Legacy Part Three Crystal flopped herself wearily down beside the mirror pool. It was her most favourite of places, and she came here as often as she could to get away from her chores, and since her mother had been away from time to time, there had been more to do, and more to think about, and Crystal felt the need to be alone. This day though as she sat, dangling her feet into the pool, distorting the reflection of a blue sky overhead, she looked up surprised, when Joseph settled himself down beside her, saying, “I’ve been looking for you.” “Then you didn’t look hard enough, you should have known I would be here.” “What’s wrong Crystal?” “What do you mean?” “I mean for weeks now, you have been different, changed somehow?” “And you haven’t?” “No, should I be?” “You mean to tell me you haven’t noticed?” Joseph shrugged. “Joseph!” Crystal exclaimed, “I can’t believe it, oh honestly, men!” Joseph laughed, “don’t you mean boys, I’m not that old yet.” Crystal grew serious, “I’m worried about dad. And mom.” “Why?” “You really haven’t got a clue have you. How can you be so blind.” “Crystal tell me what on earth you are talking about, you know I hate riddles.” “Its not a riddle Joseph, its a fact. I’m worried about dad, and he in turn is worried about mom, surely you have noticed,” Crystal shook her head with disbelief, telling her brother softly, “Joseph, I think there’s something wrong with mom.” Joseph’s eyes opened wide, “You don’t have to tell me, I think she is going off her rocker, you seen how many times she has balled me out just lately, and over the slightest of things...” “I don’t mean that!” “Then what do you mean?” “There’s more to it than that. I think she is ill.” “Yeah mentally.” “No! Joseph! What’s wrong with you don’t you care?” Joseph shook his head, “Its not that, of course I do, but you know what dad’s like, he’d tell us if there was anything to worry about.” “No I don’t think so, not this time. This time, its, its...serious.” Joseph was shaking his head, “I doubt it, you have a vivid imagination. Look, if you are so sure, why don’t you ask him. Go on, you’re the one with all the guts, go and ask him.” “Will you come with me?” “What! Is that fear I hear? Wow, put the flags out.” “I’m not scared Joseph. Least of all of my own father!” Crystal exclaimed, “I just thought you might like to come with me, hear what he has to say, after all she’s your mother too.” Crystal reminded him sarcastically. Sometimes her brother could be downright insensitive. “Oh if I must. Do you know where to find him?” “Uh huh, he’ll be where the fountains echo. He always goes there these days.” “I never knew that.” “You never know anything.” *** *** *** Shivering from fear, and coupled with the wet of their clothing, Julian held Lauren tight in his arms, rubbing her limbs in an attempt to keep her warm, their whispered words echoed to the back of them while in front the very same words were drowned out by the roar of the cascading water. “I’m frightened Julian.” Lauren shivered, stunned when a voice beyond the falls challenged, “So you should be.” Julian stiffened, fury rising like a tide within him, as the beam of a flashlight signalled his father’s approach, through a channel of rock that Julian had not discovered was there. “You said we’d be safe here,” Lauren’s teeth chattered from the cold and from fear, “I trusted you.” Gabriel laughed, “I can see my son has mislead you my dear.” Turning wide eyed to Julian, Lauren searched his face with disbelief, hearing as Julian cried, “You lie old man. I would never betray Lauren. I love her.” “Love, love what do you know of love.” “More than you do that’s for sure!” Julian cried, holding Lauren tighter against him. “All my life I waited for love from you, some sign that you regarded me as your son. Now I know you never wanted that from me, you wanted only to use me. Well I’m past being used old man, Lauren and I are going to live our life together, with or without your blessing.” “You think so do you?” Gabriel’s voice mellowed, and only Snow knew what it took to keep it that way. The bunch of his shoulders alone told Snow of the hidden fury inside the man. “And does your lady fair, know of the beast you harbour inside of you?” Julian’s eyes were wary, and Gabriel laughed, “I can see she does not. Perhaps then we can hope for a demonstration to enlighten her?” From deep below Julian felt the fury rising like a tidal wave, and attempted to squash it, no amount of goading would make him give in to his father’s taunts. If Lauren should see that thing arise, he knew he would lose her for certain. With measured control Julian fought against his inner self, and won. Yet Gabriel was not to be put off, knowing his son would not admit to anything, he set to snare him, “So how far has this little affair gone. You do realise that the girl is underage I take it?” Refusing to be wound up, Julian replied softly, “I know how old she is?” “And breaking the law doesn’t bother you?” “Its never bothered you!” Gabriel sucked in a breath, his anger mounting, yet he had to know the truth, if his son had been having sex with the girl, then there was already the possibility of a child on the way. “That is not what I asked.” Sensing Julian was more of a match than he bargained for, Gabriel tried another tactic, “And how do you think your father would feel Lauren, if I were to tell him that you have been sleeping with my son?” Ignoring Julian’s silent plea, Lauren’s eyes opened wide, “You wouldn’t tell him!” She gasped, “Please...” Lauren shook her head, “don’t.” Jubilant, Gabriel rejoiced, the girl had been so gullible, and unwittingly had fallen into a trap that he was now only just beginning to see existed, “I won’t tell him.” He told her, and saw her relax, as Julian’s piercing eyes warned him not to hurt her, “providing...” Lauren held her breath, watching mesmerised, as Gabriel stroked his chin thoughtfully while a plan formulated in his mind. “Your father has to go to the mainland tomorrow for a couple of days, I shall tell him you are staying with us. Now come, I can see you are cold, and my son is forgetting his manners. Our home is warm and you will be most welcome there.” Lauren looked up at Julian, she could sense his distress through their connection, but his father was right, it was cold there, freezing in fact, and the tiredness with which she had sought an early night, was slowing seeping into her bones, coupled with the release of the anxiety she had been feeling. Julian sensed her giving way and held her more tightly, begging her to understand. His father had not welcomed a soul in his life, and going to the house could only prove to be dangerous for her. Yet even as Julian’s piercing blue eyes challenged the cold hard darkness of his father’s, unmoving, unfeeling, ones, Julian knew that for the moment his father had won. “Then Lauren is to share my room.” He told his father, unwilling to let her out of his sight. “But of course.” “And you are not to lock us in there?” “As if I would.” Gabriel replied silkily. “And tomorrow we can be together, you will not try to part us?” “I promise, tomorrow you can be together.” Julian stiffened, he heard the emphasis, knew his father well, but for now he was too tired to think anymore. Tomorrow was another day, and tomorrow he and Lauren could make plans. He’d play his father at his own game, let him believe he had won, while all the time plotting their escape. Without replying, Julian nodded, leading Lauren back beneath the falls, unaware that Gabriel, casting a look from Snow to Lauren, made the cut-throat sign behind her back! *** *** *** Waiting, beside the fountains, brought about one of the hardest times Vincent had to endure. Leaning against a hard stone wall, he could feel the dampness seeping through his long cloak and trousers, but that was the least of his worries. Father would chide him if he caught a chill, he well knew that, but this place, the place that had held so many wondrous moments for himself and Catherine, he would not be drawn from no matter what. This would be where she would picture him sitting when she came around from the anaesthesia and the moment when Peter spoke to her, he would know as would she, whether she would live or whether she would die. Choking back a sob, Vincent fought for control, he had to be strong, for her, for them. This was Catherine’s most favourite of places Below, it was so tranquil here, with the bubbling fountains providing just the right amount of sound as a backdrop to her thoughts. He had laughed once, “How can it be Catherine, being here is a fraction noisier that being at the waterfall, how can you concentrate?” He could remember every word of her reply, and still it made a warm glow rush over him, “Its the echo Vincent. Here I can speak aloud my problems and the while the fountains echo, my words trail away into that echo and are washed away. Gone forever, and I have no more need to worry about them. And you, my love, can be thankful that you brought me here, because there is no place on earth that I would rather be.” Being here then, awaiting Catherine’s recovery from her second operation, Vincent knew there was no place more perfect to cast his words to the wind, the gentle breeze created by the rushing water sucked them away, mingling with the fountains’ echo, and relieved him from his pain. Catherine was right, while the fountains echoed, their sound did wash away all problems. The beauty of the place, the tranquillity, it was just perfect, and it was their place, the place they would come just to be together, to talk, to heal. It was the place they sought and had spent hour after hour, when Jacob had been taken from them, and it was the one place they sought when memories of him became too unbearable to share. Reminiscing on the past with Catherine in his life, Vincent dwelt on the time after Charles Chandler’s death when his daughter had come to stay Below to heal. At that moment in time, Vincent had found her nearness a physical strain, being so close. He laughed now, the sound sucked away into echoes the moment it became airborne. How hard he had fought the desire to love her, and how easily in time, she had broken down his reserve, and let him see that what he had fought against so hard was just an impossibility. There were so many joys Catherine had brought him, but one moment stood out above all the rest, the moment when she thanked him at the threshold for letting her stay Below while she had grieved for her father. And while the fountains echoed, Vincent spoke out loud of that time, knowing without a doubt that the echo would take his words straight to Catherine’s heart; ‘Some memories never die, They live on, golden in our hearts, Like candles burning in the wind, Forever lighting our way, They become as dreams, Always to be dreamed anew, Always remembered. So many memories - dark and light - Bitter and sweet, Never ending, never letting go, Yet one moment in time I shall not forget. You touched my soul with eyes filled with longing, With words filled with love, And you held me in your arms, Tiny hands around my heart, Then, in a heartbeat that lasted a lifetime - You kissed me.’ Sighing, Vincent brushed away a tear, the memory stirring up his emotions, of all they had shared since, their life together, the happiness she had brought him, how would he ever get through a life with only his memories to keep him company, without her? Choking back further sobs, Vincent stared out at the fountains that Catherine loved so much, and wondered if he could ever dare to come to this place if it meant coming alone in the future. To be there without Catherine would surely be the death of him, if he hadn’t died already. For how could live without her? The answer came as a movement to one side of him caught his eye, and brushing away his fallen tears, he looked through misty eyes to the sight of his two children hesitating in the entranceway. How could he leave them? They needed him to live. He smiled weakly at them, as Crystal asked softly, “May we join you dad?” Holding out an arm, Vincent beckoned them inside, not trusting himself to speak, and they came, one on either side, settling themselves down beside him, and wrapping their arms around his waist. “What is it?” He asked, knowing that they were troubled, though unable to sense their emotions. “What’s wrong dad?” Crystal asked gently. “With whom?” His words were guarded, Catherine had not wanted their children to know anything, until there was something definite to tell them. “With you, with...mom? Don’t put us off dad, there is something wrong with mom isn’t there? Its not just a routine check up is it? What aren’t you telling us?” “It is your mother’s wish that you should be kept in the dark, I would betray her if I should give you the answers you seek” “Why, because we wouldn’t understand? Dad we love you, both of you, and seeing you like this, it hurts us, we know something is wrong, and sometimes you know, the imagination can take us to further heights than the reality and we could be worrying greater, than we would if we had been told the problem.” Vincent shook his head, “You speak just like your mother.” “Don’t evade the subject dad.” Crystal told him crossly. Tilting his head to seek her eyes, Vincent felt a tightening in his chest, his daughter was just like her mother, almost as if it were Catherine’s eyes that looked back so defiantly into his own. How many times had he seen that look, how many times had he heard the words utter from those same lips, “Vincent, we can be anything to one another, if only you’d let yourself believe’? Shaking his head, Crystal thought he was again denying everything, “No dad I wont let you, not this time, something is wrong, I can feel it, in here.” She pointed to the region of her heart, and Vincent was awed. Never before had either of these two children felt a connection to either himself or Catherine, it was one of their greatest of sadness, that only with Jacob had they felt a connection. Catherine had reasoned once that maybe the extended gift died when Jacob was lost to them, and only remained between himself and her, and that little part that Jacob still held. “There are things that are not mine to tell, it is your mother’s wish, but you are correct, she is unwell, but we are not to worry, Peter is with her and he will do everything he can...” “Not worry like you are not worrying you mean? Dad this is so unfair, you know us, you know what this means to us!” “You are very quiet Joseph?” Vincent remarked upon his son’s silence. Crystal exhaled a breath of exasperation. Her father had very cleverly changed the subject yet again. Joseph exhaled a hint of laughter, “You know Crystal, dad, she always was the one for the words.” Vincent nodded, “Yes, just like your mother.” “And I take after you, the strong silent type.” Vincent laughed out loud, the sound rippling through the cavern, further and further away as it echoed around them. “This is a wonderful place dad.” Joseph told him, “I can see the attraction of being here.” Nodding Vincent agreed, there were no words to describe its beauty. “So tell us dad?” Crystal attempted to bring her father back to the conversation at hand, “why is mom in hospital?” “She’ll be home soon, why don’t you ask her yourself?” “I’ll do better than that, I’ll go Above and visit her.” “No!” “I will.” Defiantly, Crystal stared back at her father’s distress to hear her say such a thing. “Please.” the word escaped on a sob, and immediately Crystal felt sorry. Ever since their brother was taken, her parents had prevented either Joseph or herself to go Above, and fear of being kidnapped too, had made them obey. “I’m sorry dad I wouldn’t do that, forgive me.” Sobs came then and Crystal buried her face into his chest, in a gesture that once again reminded him so much of Catherine. “Don’t worry Crystal, when there is something to tell, you will be told. We have each other and that’s all that matters for now. In a few days your mother will be home, and we will tell you everything.” Tear filled eyes raised to his, “Promise?” She hic-cupped. Kissing the tip of his daughter’s nose, and hugging his son more fiercely to his side, Vincent promised, “Now we had best go, I for one am getting cold, and it will soon be time for lunch.” Crystal attempted a smile, “I love you dad. No one could have a dad more special than you.” Her tender words left them all in tears. *** *** *** “Lauren wake up!” Julian rocked his love hard, “Wake up!” rewarded when Lauren opened her eyes, and upon seeing him there beside the bed on which she lay, she struggled to sit upright. “What are you doing here!” she almost screamed, “My father will kill you.” “You’re at my home remember, and those words are truer than you think, but it is my father who will kill you! Come we must get out of here, before he wakes up.” “Where can we go? There is no way off this island Julian.” Lauren told him as she suddenly remembered the events of the previous evening. “We have to try, there must be a boat we can get on. If we leave now, we can go out with the fishing boats. If we don’t try, our lives are at risk staying here.” “Won’t your father be expecting us to do something like this?” “Of course. Nothing escapes him, that’s what makes everything so hard, but Lauren we still have to try, sitting here will not save us.” “Where will we go?” Lauren asked as she quickly dressed, “We cannot possibly go to my father, he would only telephone yours.” “My father was sending yours to the mainland today, we must be careful not to get onto the same boat as he will be on, so we have to watch when he comes out of the house, and after that, we’ll find a boat to stowaway on, and hope it takes us to the mainland, from there we will search for that secret place I told you about. Lauren shook her head, she wanted to believe him, and she knew it was it was futile to argue with him. The place he spoke of may exist only in his dreams, she reasoned, but he was right about one thing, any place was safer than where they were right now. Taking his hand, the pair of them alighted from the bedroom window, much the same as Julian had hours earlier, thankful that with the death of the Dobermans, they had one less thing to worry about. Jumping down the last few feet to the courtyard below, Julian used all his senses to sum up their predicament. “Come”, he whispered, “ keep low, and run on the grass, follow me.” Taking her hand Lauren followed, as heart in her mouth, they ran through the grounds, hesitating only moments for one last look at the fountains as they passed by, and ran onwards towards the high security fence. “How do we get over?” Lauren asked looking up at the wire, “Perhaps we should have gone my way?” “We are, we are just making it hard for them. They will expect us to go in a straight line, take the quickest route out of here, either straight to the road, or straight to the falls. Father will not be expecting this. Come, this way, and when we are on your familiar ground you can lead me.” Running hard and fast, the two young lovers made their way past the waterfall. There was no time to stop and look, for just the sound of the cascading water brought its memory fresh to mind. Julian would miss being there, sat beside the waterfall, and he would miss the fountains, still there would be other waterfalls, other fountains, he was sure of it, and even if there weren’t the alternative was better than staying besides the ones he loved just for the sake of it, for he knew with all certainty that to do so, he would be sacrificing Lauren’s life. His father was a dangerous man, Lauren had heard his name, and his father would not allow anyone to know it, save his brother and his son. Lauren was as good as dead in his father’s eyes. It took almost two hours before Lauren was relieved by the familiar sight of the track that she had been using for the past week, and ducking beneath a large shrub, she paused only moments to point to the area, and show Julian the way ahead. “We must be careful now, my father knows this island better than anyone. He was born here. This might all be for nothing Lauren, but at least we have tried.” With that they stood for long moments regaining their breath in one another’s arms, and Julian kissed her long and hard before they started their escape once again. The way was hard, for once Julian marvelled that Lauren had undertaken such a journey just to see him. Pushing through bushes that were intent on scratching if one was not careful, and ducking beneath outcrops of rock, they made the journey stealthily, making good time. It was still dark, only the light from the moon lighting their way, and Julian knew that while the cover of darkness remained, they still stood a chance. Eventually the sound of the ocean crashing on rocks beneath them, signalled that they were almost there. “Here”, Lauren lifted a piece of fencing, “You have to roll, mind your clothing doesn’t get caught. You first.” Julian did as she bade him, and then helping her through, they set off again, “You have to mind your footing, its slippery here, and its a long drop down to the beach.” Again Julian marvelled at the way Lauren had trod so often, at the same time grateful that she had chosen such a dangerous route. It was less likely his father would believe they had come this way, there were much easier routes they could have taken. “Not much further now.” “Does this come out near your villa?” “No, thankfully, that’s over there, opposite direction, but you can see the door clearly from another spot. Come I’ll show you.” Lauren led Julian by the hand past rows of poles which appeared to be some kind of fencing, until he smelt the heavy scent of fish, “They dry it here, then salt it for transportation.” Lauren told him sensing his interest, “Come we are almost there.” At last she bade him be still, and to lie flat, “See, the villa is just down there, from here, if we wait, we will see when father leaves.” Catching their breath, and arms around one another, Julian and Lauren lay amongst the tall grasses, hidden from view above the line of villas, Julian sighed, they were safe here, as safe as could be, and he relaxed, allowing further plans to formulate in his mind. Along the shore the fishing boats were anchored, ready for a fresh days fishing. Some boats would not go to the mainland, some would stay out on the ocean all day anticipating a good catch, it would do neither off them any good to be on one of those! But wait, it would! If he could outwit his father, let Gabriel believe they had got on a boat making fish deliveries to the mainland, they might stand a chance. Better to spend the day out on the ocean waves, and then switch to another boat to make the journey the following morning. His father would not suspect this, would assume that he and Lauren had tried to get off the island at the first possible opportunity. As he thought things through, Lauren whispered, “I have an idea Julian. See that boat, that one anchored out there, its always there, I think the owner died or something, we could get onto it.” “Could we use it to get away.” Lauren shook her head, “Not a wise move, it would be missed, and the coast-guard alerted. But we could stay on board until it was safer to move again. What do you think?” “It beats being out on a fishing boat all day.” “What?” Lauren drew her brows together. “Nothing, just another idea I had, okay, its perfect, well, do we swim out?” “Yes, but take off your T-shirt first.” “Why?” “If you take off yours and I do the same, we can fill them with fruit to take with us. Knot the neck and arms, T-shirts make terrific hold-alls when there is nothing else to use.” Julian smiled, “You’ve done this before?” “Not on this island, but believe me, you can collect so many things in a T-shirt. I’m a real beachcomber at heart.” “So we don’t have to wait until your father leaves now either?” “No, come on, lets get the fruit, and go.” *** *** *** A sinister sneer formed on Gabriel’s face when Snow brought him the news that Julian and Lauren had made their escape, “Just as you had surmised, did you want me to help you search for them Gabriel?” “Yes, but I don’t think we need look far. They will have made for the road.” “I’ll bring the bloodhounds anyway.” “As you wish.” Gabriel could think of better things to occupy his time, than following behind two great dogs, that with noses to the ground, pulled his brother along. From time to time, one or the other would lift its mighty head and bay into the night, signifying that they were on the track of their quarry. Heading straight passed the fountains, Gabriel could not contain his laughter, “Just as I thought, typical children, we don’t need the dogs Snow. Take them back and bring the car, we will cover the distance far quicker without them.” “Let’s just take the dogs to the gate, just to be sure.” “No, let them go, we can watch from here, if they mill around the gate baying, then whistle them back, it will save us the journey by foot.” Snow unleashed the dogs, watching as they bounded away beneath the diffused light of pre-dawn, reached the gate, milled around a few moments, then set off baying along the perimeter fence, Gabriel shrugged, “So they took some time finding a convenient way out, don’t worry. Just get the car.” Leaving his brother, Snow headed back for the garage, while Gabriel continued to watch the dogs. Believing that at any moment they would stop, and set to baying at a certain spot to indicate frustration at not being able to pursue their quarry, he frowned when the two dogs set off in hot pursuit showing no sign of abating, and were soon out of sight. Running now, Gabriel followed, led by the sound of their baying, realising with fury, all too late that the two young lovers had been cleverer than he had assumed, and it looked as though they had gone into hiding after all! *** *** *** Safe upon the boat, Lauren and Julian found dry rags to rub themselves down with, and put out their clothing to dry upon the deck by the noon day sun, “Do you think anyone will try here?” Lauren asked concerned at leaving her clothing where it was plain to see. “No, all the activity will take place around us. We will be safe, this is perfect, I feel it in my bones. But we must rest, we have a long way to go yet, and our troubles have only just started.” “But we are together.” Lauren reminded him, “And nothing will ever change that Julian, not ever.” “Never”, Julian agreed, “I love you Lauren. Somehow, we were meant to be together, and I aim to see that it stays that way. Now I don’t know about you, but I can think of a wonderful way to relax and get me off to sleep.” Lauren smiled, coming into his embrace with joy in her heart, they were together, that’s all that mattered, and from this day forth nothing would ever change that. *** *** *** The sound of the explosion startled them. Jumping to their feet before they were fully awake, Julian and Lauren looked out of the murky windows and saw with dismay huge flames burning upon the very sea itself, as the fuel spread in multi-coloured circles outwards from the boat that had just been ripped apart. “What could have happened?” Lauren cried, hugging Julian fiercely, “It sounded like a bomb!” Staring out to the remains of the craft awash upon the ocean, Julian knew that’s what it had been, and there was only one person he knew to have planted such a device, and for one reason only. Lauren sensed his unrest, “What is it?” she cried, “Tell me, what’s on your mind, you’re frightening me.” “Its nothing. Don’t worry. Its not our problem, and we need to keep low, and bring down our clothing in case the coast guards send a chopper over to search for survivors.” “You don’t think they’ll search here?” “No we are too far for anyone to swim to, besides that blast would have surely killed the passengers.” Lauren nodded, relieved, yet there was still something that bothered him, she was certain of it, but she let it be. He would tell her if he thought she should know. Yet Julian could not tell her of his suspicions. If Gabriel had been behind that blast, he would have known for a certainty who he was terminating, and if Gabriel could not be sure that Lauren was the victim, then it had to be someone else, and there was only one other person that Julian knew of, who was set to travel on a boat that day to the mainland. And that person had to be none other than Lauren’s father himself! *** *** *** Coming around from the anaesthesia, Catherine discerned Peter’s dear face watching her, and struggled to wake up. This had been her second biopsy, the first having revealed nothing, yet the pain and the lump had continued to grow. Undergoing the second operation, Catherine and Vincent had been filled with the most foreboding dread they had ever had, believing that the cancer was eating its pathway through her internal organs and that nothing now would stop it. So as Peter’s face came into focus, and Catherine saw not distress but joy etched into his dear face, Catherine rejoiced, “Tell me?” she croaked through dry lips. A smile lit Peter’s face, “You’re awake. I would have waited all day if I had to do, I just had to see your face when you were told. Cathy, its all right,” he shook his head, as if he still had trouble believing it himself, “it was a tumour, but it wasn’t malignant, Cathy do you hear what I am saying to you? You are going to live!” Relief flooded through Catherine like the waves of the sea, and tears burst from her green eyes. “Oh Peter!” was all she could manage, then “Does Vincent know?” Peter nodded, “I sent word as soon as I knew, but if he doesn’t know yet he will by now, I expect your relief has transmitted itself to him even as we speak.” Catherine nodded, “Yes he will know. Oh Peter, what a relief, I can’t believe it, we were so afraid.” Catherine’s voice deep with unshed tears wavered. “I know, and we’ll need to run checks on you from time to time of course, but I can’t believe it myself Catherine, it was quite a large tumour, but honestly we have sliced it up, and tested it through and through and still there is nothing there, not even the slightest trace of cancer.” “Then what caused it?” Peter shook his head, “A miracle perhaps.” “No I mean what caused the tumour.” Peter smiled, “Yes I know what you meant young lady, I couldn’t resist that’s all. I don’t know Cathy, if I did I’d be a millionaire, just be thankful that’s all and that you live to tell the tale.” “When will I be allowed home Peter?” “In about three days, you are going to be awfully sore for some weeks so take it easy. Now shall I leave this window unlocked, no doubt a certain someone will visit you tonight.” A smile lit Catherine’s eyes, as she nodded, she had only been without Vincent a few hours, and already it seemed like a lifetime. “Funny isn’t it Peter. Once, I could never have contemplated the thought of spending fifteen years beneath the earth, but since Jacob was taken from us, I have never had the desire to see the light of day again.” “Yes its been a long time Cathy, and no doubt it still holds its own fears?” Catherine nodded, “Being without Vincent, the children, yes, being here, looking out at the sunshine, it feels alien to me. And I can’t wait to get back home to where I know its safe.” “It has been a long time Cathy.” Peter mused, and Catherine followed his train of thought by his saddening expression, “almost fifteen years now. Yet you never gave up hope.” “Never. One day, Peter, he will come home. I don’t know what it is, why I hold on to that hope, but I know it will come true.” “In the end, hope is all we ever have Cathy, and it is a good thing if it keeps you sane.” “Its more than that Peter. Vincent knows Jacob is well, he feels him. Not strong enough anymore to know his whereabouts, but well enough to know he lives. That driving force has kept us going Peter, that and the conviction that he will return to us eventually. Sometimes, Vincent has vivid dreams that Jacob remembers life Below.” “Yet he was only six months old when he was kidnapped Cathy.” Peter had his doubts. “Nonetheless Peter, Jacob was a remarkable child, gifted like Vincent. I believe he will remember. Neither of the other two children show any sign of having this gift. It has been a source of great sadness to Vincent, and I, that we have no such Bond with either of them. Jacob was special, is special, I have no doubts Peter, he will come home.” Peter nodded, and stood up to leave, “Well young lady talking of dreams, that’s what you should be doing right now. You need to sleep Cathy, and I’ll see you in the morning eh?” Catherine nodded, watching as Peter unlocked the windows as promised, and then watched him walk from the room with a final smile before closing the door behind him. Catherine smiled, everything was right with the world again, and though Peter had shut out the sunlight when he drew the curtains to hide the unlocked windows, her happiness was such that her heart burst with a warmth that totally eclipsed the sun. *** *** *** Furious now, at being so obviously fooled by his son, Gabriel made his way to the mainland. Leaving Snow on the island, with instructions to keep up the search, while Gabriel employed the help of his employees on the mainland to watch out for the two young lovers. Giving a photograph of Julian to each of them, they set off in various directions all along the coastline, asking anyone they saw, if Julian had been seen. *** *** *** Julian knew the dangers associated with his and Lauren’s change of plan to delay their escape, but it was a chance they’d had to take. The day and night they had spent on the deserted boat gave them time to rest, and refreshed, they set off at last for the mainland, stowing away on a boat taking salted fish to awaiting lorries. Disembarking onto dry land, the pair made their way steadily through the port, ever mindful of the care they had to take, as hand in hand, dodging fishermen as often as possible, unsure of the way, they followed road traffic signs leading to the highway. *** *** *** The radio in Gabriel’s hand crackled, and holding it to his ear, he was delighted when a voice told him, “Your son, would he be wearing a dark blue jacket, with yellow seams?” At once, in his minds eye, Gabriel recognised the jacket, “Yes, can you see him?” “Would he have a girl with him, ‘bout twelve, thirteen, long blonde hair?” Gabriel smiled, he had given this information to no-one, “Yes, where are they?” “Heading your way. For the freeway I guess. You could intercept them at the junction.” Switching off the radio, Gabriel ran quickly towards his car, the one he kept on the mainland to drive through to New York in, a car which Julian had never seen. Driving towards the intersection, Gabriel waited, watching every movement through the tinted windows, strumming the steering wheel with his fingers impatiently. *** *** *** “Hey mate”, Julian addressed the trucker, as he made final preparations to leave, “Would you take me and my girlfriend as far as you are going?” The trucker smiled down at him, “Sure, and where would that be?” “Any place out of here.” Julian laughed, “Where you headed?” “Right across the state. Into America, through to Mexico eventually, you want to go that far?” “Can you drop us off in New York?” Lauren tugged Julian’s arm, whispering, “We don’t have to head for my home Julian, another place would do. Father might be home by now.” “No, its okay Lauren”, he whispered back, “we’ll start there, its a place you know, better to go there then anywhere else, and if there is a chance your father isn’t home yet, perhaps we can stay at the house?” Lauren nodded, “All right.” Turning back to the trucker, Julian went on, “Can you take us. I can pay you.” “Keep your money. I’d be glad of the company. How soon do you want to go?” “Is now too soon?” “You running from someone?” Julian nodded, “My father.” He didn’t usually tell people so readily, but somehow he felt he could trust this man. “Do those men work for your father?” the trucker nodded in the direction of a group of suit clad men standing in a semi-circle watching them. Julian followed his gaze, “I don’t know, have they been watching us?” “I think so. They seem awfully interested in looking this way. Its like they are waiting for a signal or something. You want my advice?” Julian nodded. “You might not like it, but as it happens you are talking to one with experience. My wife and I eloped too. I could take your girl with me, drop her off in New York, and you could take another lorry and meet her there. If those men are after you and not the girl, it would be the safest way, they already presuming you will be in this vehicle.” “Is there another lorry going your way today?” The driver nodded, “There’s a convoy of us leaving today, I could radio through to my mate, he’d take you.” “Yes, please do that, how will I know which lorry is his?” Picking up a pen and paper in one hand, and his C.B. in his other, the driver scribbled down a registration number of his mate’s lorry, at the same time speaking into the receiver, “Firecracker you there?” “Yup. That you Woollyback?” At Julian and Lauren’s questioning look, the trucker whispered, “I keep sheep back home.” then to his mate went on, “There’s a kid, needs a lift, I’m taking his girl with me, will you take him wherever he wants to go?” “Sure, send him over. Are you almost ready to leave?” “Ready and waiting, what about you?” “Twenty minutes should do it, I’ll meet you out on the freeway.” “Thanks Firecracker.” Turning to Julian, he pointed to a group of lorries, “You’ll find him among them. Hop up girl, get in the back, stay low, and don’t worry, I’ll see you safe, this is kinda exciting, brings back the memories.” turning to Julian he went on, “You’ll be safe too, want to know how I met Firecracker?” he went on without waiting for Julian’s reply, “he helped me and my girl escape all those years ago, he’ll not let you down.” “Thank you.” Julian told him gratefully, “Thank you so much.” The driver grinned, “Think nothing of it, its kinda nice to help someone else.” *** *** *** The radio crackled again, while Gabriel waited. Picking it up, he flicked the switch and answered, hearing the voice of another of his men, “They’ve split up. The girl is in one Zedtac trailer, the boy is going across to another.” “Stop him!” Gabriel cried, “I’ll meet you over there.” *** *** *** To be concluded in part four.