Chapter 16: Fire and Pain
"My name is Victoria Winters. A curse of darkness lasting for two centuries has finally been lifted. One who believed he would never see the light again now stands in the sun. But darkness can never be destroyed completely. It lingers on the edges, in the hidden corners of the soul. Though the shadows may have changed shape, still they lurk, awaiting the time they can emerge once again."
SCENE 1
Sunlight streamed through the uncurtained window as Barnabas Collins stood at the sill, staring out into the brightness. He could feel the heat on his face and body; it was a sensation he never expected to know again. The expression on his face was still one of shock and disbelief. He reached out and put his hand upon the glass as if he could take the light in his grasp and keep it forever, so he would never be parted from it again.
Julia appeared at his shoulder looking at him expectantly. Though he was loath to turn away from the window, he looked at her, responding to her unasked question. "Yes, Julia, it seems to be true. The only effect the sun has on me is one of unspeakable joy." He turned back to the window.
She started to reach out to him, thinking he might turn to dust before her eyes. But her wonderment could not distract her for long. This 'miracle' was too good to be true, and Julia's natural suspicion didn't trust it, especially considering the source. She did not trust this odd doctor and his charming smile. Dr. Hoffman turned to Dr. Lang. "How did you do this?"
Eric took a step toward her. "It's a simple procedure, actually. A blood transfusion introduces healthy cells into the system. Then the introduction of a special formula I developed arrests the production of the destructive cells that cause the vampirism. This creates a balance in his chemical makeup that makes him human again." He moved in close to her. "I'd be glad to discuss the specifics with you sometime, Doctor, over dinner perhaps?"
Surprised by his forwardness, Julia was stunned for a moment. Then her eyes darkened, a furious expression growing on her face. Lang refused to be intimidated, not moving away from her. Though she hardly wanted to create a scene in front of Barnabas, it seemed she would have to say something when Barnabas spoke, breaking her train of thought. "Dr. Lang," his deep voice rang out. They both turned to him, their moment over. "I don't know how I can ever thank you. I am finally free of this curse forever."
Lang walked to the other side of the room and picked up Barnabas' chart from the table. "I'm afraid that isn't quite true, Mr. Collins." Noticing the ex-vampire's puzzled expression, Lang explained, "The serum breaks down after a certain period of time, so you'll have to come in about once a week for injections in order to keep up the levels in your system. Also, you'll develop immunity to the treatment. At best, it will only be effective for about six months."
Both Barnabas and Julia looked stricken, as the implications became clear. Six months as a normal man, then he would revert back to what he was. It would almost have been better to leave him as a vampire, rather then give him this taste of freedom, just to take it away again. "So I am not free after all. I will return to the night again to live out eternity as the monster I was before." He stared forlornly out the window.
"Not necessarily." Barnabas snapped his head around to look at the silver-haired doctor. Lang smiled, seeing he had gotten his attention. "I am working on an experiment that might be a permanent cure for your condition. Actually, the experiment is unrelated to your situation, but the cure would be pleasant side effect if you agree to participate." Julia started to interrupt, but Lang cut her off. "But we will discuss that another time." He headed to the door. "Now I need to check on Miss Winters. If you'll excuse me."
Julia stopped him. "I have one more question, Dr. Lang. It took me weeks of study before I could even attempt a cure. You just met Barnabas last night. How did you come up with a successful treatment in so short a time, even if it is temporary?"
Dr. Lang let out a hearty laugh. "Dr. Hoffman, I'm surprised. Really. How elitist of you. Do you honestly believe Barnabas Collins is the only vampire in the world?" Still chuckling, Lang exited the room as Barnabas and Julia stared at each other in shock.
SCENE 2
"I'm so glad to see you are all right, Vicki," Elizabeth said, sitting at her bedside. "When I found the note from Julia saying you had been in an accident, I was so worried."
"I'm just fine Mrs. Stoddard. I can't wait to go back to Collinwood. I already feel confined."
"You just rest up," Elizabeth patted Vicki's leg. "We want you back, but not until you're completely recovered. After Carolyn's strange spell, I don't want anything to happen to you."
Vicki sat up. "What happened to Carolyn?"
"I'm not really sure. We were talking about her strange behavior recently, and the next thing I knew she practically collapsed in the hall. I took her to her room and she passed out on the bed. Needless to say, I was scared to death, but just a few minutes later Carolyn woke up claiming to feel better than she had in a long time. I wanted to have Julia examine her, and when I went to look for her I found the note and came right here."
The governess remembered how she had woken up earlier feeling the same way. "That's strange…" she was interrupted by the door opening as Jeff came into the room.
Elizabeth turned, and her reaction was immediate. "Joe?" She rose from her chair. "Joe Haskell, is that you?"
Jeff looked at Vicki, unsure of what to do. She quickly rescued him, reassuring Mrs. Stoddard. "This is Jeff Clark. He's Dr. Lang's assistant." She took in Elizabeth's unbelieving expression. "Don't worry. Jeff should be used to it by now. Dr. Hoffman and I both did the same thing."
Liz looked back at Vicki, then turned to Jeff again. "I am sorry, Mr. Clark. But the resemblance is astonishing."
"That's quite all right, ma'am," Jeff laughed. "As Vicki said, I'm getting used to having a twin. Or twins, it seems. Miss Winters seems to think I also look like someone named Peter Bradford." Elizabeth gave Vicki a puzzled look as he continued. "I'll have to meet my look-a-likes one day."
Still looking at the young governess, Elizabeth mouthed the words, "Peter Bradford?" Victoria looked back at her, and suddenly she remembered where she heard the name. Vicki had told her of the kind, handsome lawyer who had captured her heart in 1790. The way Vicki was looking at this Jeff Clark told Liz that she was infatuated with him. And the way Jeff looked back at Vicki told her the feeling was mutual. Suddenly she realized she was a third wheel. Unable to keep from smiling slightly, she excused herself. "I really must go see how Barnabas is doing. It was good to meet you, Mr. Clark." She stood, and looked back at Victoria. "Take care of her please."
Without removing his own eyes from Vicki, Jeff answered, "I fully intend to, Mrs. Stoddard." After she left, Jeff said, "She's psychic, isn't she."
Victoria giggled. "No, just very perceptive. She knows when two people want to be alone."
Jeff looked down, a twinge of red on his cheeks. "Actually, I just came to tell you that Dr. Lang says, barring any complications, you should be able to go home tomorrow."
"I wish it was now. I feel fine."
"He just wants to make sure. And I won't pretend I'm not ecstatic about having you around another night."
Now it was Vicki's turn to blush. "It's just that I recently spent more time confined than I wanted to, and I decided I didn't like it." She changed the subject. "So how long have you been working for Dr. Lang?"
"Only for about a month or so. It's not the best job in the world, but it had the benefit of meeting you, so it's not all that bad." He grinned at her.
"What did you do before this? Where are you from?" Jeff looked away, suddenly uncomfortable. When it was obvious he wasn't going to answer, Vicki continued, "I'm sorry. It must seem like I'm prying. You hardly even know me, and here I am, asking all these questions…"
"No, it's not that," Jeff interrupted. "It's just that I don't like to think about the past." He turned back to Vicki, smiling again. "I prefer to think about the future. Specifically, that dinner you promised to have with me."
She smiled back. "Well, I seem to be free tomorrow night. Would that be suitable for you?"
"I think I can fit that into my schedule. Should I pick you up at Collinwood?"
Vicki hesitated. "That might not be the best idea. Mrs. Stoddard's daughter was Joe Haskell's girlfriend. It might be upsetting if she sees you without being warned first. Why don't we meet at the restaurant?"
Now Jeff was slightly embarrassed again. "I'm afraid I don't know too many places around here. I haven't gotten out much."
Vicki chuckled a bit, then stopped herself. "Why don't I pick you up here, then?"
Jeff pointed at her. "That is a great idea. Then you can tell me where to go." He laughed. "Sorry I'm so helpless."
"That's alright. I think it's very sweet."
"Well, I do have some work to do, so I guess I should get going and let you rest." Reluctantly, he turned toward the door.
Just as he had his hand on the knob, Vicki called out to him. "Oh, Peter?"
He turned back. "Yes, Vicki?"
She struggled for something to say. She hadn't planned beyond getting him to react to the name. "I just wanted to tell you how much I'm looking forward to tomorrow night."
Jeff smiled. "Me too. I'll be back to see you later." He left, closing the door behind him.
Vicki lay back down and closed her eyes. "I knew you would come back to me, Peter. I knew you would never leave me."
