February 1969 - Page 18

Chris has recovered from his bout with the poisoned whiskey. When I returned to the cottage to check on him, Barnabas accompanied me with the hopes Chris could tell us more about the female spirit who appears to be his guardian angel. Chris denied any knowledge of her and even under hypnosis, to which he agreed, he was unable to enlighten us further in any way. He no more knows who she is than Barnabas and I do. We will have to learn about her via some other means, although Barnabas and I are in agreement that she may not be the only spirit we are dealing with. Her attempts to help Chris are in contradiction to the other events that have been happening in the house. Barnabas feels Madame Findley may have known the identity of the second spirit, but was killed before she could make use of or even share the information. For a brief, terrifying moment, Barnabas postulated the children might have actually killed her, but quickly discounted that theory in favor of a less disturbing one - that David and Amy may know who murdered the woman. Barnabas decided to question Amy about Madame Findley. I sat off to the side while he talked with the child and I am convinced Amy is unaware of the medium’s death. Nothing in her behavior led me to believe she was not telling the truth.

I have no proof on which to base my growing suspicions, but I have a very strong feeling that when we learn the identity of the second spirit, we will know who killed Madame Findley and perhaps who tried to kill Chris.

Although Chris previously knew nothing about the female spirit, he has since seen her and she led him to a specific place in the woods, wanting him to do something. Chris came to find Barnabas and together they returned to the spot in the woods the woman indicated, where they found a shovel leaning against the tree. They began to dig and found an unmarked grave – the grave of a child - an infant. I have never been fond of forensic medicine, and even less so after the whole Adam and Eve business, and so am extremely grateful Barnabas did not bring the body to me, ask me to do an autopsy, and insist I tell him the exact cause of death. Instead he and Chris returned the child to its grave, after finding a pendant inside the coffin. It was a five pointed star – a pentagram - made of silver with the local silversmith’s mark on it, along with the inscription ‘To guard you from the wrath of Cerberus.’ Barnabas has contacted Mr. Braithwaite and asked him to search his records for any information on the piece, for while Barnabas was on the phone to the craftsman, the pendant disappeared. Is this another attempt by the spirit to prevent us from learning what we need to know? We can only hope Mr. Braithwaite’s records are helpful, while at the same time we ask ourselves why a child would be buried with such a talisman, and how this find will provide even some of the answers we are seeking.

The answers we need seem to be slipping further and further away. Ezra Braithwaite found the information Barnabas requested, but before he could tell Barnabas, Braithwaite died. Barnabas was certain the malevolent spirit had something to do with it, but I attended the man’s autopsy, I watched carefully as the silversmith’s organs were examined, and I agree with the findings. Mr. Braithwaite died of natural causes. He was an elderly man with a history of a heart condition, and no foul play – human or supernatural – was involved. I made certain Barnabas understands this, although I doubt he agrees with it or fully accepts it. He feels Braithwaite was killed to keep us from learning more about the pentagram pendant – to keep us from seeing the information in the ledger he brought with him. David, who was the last person to see Braithwaite alive, is certain he brought a ledger with him, but the book has vanished as mysteriously as the pendant itself. David was also present when Barnabas found Braithwaite’s body, and is both distressed and upset. Barnabas was determined to question David about the ledger and its disappearance, but Roger returned from his overseas trip and put an abrupt end to the inquiry.

Whatever malevolent spirit is at work in this house is very determined. Barnabas and I had gained Elizabeth’s permission to examine the household records from the late 1890’s, hoping to find something – a receipt, a bill of sale, an entry in an account book – anything – that might give us more information regarding the silver pendant. We were about to begin our search when Roger demanded to speak with Barnabas, alone, adamant that Barnabas apologize to David for questioning him about the ledger book that was – apparently – on the desk in the drawing room all along. Except it was not there, and the page containing the pertinent information was gone – torn from the book – a fresh tear. Roger was in no frame of mind to even consider what he would normally scoff at when he is in the most receptive of moods. Having no choice but to do as Roger asked, Barnabas did what was required of him to mollify Roger while I accompanied Elizabeth to the room where all the household records are kept. I’d barely begun my search when I found a photo of the woman, dated 1897. Then… I can only assume the malevolent spirit intervened, caused a disturbance that distracted and frightened me enough so the photo could be purloined. When Barnabas arrived to unlock the door that had not previously been locked, and let me out, the disturbance was over and the photo gone. I find myself wondering what might have happened had I the presence of mind to pick up the photo album and hold on to it during the disturbance. Would we still be in possession of the photo, or would I be numbered among the growing tally of mysterious deaths at Collinwood? (Episodes 683 – 687)

Tonight I had the… misfortune of meeting a most disagreeable, rude, disrespectful and rather impertinent young man by the name of Ned Stuart. He came to the cottage, looking for Chris, but Chris… As Barnabas and I were discussing what the stolen photo could mean, Chris phoned to say he needed help. We hurried to the cottage and found Chris in considerable pain – the pain that precedes his transformation into the werewolf, but the moon is past its full phase. There was nothing to do but get Chris to the secret room in the mausoleum so that if the change did occur, he would at least be confined and unable to hurt anyone.

Barnabas had barely returned to the cottage, where I was waiting, when Mr. Stuart arrived. He insisted on waiting for Chris to return, not caring that it might be some time. Mr. Stuart’s sister was apparently once engaged to Chris, but the engagement ended. He allowed Barnabas and I to assume his sister’s death was the reason, but when questioned he pretended not to know how we had reached that conclusion. It was nearly dawn when Mr. Stuart understood Chris would not be back for some time and that Barnabas and I were not going to be more forthcoming in regards to Chris and his whereabouts. I can only agree with what Mr. Stuart said. He is not here as a friend to Chris. 

Just after sunup, after Barnabas returned and told me of Chris Jennings’ return to human form, I made my way to the cottage, drew more blood for tests and left the estate to spend the day at Wyndecliffe. I am afraid, despite Chris’… unscheduled change and the blood samples I took almost immediately following his change back, that I have been unable to learn anything new or helpful in regards to the physical, chemical, and psychological changes Chris undergoes. I am beginning to believe I may have to get samples from Chris while the transformation is coming on – as he is actually changing, while he is in his altered form, and as the transformation is receding. I know how truly dangerous that will be to attempt, just as I know Barnabas will flatly refuse to allow me to attempt it, which is why I have not made the suggestion – yet. Although I believe it may be my best hope, I will wait to suggest it until all other options have been exhausted.

At the moment, my other options include furthering and deepening my research into lycanthropy. While the easily available information provided in folklore and legends is helpful to a degree, I am hoping to find some kind of medical reference to the condition, something that will give me a basis from which to continue – to begin. Unlike Barnabas, whose condition was evident in his blood chemistry, the cause of Chris’ complaint is not so… obvious. I have found no abnormal or destructive cell in his blood stream that could trigger his change. I am not prepared to abandon this line of research yet, even though I hold little hope of learning anything that will ultimately help Chris Jennings.

I’d not even gotten out of my car after returning from Wyndecliffe last night when Barnabas found me and urged me to go see Chris at the cottage. I had nothing encouraging to tell the young man, but that seemed a secondary concern. My skills as a psychiatrist were more in demand than my skills as a hematologist when I arrived. Ned Stuart had a talk with Chris. The young lady Chris was engaged to – Stuart’s sister – apparently is very much alive and Stuart is demanding Chris see her. Chris is in a state of near panic because he doesn’t know what to expect. Apparently the young woman – Sabrina – witnessed Chris’ transformation into the wolf form. Chris assumed he had killed Miss Stuart while in that form, but she is very much alive, and for her own reasons has not told her brother of what she witnessed. There was little I could do but advise Chris to go see her. We stayed with Chris until well after midnight, trying to calm him and convince him to go see Miss Stuart. I don’t know how successful we were, but Barnabas and I have left him alone. He must make the decision on his own. Because it was so late, Barnabas insisted I spend the night at the Old House, because it is closer to the cottage than Collinwood. I doubt I will ever understand the way Barnabas Collins thinks, which is one reason I have stayed on, hoping, when logic, common sense and reason tells me to leave him and this insanity that passes for normal at Collinwood behind and get on with my own life. The trouble is… my life is intricately entwined with his. It may always be so. (Episodes 687 – 691)

Once again Chris called, near panic. He asked me to come to the cottage and once there, I again told him the only way to put his own doubts and fears to rest, to find the answers to his own questions regarding Sabrina Stuart, was to see her. I offered to accompany him – as a friend. Mr. Stuart was less than pleased, but he seems to be a man who is less than pleased about anything that does not exactly conform to his wishes. I am trying to believe he acts as he does out of love and concern for his sister, but I am unable to rid myself of the notion he is using his sister’s condition toward his own purposes – whatever they may be.

Sabrina Stuart is in a state of emotional trauma – shock. She is able to see and hear, but reacts to nothing. She is confined to a wheelchair and her hair has gone completely white – from shock, clichéd as that is. Stuart was correct, however, in thinking that seeing Chris again might stimulate Sabrina to some reaction – some response. She saw Chris, pointed toward him, stood from her wheelchair, then she fell to the floor, unconscious. Stuart’s earlier objections to my being there were silenced as I stepped in to examine her and be sure she was not injured further. Stuart accused Chris of being responsible and I do believe he would have struck Chris had I not intervened and reminded him of Sabrina. With his grudging permission, I examined her further. Sabrina’s condition had not changed, despite her reaction to Chris. Jennings found that less than reassuring, but at least it tells him why Sabrina told no one what she witnessed – she is unable to or perhaps… unwilling to tell anyone, not knowing exactly what she witnessed, only knowing she must protect Chris from exposure. For a moment, when she looked at Chris, I saw reflected in Sabrina’s eyes fear and bewilderment, but underlying that was a look with which I am very familiar – the look of a woman in love who will go to extremes to protect the man she loves. Whether consciously or not, Sabrina is protecting Chris… I am speculating of course, but want to consider all the possibilities. There are so many and I instinctively know they are all – somehow – connected. The curse Chris is under, the supernatural activity at Collinwood, the deaths of Janet Findley and Ezra Braithwaite, the possession of the children, Sabrina’s condition, the dead infant, the missing ledger information, photo and pentagram… all are somehow connected. I just don’t know how – yet. (Episodes 692 – 693)

The exorcism appears to have been successful, but while I tried to be optimistic for David’s sake, I am reserving judgment until a bit more time has passed. Stokes has arranged to stay the night at Collinwood, and after tonight’s succession of less than calming events, I decided to take a walk. Not surprisingly I ended up at the Old House, where Barnabas was eager to hear about Miss Stuart and Stokes’ exorcism attempt. Barnabas shares my caution in regards to the exorcism, and expressed his doubts in regards to its… legitimacy. He doesn’t question Stokes’ sincerity or motives, just the value of the ritual. I could see a far distant memory in his eyes and dared to ask what it was. Barnabas told me of a self-proclaimed witch hunter, a Reverend Trask, who had performed an exorcism on the Old House in 1796. It was before Barnabas was aware of Angelique’s true nature, and while the ritual had no effect on Angelique, she used it to further the fraudulent case of witchcraft against Victoria Winters. Although Barnabas so recently was able to return to the past and save Vicki from being hanged as a witch, I could see the anger the memory still caused him.

I had stepped into the kitchen to make us both some tea when a frightened and distraught David arrived, fleeing Collinwood. Barnabas was able to calm him and David was beginning to tell Barnabas about what is going on at Collinwood when Roger arrived, angry and unsympathetic, accusing Barnabas and Stokes of creating this fear in David. Knowing how resentful Roger can sometimes be when others offer an opinion in regards to David, I stayed in the hallway, listening. It was not the time to step in and add my opinions to the mix. Knowing and accepting more than Roger ever will, Barnabas was able to calm both his cousins. David, however, refused to return to Collinwood, making me suspect the exorcism failed. Barnabas agreed to allow David to spend the night here at the Old House. Roger reluctantly agreed, but insisted David be home in time for breakfast. I have just looked in on David, and he is sleeping peacefully. I am hoping that after a good night’s sleep away from whatever is going on at Collinwood, away from the spirit that controls him, David will be able to tell either Barnabas or I what has been happening in that ancient house… … Collinwood belongs to the ghosts now. Professor Stokes’ exorcism failed and the malevolent spirit has succeeded in driving everyone from the house, claiming it as his own. Just after I looked in on David and was preparing for bed, Mrs. Stoddard and Roger appeared at the front door, needing refuge - seeking sanctuary. On Stokes’ advise, they have all left Collinwood, perhaps never again to return. Too overwhelmed with the immediacy of the problems and the needs of his family to think about how we might further combat this evil spirit, Barnabas insisted they all stay here. I woke Willie and we spent the next hour getting everyone settled. I question the wisdom of putting Maggie in Josette’s room considering her past history with not only the room, but the woman and the obsession, and Willie is none too easy with the arrangement either. He voiced the fears I am harboring – what if Maggie remembers? I had no answer for him or for myself, and while I dislike what this may force me to do later on, I will, at my first opportunity, hypnotize Maggie again and re-enforce the memory blocks I placed in her mind so many months ago, for although Barnabas is no longer as he was, he still fears discovery and I am still compelled to protect him. The easiest solution would be to assign Maggie to another room, but Barnabas would hear none of it when we mentioned it to him. And I must agree, it could cause more questions than either Barnabas or I am prepared to answer if he were to insist on a room change for Maggie now that everyone is settled, although I shouldn’t think anyone would question the wisdom of moving her to a room closer to the children.

I am too tired to think about any of this any more tonight. I am going to bed. (Episode 694)

We have a name for the malevolent spirit – Quentin Collins. He was born in 1870 and according to the family history, went to Paris in 1897 where nothing more was heard from him and he supposedly died there. Barnabas and I both know how inaccurate, fictitious, and… inventive the Collins family history can be. It was only luck that Maggie heard David call out to Quentin in his sleep. When I questioned her further, Maggie admitted she heard David calling for Quentin when she found him on the floor of his room, semi-conscious, his arm injured. I knew nothing of this injury and Maggie explained that David ran from the house, frightened, before she could call me. We went to ask David if I might examine his arm now, expecting him to deny anything to be wrong, to find both he and Amy missing. Maggie went to tell Barnabas, certain they have returned to Collinwood. Barnabas has taken Willie to search the house while Maggie and I search here.

Amy is safe for the moment, but David… Quentin has claimed David as his own. We don’t know if the possession is complete, only that David is missing – held somewhere in Collinwood. Amy is either unwilling or unable to answer our questions. Her concern for David is genuine, but her fear of Quentin is stronger. Until we can find some way to break his hold on the child, all we can do is continue to search the house, hoping to find David. I have said nothing, especially to Roger, who is distraught over David’s disappearance and upset over his own encounter with Quentin, but I believe searching will be futile. Somehow Quentin is aware of our plans, what our moves are to be, and will make certain we do not find David until he is ready for the boy to be found. Stokes is hopeful that tonight’s full moon will benefit us; he contends that possessed children are often restless during a full moon and hopes David will reveal himself tonight. I no longer know what to think or believe.

A full moon… What new wrinkle in Chris’ condition can we expect after his transformation without the moon phase? My research has revealed nothing and despite Barnabas’ stoic belief that a cure can be found for Chris Jennings, I am beginning to doubt it. Barnabas will not listen to me on this subject so I have not discussed my doubts with him – yet - but that may soon have to change. At least Chris will be confined this night. We may be no closer to helping him, but at least he can no longer hurt anyone.

I shared my concerns regarding Chris Jennings with Barnabas after a rather frantic plea from Barnabas to go examine Sabrina Stuart. Barnabas had gone to see Ned Stuart on behalf of Chris Jennings, who can’t go himself tonight, when Miss Stuart saw Barnabas’ wolf’s head cane and reacted rather strongly to it. While Stuart no doubt has his sister’s welfare I mind, his approach is best described as ‘bull in a china shop’. He has determined he will do whatever he must to help Sabrina remember, even if it seems brutal and verges on traumatizing her further. His ‘damn the consequences’ attitude is what sent Barnabas for me. Stuart’s methods may indeed be harsh and brutal, but – in this instance – were somewhat effective. I believe Sabrina is now able to talk – she has not yet done so – but she is able. I also believe she remembers what happened and for her own reasons is protecting Chris. I doubt Stuart will allow me to see her again. I as much as took myself completely off her case after he rudely refused to even consider my recommendations for further treatment – both long term and immediate. It must be done his way, everyone else be damned. When I told Barnabas of my doubts and concerns regarding Chris, he became intractable, insisting he would do all he could for Chris, with or without my help. He stopped just short of ordering me to continue searching for a cure. Barnabas is frightened for Chris. He understands the fear and stress of living one day to the next, dreading discovery while at the same time almost wishing for it, welcoming it as an end to the precarious existence of a supernatural being. I can understand his feelings, his determination to help, but as with his own curse, Barnabas may not be able to objectively determine where the fine line between possible and impossible begins. I am not sure I can anymore either, but I will do as Barnabas wishes, I will continue to search for a way to help Chris Jennings. (Episodes 695 – 698)

All our debating and speculation in regards to Chris and what we can or cannot do for him, all our worry over what Sabrina Stuart knows and may or may not tell may well have been for naught. Barnabas and I arrived to release Chris from the secret room nearly two hours after sunup, but… he had not changed back. He is still in his werewolf form. We have to consider the possibility – eventuality – that Chris may never be able to revert, that he will maintain the animal form at all times and then… I don’t like to think what the ultimate answer for that young man may be. For now, Barnabas is adding extra precautions so no one else will be able to have access to the mausoleum or the secret room while Chris is confined there. 

Barnabas is more convinced than ever that there are more connections than we can ever hope to realize between what has happened at Collinwood and to the children, and Chris Jennings. If we could determine why the ghost of Quentin wants the children… I tried to question Amy about it and in her fear she revealed Quentin had once tried to hurt Chris, but she could tell me no more – wouldn’t. Could it be Quentin who poisoned Chris? If so, why?

Maggie has been able to recall the sequence of events from the other night, when Barnabas found her at Collinwood, dressed in a Victorian style dress and unable to remember her name. She woke from a dream with the seeds of this recollection. Some gentle and careful coaxing and prodding from me helped her to recall more, and it was significant. Maggie knows the location of Quentin’s room. She and Barnabas have gone to see if David is being held there. So far Maggie shows no signs of recalling any of the memories she has that are associated with Josette’s room. I don’t know how long that will last. 

Both children are back here at the Old House but… I do not know how or what I can do… David is dying and there is little I can do to help him, to save him. His life is in the hands of another – of Quentin – and all my medical and psychological knowledge is useless in trying to combat that control, that possession. If the child is still alive by nightfall I will be extremely surprised – and grateful. I have spoken with Roger, who is determined to stay with David while I must go down and tell the others.

While in Quentin’s room, Stokes found an ancient form of Chinese divination called I-Ching. In his desperation to help David, Barnabas has decided this I-Ching is the only way. According to Stokes, using the I-Ching sends the soul into the infinite; the events are seen through the soul’s eye and experienced by the astral body. There is one chance in a million that this will help David, but Barnabas is adamant and Stokes has agreed.

Barnabas threw the 49th hexagram – the hexagram of change. The guide book states a person can be changed or experience change with this hexagram. As Barnabas sat, concentrated and entered the trance, he was able to relate what he was seeing – a chained coffin. Barnabas is trying to contact Quentin Collins, in the 1890’s, a time when he was chained in his coffin, a vampire slowly starving and going insane with the torture of it. Will Barnabas be changed back into that creature? Will he change back to the vampire that existed in that century? I dare not think about it, yet I can’t get the possibility from my mind… Or will Barnabas be able to somehow change the events that have caused Quentin’s ghost to possess the children? It is this last possibility for which I hold the most hope.

Barnabas has entered the I-Ching trance, made the journey and I can only hope and pray he is safe and protected – wherever he is. His body sits in a chair at the table in the cellar of the Old House while his soul is… elsewhere. Before he left, Barnabas told me not to worry, that he would be all right. Futile advise for worry is all I can do now. Barnabas is beyond my ability to help him and I am left here to help Chris, to help David… where help may not be possible. (Episodes 699 – 700)