WFOL 2016
BBTV Round Robin
Chapter 2
by Rosemarie Salvatore
Catherine closed her apartment door and made sure all the locks were in place. She sighed as she leaned back against it. Her mind was swirling with activity. She wished she could have gone after the Jamie impersonator, but she knew that the children had to be her first priority. Not to mention the fact that, if this was a dangerous intruder, she would want to have back-up.
She dreaded the thought that it might be more of the primitives from last spring. However, this person didn’t seem interested in attacking them, only in getting away unidentified. She had sent Mouse and Rebecca back to Father to let them know about their surprise encounter, while she and Mary had seen to getting the children up the ladder and into her basement. Eleven children under the age of eight were a handful, and it took some time for the two of them to get everyone safely into the elevator and up to her floor. They had done their best to be unseen, but the little ones were excited and had many questions along the way. Catherine had anticipated this, and had a plan in place in the event that any of her neighbors had taken notice. She planned to say that Nancy’s children from Connecticut were having a sleepover in the city with some of their friends. Nancy’s children, after all, would be the closest thing to nieces and nephews that she had and, if they ever wanted a sleepover in the city, she certainly would gladly oblige them, so she felt good about this story.
It was at times like these that she hated having such a small apartment! She hoped there would be enough room for everyone to be comfortable. Although, it was their safety that mattered most, not their comfort, she reminded herself.
She began to help getting their makeshift sleeping bags spread out on the living room floor. As she did so, she considered the fact that Isaac seemed to be right about the clothing. Catherine shivered at the thought of some unknown person or persons moving among the Tunnel dwellers unnoticed for who knows how long.
“I want to watch TV!”
Catherine was startled from her thoughts by a tiny girl with dark brown hair and big brown eyes standing in front of her. She was clutching a red-headed rag doll that looked like it might have been homemade. Catherine was usually pretty good at remembering names, but she didn’t think she had ever seen this girl before.
“What’s your name, sweetie?” Catherine knelt by the girl.
“Hannah.” Wide eyes looked at Catherine expectantly, and then to her TV in the corner.
“Are you new to the Tunnels, Hannah?”
Hannah nodded shyly and hugged her doll to her chest.
“Okay, well, I’m Catherine. Mary and I are going to make sure all of you have a good time tonight. Let’s see if we can find something suitable on TV.”
A cheer went up from several other children at this rare chance to take part in a Topside pleasure. Catherine feared there would not be anything suitable for the children at this hour – it was nearly 11pm, but thankfully she found old sitcom reruns that seemed to satisfy them.
When the children were settled, Catherine found Mary in the kitchen putting away the groceries that William had sent up with them.
“What happened back there?” Mary asked in a low voice so as not to alarm the children.
“I saw someone I thought was Jamie. She was wearing Jamie’s grey sweater, but when I called out to her, she ran away.” Catherine took several cans out of the bag and put them in the cupboard.
“I spoke to Sarah before we left, and she did mention that Jamie has been looking for a sweater. But Sarah never saw it come through the laundry or the mending. Possibly it was taken from somewhere else.”
“Was anything else missing?”
“Sarah’s looking into it.”
“I don’t know what to make of them being so near the surface now, when they were seemingly just in the kitchen.”
“Could they have followed us?” Mary asked, a bit alarmed.
“It seems likely. I’m hoping Vincent will come later and let us know what is going on.”
Fortunately, the children had already had dinner and were just getting ready for bed when they had decided on taking them Above. But Catherine and Mary had a bite to eat themselves and got things set up and ready for breakfast. Having the kitchen organized would be helpful in the morning. Catherine had never made a meal for so many children at one time before, and she was grateful for Mary’s experience.
Soon the children were in their makeshift beds scattered around the living room floor and Mary was making use of the fold-out couch. Catherine decided to take a shower. Even though she had fallen asleep earlier, she didn’t know if she could fall asleep now without knowing more about what was happening in the Tunnels. When she was out of the bathroom she took her time dressing in her nightgown and brushing her hair, hoping Vincent would come. She was in bed and just about to turn out the light when she felt a flutter from the Bond, and then, a moment later, heard a quiet rap on the French doors.
She grabbed her robe, flew to the French doors, and was in his arms before even getting her robe on all the way. She felt his lips brush across the top of her head and, when he would have let go, she held on a moment longer. When they parted, she gathered her robe about her and knotted the belt at her waist.
“I trust all is well with the children?” Vincent asked.
“Yes, they’re fine. Mouse told you about our encounter on the way up?”
“Yes. We’ve finished the blind in the pantry and have a sentry stationed there.” Vincent updated her on their progress with Isaacs’s to-do list. “We have had no further incidents tonight.”
“I’m thinking it may not be the strangers from last time. They did not seem so shy about a confrontation, after all.”
“We can’t hope to know their motives. You may be right, but I feel better with the children out of harm’s way.” He turned his gaze out over the city. “Isaac is right, of course. You are very capable, but I would prefer you not be in harm’s way, as well.”
“I promise to be careful. But I still want to see you tomorrow as we planned. Perhaps, with Isaac’s help, we can track this person then?”
Vincent nodded his agreement. “We will send someone up to help Mary in the morning.” He gave her a wry smile. “You were supposed to get some rest tonight. I shouldn’t stay.”
“As long as all is well, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
With a nod, Vincent turned to go, and was startled by a sight he had never encountered before on the balcony: a little person standing in the doorway to the dining area.
“Vincent?” It was five-year-old Jude.
“Jude, what are you doing up at this hour?” Vincent took a step toward the child, and the child closed the distance.
“Can’t sleep, Vincent.” Jude looked worried. “Are the bad people coming back?”
Vincent knelt, putting himself at eye level with Jude. “We don’t know for sure yet, Jude, but no matter what, we are going to keep you and everyone safe. That’s why you are spending time here at Catherine’s. Please don’t worry yourself. I promise…you’re safe.”
The child considered Vincent’s earnest words, and nodded slowly.
“Right now,” Vincent continued, “you should be in bed.” Vincent gestured for Jude to go back inside but Jude instead put his arms around Vincent’s neck. Vincent stood and lifted Jude into his arms. He turned and looked at Catherine.
Catherine recognized his dilemma. The last time he had been inside was last spring, when he had been so sick. As soon as he had felt a tiny bit better, he had fled the apartment for the supposed safety of the Tunnels. Catherine still regretted letting him go. She believed his improvement that day was largely due to her care and close proximity. There had been many times since then that she wished she had insisted he stay with her just a little bit longer. Perhaps they all might have been spared the trying events that followed. But it was a fine line that she walked between encouraging him to step out of his comfort zone and not creating additional stress for him.
“That’s okay, you go. I’ll put Jude to bed,” she whispered. Vincent began to hand the child to Catherine when three more children appeared in the doorway.
“Vincent, I can’t sleep either. Can you read us a story?” asked six-year-old Caleb.
“Yeah, can you?” said Veronica.
“Please?” This was from Hannah. She was chewing on a strand of her doll’s hair.
Vincent looked at the children and then peered over their heads to the dark interior of the living room. He looked so torn. He was just not capable of disappointing a child, especially under such circumstances. But doing so meant taking a step that he had not willingly taken before.
Two of the children were tugging on the hem of his cloak, enticing him inside. Catherine’s heart melted at the scene before her. Even though normally this was exactly what she would want most, well, she felt he needed someone on his side right now.
“Okay, guys, listen, how about if Vincent and I promise to read all of you two stories as soon as we get this situation under control and you can go back to the Tunnels? Right now, it’s late, and you should be sleeping,” she said diplomatically.
Vincent’s look of gratitude made her feel that she had done the right thing to not pressure him. But after a moment, the look turned to something else – Catherine could not know what. He gazed steadily at her, but spoke to the children.
“Catherine’s right, it is late…but…these are special circumstances. Maybe just a … short… story?”
Catherine was stunned at the sudden resolve she sensed from Vincent. She watched as Vincent let the children lead him into the apartment. He stepped over her threshold with slow and deliberate care, and gently put Jude down on his feet.
A wave of excitement had washed over the children, and those that had still been asleep were waking up and momentarily looking confused to see Vincent here in the Above world. Someone turned the lights on, and Vincent blinked and looked around as if seeing her apartment for the first time. In a way, Catherine realized, he was. She doubted that he remembered much from his last stay. Catherine sent him a wave of reassurances through the Bond.
Mary was awake too, and retrieving several picture books from her bag. Leave it to Mary to always be prepared. Catherine had some books that may have been suitable, possibly her copy of Just So Stories, but once again she was grateful for Mary’s expertise with children.
Vincent was standing in the middle of her living room looking a little unsure what to do next. She took his hand and led him to the couch that was not opened into a bed.
“Vincent, why don’t you sit here,” she indicated the couch, “and I can get you some tea while you decide what book to read.” She squeezed his hand, still sending love to him silently through the Bond.
Vincent nodded.
A few minutes later, Catherine emerged from the kitchen with a mug of Vincent’s favorite tea. A book had been decided upon and the children sat on the floor in a semi-circle at his feet. They had left the seat next to Vincent open.
“Come on, Catherine!” someone urged. “We’re ready to start.”
They had chosen The Mitten, by Jan Brett. Catherine sat next to Vincent and quietly enjoyed the whole cozy scene. Sure, she had done this with Vincent many times Below, but having him here on her couch when he wasn’t deathly sick was a wonderful and unexpected surprise. Vincent read so beautifully that the children settled down and seemed to forget their fears.
Later, after the children had been tucked back into their beds, Catherine stood once again on the balcony in Vincent’s arms. She sighed against his chest. “That was wonderful; I enjoyed having you in my apartment.” She hugged him tighter.
“I enjoyed being there,” Vincent replied quietly.
“So, I’m thinking,” Catherine went on, lifting her head to look at him with a smile, “how about if we push our meeting back to late morning?”
“Whenever you come, Catherine, I will be there. Good night.” A moment later, he was over the balcony wall and out of sight.
Catherine went to bed and fell into a deep, peaceful kind of sleep.
* * *
The next morning dawned a chilly, yet bright and sunny, winter day. Sarah
had come Above to help Mary with the children while Catherine kept her appointment to meet Vincent. As she stepped out off the ladder, it took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim tunnel. But, as promised, Vincent was there waiting for her, and she felt his arm come around her waist before she actually saw him. The Bond tingled with delight.
“Good morning, Catherine. Did you sleep well?” Vincent’s voice enveloped her in loving concern.
“Very well.” She sensed that he had news to share. “What’s happened?”
“Earlier this morning, Mouse was awakened to an intruder in his chamber. It was similar to your experience. At first he thought it was one of us.”
“So, our thief did not wait long to strike again,” Catherine stated with dismay. “He’s okay, isn’t he?”
“Yes. Mouse did try to catch the intruder but was unsuccessful. He says this person is almost as good at remaining unseen as he used to be.” Vincent paused with a smile. “However, the intruder left this behind.”
Vincent handed her a small tattered photograph. Catherine held it up to the shaft of light coming down from the basement to get a better look.
It was a picture of a baby asleep in a crib. The baby seemed to be about six months old. At first, Catherine thought this was not much help, because it could have been any baby. The blanket was a generic pink, and the crib was equally nondescript.
But then she noticed it. Lying next to the baby in the crib was a rag doll. A red-headed rag doll that looked exactly like the one that Hannah seemed unwilling to ever part with.
“The doll.” Catherine looked at Vincent. “That’s Hannah’s doll, isn’t it?”