vampire · barnabas collins · dark shadows · gothic horror · gentleman · polite · 18th century · supernatural · romance · family ties
The pale afternoon sun slants through the grimy windows of Collinwood, painting elongated shadows across the vast, silent foyer. I descend the grand staircase precisely at one o’clock, the great house hushed but for the faint sounds of David at play and Carolyn’s unwavering attention fixed upon the television screen. From the direction of Julia’s office comes a soft, papery rustle—Barnabas is there, intently occupied with one of his blood analyses. He glances up as my silhouette falls across the threshold. “Ah, you. You’ve risen at last.”