Victoria arrives at the train station at Collinwood, only to find it

practically abandoned. The train stopped suddenly and even

Victoria wondered why. Then the conductor announced

"Collinsport" and it seemed like a dot on the map.

It was.

She gathered her luggage and got off the train.

"It seems they roll up the sidewalks at night!", she thought.

"Where is everybody?"

Across the street, she saw a diner and went inside.

She sat at the booth and the waitress offered her a menu.

"No, thanks. Just some coffee and do you have a telephone. I was

expecting someone to be here when I arrive, but maybe they

forgot."

"Where are you from?", asked the waitress.

"Boston."

"Really, how did you ever hear of our small village here? I thought

nobody even knew about us!"

"I have been hired as a governess to the Collins family. Do you

know the Collins?", asked Victoria

The waitress gave her a look.

"If I were you, I would get right back on that train and go back to

Boston. You don't want to get mixed up with that family. Strange

things happen at Collinwood. You are the fifth governess in two

months!  "

"I will take my chances. I really have nothing to go back to. Let

me decide for myself, but I do appreciate the tip! How's  your coffee?"

The waitress laughed.

"My coffee? I made it myself. It's damn good!"

"I am just worried about you going to that awful house all by yourself.

Please, reconsider. I know what I am talking about.."

Victoria stood firm.

"No, I know that the Collins have a young son named David. He

needs a governess and I need a job. But if you don't mind

I will come in every now and again for your delicious coffee

and to talk to you."

"Okay, that's a deal! "

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the Collins mansion, young David looked out the window.

He did not want a governess. He had already driven five of them

away already.  He loved playing tricks on them and frightening

them away. He wanted to be like other young boys his age

and go to a regular school, not be stuck in the middle of nowhere

learning about stuff that bored him.

"I have to try something different with this new governess. Maybe

my parents will get the hint and send me away! "

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Victoria went to the payphone and called Collinwood.

"Yes, I have arrived. I was expecting someone to be here. Will

you send a driver to come get me?"

"Of course, just wait in the diner. It shouldn't take long."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Victoria waited in the diner for about twenty minutes

and the driver arrived.

Soon she was on her way to Collinwood.  Collinwood was a huge

mansion on a cliff by the Atlantic Ocean. From the car, it looks

creepy and the lights from the estate frightened her.

"Perhaps the waitress was right. Maybe I should turn around

and go back to Boston. No, wait, I have to give it a chance. It will

be okay. "

The soft rain fell as she arrived at Collinwood. Victoria looked

around at the grounds at night and a chill crept up her spine.

Then the front door opened as looked around

at the grand foyer and took a deep breath.

"David, this is your new governess, Victoria Winters."

"Nice to meet you David"

David did not say a word. Just looked at her with a funny smile

on his lips.

"Say something David. Don't be rude to Miss Winters."

David just turned around and ran up the stairs.

"Don't mind him, he does not want a governess, try to be patient."

"I will.. "

"By the way, Welcome to Collinwood, Victoria. I know you are tired

Let me show you to your room, so you can get settled."

Climbing up the grand staircase, Victoria noticed all the portraits

of the Collins family.

"Such remarkable portraits!"

"Yes, they are very old and a bit strange. Like this family. I hope

that you won't let David scare you off. You are our last hope."

"Don't worry. I don't scare easy."

"Here is your room. I hope you like it."

Victoria looked around at the gorgeous bedroom. It was rather

Victorian in design, sort of suited her.  Old fashioned furniture, a

fireplace, and a wonderful bookcase filled with books.

She smiled.

I think I will like it here.

Victoria put down her luggage and tuned down the bed.

She looked down, not quite believing her eyes.

She screamed.

A snake was under the covers

She ran out of the bedroom and down the stairs.

"Mrs. Collins!! Help!!"

David peeked outside his door and laughed.

"She won't like it here. I promise..."

to be continued...