The Final Days and Night's of Sarah Collins Chapter 23
=A0Part one of the=A0=A0~=A0Epilogue. ~
=A0
Unknown to everyone, aside from Joshua Collins and of course Ben
Stokes, Barnabas Collins lie in his coffin a mere few feet away, within
a hidden room, as his young sister, Sarah Collins, aged ten years, her
passing due to exposure was laid to her final rest within the Collins
Family mausoleum. =A0=A0
=A0=A0=A0
As the large stone tomb was sealed atop her small coffin, Sarah's
Mother Naomi wept openly, Joshua Collins, insisting that his grief was
more personal kept his brave face.
=A0=A0=A0=A0
The Service was attending only by immediate family, although many of
the household servants attended the young Collins' funeral, several
having know little Sarah since her birth, and being very fond of her
wished to give their last respects.
=A0=A0=A0=A0
=A0=A0Ben Stokes wept... although his sadness and tears were more for
Mrs. Collins than for himself... Naomi Collins had now suffered though
the death's of both her children, what she needed was someone near her
to comfort her, it was ashamed that the only person close enough to her
was not there for her... Joshua Collins was as cold as the tomb that
little Sarah was now going to spend the rest of eternity in. =A0=A0=A0
=A0=A0Ben made sure to stand in the background, occasionally he would
glance towards the back wall of the mausoleum... Thinking to himself.
"Mr.Barnabas will want to know everything that went on today... I wish I
can tell him that his parents were united in their grief, I could lie to
him but he would know... "
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0
At sundown, standing in front of the mausoleum gate Ben looks off into
the distant setting sun... dreading this night more than those before.
=A0 Taking hold of the door, his large fingers twist the handle till the
latch gives way, slowly opening the gate Ben stops suddenly when
hearing the squeak of the iron hinges that held the gate in place.
Glancing side to side making sure no unexpected wonder heard him,
perhaps even among the dead. Ben continues and enters the small room.
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0
The flowers atop Sarah's tomb catch his attention, casting his eye's
down again as they were though most of her funeral, when the sound of
the secret door on the back wall brought him back to the present.
Out steps Barnabas, his long cloak moving around his boots, Barnabas'
stance, speech and manner are those of a born nobleman. Looking to Ben,
then to Sarah's tomb, Barnabas turns takes the ring that is in the
lion's mouth and pulling it closes the hidden door. Stepping towards
the pretty flowers, Barnabas speaks. "How peaceful she rests... but I
can not find rest can I Ben, not with this curse upon me, I know its my
fault that Sarah lies within this cold place... it was because of my
curse that she died, just for loving me."
=A0=A0=A0
=A0Ben tries to comfort Barnabas. "It was the strom, Mr. Barnabas and
her getting caught out in it... not the curse, it was the storm."
Barnabas looks at Ben. "I heard Millicent say she was getting better, it
was when Sarah said she loved me that she died in my arms." Walking to
the gate Barnabas wanted so much to see Josette again. =A0 " I've
decided it must all end... you must help me Ben." =A0 Coming up close to
Barnabas Ben swears his allegiance. "You know I'll do what ever you tell
me to Mr.Barnabas." Barnabas faces his loyal friend and servant. "You
must go out and find a Holly tree." Ben begins to shake his head in
protest. "From that cut off a small branch, carve from it a long
stick...." Ben tries to interrupt but Barnabas stops him. " make sure
the end is sharp enough to pierce a man's chest and go into his
heart..." Ben at last confesses. "I can't do that to you Mr Barnabas, I
just can't." " I want you to give me peace Ben let me rest as Sarah
rests... will you do that for me."
Ben is bewildered, but Barnabas is persistent. " Tell me Be, you will
do it.. say it Ben, say YES! say it Ben." =A0 Ben lowers his hands in
surrender and says what Barnabas wants to hear. "Yes, I will. " Barnabas
looks away and into the beyond. "Yes! yes! thank you Ben, I will be at
peace at last."
To Be Concluded in part 2.
The Ghost of Sarah Collins (1784-1795)
Sister to Barnabas Collins
"That evil is wicked is well understood, the wicked are punished so you
must be good."
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0(Sarah to Barnabas)
Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production
|
