Julia and Barnabas were sitting together in the drawing room at Collinwood having lunch as they usually did. Barnabas had just about finished telling Julia of last nights events. "To think that two closely related members of the same family would meet the same supernatural fate with out even knowing it! And at coinciding times!" "Yes Julia, it was quite a shock. It was also suprising how she managed to travel here." "Yes, I was wonedring about that. What did she tell you?" Julia inquired as she took a sip of her tea. Barnabas leaned back in his chair. " She told me she used I-Ching." "I-Ching!?" Julia exclaimed. "How did she get a hold of those?" "After Anastasia became one of the undead, she left Cadogan Square and traveled all over Europe. She met up with a clan of gypsi's from whom she learned many black arts. She wanted a set of I-Ching wands for herself and sought out a man by the name of Dante Corvus. She bought the set from him." Barnabas and Julia had delt with I-Ching before. It's a very risky way to time travel. But what way isn't!?
"Barnabas, has she mentioned yet why she's come here?" Julia asked as she took a bite of her egg salad sandwhich. "No," Barnabas answered as he took a drink of his Pepsi. "We ran out of time. We'll talk again at dusk." "Of course, and Barnabas if, with your consent, I would like you to mention my injection treatment to Anastasia. By what you told me,she sounded interested when you mentioned your cure." "Yes, I plan to ask her." Barnabas answered "I don't know of any vampire who wouldn't be interested!" They shared a small laugh. "Plus the injections are safer that when I was the test victim." Julia had managed to perfect her craft over the years since Barnabas' cure. The treatment is now fullproof and she offers it to any vampire - over the blackmarket of course. She couldn't very well advertise out in the open now could she?! She's only made it known to her most trusted friends. She also has discovered an immortal aspect of it and tested it. That's why, she thinks, Barnabas hasn't aged at a normal pace since the original treatment. He ages very slowly, if even at all. She thinks she might be able to reverse it too.
The big grandfather clock in the foyer chimed. Barnabas looked at his watch - 3:00pm. "Well Julia I better go. I have some things to do and I have to pick up Willie at the train station at 6. Would you like to come with me?" "No" replied Julia, "I have some work I need to tend to. But thank you!" "Alright I'll talk to you tommorow then." They said their goodbyes and Barnabas got his cane and jacket from the tree stand and walked outside. It was a beautiful spring day and very nice out. Barnabas always took advantage of days like these since he did spend 200 years of his life chained in a coffin.......
Barnabas walked down to his black Viper parked in front of the mansion. He got in, and sped off toward town.
The sun was setting on Collinsport when Anastasia began to awaken from her sleep of death. Barnabas told her she could keep her coffin in the basement just as he always did. It was a pretty secure place. He had also put better locks on the iron door that led to the basement.
Anastasia rose from her coffin and walked up the steps and entered the Old House foyer and drawing room. Barnabas was no where around so she decided to go into town. She put on her black hooded cloak and just before going out the door she noticed the mirror hanging on the wall. She hesitated for a moment and then stepped in front of it.... Nothing. She started to smooth out her dress and hair. "Gosh I wish I knew what I looked like!" She looked down at herself. She was wearing her same old 18th century black dress with her lace up boots. She knew she need some 21st century clothes. Then she remembered Barnabas said he would find her some clothes and leave them in the basement. So Anastasia hurried down and got on her outfit of a short sleeved pink blouse, knee length gray skirt and sandels. (Compliments of the trunk of clothes left by Victoria Winters!!) Now that she was ready, though feeling slightly odd, she headed out the door.
It was a clear spring night as Anastasia walked the streets and docks of Collinsport. She marvled at how everything was so different from her time. She didn't exactly miss her home. Who would miss living in fear?.....
As Anastasia strolled down the boardwalk she came apon a small tavern called the Blue Whale. A drink or two didn't sound half bad! So she went in. When she opened the door the sounds and smells of the bar hit her face. Music, Laughter, Smoke, Liquor. There was a group of old men sitting at the bar laughing loudly and some younger people were dancing to the music blarring from the old jutebox. Anastasia took a seat in a back corner and ordered some wine from the waitress. The whole time she was there, she never noticed the young man sitting to her left in the dark corner. He had been watching her ever since she came in. Maybe even perhaps waiting for her....
More to come later!
HOMEPAGE
Chapters: 1 2-1 2-2