Run To the Sea Chapter 12
by Sue Glasgow
Vincent spent the next day working in the lower tunnels and arranging for his departure. Father saw very little of his son and went to bed early, but he lay awake thinking over Vincent's words. It was very soon after Vincent's healing, but the boy was leaving in the immediate future, and there was no time to wait for a more opportune moment. If Vincent was going to be alone for an extended time to think, then he must take with him all the concerns Father wanted to share. Vincent would not be pleased with what Father had to say, but that could not be helped. Father composed a note in his head and pulled himself from bed. Finding a paper and pen, he wrote the message and sealed it in an envelope, then he wrote Catherine's name upon it.That same evening, Vincent was kicking at the fresh layer of mud on the floor of the park entrance when Catherine arrived. She watched him a moment before he turned. He was different now, charged with a tension and an energy which had not been there yesterday. He looked at her, and without speaking she moved into his arms. "I received your note..." She paused. "I have thought of you all day."
He caressed her gently. "Come, I have something to show you." Taking her hand he led her through the gate and into the Tunnels. She followed him along the upper levels where she sensed frequent breaths of fresh air, suggesting they were not far below the park. Finally they came to a narrow stone passageway which led them to a tiny chamber. Above them were steps spiraling upwards to an ornamental solid iron gate that must have been almost at the surface. The gate was rusted beyond repair, but it was beautiful, and from beneath it a stream of water was flowing. The water rippled out across the upper landing, then bounced and sparkled from step to step, flying off in diamond drops at each level catching the light of four torches which had been carefully placed. The sounds of the water dripping and exploding in tiny showers echoed off the stone walls and came together as a sort of music which reminded Catherine of a music box. At the bottom of the spiral the water came together again in a clear stream which flowed through a narrow channel beneath a tiny walkway where Catherine and Vincent stood.
"Vincent, what is this place?"
"We think it was once part of a wine cellar beneath one of the grander mansions. The cellar itself has caved in." He indicated a pile of dirt and rubble off to their right. "But the stairs were built of stone. After a hard rain, the area above the door sometimes floods, and the water creates a fountain."
She sat on a narrow ledge a few feet from the walk. "It is so beautiful." She looked at Vincent. "How often does this happen?"
"Not often. This is only the third time I have seen it. It will be gone by tomorrow." He sat next to her, and she leaned gently against his shoulder.
"Listen to the music." She closed her eyes, and he watched her smile. Vincent rested his head on the stone wall behind them and took a deep breath. For a moment the urgency within him faded, but after long minutes he knew he must approach the real reason he had for bringing her here.
"Catherine."
"Hmmmm?"
"We must talk."
Her heart made an unbidden leap. The frightening foreboding was back, and she was suddenly afraid of what he was going to say. She kept her eyes closed a moment longer, then looked up at the glistening fountain above them. She whispered, "Watch. Right there where the water bounces off the second step. Can you have rainbows in torch light?"
"Catherine, I am going away."
He felt her wince against his arm. With a trembling voice she said, "There was a fountain in the garden at Dad's summer house, and it had rainbows. But it never had this music. If you listen closely..."
"Catherine, did you hear me?"
She turned her head against his vest. He put both arms around her, expecting a sob that did not come. At last her voice came
quietly, "How long?""I am not certain. I may be gone for several weeks."
She shuddered. "Where will you go?"
He sighed and rubbed her shoulder gently. "Below...far below. There are a thousand miles of tunnels below us, and only a fraction of them have been explored." He paused. "Catherine, I have done this before. Father can tell you, ever since I was a boy there are times when I go..."
Her arm came around him under his damp cloak. In a whisper she asked, "When will you leave?"
"After the children's class tomorrow afternoon." She stiffened against him. He continued, "I made most of the arrangements for my absence today. Mary and Father will take my classes. The work in the Tunnels can continue without me. Tomorrow I will pack my things, and there are several people I need to talk to."
"You will take someone with you."
"No."
She looked up sharply. "But it could be dangerous, going so far alone. If something should happen to you..."
He shook his head slowly.
She held him even more tightly. "Father approves?"
"Father never approves, but he allows me to be me."
She was very still within his arms. He felt their bond so clearly he knew her next question before she asked it. "But why now? I
thought you were better.""I am better. That is why I must go."
There was a long silence, then she whispered, "You are going because of me."
"I am going for many reasons. Catherine, this is something I must do. Understand this is nothing you have done. It is inside of me. Father knows...there is a tension, a....thing...which builds inside me, and I cannot stay." He looked down at her. "While I am gone you must let your fear keep you safe. I will not be able to come to you."
Finally her sobs came. "I thought that after last night...it seemed like everything was going to be all right."
He pulled back from her and lifted her chin. With his thumb, he wiped away the tears upon her cheek. "Catherine, it will be. Last night you gave me a wonderful gift." He hesitated. "You gave me back..." His own voice wavered, and he found the words hard to say.
She knew the words already. "Vincent, you had never lost your pride."
He nodded and whispered, "You gave me the confidence to know that. Catherine, so much happened last night. The experience...outside, in the storm." He paused. "I have decisions to make. I have the freedom now to make those decisions. Can you understand that?"
In a tiny voice she said, "Yes."
"Until last night I felt..." He stopped. "You said the words. You said my feelings were burying me. That I could destroy what I have here and have no place."
"I'm sorry."
He shook his head. "No." His thumb moved past her cheek and tenderly traced the scar in front of her ear. "Catherine, you have given me freedom." She closed her eyes and trembled at his touch as his velvet voice continued, "Perhaps we will make that place you described below your basement... perhaps we will have the balcony again." He smiled softly. "You freed me to make the choice." Tears misted his own vision. "I can choose between Above and Below. I...I owe you my freedom. But I have to ask you for understanding. I need you to let me go, to think, to be alone." He paused. "I need you to give me the same understanding Father does."
Catherine caught her breath, and after a long silence she whispered against him, "Will you come back to me?"
He murmured into her hair, "I will come back."
She shivered one last time as he again held her. "I will miss you."
"And you must know you will never be out of my thoughts and my heart."
They sat together listening to the music of the fountain. At last he stood and took her hand. "Come walk with me."
It was late when he finally brought her to the chamber beneath her basement. Catherine stood looking up at him, trying to imagine the next weeks without him. His voice came through the stillness, "Will you come tomorrow to say goodbye after you leave your work? I will wait for you here."
She nodded, and as she watched, he walked away into the Tunnel.