted to say was that he wanted to stay with Barnabas just to be with him.  He had a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach--as if he might not see his cousin again. He didn't know if the truth would make Barnabas feel uncomfortable or not.</div> <div>      "Ah," Barnabas said softly.  "Perhaps we can try--what is it?  Poker?"</div> <bR> <div>      The long night finally was over.  Barnabas left to go to his coffin.  Willie wasn't back yet.  Quentin went upstairs to Barnabas' room and threw himself across the bed.  He was asleep within minutes. He woke up once, hearing Willie return.  Willie didn't come upstairs, and he rolled over and went back to sleep.  He dreamed about Beth and began tossing restlessly.  <I>"Where are you Quentin?" she was calling.  "Why haven't you come back for me?"</I></div> <div>      "I can't find you, Beth!" he cried out, and opened his eyes.  Beth was shaking his shoulder.  He reached for her, grabbing her hand and opened his eyes.  It was Julia.  He groaned, let go of her, and closed his eyes.  She sat on the edge of the bed and took his hand back.  "What time is it?" he mumbled, feeling groggy.</div> <div>      "Just past noon.  You were having a bad dream, Quentin."</div> <div>      "No shit.  She's always wondering why I haven't come back for her."</div> <div>      Julia looked at him with compassion.  "I think this is why it's all just sex between you and Amanda, isn't it?  You really do believe Beth is still alive?"     "Yes, I do.  I just don't know where.  I think Jenny knows, but she won't tell until she's satisfied that I've done everything I could for Chris and Amy."  He realized he might not be making much sense.  He hadn't really had much of an opportunity to talk with Julia about everything that had happened.  She patted his hand.  "You're not mad at me anymore?"</div> <div>      "Yes, I am.  But I am sorry that you are suffering, too."</div> <div>      He opened his eyes and smiled.  "Julia, you are a trip, you know that?"</div> <div>      Julia smiled back.  "Did you see Barnabas?  How was he?"</div> <div>      "I thought he seemed better.  We got through the rest of the night, anyway.  How is Sabrina?"</div> <div>      "She'll be all right, too."  Now Julia looked reproachful.  "I really wish you hadn't talked to Chris about this place you were talking about.  He wouldn't let me transport Sabrina to Windcliff, and I really feel she'd be safer there.  We're going to have to watch her and Barnabas closely tonight."</div> <div>      "I could take them to Cuddeback," Quentin suggested, drooping a little under Julia's severely disapproving gaze.</div> <div>      "Even if I agreed with this idea of yours, it's too soon to move Sabrina so far.  She's still weak."</div> <div>      Quentin sighed.  "When she's better, I'll take them."  When Julia began to protest, he added, "Barnabas thought it was a good idea, too."</div> <div>      "Barnabas!  You talked to him about it?"  Julia sounded irritable, as if she'd been double-crossed.  She let go of his hand.</div> <div>      "Well, we had to talk about something. We still had a couple of hours to kill."  He realized he sounded defensive and thought it would be better to try and get her to laugh.  "I couldn't tell him about my adventures with Angelique could I?  And get turned into a toad?"  She didn't laugh.  "And I couldn't tell him about the dress, either.  That's a surprise, isn't it?"  He got a reaction then.  She shifted uncomfortably.  The corners of her mouth turned up just slightly.  She reached into her bag, which was on the floor and pulled out her penlight.  "What are you doing?"</div> <div>      "Looking to see if there's anything left of your mind," she said with a straight face.  He laughed and then she did, too.  She flashed the light into his eyes and seemed satisfied.   He was relieved that she wasn't that angry with him.  Now she felt his nose, which was still a little sore but not nearly as painful as it had been a few hours ago.  "No swelling.  No bleeding.  Just like nothing had happened."</div> <div>      "Courtesy of Petofi," he said sardonically.  The thought of that evil creature upset him, as it always did.  </div> <div>      As his features darkened, Julia asked, "What is it?  Tell me."</div> <div>      It would feel good to talk about it.  "It's a long story," he warned.</div> <div>      "We have all afternoon," Julia countered.</div> <div>      "I'm hungry."</div> <div>      "Willie can fix something."</div> <div>      "No, I'd rather eat out."</div> <div>      "All right," Julia said agreeably.  "We'll go into town.  You can at least start telling me about it on the way."</div> <div>      </div> <div>      They went to the coffee shop, and Joy was there.  Quentin suddenly remembered he was to have taken her to the movies the night before.  She didn't smile when they came in and seated themselves.  She came with two menus and said very coolly, "Good morning.  Can I get you some coffee?"</div> <div>      "Please," Julia said pleasantly.</div> <div>      "Um, I'm sorry about last night," Quentin began.</div> <div>      "I see you got busy," Joy said coolly.  "Look, don't worry about it.  Would you like some coffee, too?"</div> <div>      "No, you don't understand--" he stopped.  The expressions on both women's faces weren't encouraging.  "Yes, coffee, please."</div> <div>      Joy moved away to get the pot of coffee, and Julia gave Quentin a disapproving look.  "If you are having nightmares about Beth, perhaps it's your guilty conscience trying to tell you something."   He'd just spent the last few minutes telling Julia about being separated from Beth in Berlin and how they used to pass messages back and forth, with Rolf Baumgartner acting as the messenger boy.  He spoke of the men who came to free him-but not Beth. He was worried about what might have become of her.  "You've just been telling me all about Beth-and there's Amanda, too. Just what on earth do you think you're doing, Quentin?"</div> <div>      He hung his head, ashamed.  He was still thinking about Beth.  He missed her still, even after all these years.  "They help me forget, Jiminy.  I haven't been with her since Berlin.  I'm not a priest.  I'm just your local pick-em-up kind of guy.  I never was much good."</div> <div>      "Spare me the self-pity," Julia said, coolly.  "Look at me."  He did, feeling hurt that she wasn't more sympathetic.  She was rubbing her thumbnail with her pinkie.  "Do you know what this is?"</div> <div>      "No," he answered and had a feeling he wouldn't like to know.</div> <div>      "It's the smallest record in the world, and it's playing 'My Heart Bleeds For You.'"</div> <div>      "Oh, thanks," he complained, standing up.  "You're a great friend, you know that?"</div> <div>      "Yes, I do.  Sit down and stop acting like a child."  He couldn't believe his ears.  More than that, he couldn't believe he was letting her get away with talking to him that way.  He sat.  "You aren't going to be able to help Beth or Chris or--most of all--yourself by losing yourself in self-pity.  Stop putting yourself down. It'll just get in your way.  You need to give yourself a little more credit, Quentin.  Or at least allow me some.  If you weren't much good, as you put it, I wouldn't give you five minutes of my time."  Julia arched her brows at him. </div> <div>      Joy came back with the coffeepot, sparing him from having to answer for a few minutes.  He didn't know what to say.  He understood what Julia was trying to tell him and felt both grateful and resentful at the same time.  "Would you like to order?"  Joy asked.</div> <div>      He looked at Julia.  "Salad--Italian dressing on the side--and lemonade," she said.  Quentin ordered a cheeseburger for himself.  He decided to get a coke to go with the hamburger.  Joy nodded and left, and Quentin picked up his coffee cup.  Julia was looking at him expectantly.  "Well?"</div> <div>      "Well what?"  He decided to be difficult.</div> <div>      "Do you at least acknowledge that I wouldn't waste my time on a person who was no good?"</div> <div>      His lips turned up at the corners.  "On the contrary, doctor, I think you'd take them under your wing and mother them to redemption."  He was surprised to see the look on Julia's face.  "Not that I don't need your type of mothering," he added hastily.  He had a feeling he'd sent an unintentional arrow right into her heart.  He suddenly realized that what he'd said might also apply to Barnabas.  He was searching around for something else to say to set things right.  He hadn't meant to hurt her.</div> <div>      "You are a 'trip' too, Quentin," Julia said softly, picking up her cup and sipping at it.  She cleared her throat.  "Do you still have contacts at the State Department?  Or with the CIA?"</div> <div>      "They haven't been much help so far.  I haven't been able to trace where she went after she disappeared into East Berlin.  She might be in Siberia now, for all I know," Quentin said gloomily.  "And it's not like I can rattle anyone's cages up there at the State Department.  How am I supposed to explain this to them?  I don't doubt they'd go in for her, but they're the same as everyone else--they'd want to lock us both up in some laboratory and study us like rats."</div> <div>      "I have no doubt," Julia agreed.  "Just what did happen to Beth?"  He knew she was wondering how Beth had managed not only to live so long but still looked young to boot.  He wasn't ready to answer that question yet.  He began telling her about meeting her in Chicago--before she remembered being Beth in her previous life.  Joy had long since brought their lunch.  Julia listened, fascinated.  "What about her family?  Do you know where they are?  What became of the children?"  He told her what had happened to Peter; that Katie had married and was living in the Catskills and that Mary Jane and her family were in Chicago.  At the mention of Katie's name, he noticed her eyes flickered a little as if trying to grasp a lost memory, but she didn't say anything.  He talked all around the topic of Petofi and the portraits after they left the coffee shop and went to the cottage to see how Sabrina was doing.</div> <div>      Chris came outside to talk to Quentin while Julia examined Sabrina, who was weak and complaining about the light.  "I haven't had much chance to rest," Chris said, reaching into his pocket.  "Did you hear about Bruno?"  Quentin shook his head--he hadn't.  Chris looked upset.  "Killed by a wild animal--me."</div> <div>      Quentin grimaced, understanding.  He had hated himself particularly when he had known he'd killed someone.  "I'm sorry," he said, meaning it.  He thought, <I>it's for the best.  At least that's one enemy out of the way</I>.  He kept his thoughts to himself, though.  He knew Chris wouldn't feel better.</div> <div>      "Smoke?"   Chris asked.  He pulled out a joint and lit it.  </div> <div>      Surprised, Quentin took it when Chris offered it to him and took a hit.  "I could've used one of these last night," he commented.  "One of my nights from hell.  How'd you find out about Bruno?"</div> <div>      "Roger told me.  He stopped by to see if I was all right.  Last time he'd seen me, I was going through the transformation.  He thought I was really ill--he was surprised I had the 'strength' to jump through the window."  Chris laughed.  "Here," he said, reaching back into his pocket and coming forth with two more joints.  "Save 'em for later--if there's another night from hell.  Roger found him--Bruno died before he could say much."</div> <div>      Quentin took the joints with an inward grin.  He put them in his pocket and wondered if vampires could get stoned.  "I thought you were a straight and narrow kind of guy."</div> <div>      "Whatever made you think THAT?" Chris wondered, still laughing.  He added quickly, "I don't smoke in front of Amy."  They passed the joint back and forth.  Quentin could feel himself beginning to completely relax.  It was different than getting drunk.  "Julia had a fit when I wouldn't let her take Sabrina back to Windcliff."</div> <div>      "I know.  She's not real happy with me, but I think she'll come around.  I talked to Barnabas--he's cool with it.  He'll talk to her," Quentin answered.  Chris stiffened at the mention of Barnabas' name.  "Chris, he really couldn't help it.  He would never hurt any of us if he could control himself."</div> <div>      "I know.  It's just that--" Chris broke off, confusion clouding his features.</div> <div>      "Listen, did you know he did that to Beth, too?  I know how you feel--I felt angry, too.  I felt like he'd betrayed me and taken something away from me.  With Beth, he did it to find out what was wrong with me so he could help me.  That was more on purpose."  Chris looked at him, listening.  "Sabrina's different.  This curse that Jeb put on him is having a different effect on him.  Julia can't seem to cure him.  She was giving him injections, but they were just making him worse.  He didn't seek Sabrina out--"</div> <div>      "I know he didn't.  She went to him, after we got away from Bruno," Chris said.  "Where were you?  You were supposed to be with Sabrina, weren't you?"</div> <div>      Quentin sighed.  Suddenly, things were becoming more complicated.  Chris didn't know Angelique was a witch either.  He didn't know what Angelique would do to him if he told anyone about her, but he decided he didn't want to ruin his relationship with Chris by lying to him again.  "It wasn't done to hurt you, but I was derailed by a spell.  It's been taken off me now."</div> <div>      "A spell?"  They'd smoked the joint pretty quickly.  Chris had the last hit off it and threw it down, grinding it out under his shoe.  "By what, a witch?  What the hell else is living here in Collinwood?  Warlocks, too?"</div> <div>      Quentin started to laugh.  It was suddenly hilarious.  "As a matter of fact," he began and whooped, unable to continue.  Chris looked at him, incredulous, and then began laughing, too.  They were both laughing wildly when Julia came out looking for them.  At the expression on her face, Quentin doubled over and laughed even harder.</div> <div>      "What's so funny?"  She asked, puzzled, approaching them.  She wrinkled her nose in distaste and gave Quentin a severe look.  He stopped laughing abruptly, feeling resentment beginning to flicker inside.  She was assuming he'd gotten Chris stoned instead of the other way around.  "She's still weak, Chris, but that's to be expected during the day," Julia said, becoming clinical again.  "When the sun goes down, she'll regain her strength and she'll want to leave.  I strongly urge you to let me call and have her transported to Windcliff."</div> <div>      Chris had seen the look pass between Julia and Quentin.  "I really don't want to do that, Julia," he said evenly.  "I can take care of her, now that I know what's wrong with her.  I won't let her leave."  Again, Julia gave Quentin another hard look.  "Listen, this was all my decision--" he began.</div> <div>      "It doesn't matter, Chris," Quentin cut in irritably.</div> <div>      "I don't want to cause trouble between you two.  I'm just trying to straighten it out."</div> <div>      "Why bother?  She's made her mind up," Quentin snapped.  He turned and walked off down the path toward the Old House.  He could hear Chris talking to Julia in a cajoling tone. One minute Julia was telling him not to put himself down, and in the next moment she was blaming him for things that weren't his fault.  Yes, he'd convinced Chris to go to Cuddeback--Julia didn't like it because she wouldn't have Chris under her thumb anymore.  To have her automatically assume he was the one to offer the pot to Chris was another matter. <I>Everyone's always assumed that I was the troublemaker, right from the beginning. Right from Judith and Edward on down to Julia, now.  It's</I> <I>not fair</I>, he thought sulkily.  As he approached the Old House, he saw Willie coming out the front door and he stopped short.  <I>I'm not going there</I>, he decided and turned abruptly toward Collinwood.</div> <div>      He didn't want to see anyone there either, but he knew where all the hidden doors were.  He could hide out in the west wing if he wanted to--some of those rooms weren't in terrible shape.  He could go to his old room.  The only thing wrong with that, of course, was if David or Amy decided to go exploring and found him there.  They'd wonder what made him choose THAT room to be in.  I'll think of something, he convinced himself and went into the west wing from a hidden entrance.  He made his way to his old room.  It was dark and dusty, but he forced back the shutters and opened the window, letting in the sunshine and early spring air. The house was very quiet; maybe no one was home.  He thought he might be able to prowl through the house and find a transistor and a book to read in David's room.  He slipped out of the room and made his way into the main house.  He couldn't hear any sounds anywhere.  Roger was probably at the cannery.  He had no idea if anyone else was about.  </div> <div>      He knew where David's room was and carefully opened the door.  Long ago, this had been Edith's bedroom.  He used to come in frequently, and she would play with him and Carl or read to them.  It had been years before he'd been able to bring himself to enter the room again.</div> <div> No one was there, but there was a transistor on David's dresser.  Sorry kid, he thought, hope you won't miss this for a while.  There was something under David's pillow; it wasn't sitting just right.  Curious, he looked underneath and found a paperback book called <U>Portnoy's Complaint.</U>  Curious, he picked it up and read the back jacket.  Surprised by the contents, he flipped through the book and whistled.  David, kiddo, you ain't no little boy no more, he thought to himself and decided to borrow the book, too.  </div> <div>      He got back to his room in the west wing with no problems and turned the radio on.  He opened the book and began to read.  The more he read, the hornier he became, becoming erect after reading through a couple of really steamy passages.  <I>I bet I know what David does</I>, he thought, amused.  <I>Maybe it's better we do get Amy off to Cuddeback</I>.  <I>Guess David's getting too old to play childish games with a little girl</I>--although Amy wasn't so little anymore. She'd be thirteen soon.  He thought he'd better move on and returned to the main corridor.  <I>Wonder where everyone is today?</I>  He carefully replaced the book and radio, glad not to be caught at something for once.  </div> <div>      It was almost dinnertime, and although he didn't feel hungry, he wanted company--not necessarily the family's.  He didn't really feel like calling Amanda, knowing the only thing she'd want to know was when he'd be returning to Stroudsburg.  He'd see her soon enough.  He remembered Joy.  Maybe he could still make it up to her.  Maybe she'd still be at the coffee shop.  He decided to go and see.</div> <bR> <div>      It was late when Quentin returned to Collinwood, feeling sated but not satisfied.  He'd brought Joy around with his cajoling and teasing.  She was about to come off her shift and he talked her into going to dinner with him and then a movie.  He pleaded an emergency--a "sick friend"--the night before.  It was his cousin Barnabas as the Old House, and everyone in town knew that the eccentric Barnabas didn't have a phone.  That woman he was with was just Barnabas' doctor, nothing else.</div> <div>      Joy had heard about Barnabas.  She had heard a lot of strange talk about the Collinses, she told him, with a brilliant smile.  He was sure she went with him as much to hear about the Collinses as it was because of his looks, but he preferred to think it was his charm and personality.  She went to the movies with him and then took him home to her bed.  He felt good about the sexual release and being close to someone without having to feel responsible for her-as he did with Amanda; on the other hand, he still missed Beth.  It just wasn't the same.</div> <div>      Elizabeth met him in the foyer.  "Oh, Quentin!"  She was distraught.  "Have you seen Julia?"</div> <div>      "No," Quentin replied, immediately concerned.  Elizabeth twisted her hands together, clearly distressed.  "What's wrong?"</div> <div>      "Oh, dear, it's been a horrible evening!"  Elizabeth exclaimed.  She'd been crying hard recently.  "Carolyn is beginning to rouse again, and I don't want her to become hysterical again."</div> <div>      "Why?"</div> <div>      "Oh, you don't know--oh, dear," Elizabeth fretted.  Quentin put his arms around her and hugged her. After a moment, he felt her hug him back, tightly.  "Jeb is dead."</div> <div>      "WHAT?"  He was shocked.</div> <div>      "And so is Sky Rumson!"</div> <div>      His mind was reeling.  "What happened?"</div> <div>      "For some reason, Mr. Rumson tried to push Carolyn off Widow's Hill.  But Jeb arrived, and they struggled...Jeb lost his footing and he fell over..." Elizabeth broke off, crying softly.  "Carolyn came home hysterical, her clothes torn and muddy.  I don't know what made Mr. Rumson behave so!"</div> <div>      Secretly, Quentin was glad that Jeb was dead.  Of course, he couldn't say that.  "Is Carolyn all right?"</div> <div>      "Barnabas and Julia were here, and Julia gave Carolyn a sedative.  She's been sleeping since, but she's begun to wake up.  She's been calling for Jeb.  And Mr. Rumson...he must've felt guilty.  He shot himself."  It sounded too incredible.  He was too stunned to say anything, but he continued to cradle Elizabeth against him, as if she was a child again.  "I didn't see Barnabas or Julia go out.  I thought I saw them go upstairs, but I haven't been able to find them.  I thought maybe you'd seen them on the path--do you think they've gone to the Old House?"</div> <div>      "I didn't see them outside.  I think I know where they might have gone.  I'll check there, and if they're not there, I'll go to the Old House.  Where's Carolyn?"</div> <div>      "In her room."</div> <div>      Quentin put his arm around Elizabeth and led her up the stairs.  "Let me take you back there.  Then I'll find Julia for you."</div> <div>      "Thank you," Elizabeth said, relieved and grateful.</div> <div>      Quentin left her with Carolyn and went into the East wing.  He had a hunch they may have gone to that strange room.  This time, he'd stopped by David's room and borrowed the boy's flashlight.  He found he had a hard time looking the boy in the face, wondering where he'd gotten the book and how often he read it. David was a very curious kid.  He wanted to go with Quentin. Quentin flat out said no; it wasn't David's business.  He realized he was being rude, but he didn't want to answer anyone else's questions tonight.</div> <div>      He went into the East wing, having much better success avoiding the furniture and boxes now that he had his own flashlight.  He could hear Julia crying.  "Julia?"  He called.</div> <div>      "Here," Julia called back in a woebegone tone.  He found her sitting on a crate outside the strange room, which was standing open.  The room was empty and barren.  Julia was trying to control her sobs.</div> <div>      "What's wrong?  Where's Barnabas?"  Quentin asked. He leaned over to put his arms around her.  This time, she not only allowed it; she clung to him, weeping hard again.  He began to have a really bad feeling about this.  "Julia, did he go into that room?"  He felt her nod her head, her face pressed into his shoulder as she wept.  He looked into the room, stunned.  "My God!  He's gone?"  She nodded again.  Shocked, he staggered a little.  She felt it and let him go.  He sat down on the floor, stunned, looking into the room.</div> <div>      Even more surprising, she moved so that she was sitting on the floor next to him.  She'd begun to shake uncontrollably from shock.  Almost without thinking, he reached into his pocket and pulled out one of the joints Chris had given him.  He lit it and inhaled deeply.  "Chris gave me these.  Try it, it'll help you relax."  He passed it to Julia, who accepted it without comment.  She took a very deep drag on it.  "Not so much!"  he cautioned, as she handed it back.  She coughed.  "Look, it's like smoking a cigarette only you hold it inside and let it out slow.  Like this."  He showed her.  Then he passed the joint back to her.  <I>Boy,</I> <I>this is something I never imagined would happen</I>, he thought.  It would have been funny if he hadn't been so stunned.  When he heard Julia's hitching breaths slow down considerably, he asked:  "What the hell happened?"</div> <div>      "I don't know--I don't think he meant to go over--" Her voice still hitched and caught.  Sometimes she choked on the marijuana smoke, but she continued to try it.  Watching her, he wondered what Elizabeth and Barnabas and Roger would make of this. "We were talking about it in the drawing room," she said, suddenly sounding calm and collected.  "We had an argument about this room again.  He kept saying if he could go away, then everyone would be safe.  Sabrina could get strong enough to go to Port Jervis with you, and no one would have to worry about being attacked.  He felt that I should go with you."  He thought he could detect some resentment in her tone, and he felt a little guilty.</div> <div>      "Elizabeth said Jeb is dead," he said, trying to figure out why he felt guilty.  He was just trying to help Chris and Amy, after all.  That's what Jenny wanted, and that was part of the deal to get Beth back.</div> <div>      "Yes," Julia agreed.  "Elizabeth came in and interrupted our conversation. Very soon after that, Carolyn came in--she was hysterical.  Sky Rumson had tried to throw her off Widow's Hill."  Julia stopped. "It was all premeditated."</div> <div>      Quentin thought about Barnabas and Angelique whispering together and told Julia about it.  "Do you think they had something to do with it?"</div> <div>      "Without a doubt," Julia answered, thoughtfully, sounding calmer. "Listen, Quentin-when Sky Rumson threw Jeb off Widow's Hill he was possessed by Paul Stoddard.  And Nicholas Blair is gone, too-that is the reason that Rumson lured Jeb to Widow's Hill using Carolyn as the bait."</div> <div>      "Barnabas told you?"</div> <div>      "Yes, but not then.  It was after.  I gave Carolyn a sedative to calm her, and at some point, Barnabas left."</div> <div>      "He did?"</div> <div>      "Yes.  Elizabeth and I had to get Mrs. Johnson to help us get Carolyn upstairs."  Julia smiled grimly.  "I wouldn't have put her under so completely if I'd known Barnabas was going to leave.  After we got Carolyn settled, Elizabeth called the sheriff.  As we were going back up to check on Carolyn, Barnabas came back.  He had some lame excuse.  Elizabeth was only half-listening to him anyway."</div> <div>      Quentin figured it out immediately.  "He killed Sky?  Made it look like suicide?"</div> <div>      "He didn't admit it to me.  He was here when the sheriff called and told Elizabeth they'd found Sky's body in his room at the Inn."</div> <div>      "Far fucking out."</div> <div>      "Quentin!" </div> <div>      Quentin smiled a little, knowing it was too dark for him to be seen clearly.  "Sorry.  So what happened then?"</div> <div>      "He told me what happened on Widows' Hill-that Paul Stoddard had taken Sky Rumson's body at the last minute and threw Jeb like a pack of cigarettes into the sea.  After that, Carolyn's father was free and at peace because he'd been able to save his daughter.  Carolyn thought she saw her father's face, but of course, we're attributing that to hysterics."</div> <div>      "What about the Leviathans, then?"</div> <div>      "Haza and Oberon appeared to claim Jeb's body-and then they disappeared."</div> <div> <I>Back to the netherworlds until next time, </I>he thought.  "Why did you come here?"  Quentin asked.</div> <div>      "Barnabas left after the news about Sky.  I told him that Carolyn was sleeping deeply and that she'd be all right.  He claimed he was going to the Old House, but I had a feeling...so I came here.  He was standing in that room, just like you see it now.  I called to him, and then I saw the room change."  Her voice sounded stunned as she recalled what happened.  "It was someone's sitting room--off a bedroom, very elegantly furnished."</div> <div>      "With a portrait of Angelique on the wall and a picture of David and me on a table," Quentin added.  Julia looked at him mutely, and nodded, her eyes huge.  "I saw it with Barnabas last night"</div> <div>      "I called to him, but he couldn't hear me.  I couldn't get in.  Then someone who looked like Carolyn walked in and confronted him.  She started to scream, and he--he--" she broke off and began to cry again.  Quentin could just imagine.  He'd seen that, too.  He put his arm around Julia and pulled her to him.  She leaned her head on his shoulder and cried again.  He let her cry, absently stroking her hair to comfort her.  He stubbed the joint out on the floor.  "You'd better make sure that's out completely," she said presently, bringing herself under control again.  "We don't need a fire in here, Quentin."</div> <div>      "Here, look."  He picked the butt up in his hand and shredded it.  It was totally out--what was left of it.  He blew on his hand, scattering it.  "All gone," he said.  That's what that meant in sign language, too.  You blow on your hand, and it meant "all gone" or "nothing left".  Like Beth.  "No one'll ever know."</div> <div>      "I hope not," Julia said tartly.</div> <div>      "Julia, they wouldn't know if your eyes are red from the pot or the crying."  He suddenly remembered Elizabeth and Carolyn.  "Elizabeth was looking for you. She said Carolyn is waking up again."</div> <div>      "She was really hysterical, too," Julia commented and sighed.  "I'd better go to her."  Quentin got up and helped her stand up.  She was a little unsteady.  "How long does it take for this stuff to wear off?"</div> <div>      "Not long," he laughed.  "It's like having a beer, Julia."</div> <div>      "No, it isn't," she disagreed, but he had a feeling she said it just to be contrary.  He took her elbow to help steady her.  He didn't think she needed the support because of the joint; she just wanted it because she was afraid for Barnabas.  It didn't matter.  He'd support her, whatever the reason.</div> <bR> <div>      Sabrina was almost her normal self the following day.  She'd had a fitful night, Chris said, but had become suddenly resigned and had gone back to sleep for the rest of the nigh--probably about the time Barnabas had gone into that strange room.  He told Chris about that, too.  He'd also learned from Julia that Angelique had destroyed Nicholas--using Jeb as her vehicle, turning the shadow curse on the warlock.  Quentin explained what happened to Sky Rumson and Jeb Hawkes.  Chris listened quietly, his expression grim.  When Quentin stopped talking, Chris said quietly, "I think it's better for us to go away from here.  More than ever, I'm grateful to you, Quentin."</div> <div>      Quentin waved his hand.  "I'm responsible.  We've got to figure some way of getting the curse off you."</div> <div>      "How?  Nothing's worked so far."</div> <div>      "Jenny--your great grandmother--told me she'd help us.  Maybe she'll show up at Cuddeback," Quentin answered hopefully.</div> <div>      Chris talked to Sabrina and Amy about going to Cuddeback, and they were both enthusiastic.  Quentin went to Roger and explained he needed to get away for a break so he could think and concentrate on his writing.   "You mentioned a family vacation home in New York somewhere?"</div> <div> "Ah, yes-in Cuddebackville.  It's quite nice, but no one has been there in years.  I'm afraid it would be a mess, but you're welcome to stay there if you like."</div> <div> Relieved, Quentin went on, "Thanks, Roger.  Say, do you mind if Chris and Amy come along?  He's pretty handy, isn't he?  He could help spruce the place up."</div> <div> Roger looked thoughtful.  "Well, he's been a good groundskeeper here.  He's been ill lately, though.   Do you think it would be too much for him?"</div> <div> "I could ask."</div> <div> "All right-why don't you?  If he is agreeable, I don't see why he couldn't help you out.  Do you think he'd take Amy?  I'm sure David would miss her."</div> <div> "I don't know," Quentin answered, hoping this wouldn't gum up the works.</div> <div> Roger took care of the dilemma himself.  "Well, David is getting to be a young man.  Perhaps it's time to consider a private school-he needs to be involved in sports.  He needs to be around boys and girls his own age."</div> <div> "It can get lonely here," Quentin agreed.  Roger nodded in a distracted way and walked off.  Quentin was relieved-that was settled. </div> <div>      Chris had a battered Chevy van they decided to take on the trip. He and Sabrina got busy packing it with the things they'd need.  Quentin decided to take his motorcycle so there would be plenty of room in the van for everyone and all their things.  When he approached Julia about leaving the next day for Cuddeback, she shook her head at him:  "I can't, Quentin.  Not now."</div> <div>      "Julia," he began to argue.  He knew why she didn't want to go.  Last evening, she had sat on that damn crate outside that damn room for hours, waiting for it to change.  He knew, because he'd waited part of the time with her, trying to dissuade her from staying there.  Finally she'd turned on him and barked at him sharply, and he'd left, irritated with her stubbornness.</div> <div>      "I don't want to hear it!" she snapped immediately.  She turned away from him, moving in the direction of the east wing.</div> <div>      "Julia!" he persisted, following her. "Listen, you told me yourself that Barnabas wanted you to come with us."</div> <div>      "I can't do that, Quentin!  Not until I find out what happened to Barnabas!"  </div> <div>      He continued to follow her into the east wing and down the hall to what he now referred to as that "Alice in fucking Wonderland room".  The doors stood open; the room was bare.  They hadn't seen it change since Barnabas had disappeared.  "Look, I understand how you feel, Julia--it's the same way I feel about Beth.  You don't know where he is and you don't know what's happening to him.  But--"</div> <div>      She whirled on him.  "If you understand that much, then you understand why I can't go with you tomorrow!" she snapped at him.</div> <div>      He stopped short.  "I'm on your side, Julia.  I'm not your enemy," he reproached her, hurt.</div> <div>      She sighed.  "You're right, Quentin.  I'm sorry I yelled at you."  She put her hand on his arm.  "You yourself said that this is the way you feel about Beth.  I can't leave now."</div> <div>      "Julia, the difference is that I love Beth and she loves me. We're married," Quentin said earnestly.  He hated to hurt her, but he really needed her help and he felt she'd invested a lot of herself in Barnabas with nothing back in return. </div> <div>      "But you don't mind sleeping with Amanda, do you?" Julia counter-attacked, obviously feeling defensive.</div> <div>      "I told you I'm no saint-I never claimed to be," Quentin retorted.  "I hope Beth will forgive me-I think she will.  But, Julia, Barnabas wasn't thinking about you at all when he went into that room.  He was only thinking about himself!"</div> <div>      "He wanted to spare us!" Julia cried, still on the defensive.</div> <div>       "You don't know that Barnabas can come back.  You don't even know that he wants to.  The difference is that I KNOW Beth wants to come back!"  Her eyes filled up with tears, and he was sorry for hurting her.  "Julia, I'm sorry.  It's just that I hate to see you go on hoping and sacrificing yourself.  Maybe you need to let go for a while."</div> <div>      Behind the hurt, he could see resentment at his words.  "Maybe you're right," she said, her voice quavering.  "But it is MY life."</div> <div>      "I'm sorry.  I don't mean to hurt you, Julia, you know?  I really do love you."</div> <div>      "I know."  She squeezed his arm.  "Go to New York with Chris and Sabrina and Amy.  As soon as I see that Barnabas is safe, I'll come."</div> <div>      He looked at her, hopefully.  "You will?"</div> <div>      "I promise," she said, smiling through her tears.  She took his hand between hers. "Why don't you keep me company awhile, Quentin?  You haven't told me how you happened to get to Berlin in the first place.  What were you doing there?"</div> <div>      "Okay," he said agreeably.  They sat on the floor again.  "It's a another long story, though," he warned her.  He told her about what happened after the wedding, and how he and Beth had decided to take Nora to Vienna for treatment because they felt she would get the most compassionate care there.  The early years had been the best ones.  When he began to talk about what happened after the Anschluss, he found his throat tightening.  It had hurt terribly to send the family away.  It became unbearable to stay in Vienna and they were of more value in the middle of the hornets' nest-Berlin.  He thought about the night the police had come for him; Beth had already been arrested at the hospital.</div> <div>      Julia's hand had flown to her mouth in her characteristic gesture of fear or shock.  "Oh, my God!" she exclaimed, looking at him as if he was a ghost.</div> <div>      "What?"  he asked, although he knew.</div> <div>      "Joe Fisher-that's who you were!  And we were your neighbors!"  Julia continued, her eyes becoming huge.  "Katie-that was YOUR daughter, the one I admired so!  I always followed her around!"</div> <div>      Quentin laughed, pleased and embarrassed that she'd finally put it together.  "You were a gawky little kid, Julia."  He quickly amended, "I never thought you'd grow to be such a beautiful woman."  He looked at her closely.  "You should let your hair grow longer, or body wave it or something.  It really looks nicer that way.  Your hair was really curly when you were a kid.  You looked like Little Orphan Annie."</div> <div>      Without warning, Julia threw her arms around Quentin, hugging him tightly.  "I'll never forget what you did to help us!"  She was fighting back tears.  "Oh, and here you've needed my help and I haven't done a single thing for you. Some friend I've been to you!"</div> <div>      Quentin was secretly satisfied to have that acknowledged, but he hardly felt right about agreeing with her openly.  "You were worried about Barnabas," he pointed out.  He smiled and said, "I guess you can't be my big sister any more, now that it's so obvious I'm so much older than you."</div> <div>      "Oh, you think not, Peter Pan?" Julia teased back, wiping her eyes.  "Oh, Quentin, I am so sorry, dear.  I swear on my life I will come and help you, and I will do whatever I can to get Beth out of-well, wherever they've taken her."</div> <div>      <I>But you still need to make sure Barnabas is all right first</I>, he thought.  Still, he knew she meant what she said.  "Thanks, Julia."</div> <div>      "What happened then?"  Julia asked, redirecting him back to the story.  He knew before the night was out he was going to have to tell her about Petofi, and he didn't know which he dreaded more-the Nazis or Petofi.  In the end, though, it didn't matter.  What was important was that he was finally able to tell his story to Julia and he had her undivided attention because the room didn't change once.</div> <bR> <div>      The four of them set off for Cuddeback, excited.  Amy couldn't stop chattering, which made Quentin glad he'd decided to bring his motorcycle.  Now that Julia wasn't going, there was plenty of room for him in the van.  He thought he ought to take the bike to have another means of transportation, if for no other reason.  This way he could go back and forth to Stroudsburg to visit Amanda, who was excited that he was finally returning.  <I>I wouldn't want to be Chris, listening to Sabrina and Amy prattling on and on.</I>  It was a mean thing to think about about Sabrina, but he couldn't help but picture her that way.  Amy was still just a child, very much like Mary Jane had been.  Amy was still rather cautious around Quentin, but he could sense that she was warming up to him.</div> <div>      They stopped along the way because it was such a long trip, checking into an inn.  It was easier to pair Sabrina and Amy together, and Chris and Quentin took the other room.  He called Collinwood to speak to Julia.  He believed that she would come to Port Jervis as soon as everything was all right with Barnabas but he wanted to stay in touch with her, feeling that she was very lonely and isolated now with him gone.  He was right.  She was very happy to hear from him, and talked well past the time it took for Quentin and Chris to share another joint.  </div> <div>      Quentin was beginning to wonder about Chris' drug use.  Although Chris had kept to his word about not smoking in front of Amy, Quentin had seen his great grandson's stash.  He must smoke several joints a day.  Quentin suspected he might be using more than just pot, although he couldn't see any track marks.  His friend Cholly's arms had been scarred with needle marks from injecting heroin.  He wasn't even sure why he thought so, except for the fact that he himself had drunk heavily and often during the time he was going through the transformations.  He wished he could talk to Julia about it, but it was hard to do with Chris right there in the room with him--even if he did seem to be totally absorbed in the TV.</div> <div>      As they got closer to Port Jervis, memories of places he and Beth had been came back to Quentin, unwanted and unbidden.  He didn't really want to think about those times--even though there always seemed to be a crisis going on, he'd been happy then with Beth.  He began to feel depressed the closer they got to the family grounds.  When they pulled up in front of the house, they could see they had a lot of work ahead of them.  The place hadn't been used in years and looked it.</div> <div>      Quentin sat astride the bike, looking at the house, remembering the happier times--the last time he'd been here was after the wedding ceremony he and Beth had, before they left for Vienna.  Chris, Sabrina and Amy had all hopped out of the van, looking at the house.  </div> <div>      "What a mess," Amy commented.</div> <div>      "Well, it'll give us something to do for a few days," Sabrina said, trying to sound bright.</div> <div>      "When is the last time anyone's been here?"  Chris asked Quentin, breaking into his reverie.</div> <div>      "About ten years, Elizabeth said," Quentin answered.  "It really won't be so bad as it looks.  The family's had someone come around to take care of the basic necessities--the gutters, stuff like that.  It probably just hasn't been done yet for the spring.  And the house probably needs to be aired out."</div> <div>      "What's wrong?"  Chris asked.  Quentin looked at him, thinking that either Chris had some psychic abilities--like Amy--or he he'd gotten some of Jenny's abilities to read moods.  He shook his head.  He didn't really want to talk about it now.  "You're thinking about Amanda, aren't you?" Chris guessed.  "Or is it Beth?  Listen, man, I'm sorry this is bringing up bad memories for you."</div> <div>      "Not bad," Quentin replied, looking away. "That's the problem.  I guess they've started locking the door.  Elizabeth gave me the key."  He got off the bike and went to the door to unlock it.  The house had a closed up odor and feel to it.  Sabrina went around and began opening the windows.  Quentin, Chris, and Amy began bringing their things in from the van.  Quentin set one of the boxes down on the dining room table and opened the door to the kitchen.  He swallowed hard.  He could almost see Mrs. Cleary there, washing dishes, telling Beth that she wasn't supposed to help the help.   He was glad he'd gotten to be at her side before she died.</div> <div>      "Quentin?  The phone doesn't work," Amy was saying.</div> <div>      He looked back at her.  She looked a little offended.  Teenage girls and phones, he thought.  "I have to go into town and tell them to turn it on," he explained.  He switched the light on in the kitchen.  It was working.  He'd remembered to call and have that done before they'd come down.  He'd forgotten about the phone.</div> <div>      "This is really nice," Sabrina was saying.  "It's big, isn't it?  And the other cabins--they're for guests?"</div> <div>      "The family used it a lot more often years ago," Quentin explained.  It really was too bad that they'd stopped.  It would be nice to reunite the Collinsport Collinses with Mary Jane's family--and Katie's too, but it wouldn't feel right if Beth weren't there.  "There's four bedrooms in the house," he continued.  He walked down the hall to show them, opening the master bedroom.  Sabrina helpfully opened the windows in here, while Quentin tried to deal with the memories that were still flooding back.  He turned abruptly and left the room.</div> <div>      "Quentin, what's wrong?"  Amy asked.</div> <div>      "Nothing," he muttered.  "I have to do something."  He walked out of the house and easily found the path down to the dock.  Over the years, more and more of the trees had been cleared so that they had an open view of the dock and the river now.  He went down to the dock and tested the wood.  It was still in good condition.  The family might not use this place, but they hadn't let it fall into total disrepair.  He was glad.  The water would be freezing this time of year.  </div> <div>      "Quentin," Chris said at his shoulder, softly.</div> <div>      "Chris," Quentin sighed, shoving his hands in his pocket and turning away.  "Let me alone right now, willya?"  He could hear a match striking.</div> <div>      "Here, man, take a hit," Chris urged him.  Quentin looked at him, irritated.  Chris held the joint out, insistently.</div> <div>      Sighing, Quentin took it.  "How much dope do you blow anyway, Chris?" he asked, letting some of his irritation show.  He'd really wanted to be left alone.</div> <div>      "Probably as much as you drink.  My brain cells may be fried, but I'd hate to see what your liver looks like, Quentin," Chris said.  Quentin couldn't help it.  He laughed.  "I know you're thinking about Beth, man.  I remember how I felt when Bruno had Sabrina.  It must be really rough for you, isn't it?"</div> <div>      "Yes.  That's all I want to say about it, Chris.  I'm sorry about that crack about the dope.  You're not doing anything else, are you?"</div> <div>      "No, you don't have to worry about that.  Look, I don't want to keep pressing, Quentin, but we'll help you find her--if we can."</div> <div>      "Thanks," Quentin said, morosely.  He really didn't see how they could help.  They didn't know anyone, didn't speak any foreign languages--but he appreciated the offer.  "Look, why don't you and Sabrina and Amy take the house?  I'll take one of the cabins."</div> <div>      Chris was shocked.  "But this is YOUR house, not ours.  You ought to stay there--"</div> <div>      "I can't.  You understand?  I can't stay there.  I'll stay in one of these cabins."</div> <div>      "But--"</div> <div>      "Oh, I won't be anti-social, Chris.  The only kitchen is the one in this house.  I just can't--sleep in there."</div> <div>      "Okay, I understand," Chris said.  He looked uncomfortable.  He drew some of the marijuana deep into his lungs and then slowly exhaled.  Sabrina and Amy were walking down the path toward them, and Chris threw the joint into the river.  The current carried it away.</div> <div>      "Hey, I'm going to go into Port Jervis to get the phone turned on," Quentin said.  "I'll be back in a couple of hours--I'll bring pizza, so don't cook anything."  He just wanted to get away--and fast.</div> <bR> <div>      He'd brought back enough beer and brandy to keep himself in a state of intoxication for the next month if need be, stashing the brandy in the cabin Dave had stayed in all those long years ago.  Someone--Roger, maybe--had contracted someone to modernize all the cabins and put in bathrooms with shower stalls. <I>This place could use a kitchenette, though.  </I>He'd have to take the beer up to the main house to refrigerate it--at least until he got himself a small one for this cabin.  He brought the beer and pizza up to the house.</div> <div>      "No coke?" Amy asked.</div> <div>      He stopped short. He'd forgotten.  It'd been so long since he'd had a child around him. "Oh, shit--" he began.</div> <div>      "Don't worry--we brought some," Sabrina quickly interrupted.  She took the pizza boxes from him and led the way back into the dining room.  Quentin stopped off to put the beer in the refrigerator.  He took out three bottles and brought them into the dining room with him, where Sabrina was already pouring out a Pepsi for Amy.</div> <div>      "St. Pauli girl?" Chris asked, his brows rising.</div> <div>      "It's good stuff." Quentin answered popping the caps open with a church key.  No pop-top beer for him.  Just bottled stuff.  He imitated the voice of the actress in an old Alka-Seltzer commercial. "'Try it, you'll like it.'"</div> <div>      They all laughed.  Then Amy said, picking another commercial, "I can't believe I ate the whoooooole thing."</div> <div>      "You ate it, Ralph," Chris laughed, playing along.  He sliced through the pizza again with his pizza cutter.  "Let's have the paper plates."</div> <div>      "This is so nice!"  Amy gushed enthusiastically.  "This is the first time in a long time we've been all together like this."  Her expression clouded over suddenly.</div> <div>      "What is it, Amy?"  Chris asked.  He'd been smiling; looking truly relaxed for the first time in a long time.  Now he looked concerned.</div> <div>      "I just wish Tom could've been here," she answered, sadly, her eyes watering a little.  Sabrina took her hand and squeezed it.  An expression of pain crossed Chris' face.  He took a deep swallow of his beer.</div> <div>      "Tom?"  Quentin asked.  Who was Tom?</div> <div>      "Oh, Tom was our brother," Chris explained, a little tersely.  Apparently this was as touchy to them as Beth was to Quentin, and he understood it.</div> <div>      "He died before you came," Amy added.  "It was before I came to Collinwood.  I used to live with him..." Her voice trailed off a little and her eyes had a far-away look in them.</div> <div>      "He was so kind, always helping people," Sabrina remembered.  "A lot like you, Chris."</div> <div>      Chris snorted derisively.  "I wouldn't say he was anything like me, Sabrina.  But you're right--he had a lot of heart. Always wanted to do the right thing by everybody.  Great quarterback, too."</div> <div>      "I don't think you ought to put yourself down, Chris," Quentin said, finding himself echoing Julia's words.  "What happened to him?"</div> <div>      "He got sick," Amy said flatly.</div> <div>      "Sick?"</div> <div>      "I don't know, it was so sudden," Chris said with a shrug.  "By the time my cousin Joe called me to tell me that Tom was in the hospital, he was already dying.  He was gone when I got back to Collinsport."  Quentin waited to see if Chris would go on.  He was shocked to hear that there had been another great grandchild.  He'd had no idea.  Chris frowned.  "It was so strange--you know?  Tom was always so healthy and strong--like the proverbial ox.  He was really athletic, too.  He never got sick.  But he got this really vicious virus or something and it killed him just that quick.  I talked to Maggie about it.  She said he seemed fine one day--the next day, he was found collapsed in the woods.  She went with Joe to see him, and she said he was white as a sheet and talking out of his head."  Chris paused, remembering.  "He needed a blood transfusion for some reason.  After that, Maggie said he looked a little better for a while--"</div> <div>      "Blood transfusion?  For a virus?"  Quentin asked, incredulous.  He had a suspicious feeling about this.</div> <div>      "I don't know.  Maybe he had a bacterial infection," Chris looked troubled, too.  "Dr. Hoffman took care of him.  He seemed to be getting better, and then all of a sudden, he took a turn for the worse and just died."</div> <div>      Quentin frowned.  He'd folded his pizza slice in half to eat, New York style, but he wasn't interested in it any more.  Little drops of orange oil dripped off the pizza onto his plate.  "Who found him in the woods, Chris?"</div> <div>      "Barnabas and Willie," Chris answered. Quentin put the pizza slice down abruptly.  "Something wrong?"</div> <div>      "Oil," Quentin lied, picking up a napkin and wiping his arm where the oil had also dripped.  He didn't want to say anything more; his feelings were all in turmoil.  He knew Barnabas had been cured by then--there must have been another vampire. He knew without a doubt that Tom had been killed by a vampire, and he didn't know why he knew it.  But what had happened to him after that?  He half listened to Chris, Sabrina, and Amy reminiscing about Tom.  It was a hurtful, but healing, thing for them to do.  He half-listened because he was genuinely interested in learning more about this unknown relative of his.  He was sad that he'd never met Tom.  On the other hand, new questions were intruding themselves into his consciousness. Why hadn't Barnabas and Julia told him about Tom?</div> <div>      Quentin was still wondering about it when he went back to his cabin.  He pulled out a bottle of brandy and began to drink.  He'd have to ask Julia privately when she came down.  He drank until he was too sleepy to do anything but lie face down on the bed and pass out.  He slept dreamlessly.</div> <bR> <div>      Sabrina came pounding on his door around half past ten.  "Are you going to sleep all day, Quentin?"  she called through the door.  "Come on!  I'm not keep the pancake mix in the fridge any longer!  Get up!"  Quentin groaned.  She was too chipper for his taste.  Still, he'd slept in longer than he usually did.  "Come on!  Open up!  I have to take Amy into Port Jervis and register her for school!"</div> <div>      "All right, all right!" he called.  Gonna have to tell her I don't expect maid service.  She could've taken Amy hours ago if she'd wanted to.</div> <div>      Amy didn't seem to be in any real rush to start to school.  She seemed nervous about going to junior high school although she said she wanted to be around kids her own age.  She chattered on non-stop as Sabrina made the last of the pancakes for Quentin.  Quentin wondered where Chris was.  After Sabrina and Amy left, he found Chris down by the dock, staring moodily at the river.  He'd just had a joint and snuffed it out.  "Pretty here," he commented.  "I just saw some deer."</div> <div>      "Yeah, you'll see a lot of animals around here," Quentin said, then stopped abruptly.  Chris gave him a sardonic smile.  "Want to check out the bomb shelter, Chris?"</div> <div>      "Why not?"  It looked like an old fashioned root cellar.  The heavy iron door was padlocked.  The caretaker apparently hadn't known about it, and it had been untouched since being installed. Quentin had the key to the padlock--he'd made sure to get it from Elizabeth before coming down.  The shelter had been wired for electricity, although in the event of a real nuclear attack, Quentin doubted the electricity would last long.  It was incredibly dusty and moldy-smelling down here.</div> <div>       "We don't need all this stuff in here," Quentin said, looking around at all the survival supplies:  dried food, blankets, water, and all kinds of camping equipment.</div> <div>      "Yeah, I'd only rip everything apart," Chris agreed, picking up a jar of peanut butter and looking at it with distaste.  "I don't suppose I'd be smart enough to figure out how to open this and eat it.  Probably a good thing--I don't think it's any good now."</div> <div>      "Nah, you're right.  We might as well throw must of this stuff out," Quentin said.  The hard work was good for both of them, taking their minds off whatever worries they had.  Quentin knew there was some tension between Chris and Sabrina.  They were still squabbling over whether or not to get married.  Chris wouldn't; Sabrina wanted to. He knew it was none of his business, but he thought he might as well stick his nose in. Chris could punch it if he wanted to.  "You know, Chris, Sabrina's pretty special."</div> <div>      "Yeah, I know."  Chris looked at Quentin hard, as if to say "I know what you're thinking but you better not say it."</div> <div>      Quentin chose to take the plunge anyway.  "She's sticking by you the same way Beth stuck by me.  I wasn't very nice to Beth, either--then.  I was drinking all the time--just like you're smoking pot.  It was to make me forget, and I tried to get her to leave me, too.  She wouldn't--no matter how awful I was to her."</div> <div>      "Just like me and Sabrina?"  Chris asked sarcastically, a warning tone creeping into his voice.  His eyes had a flinty glint to them.</div> <div>      "Well, I don't think you should keep trying to get her to leave.  It's obvious she doesn't want to.  Why don't you two stay together?"</div> <div>      "You have a lot of nerve!"  Chris snapped, exasperated.  "You, of all people, should understand.  She deserves to have some happiness, doesn't she?  She deserves children!"  Quentin hadn't thought about that and couldn't really think of a good answer to that one.  "Don't talk to me about adoption, either, man.  I know she'd rather have babies of her own.  Besides, what are we supposed to tell the kid about what Daddy's doing every time the moon is full?"</div> <div>      "I'm sorry," Quentin said, realizing he should've kept his mouth shut.  He wondered now if Beth had ever regretted not having children with him.  She's never said; he'd never asked.</div> <div>      Chris gave him a disgusted look.  "Man!" he exclaimed, still aggravated.  He reached into his pocket for another joint.  Quentin thought that one of these days Amy was going to see him smoking, or smell it, or something, but he'd already caused enough trouble for one day.  Chris offered the joint to Quentin for a hit, so at least he wasn't that angry.  "I like kids, you know," he said after a moment.  "I wish I could have some too.  But I just can't take the risk, you know?  I know Sabrina's on the pill but I still get so scared that that something might happen, so I use rubbers, too."</div> <div>      "You do?"  Quentin was impressed with Chris' sense of responsibility.</div> <div>      "Yes, Sabrina doesn't like it, but that's the way it goes.  I won't do it without them," he shrugged and left it at that.</div> <div>      Cleaning out the shelter and making it habitable for a werewolf took most of the afternoon.  They called it quits around dinnertime.  Sabrina and Amy had been busy with the inside of the house and were cooking together in chatty companionship when Chris and Quentin came in.  Sabrina had a fire going because the days still had a frosty chill to them.</div> <div>      "I saw my new school," Amy announced as the two men came in.  "It's really not very big.  I can't see how I could get lost there.  And a bus will come right here and pick me up."</div> <div>      "Did you get a chance to meet any of your teachers?" Chris asked.  Quentin went on into the living room.  It had been so long since he'd listened to kids telling him about their school days.  He didn't think he could handle it right now.  Mary Jane and Katie had long since grown up; they were about the same age as Elizabeth practically, with their own grown children.  It was depressing.</div> <div>      Just after they'd eaten, the phone rang.  Quentin picked up the phone.  "Hello?"</div> <div>      "Quentin!"  It was Elizabeth.  "Thank goodness you're there!"</div> <div>      "What's wrong?"</div> <div>      "Julia's gone, Quentin!"</div> <div>      He nearly dropped the phone.  "WHAT?"</div> <div>      "She's gone into that--that strange room, I'm sure of it!  Oh, dear, I hate to upset you with this, but I thought you'd better know."</div> <div>      "When did this happen?"</div> <div>      "Only a few moments ago...Professor Stokes was with her.  He tried to persuade her not to go into that room, but she kept insisting that Barnabas was in some kind of danger."</div> <div>      Quentin groaned.  "This Professor Stokes--is he still there?"</div> <div>      "No, he just left.  Then I thought I ought to call you."</div> <div>      "Thank you, Elizabeth.  I'm glad you did."  Damn it! he thought.  I should've dragged her down here with me.  "I think I'll come back up for a few days."</div> <div>      "Oh, dear," Elizabeth said, distressed.  "Perhaps I shouldn't have told you.  Professor Stokes seems to feel that Julia and Barnabas could be trapped there.  You aren't planning to go after them, are you?"</div> <div>      "No, no," he assured her.  "But I'd like to see Professor Stokes.  Maybe there's a way to pull them back.  I'll be back there in the next day or two, Liz."</div> <div>      "Well..." Elizabeth said doubtfully.</div> <div>      "Look, I'm glad you called me.  It was the right thing to do," he assured her.  "I would have been upset if you hadn't."</div> <div>      "All right, then.  I'll look for you, Quentin."</div> <div>      Chris was looking at him when he hung up.  "What is it?" he wanted to know.</div> <div>      "Alice in fucking Wonderland!" Quentin exploded.  He quickly explained it to Chris, who looked incredulous at first and then began laughing. "It's not funny!"</div> <div>      "No, I know it's not," Chris agreed.  "I'm sorry--I'm not laughing about that.  But did you ever wonder why Collinwood seems to be such a magnet for all this weird shit?  Hey, you remember George Gobel?  That song he did?"</div> <div>      Quentin covered one ear.  "Ho, ho, ho ho, strange things are happening."  He remembered, all right.  They both laughed.  "I've got to go back and see if I can't get at least Julia out of there."</div> <div>      "That's all right," Chris said.  "We'll be okay here."</div> <div>      "I'll be back as soon as I can," Quentin promised.  "I didn't bring you down here just to leave you here alone."</div> <div>      "I know," Chris said.  Quentin felt really gratified.  It felt good to be taken at his word.  Little did he know how long it would take him to get back to Cuddeback.</div> <div>      </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="13: Barnabas Crisis"><U>13:  Barnabas' Crisis</U></A>    <A HREF="id124.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="15: Clues to Disaster"><U>15:  Clues to Disaster</U></A></div> <div>      </div> <bR> <div>      </div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>