THOUGH IT WERE TEN THOUSAND MILES
By Joan Stephens

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Chapter One 

One evening as they were having dinner with Father and Mary, she broached a subject that had been on her mind for several days. She wanted their reactions to her plans. Vincent had known that she was planning something, but she hadn’t confided in him yet, and he was content to wait until she felt comfortable with her ideas. She got the reaction she expected from Father: negative. Mary was a little hesitant about giving her approval, knowing that whether she did or not Catherine would do as she pleased. Vincent was Vincent, giving her his wholehearted approval while withholding his fears and doubts from their bond.  

 

“Catherine, the idea of becoming a certified teacher is wonderful but you don’t need that here Below,” Father said as he shook his head at another of her outrageous ideas.  

 

“I know that, but I’ve never taught anyone before. Never even broke in my replacement in the DA’s office. I need to learn how to prepare lesson plans and conduct a class. I feel like I’m out of my element here; I just need a little backup. ”

 

“Vincent and I can teach you all you need to know about running a class,” Father insisted as he turned to Mary for support. She just shook her head; she wasn’t going to get involved is this discussion.  

Vincent interrupted his father, “Father, Catherine needs to do this. She needs to be in the world Above for a little while. I think this is a fine idea, and we can follow along with the lessons that she is learning Above. We might learn something ourselves,” he added with a half smile.  

 

“And I will be extra careful and not take any risks,” she assured the older man.  

 

He sighed deeply. “I know you well enough by now that anything I say will not change your mind. Especially if Vincent agrees with you. All right, I think it is a fine idea. ”As he gave in, the look he gave her held a lot of reservations.  

 

The next morning she dressed in the strangely restrictive clothing of Above. She had never realized before how freely she could move in her tunnel clothes, and she couldn’t wait to finish her errands andget back home. She had told Vincent that the main reason that she wanted to go Above was that she needed to make an appointment with the Dean of Admissions at NYCC, but he could sense that she was trying desperately to keep something from him. Her elation kept bubbling to the surface no matter how hard she tried to smother it. He could sense it was important to her, but they were so comfortable with each other that he was content to wait until she told him. He felt her hesitation as she stood in the Park entrance ready to step into the brilliance of an early April morning.

 
As soon as she was Above, she headed straight for Peter Alcott’s office. She had no appointment, but was hoping he could find time to fit her into his schedule. As his goddaughter she sometimes shamelessly traded on the love they had for each other and this was one of those times. Only he could answer her question and he did with a big smile and bear hug. “Yup, you’re pregnant,” he said to an exuberant Cathy. “And I suppose Vincent is the father. ”

 

“Of course. Who else? I can hardly wait to tell him. Can you imagine the look on his face when I tell him?He’s going to be stunned. Oh, Peter. ”She squeezed her friend and doctor of many years in joyful abandon.  

 

“I’ll set you up with some vitamins, and since Vincent is the father I think we should monitor this pregnancy very closely. ”

 

“Well ok, but I can tell you nothing is going to go wrong with this baby. He has too much going for him. He’ll win through on love alone. ”

 

“I’m sure he will. Now just wait here and I’ll be right back with your vitamins. ”

 

In a few minutes he was back, gave her the vitamins, and was helping her on with her coat when he asked casually, almost as an afterthought, “When’s the last time you saw Joe Maxwell?” 

 

She stopped buttoning her coat, considering the length of time. “Oh about two months, I guess. Why?”

 

“He was almost killed last Tuesday?”

 

She turned startled eyes to him. “My god, no! How did it happen? ”Weakly she sat down in the chair she had just vacated.  

 

“You ok, honey?” Peter asked.  

 

“Yes, I’m fine. What happened?”

 

“All I know is that he was very nearly blown up. ”

 

“My god! He’s going to live, isn’t he?”

 “From what I hear, yes. His injuries are serious but not life threatening, “ he answered.  

 

“What hospital is he in?” she asked, rising to go.  

 

“St.  Joe’s. ”

 
“Thanks, Peter. I think I’ll go see him. I was going to see him anyway; I wanted to take him to lunch. Looks like that’s postponed for a while. ”She reached up and gave her friendly obstetrician a peck on the cheek.

 

“Give my best wishes to Vincent, Cathy. Congratulate him for me and tell Jacob that I’ll contact him about your pregnancy. ”

 

“I will. See you, later. ”

 

He watched her gracefully exit his office, thinking it was about time that those two had some good news for a change.  

This was one pregnancy he was going to enjoy being part of.  

************************

Vincent was working in the lower level with Mouse, Matthew, Cullen, John and anybody else they could dragoon into the laborious, backbreaking work of carving more chambers for the fast-growing community. He had been more anxious about Catherine going Above than he had let her know and he kept a tight rein on their bond, feeling everything she felt. Suddenly he stopped working and stared off into space. Cocking his head in Vincent’s direction, Cullen nudged Mouse in the ribs. Everyone stopped working and, grinning, watched the absorbed man who was totally oblivious of them. They knew what was going on: Vincent was in contact with his ladylove. The men returned to work while Vincent was sensing that Catherine was excited and happy then abruptly saddened. He wondered what had happened but didn’t sense any danger. The sadness overshadowed her joy and followed her several hours until she approached the Park threshold.  

************************

“Oh Joe, just look at you,” Catherine said as she walked through the door.  

 

“Yeah .  .  .  well, it hurts almost as bad as it looks,” he retorted weakly. He looked worse than terrible: cut, bruised, both eyes black, lips swollen, bandages all over his face and those were only the visible signs of his injuries. It looked as if he had taken a severe beating.  

 

“What happened?”

 

Painfully he answered, “I had a .  .  .  a few drinks .  .  .  with an old classmate of mine, Pat Hanlon. He stopped as a fit of coughing shook him. “Ow, that hurts,” he complained. “Anyway, Pat gave me a black book that he said contained all the shady deals his employer was involved in. Asked me to look into it. I was walking away when his car blew up .  .  .  Lucky I wasn’t any closer. He was a nice guy, just got in over his head. ”

 

“I’m sorry, Joe,” she said, sinking into the chair beside his bed.  

 
“Thanks, Radcliffe. Would you get the book and give it to Moreno? It’s in my coat pocket. And keep it quiet, ok?”

 

“Sure, no problem. ”

 

“Pat left a family: a wife and a young son,” he said sadly. He noticed the sudden soft look that crossed over Cathy’s face. “That’s a very self-satisfied smile. ”

 

“I was just thinking of someone and something I have to tell him. ”

 

“Well, it surely must be something special. ”

 

“Oh, it is, Joe. You can’t imagine how wonderful it is. ”

 

He grimaced, trying to smile. “Could that someone be the friend you told me about?The one with the big heart?”

 

“Yes,” she agreed, smiling.  

 

“I noticed the way you looked when you came in. You’re blooming, Cathy. I’ve seen that look on my sisters’ faces many times. Could that something be that you’re going to have a baby?”

 

“Yes,” she was grinning widely now.  

 

“I knew it. I’m not an uncle for nothing, you know. ”In his excitement he tried to sit up. That hurt so much that he gingerly laid back down.  

“Don’t get excited, Joe, you’ll hurt yourself. I know what broken ribs feel like,” she soothed him. “After all, it’s just a baby. ”Inwardly, she thought, “But its Vincent’s baby. ”

 

Suddenly she needed to tell Vincent. “I’ve got to go, Joe. I’ll get the book and give it to Moreno. I’ll see you tomorrow. Ok?”

 

“Thanks, Radcliffe. See you tomorrow. ”

**********************

Catherine stuck her head inside the door. “Mr.  Moreno? John?”

 

John Moreno had risen from the slums of New York to hobnob with the rich, famous, and powerful. As a lawyer he was one of the best and he had a spotless reputation. He was a small man with a clean-shaven square face, brown eyes, iron gray hair and he favored expensive Italian suits. He claimed it was his one vice. He looked up from his paper work. “Cathy. Come on in. ”

 
“I’ve just come from seeing Joe, and he wanted me to give you this book. Some case he was working on. ”She handed the book to him.

 

“How is Joe this morning?” With an offhand gesture, he laid the book on his desk.  

 

“He looks terrible but the doctors say he will be fine,” she answered. “I’ve got to run, John. I have an appointment. ”

 

“Good to see you, Cathy. Thanks for dropping this off. ”He waved the book at her.  

 

“No trouble, ‘bye. ”She hurried out of his office. Her other appointments could wait; she needed to see Vincent now!

 

As soon as she was out of sight, Moreno was on the phone. Without a preamble, he began, “I have THE BOOK. ” .  .  .  “One of my ex-investigators, Catherine Chandler, brought it from Joe Maxwell. ” .  .  .  “It seems intact although I can’t be sure. ” He rifled through the book, “Looks ok to me. ” .  .  .  “No, I don’t think Chandler would take any pages. She had no reason. ” .  .  .  “All right, I could stake out the hospital, her apartment, here. I’ll get her for you. ” .  .  .  He hung up and leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers behind his head. “Poor Chandler,” he mumbled under his breath. “She has no idea what’s in store for her. ”

*********************

Vincent was waiting for her at the Central Park threshold. “Catherine. What is it? Tell me. ”

 

“Joe’s been injured, nearly killed. But he’s going to all right,” she answered.  

 

“I’m sorry. He’s been a good friend to you. ”

 

Taking his hand, she said, “I need to talk with you, love .  .  .  alone. Let’s go to the Triple Falls. ”

 

On the way she told him all that Joe had told her. He felt a thrill of a fear course through him. “Catherine, have nothing more to do with that book. It is dangerous. ”

 

“Don’t worry, all I did was deliver it. I’m done with it. ”

 

The Triple Falls was a favorite spot for Catherine, the sound of falling waters was always soothing to her restless soul and now she pulled Vincent down beside her on the stone bench.  

 

“Tell me. ”He tilted his head in that endearing way of his and waited for her to speak.  

 
Taking his hands in hers and holding them tightly, she forced him to face her. “What is your most carefully guarded secret? Something that you have never even told me. The one you keep hidden in the deepest recesses of your heart. The one you can barely admit, even to yourself. ” 

 

He was silent for so long that she leaned closer to him and looked up into his distant eyes, “Vincent?”

 

Deep inside himself, he was wondering how she could be so happy and ask such hurtful questions.  He knew his deepest secret. Slowly, so slowly that he never realized when the thought occurred, he knew what she was telling him. Raising his head, he looked at her in wonder. This was his last most impossible dream. “A child?” he asked.  

 

Slowly she nodded, smiling through her tears. “Yes, love, a child. Your child. ”

 

He sat there in stunned silence, trying to absorb what she had just told him. He had thought he would never know love, never be able to love a woman, let alone have a child. This woman sitting beside him was telling him that all of his dreams were about to come true. Catherine had done it all, given him everything he had ever wanted. His love and gratitude flooded through him, and he pulled her into his arms, raining kisses on her eyes, face and mouth.  

 

Then a terrible thought occurred. “What if the child should hurt you or cause you to die? I cannot lose you, Catherine. ”
 

Shaking her head sadly, she said, “Paracelsus did his work well. He planted a seed of doubt in your heart, love, but he lied. You didn’t kill Anna. He did. ”

 

“We don’t know what I did to my birth mother, Catherine. We’ll never know. ”

 

“No, we won’t, but Peter and Father will be here if I need them. There is nothing to fear. ”

 

She took him in her arms. Laying his great head on her shoulder, he wept; she buried her face in his mane and wept with him.  

 

“Vincent,” she whispered, “All my dreams are coming true, as well. ”

 

He sat up suddenly. “You have had these dreams too?” he asked.  

 

“Yes,” she said, looking out over the falls. “I dreamed of a man I could love and trust: one who was strong, who would love only me. I dreamed of uniting with him, bearing his children, growing old with him by my side. All this you have given me. ”She smiled and the sun seemed to shine in that cavern.  

 

“Another man could give you those dreams,” he said quietly.  

 
“No, Vincent, the dreams would be incomplete, unfinished. Only you make them complete. I believe you are my destiny. ”

 

“And you are mine. There can be no other for me but you. ”

 

She nodded slowly and turned back to him. “Let’s tell Father before he hears it from Peter. ”

  *********************

They found Father grumbling at the retreating back of Samantha about being beaten in chess by a twelve-year-old girl.  

 

“Catherine, you’re back,” he greeted her with a smile. “How was your first day Above?”

 

“Interesting. I found out that my former boss, Joe Maxwell, was almost blown up by a car bomb. ”

 

“There is so much violence up there.  You are not safe Above, my dear,” he admonished her. He shook his head wearily.  

 

“I went to see Peter and then Joe. ”

 

“You’re not ill, are you? I could have taken care of you here. ”He sounded hurt.  

 

“No, Father, I’m perfectly healthy. But I have a situation where I needed to see him. He said to tell you he would be seeing you soon. ”

 

“Oh .  .  .  well, that’s fine. I haven’t seen Peter for at least a month since last .  .  . ”

 

“Father, Catherine and I have something to tell you,” Vincent interrupted. He glanced at the woman at his side. She nodded for him to go ahead. “Father, Catherine is pregnant. We are going to have a child. ”

 

Father stopped setting up the chessboard and collapsed into his chair. “A child?” he said in astonishment. “Catherine and you?”

 

“Who else?” Amusement bubbled through the proud young man‘s words.  

 

“I never once considered the fact that you might be capable of fathering a child. Are you sure this is what you want, Catherine?”

 

“What are you saying? Of course, this is what I want. I have wanted to give Vincent a child since I saw the look on his face when he held little Cathy. Why are you asking this?”

 

Father was quite agitated. This was not what Vincent had expected.

 

“This is difficult for me, and I hope you won’t misunderstand what I am about to say. ”With a pleading look at both of them, he continued, “What if the child is like Vincent?” He held up his hand to silence Catherine who was about to speak. “Please, don’t misunderstand. I love you, Vincent, you are my son, but I’ve seen how you have struggled all your life with your differences, the sorrow you felt from the fear and rejection of strangers, the painful necessity of hiding down here, able to go Above only in the dark of night. Do you want this for your child?”

 

“Father,” Catherine asked in disbelief, “why are you doing this?”

 

Vincent was stunned to hear these words tumble out of Father. “Yes, Father, why?”

 

“It has always been my cross to see the negative side of things. I am just raising the possibility, that is all. Both of you must face this possibility. ”

 

“He is right, Catherine, we must face the possibility that the child might be like me. ”

 

“And if he is, what of it?He will be the product of our love. He’ll be beautiful and we will be here to love and support him. ” She turned to the older man. “Look at the man Vincent has become. If our child is half the man he is, I will be more than happy. ”

 

“Yes, the child could not have more loving parents. I am truly glad for you both, and I’m sorry if I have hurt you with my concerns, but I love you both; I just wanted to prepare you for the future. ”

 

“You have given us much to think about, Father, but I’m still thrilled to be carrying Vincent’s child. ”

 

“I know, my dear. ”

 

Vincent took Catherine’s hand and they returned to their chamber where they spent the night in serious discussion about the future of their child.  

 

**************************

 

The night candles were almost gone, indicating that it was early morning. They had talked until the wee hours of the morning and had finally fallen asleep, but some internal clock had wakened her. Her watch read 6:07. She could try to go back to sleep but was too excited, and it would be a useless endeavor. So much had happened in the past few days: going Above, Joe, returning to school, and most exciting, her pregnancy. She was too restless to stay in bed; she’d wake Vincent. Since he was a light sleeper, she tried to carefully ease out of bed without disturbing him. But as she was about to achieve her goal, two strong arms snaked out and pulled her back into the bed.  

 

“Vincent!” she squealed happily, “What are you doing? I’ve got to get up. ”

 

“No, there is time. ”He laid back, pulling her with him.

 

“I always have time for you. ”She snuggled into his embrace.

 

“Vincent?”

 

“Mn-mm-mm. ”

 

“We have never lied to each other?”

 

“No, never. Why do you ask?”

 

She sat up to be able to look into his eyes. “Are you truly happy about the baby?”

 

“Yes, Catherine, I am. To have a child of my own is almost beyond belief. But I am fearful as well .  .  .  for the child and for you. ”

 

“Have faith, love. It was our fate to meet and love. It is our fate to have a child. There is nothing to fear. ”She leaned over and kissed him lightly. “I’ve really got to get going. I want to stop by and see Joe on my way to my appointment with the Dean. ”

 

He watched her hop lightly out of bed, thinking, For your sake, my love, I will try not to worry but I can’t keep from it. We know so little about me.  

 

“Come on, lazy bones, time to get up. ”Grabbing him by the hand, she pulled him out of bed, knowing that if he really didn’t want to, he’d still be laying there, grinning at her.  

 

Catherine took towel, soap, and shampoo and went to one of the bathing chambers. After breakfast with Father, Vincent walked her to the Central Park threshold and watched her walk into the park. He turned back to the tunnels, wishing he could be with her.  

 

***********************

 

Joe was much better this morning. Sitting with the head of the bed rolled up behind him, he was laughing and joking with one of the nurses when Catherine entered his room.  

 

“Well, someone in feeling better this morning,” she commented as she sat down by his bed.  

 

“Yeah, I’m feeling a little better. Did you get Pat’s book to Moreno?”

 

“Yes, he said to hurry up and get well so you can come back to work. ”

“Sounds like John. ”Turning sober features to her, he asked, “Radcliffe, are you ever coming back to work?”He took a sip of water and, grunting, tried to ease into a more comfortable position.  

 

Helping him move, she answered, “I don’t think so. I want to go back to school and study to be a teacher. I know of some children that I could teach. ”She returned to her chair. “I’ve an appointment with the Dean of Admissions at NYCC in an hour.”

 

“You’ve always been interested children, Cathy, this may be your true calling. ”

 

“I think it is. ”

 

They laughed and talked for the next half hour then she said it was time to go but that she would see him tomorrow. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she quipped as she paused in the doorway.  

 

A sarcastic “Ha!” was the only answer she got.  

 

**************************

 

Walking to her car parked in the hospital garage, she passed a dark car parked two slots down from hers, not noticing the two

men in the front seat.  

 

“Hey, Harper, there she is. ”A clean cut, all-American type pointed her out to the hatchet-faced man sitting next to him. They watched her get in her car, start it up, and ease into the city traffic.  

 

“Don’t lose her, Sam, it’s our skin if you do. Doctor, is the syringe ready?” Harper asked the partially bald man hiding in a corner of the back seat.  

 

“Yes,” he muttered, indignantly. Why did he have to be here? He’s a respected doctor, for god’s sake, not some ratty kidnapper, he thought, but he didn’t dare disobey his employer’s commands.  

 

Keeping a close eye on the woman’s car, they followed her all day, looking for an opportunity to grab her. Finally, late in the afternoon she pulled into the garage under her apartment building, and they set upon her as she got out of the car. To their amazement she didn’t prove to be as easy to snatch as they had thought. She used all the techniques taught to her by Isaac Stubbs and was holding her own until Harper balled up his fist and at the first opportunity hit her as hard as he could on the chin. He head snapped back and she dropped like a rock. To keep her quiet they immediately drugged her after loading her into the back seat of the car.  

 

As Vincent felt the first tendrils of her fear, he was sprinting in her direction. He screamed in pain and anger when he felt the blow connect. He stopped in midstride. Shaking his head, he searched for their bond. It had ceased as if it had never been. He was frantic. How could he find her? Where was she? Why had this happened? The last place she had been was the garage of her apartment, and he continued on even though she was lost to him. As he burst into the garage, a dark car was just pulling into the bright sunlit street. Almost, he followed the car in the daylight but stopped. That would accomplish nothing, only get him captured or killed and wouldn’t be of any help to Catherine. He could do nothing until the night. Chafing at his inability to help the woman he loved, his shoulders slumped, and dropping his head in dejection, he closed his eyes. Opening them, he noticed her purse and papers, but they held no clue to explain why she was taken. Suddenly, the sound of an automobile engine penetrated the haze of anguish that had settled around him. Hurriedly picking up the purse and papers, he melted into the shadows and wearily returned to his home.

 

Father was bent over his desk leafing through the tunnel maps. “Ah, there you are, Vincent. I know there are chambers on the third level that can be made larger. ”Glancing up, he saw the look of fear and pain on Vincent’s face.  “My god, Vincent, what is it?”

 

“Catherine. I can’t feel her, Father. She’s gone. Our bond is broken. ”He fell into a chair, dropping his head into his hands and began to cry in pain and frustration. Now he knew what it would be like if she were to die. The emptiness would kill him.  

Shaking his head at the unfairness of it all, Father laid a comforting hand on his son’s shoulder. “What are you going to do?”

 

“I don’t know. I can’t go out and search until the night. ”

 

“We can. I’ll mobilize the community and the helpers. Maybe we can find her. ”

 

“I don’t think so. ”Vincent shook his head.  

 

“We will try, nevertheless,” Father said firmly.  

 

**************************

 

She squinted into the bright light, trying to see where she was. Tied to an uncomfortable, heavy wooden chair, she could barely move. The ropes were so tight that they were cutting off the circulation to her hands and feet. She could make out the shapes of two men outside the circle of white light. Where was she? Who were these men and what did they want? Still groggy from the drugs they had given to her, she tried to follow their restless pacing. A third man was barely visible, hovering in the background.  

 

“What do you want?” she asked hoarsely.  

 

“Shut up! We ask the questions,” Harper barked as he slapped her, hard. “Where’s the book?”

 

She could feel the other one moving around behind her. Suddenly, her head was jerked back, his hand tangled in her hair, and he was pulling it viciously. Tears of pain sprang into her eyes.  

 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. What book?”

 

The man that stood in front of her, whom she was later to know as Harper, said, “The book you were supposed to have given to Moreno. ”

 

“But .  .  .  but I did give it to him. I never looked at it. I don’t know where it is. ”

 

“Did you take anything out of it?”

 

“No, I told you I never looked in it. I don’t know anything more about it and that’s the truth. ”

 

“She don’t know nothin’, does she, Harper?” Her head was jerked back until she was staring wide-eyed into the boyishly handsome face of the man looming over her from behind. “What do you think, lady, that we’re stupid or something?” A twisted smile crossed his handsome face as he viciously caught her flat-handed with the palm of his hand. When he released her, she slumped weakly in the chair.  

 

********************

 

Patrolling the dark, rainy streets, Vincent was inundated with the force of her pain when the bond returned. Sprinting through the wet streets, he was drawn to an old rundown warehouse. Catherine was inside. He smashed through an old door, raced up the stairs, and burst through the wall. Two men, dressed in black, turned startled countenances to him and began to fire wildly with their automatic rifles. Ducking under one of the rifles, he sent one of them reeling into the wall to fall limply to the floor. Ripping the heavy metal door to the room that held Catherine from its hinges, he advanced on the other guard. Bullets glanced off the heavy door as he used it as a shield and missile, bearing the guard to the floor after he had thrown it at him. As soon as the fracas had begun, Harper had hustled Catherine out of the room, down the stairs, and into the dark night. The doctor had already fled to the safety of the vehicle waiting below. Vincent rushed in only to find an empty room. With his keen hearing, he heard rushing feet and anxious voices on the street below. Hurrying to the window, he saw her being shoved into the car. He tore the metal grill from the window and crashed through it, landing on the roof of the car. After breaking the passenger window, he reached through and broke Harper’s neck with one twist. Sam shot wildly through the roof of the car, and Catherine watched in horror as Vincent rolled off, lying motionless in the rain.  

 

“Vincent, no!” she whispered, panic-stricken. She slumped down into the seat as the sting of a needle being pushed into her arm sent her into blessed oblivion.  

 

************************

 

His head was pounding. Blood streaming down his face mixed with the falling rain partially blinding him. He felt the wound; it was long and deep. Struggling to stand on wobbly legs, he watched in dismay, as the car carrying the woman he loved careened around the corner and out of his sight. “Catherine,” he whimpered as he felt her leave him, their connection broken again. He dropped to his knees in anguish.  He had failed her again.  

 

Climbing painfully back to his feet, he returned to the warehouse to search for something–anything that would help him find her. He took no notice of the security cameras mounted in every room that followed his every move. He touched the chair that had held her. Overcome with a sense of loss he sank to his knees. Throwing his head back, he cried, “Catherine. ”He sat back on his heels, bowing his head in dejection.

 

***************************

 

Father looked up when Vincent stumbled in wet, grimy, and covered with blood.  

 

“My god, Vincent, what happened?”

 

“I found Catherine but she has been taken from me again. ”

 

Father pushed him into a chair then cleaned and bandaged his wound.  

 

“Why would anyone do this?” Vincent asked.  

 

“Who can explain the world Above,” Father answered. “Tell me what happened. ”

 

When Vincent finished his tale, Father asked, “What will you do now?”

 

“Wait for her call; it will come. ”

 

“You need rest, my son. You’re no good to her in this condition. ”

 

“I don’t know if I can sleep. ”He moved gracelessly toward the stairs.  

 

“Lie down and rest anyway,” Father instructed him.  

 

“I will,” he said, dejection sitting heavily on his shoulders as he wearily trudged back to his lonely chamber. Everywhere he looked, he saw signs of Catherine that pierced him to his heart: her nightgown, hairbrush, her favorite books. All these things said to him that she should be there. Falling into his bed, he flung his arm over his eyes, hoping to blot out the emptiness of the room. Where are you? Why can’t I feel you? Call out to me, my love, please. I can’t live like this; I need you.