Hurricane Vincent Classic Extra Long Story Vincent dives in to save Catheine's life when a tidal wave hits Manhattan. A shorter version of this story first appeared in the 1999 edition of 'A Moment In Time Conzine' pages 1 to 34. “Catherine, what a lovely surprise! I didn’t expect to see you until tomorrow. Good Lord, its not Saturday already is it?”Father gasped. “Catherine chuckled, “No Father its still Friday.” “Thank goodness for that.” Father sighed “I know I’ve been engrossed in this book, but I didn’t think I had been reading all night!” Catherine laughed, and she pictured that happening as she hurried down the last few steps into Father’s chamber and bent to brush a feather light kiss upon his brow. Father loved his books. “Does Vincent know that you were coming today?” Father closed his book at a convenient place before laying it upon the table to speak to her further. “No Father,” she replied, “Is Vincent here? I thought he might have come to meet me.” Father shook his head, “No just prior to your arrival my dear there was a message relayed on the pipes that an intruder had been spotted near the park entrance. Vincent went to intercept whomever it was.” Catherine grew fearful and her frightened eyes told Father of that fear, “Its all right Catherine.” He patted her hand, “Vincent knows not to show himself until he has accessed the situation.” Catherine released a sigh of relief at his words, but before she had the chance to reply the sound of cheery voices could be heard approaching the chamber, and Father’s eyes lit up as he recognised them both. Ready with a smile and a greeting Father rose from his seat to meet their entrance, and with a cry of delight embraces his eldest son, whom he hadn’t seen for the best part of a year. “Devin! How good it is to see you.” They were friends now, not so much father and son but the affection was there as it never was before or at least as it was never shown from one to the other before. In the past they both hid their feelings much to their detriment. “Yes.” Vincent was saying, relinquishing his hold on his older brother, “Look what the wind blew in.” His blue eyes sparkled as they met Catherine’s, and it wasn’t difficult to see how much his brother’s long overdue visit meant to him. However Catherine’s reason for her sudden arrival to the tunnels was about to dash his joy. “Never a truer word spoken in jest Vincent.” She told him, and slowly all eyes turned to her, as Father asked, “Why do you say that Catherine?” Catherine drew in a deep breath not really wanted to say this, but knowing she must, “The reason why I had to come tonight. I bring news - not good news. There is a hurricane heading towards Manhattan.” Father frowned, “I remember the last one only too well. Do you know the wind speed my dear?” “Uh huh. The forecast presumes it could be as strong as one hundred and twenty miles an hour with gusts up to two hundred. But that’s not the worst of it.” She paused, and Father asked, “What could be worse than that? Its already cold down here without hurricane force winds leaking in.” Catherine went on, “The weather reports say we should expect tidal waves and the city is being evacuated even as I speak.” Her eyes grew anxious, “But Father what will you all do down here? Where can you all go when water heads into the drains?” Her words had a sinister ring to them, and the three men understood only too plainly what her inner fear was, ‘but what of Vincent? If the water swamps the tunnels where can he run to?’ Vincent knew her thoughts and hurried to reassure her. “Don’t worry Catherine, we have tackled hurricanes before. Do you know how much time we have before it is expected to hit us?” “Yes its scheduled to reach the island in about ten hours from now.” Despite his assurances, Catherine found her fear did not relinquish its hold on her. She knew that it could get pretty nasty for all involved that had made their home in the tunnels beneath New York City. Father’s inner fear was also for Vincent and he took charge at once. “Then there is no time to lose. Its as well you arrived when you did Devin. You were here the last time a similar catastrophe broke, do you remember?” “How could I ever forget.” Devin replied with a wry smile and Catherine hoped to ask someone about this event later. “Well your help proved very valuable that last time Devin, however I fear that those particular water ways have been long sealed up.” Father rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Devin’s bright idea of opening up vertical shafts between levels had saved their lives, during flooding in the tunnels before. As Father pondered on the past Vincent brought out the maps that showed all the vast underground network, and Father shifted some candles so that the maps could be spread before the four of them onto a table. “We shall have to put sandbags here and here as before.” Father pointed to the places, “Can the two of you organise some teams and all that needs doing?” He looked up at his two sons hopefully. Nodding simultaneously Devin and Vincent listened intently when Catherine asked “Is there anything I can do? There must be something. Something that you need perhaps, something that money can buy.” Father looked at her with eyes filled with hope and consternation. He would dearly have loved to have said ‘yes’ straight away, but feared that Vincent, who didn’t like Catherine spending her money on them, would refuse this kind offer. Thankfully he didn’t. “That would be a wonderful gesture gratefully accepted,” he told Catherine much to Father’s relief and Catherine smiled turning her attention toward Father who knew exactly what it was they needed most urgently. “Sandbags.” Father told her, “Lots of sandbags. The ones we used before are past it. They’ll suffice in normal flooding conditions, but with the force of a tidal wave…” He shrugged, “well who knows?” “Consider it done Father.” Catherine replied, “How many will you require?” “Is three hundred too many?” Father didn’t like to ask but that number was necessary. He knew it, Catherine knew it and the more bags they had the better. “Three hundred is fine, four if you need them?” “No three will be ample. Thank you Catherine.” Nodding Catherine asked, “So where shall I have them delivered? We don’t want to risk that many being delivered to the park entrance do we?” “No. We’ll do the same as last time. Do you know Jake’s Store on fifty forth?” “I know the one. Never had cause to shop there before though.” “Well Jake is a helper. Have the sandbags delivered there. Jake’s basement has direct access to the tunnels. I will arrange a team to meet the delivery. Do you think you can arrange all of this in time?” “Well I’ll pull out all the stops to do so. Don’t worry Father, even if it means carry the whole lot there myself I’ll do it.” “There would never be enough time.” Devin grinned as he spoke, his eyes dancing beacons of fun, “Sure like to see you trudging through the streets with sandbags though Chandler.” Father grinned he couldn’t help himself. Devin was right, but by the firm set of Catherine’s jaw he marvelled at her resolution to carry this out if the need arose. But then he could well understand her devotion to his son, and the people she had come to know as her family who relied upon the tunnels as their home. Truly Catherine would do anything, go to great lengths, exert herself beyond what was normal, anything at all just to preserve alive those that she loved with all her heart and unknowingly Catherine notched up another point of pride in her capabilities within Father’s heart. *** *** *** Heading towards the threshold Vincent hurried to keep up alongside Catherine in her haste to get started. Usually his long strides were way ahead of hers, but on this occasion though she almost ran Vincent had to increase his stride to maintain her pace. “Slow down Catherine.” Vincent caught her elbow. By no way was he puffed, but he feared for her. Her heart was pounding. Catherine slowed reluctantly, and took some deep breaths, “Sorry I didn’t realise I was going so fast, but there is no time to lose you know. To get the sandbags ordered, delivered and then return to help out – well that might take all the time we are allocated Vincent.” Catherine by no way chided him, but Vincent felt reproached. He stopped his thoughts directly on her welfare, “Catherine I do not think you should return. You should go to your apartment where you will be safe. When the waters have receded I will come to you.” Catherine searched his eyes. So many questions vied for supremacy in her mind. Desperately she wanted to be where he was. Desperately she had to know that he was well. When the hurricane hit and the tidal wave befell them anything could happen. Catherine couldn’t just sit in her apartment and pray that his life had been spared. She had to be there, had to be below knowing exactly what was going on. Besides another pair of hands at a time like this could be a godsend. It was then that she remembered something she had heard earlier on the news bulletin. “I cant Vincent. The entire city is being evacuated. Chances of my getting back to the apartment would be very slim. I’d be ushered away. The only chance I’d have of getting there would be via the threshold. So if I’m going to come into the tunnels to get home, I may as well come to your home instead. Besides I want to be where you are.” Despite their plight and the time they were wasting, Vincent chuckled. Catherine could certainly put up a good argument when she wanted to get her own way, but he had to make her see that being below at a time like this would be no holiday either. “Everyone will be busy. You will feel in the way as people bustle about. You’d be better off in your apartment.” Catherine noticed his underlying fear. His eyes spoke of what his lips could not. She knew that all his excuses bordered on his fear for her safety, but she was adamant. “Vincent surely another pair of hands would be gratefully accepted?” He nodded - this was true. “Is that a yes you agree or a yes I can come?” Catherine teased him lightly her eyes softly sparkling. Exhaling a breath of humour Vincent replied, “Both. I fear nothing short of an atomic bomb would stop you from coming to offer your help.” “Maybe not even that.” Catherine grinned, gazing up into the blue of his eyes. Vincent grew serious again. The sudden thought that Catherine would risk anything for him brought forth some fresh trepidation. “Catherine, I would prefer it if you went to your apartment. I know that you want to help and that help would be gratefully accepted, but there are miles upon miles of tunnels to cover, I simply won’t be still for a moment.” He paused then started again, “Catherine to know that you are below, then I would not give my fullest attention to the project in hand and…” His voice wavered and stilled to a halt. He knew he was edging around the real reason for his reluctance to have her below and he knew also that she knew it too. He became embarrassed suddenly and hid behind a curtain of beautiful hair. Exasperated Catherine sighed, “All right Vincent I’ll go to the apartment.” Wishing for once he would say what really troubled him. He did. Surprising her no end. “It’s just that I care for you so deeply… If anything were to happen to you…” His voice still wavered but slowly his head rose affording Catherine the delight of his intense blue eyes once more. Catherine stepped closer and hugged him, “It won’t. I’ll go to my apartment. Don’t worry Vincent. You just concentrate on helping your family.” And you, she whispered in her heart. Much relieved Vincent returned her embrace, “Thank you Catherine. I will see you as soon as I possibly can.” “Keep the bond open Vincent, and promise you’ll get word to me if you do need my assistance…in anything…okay?” Her eyes pleaded with his. “I promise.” They hugged one another tightly - almost as if it might be the last time that they would before breaking apart reluctantly to go their separate ways. *** *** *** Catherine had a difficult job getting so many sandbags delivered at such short notice, everyone wanted them, even people who were vacating the city hoped to protect their homes in the wake of the storm and the streets were jammed with traffic. Catherine offered twice the going rate for delivery to Jake’s store, but was only told that everyone had a right to protection, not just the rich and famous. “Then what is the problem” Determined Catherine asked the retailers, “Just highlight it and I’ll work around it.” “The problem lady is this, my staff are working overtime now all the hours that God sends to get bags to places that need them the most. The traffic is horrendous and the lorries can’t get through let alone return for fresh supplies. I just can’t make any promises in the time allocated.” Still unprepared to give up Catherine asked, “What if I sent someone to collect the bags?” There was an exasperated sigh at the other end of the line, “Lady if you can find enough people left in this city willing to shift three hundred sand bags in the next couple of hours then so be it. But remember they are heavy.” “Thank you, thank you. Just have them ready and I’ll find someone to collect them. The name is Chandler.” Replacing the receiver Catherine wondered about her next move. Who could she contact to collect the sandbags and deliver them to Jake’s? All the helpers would be otherwise engaged with their own welfare and family safety as well as helping those below in any way they could already but what choice did she have? Who else could be trusted to deliver so many bags without asking too many questions? Three hundred sand-bags wouldn’t carry themselves, so Catherine left her apartment to go to the threshold and tap out her SOS message. Father received it within minutes and knew exactly what to do, a similar thing had occurred before, “This is getting more and more like a re run” he told Pascal and Mary. “Devin and Vincent are off with their teams and they need those bags. It’s a good job we have so many loyal helpers.” Within half an hour Father had made all the arrangements for the collection and Catherine found a slip of paper pushed beneath her door bringing her reply. She sighed with relief and switched on the TV and saw that an earlier news update on the storm was being relayed again. Stunned Catherine recoiled in horror when she heard that the hurricane had changed direction and was now hurtling straight towards New York destined to hit five hours ahead of schedule. Catherine checked her watch that report was issued three hours ago! Flinging on her coat, Catherine fled the apartment heading straight for the threshold, and amazingly finding Vincent waiting for her there. “I never expected to see you so soon Vincent.” She told him as he swung her down off the ladder, “I have urgent news. The hurricane has altered course and will arrive here in less than two hours!” “I was passing this way and I felt your fear. I waited for you. Come we must send Father a message at once.” When Vincent had completed tapping it out Catherine hastily explained the problem with the sand-bags and Vincent listened gravely. “Even with all our helpers we would never get all the bags to Jake’s store and into position before the hurricane arrives. Most of the helpers that are with us are already stationed in position within the tunnels to receive the bags as it is.” He told Catherine. “Perhaps the tidal wave will be delayed long enough, perhaps everything will be achieved in time.” Catherine spoke hopefully. Doubtful Vincent shook his head, “Even as we speak great shafts are being opened up within the drainage system. Look this is how we do it.” He knelt down onto the dusty floor, “See this is the tunnel.” He drew a line into the sand with one clawed finger, “and in many of these tunnels there are chambers positioned below. Others have vertical shafts. By opening up these shafts we can channel the water straight down to subterranean pools below, but those vertical shafts that open up into chambers we have to block up with sandbags. The problem arises if anyone from Above should check the drainage systems are operating properly. As the drainage systems are the city’s defence against flooding people Above will expect that the great underground network will drain away the excess water. If we should be discovered living down here and blocking up the drainage systems…well you don’t need me to tell you what that would mean.” He looked at her gravely. “For you?” Catherine looked at him anxiously, “Vincent do whatever you have to do. Whatever it costs. Remember what use is money in the bank when lives are at risk. Anything you need down here Vincent just say and I’ll get it whatever it costs.” Father’s message was relayed back to them as Catherine finished speaking not giving Vincent a chance to answer, but he was swamped by a great feeling of gratitude for the love his Catherine showed to his family, warmed by the love she showed him too. Father’s message told them that as the helpers were already in their positions forming a chain from all the tunnels needing attention all the way to Jake’s store. Simply there was no time to bring them all away send them to the wholesalers and get them all back into position again. “What can we do?” Catherine searched Vincent’s face anxiously, hoping some expression of his might show that he had a clue. “Do you know anyone Catherine, a large group of people that would help? Perhaps if you offered to pay them Catherine.” Vincent was well aware that her offer of only moments ago was already being accepted. Catherine raked her brains trying to think clearly as well as think of anyone that may help. Her mind was all over the place. “Think! Think!” She told herself angrily, frustrated that she just couldn’t bring anyone to mind. Vincent watched her wishing he could help, and was surprised when suddenly she grabbed his sleeve and cried, “I’ve got it! Vincent go back to your post. If these people I am thinking of are still in the city then they will do it. I’m certain of it.” Something in her tone however made Vincent uneasy, “Catherine, are these people dangerous?” “They would sell their soul to the devil, Vincent. But what choice do we have?” “Then tell me where you can locate them and I will be close by. Should you need me.” His anxious eyes sought hers. Catherine nodded his offer made her feel a whole lot better. She highlighted the area. Vincent knew it and he again had grave misgivings of her going there. “Don’t worry Vincent.” Catherine told him as brightly as she could, “I won’t take any unnecessary risks. I promise.” Vincent wasn’t convinced. He well knew how determined Catherine could be when she put her mind to it. But like she had said, ‘what choice did they have?’ *** *** *** The group of people Catherine had in mind lived in an area where she least liked to go. A row of derelict brownstones was home to drug addicts and thugs alike, and Catherine had had the misfortune to meet with them before. But on the other hand she knew them to be loyal to one another and ready and willing to help others for a price. Feeling Vincent nearby gave Catherine great comfort, nonetheless all that Isaac had taught her now came into focus. Gingerly opening what served as a door to one of the brownstones, Catherine stepped through the entrance into what appeared to be a dark hall while trying to be as quiet and inconspicuous as she could. However the hairs on the back of her neck surfaced as someone closed the rickety door behind her blocking out the light from the street beyond and a rough hand encircled her throat. “Look what we have here. Miss Princess herself.” Catherine elbowed the man throwing him over her shoulder and standing her ground before he had a chance to say more. The sound of his fall brought several men out from a room just ahead of her and they sauntered toward her with malicious intent in their eyes. “I don’t want any trouble.” Catherine declared as they advanced, and the man she’d felled rose to his feet. He staggered to the wall and leaning on it heavily glared at her. “That wasn’t very ladylike Princess.” He drawled, “Neither was stepping in here uninvited. And you don’t want any trouble?” “I’m sorry. But I need your help.” Catherine tried to keep the nervousness she felt out of her voice. “Car broke down has it?” The fellow sneered rubbing his arm where it had taken most of his weight as he had fallen. “No. I need help in another way.” “Well what do you know lads, the Princess here needs our help.” The eruption of dirty laughter that followed sickened Catherine to the pit of her belly. “I can pay you.” More raunchy laugher followed. Panicking a little now, even with Vincent close by, Catherine was well aware that she had placed them both in a very risky situation. “Pay us you say?” Though this was spoken in a suggestive tone Catherine relaxed. There was definite interest in the fellow’s voice now even though his comrades continued to laugh. “Yes whatever you like.” The laughter trailed away and grew silent and another fellow stepped from out of the shadows. He came close walking with determined strides until he was face to face with Catherine. She stood her ground, refusing to look away. A thought went through her that she would remember his expressionless eyes probably forever. “And what if our payment doesn’t come in the form of dollar bills.” He told her sinisterly as he trailed his hand from her knee to her inner thigh. Catherine shook her head, “Please.” She heard the word leave her lips unaware that she had uttered it. “Would that be a please yes or a please no?” The fellow tightened his grip on her inner thigh, and Catherine wanted to vomit as she felt his fingers touch her intimately thankful that she was wearing jeans. “Look I don’t want any trouble.” To her dismay she stammered. “I need your help to carry some sandbags. A lot of sandbags, a great deal of people’s lives depend on them. I can pay you whatever you want.” She paused for emphasis and then continued, “but only with cash.” For long moments the fellow said nothing while Catherine’s stormy green eyes challenged his, until finally she expelled a sigh of relief as he replied, “Okay lady you got yourself a deal. How many bags are we talking ‘bout here?” “Three hundred.” Even to her own ears her voice sounded strained, high pitched. Catherine was annoyed with herself. At her reply the fellow whistled. “That’ll be a lot of helpers you’ll be needing.” “Can you do it?” Catherine was growing agitated. Time was running out for the tunnel dwellers. “Can you pay it.” “How much?” “Let’s see. You look a wealthy kind of woman. Designer clothes huh?” Catherine nodded eager to get away back to Vincent. Back to the comfort and security of his arms. “A hundred dollars per bag.” Catherine gasped. “A hundred dollars?” “Take it or leave it.” The fellow was aware of her predicament. He had it in the bag; apparently disinterested he made to move away. “I’ll take it!” Catherine had no choice, and besides she did have the money. And what price could one put on a life anyway? Especially when it was more than one life at stake, though the one life she desperately wanted to protect was priceless to her. The fellow nodded, and gesturing to his comrades soon had them running to pass the news on to the others that lived inside the houses. “Give us a couple of minutes.” He told Catherine, “And we’ll be with you.” “No. Look I haven’t time to stay longer.” From her coat pocket she took out a pre-written note and shoved it into his hand. “Here’s the addresses of the places where you should collect and deliver the sand bags. I’ll meet you at Jake’s Store and pay you on delivery.” The fellow caught her arm, “Nope. Something up front first.” Exasperated Catherine shook her arm free; “I don’t have much on me.” She fumbled in her other pocket “Here’s two hundred. I promise I’ll meet you at the store. I’ll go to the cash dispenser on the way.” Eager to get away and desperate for fresh air, Catherine tugged at the door. It opened slowly catching on the floor as she pulled it back. In the time it took for her to secure her escape the fellow had caught her again with an arm firmly around her waist. “Wait Princess. Zoë here will go with you. No tricks Princess. Zoë is good with a knife. You get my drift?” Nervously Catherine nodded, “I won’t let you down I promise. Can you hurry there isn’t much time?” Releasing his hold the fellow nodded, “I never forget a face Princess. Don’t even attempt to cross us.” Wide-eyed Catherine told him, “I won’t. My promise is my bond.” The word made her think even more strongly of Vincent, and Catherine hurried out into the street eager to return to his side. Together in silence they hurried. Catherine stole glances at the girl named Zoë. She guessed her to be around sixteen, certainly not much older. Perhaps a year or two younger even. She was unkempt and so obviously high on something. Catherine found her presence to be threatening, but she did not see a knife. Reaching a cash dispenser at last Catherine was grateful that she had only brought necessary items with her that day. She’d left her purse at home, bringing only her credit card and minimal cash with her. Now slotting the card into the machine Catherine withdrew three thousand dollars while Zoë looked on seemingly disinterested. “I’ve given the guy back at the house two hundred dollars already.” Catherine told Zoë as she shoved the bills into the pocket of her jeans. “Would you be offended if I gave you some of this money?” “Why?” Zoë stared at her. “If you don’t want it.” Catherine replied, adding, “I don’t need a reason to give it to you do I?” The girl shook her head and held out a grubby hand, “I’ll take it.” She told Catherine. Placing two hundred dollars into the girl’s hand Catherine was stunned as right there before her very eyes Zoë wiggled her hand up her skirt down her pants and shoved the money between her legs. She grinned at Catherine’s obvious surprise “It’ll be safe enough there until tonight. By then I will have thought of somewhere to hide it.” And Catherine knew then that Zoë’s previous disinterest had been merely a game. The girl knew exactly what she was doing. They finally reached Jake’s hardware store within the next half hour and even before they rounded the final corner Zoë knew that her friends had carried out their part of the bargain and telling Catherine so as they made their way to the store. In fact Catherine knew too, she could smell that they were there and a very frightened Jake was more than delighted to see Catherine walk in. He’d never met her before, but Vincent’s description matched her perfectly. Careful not to greet her by name Jake nodded a greeting letting his eyes speak of his relief at seeing a friendly face. Extracting the dollars from her pocket Catherine counted out the promised money to many willing hands and within seconds the store was clear. Catherine did not see where everyone had gone. Jake reached for a can of air-freshener and sprayed it all around them. “God what a stink.” He told her grinning wryly, “Shoot me if I ever have to live like that.” “Makes you grateful for small mercies doesn’t it?” Catherine grinned, then added, “You must be Jake. I’m Catherine Chandler.” “Vincent’s friend?” Bright-eyed Catherine nodded. Her beautiful smile said everything. “I get the distinct impression that Vincent means more to you than just a friend?” He asked grinning from ear to ear. Catherine laughed, “Yes.” “May I take it that there will be wedding bells some day between the two of you?” And Jake could swear that Catherine’s eyes blazed with a fiery passion at this question. “Oh I hope so.” Catherine breathed, “And believe me if it happens you will be one of the first to know.” Jake nodded, “Aye that’s probably truer than you think. I hear most of the messages being relayed below. Come see my basement has direct access into the tunnels. On second thoughts not today…” he checked his watch, “there isn’t much time left for you to get yourself nailed down somewhere safe before the hurricane breezes in.” “What about you? Where will you go?” Catherine looked around her. She knew there was a flat upstairs, but that wouldn’t stop water breaking through. “Will you go below?” “No I’ll be all right. My family is upstairs. We’ll see it through together. Done it before.” Catherine saw how he averted his eyes and she made a rapt decision. “Come with me, you and your family. Hurry please. Get some things together and meet me in the basement. We can take a short cut through the tunnels to my apartment building. You and your family will be safer there.” Jake was so relieved. He had worried so much about his family’s survival. The store would never withstand a tidal wave, he had two young children to think of and neither could swim and his wife was heavily pregnant. He ran through the store and up the stairs to collect his family and a few possessions together. In the meantime Catherine made her way to the basement where three hundred sandbags were already being transported by tunnel dwellers down to the places that needed them the most. *** *** *** By the time that they arrived at the apartment building the doorman had long since gone, and from the safety of her apartment Catherine and her guests watched intermittent TV that was going on and off as the wind grew more intense and disrupted the signal. The hurricane was well inland by now, had been for the past hour and the ocean was churning readying itself for its part to play. People that had been out in boats had long since left their craft to fend for itself in their rush to get out of the city, and these bobbed wildly on their anchors as the waves beat at their sides mercilessly with the thunderous hooves of foamy white horses. Most people had headed for the Appalachian Mountains several hours drive away, and considered safest because of their height. Catherine wondered if Devin knew that. He and Charles had made their home in those mountains, and Devin would worry about Charles knowing that so many people were converging onto the mountains. Fortunately the cabin they lived in was tucked well away from prying eyes, but Catherine knew that Devin would still be anxious if he had heard that’s where people had gone. Standing by the balcony doors Catherine looked out over the city through sheet rain. It was hard to see anything, and the sky was as black as night. She searched through the Bond for Vincent, drawing comfort from his love and to let him know that she was safe. That done she settled herself down to sit out the storm in the company of people who had known her love for decades. *** *** *** Below in the tunnels much was happening not a single person was still for a minute and Vincent was happy to know that Catherine had returned to her apartment. He could sense her way up high. Most of the sandbags had been taken from Jake’s store and had been positioned in their respective places. The hurricane had finally arrived and the first gusts of wind were so ferocious that even so far beneath the city the tunnel dwellers were forced to wear extra clothing to ward off the wind chill. For added warmth, Father thought it best that once the work had been done, everyone assembled together in the Great Hall. Around his chamber a small group had collected, all the usual faces, Mary, Pascal, Cullen, Jamie, Winslow, Mouse. Father looked to each of them as he spoke, “I think it’s best that we locate Narcissa and bring her up here. Has anyone seen her recently? Today even?” He looked to Mouse as he said the last, but Mouse shook his head. It had been some days since he had travelled Narcissa’s way and the old woman had been as well as ever then. “Pascal, would you send a message to her of our intentions? I will organise two people to help her up to the home chambers. If she stays down there she may get awfully wet before the day is out.” “Narcissa can be pretty stubborn.” Pascal replied, “You’ll have your work cut out persuading her Father.” Gravely, Father nodded, he knew this. And Narcissa had rarely listened to anything he had had to say before. “We still have to try.” Father replied, “I would never forgive myself if we didn’t at least try.” For a moment every one was quiet. Each to his own thoughts, Narcissa was very much one of them, and none could image life without her in the tunnels. They hoped that she would see sense and come to the higher levels where hopefully she would be safer. Father broke through their reverie, “Has anyone seen Devin or Vincent recently?” “We’re here Father. Just got back.” Vincent came through the entrance and flopped himself wearily into the nearest vacant chair. Devin leaned against the table, “Its getting rough up there Pops.” He told his father. “Where’s Catherine?” Father looked toward the entrance, “Isn’t she with you?” “No she’s at her apartment.” Vincent replied. “Is that wise Vincent?” Father’s apparent concern drew Vincent’s interest rapidly and he sat up. “Why?” He asked, “What do you mean Father?” His blue eyes grew anxious. “Well if the wind is as perilous as predicted then high rise blocks could fall over like a stack of cards. Catherine would have been safer in the circumstances staying down here with us.” Vincent fidgeted in his seat. Torn between what he had presumed best and what his father saw best Vincent wasn’t sure which way to turn. The buildings were sturdy, they’d withstood hurricane’s before. But tidal waves? He could well remember the last one and how that had caused a domino effect in some areas of the city. But that had been before stronger construction. Still what was to say that until proven any safer that these new buildings would withstand the force of water any more than the last buildings had? Distressed that he had put Catherine’s life at risk, he leapt from the chair with the intention of going to her at once. “Where are you going Vincent? Its daylight above or have you forgotten?” “Most of the city has been evacuated Father, do you think those remaining are seriously going to bother if they should see me? I only have to go through the threshold and up the stairs to Catherine’s floor.” “Vincent don’t act careless now. I understand your concern but its not necessary yet. I will have someone take word to Catherine and bring her back with them. You can wait at the threshold for her if you have to, but please don’t venture beyond that. I have enough to worry about as it is with gathering everybody together into the Great Hall.” Vincent was clearly surprised, “To the Great Hall Why?” “I think it would be best, and certainly it is big enough to bring everyone together.” “Your chamber would suffice too. Oh I know it would be a squeeze, but Father have you thought about this seriously? The way to the Great Hall is always windy, but today of all days…” Vincent left his statement unfinished for impact. Father understood at once, “Oh my Lord, I hadn’t thought of that. You’re right Vincent. Pascal can you hurry and put out a message of the change of plans at once. I hope no one has left for the hall yet. I did ask them to wait until they had heard the final word from me.” Pascal nodded and hurried out of the chamber. “Why oh why do my bright ideas always back fire.” Father groaned into his hands. Assembling everyone in the Great Hall had seemed such a bright idea. He hadn’t thought about the way there. “Not all of them Father. I apologise for causing you added concern over my going to Catherine in the daylight. You were right about that. Someone else will perhaps go in my place.” He looked toward his brother appealingly. “I get it.” Devin said, “You want me to go and bring Chandler down here?” “If you wouldn’t mind?” Vincent whispered with a grin. Though the concern was still apparent in his eyes. “Like now?” Devin leaned away from the table. He wondered if his legs would support him back up top again. Vincent’s determined expression wore him down, “Okay now it is.” He drew a deep breath, “You coming or what?” “Yes I will accompany you as far as the threshold.” Vincent told him. “Good, then I can lean on you.” Devin quipped. *** *** *** To be continued in part two.