Chapter Eight
Vincent made his way to the roof, killing everyone who stood in his path. When he came across the balding, cowardly doctor who was trying to escape from the facility, he slashed his throat with his deadly claws, leaving him in a bloody heap at the bottom of the stairwell. The beating heart which continued to thump frantically had lead him up the staircase toward the roof. He rushed as quickly as he could, hoping to rescue Catherine from her dangerous captors.
As he stepped onto the roof, Vincent saw Gabriel, the nurse, and a couple of guards getting into a helicopter. The nurse was clutching a small bundle wrapped in white blanket. Vincent screamed Catherine's name, but there was no sight of her as the helicopter took off at an incredible speed. It was headed far away from the building and very soon, it had disappeared from Vincent's sight. He was left with confusion as the image of Gabriel waving at him triumphantly from inside the helicopter played over and over again in his mind's eye.
Where was Catherine?! What had happened to her? And why had the sound of that beating heart led him to the roof?
His shoulders slumped in defeat, thinking that he had lost her again. He had tried so hard... but he had lost the woman he loved. WHERE was she? Where was Catherine?!
It was at that moment when a very weak and pale Catherine made her way up the staircase. Her legs were numb and unstable as she stood on the roof, calling out Vincent's name. He turned suddenly, running toward the sound of her voice. He grabbed her into his arms as she collapsed, her legs folding suddenly underneath her.
Nothing could be heard for several seconds but the quiet sound of their sobbing as she lay her cheek against his chest. She was so grateful for the sensation of his arms which banded around her with so much security and tenderness. "Vincent,' she said her voice full of love and longing.
Holding her close, he spoke her name as well, his clawed fingers running a slow caress through her disheveled light brown hair. There was something wrong. Something was terribly wrong. What had happened to Catherine, his beloved?
Pulling back slightly, he looked into her eyes, seeing tears and so much heartache. Desperately, she was trying to tell him something of great importance. "Vincent, we loved," she said. "There is a child."
He stared back at her. A look of disbelief overtook the features of his lion-like face. "A child?"
Catherine could barely speak, but somehow she managed to say, "He's beautiful."
"Catherine?" Vincent whispered. She was fading quickly. She was struggling to hold on... just a little bit longer.
"Catherine?" he said more urgently, still clutching her in his grip. Had he let her go, she would have crumbled to the ground.
"Although... lovers be lost..." she quietly said.
"Love shall not..." Vincent responded.
And in that exact moment - that terrible and heart-wrenching moment - Catherine went completely still in his arms.
Vincent murmured, "And death shall have no dominion."
He crushed her against his chest, his tears falling like rain. There were no more words left to be uttered. All that was left was emptiness.