The Stoddard Institute - Collinsport, Maine
"It was so nice of you to come by and help us with the students, Elizabeth", Barnabas Collins remarked to his cousin, the Matriach of the Collins family, Elizabeth Stoddard Collins as he walked her to her car.
"It's my pleasure, Barnabas", Elizabeth smiled. "I spent far too many years living as a recluse in that old house. And now, with yourself and Quentin helping to run this school, I just wanted to help and do my part."
"And you've been a great help with the students" Barnabas remarked. "The children really do seem to enjoy your classes in business management."
"They are a fine group of young people", Elizabeth remarked. "Despite their odd abilities and powers, which admittingly did take a little getting used to, I have really grown to like and enjoy them a great deal."
"That's what most people seem to have trouble seeing", Barnabas said grimly. "Despite having mutant abilities or other powers, the bottom line is that they are still just normal teenagers and young people where it matters most. Most people can't get past the powers."
"Well, I think they're wonderful youngsters", Elizabeth smiled. "And I think that you and Quentin are both wonderful for doing this, being their teachers and helping them adapt to this crazy and sometimes cruel world."
"Thank you for saying that", Barnabas smiled. "It was not an easy decision for either of us, but after so many years of taking and being on the wrong side of things, I feel it's the right decision and a positive step in my goal of redemption."
"Hogwash", Elizabeth said. "You've redeemed yourself many times over for your past. You're a good man, Barnabas Collins."
"Not everyone would agree with that assessment", Barnabas sighed. "I did a lot of evil and bad things in my lifetime."
"And you've done quite a bit of good as well... and still do", Elizabeth smiled. "And don't let anyone tell you any different. And now, let me go so I can get back to Collinwood before nightfall."
"Are you sure you wouldn't rather stay the night?", Barnabas asked. "Or have Agatha or Starr use their powers to teleport you home?"
"I'll be fine. I have to stop in the village and pick up a few things anyhow", Elizabeth smiled. "Don't forget that you and Julia are coming to dinner this weekend."
"I won't forget", Barnabas smiled as he gave his cousin a kiss on her cheek. "Call the school when you get home to let us know that you arrived safely."
"I will", Elizabeth smiled as she climbed into her car. And with a small wave, Elizabeth Stoddard Collins started up the engine of her station wagon and drove off down the long winding driveway of the Stoddard Institute as Barnabas Collins watched her leave.
Glancing at his watch, Barnabas turned and walked back inside the school.
"And now, I believe I have a danger room session scheduled with several of the students", he thought to himself as he entered the building.
**
Elizabeth Stoddard Collins smiled to herself as she drove down the narrow road leading to Collinwood. It was such a wonderful thing that Barnabas and Quentin were doing with the Stoddard Institute, trying to help those children. And Barnabas seemed so much happier now. Thanks to a serum, he was now able to survive the rays of the sun and no longer had the necessity of drinking blood.
Elizabeth felt an involuntary shudder go through her body. She had known for years that Barnabas suffered under the curse of the vampire, even long before he admitted it. And though the thought scared her, Barnabas was family and she had been determined, from the very beginning, to be there for him. And Quentin as well. Their curses were not their fault and Elizabeth knew in her heart that she should embrace and help them rather than condemn as so many others felt compelled to do.
And now, the two "black sheep" of the Collins family were running a private school for children who had been gifted with abilities and powers. They were giving back and helping those "misfits of society" so that perhaps, they wouldn't have to go through the same pain and banishment that both Barnabas and Quentin had suffered. Barnabas had mentioned redemption in their earlier conversation.
"If that's what he wants to call it", Elizabeth smiled to herself as she pulled into driveway in front of the regal estate known as Collinwood, "then so be it. I just know it's a good and wonderful thing."
Elizabeth parked her car and walked around to the passenger side to get her bags from the car. Dusk had just started to fall and the great house looked dark and grim in the shadows.
"It's already dark" Elizabeth thought as she locked her car doors and picked up her bags. "I shouldn't have spent so much time talking to the clerk at the store."
Elizabeth walked, key in hand, up to the back door of the old house, leading into the kitchen. As she reached to put her key in the door and unlock it, it pushed open, already unlocked and unlatched.
"Something is wrong", Elizabeth thought to herself as she peered into the doorway into her kitchen. "Mrs. Johnson, are you there?", she cried out.
Elizabeth sat her bags down on the counter and slowly and quietly began to walk into her house.
"Mrs. Johnson? Is anyone here?", she asked once more, a little more loudly.
Then pushing open the swinging door leading into the dining room, Elizabeth saw the body. Her housekeeper, Mrs. Johnson, laying face down on the floor of the dining room.
Elizabeth quickly moved over to the body and knelt down to check on her housekeeper. She was not breathing and Elizabeth couldn't detect a heartbeat. And Elizabeth noticed, on the neck of her housekeeper, were two tiny red marks.
Her face growing pale, Elizabeth quickly stood up and moved away from the body, looking around the room. She knew she had to get out of there immediately and get some help. Elizabeth moved quickly towards the doorway, preparing to exit the same way she came in. As she approached the door in the kitchen, leading back to the garage, a figure dropped down in front of her.
He was a young boy, probably in his late teens. He was tall and lanky and had a mohawk hairstyle. Elizabeth recognized him immediately as the teenage son of a neighbor, who had died in some sort of hunting accident a few weeks earlier.
"James?", she said tentatively.
The young man hissed at her, revealing large fangs in his mouth and a crazed expression as his faced changed from the moderately handsome youth Elizabeth recognized into a hideous, bumpy faced demon.
As he moved towards her, Elizabeth quickly reached into her pocket and pulled out a cross that had been given to her by her mother so many years ago. At the sight of the cross, the young fledgling vampire hissed and shreiked, throwing his arms up to cover his eyes and turned, running out the door. Elizabeth moved quickly and slammed the door shut, locking it and putting the dead-bolt into place. She quickly moved to the phone and hit the first number on her speed dial.
"Hello, this is Elizabeth Stoddard Collins. I need to speak to either Barnabas or Quentin immediately. It's an emergency!"
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