Winds Of Eternity Part 19

"There's only one way to find out, Willie," she said, lifting a foot to go up. "Are you coming?"

"Wh-what if it's a - ghost?"

"WILLIE.".

"Alright, I'm comin'." But before he could move, there was a knock on the door. Nervously, Willie went to answer.

'"Lo, Quentin."

"Willie. Julia. Have you seen Maggie today?"

"No, I haven't. Why?"

He stopped, listening to the music. "What's going on?"

"We were about to find out," she told him. "Care to join us?"

He waited for her to start up, then followed, leaving Willie to follow him.

The sound was coming from Josette's room, and without knocking, Julia opened the door and stood frozen there by the sight within. "Oh no."

"Maggie -"

Julia lifted a hand to silence Quentin and Willie. "Don't say anything."

Maggie sat before the fireplace, dressed in Josette's wedding dress, the music box in her hands. She stared straight ahead, apparently oblivious to them. "What's wrong with her, Julia?" Willie asked.

"It's obvious," Quentin said, angry.

"You don't know, Quentin," she said. She approached the still figure and sat next to her. "Maggie. Maggie, look at me."

There was no response. She continued to listen to the music. Very gently, Julia closed the music box and removed it from Maggie's fingers, setting it on the table. "You try, Willie."

Trying valiantly to control his near-hysteria, Willie spoke softly. "M-Maggie, whatcha doin' here?"

"I don't know anyone named Maggie." Her voice was quiet, not really her own.

"Why are you here?" He couldn't call her Josette. He just couldn't.

"You know why."

"No. I don't."

"He wants me here."

"W-Who wants you here?"

"Barnabas."

Quentin ran a hand through his hair, taking a deep breath. But he remained silent at Julia's warning glance, allowing Willie to continue. "That was a long time ago, Maggie. He - He doesn't want it anymore. Neither do you. Don't you remember?"

"Willie," Julia said firmly. "Don't say anymore."

"But Julia-"

Maggie turned to Julia now, no recognition in her eyes. "Do I know you?"

"I'm - a friend."

"Does Barnabas know you're here?"

"Yes. He asked me to come and see you. He's concerned about you. I'm a doctor."

"A doctor?"

Obviously, Maggie was in the past, four years ago. And Julia was certain she knew the reason, and Quentin's anger meant he knew as well. "Would you mind removing that scarf from your neck?"

"Oh, I -" her hand went to the white scarf. "I don't know if I should."

"Do it, please," Willie pleaded. "She can help you."

"I don't need any help. And I don't know why Barnabas is so concerned about me. I'm fine now. Really I am."

"He just wants to be sure."

"He can see for himself soon. How much longer until sunset, Willie?"

"Not long," he told her. He was becoming angry as well. "Not very long at all, now."

Julia stood and motioned Willie and Quentin to the door and then to the hall. "I need to be alone with her."41.

"Julia - " Quentin's voice was shaking. "I'm not leaving this house without Maggie."

"You won't have to."

"You think Barnabas -"

She turned to Willie. "I don't know, Willie."

"Come on, Julia, it's written all over your face," Quentin said.

"Whatever has happened, Maggie thinks it's four years ago. And unless I can hypnotize her and make her forget again, it won't matter what Barnabas has done now." She secretly wondered if he hadn't hoped he would be discovered. "Go downstairs and wait for me."

Barnabas closed the coffin and turned to find an accusing Willie standing before him. "Wh/d you do it, Barnabas?"

"Do what, Willie?"

"Hurt Maggie again. I won't take the blame for it this time."