Vincent entered Father’s chamber. He had been out looking for Catherine all night again. Father looked up and took off his glasses. “You just returning?” Vincent nodded as he lay his cloak down over a chair. “Yes I was looking for Catherine.” Father sighed. “Vincent she may have just gone away for a bit I am sure she is all right.” Vincent turned and looked at him. “Father she knows that I can’t feel her since my illness and I know she would never stay away and cause me to worry.” Father could not argue with his logic on this point. In his own heart the tunnel elder knew that something must have happened to Catherine. “Vincent you are still recovering, you need to rest.” Vincent shook his head. “No Father I can’t rest until I find her.” Father stood and moved toward him. “Have you felt anything from the bond?” Vincent shook his head. “No and I am afraid that is it gone forever.” Father shook his head. “No Vincent I am sure it will return in time all you have to do is have patience and faith.” Vincent stared at him for a moment. “How can I have faith Father when all I can feel right now is fear?” Then he picked up his cloak. “I am tired Father I am going to rest.” With that he turned and left the chamber as Father watched sadly.
After he had left Father also left the chamber. He went to the pipe chamber where Pascal was working with Zach. Pascal looked up when he entered. “Yes Father?” Father moved toward him “I need to speak with you.” Pascal nodded then spoke to Zach. “Can you handle it for a moment?” Zach nodded. “With my eyes closed.” Pascal stepped down off the pipe platform. “That’s fine just leave your ears open.” Then Pascal turned his attention to Father. “Pascal Catherine is missing.” Father began. The pipe master looked at him shocked. “Missing?” Father nodded. “Yes.” Pascal shook his head. “Is she in danger?” Father sighed. “We don’t know.” Pascal was a bit surprised by his response. “Wouldn’t Vincent be able to sense if she were?” Father shook his head. “No since his illness the bond has been interrupted someway.” Pascal nodded again. “Don’t worry Father we will find her.” Father looked at him desperately. “We have to Pascal.” Then he turned and left the chamber as Pascal went to work passing the message to all the other pipe outposts.
Across town in a warehouse some men that worked for Gabriel were questioning Catherine. “Now Miss Chandler where is the book that Maxwell gave you?” One man asked. Catherine squinted her eyes in the light of the lamp that was shining in her face. “Miss Chandler just tell us what we want to know and you can go home.” He assured her smiling wickedly. Catherine knew instinctively that he was lying to her. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” She whispered. The man rose and looked at the doctor. “The boss said to give her the shot.” The doctor nodded and moved toward him. Catherine watched as he took the syringe off the tray and uncapped it then he injected something into her vein. After a moment her eyes began to get heavy. “Just relax Miss Chandler this will help you tell us what we need to know.”
In the tunnels Vincent was tossing and turning. He was not sleeping well due to the nightmares that he kept having about Catherine. He sighed and sat up then rose from the bed. Walking over to his writing table he sat down and took out his journal. Uncapping his pen he thought a moment then began to write.
I have never been this frightened in my life. I have searched for days and I can’t find Catherine anywhere. Father suggested that maybe she was called away suddenly but I know that this is not true. As I told him even if she had been called away quickly she would have let me know. She would never cause me this much pain and worry. I can’t help but think of the last night that she was here in my chamber. I know in my heart that she had something very important on her mind that she wanted to talk to me about. But in my own self-pity I was too wrapped up in my own problems to pay attention. I can only pray that I find her then I can make it up to her. I will not rest until Catherine is safely by my side once again.
Vincent closed the journal then rose. After pacing nervously for a few moments he decided to go for a walk through the tunnels. He hoped that if he had time just to concentrate maybe he could break through the wall that surrounded the bond. Then he could sense where Catherine was and if she was in danger. Picking up his cloak he swung it around his broad shoulders then quickly left the chamber. He found that since Catherine disappeared that he no longer liked spending much time in his chamber or in other places that they spent most of their time together. And he also felt empty when he went above to Catherine’s balcony. He had been going there almost nightly to see if she had returned and to call out to her with his mind and his heart.
Catherine was kneeling in the corner of the dark room that they were holding her. She had become ill again after the injection was given to her. As she turned around she looked at her surrounding hoping that all this had been nothing but a horrible nightmare. But she quickly found that it was real. Rising to her feet she looked around groggily for some way to get out. She turned and suddenly she saw Vincent standing in the corner of the room. “Vincent?” She whispered hopefully as she rose to her feet and ran toward him.
But he quickly disappeared when she reached him. She stared at the gray wall where she thought he had been standing. She hated the feeling she had of being lightheaded and dizzy. Placing her hand over her abdomen she closed her eyes and prayed that whatever the injection was that they had given her earlier that it would not harm her baby. She smiled to herself when she thought of the tiny life that was growing within her. She wanted to tell Vincent the last night that she was below but he was in no state of mind at that time to hear that they had made love in the cavern and that she was now carrying their child. She only hoped that when she saw him again she would be able to tell him and that he would be as happy about it as she was.
Turning she saw a pipe in the opposite corner of the room. Looking over she saw her shoe lying on the floor. She quickly walked over and picked up the shoe then she knelt down next to the pipe. She then began to tap out a distress call to Vincent. She just hoped that it would reach him. And that she was telling him exactly where she was being held. As she was tapping the guards unlocked the door. They saw what she was doing and pulled her to her feet. “Come on Miss Chandler they want to talk to you again.” One of them told her. Then they led her out of the room.
Vincent had been walking through the tunnels when Pascal had sent a message to him that they had apparently received a distress call from Catherine. Now he was running faster than he had ever run through the tunnels. Please Catherine stay strong until I get to you. He thought. Then he reached the tunnel exit and quickly left the tunnels heading in the direction that Pascal had told him that they call had come from.
Catherine was lead into another room where the doctor and the same man that had been questioning her were waiting. Suddenly the doctor moved over to the video camera in the corner. “Give her another injection Doctor.” A voice ordered. The doctor looked back at Catherine for a moment then spoke to the man. “I don’t think we should continue with the injections she is pregnant and I am not sure if either she or the baby will survive with more injections.” After a moment the voice spoke again. “Doctor, just give her the injection.” The doctor knew that he could not disobey. He walked over and took the syringe off the tray that the other man was holding. Then he injected the shot into Catherine’s arm again. “Just tell them what they want to know.” He pleaded as he looked at Catherine. She looked down at the place where he had injected her then looked up at him again. She just wanted to go home and rest. She had not been allowed to sleep since she was brought here and she was past being exhausted.
Vincent arrived at the warehouse and busted through the far wall of one of the rooms. The guards immediately came into the room but Vincent took care of them quickly. As he busted out of the room the alarm in the entire building went off. The man that was about to question Catherine took out his pocketknife and cut her ropes. He then looked at the doctor. “Get her and let’s get out of here.” The doctor nodded and picked Catherine up until he was holding her up then they quickly left the room heading for a waiting car in the alley.
When Vincent reached the room where Catherine had just been he looked around then he heard a noise outside. He moved over and looked out the window. His heart leaped in his chest when he saw two men forcing her into a car below the window. He quickly moved back and pulled the bars off. Then he ran at the window and broke the glass as he jumped through it and landed on top of the car. The driver looked over at the man in the passenger seat. “What was that?” The man shook his head. “Don’t worry just drive.” He looked back at the doctor in the backseat. Catherine was lying against his side unconscious. “We have to get her out of here or the boss will hunt us for the rest of our lives.”
Suddenly Vincent busted out the driver side window and pulled the driver out of the car in one swift movement. The man in the passenger seat and the doctor stared in fear as they heard Vincent growling and the man screaming for his life. The man in the passenger seat looked back at the doctor again. “Come on let’s get out of here now!” The doctor looked at Catherine who was still unconscious. “What about her?” The man shook his head. “Forget about her this is not worth our lives.” Then they opened their doors and both ran out of the car and down the alley into the night. Both were wondering where they could go now that they had failed. They knew that Gabriel would hunt them down but they did not want to face Vincent.
As Vincent watched them disappear he moved quickly toward the car. He looked inside and was overjoyed to find Catherine still lying on the backseat. He quickly tore off the back door and gently pulled her out of the car. “Catherine?” He asked desperately as he knelt down on the ground with her in his arms. She opened her heavy eyelids for a moment and smiled weakly at him. “I knew you would come.” Then she once again fell into unconsciousness. Vincent checked her pulse and found that it was slow but steady. Rising to his feet he picked her up. “Come my love I will get you to Father.” Then he ran down the alley heading for the tunnels.
A little while later he was pacing outside the hospital chamber. When he returned with Catherine he had entered Father’s chamber and found him there with Mary and Peter. They quickly escorted him to the hospital chamber where he gently put Catherine down. Then Father had asked him to wait outside until they were done examining her. Vincent had not wanted to go but he knew that would only be in their way. So he looked back at Catherine once more then left the chamber.
He had just turned back toward the hospital chamber when Father and Peter emerged. “Father how is she?” The tunnel elder smiled slightly and cupped his cheek. “We both think that she will be just fine whoever had her was injecting her with some type of serum but it does not appear to have harmed her.” Father then looked at Peter. They had discovered her pregnancy during their examination. “Vincent there is something that you should know.” Vincent looked at him again. “Yes Father, what is it?” Father took a deep breath he was not sure how Vincent would react to hearing this next part. “The serum did not affect Catherine.” He repeated. Then he looked Vincent directly in the eyes. “Nor did it affect her unborn child.” Vincent stared at him in shock. “Catherine is pregnant?” Father nodded. Vincent looked down. “How far along?” This is where Peter spoke. “Only a few weeks.” Vincent looked up at them. “They raped her!” He growled. Father reached out and put his hand on Vincent’s shoulder. “We are not sure son.” Vincent nodded. “Father that has to be the answer it is the only answer.” But Father was not convinced. He knew that something was going on and he intended to find out what that was.
A few hours later Catherine began to wake. She opened her eyes and smiled when she saw Father and Peter sitting close by. “Father is that you?” She asked weakly. Both doctors smiled and rose moving toward her. “Yes Catherine how are you feeling?” He asked as he took her hand in his. “I am feeling a bit tired and lightheaded.”
Then she put her hand over her abdomen. “The baby?” Father and Peter looked at one another then Father smiled and answered. “The child is fine.” Catherine suddenly began to cry. “Oh I was so afraid that the injections would harm the baby.” Peter knelt down beside the cot. “Honey do you know who the father is?” She looked up at him and nodded. Then she looked at Father. “Vincent.” She whispered. Father looked at Peter shocked. “Vincent but how is that possible?” Father asked. Catherine looked at him again. “We made love while he was ill in the cavern after I thought he had died I kissed him trying anything to revive him then before I knew what was happening he was reacting to the kiss.”
Father smiled lovingly as Catherine wiped her tears away. “Shh Catherine you have nothing to be unhappy about.” She looked up at him shocked. “You aren’t angry?” Father shook his head. “No my dear in fact I am very happy that you proved this old fool wrong.” But he suddenly got very serious again. “Vincent doesn’t know does he?” Catherine shook her head. “The last night that I was here I came intending to tell him but he was so upset by the loss of the bond that I could not bring myself to say anything.” Peter shook his head. “Oh honey you have been through so much.”
Catherine suddenly looked around the chamber. “Where is he?” Father smiled. “I made him go get a few hours of rest he has been looking for you nonstop since you vanished.” Catherine nodded. “I have to tell him everything.” Peter smiled and patted her cheek. “Yes honey you do but give yourself a bit of time to recover.” Catherine nodded then she looked at Father again. “Did you tell him about the baby?” Father nodded. “Yes I felt he should know.” Catherine smiled. “Father don’t worry everything will work out.” Father smiled. “I am sure it will but I have to tell you that he believes you were raped while you were being held.” Catherine sighed. “This is going to be hard for him to hear but I have to tell him.” Then she closed her eyes again. “I am going to go back to sleep.” She whispered. Then she fell asleep peacefully.
A few hours later she awoke once again and found that Mary was sitting next the bed knitting. Mary looked up and smiled when she saw that Catherine was awake. “Hello dear are you all right?” Mary asked as she put her knitting away. Catherine nodded. “Yes I am fine can I have some water?” Mary rose and poured some water into a cup. “Here you go dear.” She responded as she helped Catherine sit up. Catherine swayed a bit and closed her eyes as a wave of dizziness came over her. “Father told me to tell you that because of the injections you were given you might feel a bit queasy.” Catherine nodded. “Thank you for everything Mary.” The older woman helped her lie back down. “You don’t need to thank me Catherine we have all been very worried about you.”
Catherine was about to speak when Vincent came into the chamber. Mary looked up and smiled. “I will leave the two of you alone.” Then she picked up her knitting bag. “I will come back later.” She told Catherine. The younger woman nodded as she continued to look at Vincent. Mary knew that they wanted to be alone so she quietly left the chamber.
Once she was gone Vincent came across the room and sat down on the bed beside Catherine. “Oh I was so frightened that I would never find you.” He whispered as he lifted her hand and gently kissed it. Catherine smiled. “I knew you would find me Vincent.” He smiled as tears came to his eyes. “I have never felt so helpless in my life.” Catherine tightened her hand in his. “Shh that’s all over now I am here.” Vincent nodded. “Yes and I am going to take care of you.” He looked at her once again growing very serious. “And I am going to make sure that both you and your child are safe.” Catherine could hear the sadness in his voice. “Vincent we need to talk about the baby.” Vincent shook his head. “Not now Catherine we can talk about what happened to you later.” Catherine sighed. “Vincent it’s not what you think.” She replied. He stared at her for a moment then spoke. “What do you mean Catherine?” She tightened her hand in his again. “Vincent the baby is ours.”
Vincent suddenly released her hand and rose from the bed. “That is not possible Catherine!” He stated adamantly. Catherine sat up slowly. “Vincent we made love while you were ill in the cavern then I found out that I was pregnant I came below that last night before I was kidnapped to tell you but you were so fragile that I couldn’t bring myself to say anything.” Vincent kept his back to her and sighed. “I knew that you had something on your mind that night.” Catherine was encouraged that he might be accepting that the baby was theirs.
Vincent then turned and looked at her. “Catherine how can you be happy about this child when I raped you?” Catherine shook her head vehemently. “No Vincent it was not rape we made love!” She declared. Vincent began to pace. “Catherine I was not in my right mind in the cavern it could not have been anything but rape!” Then he stopped pacing and turned to look at her again. “Catherine we cannot be together any longer not after what I have done.”
He then moved toward the chamber entrance. “I will be staying in the lower tunnels from now on.” Catherine shook her head as tears streamed down her face. “No Vincent you can’t leave, the baby and I need you!” Vincent turned again and stared at her. “I have proven by what I did in the cavern that I am an animal Catherine. I took what I wanted without regard to you and now you are trapped carrying my child.” He whispered. Then before Catherine could respond he ran from the chamber. Catherine sat there stunned for a few moments then she broke down in tears sinking back onto the bed as her heart broke.
A few moments later Mary, Peter, Father, and Devin hurried into the hospital chamber. They were stunned when they saw Catherine lying on the bed sobbing. Mary put the tray in her hands down and hurried over to her. “What happened Catherine?” She asked as she stroked her back. Catherine turned over and sniffled as she sat up. “Vincent’s run to the lower tunnels. I told him about the baby and now he believes that he was the one who raped me!” She cried. Mary looked up at Father. He smiled weakly then moved over and embraced Catherine. “Shh Catherine we will work this out.” He whispered. Devin came over and knelt down beside the bed. “Hey Chandler I heard what happened to you are you okay?” She lifted her head from Father’s shoulder and shook her head. “No Devin, I am not all right.” She whispered. Father looked at Peter. “Stay with her while I speak to Mary and Devin?” Peter nodded then moved over and took his place comforting her. Father then turned and ushered Mary and Devin out into the tunnel.
When they were out of the hospital chamber Devin spoke. “Dad what is going on?” Father sighed. “When we examined her after Vincent brought her back here Peter and I found out that she is pregnant.” Mary gasped. “Did those animals who were holding her rape that poor girl?” Devin put his arm around her shoulders for support. Father shook his head. “No Mary they did not rape her.” Mary let out the breath she was holding. “Then what was she talking about?” Devin asked. Father sighed. “She told me and Peter earlier when she woke up that the baby was Vincent’s child.” Mary smiled. “Oh that is wonderful.” Father nodded. “Yes it is truly wonderful.” Devin looked at his parent shocked. “You’re okay with all this?” Father could not help but chuckle. “Yes Devin I realized a long time ago that Catherine is exactly what your brother needs.” Then he shook his head. “But apparently he believes that he raped her.” Mary gasped. “How could he believe such a thing?” Father looked at her again. “Mary the child was conceived in the cavern when Catherine went in to save him from himself.” Mary began to understand. “Jacob how could it have happened at that time?” She asked. Father smiled. “Well from what Catherine told me earlier after Vincent’s vital signs stopped she kissed him then before she knew it he was conscious again and responding to the kiss.” He stated. “Then one thing led to another and they made love.”
Devin moved back toward the hospital chamber. “I am going to go see Chandler for a moment then I am going to the lower tunnels I think I know where Vincent may have gone.” Father nodded. “I hope you can talk some sense into him.” Devin smiled. “I am going to try Dad after all Catherine and the baby need him.” With that Devin entered the hospital chamber again. Father and Mary quickly turned and followed him inside.
Back in the hospital chamber Devin moved over and knelt down beside the bed where Catherine was sitting still crying in Peter’s arms. “Don’t worry Chandler I think I know where he is and I am going down there right now to talk to him.” Catherine lifted her head. “Please tell him that it was not rape and that I want him with us.” Devin nodded. “You know I will now I want you to calm down and take it easy after all you are carrying my niece or my nephew, you have to take care of yourself.” Catherine smiled slightly. “All right Devin I will. Just try to get through to him.” With that Devin rose again and quickly left the chamber heading to the lower tunnels.
When he reached their secret hiding place in the lower tunnels Devin saw Vincent sitting against the wall. He had his eyes closed and his head was leaning back against the rock. “Figured anything out?” Devin asked as moved toward his brother. Vincent’s head snapped forward and he opened his eyes. “When did you get here?” He asked as he rose and embraced him. “I got here a few hours ago.” Vincent sat back down. “Did you see Catherine?” Devin nodded. “Yes that is why I came to see you.” Vincent shook his head. “I can’t talk about it Devin I defiled her.” Devin shook his head. “No little brother you made love to her.” He corrected. Vincent looked at him with a lost look on his face. “How can you say that when you see what I am?” Devin rose and glared at him. “Don’t ever say anything like that again!” He remarked heatedly. “You are a wonderful man who deserves all the happiness in the world and Catherine is offering you that happiness with this child.” Vincent shook his head. “Devin I just can’t.” He whispered. Devin’s anger once again rose. “Then what are you going to do hide down here for the rest of your life?” Vincent sighed. “I don’t know what I am going to do but I can’t go back.” Devin shook his head. “Vincent you are making the biggest mistake of your life and I just pray that you realize it before it is too late.” He then rose. “I need to get back Catherine probably wants to know how you are.” Vincent looked up at him. “Tell her to find a new life for her and the baby.” Devin shook his head. “No I won’t tell her that if you want to tell her you will have to do it yourself.” Then he turned and walked back toward the family tunnels.
When he returned to the family tunnels he entered the hospital chamber. Catherine was sitting up in bed talking to Mary, Peter, and Father. She looked up at Devin but when she saw that he was alone her face fell. “He would not come home?” Devin shook his head as he moved over and sat down. “No he is convinced that he raped you.” Father shook his head. “What have I done to him?” Catherine put her hand on the older man’s shoulder. “You thought you were protecting him.” She soothed. He looked up at her sadly. “Yes but all I did was make him think of himself as more of an animal than a man who deserves love and happiness.” Devin agreed with what Father was saying. He knew that Father’s special treatment had been very detrimental to his brother. But he could not bring himself to call him on it while he was in so much pain. “Dad don’t punish yourself Chandler is right you were doing what you thought was best.” Father looked up at him. “Devin I appreciate that but we both know the truth.”
After a moment of silence Catherine looked up at Peter. “Can I come live with you until the baby is born?” Everyone in the chamber looked at her shocked. “Catherine, are you sure?” Father asked. Catherine looked at him again and nodded. “Yes Father Vincent has to be able to come home again and as long as I am here he won’t.” Peter moved over and sat down beside her. “Honey I don’t think you should leave the tunnels but if you are certain that it is the only answer, you are welcome to live with me.” She smiled appreciatively.
A while later after Catherine had once again fallen asleep Father, Mary, Devin, and Peter all entered Father’s chamber. “Jacob that poor girl is devastated.” Peter remarked as they sat down. Father nodded. “I know Peter and I hate seeing her like this it breaks my heart.” Devin shook his head. “I just wish I could have gotten through to Vincent when I went to talk to him earlier.” Mary touched his arm. “Devin you did all you could, he is not listening to anyone at the moment.”
At that moment a message came over the pipes that Vincent had returned to the hub and was going to his chamber. Father looked at the others and rose. “I am going to have a talk with my stubborn son about how he is treating the woman he says he loves.” Mary put her hand on his arm. “I know you are angry with him just remember he is very frightened.” Father nodded. “I know that Mary but he has to be made to see what he may have just lost.” The he turned and left the chamber.
When he entered Vincent’s chamber the younger man looked over his shoulder at him. “Not now Father I just came back to get some more of my things.” The tunnel elder moved over and sat down on the bed. “How can you treat the woman that you supposedly love with so much contempt?” Vincent stood up straight and turned to face him. “Father I love Catherine more than anything!” He growled. Father shook his head. “Do you?” He challenged. Vincent shook his head. “Father you don’t understand, I raped her!” He yelled. “I have to protect her and the baby from me and this is the only way that I know how to do that.” Father shook his head. “Vincent you did not rape Catherine you could never harm her!” Vincent sighed. “Father I can’t trust myself to be with Catherine any longer.” He whispered.
Father rose from the bed. “You are making a terrible mistake.” He remarked. Then he walked toward the chamber entrance. “Oh before I leave I thought you might like to know that Catherine is leaving the tunnels tonight to go live with Peter.” Vincent turned and looked at his parent startled. “Is that a wise idea with Gabriel and his men still loose?” Father smiled to himself. He knew how much Vincent loved Catherine and he hoped that telling him about her decision would change his mind and convince him that he was wrong. “Yes Catherine wanted you to be able to come back and live amongst us again so she is leaving so you won’t feel uncomfortable.” Then without another word he turned and left the chamber. Vincent sat down in his chair and put his head in his hands. He was so confused that he did not know what to do. Then he rose again. He picked up his pack and left the chamber on his way back to the lower catacombs. No Catherine and our child are better off without me in their lives. He thought to himself as he left the hub.
Later that night all the tunnel residents gathered in Father’s chamber as Catherine and Peter prepared to leave. “Chandler you don’t have to do this.” Devin stated. She looked over at him and sighed. “I can’t stay here Devin he has to be able to come home and be amongst all of you again.” Father rose and moved over to her. He put his arm around her shoulders and smiled at her. “Catherine you and the baby are also our family and we are all very worried about both of you.” She turned and embraced him. “I know and I love you all I will come for visits from time to time when Vincent is away.” She promised. Then she looked at Peter. “We should get going.” Peter nodded. “Sure honey let’s go.” Taking her hand they started to walk out of the chamber. Various tunnel residents embraced her and told her that they would come above to visit as she moved through the crowd. Then they climbed the steps and left the chamber.
Once they were gone Mary shook her head. “I am afraid for her.” Father put his arm around her. “I know Mary so am I.” Then Jamie stood. “I am going to the catacombs and give Vincent a piece of my mind!” She declared. Devin put his arm around her shoulders and shook his head. “No kiddo that would only make the situation worse they will work this out for themselves Vincent just needs time.”
With that everyone in the chamber began talking amongst him or herself. “Father are you going to let Vincent get away with hurting Catherine like this?” William finally asked. Father looked at him and sighed. “There is nothing that I can do he is a grown man besides as Devin stated a moment ago they will work this out for themselves.” William shook his head. “I think we should put him through the silence.” Devin looked at him and rose. “William I think he is punishing himself enough.” Father looked at his eldest son and nodded. “I agree with Devin but I can’t stop any of you who choose not to speak to him.” Then he added. “Just make sure that if you do put him through the silence that it does not affect your opinion of him permanently because I know that Catherine would not want that.” With that said everyone left the chamber.
After everyone had left Devin looked at Father. “Do you really think that they will put him through the silence?” Father sighed. “I am not sure what they will do Devin I just hope that if they do it does not end up doing irreparable damage to their relationship with him.” At that moment a message came over the pipes that Vincent was entering the hub. Father rose from his chair. “Come we will go to his chamber and let him know that Catherine is gone.” Devin also rose. “Dad we are going to have to be here for both Vincent and also for Catherine.” Father smiled. “I know Devin and we will be here for them.” With that they left the chamber.
When they reached Vincent’s chamber they met him as he was entering. “Father do you know why Marcus would not speak to me when I came into the hub?” Vincent asked as they all entered the chamber and sat down. “Vincent I think you should expect that from some of the tunnel residents.” Devin commented. Vincent looked at him confused. “Why would they not speak to me?” Father shook his head. “Vincent they are very angry with you about Catherine.” Vincent shook his head. “I did what was best.” He commented. Then he looked up at them. “I will go and talk to her again in a few moments.” Father shook his head. “Vincent she left with Peter a little while ago.” Vincent looked up at him again. “She decided to leave after all?” He asked. Devin smiled at Father when he heard the hurt in Vincent’s voice and saw the sadness in his eyes. “Yes little brother she decided it was best.” He stated. Vincent rose. “Well at least she won’t be alone.” Father suddenly stood. “Yes that’s true Vincent but it’s not Peter who should be with her!” He commented angrily. Then turning he left the chamber.
After he had left Vincent began to pace. “Devin you have to understand I did what was best for Catherine.” Devin shook his head. “I don’t believe that Vincent and I don’t think you believe it either.” Vincent turned and looked at him again. “Devin I raped her and I will have to live with that for the rest of my life just as Catherine will be forced to raise our child.” Devin rose and moved over in front of him. “Vincent she wants that baby more than she has ever wanted anything in her life.” He argued. “You and she made love you did not rape her and that love is what created that child.” Vincent shook his head. “Devin I have made my decision and I am going to have to live the rest of my life with that decision just as everyone else is going to have to live with it. Catherine is out of my life now and she can get on with her life the way it was meant to be before we met. Now she can find someone to make her happy.” Then he grabbed his cloak off the chair and ran from the chamber before his tears started to fall.
Devin stood there a moment then shook his head and moved toward the chamber entrance. As he was leaving he caught a glimpse of Vincent’s retreating form. Shaking his head he thought. You can try to convince yourself that you’re right Vincent but I know that this decision is destroying you inside. Then he turned down the next tunnel. He decided to go to Jamie’s chamber and check on her. She idolized Catherine and this whole situation was tearing her apart.
