Hallow House - Part Two

A house built for love and cursed with death. Two children, one will live, one will die. Magic potions and secret rooms. Is there a curse or does evil reside with innocence. What is the real secret of Hallow House?

By the time John returned, Samara had fallen asleep on Vera's bed. Though exhausted, Vera lay with her eyes open, the small cuts on her body smarting, unable to stop thinking about what had happened.

"Johanna?" she asked, sitting up carefully so as not to rouse Samara.

"Irma's bringing her up. I though Johanna should wake in her own crib." He glanced at the sleeping Samara.

"Poor child, none of this is her fault," Vera said, her voice low. "She blames herself, but

"I blame myself." John shook his head. "I've been blind to everything but my own misguided hatred."

He touched his daughter's hair lightly. "he tried to talk to me about Johanna and I hardly listened. The baby was an annoyance I was sorry existed."

"But you did hire me," Vera said.

He put his hand to her cheek and she saw his eyes were bright with unshed tears. "Vera...: He his words trailed off and he removed his hand as Irma came into the room with Johanna."

"She's still sleeping, poor little tike," Irma said.

John held out his arms. "I'll take her." They disappeared into the nursery.

"Needing to see with her own eyes that Johanna was all right, Vera slipped out of bed and followed them.

Before she reached the crib Irma stopped her. "I thank the Lord you're all right. Was it the boy all this time?"

Unable to speak, Vera nodded.

Irma sighed. "What a terrible night." Her eyes focused on Vera and she drew in her breath. "He hurt you."

"Not seriously, I'll be fine."

"Best you get right back into bed and rest."

Vera put an arm around Irma's shoulders, leading her gently from the nursery toward the door of her room. "You must get some sleep, too. You've done more than your share, keeping the maids from hysterics, taking care of Johanna and Samara."

"Little enough," Irma said, looking gratified. "You were a gift from God to this house," she added as she left.

If only I could have found a way to help Sergei before it was too late, Vera thought, knowing in her heart it had already been too late before she ever set foot in the house.

As she walked back into the nursery, the image came back to her of Sergei reflected in the mirrors as he laughed and brandished the knife and she shuddered, wishing she could banish the memory forever.

Then she noticed John standing beside the baby's crib and joined him,"Johanna sleeps so soundly." A thread of worry ran through his words. "She's so tiny, so fragile."

Vera felt for a pulse in the baby's neck. Strong and regular. "I don't think she's in danger. The drug wasn't meant to harm her, just keep her quiet. At least she won't remember tonight."

John turned to her. "If you'll let me, I'll spend the rest of my life trying to help you forget tonight, Trying to help us both forget."