The Wager - chapter 2 

He had known the risk. It was one he had assumed before. He had known the risk and now he fought to control the pain, the panic, as he waited for Julia to release him from his coffin. Had he forgotten how cramped it was, how close, how the cross burned, even in this lack of light, even when he averted his eyes? No. Never; but the memories had started to recede, now stormed back. What if she hadn't made it back? If he were left here, trapped, alone?

Hold on, he whispered. I must hold on. There. There it was. He sensed it, her. Something must be wrong. She hadn't taken steps to free him. But she was there. Hold on. He could, now.

It was a long and uncomfortable two hours, for the vampire and his friend. But, at last, the couple departed.

Julia waited until she was certain they'd gotten far enough away, and then set to her task. It took little time to deal with the lock, the way she set to the task. It took little time, until she could drop the chains to the floor and raise the lid, remove the cross.

As was her custom, she turned her back to the coffin, so he could climb out unobserved. He came, quiet, up behind her, held her shoulders: "I am relieved you are all right."

"There were others, just outside. I couldn't chance them hearing me." "Others? Who? What were they doing here?"

"One was Giles Stokes' intended, apparently, and the other was the young man she was...entertaining." Julia tugged at her ear, wondering where they should go from here. "It seems the family is away from Collinwood for now.

Barnabas had no time and no inclination to wonder. "I suggest we find Stokes, and see what he knows."

"Barnabas, what if he knows nothing? What if whatever Ben was afraid of, hasn't happened yet?"

"I only pray nothing has happened yet. If a Trask is involved, there is danger. I'm certain of that." He waited while she opened the hidden door, accompanied her outside. Thin dark clouds scudded across the night sky. The wind was strong. A dog howled off in a far corner of the cemetery. And Julia watched, resigned, as he raised his head, alert, and his jaw started to work, slowly, his tongue flicking across his lower lip.

"Barnabas, are you all right?"

He turned to her, not trying to conceal his shame: "No. The ...urge is there. But I can control it, for now. We must find out what is happening, Julia, while I have time, tonight. Come."

There was no time to protest, and no reason to. He would not listen. So Julia kept pace with him as he walked briskly toward the village. She kept pace with him, for a time. "Barnabas, wait. How do we even know where to find Giles Stokes?"

"Ben said that Giles was a teacher. Ben was proud of that. If that's the case, he'll be living in the village, or nearby. We can inquire at the tavern." He slowed his pace, took her arm, as they neared the village. Odd, Julia reflected, how familiar it looked, whenever they came ...back.

They entered the tavern together, scanning the room, neither sure what they were looking for. Then, she saw him: "Barnabas, that's the man, the one who was in the mausoleum."

"Forbes!" Barnabas bit back the name in an angry whisper. "No, it couldn't be."

"Did you call me, sir?" The young man approached, wary of the stranger.

"For a moment, I thought you were someone I knew, some years ago. I fear I was mistaken. My apologies, Mr...."

"Forbes, John Forbes. But you have the advantage."

"I am Barnabas Collins. May I introduce my ...wife, Julia."

"You are new here."

"Yes," Barnabas improvised: "We are passing through on our way to Upper Canada, and thought to stop to make an acquaintance. Perhaps you know him: Giles Stokes."

The expression on Forbes' face would have been amusing in other circumstances. Julia thought the man would pass out. Instead, Forbes reddened: "Stokes. What business do you have with him?"

"Do you know where we might find Mr. Stokes?" Julia smiled sweetly up at Forbes, forestalling Barnabas from saying anything. "It's an old family connection, you see."

"Down Main, first right after the church. His front porch faces the church," Forbes chuckled, "It is amusing in the circumstances, but you'll find that out for yourselves." He bowed slightly, "If you will excuse me. Any friend of Giles Stokes is no friend of mine."

They watched Forbes retreat into the back room, and quickly left the tavern.

It was still early. There was still time. Together, they made their way down the main street toward the church. In the moonlight, he looked gray, and he had begun to quiver. "Barnabas, are you going to be all right?" "Later." That was all he said as he proceeded with her, passed the church, turned right. The porch facing the church, there was only one. In the distance, a dog howled, and Julia instinctively clutched his arm, held tight. "Barnabas, if you need blood, I..."

"No. Not you. There are...other ways." He willed himself to stop shaking, managed a tight smile as he looked down at her: "I need you, and...I am...uncertain of my...control. Now." He straightened: "Let us see if Giles Stokes is at home to us."

Hovering above, obscured by the dark gray clouds, four figures looked down.

Vera laughed: "He'll take her yet, among the others."

"You're wrong in this, my lovely." Alma shook her head, and her bones cracked, as if to emphasize her point.

"She's not wrong, but you've my wager on that already. Before another night has come and gone, we'll have them doing our bidding." Lily had no doubt. There were no mortals she could not manipulate; and this vampire would be no different. Clearly, he remained too much the mortal to resist.

"So you say, dear," Bethea stepped in, admonishing: "Just remember, there is a price if you're mistaken. And Alma will be there to collect, with interest." And, with that, she curled up into a ball, made herself smaller, and smaller, until there was nothing there.

Chapter 3