Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Curse of Dark Shadows ❯ Chapter Five ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter Five:

Soaking wet, Duo stood in the center of the large bedroom. He shivered involuntarily, chilled to the bone. Across the room, Heero knelt beside the ornately carved fireplace trying to create a spark.

Lightning crashed outside the stained glass windows. For a split second Duo thought he could see the owl viciously beating its wings. As thunder rumbled and shook the ancient foundations of the great house, he returned his attention to the man he longed to touch.

Water dripping from his hair, Heero tried to strike a match without his hand shaking. It proved to be a challenge. Finding Duo under attack outside had sent a surge of adrenalin through his body; seeing his one desire in mortal danger.

In that instant, the fireplace roared into life. Heero stood up and asserted his normal cool calm. It wasn't easy with Duo Maxwell standing in the same room. Heero grabbed the chair he'd fallen asleep in earlier and pulled it close to the fire.

"Come on and warm up," he called over to Duo.

Near the door Duo nodded and strode across toward him, limping a little along the way. Almost immediately Heero reached out a helping hand. Duo hesitantly took it. He was still shaken up by the events outside and torn by the overwhelming feelings for Heero.

Heero gently sat Duo down in the chair. He grimaced from the pain in his foot. "Thanks," he said through gritted teeth.

He watched as Heero turned and quickly hefted a quilt from the bed. With surprising ease, he wrapped the warm covering over Duo's shoulders.

"You'd better let me take a look at that," Heero suggested.

For an instant, Duo half hoped he meant something entirely different. Kneeling down, Heero slowly lifted Duo's leg. Duo started to protest but the soft touch he received from Heero stopped him. He held onto the arms of the chair while Heero expertly removed his sodden hiking boot and sock. Duo steadied his increased breathing. Was he being that obvious? No one had ever stirred up the kind of emotions he was experiencing.

Heero held Duo's foot in his hand. Tracing his fingers delicately up the ankle, he discovered that touching Duo's flesh had dispersed the chill from his body. A thousand questions flashed through his mind. What was Duo doing here? How had he tracked me down? What was the connection between Jamison Du Prés and Duo? How did he know the owl meant Duo harm? What was Duo doing here?

Duo couldn't tear his eyes away from Heero. How many times had he imagined finding Heero again? More often than not, he fantasized about taking him into his arms. The conflicting feelings had waged a war within him for so long.

His thoughts were distracted by the tingling sensation running up his leg, creating a warm fire in his groin. His eyes fell on Heero's body. The rain had plastered the T-shirt he wore to his skin. Duo could make out every muscular detail, right down to the hard nipples. His mouth watered and he swallowed.

"What's the verdict, doc?" he finally asked.

Heero didn't want to let go of Duo. Heart pounding against his chest, he felt his crotch begin to bulge. He finally had Duo within his grasp, but those old memories cruelly shattered the illusion.

"The muscles are just strained," Heero answered. He gently set Duo's naked foot back down. "Should be alright."

"Is first aid a hidden talent of yours?" Duo wondered.

Staring up into those eyes, glittering by the light of the flames, Heero could almost believe that all the animosity he'd caused had faded away. 'You have no idea of the talents I'd love to show you,' he thought. "You need some dry clothes," he told Duo, diverting his thoughts.

Duo eased back into the soft chair. "My bags are down in the car," he replied.

Heero stood up and moved toward the bed. Beside it on the floor sat his duffle bag. He took out an extra T-shirt and a pair of sweat pants. Bringing them over to Duo, he grinned.

"Here, you can wear these. That is if you don't mind wearing my clothes."

Duo gingerly accepted the clothing. They were way to big for him, but it was better than wet clothes or nothing. Heero pulled his wet shirt over his head. Laying it over the screen to dry, he turned back to Duo and was taken aback by the look on his face.

"Duo, are you okay?"

"What? Yes, I'm just..." He looked up at the ceiling, tearing his eyes away from Heero's glistening chest.

"Just what?" Heero pressed.

"Just wondering why that spirit familiar attacked me," he half-lied. "The way you spoke to it... The first thing we need to do is find out why it happened."

Heero didn't know how to answer him. He still didn't understand what had drawn him to Collinwood in the first place, or the strange familiarity that invaded his senses.

"The supernatural is your expertise," he replied. Heero drew closer to inspect the bloody gashes Duo sustained during the attack.

"Not too deep," he observed. "You're lucky."

Duo squirmed a little, unable to resist pressing closer into him. It was then that Duo's eyes fell on the strange skull sitting on the fireplace mantle.

"Woah, now that's what I call Gothic decor!"

Heero looked up and snorted. "Duo I'd like for you to meet Old Lucy, a servant who loved this place so much that she wanted her head to stay in it."

Duo's eyes sparkled. "Really?"

"Supposedly the skull screams if it's taken out of the house," he continued. "I immediately thought of you."

"I still can't believe it's really Collinwood," Duo said in awe of his surroundings.

"You used to come up here a lot?" Heero prompted, sitting back down.

Duo gave him a playful grin. "How do you know that?"

Heero tapped his wet nose three times and smiled. "I have my ways."

"This is the first time I've actually made it to the estate," Duo began to explain. "I tried several times, but something always held me back."

Heero looked up at him, almost speaking from a distance. "I don't know why, but I almost feel like I've come home."

"What do you mean?"

"A funny thing about this place... I keep imagining things."

Duo stood up, testing his weight on his ankle. Heero was by his side in an instant.

"What are you doing?" Heero questioned, full of concern.

"I think we both need a hot bath and a good night's sleep before we catch pneumonia," he replied. "Is there an extra room?"

Heero felt his heart sink. For a moment he thought Duo was suggesting... Then he realized his motivation for trying to run from the man he loved was justified.

"There's a room across the hall," Heero told him. "Ginny said it used to belong to a governess."

Duo nodded. "Tomorrow, I'll see what's wrong with the car then book a room at the inn."

"No!" Heero said forcefully. Duo looked at him, surprised. "I mean you've waited so long to come here. There's plenty of room. Besides," suddenly his voice affected a perfect New England accent, "they don't like strangers in these parts."

Duo couldn't help but laugh, despite the pain in his shoulder and foot. "Is Virginia still here?"

Heero nodded as he helped Duo toward the door. "Yeah, she's been very nice. Just watch out for her nephew though."

"Nephew?" Duo's curiosity sparked. "I never knew she had a nephew."

Out in the darkened hallway, Heero lead him across to a similar oak door. Opening it they found a room decorated in shades of blue and white. A large canopy bed took up most of the area while an exquisite dressing table and a wardrobe stood in the corners. Long silk curtains framed the stained glass windows as the wind moaned outside.

Heero helped Duo to sit on the comfy bed. Turning to the bedside table, he lit a candle.

"There should be a bathroom through there," he said, indicating another door. "The tubs are enormous. Big enough for two."

Duo whipped his head up at this. Was his imagination working overtime or was it the sight of Heero shirtless?

Shuffling his tired feet, Heero quickly covered. "When you pull out the plug, don't let the vortex drag you down."

"From what I've heard about Collinwood, anything's possible in this house."

Suddenly, the sound of a dog howling pierced the storm outside. Duo let the quilt fall from his shoulders. Limping toward the window he pulled back the curtains to stare at the woods surrounding the estate. Through the rain a gentle fog rolled its way down the hills.

"Legend says that when the moon is full and the wolf bane blooms, strange creatures walk the night."

Heero watched Duo in fascination. It never ceased to amaze him how the call of the supernatural affected him. A sudden lightning flash illuminated the forest several stories below. Duo's eyes widened in surprise.

"Someone's standing out there!"

Heero hurried over to stand close to him. Peering out of the window he searched the trees. If Duo tracked him down, could a Consortium assassin have followed? He sighed with relief.

"Nothing's there. I think this place is already getting to you."

Duo shrugged, sitting on the cushioned window seat. "Maybe, but I know the stories about Collinwood all too well to take anything lightly."

Heero rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, I've heard a few just on the way up here."

"I was just sure I saw someone."

"Duo come on, you need rest."

"You're right."

"Do you need any help?"

"I'm fine... no need to fuss."

"Stubborn as always." Heero shook his head and headed for the door.

"Hey Heero," called Duo.

Heero turned in the doorway. Instead of the malice he'd grown to expect, there was genuine happiness in Duo's eyes.

"Thanks," he finished.

~oo0oo~

Back in his bedroom, Heero stripped out of his pants and hung them over the fireplace next to his already drying shirt. He was too exhausted to slip into the bathtub. Pulling down the covers on his bed he felt his heart racing. Duo was here... in the very next room. Sliding beneath the warm sheets something told him that this time things would be different.

~oo0oo~

Across the hallway, Duo lit another candle and carried it inside the spacious bathroom. His eyes fell on the centerpiece of the room. Heero had been right; the tubs were huge. He mentally kicked himself for not allowing Heero to help him... The conflicting feelings he'd dealt with didn't seem terrible now that he'd found Heero again.

Turning on the taps, Duo watched the tub begin to fill with water. Carefully easing out of his torn shirt he winced as the wet fabric rubbed against his fresh wounds. Removing his sodden slacks and underwear, Duo clicked over the strange events. Somehow Heero had known he was in danger, he'd known the spirit familiar was after him. Sucking on his bottom lip, he decided to add this to the score of mysteries he hoped to solve. At the moment, they were only vague shadows in his mind.

Easing himself into the water, he breathed deeply and let the steam wash over him.

~oo0oo~

Hunger. The familiar aching sensation that haunted his every thought awakened him. Red eyes sheared through the black void. He sensed that the two men were now apart. There were no words to describe the need he felt to taste the life force of the luscious bodies residing within those walls.

Even after all this time, he could still hear her words after he'd been turned.

"I have lost him, but I WILL have him again. Cristoff McTeer, you will help me. You will know when the time is right."

Centuries had passed and he could still remember the first time he'd tasted human blood. The ecstasy of taking someone so totally. But never had he desired anyone as much as the two new arrivals at Collinwood. He imagined how sweet they must be.

Relena desired the large blue-eyed man, certain that it was he. But the smaller stranger also exhibited a world of delights. Somehow he would have them both. The coffin's lid creaked open revealing a pale hand. As if in response to the need within, a dog howled in the distance.

~oo0oo~

Swatting away another pinch Rose Harridge turned angrily on the drunken sailor.

"We'll have no more of that Jon Harker!"

The man just laughed and returned to his waiting beer. Rose sighed, she ought to be used to it but she would be so glad when this night was over. Placing her empty tray on the bar, she smiled up at Bob.

"Remind me again why I work here?"

Bob chuckled. "Don't let 'em bother 'ya, Rose."

"Could be worse, Rosie," Charlie Blair said from his regular corner stool. "You could be working at Collinwood."

"No thanks," she replied. The mention of the old Collins estate set her curiosity in motion. "Bob, is it true there's a new caretaker?"

The bartender leaned in close. "It's true. A young buck swaggered in here looking for a job."

"I heard tell that a car was seen heading up the hill before the storm," Charlie added.

Rose shook her head in disbelief. "Strangers in Collinwood? There's one born every minute."

~oo0oo~

Sweat glistened on Heero's forehead as his naked body thrashed wildly against the sheets. Taking in deep lungfuls of air, his eyes danced in a maelstrom of fury behind their lids. From somewhere in the distance, he heard a woman's voice echo, "Come to me."

Heero became very still. In his mind's eye an image began to form...

*****

Frosty air covered the cemetery. There in the first rays of the morning sun she stood waiting for him. Her white gown billowing in the chilly breeze, arms outstretched. He was unable to resist the lure as she enveloped him.

Far in the distance, a man watched the events. His sadness radiating through the windows of Collinwood.

*****

In a flash the scene changed. Heero saw himself and Duo walking together through the great estate's forest. A full moon and a million twinkling stars illuminated their path. Duo looked up at him and smiled a smile that sent electric tentacles racing through his body. A childlike laugh escaped his lips and he began to run across the sparkling grass.

Heero stood still, unable to move. A cold fear slapped into him. He watched helplessly while his love ran further away.

"No." His whispered word was carried away in the approaching storm.

"NO! Duo, don't go there!" He shouted desperately. Heero found himself racing after Duo... No, not Duo. The figure before him was crying, wearing eighteenth-century clothing. Although it seemed as if he was running in slow motion, Heero could not catch him.

"Stop! No!" Heero cried.

The small figure's movements continued like a film that had been slowed down. A violent wind nearly toppled him over as he turned back tearfully.

"No, Spencer! No!"

"Please, Jamison! Stop!" Heero ran faster. But the man who resembled Duo Maxwell did not stop. He carried on frantically running through the trees.

Then, there was nowhere else to run. A despairing wail glided through the storm lashed wind. In a single movement Jamison leapt from the edge of the cliff.

"NO!" Heero screamed. Standing at the edge, he could only watch as the mournful waves crashed against the jagged rocks below Widows' Hill.

From far away he could hear his own voice, full of rage, "You killed him! You killed Jamison!"

Then a pistol fired.

*****

"Duo!" Heero cried, sitting up in his sweat soaked bed. His eyes frantically searched the darkened room, only finding the dying embers of the fireplace. His heart hammering against his chest, Heero threw off the sheets and dashed from the room.

~oo0oo~

A dark shadow passed silently through the bedroom. Exhausted from the night's events, Duo slept peacefully. A cursed soul stood towering over him beside the bed. Hungry eyes latched onto the pulsing vein in Duo's exposed neck.

An explosion of noise distracted Cristoff from his intended prey. Shocked awake, Duo's blurred senses failed to recognize the angry hiss as Cristoff retreated. He blinked several times trying to remember where he was. Lightning flashed outside, but the shadow that had infiltrated the room was gone. The bedroom door burst inwards revealing a breathlessly terrified Heero Yuy.

"Heero? What is it? What's happened?" asked Duo hoarsely.

Without a word, Heero rushed over to the bed and his arms were around Duo.

"I tried to save you!" he exclaimed, still mesmerized by the dream.

Duo felt Heero's body tremble against his own. He'd never known that anything could frighten the perfect soldier. Duo wrapped his slender arms around him, holding his strong body in a tight embrace.

"It's alright, Heero. I'm fine," he reassured him. The dim light of the bedside candle revealed Heero in all of his naked beauty. Duo gasped, he was absolutely breathtaking.

Heero sat back and held Duo's arms. He stared deep into his eyes. "Duo, do you know how much I need you?"

Duo listened in amazement. All of his fantasies had never prepared him for this moment. Heero pulled him closer, his lips on Duo's soft chestnut hair. Duo raised his head and nestled it against his neck, his hands lightly stroking his face.

"I'm here," Duo said tenderly. "I'm right here."

He squeezed Heero's body against his own. Heero's lips traced down from his hair to his eyes then to his cheeks, and as the fear changed into an erotic need, he kissed Duo's neck, forgetting the risk of being rebuffed. Slowly, he kissed him, massaging Duo's neck with his lips. The taste of his skin was unlike anything Heero could have imagined.

Duo moaned to himself in pleasure while Heero's tongue glided across the front of his neck. He did not want this moment to ever end. Duo slid closer to him, whispering Heero's name huskily. In response his lips moved up to Duo's face and then, finally, to his mouth.

A wave of ecstasy washed over them as they kissed deeply. Duo pressed his mouth onto his, embracing him warmly. Holding Heero felt better than anything had in a very long time. Consumed with sexual energy, he pulled Heero down on top of him and held his face in his hands.

Heero ran his fingers sensually down Duo's chest, taking great care to avoid his wounded shoulder. Soon he replaced his hand with his wet mouth, using the tip of his tongue to explore Duo's delectable body. He slowly kissed his way down Duo's chest, one hand firmly rubbing the hard bulge straining for release.

Duo writhed below him, kicking off the sheets. Heero pulled at his waistband, quickly discarding the sweat pants. In the candlelight he gasped at the sight of Duo's beautiful, perfectly formed manhood. Unable to resist, he ran his tongue up the length of Duo's hard shaft. Opening his lips, he slowly, inch by inch, took it fully inside of his mouth.

Heero wrapped his tongue around it as his lips slid up and down. Duo exhaled deeply, holding Heero's head, as he pumped deeper into his mouth. Fingers playfully found their way up Duo's chest. He groaned, throwing his head back on the pillow, his mouth opening as his breathing increased.

Shifting his weight, Heero maneuvered himself to where his own hardness was directly over Duo's face. Instantly, he greedily enveloped the throbbing member between his full lips. Now it was Heero's turn to moan. The feel of Duo's mouth sent fireworks exploding in Heero's mind. Duo held onto his hips and pulled him in deeper.

Running his hands beneath his sweet Duo, Heero pulled his legs up and ran his hands across the firm flesh of his cheeks. Caressing them open, his tongue found its way inside the inviting space within.

Reluctantly, he released himself from Duo's mouth. Duo sat up, not wanting to let go. Heero pushed him back onto the bed, hoisting his legs over his powerful shoulders. Heero looked down directly into his eyes. Duo smiled, twining his arms around his neck, and pushing himself up under him. Slowly, Heero worked his way inside, relishing the exquisite warmth. Duo closed his eyes and let the sensations sweep over him. Heero began to grind his hips, slowly at first, then with increasing force.

Duo leaned forward and planted his mouth over Heero's, his tongue sliding in as he was penetrated below. Drops of sweat trickle down Heero's face and onto Duo's heaving chest. In unison, Heero's breath became gasps. He slid his hand between Duo's legs and began to stroke; soon they were moaning together, louder and louder. Duo held tightly to his shoulders as Heero pounded further, rubbing against his prostate, sending him to the point of no return.

Finally Duo cried out as Heero's hand brought him to the best orgasm of his life. Heero felt it too, the tight hold grabbing at his cock, squeezing it to orgasm. He thrust hard against him, pinning Duo's small body to the bed. His body shuddered, and he leaned down to kiss him as a new warmth spread through Duo's body. Heero collapsed on top of him, waves of euphoria taking hold. Feeling their heartbeats matching rhythmically, they kissed deeply again.

Heero held him close, sliding his tongue into Duo's mouth in a passionate kiss full of promises.

~oo0oo~

Turning the lock on The Blue Whale, Rose Harridge headed away from the bar. Luckily the typical Maine storm had been carried back out to sea. She was grateful, as she had not fancied a wet walk to her cherry red VW. There was a distinct chill in the air and Rose tightened the grip on her coat.

Moving down the dock she could just make out the distant homes. She felt a bit envious that Collinsport had been asleep for hours and here she was just getting off work. Her aching feet protesting, Rose stepped from the dock and walked on down the sidewalk.

She paused. A chill passed through her like a knife. Staring backwards she couldn't see a thing, but there was definitely something. Quickening her pace, the car was a mere few feet ahead.

Rose's heart jumped. Someone was following her! Bolting past a white picket fence she hurled the driver's door opened. Slamming down the lock, she turned to the passenger side. The door wrenched open and a hand grasped her around the neck.

"NO!" Rose screamed in terror.

~oo0oo~

Everything was prepared. Virginia surveyed the lavish breakfast she had prepared. She gripped the serving tray so hard that her knuckles were stark white. The kitchen door opened and she turned to watch Cristoff stagger through.

"I know what you did last night," she told him angrily.

Cristoff shrugged, a smirk flooding his face. "I wouldn't have had to if..."

"You must be patient."

"Patient?" He repeated, almost spitting out the word.

"Yes," she nodded. "You must be careful." Behind him she could see the first rays of morning peeking through the forest. "You'd better go."

He grunted and turned to leave. Virginia stared past him, a smile spreading across her features. "Relena loves us. She always has and always will."

~oo0oo~

Heero and Duo had spent most of the morning together in bed. Strangely enough, Virginia had not been the least surprised to find them in the room once occupied by Victoria Winters. Nor was she surprised by Duo's arrival. In fact, he puzzled over her aloof manner toward him. Sure, it had been ten years since he last saw her, but he'd never given her any reason to act... dare he say the word? ...hostile. These thoughts were quickly diminished when Heero wrapped his large arms around him once more.

Now it was nearing lunchtime and the newfound lovers were strolling across the grounds of Collinwood. Although his shoulder still stung, Duo found that his ankle was much better. Heero was being particularly mischievous about a surprise. No matter how hard he tried, Duo could not pry it out of him. His body still tingled from his passionate night of lovemaking with Heero.

All around them lay the damage from the storm; large limbs and water standing. It was as if nature had mirrored the hurricane of passion between the two men. Heero commented that after his surprise, he'd have to check the outside of the mansion. This would give Duo all the time he needed to delve into the mysteries he sought to unravel.

Pressing on through the trees, Duo gasped in surprise at the sight before him. Overgrown and eroded by the passage of time, the building stood majestically in the middle of the forest.

"It's the Old House," he breathed.

"I found it yesterday afternoon, just before the storm," Heero explained.

Duo was well aware of the Old House. The legends of Collinsport all began here, at the family's first house.

Unseen, a lone figure watched their progress in the shadows of the trees. Everything remained still around the young girl. She clutched her hands together worriedly as the two men walked past the ivy covered stone columns and inside the house.

~oo0oo~

"Heero, this is amazing," Duo gushed.

Although no one had live here in ages, the grandness of the house was unmistakable. A spider skittered up the dusty chandelier as Duo looked up. Standing at the bottom of a rickety staircase, Heero held out his hand. "There's something you have to see."

Making their way carefully up to the third floor, Heero paused outside of a door. "You're going to be very surprised when you see this. I know I was."

Opening the door, he ushered Duo inside. The room beyond could have been frozen in time. The eighteenth-century furnishings were perfectly preserved. Nothing had disturbed the bedroom in centuries; even the dust had not soiled its beauty.

"You found it like this?" whispered Duo.

"Yes," Heero replied. He watched Duo move deeper inside. Suddenly he stopped and stared in amazement at a portrait hanging above the dormant fireplace. The image looking back at him was simply unbelievable.

"It's incredible," he breathed.

Heero slowly moved up behind him. "You do see the resemblance, don't you?"

Duo nodded, unable to speak. The man in the portrait looked exactly like him. His hair was longer, to his knees instead of just past his hips as is now, and he was dressed in eighteen century clothing, but to all intents and purposes he was staring up at a portrait of himself.

"His name was Jamison Du Prés," Heero explained, breaking the silence.

"Jamison?" Duo wondered aloud.

"Do you know the story?"

"He and his father traveled here from the West Indies in the 1700s."

"And he died on Widows' Hill. It broke my..." The deep sadness radiating from Heero's voice trailed off. "I haven't been able to get Jamison out of mind since coming here," he continued.

Duo shivered. After all the things he'd seen and done in his life, seeing his face immortalized in a painting sent chills down his spine.

"I think we should be getting back," he suggested.

"Duo, I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay," Duo smiled. "I'm glad you brought me here."

Heero lead him out of the room, closing the shrine to Jamison Du Prés.

~oo0oo~

The drawing room of Collinwood seemed to be the best place to read, or so Duo thought. He'd discovered the Collins family history book on a nearby podium and had dived straight in. Unfortunately, the illustrious family had chosen to omit or write a different version of history from the infamous legends.

His mind wandered back to the painting of Jamison. There was no mention of him in the family history, but he had obviously been very important to someone. The room had been built with such love. From what he understood, the Old House belonged to Spencer Collins and Relena Peacecraft for a short time. It only confirmed what he'd always suspected.

A distant hammering brought him out of is reverie. Standing, he walked toward the window and saw Heero atop the stable roof placing in a few loose boards. Duo had offered to help, but Heero wouldn't hear of it. He grabbed the end of his braid and started chewing on it, thinking how fast his life had changed in the space of one night.

Heero was being mysteriously tight-lipped about the spirit familiar. There were many questions that Duo needed answers to. Abandoning the drawing room, Duo headed upstairs. Unseen by a living soul, the eyes of Relena's portrait blazed with fury.

~oo0oo~

Striking home the last nail, Heero wiped his sweaty brow and shimmied down from the stable roof. Within he heard two of the horses whinnying. Now that the weather damage had been repaired, maybe he and Duo could take a ride across the estate's 200 acres? He felt guilty for showing him the portrait in the Old House. Yesterday he thought it was all a mirage during his discovery. He chalked his nightmare up to that and the attack on Duo. He would have to keep a close eye on him tonight.

Hefting the toolbox he strode back toward the house. Out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed a figure in white walking out of the derelict gazebo.

"Hey!" he called.

~oo0oo~

Duo emerged onto the landing and turned several times to get his bearings; it would be easy to lose yourself within Collinwood's labyrinthine hallways. A sound from nearby drew his attention. Moving toward the first door, he could distinctly make out an argument.

He jumped back as the door opened. Virginia caught her breath in surprise, shutting off the room firmly behind her. "Oh, you frightened me," she frowned.

"Was there someone in there with you?" Duo asked.

"No," she laughed. "You'll have to forgive me. I'm used to talking to myself."

Duo didn't believe her for a second. He was positive that two female voices were talking in that room.

"I've done everything I can to make your room comfortable," Virginia said. "How long will you be staying with us?"

"I'm not sure," Duo replied.

Virginia nodded curtly and started to leave. "Just a minute," he called. "What's up there?"

She turned and looked at the stairway at the end of the hall. "Nothing you would be interested in."

"Is that the tower I saw from last night?"

"Yes, but the west wing hasn't been used in years," she countered. "If you'll excuse me, I have work to do."

Duo watched her go, still baffled by her strange behavior. As soon as she turned the corner he opened the bedroom door. He was disappointed to find it completely empty. Leaning against the doorframe, he felt a familiar exhilaration. The search for the unexplained.

All of a sudden his flesh began to tingle. He felt a presence close by. Slowly turning on his heel, he found a figure standing at the end of the hall. The light from a window shone straight through the apparition. Duo took a few steps closer and found that it was a ghost of a man, a man who looked almost exactly like his partner Quatre!

"Quatre?" he whispered.

In slow motion he gestured for him to follow, then he disappeared up the stairs. Catching his breath, Duo ran after him. The staircase led him to yet another hallway. He searched frantically for his guide and found him standing before another door waiting for him. Amazingly, he turned and faded away.

Without hesitation, Duo ran down the length of the hall. His hand grasped the door handle and twisted, only to find it locked. He turned in frustration, not knowing how to proceed. Maybe he could find a key downstairs? The sound of tumblers turning caused him to whirl back around. Trying the door again, it opened with ease.

The door pulled open, stretching a thick coating of cobwebs along with it. Duo tore his hands through and headed up a twisting staircase. From somewhere up ahead he could see light. The stone walls finally opened out into a large circular room filled with shelf upon shelf of books. But what took Duo's breath away was a sight in the center of the room.

At an old mahogany desk, reading a book, sat the young man who'd led him here. Instead of the translucent form he'd first seen, he seemed to be just as solid and real as him. Except for the yellow suit and flowing velvet cape, he was the exact image of Quatre.

He approached him with tentative steps, afraid he might vanish. "Hello?" he called.

"Who are you?"

The young man looked up at last. "Daniel. I'm not supposed to be here." His voice had a scared, sing-song quality.

Daniel? He'd just read about a Daniel in the family history book. Then, the pieces clicked together. "Daniel Collins? Spencer Collins' brother?"

A look of sadness passed over his pale face. With both hands he lifted up the small book to Duo. "This is for you," he told him.

He gently took the ragged little book. It was so old that it nearly fell apart in his hands. Opening to the first page, Duo's eyes widened in shock.

THE JOURNAL OF SPENCER COLLINS 1797

He looked back up, but Daniel was gone.

-TBC-