As dust cast its ominous shadows over the Collins estate, Julia and I returned from seeing Ned and Sabrina. Julia told me to come into the drawing room, that a drink might help settle my nerves. That wasn’t going to help me stop thinking about Sabrina. Julia pointed out that her situation hasn’t changed in spite of the fact that she collapsed. She examined her thoroughly.
Nevertheless, I can’t think about anything else… she just sat there staring at me. Julia reminded me that she couldn’t speak, so she couldn’t identify me. I don’t care about that. I’d just as soon she did it, tell everyone about it. She was young, she was beautiful, she was alive, now she’s a vegetable. Julia told me I wasn’t responsible. What did she mean? Of course I was responsible! I’m not going to take that cop out anymore.
Julia said that she and Barnabas have been trying to help me and perhaps if they succeed, I can help Sabrina. How? I don’t believe it. There’s not a chance of anyone helping… not Julia… not anybody else. I stormed out of the house, with Julia shouting after me.
Outside, I found Carolyn standing by the fountain. She ran over to me and grabbed my hand, glad to see me. But she soon realized something was wrong and asked what was the matter? I told her I spent the afternoon in the cottage thinking things over and I decided I had to leave Collinsport. A look of disbelief and sadness crossed her face.
I told her I had packed and was sorry it hadn’t worked out. She asked what hadn’t worked out? I replied, “You and me.” She said she didn’t understand. I told her so little she never knew if “you and me” meant anything or not. The only thing she was sure about is the way she felt about me since I cam back to Collinsport. I told her I didn’t think I should have come back.
She persisted, as usual, saying that I still hadn’t told her anything, and asked if this could be the one time I explained myself. I told her I didn’t know how; I just wouldn’t know where to start. She changed demeanor and said she guessed if you go through life never committing yourself, you’ll just never lose.
I told her to believe me, I had to go, and she was part of the reason. She told me to stop it; don’t tell her I was leaving because I love her. I paused and carefully told her that I do love her. She replied that she loved me. She then walked away from me and said that takes care of that. We both said it, the book’s closed, the story’s over.
I followed her and asked her to forgive me. She said she didn’t have to. She loved me and maybe if I stopped running it would finally dawn on me. She quietly said, “Goodbye, Chris,” and walked away.
As I was leaving, I ran into Julia. She told me she heard I was leaving and asked what I hoped to accomplish by running away. I told her I didn’t know… I really didn’t know, but I wasn’t going to hang around here and hurt anybody. She said I had already done that. I replied to give Carolyn a few weeks and she’d get over it. She told me it wouldn’t help. Wherever I go, there will always be another Sabrina or another Carolyn.
She said the only answer was to stay there and let them help us. Barnabas and her? I told her not to push me. I’d made up my mind. She then told me if I wouldn’t stay for Carolyn, I must stay for Amy’s sake. What was she talking about?
She and Barnabas believe there’s a definite connection between my affliction and the supernatural events that have been affecting the children. What does that have to do with Amy? She told me Professor Stokes believes there are two spirits in the house, and the children are possessed by them. Possessed?!?
She then said the danger may be over by tonight… they hoped. Nobody told me the children were even in any danger! She told me there was evidence the spirits know something about the curse that made me the way I am. If we can find out what that is, then perhaps we can end the curse. During a moment of science, I circled Julia, occasionally looking at her. I paused, then quietly told her I would stay.
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