Chapter 2
It was quite true that Vincent had returned from the cave a changed man; the reasons however, were far more complex than either Father or Catherine could ever suspect. It was also true that Vincent had been on the edge of madness; but the cause was not what those around him believed. Killing Paracelsus in the guise of Father had indeed upset Vincent, but it was not what drove him to madness. Vincent had managed that all by himself.
Unnerved by the events that were happening and fearing all Father's dire predictions might come to pass, Vincent resolved to rid himself of his darker half once and for all. He decided turn his considerable intellect and will to eliminating 'The Other' as he privately termed his primitive side completely. The Other, however, would not be done in so easily. Like any other cornered predator, when threatened; it fought back. Thus began the dramatic battle within Vincent.
In the end, the Other had finally begun to get the upper hand. Just then, Catherine entered the cave. In his blind rage, the Other had almost struck her. Though quite primal, the Other loved Catherine as desperately as Vincent's rational side. Horrified at his actions, The Other retreated, almost taking Vincent's life force with him. Only Catherine's gentle desperation and unyielding love had brought them both back to life. Though he had returned, the Other remained dormant and separate, banished to the very edge of Vincent's consciousness, an mere observer to the events that occurred in Vincent's life; too ashamed at his actions to fully manifest himself.
Back in her apartment, Catherine finally let her tears fall. The strains of the past month were simply too much for her to bear any longer and she began to sob desperately. Almost losing Vincent had taken a hard toll on Catherine. The injury of her mentor and friend, Joe Maxwell, had only added to that heavy burden. But, it was Vincent's strangely distant behavior that was her ultimate undoing. It had been bad enough that she had lost the wonderfully special connection they shared; now she felt as if she were losing him as well.
In the tunnels, the Other was becoming more aware. He could sense the pain emanating from Catherine, yet the sleeping Vincent didn't even stir.
Didn't he feel her pain? Why did he just lie there? Their Catherine needed him!
Yet, his rational half did nothing. Deep within Vincent's psyche, the Other stirred to life.
Catherine left work after an exceedingly long day. It hadn't helped that she'd cried herself to sleep the night before. But, after many hours of hard work, she'd finally begun to make progress on the notebook she'd found in Joe's coat. Wearily, she noticed it was already dark outside. Thoroughly exhausted, she staggered to her car and started to head for home. Almost instantly, two men appeared from nowhere and began shooting. Terrified, Catherine fled for her life.
Back in the world Below, the Other immediately sensed Catherine's fear and stirred again. Anxiously, the Other waited for the 'new' Vincent to react. But he only continued on, utterly oblivious to Catherine's danger and growing fear; unable to sense anything. Helpless, the Other raged as his alternate self did nothing.
What's wrong with you? Our Catherine's in danger! Do something!
When Catherine's fear turned to stark terror, the Other could stand no more. A wild power of the most primitive kind surged through Vincent, hurtling the Other forward as he seized total control. His Catherine was in danger and he would not be denied.
With a wild roar, the Other came fully to life and began to run. Totally unfettered, the Other began to utilize all of Vincent's senses for the first time. He opened the bond completely and knew where Catherine was in an instant. With the powerful, lithe grace of a true predator, he reached Catherine faster than he ever had before. It took only seconds to find his way from the tunnels below to the maintenance corridors of the parking deck where she was. A quick burst of angry strength snapped the lock on the steel door and Vincent opened it to look out.
Catherine had fled to the elevator, hoping to reach safety. When the doors opened to reveal her boss, John Moreno, she thought she had found it. She was wrong. Instantly, two men with guns seized her. Vincent took in the scene, waiting with the patience of a hunter to make his move as the two gunmen restrained Catherine.
"John, you don't want to do this." Catherine begged, trying to stall for time.
"I'm sorry, Catherine." the small man replied. "I have no choice. Get her out of here quickly. I can't be connected with this."
One of the men roughly grabbed Catherine's arm and jabbed her with something. Almost simultaneously, Vincent felt Catherine's consciousness fade like a blown out candle as her body went limp. He took advantage of their distraction to attack.
Normally, Vincent roared his rage before striking. But this time, he moved with lethally silent efficency. Totally unheard, he glided quietly up behind the first gunman and snapped his neck in an instant like a dried twig. Catherine's limp form slid to the floor. Before the other gunman could react, Vincent struck from behind him as well, soundlessly slashed his throat down to the bone with razor sharp claws. As he fell, the second gunman squeezed the trigger of his weapon reflexively, riddling John Moreno with bullets as the crooked D.A. stood frozen in terror.
Vincent quickly scooped up Catherine and headed back to the maintenance corridors. He ran full out, unhindered by Catherine's slight weight. Only when he had reached the safety of the lower tunnels did he pause briefly to check on Catherine. Though she was completely limp, her pulse and breathing were strong; he heaved a sigh of relief. Wrapping her tenderly in his cloak, Vincent lifted her back into his strong arms and resumed his journey.