Chapter 3
Vincent had been teaching his literature class when he sensed her waking up. He excused himself from his class and started to his chamber when her scream came, even though he wasn't close enough to hear it, he felt it in the depths of his soul.
He raced down the passageway towards the woman he had saved.
Father practically jumped out of his skin when the woman started to scream. Recovering quickly, he moved to her side and placing a hand on her shoulder, he tried to calm her down, saying, "It's alright, you are safe here."
Feeling an unfamiliar hand on her shoulder she began to struggle weakly beneath the touch. "Please let me go" she begged as she continued to struggle.
Father looked down at the woman in shock and protested, "You can't go anywhere! You have been badly injured and need to heal!"
Mary stepped up next to Father saying, "Let me calm her down, Father. With everything she's been through I might be more able to get through to her."
Father looked confused for a moment and then understanding dawned. He nodded and backed away. It was at that moment that Vincent raced through the doorway.
Mary walked over to Catherine's side and in a motherly voice said, "My Dear, you need to calm down or you will hurt yourself further."
"Father, Mary! What is it? Why was she screaming?" Vincent inquired in a rushed and worried voice.
"Vincent, please stay back", Mary said turning to face him slightly. "She's very frightened right now." She turned her attention back to the trembling women, "You're safe here, and no one is going to hurt you."
"Why would she think that I would hurt her? I could never hurt her in any way!" Vincent protested.
"Vincent, she's been through a trauma. Men could be very frightening to her right now," Mary advised.
"Oh," he said sadly and started to back away. "I see, I'll just go back to my class then. Will you let me know if and when she would like visitors?"
"No, please don't go," the woman called out to Vincent in a strangely small sounding voice.
"My dear, are you sure?" Mary asked quietly.
"Yes, he won't hurt me, I know that."
"You're right, I never would," Vincent assured her softly as he took one step closer. "May I come over there?"
"Yes, you may."
"I'm not so sure that's a good idea, what if she becomes upset again?" Mary cautioned.
"It's okay," she was assured. "I will stay calm I promise," she said as strongly as she could since she was still feeling groggy.
Coming closer, Vincent laid his hand on the arm of her gown, avoiding touching her skin so she wouldn't feel the fur on his hand, "My name is Vincent. I was the one that found you in the park and brought you here. Will you tell me your name?"
"Hello Vincent, my name is Catherine," she told him, his voice calming her even further.
"Catherine," he almost whispered in the deep throated voice that he had. "That's a beautiful name."
"Thank you, you have a beautiful name also," she told him and then moaned a little as a ripple of pain washed through her body.
"You're in pain," he stated worriedly. "Father, can you give her something?" he questioned his parent who stood on the other side of the room watching in awe as his son calmed the woman that a few moments ago had been screaming in terror.
"It's nothing really, Vincent," Catherine said. "I can handle it," she tried to reassure him.
"You shouldn't have to," he insisted, and then stepped back as Father came closer with a hypodermic needle in his hand.
"This should take the edge off, but I can't give her much, we are very low on pain killers," Father said quietly to Vincent.
Catherine sighed as the pain ebbed away, "Thank you."
"Catherine, would you like some water or maybe some tea?" Vincent asked softly.
"I am a little thirsty; could I have some water please?"
"Certainly," he told her, and then reaching for a glass he slid his arm under her shoulders and gently lifted her up just a bit so she could sip from it, as he held it for her.
Catherine took a tentative sip, and then a bigger one as the water felt good on her parched throat.
"Not too much now, you're still healing," Vincent cautioned.
To be continued….
