All Hallows' Eve

<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> <B>All Hallows' Eve</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id88.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fall Camoflage"><U><B>Fall Camoflage</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id89.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Cyrus"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Cyrus</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id90.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Roxanne"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Roxanne</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id91.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Claude"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Claude</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id92.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Christmas Magick"><U><B>Christmas Magick</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id93.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Maggie"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Maggie</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id94.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Winters Deep Freeze"><U><B>Winter's Deep Freeze</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id95.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Sabrina"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Sabrina</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id96.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Frostbite"><U><B>Frostbite</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id97.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: The Collins Family"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  The Collins Family</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id98.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Biding Time in Purgatory"><U><B>Biding Time in Purgatory</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id99.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Quentin"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Quentin</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id100.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Family Secrets"><U><B>Family Secrets</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id102.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Vortex"><U><B>Vortex</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id101.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spring Whirlwind"><U><B>Spring Whirlwind</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id103.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Den of Vipers"><U><B>Den of Vipers</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id104.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Angelique"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Angelique</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id105.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Converging Forces"><U><B>Converging Forces</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id106.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Flames of Purification"><U><B>Flames of Purification</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id85.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Adam in Parallel Time"><U><B>Adam in Parallel Time</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>All Hallows' Eve</B></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> The man stumbled in after Hoffman, who lost her usual cold composure and drew back in horror. He was a giant, broad shouldered and powerful looking. He looked about the room in confusion and terror. Those closest to him gasped and drew away. "My God!" Elizabeth cried out. </div> <div> "What's happened to that man? Who is he?"</div> <div> The giant looked around in mute appeal. His face was deeply scarred; he looked like he had been in a vicious knife-fight. His eyes met Carolyn's and lit up a little with recognition. "Carolyn-you'll help me, please?"</div> <div> Carolyn drew back in horror. "I don't know you!"</div> <div> "Yes, you do-remember me? You were my friend, Carolyn! I don't how I came here--please, help me, Carolyn!"</div> <div> "See here," Will began, blustering, his courage bolstered by alcohol. "I don't know who you are, but you let my wife alone!"</div> <div> "Wife? Carolyn--you married this bad man?"</div> <div> Quentin burst out laughing. The stranger swung toward him, hands extended pleadingly. "How did I get here?"</div> <div> Quentin took a few steps forward, feeling sorry for the-whatever he was. "You were summoned here--by this group of amateurs. Do you have a name?"</div> <div> "Adam. Summoned? How?" Adam looked in confusion toward the group of people Quentin indicated. His eyes widened in horror and he roared in terror, which frightened everyone else. His eyes were fixed on Angelique. He raised his arm, pointing his finger directly at her. "This woman is bad! Bad! She will kill! Kill you all!"</div> <div> Angelique was on her feet, her face reddening in fury. "I have had about enough of this joke. Whom do I have to thank for this insult? You, Quentin? Did you put Cyrus and this--this person up to it?" </div> <div> Quentin laughed. "I'm sorry, I wish I could take the credit for this joke, my dear, but I believe it's on all of us." He put a reassuring hand on the giant's arm, who started. "It's all right," he said softly. Obviously, the man was real and not a spirit. His fear was real, too, and Quentin wanted to get the man called Adam to sit, calm down, and answer a few questions.</div> <div> "Perhaps I should call the police," Hoffman offered, moving toward the phone. </div> <div> Again, Adam cried out in fear. "No! No police!" Panicking, he threw his arm up to free himself, sending Quentin sailing across the room. Several people screamed wildly, intensifying Adam's panic. He turned and ran straight for the windows, crashing through them to the outside. Roger and Chris ran after him, stopping at the window. Roger put his hand out to stop Chris. "We'd never catch him. Look at him run-he's like a wild animal."</div> <div> Cyrus and Sabrina were bending over Quentin, who'd been knocked out cold. "This is YOUR fault, Cyrus," Elizabeth said in a chiding tone. </div> <div> She was standing just behind the doctor and made no move to help. Cyrus had a penlight out and was pushing Quentin's eyelids up, shining the light into his eyes.</div> <div> Suddenly, Quentin began to rouse and shoved the doctor's hand away roughly. "What the hell do you think you're doing? Turn that damn light off."</div> <div> Will had turned on Carolyn. "You wanna explain to me where you met this guy?"</div> <div> "I have never seen him before in my life!" Carolyn snapped.</div> <div> "He sure seemed to know YOU!"</div> <div> "And I noticed he seemed to know Angelique, too," Carolyn returned, looking over at the beautiful woman who'd terrified the man named Adam so much. She was standing up in front of her chair, arms folded in a fury, glaring at her husband and at Cyrus Longworth. "Will, you know that saying-if looks could kill? Just look at her." Bruno attempted to put an arm around Angelique to soothe her but she deftly moved away from him, indicating she wanted to be left alone.</div> <div> Quentin had managed to raise himself up on his elbows. "What happened? Where'd that man go?"</div> <div> "Right out your window, through the garden, and off through the woods," Chris answered, squatting down beside Cyrus and Sabrina. He turned his attention to Cyrus. "Is he all right?"</div> <div> "Doesn't look like he has a concussion," Cyrus answered. "There's no broken blood vessels in his eyes..."</div> <div> "Oh, hell! I'm all right!" Quentin snapped. "Stop hovering over me and let me get up!"</div> <div> "He threw you across the room and knocked you out cold," Cyrus explained. </div> <div> "Is that so? And you all just stood around and didn't stop him?"</div> <div> "He was moving kinda fast," Will ventured, his voice beginning to quaver. He'd need another drink to get his courage back.</div> <div> "The police are on their way," Hoffman announced coolly. </div> <div> Cyrus and Chris helped Quentin get to his feet. He put his hand to the side of his forehead, where a bump was beginning to form from hitting his head on a chair leg. "Wonderful. I hope you people have a good story to tell about where that man came from," Quentin said. </div> <div> "I was thinking that you would be able to explain," Angelique said coldly.</div> <div> Quentin smiled and shrugged. He looked at Cyrus. "Any ideas, old boy?"</div> <div> Cyrus looked puzzled, thinking. "He was a real man, not a spirit."</div> <div> "It's obvious then," Roger declared. "He was an intruder. Did you see his face? He's probably either a lunatic on the loose from the sanitarium or an escaped prisoner."</div> <div> "Who came here looking for his friend, Carolyn," Angelique added with a nasty little smile at Carolyn.</div> <div> "And who obviously believes you killed or will kill someone," Carolyn retorted, with as much ice in her voice as Angelique's.</div> <div> "Isn't this fun?" Amy asked Daniel from their hiding place in the secret panel. They'd propped it open just enough during the séance so they'd been able to watch the excitement. "Everyone always fights at these parties."</div> <div> "I know," Daniel agreed, a little morosely. "Especially my parents."</div> <div> Amy looked at him with sympathy and didn't say anything more about that. "Who do you suppose that man is?"</div> <div> "He looked like Frankenstein to me, didn't he?"</div> <div> Amy giggled. "Do you suppose they seanced him out of that book about Frankenstein?"</div> <div> "Either that, or maybe the movie."</div> <div> They could hear the wail of sirens as the sheriff and deputies arrived in their cars. Everyone looked at Quentin. He sighed. As the master of the house, he was going to have to deal with this mess. No one else would be willing to. Hoffman, who'd disappeared after announcing she'd called the police, silently reappeared at Quentin's side. Ever the efficient housekeeper, </div> <div> she'd made an ice pack for him to apply to the bump on his head. </div> <div> "Feeling all right?" Cyrus asked, as Quentin took the ice pack and put it on his forehead.</div> <div> "Yes, yes, just a headache," Quentin answered irritably and heading for the foyer. He'd let Trask admit the sheriff but preferred to talk to him out here, away from the many guests his wife had insisted on inviting. Cyrus and Chris went with him, leaving all the other guests buzzing and arguing behind them.</div> <div> "Damn Angelique and her stupid parties," he muttered under his breath. He glanced at Cyrus. "Do you have any ideas about where that man came from at all?"</div> <div> "None that make any sense," Cyrus answered. </div> <div> The expected knock at the door came, and Trask answered it, admitting </div> <div> the sheriff and all four of his deputies. The sheriff took copious notes as Quentin explained what happened, prudently leaving out the part about the séance. He told the sheriff they'd been in the middle of the party when the man had suddenly blundered into the room from the front door. He'd been close to the man and had touched him so he was able to provide a complete description of the person who'd called himself Adam. </div> <div> The sheriff went into the drawing room to have a look at the window. Everyone had become silent, watching and waiting. "Okay," he finally decided. "We'll take a look around."</div> <div> "I'll give you a hand," Quentin volunteered.</div> <div> "Oh, for heaven's sake, don't be ridiculous!" Angelique objected. "There's no need for you to endanger yourself, darling. That's their job."</div> <div> "I didn't get the impression he was dangerous, just frightened," Quentin argued. "You can spare me your concern, my dear."</div> <div> In the foyer, the sheriff said cautiously, "Your wife may be right, Mr. Collins. We don't know whether this man is armed and dangerous or not."</div> <div> "You can't stop me, sheriff. This is, after all, my property," Quentin said, his jaw setting in a stubborn line that everyone knew well.</div> <div> "I'll come, too," Cyrus volunteered. "I may be able to provide some assistance-I'll bring my bag with me." He went back into the drawing room for his doctor's bag. Sabrina came to his side, protesting his involvement, and he spent only a few seconds reassuring her that he would be all right before rejoining the search party.</div> <div> "If you see him, Mr. Collins, I don't want you to approach him," the sheriff was saying, having given in reluctantly. "I want you to call for one of us. This really is against my better judgement." They went outside; the sheriff divided his men up telling them where to search. </div> <div> Cyrus and Quentin decided to pair up and go off together. "Where would you go, if you were a frightened lunatic?" Quentin asked his friend.</div> <div> "He mentioned Carolyn," Cyrus guessed. "What about the Old House?"</div> <div> "Brilliant deduction, Watson! Let's go!"</div> <div> "Do you really think this is such a good idea, Quentin? The sheriff's right. That man may be dangerous."</div> <div> "I don't think so. Besides, I'll look for any excuse to get away from that party." The two men walked together through the woods until they reached the Loomis' house--in the old days, it had been known as the Old House. As they got closer, Quentin nudged his friend in the ribs, impressed. "I must say, Cyrus, I am impressed." They could see that the door stood open.</div> <div> "We should get the sheriff or one of his deputies," Cyrus warned.</div> <div> "No! Didn't you hear the man-he's afraid of the police."</div> <div> "Possibly with good reason, Quentin. Especially if he's an escaped convict or a mental patient." </div> <div> Quentin waved his hand dismissively at his friend. "You go on if you're afraid. I'm going to check this out."</div> <div> Cyrus shook his head and sighed. He followed Quentin into the house. He had plenty of misgivings, but he wasn't going to allow his friend to confront that giant alone. They stepped quietly down the darkened hall, listening. Quentin stopped and so did Cyrus--they both heard it. A man was weeping as if his heart was broken. </div> <bR> <div> The sound of crying was coming from the basement. Quentin moved forward, easing the door open. Cyrus grabbed him by the arm, whispering, "Quentin, let's get help!"</div> <div> "I told you-you go if you want to!" Quentin hissed back. He disappeared through the door into the cavernous darkness of the </div> <div> basement. Sighing, Cyrus followed him, feeling his way along the wall. This is crazy, he thought. We can't even see where we're going. As they got further down the stairs, they could see a dim light off to the side. Following the light, the two men came to a type of cell-it was a room with a barred door. The door was standing open, hanging on its hinges. The light came from within-a hurricane lamp, which had been lit and placed upon a wooden crate. The giant was sitting on a decrepit cot, </div> <div> head in his hands, sobbing. Quentin cleared his throat, and the man jumped and cried out.</div> <div> "Adam? Don't be afraid-I won't hurt you," Quentin softly reassured the man. He kept his distance though, standing in the doorway. Adam struggled valiantly to control his sobs. "Y-you're th-the man fr-from Coll-Collin-w-wood."</div> <div> "That's right. My name is Quentin. This is Cyrus."</div> <div> "I-I d-d-don't kn-know you," Adam answered. He looked at Quentin. "Y-you're dr-dressed f-funny."</div> <div> Quentin looked down at himself. "It's Halloween, Adam. Do you know what Halloween is?"</div> <div> Adam shook his head, no. "Pr-pro-professor St-Stokes d-d-d-didn't t-t-t-tell m-me."</div> <div> Quentin and Cyrus exchanged startled glances. "Professor Stokes?" </div> <div> Quentin's voice scaled up. What exactly was this? "Cyrus, would you mind getting Adam some water?"</div> <div> "Not at all," Cyrus said. "Shall I--?"</div> <div> "No," Quentin interrupted sharply. "Just the water, please." Cyrus sighed and left. Quentin ventured a little further into the room. Adam was wiping his face with his sleeves. "You've been to Collinwood before, Adam? You knew some of us."</div> <div> Adam sighed heavily. "I think now this is not the same Collinwood. Carolyn didn't know me. That can't be. Carolyn was always my good friend. She would never forget me." He raised his head and looked at Quentin, frightened. "I don't know you. You're dressed strangely. Like the police."</div> <div> "I'm not a policeman. This is a costume, for Halloween. People dress up in costumes for Halloween, Adam."</div> <div> Cyrus returned with a glass of water, which Adam accepted gratefully. "You summoned me here? Why?" Adam asked Cyrus. </div> <div> The doctor, moving slowly, sat on the cot beside Adam. "We were playing a game. It wasn't my intent to summon you here, Adam."</div> <div> "Yet, I was pulled from where I was."</div> <div> "Pulled?"</div> <div> "Yes--I was in the woods, near here. Then something happened in the air around me. I heard a voice--yours. You said..." Adam paused, thinking hard. "You said 'send a mes-sen-ger.' I don't know what that is. I looked for the voice, and then I heard a sound like the machine which roars and sucks up dirt from the floor."</div> <div> "A vacuum cleaner," Quentin said helpfully.</div> <div> "Ah, yes. I remember. Professor Stokes had 'dust bunnies' because his va-cuum cleaner was broken. Yes. It felt like that to me, and I was sucked through the air. Then I was inside Collinwood-in a strange room." His eyes were filling with new tears. "I want to go home. You must send me home."</div> <div> Quentin looked at Cyrus, who had taken his glasses off and was staring at Adam in a speculative way. Cyrus glanced at him briefly, and then put his hand on Adam's arm to reassure him. "We'll try, Adam. First we have to figure out where you're from."</div> <div> "From? I am from nowhere-I am created by Dr. Lang and Barnabas." Cyrus and Quentin exchanged startled looks again. </div> <div> "Dr. Lang? The pediatrician?"</div> <div> "Pee-dee-ah-what? Dr. Lang was Dr. Lang. He died."</div> <div> "He's not..." Quentin began, but Cyrus held his hand up to quiet him. </div> <div> Cyrus asked: "What do you mean, you were created by Dr. Lang and Barnabas?"</div> <div> Almost guiltily, Adam replied, "It's a secret. Professor Stokes said I shouldn't tell."</div> <div> "Stokes again!" Quentin exclaimed. </div> <div> "He is a good man-my friend."</div> <div> "STOKES?" Quentin's voice went up in disbelief.</div> <div> Adam frowned, understanding the tone if not the reason for them. "A good man. He taught me to read and write."</div> <div> Quentin was about to speak, but again Cyrus held his hand up. "I think I have an explanation for this-fantastic as it may be."</div> <div> The door slammed above, and they heard loud, angry voices above. Carolyn and Will had returned home, and they were arguing, as usual. Adam covered his ears with his hands. "That bad man and Carolyn!" he moaned, beginning to rock himself. </div> <div> "I can't believe it!" </div> <div> "Did you leave any doors open?" Quentin asked in a whisper.</div> <div> Cyrus had to think. "I'm pretty sure I closed the basement door anyway," he whispered back, ever the absent-minded professor. "How are we going to get out of here? And we can't just leave him here."</div> <div> "No, you're right." Quentin stood up, thinking. He didn't know very much about this house. Roger and Elizabeth's parents had lived in it when he was a boy, and he hadn't spent much time here. The family wasn't known for their strong bonds of love.</div> <div> "There is a way," Adam said suddenly. "Adam wants to get out of here, too." Quentin and Cyrus looked at him with surprise. Adam went to one of the walls, feeling around carefully. He moved one of the bricks--the wall had looked completely solid up until then--and a small doorway swung back.</div> <div> "Well, I'll be damned!" Quentin exclaimed. "Where does that go?"</div> <div> "Down to the beach. Below--the cliffs. Widow's Hill?"</div> <div> Cyrus stared doubtfully at the tunnel. "Doesn't look very big." He looked at Adam. "You say this goes to the beach?" Adam nodded.</div> <div> Just then, from above, Will's voice echoed: "Carolyn! Did you leave this door open?" </div> <div> "No-I haven't been down there in ages."</div> <div> "Well, somebody left it open."</div> <div> "Are you just going to stand there, brave man? Or are you going to see if there's an intruder down there?"</div> <div> "Hey, look, maybe you ought to call Collinwood--get the sheriff on the line."</div> <div> "Oh Will! YOU call! I'll go look." They heard the sound of clicking heels coming toward the stairs.</div> <div> "Let's go," Quentin decided. He reached for the hurricane lamp and set it on top of the doorway opening. "We're not going to be able to stand up all the way."</div> <div> "Adam had to crawl."</div> <div> Quentin looked at him. "I'm not surprised. You follow me, Adam."</div> <div> "Uh--Quentin, are you sure about this?" Cyrus asked.</div> <div> "Do you really want Carolyn and Will involved in this?" Quentin asked. </div> <div> He was already boosting himself up and crawling through the opening in the wall. He pulled the hurricane lamp in after himself. "Come on, Adam."</div> <div> Adam nervously crawled through the opening next, followed by Cyrus. Adam was nearly bent over at the waist. It must have been made for midgets, Quentin thought. </div> <div> "Don't like the dark," Adam moaned, sounding claustrophobic. Quentin held the lamp up as high as he could and made his way down the tunnel.</div> <div> "Where shall we take him?" Cyrus asked.</div> <div> "There's another old house by Widow's Hill--no one's staying there," Quentin began.</div> <div> "House by the Sea? That's a baaaaad place," Adam whined.</div> <div> "Are there any good places around here, Adam?" Quentin asked, exasperated.</div> <div> "Professor Stokes' house."</div> <div> "Not this one," Quentin muttered.</div> <div> "Perhaps if we can figure out where in the woods he was, we can help him go back."</div> <div> "Just where do you think he came from anyway, Cyrus?"</div> <div> "Well, there have been certain theories that scientists have been speculating about for years now. Nothing has ever been proven, you understand, but one has to do with the concept of time travel and another has to do with bands of parallel time. The problem is coming up with a theorem consistent with Einstein's theory of relativity."</div> <div> "Time travel and parallel time? You mean Adam might be from the past or from the future?"</div> <div> "Or from another time band."</div> <div> "This sounds like another one of your crackpot ideas, Cyrus--is this like your mirror image theory?"</div> <div> "Actually, it's very similar. Think of it as a kind of an occurrence similar to what happened to Alice in the Lewis G. Carroll book, Alice through the Looking Glass. As I was saying before, there are certain times of the year when bands of time and space overlap each other. Samhain is one; Beltane is another Celtic holiday where these bands become narrow. It's easier not only to communicate with spirits from other planes but also to pass from one time band to another, or one time period to another."</div> <div> They had come out onto the beach. Relieved to be in the open air again, Adam drew in a deep breath of air and sighed. "Do you understand any of that, Adam?" Quentin asked.</div> <div> "No," Adam admitted. "I only understand what Professor Stokes and Carolyn taught me."</div> <div> "And where you come from--there is this Professor Stokes, and Carolyn and Will and Angelique?"</div> <div> "Yes-but Carolyn and Willie are not married. And Willie is bad; he teased Adam and was cruel. And the one called Angelique..." Adam stopped, shuddering.</div> <div> "What about her?" Quentin asked sharply.</div> <div> "She is evil. She is evil where I come from; but I know things, and she is evil here, too. You are good man-you should not be married to an evil woman."</div> <div> Quentin laughed bitterly. "All right, Cyrus. Help me think. Where would he be safe?"</div> <div> "With me of course," Cyrus replied immediately, as if the answer should have been apparent to everyone. Quentin thought about it and couldn't see any reason why it shouldn't be so. Cyrus was an eccentric; no one visited him much except for Sabrina and himself.</div> <div> "Are you okay about staying with Dr. Longworth?" Quentin asked.</div> <div> "Doc-tor?" Adam repeated doubtfully. "Not like Dr. Hoffman? No needles?"</div> <div> "Dr. Hoffman?"</div> <div> "The woman at your house. Red hair."</div> <div> "Doctor Hoffman?" Quentin and Cyrus said together. They looked at each other, astounded. "I mean Cyrus, Adam. No needles, right, Cyrus? Just funny drinks." Cyrus gave Quentin a warning look.</div> <div> "Okay, he is a nice man, too. Not hurt me," Adam agreed. They moved cautiously off the beach and up the path.</div> <div> "By coincidence, I parked at the end of the drive," Cyrus was saying. "Sabrina and I enjoy a walk in the brisk air. We'll take Adam to my house and get him settled in; then I'll come back for Sabrina." They'd reached Dr. Longworth's car. It was a Volkswagen, and Cyrus looked doubtfully at Adam. </div> <div> "You know, Cyrus, you ought to think about a larger car," Quentin said, immediately realizing the problem. "You're no squidge yourself, and I don't know how you manage to drive this thing."</div> <div> "Adam can fit," the giant said congenially, also realizing the problem. He climbed into the back and reclined on the seat, drawing his knees up to his chest. He was so big he filled the back seat entirely and even lying down, he was still big enough to be able to look out the window. Quentin squeezed into the front, thinking that Adam had probably gotten the best of the seats. Cyrus climbed in on the drivers' side and started the car.</div> <div> Adam stared out the window, watching the last and latest of the trick-or-treaters making their rounds on Main Street. This was a very strange place, he thought. When they pulled up in front of Cyrus' house and got out, they were surrounded by a band of strangely dressed children. "Cool costume," one of the children told Adam. His face was pasty white and there were dark circles under his eyes. He had plastic fangs in his mouth and what seemed to be a few droplets of blood on his mouth. Adam started and drew back into the car, crying out.</div> <div> "No more candy, sorry," Cyrus said to the children, and they left, still commenting on the cool Frankenstein costume the big guy was wearing.</div> <div> "Come on out, Adam. There's nothing to be afraid of-they're just kids dressed up," Quentin said to Adam.</div> <div> "Boy looked like her--Angelique," Adam moaned. "Boy gone?"</div> <div> "Boy gone. Come on." Quentin assured him, puzzled by Adam's comparison of the costumed vampire to his wife. She reminded him of all kinds of evil creatures, but a vampire wasn't one of them.</div> <div> They hustled Adam in through the basement, where the giant looked around in fascination at all the tubes and equipment in Cyrus' laboratory. </div> <div> "You're a doctor like Lang?"</div> <div> "No, not like Lang here," Cyrus answered. "What is your Dr. Lang like?"</div> <div> "I don't know. He's dead. Angelique killed him. Barnabas said so." Quentin had been picking up various test tubes and looking at the contents. He looked up, suddenly, disturbed. "Angelique kills people in your time?"</div> <div> "In my time. And here. I can tell. You'll see. You be careful. And Dr. Hoffman-she is evil too, and so is Barnabas."</div> <div> "There's no Barnabas here."</div> <div> "No?" Adam looked mildly cheerful for the first time. "Good--I hate him. He hurt me."</div> <div> "This is absolutely fascinating, Quentin," Cyrus said. He pulled up a chair for Adam to sit on. "Do you mind if I ask you some questions about your time? So that we can help you go back?"</div> <div> "Sure, ask questions. Got food?"</div> <div> At Cyrus' non-plussed look, Quentin laughed. "He's hungry, and so am I. Do you keep anything to eat around here, Cyrus?"</div> <div> "Oh! Uh-let me see!" Looking startled and perplexed, Cyrus went up the stairs. Quentin hoped he wouldn't get lost on the way or forget what he was looking for.</div> <div> Adam looked at Quentin curiously. "I don't know you in my time," he remarked.</div> <div> Quentin wondered about that. "Who lives at Collinwood?" he asked. "Mrs. Stoddard. I saw her at your house. Also the other man--with blonde hair. And a little boy," Adam listed. His face took on a dreamy expression. "And Carolyn." He looked sad. "She doesn't know me here. And she married that bad man, Willie."</div> <div> Cyrus came back down the stairs, awkwardly balancing a tray. It looked like he'd emptied out the contents of his refrigerator. He set the tray down and indicated that Adam should help himself. Quentin looked and thought that the selection was about what you'd expect from a mad scientist. He was hungry, but decided to pass. Adam looked at what was available and picked out the carrots and a banana. "Vitamin A and potassium-good for you," he commented. Again, Cyrus and Quentin exchanged looks. Cyrus began to ask Adam questions about where he'd come from. Adam told a startling story-Stephen King would have written a story like this, Quentin thought. It was also a sad story-this was a man who'd awakened with no memory and no ability to speak. He'd been imprisoned and abused by a trio of tormentors-Willie, Barnabas, and Doctor Hoffman. He had </div> <div> some sort of psychic link with Barnabas and had looked upon him as a father figure at first. However, Barnabas had been cruel to him, and not only that-Barnabas had helped create him out of many different people. Not Stephen King, Quentin thought. Mary Shelley. Adam explained how he'd escaped from the "Old House" (here Quentin and Cyrus exchanged glances again), been befriended by Carolyn, Professor Stokes, and a demonic person named Nicholas. This Nicholas had also taken advantage of Adam, as had Nicholas' sister, Angelique, who was also sometimes called Cassandra. Adam believed that Angelique was slowly draining his life away, and then Professor Stokes had helped him get away. He'd been living and working in a halfway home with other adults similar to himself when suddenly he felt something go "wrong" with Barnabas. He couldn't "feel" him anymore and had felt drawn back to Collinwood. He felt himself becoming weaker; the psychic link was </div> <div> breaking. He was wandering on his way through the woods when he'd been "vacuumed" here. When Adam finished his fantastic story, he seemed exhausted, his shoulders slumping.</div> <div> "What do you think, Cyrus?" Quentin asked.</div> <div> Cyrus was rubbing his chin, studying Adam. He took his glasses off and pinched the bridge of his nose as if the glasses had been bothering him. "More and more I believe that we drew him here through the séance. I think that perhaps he was in a place where the timeline walls had become thinned out, and so it was possible for him to pass through and come here." </div> <div> "That's incredible, though--he is not a spirit," Quentin objected.</div> <div> "No, a man," Adam agreed, closing his eyes.</div> <div> Cyrus was thinking. Quentin could imagine the wheels turning in his head. "There was a link between this man Adam and Barnabas. If something happened to Barnabas, something similar would happen to Adam and vice versa. This is what he himself tells us-for example, when this Barnabas was buried alive, Adam felt like he was being smothered. Well, suppose something happened to Barnabas? Perhaps he died-or was no longer there for whatever reason. As the link between them became more severed, Adam became more-oh, what is the word? Sort of like ethereal, I guess."</div> <div> "More like a spirit?"</div> <div> "Yes-if you will. All of these factors combined to bring Adam here-the fact that it's Samhain, the fact that we had a ceremony, the fact that he was passing through an area where the 'walls' between our worlds are especially thin at this time, and because of his-condition."</div> <div> "You know, Cyrus, if I hadn't been there myself and you told me all this stuff, I'd say you'd lost your mind. It sounds like a mad combination of Frankenstein, Alice in Wonderland, and The Time Traveler. So what are we supposed to do with him now?"</div> <div> "I wish I knew how to help him go back," Cyrus said thoughtfully. "He doesn't represent a danger to anyone, but he is like Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land." Adam seemed to be sleeping. Cyrus shook his arm gently. "Adam?" The giant opened his eyes and blinked, rousing himself a little. "Where were you when you came here?"</div> <div> "Right into the house. Sucked in from outside," Adam replied and made a whooshing sound like a vacuum cleaner. "I was upstairs-in a room. There was a picture of her on the wall. I didn't know where I was, so I came downstairs and I heard the voices. I found you in the-the drawing room."</div> <div> "Angelique's room," Quentin said, startled, and Adam made a distasteful face.</div> <div> "Scared me," he said.</div> <div> Quentin couldn't help but laugh. "Scares me, too," he agreed. For the first time, Adam smiled at him. His face had become paler, though, and almost translucent. The scars had become more strikingly noticeable against his skin. "Adam, are you feeling all right?"</div> <div> "Tired," Adam mumbled.</div> <div> They all started as the door to the laboratory opened. Sabrina came in and shut the door behind her firmly, looking exasperated. "Cyrus," she began, sounding very angry. She took a few steps into the room and stopped, stunned, at the sight of Adam.</div> <div> "It's all right, my dear," Cyrus assured her hurriedly. "He is quite harmless."</div> <div> "Is that why you left me stranded at Collinwood?" Sabrina asked, with a hint of irritation in her voice. She looked at Quentin. "Angelique is frantic with worry, Quentin!"</div> <div> "I'll bet," Quentin muttered. "I'll call her later."</div> <div> "Why did you bring him here?" Sabrina wondered. She came closer, looking at Adam. She looked at Cyrus with concern. "He looks ill. Shouldn't he be in a hospital?"</div> <div> "No, my dear, I think he'd be much safer here." Cyrus felt Adam's head. He looked around at Sabrina and Quentin. "He's cold. Perhaps we should take him upstairs and put some blankets on him to keep him warm. Would you mind helping?"</div> <div> They roused Adam and explained that they wanted to take him upstairs and have him lie down. Adam got up, swaying, and managed to get up the stairs with Quentin and Cyrus supporting him on either side and Sabrina pushing from behind. Cyrus had the house of a disorganized scientist; there were boxes and books everywhere. The going was treacherous upstairs as they carefully navigated Adam around all the junk and helped him into one of the guest bedrooms. Even that was piled high with magazines, books, boxes, and pieces of equipment. Adam collapsed onto the bed, shutting his eyes again.</div> <div> Sabrina went out and returned with some blankets. As she began to cover Adam, Cyrus had gone into a dresser drawer and pulled out a stethoscope. Probably had one in every room, Quentin thought, mildly amused. Cyrus leaned over and opened Adam's shirt. Adam opened his eyes briefly. "I'm just going to listen to your chest," Cyrus explained. He listened quietly and then stood up, his eyes filled with worry. "We may not have to worry about helping him return to his world. His heart beat has slowed considerably."</div> <div> "Is he dying?" Quentin asked.</div> <div> "I don't know. It's possible."</div> <div> "Oh!" Sabrina exclaimed. "The séance?" Even though she didn't know the whole story, she knew that Adam hadn't been there before the ceremony.</div> <div> "He might've become like this in his other world, too," Cyrus said, shaking his head. Looking at Quentin, he added, "I believe it has to do with the broken link." At Sabrina's confused look, Cyrus said gently, "I'll explain it all later, my dear."</div> <div> Quentin felt inexplicably sad. "Don't you think we might be able to help him somehow?"</div> <div> "If we knew anything at all about re-energating people with life forces--I just don't know, Quentin. I've done a little bit of research on energy forces, but it has more to do with my theories of duality." </div> <div> Cyrus studied Adam, brooding. "What must this Barnabas have been thinking about, do you think? Was he trying to draw off his evil self, perhaps, or his good self?"</div> <div> "Oh, Cyrus, not that again," Sabrina groaned. Quentin felt the same way about his friend's obsession with the "mirror" image-that one's personality could be split and reflect each other, one good, and one bad.</div> <div> "I'm just wondering if this Barnabas may have been pursuing the same theory as me--and perhaps we are seeing the personification of the 'good' in this particular gentleman."</div> <div> "Does he seem like he's becoming transparent?" Quentin asked. He wanted to distract Cyrus from his theories on dual personalities in one body; at the same time, he was genuinely concerned about the man on the bed. Cyrus frowned and took a closer look. "He is, isn't he?" He straightened up and looked at Quentin and Sabrina. "Let me check my notes and see what I have downstairs. As I said, I don't know very much about the infusion of life-force energy but I suppose anything I might try isn't going to do any harm."</div> <div> While Cyrus was gone, Sabrina and Quentin pulled up chairs and sat down to wait. Because she was a compassionate person, Sabrina reached out and took one of the giant's cold hands in hers. Adam opened his eyes and smiled. "This is a good house," he said softly. "You don't fear me here. I was feared and hated in the other place."</div> <div> "Why would you want to go back, then?" Quentin asked.</div> <div> "I was afraid before. I didn't know here. Maybe here is better."Quentin wanted to ask him more questions, especially about Angelique, but he hesitated because the giant seemed to be growing more exhausted. His scars looked luminous in the light; his face had become waxy. Cyrus returned with a vile colored liquid in a small decanter. He had a drinking glass in the other hand. "I don't know if this is going to work," Cyrus said hesitantly. "As I said, I know very little about life force energy..."</div> <div> "If you don't think it'll do any harm, give it to him. Remember--first and foremost, do no harm," Sabrina advised. </div> <div> "It won't harm him, I'm sure of that-not in the condition he's in," Cyrus answered. More determined he brought the glass to Adam and woke him. "Adam, why don't you drink this? It may help you feel better."</div> <div> "Yes, I am thirsty," Adam said, his voice hoarse. He lifted his head weakly. Cyrus pulled a straw out of his pocket and put it in the glass, guiding it to Adam's lips. When Adam had drunk the whole thing, he lay back, shutting his eyes. </div> <div> Tastes...bubbly...like ginger ale," he commented. Then he began to choke and gasp. "Hurts my throat!" he cried out. "It burns!" He clutched at his throat and went red in the face.</div> <div> Alarmed, Cyrus grabbed his stethoscope and listened to Adam's chest. </div> <div> He straightened up, looking down at Adam, who'd become quiet and still. </div> <div> "What is it? Is he all right?" Quentin asked.</div> <div> "His heart beat is stronger," Cyrus replied. He looked torn, obviously wondering if he'd done the right or ethical thing. "Look at his color--his pallor is decreasing." It was true--Adam's breathing had become more even and regular; his face was pinkening up and the scars seemed less pronounced now.</div> <div> "Whatever that stuff was seems to be working," Quentin observed.</div> <div> Cyrus cleared his throat. "Unfortunately, I only just received a sample of that compound. I don't know if Adam will need more of it."</div> <div> "Can you order some more in the morning?" Sabrina asked.</div> <div> "I suppose, assuming I can contact the same chemist," Cyrus said, sounding and looking doubtful and fearful. "At any rate, I think he'll be all right for the rest of the night."</div> <div> "I'll go then," Quentin said. "I'll check with you to see how he is tomorrow."</div> <div> "Yes, yes," Cyrus said, sounding distracted. "Sabrina, would you mind driving Quentin home? I think I should be the one to stay with Adam." </div> <div> He was still standing at the foot of the bed, standing and staring at Adam with an odd expression on his face when Quentin and Sabrina left.</div> <div> Sabrina drove Quentin back to Collinwood in her larger car. He noticed that all the guests were gone except for one-Bruno's car was still parked by the gate. So, he had been the one to find favor with his beautiful wife this evening, Quentin thought bitterly. He said goodnight to Sabrina politely and got out. As he entered his home, he could hear Roger's voice rising from the study, hectoring Elizabeth to loan him a little money to "tide him over". From Elizabeth's stern sounding reply, Roger didn't seem to be getting anywhere. He'll be at Angelique or me next, Quentin thought.</div> <div> Bruno was playing the piano behind the closed drawing room doors. Quentin considered going in for a drink but decided he didn't want yet another confrontation with his wife and her newest "friend". He met Hoffman coming down as he was going up the steps. "Mr. Collins, you're home!" Hoffman exclaimed. "Mrs. Collins must be relieved to know that you're back-she's been so worried."</div> <div> "Oh, I'm sure," Quentin said, with a laugh, continuing up the stairs. Hoffman gave him a puzzled, disapproving look as he strode down the hall and into the family's main wing upstairs. He went in to say good night to Daniel and then retired to his room. He felt suddenly tired by the events that had transpired. He really did hate Halloween, he thought. There'd never been a single one without some kind of weirdness happening. He got into bed, thinking about Adam, and wondering how he'd feel to be in that situation. He thought he might have trouble sleeping, but he was out almost as soon as his head hit the pillow. Sometime in the night, Angelique got into bed with him. He stirred, feeling her breath on his neck as she nuzzled and kissed him. He half turned toward her, wanting to tell her to go away and let him alone, but </div> <div> he knew he wouldn't as soon as their lips met. He was in her thrall as much as all the other men when she got into bed with him like this. He hated himself for it but she made him feel as if he was afire, and he burned for her uncontrollably. </div> <div> "Tell me about the man," she was saying, even as she kissed him passionately.</div> <div> "No," he objected. She put her hands on him, gently rolling him onto his back, her mouth moving along the length of his chest and stomach as her hands glided on him and then grasped him firmly. "Tell me about the man," she repeated, and he felt himself talking to her about Adam. I must be under a spell; she must be some kind of a witch, he thought, even as he told her everything-except for what Adam had said about her. He managed to hold that information back. </div> <div> As she climbed on to him, she smiled and said, "I was so worried about you, darling." I'll just bet, he thought, but didn't argue and didn't attempt to dislodge her. She moved above him expertly but with no real deep passion on her part; however she always managed to bring him to a frenzied climax. As always, she slid off, kissed him again and got up.</div> <div> "Stay with me," he begged, as always, and--as always--she laughed her musical laugh. He hated her most at times like this.</div> <div> "Go to sleep, darling. I've gotten what I need," she said softly and left him. In the morning, he would have vague, fuzzy memories of the night, which would disturb him and fuel his growing resentment against her.</div> <div> Cyrus checked on Adam in the morning and found him much improved. The giant was up and prowling the house restlessly, looking for food and drink. "Well, I'm glad to see that you're feeling better!" Cyrus exclaimed, delighted and dismayed at the same time. "I was worried about you last night."</div> <div> "I think I almost died," Adam agreed, and Cyrus started. Adam smiled gently. "I understand about dying, Dr. Cyrus. Last night, I felt close to death again. Today, I feel closer to life. I am very hungry. I want food."</div> <div> "Well, I shall find something for you, then," Cyrus said, hoping Sabrina would come soon. He wasn't sure how long the potion he'd given Adam would be effective. This new compound he'd gotten had come from a chemist via Angelique--he didn't even know that man's name. He was very reluctant to approach Angelique again so soon but felt he had no other choice. This compound wasn't even being used in the manner in which it was intended. He had intended to use it as a potion to draw off the inner demons in himself that he battled with on a daily basis. Every night, he fought the urge to prowl the streets, seeking out and attacking vulnerable women. He didn't want to do it, and it was a hard struggle to stay in control of himself. Sometimes when he was with Sabrina, he had the most despicable immoral impulses...Angelique knew about them and laughed at him for it. That was one reason he was reluctant to approach her again.</div> <div> When he returned with what he felt was a passable meal, he watched in astonishment as Adam dusted and straightened up his messy living room. The giant really was an extraordinary man-almost unbearably ugly with those horrid scars and yet with the soul and manners of a gentle, loving person. How could this Barnabas have treated Adam so cruelly-unless it was that when he drew off the "good" and infused it into this man, he'd been left with all that was evil in himself? That must be the explanation then, Cyrus believed. "Adam, you don't have to do that," he said gently, setting the food he'd prepared on the table.</div> <div> "I want to," Adam replied agreeably. He stopped to eat. He looked at Cyrus with completely trusting eyes. "You helped me--I want to help you, Dr. Cyrus. You and Quentin and Sabrina are--good people."</div> <div> "Thank you, Adam. I think you are 'good' too," Cyrus said, feeling deeply ashamed of himself. He was relieved to hear Sabrina letting herself in the front door. "Ah, good morning, my dear! I'm so glad you're here!"</div> <div> "Good morning," Sabrina answered, giving Cyrus a chaste kiss. Even so, Adam blushed and looked away. "Good morning, Adam. I'm glad to see you feeling better."</div> <div> "Thank you, Sabrina," Adam replied politely, still blushing.</div> <div> "Isn't it wonderful, my dear? I would like to see Adam remain stable, and so I need you to stay with him while I go to-to replenish my supplies."</div> <div> If Sabrina felt uncomfortable about that, she managed to hide it well. She agreed to stay with Adam while Cyrus went to Collinwood to seek an audience with "HRH" as Quentin sometimes derisively called Angelique-but never to her face.</div> <div> Quentin had already gone in to the office when Cyrus arrived, and Hoffman announced his presence to Angelique. Cyrus felt intimidated. He hoped and prayed she was alone, and was deeply relieved that she was. Hoffman escorted him to the drawing room and then left them alone, drawing the doors closed behind her.</div> <div> Angelique sat regally, regarding Cyrus coolly. "Well, Dr. Longworth, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"</div> <div> Cyrus cleared his throat uncomfortably. "I was hoping you might help put me in touch with your friend-the chemist at the university."</div> <div> "Ah, yes," Angelique said, arching her brows. "The one who was able to locate-unusual compounds and chemicals?"</div> <div> "Yes, yes, the very man," Cyrus said nervously. "In fact, if you wouldn't mind giving me his name, address, and phone number, I'd be grateful-I'll contact him directly, myself."</div> <div> Angelique laughed her musically toned laugh. To Cyrus, it was a contemptuous sound. It was as if she could see right though him and knew his every foul thought. "He may not be willing to deal with you, dear Cyrus. He is, after all, my friend. What you ask for is not only unusual; it is also for sale illegally. You know that. What is it you need? The same as before?"</div> <div> Cyrus looked down at his shoes. "Yes," he muttered.</div> <div> "Is it for that strange man who appeared here last night?" she asked. Startled, Cyrus looked at her. "Oh, I know all about him. Quentin told me. Don't worry--Quentin tells me everything. There are no secrets between us. He wanted me to know. He'd want you to tell me everything you know."</div> <div> "Well, I...I'm not sure..." Cyrus stuttered.</div> <div> Angelique leaned forward, giving him a long, hard look. "Do you want the compounds or not?"</div> <div> Cyrus began to talk. Satisfied, Angelique folded her arms and settled back to listen.</div> <div> Quentin came to Cyrus' house at lunchtime. Cyrus was back by then, feeling like the neighborhood gossip who'd been caught in the act of spreading a sordid story. Angelique had ultimately contacted the chemist, and Cyrus was to pick up the compound at a pre-arranged meeting place that afternoon. He felt filthy. Quentin noticed his mood and asked, "What's wrong? Adam seems fine."</div> <div> "I want to talk to you outside," Cyrus said, indicating Adam with a tilt of his head. Quentin understood him to mean that he didn't want to speak in front of the giant. Adam was busy learning how to play bridge with Sabrina. He seemed delighted with the game. Cyrus and Quentin went into the backyard. "I am picking up more of the compound today. I am going to follow the same proportions and measurements I did yesterday and make a larger dose for Adam. I'll try to make enough for him to </div> <div> take with him."</div> <div> "Where?"</div> <div> "Away from here, Quentin. I don't think he'll be safe here much longer."</div> <div> "Why?"</div> <div> "Well, the compound comes from a chemist I don't know. I have no idea how to contact him except through Angelique. She wanted to know everything about Adam, and I'm afraid I...I..."</div> <div> Quentin flushed a deep shade of red, remembering the night before. "Did you tell her what he said about her?"</div> <div> "You didn't want me to, did you?" Cyrus asked, sounding mortified. "I don't think he's safe from her. I really feel strongly about this."</div> <div> "I agree." Quentin thought. "Where can he go?"</div> <div> "I think I have an idea that should work splendidly," Cyrus answered. "I have a cousin is the administrator of a mental hospital just outside of Bangor. I believe that Adam would make a wonderful employee there. He is industrious and he is also very kind. I believe that they would be able to employ him in their maintenance department, and I also believe he would relate well to the patients. He seems to have a somewhat calming effect, don't you think?"</div> <div> "He is gentle," Quentin agreed. "If you think he'd be treated well, then I think we ought to talk to Adam about it and sell him on the idea. I think he wants to stay here, don't you?"</div> <div> "It's not just that--I don't think he has any choice. The time of Samhain has passed and so has the overlap between time bands. Even if he wanted to go back, I don't believe we'd be able to help him do that until Beltane-which isn't for another six months."</div> <div> "Okay, let's talk to him, then." He hated to admit that Cyrus was right, but he agreed that Adam would be in danger if he stayed. He also realized the truth in what Adam had told him the night before--in some way, shape, or form, his wife was a killer. She may not have committed a murder-yet-but she surely did kill the spirit and will in a man. Sometimes he wished she were dead so he could be free of her.</div> <div> Adam listened to his new friends carefully with just a hint of dismay on his face. "Place sounds good," he said tentatively. "There's no place like that around here? Or you want Adam to go?"</div> <div> "We think it would be safer for you to go," Quentin answered honestly. Adam searched his face. He sat back, looking alarmed. "It is because of that woman-Angelique." When Quentin nodded, Adam took Quentin's hand in his huge paws. "I am thankful--no, better word, grateful to you because you tell me the truth. I told you the truth too. Be careful. This woman is bad, and she will hurt you." Quentin felt the hair on the back of his neck prickle. He could only stare mutely at the giant.</div> <div> "I will make some more of the compound for you," Cyrus was saying. "You take it with you. I'll explain how you are to administer it to yourself. When you need more, I will give you a phone number so that you can call me."</div> <div> Adam smiled sweetly at Cyrus. "You are good man, too, Dr. Cyrus. You both are like my friends in the other place. I had to leave them, too. Someday, when the bad woman is gone, I will come back here." Do you have ESP? Cyrus thought at him. Adam continued to smile gently, but his eyes became momentarily blank. Then they refocused on Cyrus. </div> <div> "Medicine bad for you, Dr. Cyrus. Good for Adam, bad for you." </div> <div> Now it was Cyrus' turn to become speechless. He nodded and got up, without saying a word. He left the house, on his way to pick up the compound. He knew he wouldn't be meeting the chemist himself; Angelique still held him in her power for that. He got into the car and drove off. Even with Adam's words of warning in his ears, he already knew he was going to set aside a portion of the compound to use on himself. He couldn't help it.</div> <div> It was Quentin who drove Adam to the train station in Rockport. Sabrina had bought makeup and applied them to the scars on Adam's face, teaching him how to hide them. Cyrus had produced enough of the mixture to fill a gallon jug, and that was securely packed in a cooler Adam was carrying with him. Cyrus had already talked to his cousin and secured a position and a place for Adam to stay. He told his cousin that Adam had been in a disfiguring accident; perhaps when Adam had settled in they might discuss the possibility of corrective plastic surgery at some point in the future? "Adam doesn't forget friends like you," the giant said to Cyrus and Sabrina before climbing into the car with Quentin. </div> <div> At the train station, Quentin got a ticket for Adam and made sure he had Cyrus' telephone number. He didn't trust Angelique and so he hadn't given Adam the number for Collinwood. "If you need me, you can contact me through Cyrus," Quentin explained.</div> <div> "I am--grateful, Quentin. I wish I had met more people like you and Dr. Cyrus in the other Collinwood," Adam said sincerely, shaking Quentin's hand enthusiastically.</div> <div> "Umm-thanks!" Quentin tried not to grimace, extracting his hand carefully. He flexed his fingers to see if they would move. The train began to pull into the station. "Call Cyrus and let us know how you're doing, will you?"</div> <div> "Yes. And never tell the bad woman or Barnabas where to find me. I would like to be happy in this place." Again, Adam gave Quentin that gentle, sweet smile. "I think I can be happy here. Thank you." He got onto the train and Quentin could see him moving carefully through the car until he came to a window seat. He put the cooler and a small duffel bag with a change of clothes packed in it onto the rack above the seat and sat down. He waved to Quentin, who waved back and waited for </div> <div> the train to leave.</div> <div> It was late when he got home to Collinwood, and he hoped that everyone would be asleep. No one was about when he came in, not even Hoffman, and he gratefully made to his room stealthily. He turned the light on and found his wife, sitting in a chair, glaring at him. "What have you done?" she demanded.</div> <div> He shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about, Angelique."</div> <div> "Yes, you do! I took Father and Hannah over to Cyrus Longworth's. The man was gone. Where is he?"</div> <div> "What do you care?" Quentin asked resentfully. He'd begun to unbutton his shirt. "Were you planning on adding him to your collection?" </div> <div> "No," Angelique replied through gritted teeth. "There were questions that Father wanted to ask him, though. There are interests that my father has that you are unaware of, and have no business knowing about."</div> <div> "Other than the drinking and bailing him out of jail, you mean?" Quentin asked sarcastically.</div> <div> Angelique got up from the chair, stalked up to him, and slapped him sharply across the face. "You have interfered in our plans, my love! Where did you send him?"</div> <div> Quentin pushed her away from him, opening his door and shoving her into the hallway. "I won't tell you, what do you think of that? You and that lunatic father of yours had better make other plans."</div> <div> "Don't think for a minute that you have gotten away with it, Quentin," Angelique said with a great deal of malice. "Don't believe for a moment that you have hidden this man from me." Quentin shut the door in her face, and he could hear her laughing. "It's just a matter of time, my love!" she called through the door.</div> <div> He felt the resentment burning in him again, boiling over into hatred. It was just a matter of time-she was right about that. So in control of everyone, he thought, clenching his hands into fists. All her men dangling on the ends of her puppet strings. It was just a matter of time--unless he killed her first. He just might do it, too--unless someone else beat him to it. </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id88.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fall Camoflage"><U>Fall Camoflage</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id85.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Adam in Parallel Time"><U>Adam in Parallel Time</U></A>    <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cassies Writing"><U>Cassie's Writing</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>