With Catherin's arrival, Vicki suddenly felt defensive. She inched closer to Henry and lightly leaned into him so that her arm was touching his. Henry leaned back in response feeling she needed him for some reason. Catherine extended her hand to each of them with a smile, nod and a welcome. Catherine wasn't much taller than Vicki, had nearly the same honey-blonde hair that Vicki had and it hung in thick waves to the middle of her back. Her blue eyes were sparkling and bright. Her full lips moved softly as she talked. Her voice lilted and her laugh was light and feminine at times. Vicki was angry with herself for being so emotionally distraught over this woman but then it struck her as to why she felt this way-not only did Catherine look somewhat similar to Vicki, she was also in a relationship with a beastly man whom she accepted with no restrictions.
"…so we faked my death so that I could get away from the upper world," Catherine sighed. She had taken Vincent's hand in hers and leaned into him for a kiss. Vicki watched in amazement as they kissed just as passionately as she and Henry did. At this point, Vicki had now become intrigued with their relationship, she had to find out more about them.
"And you have a child?" Henry offered after a long pause.
Vincent smiled, "We had three. It should never have been, it's truly extraordinary."
"I'll say," Vicki muttered. She was shocked, "Where are they now?" Vicki wondered aloud.
Catherine spoke, "Jacob is in the upper world in law school, our daughter Emma is still here with us as is our youngest son, Matthew is here as well. Knowing him, he's probably exploring the tunnels, he's adventurous and slightly mischievous. He's fearless, sometimes a little too fearless, "Catherine said with a far off look.
Vincent wrapped an arm around Catherine, "You worry too much my love."
Vicki was beginning to get antsy, she wanted to find Mike, "So, do you think your...people..can help us find our friend?"
Henry tilted his head and half-smiled at her 'our friend' remark but said nothing.
"Of course, I apologize, you must be so worried," Vincent nodded. Vicki noticed that there was a constant tapping had taken place the entire time they had been in the tunnel world.
"What is that incessant tapping?" Vicki asked. With her sight lessening, her other senses had taken over and her hearing was becoming acute.
"That's our way of communication in the tunnel world," Vincent explained. Vicki shrugged but said nothing, she knew there was much more to this under world than met the eye. Still, she needed to find Mike and get him the hell out.
"How do you think you can help us find Mike?" Vicki asked.
"You've said there are some strange things going on, strange people. We know of these people," Vincent explained, then added, "we must hurry if we are to save your friend."
Vicki felt sick to her stomach…