by Katie Allen

Once a year
When Autumn winds blow,
And dead leaves swirl
And cats eyes glow,
Look around with great care
And hope with all your heart,
For strange things may happen
As walls between worlds fall apart.

Future and past,
What could have been and what will be,
Impossible dreams,
And life's harsh reality,
All touch and join
To dance hand-in-hand in pale moonlight.
All conspire to ease pain
Or to destroy on that one night.

So hold your breath
And say a prayer,
Enter a room
Or climb a stair,
Run to the future
Or hide in the past,
For Halloween's come to Collinwood
And peace there cannot last.

Halloween of 1971...

Julia strode into her office, looked at the clock and smiled. The minor crisis was over and her time was now her own. If she hurried, she would make it home to Collinwood in time for the Halloween party after all. This morning when she had talked to Barnabas on the phone she had told him that it looked like she would not make it home in time. His disappointment had been obvious, and he had hinted that he had hoped that this evening would have been special for the two of them. Shrugging out of her lab-coat, she hung it on the back of her closet door and took out a large box and opened it. Gingerly, she took out the dress, the tissue paper that had been put between the layers of material falling to the floor. Locking her office door against unannounced visitors, she quickly changed, transforming herself in mere minutes from the very model of a 20th century doctor to the image of a lady from the 18th century. By changing here and driving home in her costume, she wouldn't have to appear at the party as her modern self when she knew Barnabas would be waiting for her dressed as he once did before the curse, before Josette, before Angelique. She looked at herself in the small mirror of her private bathroom, wishing she could see more of her self and at better angles. Even in the harsh light she had to admit that this dress suited her, and well it should, for this dress had not come from the Collinwood attics, but from a dressmaker. It had been made for her, made to set of the highlights of deep red hair and the glint of green in her hazel eyes. As she put a lacy shawl over her 18th century dress, she looked at the phone, debating on whether or not to let Barnabas know she was coming, but she wanted to surprise him. With Barnabas' hints, and the fact that he had wanted them to dress to compliment each other, she was hoping that tonight would be an evening to remember.

Darkness had long fallen by the time that Julia neared Collinwood, but Julia was used to the drive, a drive she often took in various hours of the day or night. Perhaps it was the dark. Maybe Julia's mind already filled with visions of Barnabas' and her dancing had wandered. Or it could have even been her lack of sleep for too many nights, but Julia did not see the woman running near the road, until she had run out in front of her, and by that time she was almost upon her. Julia's thought was that the woman was Josette's ghost, for she was dressed as Julia was in clothes from that era, and fear for Barnabas clutched at her, but then she saw the woman face, the horror as she froze in the headlights. No ghost was that afraid of dying. Julia's heart in her throat, she swerved, and successfully avoided the woman and would have gone on her way, wondering for the woman's sanity, but for her tires hitting the stony shoulder and causing the car to skid into the ditch and come to an abrupt stop. Julia shaken wondered why whoever was honking did not come to her aid, when she realized she was leaning on her own horn, and pushed herself away from the steering wheel. Her head ached and she wondered if she had passed out, putting a shaking hand to her forehead and making contact with a large painful lump and a warm stickiness that could only be blood. Suddenly the door next to her opened, and a man offered her a hand out.

"Are you all right, my dear lady?" The man asked. As was the woman in the road, he was dressed as Julia was in 18th century clothes.

Julia found herself staring at the man, so compelling was the look in his eye, only reluctantly telling herself she was being rude and looking away. "I think I'm all right." She looked around and saw no car for him to have come from. "I'm not going far. Do you live near hear, I don't see a car…"

The man pulled Julia's shawl from the car and placed it around her shoulders. "Not far. I fear it was one of my guests who caused your accident. If you would come with me, we could see to your injury." he said, offering her his arm. "I am Matthew Stark. And you are…"

"Julia Hoffman."

As he helped Julia walk, he called to the woods. "My dear guests, I'm afraid our… games… have caused injury to a stranger. Perhaps we should return to the house."

Julia took his arm. Around her were the sounds of laughter and footsteps in the dead dry leaves, sounds she had not heard until just this moment. As she and the man who had by now introduced himself as Matthew Stark, returned to his home. Going with him was the only wise thing to do, and yet somewhere inside of her a voice was telling her that it was a mistake to trust this man. The house they walked to was not far from the road, brightly lit and music and laughter poured from an open door. They weren't far from Collinwood, and Julia wondered that she had never realized that this house was here before. Surely the lights could be seen as far as the street. As they approached the house, Julia felt a wave of evil as she had felt with Gerard, and tried to pull away. At the sudden stab of pain in her head, she fainted. When Julia opened her eyes, she found herself inside the house, being carried to a couch. She must not have been out long, for only now was Matthew being greeted by a pale cheeked, gaunt woman, who looked with curiosity at Julia. "I see we have a new guest. My dear you are injured!" Almost in a whisper she asked, "Priscilla?"

Matthew put Julia down, and she almost missed the slight shake of his head that he gave to the woman. "I'm sorry. Where are my manners? Sister, this is Miss Hoffman."

Julia added, "Julia, please."

Matthew smiled at her and patted her hand that he still had. "Julia then. Julia this is my sister, Gwen."

Julia was surprised that now that the games seemed to be over, that she did not seem to arouse any curiosity in the guests, but other than the occasional nod, or look, she seemed to be ignored except for her host and his sister. Gwen bathed her head and gave her something to drink, which Julia downed without thinking. Meanwhile the party went on around her, charades, and word games, old-fashioned dances in keeping with the seeming 18th century theme of the party. Julia enjoyed herself as a spectator, too tired and sore to wish to join, and yet… She wished Barnabas were here. He would enjoy this. Thinking about Barnabas, she remembered that no one would know what happened to her, and the next time she caught his eye she asked Matthew if she could use his phone. "I really should let someone know where I am." Then added, "They will worry."

Matthew raised his eyebrows. "They are expecting you then?"

Something in Matthew's tone made Julia uneasy and she quickly nodded. "Of course they are expecting me, and I must be terribly late by now." But somehow she felt that Matthew knew the truth.

"Ah, Miss Hoffman, Julia. I'm afraid that we are unable to help you there. We do not have a phone, but if you wait until the party is over, I will personally see you home.

Julia didn't show the unease she was feeling, but pressed her point. "I really should let my family know where I am. Maybe I should walk, they do not live far."

Julia stood up and found herself unsteady on her feet. Matthew pressed her back down into her chair. "See you should not walk, and I cannot leave." He swept the room with his arm. "Or if you prefer, I chose not to leave my guests. You have happened upon us by your good fortune, so please humor me and stay but a little while longer."

Matthew seemed to have forgotten that it was due to the 'games' he and his guests were playing that caused Julia to need his hospitality. She knew that she could not make it on her own and gave another try. "If you are not willing to go, perhaps one of your guests could take word…"

Matthew laughed, the loudness, or perhaps the tone hurting Julia's head, and making her even more uneasy if it were possible. "My dear guests. Would anyone care to leave?" Suddenly silence filled the room, and everyone looked at Julia and Matthew. "I thought now. Please, please, continue on." And the room was once more filled with the banter and noise of the party.

She thought of Barnabas. Once more she wished Barnabas were with her. Barnabas. I wish you were here. Why didn't I call you before I left?

Suddenly Julia felt a warm feeling, and wondered at what had been in her drink, for alcohol and head injuries didn't mix. Maybe that was why she was so unsteady on her feet.

Barnabas was standing in the drawing room of Collinwood, surrounded by strangers. Actually they were the same people he knew, but at Halloween dressed as they wished they were, they all seemed to become strangers. Suddenly he heard Julia's voice, and looked around for her happy that she could make it after all, and then realized that he had not heard her voice, but seemed to have felt it. This was Collinwood, and Halloween, and not the time to ignore such events, and he went to the phone and immediately dialed Julia's number at Wyndcliffe. A voice at the other end told him something he already knew. Julia was not there. Barnabas found Willie and tapped him on the shoulder. "We have to find Julia. She's in trouble."

Slipping out unseen from the party, Barnabas gave Willie no reason for his sudden need to find Julia, and Willie, knowing Barnabas' moods well, asked for none. They drove down the road toward Wyndcliffe, and only a few minutes from Collinwood, found Julia's empty car in the ditch.

When Willie found the traces of blood on the steering wheel, he became alarmed.

"Julia's hurt, Barnabas. Do you think she wandered off? Should I go back to Collinwood for help?"

Again Barnabas felt Julia's voice. "I don't think we have time, Willie. Start looking for her."

Barnabas and Willie split up, but Barnabas thought he knew where Julia might be. It had been years since he had gone to the Stark home. Stark House had stood there almost as long as the Old House had, the rivalry of the two men, one Collins and one Stark, each wishing to finish his house before the other, causing the houses to be built in record time. Barnabas wondered if there still was a Stark in Stark House, and if there was hoping that Julia was not there for no good had ever come from dealing with the Starks.

The house was there, no lights showed from outside, making the house look empty and abandoned. As Barnabas approached the door, a voice called to him. "Do not enter."

Barnabas looked around. The woman that had run into the street causing Julia's accident stood there, her white dress dirty around the hem from her run through the woods.

Barnabas crossed to the woman, shivering in the night air. "Why shouldn't I enter?"

The woman looked at Barnabas, whose face now resembled the one he wore when he was vampire, and the woman cringed before him. Barnabas crossed to her and grabbed her by the arm before she could flee. "Tell me why I shouldn't enter the house."

The woman looked at Barnabas eye-to-eye. "Don't you recognize me, Barnabas? It's Priscilla. Priscilla Nutt." Barnabas dropped Priscilla's arm. "It's true then?" Barnabas' face grew hard. "Did you see a woman? Red hair…" Priscilla was nodding. "She's inside?" Priscilla nodded again. "How do I get her out?"

Priscilla shook her head. "You can't. She's taken my place."

"Then you'll go back." Barnabas demanded.

Priscilla shuddered, "Never. I won't return there. You can't make me. Barnabas, I never went of my choosing. Please… You don't know what it is like… What is this woman to you?"

"She's my world."

"Then God pity you."

Barnabas looked at the door. "There has to be a way." He turned toward Priscilla. "Tell me all you know."

Julia unable to leave, tried to relax and went back to watching the people at play. They didn't seem to be having fun, as much as they seemed to be trying to have fun. The room closed tight now was warm, too warm, and between her lack of sleep and all that had happened, Julia must have fallen asleep, for when she looked at the clock again, it was almost midnight. Julia felt silly, but knew she had to go, and ran to the front door. Matthew stopped her once more, but this time Julia insisted on leaving. He gripped her hard, and she fought him. Suddenly the door opened and Barnabas stood in the doorway. Julia still being held by Matthew's strong arms called to him to help her, but he didn't enter. "Let her go Stark."

"Barnabas Collins?" Matthew grinned. "As I live and breathe… And how is the family?"

Barnabas raised his chin. "About like yours."

Julia watched the interaction between the two men. They seemed to know each other, and not from this time. "Barnabas?"

"Yes, Barnabas. Why don't you come in and join us?" Matthew looked at Julia, smug. "My dear Miss Hoffman, why didn't you tell me you were a Collins? If I had known who your family was I might have been tempted to take your message to them myself. It's almost midnight, Barnabas." Matthew said grinning.

"Julia, come here." Barnabas demanded.

Julia pulled hard, but as the clock hand moved one more minute toward midnight, she shook her head. "I can't."

Barnabas wavered on the doorstep, Matthew's face taking on a look of intense pleasure. Then the woman, Priscilla, stood next to Barnabas in the doorway. She had returned. "Let her go."

Matthew didn't move. "You left, Priscilla. I think I prefer it this way."

"No, Matthew. It's not your choice. Is it?" The words were quiet, but had a strange power over Matthew, for he reluctantly dropped his hands from Julia's shoulders and took a step back. Julia went to the doorway, and as she left the woman entered. Julia turned around. The woman was looking at her a look of intense longing on her face, soon replaced with a smile. "Thank-you." Julia said, a puzzled frown between her eyes, for she knew that the thanks she offered were such a small token indeed.

The woman nodded. Julia returned to her. "Shouldn't you come with me."

The woman shook her head. "I belong here. I had forgotten for a moment. I must go with the party." She smiled and her face took on the brittle gaiety of the others inside. "Life is a party for some of us." She touched Julia's arm as though to say something, the shook her head. "Live long and be happy." The chimes began to toll midnight, and with one last look past Julia into the night, the woman closed the door.

Barnabas held Julia close. Then threw open the door. The house was abandoned. The entryway which just minutes before held guests, and lights, and the aroma of food and candle-wax, now was empty but for dust and damp wood. Leaves were falling through a roof that no longer protected the inside of the house.

Julia shivered. "Where did they go?" She put a hand to her eyes. "I have such a headache. Barnabas, did this all really happen, or was it a hallucination?"

Barnabas put an arm around her. "It was no hallucination, but I don't know if I can explain what it was." He drew Julia out of the house and closed the door firmly behind them.

Later as they sat in front of the drawing room fire, Julia wrapped in a blanket and nestled in Barnabas' arms, they talked of the events of the evening.

"Matthew Stark was a murderer. Oh nothing could be proven." Barnabas looked fondly into Julia's face and took her hand. "With your scientific methods, you would have been able to, but not back then. His parents were found dead, poison was suspected… Matthew began to throw wild parties. Towns people began to avoid him, some said he 'danced with the devil', and then one night, Halloween, he threw one of his parties, and the next day none of the guests could be found. Some said that he went crazy and murdered them all and fled, but others… Some kids said that they had been watching the party through the window, and that at the stroke of Midnight, everyone simply disappeared. No one believed the boys…" Barnabas was stroking the soft skin of Julia's hand and smiled into her face. "I had heard rumors that they returned sometimes on Halloween to leave again at midnight, but Halloween and stories of that kind…"

Barnabas stared into the fire. Julia thought a moment. "You knew what was going to happen. That's why you didn't come in."

"I'm sorry, Julia. It wasn't cowardice…"

"I never thought it was!" Julia retorted hotly.

Barnabas turned from the fire to stare into the fire in Julia's eyes. "If I had entered of my own free will, I never would have been able to leave. My only hope was for you to fight your way out, but I wasn't sure if you had chosen to go in and were free to leave."

Julia thought of Barnabas about to enter the Stark House. "You were going to enter it."

"I wasn't going to lose you. I wouldn't have left without you. I told you that once, Julia. It's still true."

Julia thought of Priscilla. She had chosen to take Julia's place and could never leave. Barnabas shifted in his seat and pulled Julia to him, kissing her thoroughly. "I had hoped this evening would be a special night for us. But I had been thinking along the lines of something more romantic."

Julia thought about the evening, Barnabas showing up in the nick of time to rescue her. His willingness to follow her to an eternity of Halloween in Stark House and wondered how much more romantic it could get. And then Barnabas kissed her once again…

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