Legacy Part Two "Will you just look at that! Vincent, just look at what your son has done this time!" Catherine shouted holding up a tea stained book for her husband to see. “So he’s my son now is he, how is it that when he is being good, he’s your son, but when he’s doing something he ought not, he’s my son?” Vincent’s blue eyes gazed down with laughter into those of his wife. Catherine exhaled a deep exasperated sigh, that tousled the fringe of her hair, “It’s not that way at all” she told her husband, indignant. “Is it not?” Catherine knew he was laughing at her, but she refused to be goaded, this time. “He is such a...a...” “Rascal?” Father intervened, looking up from his chair. “Who rattled your cage... I thought you were sleeping.” Catherine fumed. “Touchy!” Father exclaimed, laughter crinkling his eyes, “I well know how you feel though, and you are right my dear, he is his father’s son. I well remember Vincent being just the same at Joseph’s age.” Catherine’s face softened, her eyes shining with humour, “Its good to know I have an ally Father, sometimes when it comes to Joseph, I don’t feel that anyone is on my side at all.” “The boy isn’t a nuisance though Catherine, maybe you are a little hard on him.” the affection shining from Father’s kindly eyes tried to take the edge off his words, for it seemed to him, that no matter what Joseph did just lately, Catherine would find fault with it, and the fact that he had stood a hot cup of tea upon her favourite book this day was no exception. “Its not that way at all Father, and you know it. Books are precious, they are passed from person to person, look at those tea stains, why it is impossible to read what is beneath it now.” Catherine fumed. “Why’d you do it Joseph, you know to put your cup onto a coaster.” “I couldn’t reach it mom, and you are always telling me not to stand a hot cup on polished wood.” “Lost the use of your legs now have we, something else for me to moan about I suppose?” she asked him tartily. “I was in bed at the time!” Joseph snapped. Crystal brought me the tea to my bedside, it was hot, I couldn’t reach a coaster, so I put it onto the book.” “Then why not shut the book first, huh? Answer me that, why slop tea all over the pages?” Joseph glared at her, “I’m sorry, what more can I say?” “Nothing, there is nothing you can say, you should have got up at once, wiped the pages clean at once, now it is dry, it is too late.” Catherine ranted at her son. Father glanced across at Vincent, who shrugged his shoulders, whatever was up with Catherine this day he did not know, she was often getting on to Joseph, that was true, but today, it was over such a little thing, and they had hundreds of books, many times more than one copy of anything, and this one was no exception. Father hobbled from his chair, to pick up the edition from the table, “I’m sure we can salvage something from the wreckage my dear,” he twisted the book over and over in his hands, “This is rather an old copy after all, well used, and tatty, probably time it were thrown away actually.” He hoped to pacify his daughter-in-law. “No!”, Catherine reached for the book, and Father detected tears in her eyes, “Its important to me. And that’s beside the point, Joseph should have known better.” Vincent left his position by the vestibule, where he had been sorting books, to descend the stairs and comfort his wife, putting his arms around her, “What is it Catherine? He asked her tenderly, “What troubles you so?” Catherine melted into his embrace, her head hammering, her heart in tatters, as a sob twitched the corners of her mouth, “Its your book Vincent, the one you first read to me, Great Expectations, its precious to me.” Vincent understood then, but it in no way made up for his wife’s viciousness toward their son. “No, it is more than that, Catherine, the book may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back, but you have been like this for some weeks now, tell me what grieves you so?” Catherine shook her head, her eyes bright with unshed tears, “I don’t know”, she whimpered, and Vincent was relieved to find that at least she had not denied it. “Come my love, let us go and sit by the fountains. It is a long time since we did, and a long time since we have made the time for talking.” Turning Catherine towards the entranceway, he guided her willing body towards the stairs, “Father, keep an eye on Crystal and Joseph will you, see that world war three doesn’t break out in my absence.” he laughed as did Father, while Joseph scrowled, “My sister will only get what’s coming to her.” “Really, Joseph, say that again, and I won’t just bring you tea in bed again, I’ll pour it over your head.” Crystal retorted. “Teenagers! Who’d have them?” Father rolled his eyes, preparing for a sparring match in Vincent and Catherine’s absence, “So whose for a game of chess then?” he asked to an empty room, “Where’d they go?” he asked to the air, chuckling softly, so much for watching over the children! Leading Catherine down to the fountains, Vincent was concerned. True, there hadn’t been much time for talking lately, but he and Catherine had remained close and loving, yet, Vincent knew that something troubled Catherine, and had done for some time now, and he wasn’t about to let her continue to shoulder it alone any longer. “Now tell me?” he told her softly, sitting her upon his knee when they had arrived at their favourite place. Catherine sighed. It had been too long since she had come here, the fountains always had a soothing effect on her, “I should have come here sooner.” she told Vincent closing her eyes to the tremor of peace that being there gave to her. “We should have come here sooner. We are a team Catherine. You should never have to suffer alone. And you have. These past few weeks, you have suffered, now tell me, what’s troubling you so?” Catherine leaned her head against Vincent’s shoulder, “I didn’t want to worry you.” she murmured softly, taking a breath, and swallowing it again, without speaking further. Vincent could sense she was having difficulty telling him, and he felt a knot of fear inside her. For Catherine, having the chance to share her troubles, was a relief and an anxiety all at once, yet she did not know how to go on, without at least confiding in someone, and Vincent was the obvious choice, he knew her too well, it would be cruel to tell another and leave him out of the equation. “Vincent?” her voice deep with emotion, and a slight tremor to it, had him holding her tighter, as he replied, “Yes my Catherine?” “Did I ever tell you why my mother had died?” Vincent felt a shiver run up his spine, “No.” “She had cancer Vincent.” Involuntary Vincent’s arms tightened around his love, as Catherine went on “And sometimes Vincent cancer can be hereditary.” Turning her to face him, Vincent saw his fear mirrored in her eyes, as he asked softly, “and you are afraid that it may be passed on to you?” he whispered. “Vincent, its more than that...give me your hand.” Vincent held his left hand out to her, watching as she placed it inside her blouse, round to the side of her breast, deep into her arm pit, “Can you feel it Vincent?” Catherine swallowed hard, closing her eyes, almost hoping he would say ‘No I feel nothing’ and the relief that would bring, to know it had been her imagination after all. Yet looking into those eyes she saw not humour, but horror. Horror as the realisation of what she was telling him, coupled with the feel of the lump beneath his fingers deep within her breast, told them both that her fear was real, that she hadn’t imagined it at all! “You must tell someone Catherine!” tears swam before Vincent’s eyes as the enormity of the situation confronted him, “I won’t lose you, I will not!” great sobs tore from him then, shaking, rasping sobs, clinging to her body tight in his arms, never wanting to let her go. “I’m frightened Vincent.” Catherine whimpered, crying along with him, “I don’t want to die. I don’t want to be without you ever, or have you live without me. Why me Vincent, that’s what I keep on asking myself, why me, why us?” Vincent drew back a sob that threatened to choke him, “You’re a survivor Catherine, you always have been, and you are to fight this thing, I’ll help you, you know that, we’ll fight it together, you and me, and Father and Peter, we’ll fight it Catherine, I won’t let it take you, I won’t.” he sobbed again, holding her tighter against his chest, his lips brushing her hair, infusing his love into her via their Bond, calming her, strengthening her, as she knew only he could. “Yes.” Catherine sniffed, more optimistic than she had felt in a long time, “We’ll fight it Vincent, together. It will not beat me, like it beat my mother. It will not! I promise you Vincent. I promise you.” *** *** *** Gabriel looked out of the window from his office, his mouth a thin straight line, his chest rising and falling as his temper flared. “He said he’d be here!” he stormed, “I know there has never been any love lost between us, but he has seldom disobeyed a command such as this.” Thinking back to his son’s earlier behaviour, Gabriel could only wonder at what may have changed him almost overnight it would seem. “Did you want me to go look for him?” Snow ventured, uneasily, his brother’s fury disturbed even him, it had been a long time since he had seen him so angry. Gabriel nodded, not trusting himself to speak, turning from the window, to stride to his desk, unlocking a drawer, while Snow hesitated, unsure whether he had been dismissed or not. Gabriel looked up, flinging a bundle of papers from his desk drawer, “For this!” he raged, “An illusion. All for this! Arh!!!!” Swiping his arm across the desk, six or seven photographs depicting the beast were swept across the room, “I despair that it will ever come to pass!” he fumed. “I’ll fetch the boy shall I?” Snow asked nervously. Gabriel didn’t seem to hear, collecting the photographs, he bundled them up carelessly, and with a flick of his lighter, set the flame to one corner. Snow watched mesmerised, “You sure you want to do that?” “If I have nothing to compare my son, I shall no longer be disappointed in what I get from him.” Gabriel told him coldly, “Now go bring him to me.” Waiting one or two minutes Snow continued to watch as the corners of the photographs curled inwards with the flame, watching until Gabriel shook them from his fingers into the ashtray upon his desk, watching the remainder of the photographs become ashes just as his dreams had done. Snow turned from the room, he didn’t think he would ever get over his brothers’ latest outburst, surely if Julian didn’t tow the line sooner rather than later, he too would become mere ashes. *** *** *** Lauren stretched lazily, the hum of bees was close by, and the sound of frogs somewhere to her right made her smile. She would remember these past two days for all of her life, being here, in this paradise with the boy that she loved. Flicking a lock of hair back off of his forehead, Lauren smiled at the unruly way that it grew, and Julian murmured sleepily, the sun felt good on his naked back, drying the sweat from his passion. “I love you Julian.” Lauren told him, “but I really must be going soon. Shall I see you tomorrow?” Struggling to wake from his dreams, Julian searched her eyes, “I love you too, and yes please come, in fact come every day that you are here, and if one day you do not come, I will know that your father has chosen that day to take you home, so do not fret my love, do not grieve that we did not say goodbye, for there are no goodbyes between us, and I promise you Lauren, come what may, I will find you.” Sadly Lauren searched his eyes, “I wish you wouldn’t speak so tragically Julian, at least I wish you didn’t feel that you had to do, but I guess in a way I am pleased that you have, as things stand, anything could happen. I will search for your secret place Julian, and I will meet you there. Somehow I’ll find it, I shall know it, because you will be with me.” Reaching forward she kissed him fiercely. “Know that I love you Lauren” Julian told her as the kiss ended, “And know that we will never be apart, no matter what.” Dressing, they watched one another often, almost as if they knew, had an inkling that something was about to separate them, and Julian’s next words confirmed it, “Lauren, if ever you come here, and do not find me, promise me that you won’t come up to the house. My father is a dangerous man, he must never know about us. Promise me Lauren.” Julian asked anxiously. Nodding, Lauren promised, besides from what Julian had told her about his father, he need not worry, she had no desire to meet the man. “Whatever happens Lauren, whatever comes, our meeting place will be in the place of my dreams, remember that Lauren, if not here, then it will be there, and however long it takes, I will come, I will find you, never stop believing Lauren, I will come for you.” Wide eyed Lauren nodded. “And for now, if nothing stops me, or you, I’ll see you tomorrow Lauren, I promise.” Julian hugged her, then watched as she left his arms to make her way back along the track from whence she came, until she had disappeared from view, then sighing, he picked up his books, and made his way sorrowfully back towards his home. Not many yards down the track, he found Snow striding towards him, and with a quick glance over his shoulder he made sure that Lauren really was out of sight, before greeting his uncle, relieved to find that she was nowhere to be seen, even if he could still feel her eyes upon him. “Where have you been, your father is furious.” Snow told him. “I’m not that late.” “Enough, you know your father. And this meeting is important to him.” “What’s so different about this woman, Father was evasive, I feel as though I am going to meet my future stepmother or something.” Snow laughed, “My brother, married, are you joking? Gabriel loves himself so much, there is no room for anyone else.” Julian looked up at his uncle, really looked, “That’s the first time anyone, has echoed my thoughts on the matter.” He laughed, “Why do you stick with him Uncle, you and he are poles apart?” “Not so far apart actually Julian. I can’t say my copy book is any cleaner than my brother’s.” They fell into step alongside one another, heading back towards the house.” “Maybe not, but you have a heart, father does not. And anyone with half a heart has a life to live. Father is preventing you from living yours.” “So speaks the prophet eh?” Snow laughed, “Look at me Julian, who would have me?” “Surely there must be someone?” Julian laughed along with him, enjoying this new side of his uncle, a side he had only ever surmised at. Suddenly he had a feeling about that, “Uncle, are you preparing me for something?” Snow stopped in his tracks, the boy really was too wise for him, and his albino eyes surveyed the lad keenly, “Your father has an idea Julian, humour him will you. If it suffices for me to say your life depends upon it, will you let it be at that?” Julian nodded, “Tell me something Uncle, will you?” “If I can.” “Huh!” Julian laughed, “You mean if you are allowed, and it doesn’t put your head on the block, don’t worry Uncle I worked out a long time ago, that my father is a dangerous man.” he paused, searching for the words, “tell me, is there a reason for my being here?” “What a funny thing to say Julian, you live here.” “I know that, but sometimes I get the impression, that I’m part of some secret plan of my father’s, almost as if I was created for a purpose, and not born at all.” Snow mused on his words, there was a lot of truth in them, and for the first time since the boy had been kidnapped, Snow wanted to tell him everything. Instead he told him, “Every father has great plans for his son. All the things he has hoped to do, but never found the time, or got the chance for, he hopes his son will carry it on for him. Your father dreams of building empires Julian, and in you, he hoped to find his stronghold, someone mighty enough who could go in to the front lines.” “Like a shield?” Snow nodded, “Yes like a shield. He’s proud of you Julian, of your strength, your power, and he wants you to use that power in protecting him and all he has gained.” “Had he of shown me any kind of affection at all, that sort of protection would have come naturally Uncle, I would have stood by him, before him, whatever he chose, just because he loved me, but I have never felt that from him, always I have been a stranger in my own home.” Snow nodded, “My brother does not know how to love, and you have to make allowances for that.” Julian shook his head, “No, I can’t. And I don’t think I ever will. Uncle, may ask you something else?” “Yes.” “Will I always have to live here?” “I thought you liked it here?” “I do, but there must be more to life than sitting by a waterfall, reading day in day out. I want to do something with my life.” In truth Julian could want for nothing more than to spend his life by a waterfall reading, but it would not get him to where Lauren would be, and he had to make Snow believe that he needed more. If anyone could get his father to take him to New York, Snow could, that Julian did know. “What would you like to do?” “What is there? I know nothing, but for martial arts and self defence, which are in the same package really, but even with them, I have nowhere to try out my skills, you hardly jump me at all do you?” Snow laughed, as Julian’s eyes crinkled at the corners, as he went on, “My father is a business man, so let me be a business man, let me follow in his footsteps, take over from him, anything. Uncle, there must be something I can do.” “And you’d really do that?” Julian pused his lips together, “I guess so.” “I don’t think you have the ruthlessness needed to be a business man Julian, at least if you have, I have never seen it.” Julian dwelt inside himself, thinking hard, “There is something deep inside me Uncle, at times I feel it bubbling forth, trying to choke the life out of me, I can’t explain it, but its almost as if a have this...this...thing...inside of me, bursting to get out.” Snow nodded, this he did understand, even if Julian didn't. “And what if you should let it out, what kind of person would that make you?” “I wouldn’t like to dwell on it Uncle, it terrifies me.” “This is probably the side of you that your father would like to see, the side that would tear a person from limb to limb in his defence.” “Do you really think so?” “I know so.” Julian drew in a deep breath and let it out more slowly, they had almost reached the house, “If I thought he would love me more, no if he would love me at all, I would be anything he wanted.” “Perhaps you should tell him that.” “He shouldn’t need to be told.” “No, but one of you has got to make the first move, and you are the one with all the theories.” Julian nodded, “I’ll think about it. So is that this woman’s bicycle parked out front then?” “Possibly, she hadn’t arrived before I left, but he isn’t expecting anyone else. Be nice to her Julian, she’s important, and try to like her huh, you never know she may find ways to ease your boredom.” “I didn’t say I was bored, just that I wanted to do more.” “Well now’s your chance.” Julian looked at his uncle strangely, it seemed a funny thing to say, almost stand-offish, and in the last twenty minutes of conversation, he had learned more from his uncle than he ever had. There were still great gaping holes needing to be filled with knowledge, but for once, Julian had felt that he was beginning to know the way forward. And now with his uncle’s last statement, he wasn’t so sure again. The door opened as they approached, finding his father standing there. Julian frowned, this was most odd, he had never known his father come to meet him in his life, boy he must be mad. Yet as Gabriel stepped aside to reveal his guest behind him, Julian could tell that any anger his father was feeling was held in tight restraint because of her presence. “Julian, there you are. Where have you been? You have kept our guest waiting.” “I’m sorry Father,” Julian approached, and dutifully kissed the ring upon his father’s outstretched hand in greeting, “I was absorbed in my reading.” A blush stained Julian’s cheeks, which Gabriel was quick to notice, the boy always had been a poor liar. “This is Mariah, she is staying with us for a while, Julian be a good lad and take her out for the afternoon would you, show her some of your favourite haunts. Here let me take those books from you.” Julian stared wide eyed at his father, aware vaguely that Snow had made his exit through a side door. Mariah stepped forward holding out her hand, and dutifully Julian took it, bending to kiss the gloved fingers. She smelt of flowers, a heady scent, mingled with sweat. From it Julian detected that she was nervous. Glancing at his father, Gabriel rewarded him with a look, that Julian couldn’t quite decipher, but troubled him nonetheless, and for several moments could think of nothing to say. Finally it was Mariah who broke the silence, “So Julian, you take me to the waterfall, no?” “No!”, suddenly the idea of sharing his and Lauren’s place with this strange woman was sacrilege, and Julian refused adamantly, “I’ll take you to the fountains.” he told her, “If its falling water that you want to see.” Mariah shrugged, “It is not necessary. Take me anywhere.” Julian hesitated, casting another sidelong glance at his father, still standing immobilised on three steps above him, and then nodding turned back to Mariah, “All right, but we’ll start with the fountains. Come on, they’re this way.” Walking along side by side, Julian was very much aware of this woman. From time to time, when he shyly looked at her, it was to find her openly gazing at him. She made him nervous, yet detected the same emotion within her. “So”, he asked her at last, “What business do you have with my father.” Mariah eyed him coolly, “I have only met him today.” “That is not what I asked.” Mariah shrugged, and changed the subject, “Have you lived here long?” “A few years, what about you?” “I was born on the island.” “You live here. How is it I have never seen you before?” “Perhaps because you do not visit my side of the island.” “Are your family here?” “No, my father, he...” Mariah shrugged, “he likes how you say...the bottle...as to my mother, she works on the mainland.” Julian sighed, “Look, don’t get me wrong Mariah, but all this confuses me. If you have no business with my father, then why are you here?” “Your father believes you to be lonely, he ask me to come, be your friend, we can be good for one another no?” Julian stood his ground, “Something is not right here, what else did my father ask of you?” Mariah shook her head, she must not tell him that his father had offered her a fortune to carry this out. A fortune she could well do with, just to hand over to him a child, that she did not want, and could not afford to keep. A child to be conceived between herself and this young man. “Let us be friend’s Julian. Come, it is nice here is it not, let us rest awhile.” Flopping herself down into the lush vegetation, Mariah lay looking up at him, with big enticing eyes, she opened her jacket, revealing beneath a skimpy bikini bra, and Julian was not adverse to being drawn by the large breasts that had been squeezed into the ill fitting top. “Come sit down with me.” Mariah beckoned, reaching out to take his hand. For long moments Julian stared down at her, as the truth formed in his mind, things Snow had said, things he had picked up from his father, Mariah’s seduction. It all became crystal clear, and Julian felt his temper rising. For the first time in his entire life, his inner self rose like some demented being, up and up it came to bubble forth with a cry of anguish, hatred and disgust. Julian snatched his hand away, with it bringing Mariah to her feet, she stumbled into him, brought her arms around him, mistaking the action for one of submission. With a strangled cry of loathing, Julian shoved her away from him, and as Mariah stumbled and righted herself to come back to him again, she stopped, the look in his eyes troubling her. No more startling blue, his eyes shone with a ferocity that terrified her. Backing away, Mariah, mumbled words that would not form in a language Julian understood, as then turning from her, he began to run, run faster than his legs would carry him, back towards the house! Stunned, Gabriel could only stare ahead at the sound of splintered wood, as the locked door to his office literally burst before his eyes, and Julian strode through. Immediately, Gabriel’s eyes lit up, as they met those of his son’s, until the fleeting emotion of joy was replaced by fear. Julian strode into the room, obvious of Snow standing somewhere to his left, his father his intended victim, and a low rumble began in Julian’s chest as he stared at the man who had made himself his parent, coming up and up until it erupted in a deafening roar, that rocked the glass in the windows. Julian was rooted to the spot in shock, shaking violently, not knowing where to hide. Indeed there was no place to hide from himself. From behind his desk, Gabriel felt a trickle of urine blotch his pants, but still he smiled. Deeper and deeper, a smile that touched his eyes, an excitement that pounded through his veins as he continued to gaze at his son. Coming from around the desk, Gabriel could contain himself no longer, “Julian! How proud you make me this day.” he hugged the boy, the first time he ever had, and Julian’s body began to shake violently. “Snow, take my son to his room, I fear he is in shock, I will see you there later Julian.” he looked down at himself, “I fear I need to go and change.” Yet as Gabriel turned Julian into Snow’s embrace, Julian remembered the reason for his anger, and swung back, the force of his body knocking Gabriel to the ground. For split seconds their eyes locked, and Gabriel felt a ripple of apprehension run right through him, and decided to play for astonishment, happy when Julian’s body relaxed. “Tell me....” Julian demanded at last, “What were your plans for Mariah and I?” “She told you!” Gabriel rose from the floor, furious. “No. But you just have. How dare you Father!” “But Julian I had only your interests at heart, I thought the woman would be good for you, you know make a man of you. She is a no-body, you could have fooled around as much as you liked, and to hell with the consequences. I thought you’d be happy.” “And why should my happiness suddenly bother you?” “Julian, Julian, your happiness has always bothered me.” Gabriel told him softly, sweetly. “Liar!” Julian spat. For a moment Gabriel thought of striking his son, until he remembered the beast. The beast that had suddenly gone back into submission. Was it possible that his son could have such a split personality, did the original beast? “I’m, sorry Julian for reasons best left unknown, my reasons for bringing Mariah to you will remain my business, but I did hope you would enjoy her. After all, it is long past time that you had a woman.” “Who I chose is my business, I do not need you to do that for me.” Julian challenged his eyes flashing. “And who would you chose?” Gabriel laughed, “Its not as if we are swamped out with women here is it.” “What would you know!” Julian sneered as the beast inside uncurled ready for battle again. Gabriel noticed the feral glint had returned in his son’s eyes, but went on regardless, “You have someone?” Guarded now, Julian whispered, “Maybe.” “You lie.” Yet though he said the words, Gabriel knew when his son was lying, and for a certainty on this occasion he did not. “Who is she!” Gabriel demanded. “What have you told her?” “I’ve told her nothing of you old man, she has no dealings with wicked men...” Julian’s voice trailed away, halted by the laughter in his father’s eyes, “Does she not, then she obviously has not seen you, as I have seen you this day, Julian, or should I call you Simba, perhaps.” Gabriel sneered. Julian shook his head, what was happening to him, was he possessed? This morning he had been as any other fifteen year old, and life was looking good. Now he didn’t think he knew himself anymore. What evil had his father awakened in him? At his son’s obvious lack of response, Gabriel went on, “Well if you are so intent to keep her identity from me, I will just have to find out for myself, and I will find out Julian, I will. Now Snow take my son to his room, and lock it when you leave.” Gabriel fumed, while inside he rejoiced, his patience had been rewarded, and at that moment he felt the first stirrings of an emotion which known to other people could have been called love, but for Gabriel it was tainted by poison! *** *** *** Laying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, Julian could not think, could not feel. He knew only that something terrible had happened to him, and that the very thing which less than an hour ago, he had spoken to Snow about, had erupted from him, like some mighty being, and just because he had grown angry! He’d been angry in the past of course, but not like this. His father’s intentions to bring a woman to him, for him to, to.....good God, Julian rolled over, adopting the foetal position and groaned. Close to barbaric, his mind reasoned, and why would his father have felt that he should have wanted relations with this woman, with any woman? Yet it was more than that, thinking back to Mariah, the way she had tried to seduce him, the whole damn business, almost as if she had been employed to act that way around him. He had sensed her nervousness at first, so her behaviour wasn’t natural. The more he thought about it, the more obvious it became, but Julian did not like to question why. Because for what possible reason would his father pay someone to have sexual relations with his son? It didn’t make any sense. That his father cared about him was a lie, Gabriel had never cared in all his life about anyone, save himself. His head hammering with pressure, Julian rolled off the bed, coming to stand by the window, and lean his flushed forehead against the hard, cold glass. Beyond the courtyard he could see the circle of fountains, he so loved to watch them from this very window on a fine evening. The setting sun cast rainbows through them, making his eyes smart from their vibrancy. Sometimes, Julian had dreamed of escaping, and on occasion had climbed out of this very window, down to the ground, and foiled his father’s plans to keep him locked away. Yet Gabriel had grown wise to this, and whenever he kept his son locked away now, he would set loose the Dobermans, and from his vantage point, almost as if they anticipated his escape, even now, three of these large dogs sat looking up at his window from the courtyard. Turning from the window, Julian suddenly felt so alone. The love he had shared with Lauren these past few days, only emphasised his need to be part of someone, to know the love that had so long been denied him. Tears slipped easily down his cheeks, and through misted vision, Julian picked up one of his favourite books, the complete works of Shakespeare. Snow had brought this book for him, after much persuasion, and Julian had always found solace in its pages. And there was one, one sonnet that stood out above the rest, one that seemed to smooth out his pain when all else failed, helping him to put things into perspective. Julian turned it up, happy to see the words swimming before his eyes, and brushed the tears away, so that his velvety voice could read out loud; ‘When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes, I all alone beweep my outcast state, And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries, and look upon myself and curse my fate. Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, Featured like him, like him with friends possessed, Desiring this man’s art and that man’s scope with what I enjoy contented least. Yet in these thoughts myself despising, haply I think on thee, and then my state, like the lark at break of day arising, from sullen earth springs hymns at heaven’s gate; For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings, that then I scorn to change my state with kings.’ Julian closed the book of poetry, “Arh” He sighed, “Shakespeare knew everything”, and as he had anticipated, he felt better, stronger, more in control of both himself and that other self. And he began to wonder about that. How had he got something like that to possess him? What had he ever done to bring such a thing inside him? Turning his hands over before his eyes, he noticed the fine down of hair that grew on the backs of his hands. His body had been covered with a dense growth of hair for as far back as he could remember. Lauren had remarked upon it the first day they had made love. He smiled, it had been a part of him for so long, that he took it as second nature, but as Lauren had stared at his covering of tawny hair, so soft that it reminded her of fur, she said, he thought for a split second that she would be repulsed, until she lay her cheek against his torso, and confessed to rather liking the feel of it against her skin. Julian smiled, what he would give to be with her now, yet those feelings that had erupted within him had frightened him. If she should ever see him that way, how then would she feel towards him? Right now, with his mixed emotions, and his confusion by his own behaviour, and that rumble that had burst forth from him, sounding more like a roar than a shout, well Julian didn’t want to go to her feeling so mixed up as he did right now. She would sense something was not right, and she might conclude it had to do with her. And Julian didn’t want that. He loved her, and never wanted anything to worry her in any way, least of all if he were the cause of it. A sound outside brought him to the window again, and Julian was intrigued to see his father getting into a small buggy which they used to travel around the island in. Perhaps he was going in search of Mariah. For fleeting seconds, he went over his barbed conversation with his father earlier, at how surprised Gabriel had been to hear that his son might already have someone, and did not need his help in finding another. Did not want another. Lauren and he were connected, Julian did not understand how or why, but being a person that had spent so much time alone since coming to the island, he concluded that this other self was part of everyone. And that Lauren could partake of it, only added weight to that conviction. Nonetheless, it was unusual for his father to do his own dirty work. Gabriel had seen Mariah, knew what she looked like, Snow knew too, so why didn’t he send Snow to do his bidding, as he usually would have done? Snow the hunter, sent out by Gabriel to track and dispose of unwanted persons, or persons who had not fulfilled the part that Gabriel had set for them. Julian could not feel sorry for Mariah, her fate was set even as she had agreed to helping Gabriel, no doubt for a vast sum of money that he had no intention ever parting with, and her death would not be due to his refusal to comply, simply, Julian knew without a doubt, that his father would not have had allowed her to live anyway, once the deed was accomplished. Julian analysed that, broke it down and thought through each part slowly. If Gabriel had set the woman up, in order for her to seduce his son, then why would he have her killed afterwards? Unless he’d hoped to hurt his son, Julian shook his head, there were so many possible reasons, none of which he was really happy with, but if he should have liked the woman, and had hoped to see her again, perhaps then that had been his father’s plan? Did he therefore, hate his son so much, that he would give in the one hand, and snatch away with the other, and if so, what did he hope to achieve? His anger? Was that it? But why? And if it had of been for that reason, then Gabriel must have known, that his anger would turn him into that, that, thing. Julian did not know that his train of thoughts had led him away from his father’s original plan, and nothing could have been further from the truth, because Gabriel did not know for definite that his son harboured a bestial side to himself, a side which even Julian was in ignorance of its power, yet in his thinking, he drew a conclusion which in itself saved Lauren’s life. Suddenly Julian gasped...his father would send Snow, he would. Never would he go himself, unless there was a reason, something he did not know perhaps, or someone he had not seen before...Lauren! Immediately, Julian pulled up the window, watching as the dogs in the courtyard wriggled in anticipation, panting heavily, releasing long low whimpers of excitement, as he climbed down from the bedroom above. Afraid for Lauren, and furious at his father, Julian jumped the last few feet, and backed against the wall. The three dogs drooled, licking the saliva from their jaws, as they trembled and side stepped one another, watching his every movement. Julian stared at them, held their gaze, each in turn, “I am not frightened of you!” he spat at them, and he knew it. There was indeed no fear. One by one the dogs crouched to the earth, silenced by those penetrating blue eyes, and by the air of courage that prevailed around the boy, watching as he walked easily past them, and began to run towards the waterfall. The fate of the three dogs were thus sealed, for if he did not arrive back before his father, then Julian knew that would be three less hounds to worry about. And on the way to the falls, Julian infused his love through the connection with Lauren, praying that she would respond. *** *** *** Vincent stared out at the fountains, unseeing. His mind void of thought, his emotions rich with grief. This day Catherine was undergoing tests to reveal the extent of her fears, and Vincent had never felt so frightened. If he should lose her, if the biopsy should reveal their worst fears, then Vincent felt he would surely go insane. Catherine’s heart beating gently alongside his own while she slept beneath the anaesthetic was a source of great comfort to him. From the very first, when the tiny ethereal fingers had entwined her heart with his Vincent had never felt alone again, always whether Catherine had been alongside him or not, he had felt her there, glorified in the feel of her being so close to him, and now to know that one day that gently lull of her heart could cease to exist, choked him. The hot tears cascading down his cheeks, fell to the dusty ground, and he did not bother to wipe them away. There was no shame in his crying, his heart was breaking, and the pain of his fear caused him grief such as he had never known before. Not even when they had lost Jacob. At the mere thought of their son, Vincent lifted his head, tilting it in the way that Catherine loved so much, and his penetrating blue eyes took on a distant look, as his hands came up to slowly brush away the tears. For almost fifteen years, Vincent had been aware of his son’s life. And he knew that somewhere, Jacob was alive and well. Yet it was somewhere distant, out of reach, and even if Catherine had gone in search of that belief, Vincent knew that without him to guide her, it was a hopeless cause. Simply, Catherine no longer shared the same strength of the Bond with their son since her coma, and without a lead she was powerless to find him. For all that though, Vincent firmly believed, as did Catherine, that one day Jacob would return to them, that somehow, through their connection Vincent would lead his son home. Now with Catherine’s life hanging in the balance, Vincent groaned. Time may be the one essence that they no longer had control over. Simply if the biopsy revealed their worst nightmare, then Jacob may never return in time to see his dear mother. Of all the tragedy, that had to be the worst, and Vincent felt the tears gather and fall once again, powerless to stop them. *** *** *** Lauren didn’t understand the pull at first, but for some reason, thoughts of Julian suddenly filled her mind as she prepared for bed. It had been a long day, and she was tired. The journey to the other side of the island was tough going, there were many obstacles, not least her father, who for all the rough terrain was in himself her worst obstruction. Both physically and mentally drained, Lauren raised the brush to her hair, tugging at the long silky length of it, trying to rid it of the tangles put there from pushing through dense forest, and wriggling beneath fences. Yes it was a tough journey, both emotionally and physically, but it was worth it, and an early night would leave her refreshed enough to tackle it another day. Turning back the covers, the bed invited her to lie beneath the sheets, when a fresh flood of Julian came through to her. Lauren stilled her racing heart to listen, something was certainly amiss here. Closing her eyes, she concentrated hard, Julian was trying to speak to her, she was sure of it, even though she was new to the strength of such a connection. And though his words were hard to establish, the urgency was there, and Lauren knew he needed her, and he needed her now! Turning from the bed, Lauren pulled her night-dress over her head, reaching for her clothes again, and donning them rapidly. It was still light outside, but the walk was a long one, and much of it would be covered beneath darkness. Rummaging in a box beneath the bed, Lauren sought for and found a torch. The beam was not strong, the batteries were old, and Lauren searched for a replacement. It was not a problem, electricity was non-existent on this island, and most things were battery controlled, and within seconds Lauren had replaced the batteries, happy when a fresh beam broke through bright and clear. That part of the problem over, she stuffed her arms into her jacket, putting the torch safely within the pocket, and made her way out of her room and down the stairs. It would have been most unusual for Gabriel to have been seen talking to local people. Simply they were below him, and thus were scum. Yet upon the island at that time was a man whom he considered slightly more in his league, and for the moment while the man was useful, he could be relied upon to help him. As Lauren made her way down the stairs, she was startled to hear voices coming from the living room, and at first with relief, she headed for the door while her father was otherwise engaged, until she heard the name Julian mentioned. Stilling herself to listen above the pounding of her heart, Lauren waited by the open door, and peeped inside. Her father, back to her, stood talking to another man, a tallish man, lean, well built and dark haired, and strained her ears to hear them. “This is his photograph, have you ever seen him on this side of the island?” Her father studied the photograph, held out in Gabriel’s hand, and shook his head, “Can’t say I have, though I am certain I would have remembered him, you say he’s your son, he looks nothing like you.” Gabriel glared at Lauren’s father, “He takes after his mother, “ he told him, as Lauren’s father went on, “Run away has he?” “Not at all!” Gabriel flared, then simmering down, softly added like a concerned parent, “no, I am just curious as to his whereabouts, who he knows, mixes with, you know how it is, we have to keep our children in line. They make such mistakes.” “Yes I know how it is. And if you think bringing up a boy is hard enough, you should be grateful, for I can tell you a daughter brings more than its fair share of worries.” “You have a daughter?” Gabriel asked interested, “Here?” “Of course, I take her everywhere with me.” “Perhaps I could meet her?” “Why should you want to do that. I try to keep my business associates and my daughter far apart.” Gabriel nodded, “Yes I understand. I wondered if perhaps she had seen my son.” “If you leave the photograph, I’ll ask her in the morning.” “Why not now?” “Because she went to bed about an hour ago, and is probably sleeping now.” “A little early, how old is she?” “Fourteen. She was tired, spends most of the days here out exploring.” Gabriel was intrigued, “My son is fifteen, its possible that they know one another.” Lauren’s father shook his head, “No, impossible, your place is too far for her to travel, and also too well protected, she would never attempt to go there.” Gabriel was not convinced, but suddenly the situation looked less likely, he nodded, “Well I’d be grateful if you could ask her, and watch her eyes, would you know if she were lying to you?” “And why would she want to do that? If Lauren knows your son, she’d say so. She’d have no reason not too, besides she is far too young for a relationship, probably doesn’t even know what its for yet,” he laughed, “no don’t worry Sir, if Lauren has seen him about she’d tell me.” Gabriel nodded, “as you say then.” he turned to leave, stopping only to reply when Lauren’s father asked, “Will you be returning home now?” “Yes, I have some business to attend to, why do you ask?” “Because if Lauren should wake up before I retire for the night, and she does know anything I’ll call you. That’s the one good thing about this place, and I’d sure like to thank the guy who had the forethought to install telephones, even if there is no juice on this side of the island.” Gabriel nodded, “I accept your thanks, I had them installed, as to the electricity, no where on the island has it.” “But your place...?” “Generators.” Gabriel told him. The other man nodded, understanding at once, “Perhaps you can bring some over this side sometime, it would sure as hell make life less complicated.” Gabriel smiled at him, humouring him, “the photograph.” he offered it in his hand, and waited while Lauren’s father took it, and then headed for the door, stopping only briefly, “the other thing?” he queried. “Taken care of, the last shipment left today.” “Good. So you’ll be moving on now?” “Day after tomorrow.” “Back to the city?” Gabriel asked, though he wasn’t really interested, the fellow was as good as dead anyway. “Yeah, back to the sweat and grime.” Gabriel nodded, “See that the photograph is returned before you leave.” Lauren raced away from the door, opening it out onto veranda and exiting as quickly as possible. Outside a large buggy was parked, and thinking fast, Lauren climbed into the rear, squashing herself down behind the front seats. If this was Julian’s father, and she was sure of it, then getting a lift back to his side of the island, would sure as hell beat walking, and get there a whole lot faster. Heart in mouth, Lauren listened as footsteps crunched down the path, the door opened, and the vehicle sank as Gabriel got in to the drivers seat. Listening with interest, as her father’s voice shouted above the roar of the engine as it burst into life, “See you.” and Gabriel’s reply, lost to her father but not to Lauren, “don’t count on it. Dead men can’t see.” and her muffled gasp went unnoticed as Gabriel’s sinister laughter filled the air. Disorientated, Julian paced up and down, waiting for Lauren’s arrival. He sensed her approach, yet it was not via the forests through which she usually came, this time, she seemed to be heading towards the very house itself from the road! Fearful that she would encounter the dogs, Julian made his way quickly back in that direction, hoping that he could arrive ahead of her. Gabriel brought the buggy round to the front of the house, and was met by Snow at the door, “He’s gone Gabriel, Julian’s gone.” “What of the dogs?” “Their fate has paid for their crime. I’ve seen to that.” he answered his brother, then as a figure alighted from the buggy and darted across the grounds he shouted, “Hey you stop!”, and turning Gabriel’s eyes lit up knowingly, “So the mountain comes to Mohammed. No Snow leave her be, this is even better, she will play right into my hands.” “She could have heard your name!” Snow gasped, “I’m sorry I didn’t think.” “When my own brother cannot utter my name, what is the world coming to? Don’t worry Snow, she won’t get away, or be given the chance to tell it to anyone. Come let us follow her at a slower pace in the buggy.” *** *** *** Gasping, and slithering her way in the semi-darkness, Lauren followed the path in which she hoped was the right direction. Julian’s anxiety transmitted itself to her, and she followed the sense of him. Running low and fast, stopping only now and then to listen to see if she were being followed, Lauren chided herself for her foolishness. She’d heard enough from her father and Julian himself to know what a dangerous man his father was. And she’d heard his name, spoken by that other man. Gabriel! And he’d know that of course. Her life now was very much in danger. Running blindly Lauren literally collided with Julian before she saw him, and he steadied her with strong arms, “Lauren!” crying her name, he looked over her shoulder, “Who are you running from?” “Your father.” “He saw you?” “Yes, and that other man.” “My uncle.” “I don’t know, maybe. He had white hair.” “Yes that’s my uncle. Come I know a place, they will not find us there.” Turning her with an arm fastened around her shoulders, Julian led her quickly to his safe haven. No-one had ever discovered this place. There were times when Gabriel had Snow search for him, and though he could see Snow, his uncle could not find him. It was to this place that he now took Lauren. “You are going to have to get wet, but you will be safe there. Trust me.” “I do. Julian I felt your anxiety, you wanted to see me.” “Yes. My father knew I had someone, I wanted to warn you, he was coming in search of you. Lauren I have much to tell you, some of it will sound strange, but then no more than it is to me, but you must believe me Lauren, and you must trust me. I love you, nothing will alter that, no matter what my father might tell you.” Her eyes wide with fear, Lauren replied, “I hope your father never gets the chance to tell me anything Julian, he’d kill me. You see, I heard your uncle speak your father’s name.” Julian sucked in a breath, it whistled as it passed through his teeth, and he held Lauren closer, “Don’t be afraid Lauren, please don’t be afraid, I will take care of you, my father will not harm you I promise. Now, duck beneath this outcrop of rock, and mind your feet its slippery, this is the place we will be safe.” *** *** *** “Can you see them anywhere Gabriel?” Snow asked rounding the final bend on the approach to the falls, and dimming the lights. “No, but then that doesn’t surprise me. Don’t you see Snow, whether he realised it or not, Julian possesses the same skill as the beast before him. Do you not remember how the beast would always come whenever Chandler was in trouble. He knew Snow, he always knew, no matter where she was sent, he would come for her, and he would save her in the nick of time. I don’t know how it works, but somehow he was able to sense where Chandler was and when she was in danger.” “And you think Julian possesses this gift too?” “I know he does. How else would he have been able to make the girl return here at this time of day. It all makes perfect sense. I am no fool Snow, and I will not be made to look like one.” “He might have telephoned her then?” “No not possible, I was at the house, no call came through while I was there, and Julian was locked in his room before I left.” Snow nodded, his brother was seldom wrong, that’s how he had got where he was in the world, “Any idea where they might be then?” “I know exactly where they will be.” “Where?” “Behind the waterfall. And if you do everything I ask of you, we will easily trap them inside.” To be continued in Part Three.