Chapter Nine

He lifted his precious burden into his arms, pressing her close as her pale cheek rested against his broad chest. His deadly claws had killed and maimed this night, but he only had tenderness for her, his beloved. He carried her out of the facility where she had been held captive for many months, feeling her body chill as they stepped out into the night air.

*Ohhh Catherine,* he lamented. *I was too late to save you... though I tried. Now all I have is our memories. Memories of our love.*

Sadly though, he had no memory of the moment when their child had been conceived. None at all. Their child's conception was a complete blank to him.

They had loved? They had made a child? Just the thought of it made his heart ache with longing. He had something else to live for... there was a child- a son. He had to save him. He had to...

His thoughts abruptly stopped as he cradled his Catherine, walking through the streets like a specter. For whatever reason, he did not meet a single soul that cold, dark night. His eyes were blinded by tears; his vision blurry. It's a miracle he made it back to Catherine's apartment.

*Ohhhh Catherine!* he cried out deep from within. She was so still and cold; entirely limp in the circle of his arms.

Finally, after much walking, he ended up at Catherine's apartment. Somehow he carried her up the balcony and into her bedroom. He lay her down on the bed as he cried brokenly over her still form. As the moments ticked by, he recalled their moments of love and happiness.

Sadly, their dream had never came true. Not really. Catherine had longed for it so deeply, but in the end, she didn't get what it was she had needed. He'd regret that for the rest of his life.

"Catherine," he said as he held her close. It was heart-wrenching but he had no other choice to whisper his goodbyes. Morning was coming soon and he couldn't be found alone with her lifeless body.

His heart was broken. It was torn and tattered into a million pieces. As he kissed her softly on the lips, his chest was constricting with pain. Then with one last look at that precious face so dear, Vincent left.

He made his way Below, his shoulders slumped with sadness. "Vincent, what is it?" Father asked when he saw the distress of his son. Vincent looked as though he had gone through the flames of hell.

"Catherine is dead, Father," Vincent said. "I could not save her, though I tried."

There was so much sorrow as Father did all in his power to comfort his son. "I'm so sorry, Vincent," Father said as there were no other words. All words in that moment would have been inadequate. Catherine had been such a divine soul. It was unfair for her to be taken so soon and so young.

~*~o~*~

It was the wee hours of morning when Joe received an important phone call. Cathy Chandler's apartment had been broken into... again. After her disappearance, Joe had insisted that they keep watch on it day and night. He wasn't giving up on the Cathy Chandler case, despite his boss's orders.

There was a light on the bedroom and someone had been seen upon the balcony. Joe rushed over to Cathy's apartment building, eager to see who might be snooping around in Catherine's belongings. Months had passed and they still hadn't found the kidnapper. Even so, Joe refused to believe that Catherine was dead. He would FIND her, even if he had to search ALL of the earth.

When he arrived on the scene, the cops were swarming the place, looking for clues and evidence. "Joe, don't go in the bedroom," said one of the detectives.

"Why? What's in there?" Joe demanded.

Before the detective could stop him, Joe barged his way into Catherine's bedroom... and to his surprise and great shock, there she was... lying upon the bed. She appeared so peaceful - just like an angel... and in that moment, Joe realized she was dead.

He knelt at her bedside as he said his sorrowful goodbyes. Hot tears stung at his eyes, nearly blinding him. "Radcliffe, you can't be gone," he said.

His tears fell on her hand as he remained at her bedside. He was holding it so tightly as a rain of sadness began trickle silently down his cheeks.