A Mosaic Story - All Season

Winterfest Online 2008

January 12th - 204th

Welcome to the Online Mosaic Story.

This story was created by participants of Winterfest 2008, piece by piece to create the collective whole. Thanks to eveyone who contributed in the creation of such a wonderful story.

Vincent leaned back against the tunnel wall, hand pulled into a fist going to cover his pounding heart. His breath caught as memories came rushing into his mind. The memories came unbidden when least he expected them. He wipped sweat from his brow and slid down to the dirt of the tunnel path. He could hear her voice ringing in his ears again, it was almost too much for his heart to bear. Vincent raised his hands to the sides of his head as a vision appeared before him. "Vincent, you must carry on without me," Catherine said softly. "Your strength, your courage - you have so much left yet to do. I will always be with you - I am always within your heart. Live from that heart, from that love. Always." She had given him no reason. He could see in her eyes, (how well he knew those eyes) that she was serious, dead serious. Then she just turned and walked away. Every cell of his being had wanted to stop her, but she was so determined. He had to go on about his business in the tunnels, in order to erase those images from his mind. He knew it wasn't doing him much good to dwell on what might have been, but still he couldn't seem to help himself. He wondered just how he could ease his mind. But after a night filled with frightening visions, he woke with a determination. He could not let this rest. To try to find the answer would take great courage and risk. Risk, the kind he had avoided his whole life - contact with the world above. But who? It didn't take him long to decide. He had been above many times under cover of darkness. The person he wanted to see would only be available during the day. Vincent smiled in spite of his worries, picturing himself scaling a building in broad daylight, or calmly taking an elevator. Ha! Wouldnt all the city dwellers just stare in utter shock, jaws agape; were he to scale the building or take the elevator in broad daylight on any day except for the obvious day of Halloween? For now though,as evening approached he had to tend to the baby. Mary had been doing her best, but the baby only seemed at ease in Vincent's arms. He had made a place in his chamber for the cradle and other "baby" things,which he was slowly learning how to use. He'd always been around children, of course, but hadn't truly considered that babies required quite so much care - and so much equipment! He chuckled, thinking perhaps the tunnel boys, not just the girls, ought to be assigned as nursery helpers. Seriously, Vincent pondered again, that might be a very good idea. Surely would have been useful the past few months for certian. The boys would hate it at the time, but secretly thank them all later. He realized then just how close Halloween really was just two days away. Maybe he really could talk to the one he needed help from.

Diana Bennett. He knew she she was off today. Vincent knew she could help him sort thru his thoughts, his feelings. It was odd, like she just knows what to say. Or ask, and the realization comes to you like the breaking of the dawn. She was incredible. The bond he had with Catherine and now the baby was a bond of heart and emotional feelings. The bond with Diana was different. One of a more logical, methodical empathy. It often caught him by suprise, since his being was so very instinctual and primal. Until just now, it hadnt occurred to him how odd the bond with Diana was. Upon contemplating it now, looking on her face and in his mind's eye; her eyes had somethign to say... but would not speak. Was she blocking her feelings from coming thru the bond? "You're having that dream again," she said, "the one where Catherine leaves you". Then she said. "Your denial about her death is still strong Vincent". Vincent couldn't look har her. How did she know. "I miss her from the depth of my being. How can I not? She was my life for 2 beautiful years." He sighed deeply thru his nose."I do not deny that she is gone from me, and has been for 2 years."Vincent's head dropped."The waking dreams of her, she beseeches me to carry on-to live and love-its difficult." But Diana spoke through his thoughts, "Vincent, I would never try to take Catherine's place, but I want to create a new space for us. Can't you give us a chance? God never closes doors without opening another." Where had Vincent heard that one before? "I have always known that." Vincent lifted his head, his azure eyes seeking Diana's earthen own. " I will not lie, and say i do not wish for that new space and chance " he paused "be aware, it will be neither quick nor easy". She smiled. "It never is." "I must go now." He said, without hesitation, "I believe I have neglected my son long enough. He does bring me the only peace I experience now. If only Catherine were here...." He trailed off and turned to go. "Vincent",if you evern need help with Jacob, "I know, were i to ask Diana, you would aide me, and my son without hesitation. Thank you." Pausing, his eyes gleamed faintly as his voice passed over softly over his lips. "Jacob truly is not my only blessing and peace...you as well are... and more...." He held her gaze for a few moments more before dipping his head and allowing his hair to fall over his face. Diana watched him carefully, Beyond the pain and sadness in those remarkable blue eyes, she had caught a glimpse of something else....a faint glimmer of the embers of hope? of love? Diana wasnt positive and this wasnt the time for jumping to conclusions."okey, lets not put the cart before the horse" she thought to herself. "Vincent, you're more than a casual friend, and if you need to talk.."