Meanwhile, now that the good news of the successful rescue filtered through out the tunnel community, the folks and the children still wanted to hear what happened and to talk directly to Jacob for themselves!
So after Jacob was told his presence was requested, he with a chuckle declared, "Yes well...seeing is believing I suppose...William tells me the children especially wish to see for themselves that I am still alive! Ahh rumors..."
And because he knew his Father was worried about leaving him, Vincent then urged, "Go put their worries to rest then Father.""
With a nod Jacob decided to comply, and then he squinted a bit as he recalled, "So Vincent, I will go, but what was it you said for me to tell them...let's see...that you are anticipating a speedy recovery?"
Vincent smiled and lowered his head, as he repeated once more, "Yes Father...you may tell everyone I am planning on a speedy recovery."
Jacob nodded efficiently and said, "I shall give them your optimistic projection then."
And while Jacob hobbled to the wash basin to cleanse his hands, he asked, "Will you join me Mary?"
But because Mary was quite efficient, she hesitated, saying, "There are still some things to put away."
To which Rebecca and Catherine both offered to finish up, and so Catherine inserted, "We can get this Mary."
Looking around and seeing all his supplies were packed up, Peter added, "And I am good. We've had quite a day uh? You two go on ahead, and once again, good job team."
Beaming with pride, Mary conceded and then agreeably said, "Very well then, since everything will be taken care of, yes, I will come too Father."
It was then Jacob approached his dear friend, and thanked him for once again coming to their aid. To which he then added, "Vincent tells me it was you who alerted him something was amiss. If not for your concern...we would have lost valuable time. And who knows!"
Peter looked mindful, and said, "I dare to think..."
Jacob embraced his dear friend, and then he and Mary headed for the press conference, as there was quite a story to tell.
After Catherine and Rebecca finished with the last bit of tidying up, Rebecca then stated, she was going to go get the soup William prepared for Vincent, and also bring back some replacement candles Vincent desperately needed for his chamber.
And before he left as well, Peter stepped up to Vincent's bedside and pleasingly
said, "Thanks to Cathy's quick thinking applying the tourniquet, you didn't bleed to death! And about your ribs, well, you can expect they will be sore for a little while."
Vincent nodded thankfully, but actually had a more urgent issue preying on his mind, and so he anxiously asked, "Peter, the vile...did Mary give it to you?"
To which Peter calmly replied, "Yes. I am going to the lab from here to have the residue tested. Depending on the substance, I hope to have the results in a few days."
While Peter talked to Vincent, and without missing a beat, he took his arm, to monitor his pulse rate against his watch. Peter then soothingly said, "Just rest easy Vincent. You have done your part in finding the vile...and now I will do mine. I'll be back as soon as possible to give you the results."
As Catherine watched Vincent being treated by Peter she felt her emotions begin to soar. She had a flashback of how those huge brainless drones, had beat and attacked Vincent. It was horrible, having to witness it, and being unable to help him!
She held herself together as she stood to hug Peter, and as he returned her loving embrace, he raised Catherine's chin to tell her, "You don't know how relieved I am you are all right Kiddo. This makes twice now Vincent has had to save you from Paracelsus's clutches."
Peter's anger began to rise as he said, "If something would have happened to you...I..."
Catherine interrupted him by saying, "Peter it's all over now. Don't upset yourself."
Catherine looked lovingly at Vincent and said, "Vincent is always there to take care of me."
Peter calmed himself, and nodded at Vincent and said, "Thank God for that...Charles would be pleased to know his little girl has someone looking out for her."
Catherine sadly nodded, and as a few tears escaped she told him, "Yes Peter, just as Vincent promised he would before Dad died. I think he knows."
Peter then sadly said, "I believe so too. Ahh, I sure miss him Kiddo."
Catherine sweetly hugged him, and said she knew he did, and of how much she missed her Dad too.
Peter's chin quivered a little as he turned to hide his emotions, and he then said, "Well I better get outa here! I have much to do!"
As he then walked toward the threshold, he waved goodbye to them and said, "Catch you kids later."
Peter then passed Ronald, Pascal, Jamie, Mouse and Jennifer coming in as he was going out, and he, back to his "Doctor-like manner" cautioned them, "Don't stay too long?"
And then informatively said, "You know it wouldn't hurt for "The Dynamic Rescue Team" to get some rest! And Jennifer you too, all you kids have been through hell!"
They all admitted to being tired, but said they were stuck answering questions until Jacob arrived. Everyone's so worried Paracelsus could strike again.
So, as they said goodbye to Peter, they also promised to get some rest after their visit with Vincent.
And so as they went in, they greeted Catherine with hugs and how are things, and then stood at the side of Vincent's bed, and thankfully, yet helplessly gazed down at him.
Vincent looked up at his loving concerned friends and said, "It seems we are doing this far too often lately, you coming to visit me here as I lay injured."
Mouse looked down ashamedly and said, "The time you were hurt at the cave-in was my fault Vincent, and in a way this was my fault too. If I wouldn't have found those old chambers, maybe Paracelsus wouldn't have bothered us."
Vincent looked up at Mouse, closed his eyes for a moment, and vehemently expressed, "Mouse, Paracelsus was merely lying in wait, sooner or later he would have emerged. Do not blame yourself. You were our competent stealthy guide, and thanks to you...we were able to swiftly bring Father, Catherine and Jennifer back safely home. We are all much in your debt."
.
Mouse felt so proud and happy that his hero had felt that way. And so with a sigh of relief, he humbly said, "No Vincent, no one owes me anything. I had to help because without Father...well, all of us would be lost! And without Catherine, I think you would be lost too."
Vincent gingerly sat up in his bed, so he could sit more upright and said, "You are a very wise man Mouse."
Vincent then turned to Jamie, Ronald and lastly, to his life long friend...Pascal, and told them what their bravery meant to him.
He acknowledged the initial intent was to save Jacob, Catherine, and Jennifer, and including Jennifer in his tribute too, he continued, "You then had to come back to save me as well.
Vincent with much emotion said, "There are no words..."
Pascal with a glint in his eyes connected with Vincent and said, "All for one..."
Vincent reflectively smiled as he remembered their boyhood chant. It was after reading The Three Musketeers that they adopted their well known credo, and they would decree the credo themselves many times, as they ran though the tunnels.
Vincent nodded at Pascal, as he then responded, "And one for all."
The two men softly laughed as they recited words they have not said for maybe 15-20 years!
Ronald then came up and said, "Rest easy Vincent, I want you well again so we can finish our tournament."
Vincent scoffed a little as he said, "Precisely why I am feigning my bruises Ronald. At last count I believe you may have been leading."
Ronald patted Vincent's arm and softly said, "All the same...tourney or no tourney...get well quickly."
The two did a manly shake, and as they did, Vincent pulled Ronald closer to say, "Thank you for saving my life Ronald."
And because of the salvation aspect the tunnels have been for Ronald, he replied, "And thank you for saving mine."
Vincent looked to Jamie next, and said, "It looks as if..we have rendered another successful mission together. Aside from your bravery, and prowess, I believe you are our good luck charm. You made me proud the way you fought to go along on the mission, and Jamie, you have made the whole community proud by helping bring us all back safely."
Jamie with emotion, responded, "Thanks Vincent...just get well will ya?"
Vincent glanced over to Jennifer, who was not expected to be singled out in any way, but was shocked when she was. With a smile in his eyes, Vincent then said, "And Jennifer, from what Father and Catherine have told me about your conversation with Paracelsus before our arrival, I am amazed."
Humbly she stood, as Vincent continued, "There are different forms of bravery and courage, and speaking openly from the heart, is one of the most admirable forms there are. I understand you were able to reach out to him, in ways none of us ever had. Father feels it is because of you, that made the success of this day possible. You were able to touch his heart."
With a nod, Jennifer tearfully admitted, "We did have a moment there. It seems as our conversation evolved, he just opened up."
She then admitted, "You know at first, all I could think of was finding a way out of that hell hole, but when he started telling us his story, I don't know, I kinda felt sorry for him. He really had a tough childhood. Kinda makes you wanna cry."
Ronald listened as he was hearing aspects of their capture he had not yet heard. And as he did so, his affection for Jennifer was changing and his admiration was as well.
Catherine then ashamedly added, "Here I am trying to shush Jenny up, and in the end, Father told me to! Well not in those words, but he could see Jenny was getting through to him."
Vincent proudly said, "Well thank you everyone, it is clear we were all valuable in this endeavor. Let's all get some rest, shall we?"
As they all began to file out one by one, Catherine hugged Jennifer goodbye, and the two girls spoke about what an adventurous day this had turned out to be! They then calculated that they have had in fact, a few adventurous days lately!
Jennifer then excitedly said, "Oh the Varnish Cathy! It is laying somewhere by the threshold! I bonked one of those drones with it, but I swear it didn't even faze him!"
Jamie then informatively said, "We put everything that was found at the threshold right here. Jennifer here's your keys, and Catherine all of your belongings are here too."
Jamie then picked up the dented mangled can of Varnish, and with a raised brow said, "And this must be Jennifer's weapon!"
Everyone laughed as they tried to figure out how a can could look like that, and yet, not knock someone out!
Ronald smiled at Jennifer and said, "So you tried to take on those guys uh?"
Jennifer raised a finger and said, "Tried is the operative word! Obviously I was unsuccessful!"
Ronald admiringly said, "Still you tried Jenny, and I really admire you for that. That was some quick thinking using the can as a weapon."
Jennifer admitted, "Cathy taught me a weapon could be anything you have on your person."
Vincent looked to Catherine, and said, "Hmm, I must be more vigilante."
Everyone laughed, and so did Catherine, but she clarified by adding, "After I would attend my self defence course, I would share some of the tips Isaac taught me with Jenny."
Jennifer then looked around at everybody and said, "Well any way, the can would have worked on a normal noggin, but that guys head must have been really thick."
Starting to feel tired, Jennifer then said, "I suppose I should head back up! Thanks to you all for coming to our rescue."
Jennifer gave hugs to everyone, and when she stood before Ronald, he opened his arms to receive his hug, and she in turn received the sweetest of embraces from him too!
Ronald then said, "I better escort you safely home Jenny."
Jennifer smiled and said, "That would be great Ronny. I have the forms that are required for our summer semester course we are taking. So I'll give those to you then."
Turning to Vincent she added, "I have yours for the Frank Lloyd Wright course too Vinny."
Vincent smiled, and with an undercurrent of excitement, said, "Thank you Jennifer."
Catherine walked them out and said, "Remember Jen, I need to take the same course Vincent is taking so I can record the lectures."
Jennifer nodded and with a hug goodbye, said, "I remember, I have forms for you too Cath."
Catherine hugged her back, and said, "Love ya, I will see you later, and be careful Ronald."
As Catherine slowly pulled the curtain shut over the threshold of the chamber, she stood for a moment before she turned to look at Vincent. With tears streaming down her cheeks, she said, "Vincent, I didn't know how this day would end...but here we are."
Vincent held out his hand for Catherine and said, "Yes Catherine...here we are..."
As Catherine walked to his bed, she nestled onto the spot Vincent had made for her next to him. As he held her in his arms, he said, "Catherine in a day, perhaps two, with Peter's help, we may be able to put this entire incident behind us."
Catherine looked up at him confirming, "Yes, the results of the testing...will give you the answers to how Anna died."
Vincent replied, "And then...I will know what to do, what I must do."
Catherine didn't like hearing Vincent talk like this, because it sounded as if he will seek revenge if it shows Paracelsus had poisoned Anna.
In an attempt to sooth Vincent, Catherine said, "There is no point in speculating until we know the results. So please, try to remember Anna's gentleness, so we can celebrate her loving heart on Mother's day this year."
To be continued
Chapter Thirteen
So after Jacob was told his presence was requested, he with a chuckle declared, "Yes well...seeing is believing I suppose...William tells me the children especially wish to see for themselves that I am still alive! Ahh rumors..."
And because he knew his Father was worried about leaving him, Vincent then urged, "Go put their worries to rest then Father.""
With a nod Jacob decided to comply, and then he squinted a bit as he recalled, "So Vincent, I will go, but what was it you said for me to tell them...let's see...that you are anticipating a speedy recovery?"
Vincent smiled and lowered his head, as he repeated once more, "Yes Father...you may tell everyone I am planning on a speedy recovery."
Jacob nodded efficiently and said, "I shall give them your optimistic projection then."
And while Jacob hobbled to the wash basin to cleanse his hands, he asked, "Will you join me Mary?"
But because Mary was quite efficient, she hesitated, saying, "There are still some things to put away."
To which Rebecca and Catherine both offered to finish up, and so Catherine inserted, "We can get this Mary."
Looking around and seeing all his supplies were packed up, Peter added, "And I am good. We've had quite a day uh? You two go on ahead, and once again, good job team."
Beaming with pride, Mary conceded and then agreeably said, "Very well then, since everything will be taken care of, yes, I will come too Father."
It was then Jacob approached his dear friend, and thanked him for once again coming to their aid. To which he then added, "Vincent tells me it was you who alerted him something was amiss. If not for your concern...we would have lost valuable time. And who knows!"
Peter looked mindful, and said, "I dare to think..."
Jacob embraced his dear friend, and then he and Mary headed for the press conference, as there was quite a story to tell.
After Catherine and Rebecca finished with the last bit of tidying up, Rebecca then stated, she was going to go get the soup William prepared for Vincent, and also bring back some replacement candles Vincent desperately needed for his chamber.
And before he left as well, Peter stepped up to Vincent's bedside and pleasingly
said, "Thanks to Cathy's quick thinking applying the tourniquet, you didn't bleed to death! And about your ribs, well, you can expect they will be sore for a little while."
Vincent nodded thankfully, but actually had a more urgent issue preying on his mind, and so he anxiously asked, "Peter, the vile...did Mary give it to you?"
To which Peter calmly replied, "Yes. I am going to the lab from here to have the residue tested. Depending on the substance, I hope to have the results in a few days."
While Peter talked to Vincent, and without missing a beat, he took his arm, to monitor his pulse rate against his watch. Peter then soothingly said, "Just rest easy Vincent. You have done your part in finding the vile...and now I will do mine. I'll be back as soon as possible to give you the results."
As Catherine watched Vincent being treated by Peter she felt her emotions begin to soar. She had a flashback of how those huge brainless drones, had beat and attacked Vincent. It was horrible, having to witness it, and being unable to help him!
She held herself together as she stood to hug Peter, and as he returned her loving embrace, he raised Catherine's chin to tell her, "You don't know how relieved I am you are all right Kiddo. This makes twice now Vincent has had to save you from Paracelsus's clutches."
Peter's anger began to rise as he said, "If something would have happened to you...I..."
Catherine interrupted him by saying, "Peter it's all over now. Don't upset yourself."
Catherine looked lovingly at Vincent and said, "Vincent is always there to take care of me."
Peter calmed himself, and nodded at Vincent and said, "Thank God for that...Charles would be pleased to know his little girl has someone looking out for her."
Catherine sadly nodded, and as a few tears escaped she told him, "Yes Peter, just as Vincent promised he would before Dad died. I think he knows."
Peter then sadly said, "I believe so too. Ahh, I sure miss him Kiddo."
Catherine sweetly hugged him, and said she knew he did, and of how much she missed her Dad too.
Peter's chin quivered a little as he turned to hide his emotions, and he then said, "Well I better get outa here! I have much to do!"
As he then walked toward the threshold, he waved goodbye to them and said, "Catch you kids later."
Peter then passed Ronald, Pascal, Jamie, Mouse and Jennifer coming in as he was going out, and he, back to his "Doctor-like manner" cautioned them, "Don't stay too long?"
And then informatively said, "You know it wouldn't hurt for "The Dynamic Rescue Team" to get some rest! And Jennifer you too, all you kids have been through hell!"
They all admitted to being tired, but said they were stuck answering questions until Jacob arrived. Everyone's so worried Paracelsus could strike again.
So, as they said goodbye to Peter, they also promised to get some rest after their visit with Vincent.
And so as they went in, they greeted Catherine with hugs and how are things, and then stood at the side of Vincent's bed, and thankfully, yet helplessly gazed down at him.
Vincent looked up at his loving concerned friends and said, "It seems we are doing this far too often lately, you coming to visit me here as I lay injured."
Mouse looked down ashamedly and said, "The time you were hurt at the cave-in was my fault Vincent, and in a way this was my fault too. If I wouldn't have found those old chambers, maybe Paracelsus wouldn't have bothered us."
Vincent looked up at Mouse, closed his eyes for a moment, and vehemently expressed, "Mouse, Paracelsus was merely lying in wait, sooner or later he would have emerged. Do not blame yourself. You were our competent stealthy guide, and thanks to you...we were able to swiftly bring Father, Catherine and Jennifer back safely home. We are all much in your debt."
.
Mouse felt so proud and happy that his hero had felt that way. And so with a sigh of relief, he humbly said, "No Vincent, no one owes me anything. I had to help because without Father...well, all of us would be lost! And without Catherine, I think you would be lost too."
Vincent gingerly sat up in his bed, so he could sit more upright and said, "You are a very wise man Mouse."
Vincent then turned to Jamie, Ronald and lastly, to his life long friend...Pascal, and told them what their bravery meant to him.
He acknowledged the initial intent was to save Jacob, Catherine, and Jennifer, and including Jennifer in his tribute too, he continued, "You then had to come back to save me as well.
Vincent with much emotion said, "There are no words..."
Pascal with a glint in his eyes connected with Vincent and said, "All for one..."
Vincent reflectively smiled as he remembered their boyhood chant. It was after reading The Three Musketeers that they adopted their well known credo, and they would decree the credo themselves many times, as they ran though the tunnels.
Vincent nodded at Pascal, as he then responded, "And one for all."
The two men softly laughed as they recited words they have not said for maybe 15-20 years!
Ronald then came up and said, "Rest easy Vincent, I want you well again so we can finish our tournament."
Vincent scoffed a little as he said, "Precisely why I am feigning my bruises Ronald. At last count I believe you may have been leading."
Ronald patted Vincent's arm and softly said, "All the same...tourney or no tourney...get well quickly."
The two did a manly shake, and as they did, Vincent pulled Ronald closer to say, "Thank you for saving my life Ronald."
And because of the salvation aspect the tunnels have been for Ronald, he replied, "And thank you for saving mine."
Vincent looked to Jamie next, and said, "It looks as if..we have rendered another successful mission together. Aside from your bravery, and prowess, I believe you are our good luck charm. You made me proud the way you fought to go along on the mission, and Jamie, you have made the whole community proud by helping bring us all back safely."
Jamie with emotion, responded, "Thanks Vincent...just get well will ya?"
Vincent glanced over to Jennifer, who was not expected to be singled out in any way, but was shocked when she was. With a smile in his eyes, Vincent then said, "And Jennifer, from what Father and Catherine have told me about your conversation with Paracelsus before our arrival, I am amazed."
Humbly she stood, as Vincent continued, "There are different forms of bravery and courage, and speaking openly from the heart, is one of the most admirable forms there are. I understand you were able to reach out to him, in ways none of us ever had. Father feels it is because of you, that made the success of this day possible. You were able to touch his heart."
With a nod, Jennifer tearfully admitted, "We did have a moment there. It seems as our conversation evolved, he just opened up."
She then admitted, "You know at first, all I could think of was finding a way out of that hell hole, but when he started telling us his story, I don't know, I kinda felt sorry for him. He really had a tough childhood. Kinda makes you wanna cry."
Ronald listened as he was hearing aspects of their capture he had not yet heard. And as he did so, his affection for Jennifer was changing and his admiration was as well.
Catherine then ashamedly added, "Here I am trying to shush Jenny up, and in the end, Father told me to! Well not in those words, but he could see Jenny was getting through to him."
Vincent proudly said, "Well thank you everyone, it is clear we were all valuable in this endeavor. Let's all get some rest, shall we?"
As they all began to file out one by one, Catherine hugged Jennifer goodbye, and the two girls spoke about what an adventurous day this had turned out to be! They then calculated that they have had in fact, a few adventurous days lately!
Jennifer then excitedly said, "Oh the Varnish Cathy! It is laying somewhere by the threshold! I bonked one of those drones with it, but I swear it didn't even faze him!"
Jamie then informatively said, "We put everything that was found at the threshold right here. Jennifer here's your keys, and Catherine all of your belongings are here too."
Jamie then picked up the dented mangled can of Varnish, and with a raised brow said, "And this must be Jennifer's weapon!"
Everyone laughed as they tried to figure out how a can could look like that, and yet, not knock someone out!
Ronald smiled at Jennifer and said, "So you tried to take on those guys uh?"
Jennifer raised a finger and said, "Tried is the operative word! Obviously I was unsuccessful!"
Ronald admiringly said, "Still you tried Jenny, and I really admire you for that. That was some quick thinking using the can as a weapon."
Jennifer admitted, "Cathy taught me a weapon could be anything you have on your person."
Vincent looked to Catherine, and said, "Hmm, I must be more vigilante."
Everyone laughed, and so did Catherine, but she clarified by adding, "After I would attend my self defence course, I would share some of the tips Isaac taught me with Jenny."
Jennifer then looked around at everybody and said, "Well any way, the can would have worked on a normal noggin, but that guys head must have been really thick."
Starting to feel tired, Jennifer then said, "I suppose I should head back up! Thanks to you all for coming to our rescue."
Jennifer gave hugs to everyone, and when she stood before Ronald, he opened his arms to receive his hug, and she in turn received the sweetest of embraces from him too!
Ronald then said, "I better escort you safely home Jenny."
Jennifer smiled and said, "That would be great Ronny. I have the forms that are required for our summer semester course we are taking. So I'll give those to you then."
Turning to Vincent she added, "I have yours for the Frank Lloyd Wright course too Vinny."
Vincent smiled, and with an undercurrent of excitement, said, "Thank you Jennifer."
Catherine walked them out and said, "Remember Jen, I need to take the same course Vincent is taking so I can record the lectures."
Jennifer nodded and with a hug goodbye, said, "I remember, I have forms for you too Cath."
Catherine hugged her back, and said, "Love ya, I will see you later, and be careful Ronald."
As Catherine slowly pulled the curtain shut over the threshold of the chamber, she stood for a moment before she turned to look at Vincent. With tears streaming down her cheeks, she said, "Vincent, I didn't know how this day would end...but here we are."
Vincent held out his hand for Catherine and said, "Yes Catherine...here we are..."
As Catherine walked to his bed, she nestled onto the spot Vincent had made for her next to him. As he held her in his arms, he said, "Catherine in a day, perhaps two, with Peter's help, we may be able to put this entire incident behind us."
Catherine looked up at him confirming, "Yes, the results of the testing...will give you the answers to how Anna died."
Vincent replied, "And then...I will know what to do, what I must do."
Catherine didn't like hearing Vincent talk like this, because it sounded as if he will seek revenge if it shows Paracelsus had poisoned Anna.
In an attempt to sooth Vincent, Catherine said, "There is no point in speculating until we know the results. So please, try to remember Anna's gentleness, so we can celebrate her loving heart on Mother's day this year."
To be continued
Chapter Thirteen
| A Dream Within a Dream! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Twelve |
