Barnabas

[Mr. Handy]

"We'll need to convince Carolyn to go along with it," says Victoria, "but I think the best thing is if she tells her family that she ran away from home, then either changed her mind and came back, or she was found and brought back."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"A reasonable plan of action, my dear. Meanwhile, let us escort the young lady out of this location with dispatch, lest our unseen visitor returns.'

Together, the two are able to help Carolyn, still in a dazed condition, apparently unaware of her current situation, stumble down the staircase. Outside, they discover that Maggie and Sam Evans are no longer present. What is more remarkable is the presence of very large footprints in the damp ground near the lighthouse.

"Another mystery," Professor Stokes remarks. "I am unaware of any professional basketball players in Collinsport," he continues, in a feeble attempt at levity. "In any case, let us return the prodigal daughter to her bosom of her family."

[Mr. Handy]

"I don't know anyone with feet that big," says Victoria. "Well, let's get Carolyn home. Then we'll have to make sure Maggie and her father are okay."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

At Collinwood, the heavy front door is opened by Roger Collins, who is astonished to see Carolyn in her current condition.

"Where have you been, you poor thing?" To her rescuers, he says more sternly "What is the meaning of this? Miss Winters, I fear you have been a bad influence on my niece. Out all night with a man," indicating Professor Stokes, who maintains silence, "old enough to be your grandfather. Not to mention the fact that you've been neglecting my son. I shall speak to my sister about this, mark my words." He brings Carolyn into the drawing room, sees that she is comfortable, and goes upstairs to fetch Elizabeth.

"I thought it best to hold my tongue while Mister Collins read us the Riot Act," Stokes explains. "Let him get it out of his system, so to speak. During this brief interlude, we had best settle on what to say to Miss Stoddard's mother about her absence."

[Mr. Handy]

"We were working together to look for Carolyn," says Victoria. "We finally tracked her down to the lighthouse, where we found her in her current state, and we brought her home. We don't know what she was doing during the time she's been missing."

[SunlessNick]

I'm finally back. Sorry.

I assume the huge guy has taken Maggie and Sam somewhere?

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"We were working together to look for Carolyn," says Victoria. "We finally tracked her down to the lighthouse, where we found her in her current state, and we brought her home. We don't know what she was doing during the time she's been missing."

This explanation draws much concern from Elizabeth, and silences Roger's complaints. Mrs Stoddard takes her daughter upstairs, while Professor Stokes takes his leave.

"Contact me if any other unusual situations occur," he tells Victoria.

Somewhat subdued, Roger tells her "You'd best see to my son. He's quite upset, spouting all sorts of nonsense about Carolyn. Perhaps you can calm him down. He seems to care for you, in his own strange way."

David proves to be in a somber mood, even after being told his cousin has returned safely.

"That's not Carolyn," he says quietly. "Carolyn died."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

I'm finally back. Sorry.

I assume the huge guy has taken Maggie and Sam somewhere?

Welcome back. Actually, no. You watched him shuffle off, seemingly unaware of your presence.

Once Maggie takes him home, Sam seems more like his old self than he has been for a while. He shoves all the drawings he did of Carolyn Stoddard into a drawer, burying them under scraps of paper. He then gets to work on the kind of thing that tourists like; seascapes and the like.

[Mr. Handy]

"Carolyn had died," says Victoria to David, "but we found a way to restore her to life, which worked because it had only been a short time since her death. She is alive again, and when you see her, you'll know she is back to the way she was before."

[SunlessNick]

Maggie watches her father work until morning, then fixes breakfast. The night and her nerves have probably left her tired enough to want to call in sick at the diner.

After that she calls Vix, apologetically saying, "I'm sorry I left. My Dad was there, acting really weird - then he left, looking like he'd forgotten he was there. I had to follow him. But he went home - he's ok, thank God. Are you ok?"

[Mr. Handy]

"Thanks, Maggie, I'm fine," says Victoria. "Are you and your father okay? We found Carolyn hiding in the lighthouse, and she's better now. While we were there, we heard what sounded like a scuffle outside with a very large man, judging by the footprints he left. We heard your voices, but by the time we came out, you were both gone."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Carolyn had died," says Victoria to David, "but we found a way to restore her to life, which worked because it had only been a short time since her death. She is alive again, and when you see her, you'll know she is back to the way she was before."

David shows signs of great excitement, even sudden joy, at these words.

"Then you believe me! Nobody ever believes me! Josette told me Barnabas killed her, but she warned me it wasn't really his fault. Oh, I don't know what to do. I want to get back at that creepy Barnabas, but I don't want to make Josette feel bad."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

Tune in again for the next thrilling episode!