October 1970 - Page 38

Another death at Collinwood. It would seem that while we were preoccupied with the likes of Gerard, Daphne, (and yes, Roxanne) a more immediate danger has presented itself, and now threatens us all. Tonight, as Barnabas and I made our way through the woods, we came upon the unconscious body of Hortense Smiley, the children’s governess. She’d been viciously attacked, and nearly decapitated. I attempted to at least stop the bleeding, but my efforts proved to be too little, too late. The poor woman died--terrified--mumbling something about a headless man. At first I attributed it to the delusional ramblings of a dying brain, but Quentin’s reaction to her words was troubling. His demeanor led Barnabas and I to wonder whether he knew more about the circumstances of the attack than he wished to divulge.

I found out later that our hunch had been correct. Quentin related to Barnabas what he knew of a certain Judah Zachary--tried and executed for the practice of witchcraft in the year 1692. The manner of his execution was decapitation, and legend has it that his head still retains its evil powers. Desmond unwittingly brought this menace home to Collinwood when he returned from abroad. It seems he’d purchased the head in his travels as a curiosity, intending it as a present for Quentin. I can only imagine Flora’s reaction when she saw it!

In any event, Quentin believes that Judah Zachary has managed to summon his body from its resting place, and gone on a murderous rampage. The manner of Hortense’s death is so similar to Ben’s--I strongly suspect that he may have fallen prey to this creature as well. As disturbing as it is, it certainly makes more sense than the suicide theory.

Meanwhile, the intrigue continues between the current master of Collinwood and his wife. For reasons I will never comprehend, Samantha has chosen Gerard over Quentin, who apparently thwarted her plans to secretly remove Tad from Collinwood this night. I suspect that Hortense may have met her end while assisting Samantha in some way.

More bad news, though not entirely unexpected. Neither Barnabas nor I were successful tonight in our appointed tasks. He in his search for Judah Zachary’s body, and I in my attempt to persuade Daphne Harridge to leave Collinsport. I suppose I might have approached the situation differently had I not been distracted by the Judah Zachary business. I’d hardly introduced myself to the girl before warning her that accepting a position at Collinwood might lead to her death. With no evidence to back me up, my story must have sounded outrageous. I’m not sure why Daphne came to Collinsport in the first place, but she made it clear she has no intention of leaving. I’m afraid she will be offered the governess position soon, and we will be one step closer to disaster.

Quentin and Samantha. Theirs is a marriage in the true Collins tradition--a union held together by deception, mistrust, hate. Quentin will not allow Tad to leave Collinwood, and Samantha will not leave Tad, which brings their situation to a stalemate. Although she has not said as much, I believe Samantha has begun to see Gerard’s true colors. Quentin, on the other hand, still considers him his best friend, which suits Gerard’s purposes at the moment. Gabriel remains fascinated by all the intrigue, which has thankfully diverted his attention from Barnabas and me for the moment. The turmoil, while unfortunate, has given me more freedom to come and go without attracting attention. I plan to go to the newspaper office in the morning to find out what I can about Judah Zachary. I don’t know how well records have been preserved from that long ago, but Barnabas feels it is imperative that we learn all we can.

I am worried as well as puzzled by what I now know about Judah Zachary. By all accounts, Zachary was an extremely treacherous and dangerous man. Referring to himself as the “devil’s son”, he founded a witches coven and began a reign of terror in the town of Bedford, circa 1692. Only one of his followers, identified only as Miranda, dared testify against him at his trial. Based on her testimony, he was convicted of witchcraft and beheaded. His body was buried in an undisclosed location, but his head mysteriously disappeared. Violence and death always accompany its reappearance.

Interestingly, I may have found a link between Judah and the Collins family. One of the three judges that condemned Judah to death was named Amadeus Collins, great uncle to Barnabas, and direct ancestor of the present Collins family. Legend has it that Judah cursed the members of the panel that convicted him. If true, it would certainly explain the misfortune and tragedy that surrounds the Collins family, past, present, and future.

Barnabas believes, and I agree, that Judah Zachary is an integral part of, and perhaps the impetus for the events we know will occur in 1840 as well as in our own time. But in 1970 it was Gerard Stiles, not Judah Zachary who brought about the death and destruction at Collinwood. Why is it that we knew nothing of this man? His name is not mentioned in any of the family historical documents, public or private. Nor did Daphne make any reference to him. Gerard Stiles, thus far, has proven to be a despicable con man who has become quite adept at interfering in and disrupting life at Collinwood. Although I am wary of him, I do not sense the overwhelming evil he exuded in our own time. Could there be a connection between him and Judah Zachary?

There was little time to ponder these questions before another unexpected and unpleasant complication entered the picture, in the form of Angelique. Barnabas was absolutely dumbstruck at her appearance, as was I. She has no knowledge of me, and was extremely suspicious of my connection to Barnabas. I tried to take my lead from Barnabas and said very little. She knows the story we have given to the family is a lie, but she cannot betray either of us without also giving herself away.

I can only blame myself. If only I hadn’t needed to see Barnabas so badly when I first arrived! As a direct result of my actions, Roxanne has been attacked, and Angelique has resurfaced. She is not suppose to be here, just as we are not. How far reaching will the ramifications of our interference be? Perhaps even the appearance of Judah Zachary can be attributed to our meddling. I just don’t know.

The concerns I had earlier this evening have little significance now, for I have come to experience the overwhelming power of Judah Zachary for myself.

It was his eyes. Leticia brought me to him and I looked into his eyes--what power they have! Everything and everyone else other than Judah has become an intrusion in my life. Judah’s influence over Leticia and me is overwhelming, and I have no strength to fight him. I know what he wants me to do, and I cannot fail. Judah Zachary must live again.

I have been able to successfully join Judah’s head to his body, but am privately doubtful whether this experiment can ever be successful. I have used all the medical knowledge I possess, but know that it will ultimately be the supernatural element that will determine the outcome. Leticia is exhausted, poor thing, from the endless errands I have sent her on, but neither one of us can afford to rest.

Nor can we afford to attract suspicion, as I was reminded when I returned to Collinwood. Through separate encounters with Barnabas and Angelique, I learned that she has issued her “husband” an ultimatum regarding Roxanne Drew. It certainly did not take her long to uncover the attraction between them. She has told Barnabas she will spare Roxanne’s life as long as Barnabas agrees never to see her again. Barnabas knows he must comply. Any other time I would have been sympathetic, and offer him whatever comfort I could. But tonight I did not. Thankfully, he was preoccupied to notice.

Before I could leave, Angelique (or Valerie as she calls herself now) confronted me about my true relationship with Barnabas. It brought to mind another conversation between us (which from her perspective has not yet happened) in which she accused me of being in love with him. Angelique in any incarnation is extremely astute and very dangerous. I’m sure it won’t be long before she uncovers the depth of my feelings for Barnabas and exploits them. But I cannot concern myself with that now.

Leticia has gone to retrieve Judah’s jeweled mask from Rose Cottage, which is essential for the transfer of the life force. And here I sit--surrounded by flasks of bubbling chemicals, crude electrical equipment, and a lifeless body on the table before me. Leticia has called me a sorceress. I feel more like Dr. Frankenstein.

The electrical storm proved most effective as a catalyst, and the experiment appears to have been successful. I am able to detect a faint but steady heart beat. Part of me wonders what evil we are unleashing. Part of me does not care. Judah Zachary is alive!

I don’t know whether I would have been successful or not, but I thank God for Barnabas’ suspicions. Judah’s vital signs had grown weaker and I returned to Collinwood to get more adrenaline to revive him. Barnabas was waiting for me there. He’d caught me in a lie, and confronted me about it. At first I was indignant, and ordered him to leave me alone. But he knew something was terribly wrong and refused to let me go. It was agony. I could feel Judah’s cries in my mind, and fire on his body. It was almost too much to bear.

But then in the blink of an eye, it was gone. Judah’s hold over me had vanished, replaced in an instant by guilt, remorse, disbelief. How could I have done it? How could he have controlled me so completely? Why couldn’t I have fought him? Barnabas was more supportive and sympathetic to me than I deserved. No matter what I’ve done, he never places any blame. Sometimes I wish he would.

We returned to the underground vault to make sure that Judah was indeed dead. It appeared that some kind of explosion had occurred as the room was in shambles. Debris covered the body, and I could detect no signs of life. Barnabas is satisfied that Judah is dead, and no longer a threat to us. By all appearances that is the case, but I cannot dismiss the doubt that lingers in my mind.

In my haste to help Barnabas, I may have inadvertently caused the death of the woman he loves. We had barely returned to Collinwood when a gloating Lamar Trask sauntered into the drawing room, announcing that he and Roxanne would soon be married. Barnabas’s apparent rejection had left the girl vulnerable, and he had wasted no time moving in for the kill.

I didn’t have to be psychically endowed to know that Barnabas wanted nothing more than to break Trask’s neck right there and then. And I’m not altogether sure I would have interfered--the sanctimonious hypocrite! After he left, Barnabas was ready to risk breaking his agreement with Angelique to see Roxanne, but I convinced him that I should go instead. Although I did not wish to see Roxanne with Barnabas for my own selfish reasons, I certainly didn’t want her to marry that snake Trask. Roxanne seemed open to what I had to say, but I now regret telling her that Barnabas still cared for her.

Not an hour later, she burst into Collinwood, declared her love for Barnabas, and foolishly confronted Angelique. Barnabas tried unsuccessfully to appease the witch, but the petulance of youth had sealed Roxanne’s fate. Angelique caused Roxanne’s wounds to reopen when she returned home, and she bled to death just as I arrived--too late. Lamar Trask has sworn vengeance against Barnabas, whom he blames for Roxanne’s death. Although he has no proof, he has vowed to learn Barnabas’ secret, and I have no doubt he will be as unrelenting as his father.

A more immediate concern--Trask has Roxanne’s body at his chapel, and Barnabas and I both know what will happen when the sun sets tomorrow.

I knew it was bound to happen, but I’d hoped we’d have more time before it did. Angelique’s brazen snooping into my belongings has paid off, and she is now in possession of my appointment book from 1970. (I’m grateful I have begun to keep this journal on my person, or she might have found it as well.) She confronted me this afternoon, and I was eventually forced to tell her of our journey through time. She was fascinated by the possibility of time travel, but even more so by her existence in that future time. I reminded her that if events in this time period are not altered, she may not have the opportunity to exist in the future. She was quick to point out what I already have considered--that Barnabas and I may be trapped in this time right along with her.

How vain she is, but how ignorant! She can’t fathom that Barnabas would trust me with his secret and allow me to live. I take some satisfaction from the knowledge that despite the intimacy she has shared with Barnabas, she understands him so little.

Angelique has told me she considers me an enemy and will treat me as such. She believes I have turned Barnabas against her in some way (as if he needs help from me in that department). And now she has left me with a chilling warning I can only construe as a threat--that the future will change for me. I’m positive she is referring to my immediate future, and that her meaning will become clear all too soon.

Roxanne’s brother Randall arrived with many questions for Barnabas. He’d obviously been prepped by Trask, but I believe his suspicions have been put to rest. Roxanne’s funeral is over, and I have an important duty to perform. I am ready to leave but suddenly feel extremely tired, so will end this entry and be on my way.

I barely have the strength to write, but I must try. I want some record of these events to survive me. Thanks to Angelique, I arrived to late to stake Roxanne, and now have become her victim. Roxanne’s attack was particularly brutal, and I know it will not be long before I bleed to death. I’m too weak to offer much resistance and Angelique knows it. It is she who controls Roxanne now, and I have little hope of rescue. Barnabas must be looking for me by now, but doubt he will find me in time.

I have apparently been brought to an abandoned lighthouse, but have no memory of how I got here. Angelique and her gypsy servant Laszlo have been my only “visitors”. She mentions Barnabas’ devotion to me, and enjoys taunting me with the fact that soon, I will be closer to him than I ever imagined. Her words, but all too true. There is a part of me that has always longed to share his existence with him, to ease the terrible loneliness he feels. I would have done so willingly. But Angelique is not about to allow that to happen. Every time I awaken, she seems to be there, gloating. I do not wish to have her face be the final memory of my natural life.

Briefly, there was hope. I believed Laszlo’s loyalty could be bought, and thought I had him convinced to go to Barnabas and demand money for my release. He wavered for a moment, but in the end did not think it worth his while. I notice my ring is missing. He must have taken it, but it doesn’t matter. Soon, nothing will.

I wasn’t sure at first whether it was real, but welcomed it just the same. I thought I heard his voice--Barnabas’ voice. In my state of mind, I could not tell if he actually had found me or whether it was another of Angelique’s cruel tricks. Although I feared it was the latter, it really was him--protecting me from Roxanne, leading me away from my prison.

From what I can tell, I am at Rose Cottage. I am still extremely weak and my survival very much in doubt, but the bleeding has stopped for the moment. Flora is watching over me, and she believes I am unable to speak. I’m grateful for her ministrations, but have no desire to answer her questions, well meaning though they are. The cross she has placed on my chest affords me some comfort, but I’m aware it will not be enough should Angelique find me. Barnabas is searching for Roxanne, and I know he is torn between his concern for me and his love for her. My fate is in his hands.

(Episodes 1129 - 1149)