Chapter 3

A few days after Thanksgiving, Allison was given another physical exam by Father.

"Well my dear, it seems you are on the mend" Father said with a satisfied smile, and then he frowned "My only concern is a possible pregnancy from your attack"

"Pregnancy? No, there is no chance I could be pregnant" Allison whispered.

"But Allison, you were attacked…"

"Oh, I understand what you're saying, what I'm trying to tell you is that I cannot get pregnant. I am…unable"

"But…you have been pregnant, you have a caesarean scar."

"Yes, but there will be no more children now" she sadly replied.

"And the child you delivered?"

"Gone" she whispered, "Gone, but never forgotten" as tears began to quietly fall.

"Dead?" asked Father

Allison merely looked down and nodded.

"The Doctors told me it was a hard delivery and that I might never be able to have another child…and I never have."

"But there's always a chance…"

"No" Allison interrupted, "No chance" and with that Father knew topic was closed.

"Allison, I think it's time for you to consider your future with us now" Father ventured.

"Future?" asked Allison

"Yes, you must decide what you are to do. You can either return Above and live your life as you see fit or if you wish, you may stay here in our Tunnel World. However, if you choose to go back Above we would ask that you keep our secret. Can I count on you to do that?"

"Oh, keep your secret? Yes, of course I will. I would die before revealing it to anyone, I promise. But what if I decide to stay here?"

"We have a council which considers such matters. You would be required to be forthright with us. I know there are a lot of things which you have not shared with us and your secrets are yours to withhold, but we need to know enough to ensure the safety of everyone here."

"Yes, of course, I think I would like to meet with your council."

"Very, well, would you like me to ask the questions now, before we meet with council so that you can answer them with less pressure?"

"Alright, I'll try to tell you what I can"

Father could see Allison mustering up all of her courage. She seemed so vulnerable right now and he was fearful she might fall apart. He knew he needed to approach the questioning with caution.

"Allison, are you wanted by the Police? We cannot harbor criminals or fugitives. If you are a fugitive you will not be turned in, but we would encourage you to turn yourself in for your own sake."

"No, I am not wanted by the Police" She said with a sigh.

"Are you involved in organized crime or running from a criminal?"

"I…don't …" Allison hesitated "No, I am not"

"Why did you just hesitate?"

"There was someone, once, but I think he may have finally forgotten about me. It's been a few years now."

"Did he want you dead?"

"No, he wanted me in pain." She whispered.

"I'm sorry, what? I didn't understand you."

"No, Father, I am certain he is not a threat to this world"

Father did not push further on the topic; it was obvious it caused Allison a great deal of heartache. He asked the rest of the standard questions regarding drug and alcohol usage and abuse of children. Her horrified reaction to the child abuse question was so reflexive that Father could not help but believe her honesty.

"Alright then Allison, do you think you might be up for a council meeting tomorrow night? "

"Tomorrow night will be fine Father"

"I will make sure council knows the answers you have given me today but they will want to know what you have to offer the community. We cannot just take care of you; you would be expected to contribute"

"Of course Father, I wouldn't have it any other way" Allison said with a smile.

"And Father?"

"Yes, Allison?"

"I just wanted to tell you that I like being able to call you Father. My own father passed away when I was very young, though I remember him well. I've had no real Father figure since, no one to really protect me until now. If I am invited to join you, you will have the esteem of a daughter in me. You know, even if I'm not invited, you shall always have my esteem and love"

Father just smiled at her and patted her hand.

Father's questions had opened up an emotional floodgate for Allison. So much she had tried to forget, to put behind her, came back with a rush. She sought solitude for herself to work things out in her mind. She went to the chambers that they had provided to her.

In the privacy of her chambers Allison felt suddenly overwhelmed. She could not contain her pain, her anger. How dared they? Her mind screamed, How dared they? She began to beat her hands against the cool stone of her chamber walls.

Vincent, who had been quietly reading was first interrupted by Allison's emotions when she was being interviewed by Father. He had expected something like this, as he knew Father would be interviewing her that morning. What he did not expect was the sudden blinding rage he felt, coming from outside of him for a change, but no less fierce in its intensity. He could not sit and allow Allison to be alone; he had to go to her.

When Vincent arrived at Allison's chamber her hands were already bloodied from repeatedly hitting the hard jagged wall. Still she raged on. Vincent pulled her to him as she stopped hitting the wall and began to hit him. "HOW DARED THEY?!" she screamed over and over again into his chest.

Vincent allowed her anger to flow for several more minutes until she was left sobbing in his arms. "Oh, Vincent" Allison cried, "How dared they?"

Vincent, sure she was speaking of her attackers, said "Allison, there are no words that I have to comfort you, just know that I am here, that I am a friend and that you are safe now"

Allison looked at Vincent for the first time since he came into the room, her eyes and nose were red from her tears. "Vincent, you are mistaken; you have chosen the perfect words of comfort. Just knowing that I have your friendship brings me more comfort then you know."

Vincent quietly held her in his arms where she fell asleep, worn from the intense emotions that had swept through her.

"Allison, would you care for some tea?" Vincent asked a few minutes after she had awoken from her brief nap. "Perhaps William has some of his banana muffins we can share as well".

Allison looked up at him and smiled "Yes, thank you Vincent, I would like that very much"

After Vincent left, Allison began to contemplate her relationship with him. She couldn't deny the feelings she was forming for him. She had been having more conversations with Vincent then she had had with anyone else in years. He was so patient, so compassionate and caring. The conversations were not of a personal nature but just of general interest.

They both shared a love of poetry though her tastes differed from his. He preferred Byron and Shelley where she was fond of Frost and Whitman. She smiled at their brief argument on the interpretation of Whitman's poetry. She felt Whitman was highly spiritual whereas Vincent felt his work a bit earthy. It had been a wonderful discussion and a sharing of minds.

Vincent was not the type of man who had to always be right. Her whole life seemed to have been engaged in the struggle of the male ego. She was much too pretty to think they told her, but she had wanted to be so much more than the pretty girl. Allison had a mind and a good one at that. Her mother taught her the importance of being a good person first, second a knowledgeable person and always taking up the rear would be an attractive person.

Vincent returned a short time later with the muffins and tea in hand. Allison realized that she needed to share more with him. It was time to take the risk.

Vincent looked to Allison and realized the change in her demeanor. Through the bond he felt her calmer and sensed she was mustering up courage.

"Allison" Vincent ventured "Tell me, tell me more about yourself. I believe it would help. Do not fear that I would betray anything. Please consider me a confidant. Trust me".

"Yes Vincent, yes it's time." Allison sat down and sipped some of her tea.

"You have lost someone" Vincent stated rather than asked.

"Yes…her name, her name was Kathryn…" Allison stopped as Vincent leapt up.

"Catherine?" Vincent gasped out

"Yes, Vincent, what's wrong?"

"Do you know Jacob's mother's name?"

"No, no one ever said…Vincent was her name Kathryn as well?"

"Yes" he said more quietly "I'm sorry for interrupting, please, please continue"

"It seems we have both lost Kathryns, My Kathryn, my little Katie was 18 months old, there was a fire, and there was too much smoke" Allison related more quietly.

"My husband Matt was also killed, he had been my best friend. I lost my world that night. Nothing seemed to matter after that, not for the longest time" Allison hesitated "Katie would have been six years old now, seven in February".

That seemed to be all she would share with him. Nothing about why she lived in the streets, why she hid her face. But it did explain her sadness and the loss he sensed in her.

"Will you tell me about Jacob's mother?"

"I found my Catherine one cool April evening…"

Vincent proceeded to tell her of how he had first helped Catherine to heal and of how they loved and the tragedies and triumphs of that love. He told her of her death and of his search for Jacob.

After he finished he looked at Allison, she had large unshed tears in her eyes.

"We have both lost much…and there is such great evil in the world. It only makes sense that there should be at least an equal amount of goodness, doesn't there?" Allison asked.

"Yes, it is what I believe" Then changing the subject he said "Jacob seems very taken with you"

It was true; Jacob had been making more and more frequent visits to Allison's chamber. Sometimes to read a story sometimes to teach her a card trick he learned from Sebastian. She offered her own stories and sometimes shared a sweet with him. They had become fast friends. Allison loved him and suspected he loved her back.

"It's uncanny, but sometimes I think he knows when I'm feeling sad. He just shows up and comforts me even though no words are ever said. I have come to love Jacob very much"

"Yes, Jacob is an easy child to love; he is so much like his mother."

"He is like his father as well" Allison mused.

"I suppose so" and in more ways than Allison could know. Perhaps it was time to tell her a secret as well.

"Allison, Jacob and I share a gift. A gift that is not often spoken of, it is a rare gift. We can sense how some people feel, a kind of empathy. With some, we need not even be in the same room. Catherine was one of those people. I knew when she was in trouble, happy or sad. It was a kind of bond." And it brought me great joy Vincent said to himself.

"I believe that Jacob has a similar bond to you. You are a very special person Allison…I too can sense you and what you are feeling."

"So when you first rescued me…"

"Yes, I already had a bond with you. I had heard of you before I saw you and I witnessed many of your acts of kindness before that night. You intrigued me; I could not help but bond to your compassionate nature."

Allison smiled at this, how lovely it was to have such a friend, "Mi querido amigo" she said as she touched his hand "Gracias".

Vincent took her hand in his "También agradezco a tenerte como mi amigo"

The council meeting that evening was brief; the only thing on the agenda was deciding whether or not to welcome Allison into their community. They repeated some of the questions Father had asked earlier as well as some new ones.

"Allison, if we allow you to stay how will you contribute? Once you have completely healed we will need to have you take up some kind of responsibility. Can you sew or cook? I know I need more help in the kitchen" William said.

"I could help teach, do you need someone who has a background in the sciences?" Allison asked

"Well Father, being a doctor, has always taught the sciences to the children" Rebecca said

"But I would be more than willing to give it up, especially if Allison has been more recently trained"

"Allison" Vincent said "What is your training?"

"I have two degrees, one in chemistry and the other in physics" Allison sheepishly replied

"Two degrees?!" William exclaimed "What are you doing down here then? You should have no trouble finding a job above"

"William, please" Father said noticing Allison losing all of the color in her face. "I have a degree as a medical Doctor, should I leave to get a job above? We all have our reasons for being here. This should be no reason to refuse admittance"

"Yes, you're right Father, please pardon me Allison" William asked.

"I for one think you would be a fine teacher, and the children seem to like you." Said Mary

Allison blushed at the unexpected compliment.

"I think it's time to take the vote, Allison, could you please step out for a few minutes. You will be called back when we have the results" said Father.

Allison left the council chamber and wandered back to her own chambers. She was very nervous. This was not the first time a group gathered to decide her fate. It had not always gone well for her.

About ten minutes later Vincent found her and brought her back to the Council.

"Allison, the vote was unanimous, welcome to our community" Father said happily

Allison felt relief cascade through her, she had a home, a real home, with people who cared about each other. If she died right now, she would die happy. She was not even aware of the tears which spilled unbidden from her eyes. Mary approached her and put comforting arms around her.

"There, there my dear, I hope these are happy tears"

Allison looked up to her and nodded "Very happy. Thank you all so much. I cannot find any words to tell you how I feel now"

It was announced at dinner to the rest of the community that Allison would be staying and teaching the children. Everyone offered her their congratulations and well wishes. The children seemed especially pleased with the news. It had been awhile since they had a new teacher and many had already begun to like Allison.

Later that evening Allison took a walk by the mirror pool, she wanted to learn as much as she could about her new home and family. Family, she thought, a real family again. It was all she had ever really desired for herself. This time she would fight with all she was to protect her new family.

During her reveries she did not sense someone approaching.

"Hello Allison" said little Jacob.

"Why, hello Jacob" Allison said after a start "why don't you come and sit down next to me here by the pool and tell me about your day?"

"Oh, it was ok I guess, we learned about vows in class today"

"Vows? You mean like in a wedding ceremony?"

"No, like letters a, i, o, e and stuff"

"Oh, vowels, you learned about vowels. Well yes those are very important when learning to read and write" Allison said while trying to hide her amusement.

"Yep" Jacob said "I know you were scared today, why?"

Remembering the bond that Vincent had explained about she knew he had sensed her fears during the Council meeting. "Well, I was a little afraid that the Council might not want me to live here and I very much want to live here."

"But they said yes"

"Oh I know, but I didn't know they would. Anyway I feel much better now"

"Allison I'm so glad you are going to live here forever now."

Jacob hesitated "Allison, I have something 'portant to ask you"

"Yes, Jacob?"

"Well I asked my papa if you had any children and he said you have a little girl who lives in heaven now."

Allison's breath caught but she allowed Jacob to continue.

"Well see, my mama lives in heaven and I think she could be your little girl's mama and well…maybe you could be my mama now" Jacob explained with all of the heart of a four year old. "Maybe you could even marry my papa too, he needs a wife to make him happy. He is sad sometimes because he misses my mama."

"Oh, Jacob I am so honored by your request and I love you very dearly. I think for now, we can be the very best of friends, will that be ok?"

"OK" Jacob said without any upset. He then climbed into Allison's lap and put his small arms about her neck. "I love you too Allison"

"mi precioso un poco" Allison said with more than just Jacob in her meaning.

Vincent had arrived just before Jacob made his request o Allison and listened to the whole conversation. He was at first appalled when Jacob made his request. He had always been afraid that Jacob would never understand a mother's love, his mother's love. He was a little angry that Allison was being requested to usurp Catherine's position as mother. But finally he understood the moment was about love and need. Of course Jacob would never know Catherine's love in this world. Evil had seen to that. However, could he deny anyone who could give him that love? Here he had a motherless child and a childless mother; they loved each other and gravitated toward each other. Perhaps Catherine would want this for Jacob. He was sure she would. From here on he would encourage the relationship between the two.

Sorry to have taken so long with an update. My Spanish is a bit rough but here are the simple translations.

Mi querido amigo-my dear friend,

También agradezco a tenerte como mi amigo- I am also thankful to have you as my friend,

mi precioso un poco-my precious little one.