SET DE 4 POSTALES DE VINCENT DISPONIBLES

Subido, a disposición de los fans, nuevo set de prints tamaño A6 inspirado en Vincent, unidades limitadas, disponibles en Vinted y también en Wallapop

SET DE 4 POSTALES DISPONIBLES

 He puesto a disposición de los fans, set de prints tamaño A6 de mis fanarts, unidades limitadas, disponibles en Vinted y también en Wallapop

RELANZANDO EL SITIO WEB

Después de bastante tiempo sin actualizar mi web de B&B "The Tunnels" ("Los Túneles") https://labellaylabestia-series.blogspot.com/ y he decido relanzarlo y actualizarlo. He corregido datos de contacto no válidos, urls obsoletas y próximamente volveré a abrir mi tienda online para aquellos fans de la serie interesado en adquirir prints de mis fanarts. También puede que ponga a la venta dibujos originales.
También he vuelto a abrir mi antigua dirección de email vinculada al viejo sitio web e iré subiendo contenido en próximas fechas y terminando de subir todo el material de mi antiguo sitio web creado en 1999.

*** ENG //

After a long time without updating my B&B website "The Tunnels" https://labellaylabestia-series.blogspot.com/ and I'd decided to relaunch and update it. I corrected invalid contact information, obsolete urls and will soon reopen my online store for those fans of the series interested in purchasing prints of my B&B fanarts. I may also submit original drawings up for sale.

I've also reopened my old email address linked to the old website and I will be uploading content in the near future and finishing uploading all the material from my old website created in 1999. Your are welcome to share info, links about the series etc to publish in my site.

FANART VIDEO VOL.III

Nuevo vídeo fanart.

Fanfiction: "Mirrors. Part I. The beginning"

Story by Inês Costa - Artworks by Sonia Mª Corral

"The man has only one escape from his old self;

to see a different self-in the mirrors of some woman's eyes"

Clare Boothe Luce (1903-87)

Catherine was so excited that she couldn't keep her mind focused on what she was doing. It was probably the third time that Joe caught her fixing her eyes on infinity,while playing with the necklace that she had around her neck, with a perfect cutted crystal.

-Radcliffe!....RADCLIFFE!

Catherine awoke from her state of grace and looked at Joe: his head was about two palms of distance from hers,but he only seemed to be in front of her at that point when he shouted. Catherine shivered and shook her head.

-I'm sorry Joe...my mind is elsewhere today.

-Yeah, it seems that this paranoia of "the end of the world arriving today" is getting to everyone. -said he laying a couple of more case files on Cathy's desk. She sighed at view of the paperwork,but she was also curious.

-End of the world? What on earth are you talking about?

-What? Don't you watch t.v?

Lately, Cathy was spending a lot of time Bellow beside Vincent and the tunnel community, but specially beside Vincent:how she loved to hear him recite those poems! So she putted a questionative face and waited for Joe's answer.

-Well Catherine, you shure live in a whole different world! Today there is going to be an alignment of the nine planets of the solar system,so naturally the speculators and preachers are raving about of the end of the world!

Joe's teasing face caused Catherine to jiggle.

-But let me tell you Radcliffe! Even if the end of the world comes, I'll be seeing you in that courthouse Monday, doing a hell of a job...so snap out of it!

Catherine smiled at Joe and buried herself on the paperwork, but it was a question of time until she looked again at the infinity, helding the crystal, and thinking on the anniversary present that she was going to give Vincent that night.

It was they're fifth year together.

* * * *

-Vincent?....Vincent.

Nothing.

-VINCENT!

Vincent emerged from his strange state of unawareness and focused on the figure.Mouse was standing in front of him, helding a little velvet pouch in his right hand.

-Here it is...finished it.Took work, but Mouse got it.

Vincent reached for the pouch and looked for it's secret. Tinkling at the candles glare,and nestled in Vincent's furred hand, was a perfect gold ring,with a small crystal carved, and an inscription.Vincent approached the light to see what was written; it was a quote from Beethoven's letter to his Immortal Beloved: "Ever yours,Ever mine,Forever." He looked pleased, and to Mouse, that was reward enough.

-Thank you Mouse...It's beautiful.

-Catherine will like?

Mouse,unquestionatively, cheered for those two to work out fine, and so did the tunnel community...Vincent's and Catherine's love was something that transpired warmth and hope, wich embraced not only them,but all of Vincent's family. So, on this very special day, everyone was eager to help on the "romance", so Mouse wanted to give something really special.

-No doubt of it.

Mouse threw a big,big smile and disappeared into the hallway, leaving Vincent behind in his chamber, looking at the infinity.

In that place, Catherine was beside him.



* * * *



-Did you knew about the alignment tonight, Vincent?

Vincent was entering Father's chamber and saw him, literally, submerged in a "tone" of newspapers.

-Oh, Charles brought me these when he came down to leave some medical supplies...

Vincent looked at the stars constellation map and passed a finger through the line that was going to connect the nine planets.

"We are all connected"

-Tonight Mary, the children and some others are going to see it in the park. Pascal is passing out the word...I agreed because I thought that it would be interesting for the children.

-Aren't you going, Father?

-And what about you?

Vincent smiled and looked into his father's eyes.

-I'll be with terrific company, although your company is terrific as well..

Father suddenly remembered.

-Oh! Right!...Five years, isn't it? Good Lord...as it been so long?

-To me it seems that it was only yesterday, said Vincent, remembering the attack on Catherine, the talks, the discovery...

-Well, then you would probably join Catherine...

-No, this year we've decided to celebrate near the waterfalls...she insisted on it.

-Perhaps it holds a special place in her heart...don't try to understand women, my son.God knows I've tried!-said Father, laughing.-Well then,if you will be in good hands, then I'll join Mary, the others and the children.

Vincent looked at the papers, and read something about the end of the world.

-Do you believe in these stories?

-What? That the world is ending?-Father laughed - Man has been saying it for two thousand years, and it doesn't kneed divine intervention for it to end...Man is doing it by his own hand!

Father took off his glasses, and joined his son to a trip to the kitchen.



* * * *



It was almost time.

Catherine looked herself at the mirror and smiled. He would certainly love it, she had bought it specially for the occasion.

It was a long white dress, very delicate,that floated in the air.When she walked, she seemed to hover.

Suspended by the neck, her only piece of jewlery:the crystal necklace.

She ignored the make-up: she wanted to look the more natural possible, for the big step she was about to take.

Quietly,she took a bag that was resting on the coach,and quietly descended to the staircase Bellow.

Vincent had felted Cathy entering the tunnels about an hour ago.He was running late on his meticulous dressing, so he decided to wait for her to come to him, by the time he would be ready. That was twenty minutes ago, and now he was getting impatient, although there was nothing wrong happening.

The others were on they're way to the park, where a massive crowd was gathered, to take part in the "one in a life time event" that was the planet's alignement. He was practically alone Bellow, so where was she?

It was when he turned to look for her, that she entered his chamber.

To Vincent it was like he was struck by lightning:Catherine was so beautiful!

Catherine framed a gentle smile on her lips,and tried to talk, but couldn't. She was still fixed on Vincent's reaction.

-Do you like it?I've dressed it specially for you.

Vincent reached on to something he cold grasp: he was sensing his legs failing, dew to the rush that his heart was feeling.

-I...I...I can't find the words, Catherine...you're an angel.

She came close and kissed him on his forehead:the kiss of true love.

Vincent closed his eyes,enjoying the moment. They looked at eachother for a moment and Vincent felt that he had to say something, or he would fall into temptation .

-I have something for you...-said he,reaching for the velvet pouch that was resting on the table. Catherine looked at him, and then she looked at the pouch. He opened it and took off the ring.

Catherine's mouth opened.

-My God!...Oh,Vincent! It's so beautiful!

-Not as beautiful as you.

He took it, and gently asked for Catherine's han, so she could put on the ring. Has he was sliding the object through her finger, he repeated the words that were carved on the inside of the ring. Catherine thought that she couldn't resist.

-"Ever yours...Ever mine...Forever".

An then he kissed her hand.

Catherine's heart was beating very fast: she couldn't wait to give him her present. For her it was The present, the thing that she was waiting for so long.

-And now for my present.

Vincent stood very straight, waiting to be sweetly surprised. Instead,she took his hand and guided him outside his chamber,in the waterfall direction.When they arrived, Catherine made him close his eyes.

-This way.

Vincent took a few fearful steps, until Catherine stopped walking.

-All right...open your eyes.

Vincent slowly opened his eyes, and this time it was his turn to threw his mouth open.

In front of him was a miniature replica of the crystal chamber.

-Do you like it? Mouse found it a week ago,dew to that rock slide. I made him promise that he didn't tell you. I know that it was hard for him, the poor thing!

Vincent was silent. His eyes were fixed on the candles that surrounded a set of large velvet pillows and a large fury and fluffy blanket that was lying on the floor. He then turned at Catherine,that was also captured by the sight of it.She turned to him and took a few steps back,with the cave behind her.

-Vincent...

She reached her hand to the back of the dress, and started to unzip it.

Vincent was paralyzed with a strange mixture of feelings going about. He was unable to react, to do whatever was bound to be done at the moment:would he refuse? Would he deny that was what he most wanted also?

His lucidity aroused from is conscience and he rapidly reached for her shoulder, trying to keep her dress on, but it was too late.

He clashed is touch with a sense of softness that he never had experienced. He turned his eyes to Catherine's green deep, and all he could find was a woman that loved him above all things.

-Catherine...

She slowly reached for the ties of his shirt, and started pulling them, while her eyes never left his.

Her dress was a white bundle on the ground.

He was so nervous! He couldn't stop shivering,more of anxiety than of fear, amazed with how she looked.

Her skin.

The shape of her body.

Her smell.

Everything.

Her hand was sliding between his chest, slowly removing his shirt.

-I'm afraid Catherine.We better stop...I'm not shure if I can hold on much longer...

Catherine stopped moving her hand and rested her mouth against his hear, kissing it, while whispering the words.

-Let go of your fears Vincent...Tonight, everything is possible.

That was it.

With the sound of those few words, and Catherine's touch that made his skin and his soul turn to fire, he rapidly abandoned his sense of reality, and was pulled to that swirl that anticipates the inevitable.

He urgently reached for her neck, and surrounding her with his arms, he gave her a lover's embrace.

She showed him how to touch,how to satisfy the thirst of his loving hunger,and then pulled him to the blanket, when he continued caressing her,his gentle hands, following Catherine's curves and shapes.

Her skin was gold at the light of the candles, and Catherine thought the same about his hair. They stopped at some point, just looking at eachother, naked; Vincent's eyes were lost on her face, while Catherine gently caressed his back with one hand, and his eyebrow with the other.

No words were spoken.

With his blues eyes glowing in happiness, he reached for a kiss.

The kisses became deepper, and deepper; they're bodies were controlled by an unknown force that impelled them to continue:they were walking to the edge of reality.

Suddenly, he took her.

Catherine's back arched with the first contact, and they soon abandoned they're souls to that rhythmic movement.Vincent was covering her face with gentle kisses, and Catherine was stroking his hair.

There was no need for further instructions, for regrets...it was over, and consumed.

The movement started to hasten; they're bodies glittered as they were reaching the edge. At that point, just before the step that would release them, Catherine held Vincent's face in her hands and looked straight into his eyes. He opened them for a while, high on the moment, and looked at her.

And it happened.

Both of them threw they're heads back, while the catharsis ruled they're bodies:the world spinned faster, held by they're entangled hands.

They were covered in sweat.

An exhausted,heavy-breathing Vincent laid beside Catherine, and continued caressing her shoulders, while her head was nestled on his soft furred chest and her hand was reviewing all it's path from the tip of his fingers, to the neck.

She looked at the candles,still burning,and whispered.

-I love you.



* * * *



It was late, almost midnight.

Catherine shivered, when her knee touched the cold rock. She woke up to find herself covered by the blankets that were use as protectors from the arsheness of the cave's rocks, to nestle their first night together.

Catherine was hoping that would be the first of so many other nights.

She looked around, trying to find Vincent.He was nowhere to be seen.

Uneasy,she reached for her dress, that was neatly folded on top of the blankets, no doubt by Vincent's hands. She dressed it,puted on her shoes, and walked in the direction of the waterfall.

There he was, siting at the edge of it, his head was bended, and as Catherine was reaching him, with her heart filled with infinite happiness, she noticed that he was crying.

Catherine immediately stopped, has Vincent became aware of her, and was rapidly desguising the tears, cleaning them swiftly.

-Vincent...what's wrong?

Vincent didn't replied. He preferred continuing looking at the water falling continuously to the deep, deep bellow. Catherine sat next to him and putted her hand on his cheek,cleaning a persisting tear that kept rolling down his face.

-Vincent...why are you crying?

Vincent looked at her, and then he spoke.

-I...never thought that it would be like this, Catherine.

Catherine smiled. She thought he was referring to ...

-I've always expected not so much from life. I thought that finding a family and someone to care me was to good to be true,and enough to satisfy me. After all...I've asked so many times,why was I born?

Catherine continued listening what he was saying. One by one,the tears appeared again in his eyes.

-Five years ago, my life changed. I met you.And now...life opens me so much possibilities that...I question myself if I deserve it.

-Oh,Vincent...do you want to know why you were born?

Vincent looked at her, with the hope that her words would ease his uncertainty.

-You were born to save me...to hold me...to love me. And I you.

-I'm afraid, Catherine.

-Afraid of what, my love?

He held her hand, and weaped.

-Of hoping...of wanting a better life than the one we are taking, and I know I can't give you such life...but with what you gave me...it seems so possible to accomplish.

Catherine held his face and silenced him with a kiss.

-It is possible. Everything's possible.

Vincent stopped crying and smiled, and Catherine joined him. They shared a few minutes of silence, and Catherine thought if two people could share silence,it was because they could share anything...she thought it was terribly philosophical and almost laughed out loud, but she couldn't break the moment...Vincent was hoping for the first time in his life and she didn't want to spoil his "moment in the sun".

It was he who decided to talk, fact that surprised Cathy.

-Comme, it's almost time for the alignment-said he standing up and walking to the tunnel entrance.

Catherine was standing up to join him,when she stopped to put away some dust from her dress, it was then when she spotted it.Realising that Catherine wasn't following him, he turned around.

She was fixing her eyes on something in the deep of the fall.Vincent approached her.

-What's wrong?

Catherine was fixing some point at the bottom of the rift, something in the water, perhaps.

-I...I thought I saw something.

Vincent looked on the direction that her finger pointed and waited. The seconds went past , but nothing happened.It was only water.

-I don't see anything Catherine...what was it?

-It was like a...beam of light, but it was a weird light.

-Weird light?

Catherine noticed some disbelief in Vincent's voice and decided to rest the subject.

-It was probably my imagination.

-The alignment is to happen any second now. Do you want to come and see it? I know a place-as he said it, he raised his hand, and asked for her's. Catherine was feeling like a princess, and couldn't believe that it was only an cople of hour's ago that they were loving on the floor, and now Vincent looked so calm and serene like nothing happened...like he knew that was meant to be sooner than later. She treasured her thought, thinking that this time things could really work out, despite Vincent's fear of hopping for a better future than the one he thought he was reserved to have.

She reached for his hand, eager for the contact with his palm, when suddenly the ground started to shake, violently.

The alignment was happening.

Catherine fell with her knees on the ground, and Vincent also.Pieces of rock started to break loose from the cave's walls, and were tumbling down into the abyss. Vincent reached for Catherine, trying to involve her in his body, so she couldn't get hit by any rocks,when it all stopped.

Both lovers breathe uneasy.

-I think it was an earthquake.

-In New York?

It was then when Vincent saw the light.The light that Catherine was talking about was emerging from the abyss and was gradually inundating the place with a strange clarity. Catherine turned around,as she noticed it,and gazed at the bottom of the fall:the water was no longer still;it was moving at an abnormal rate, in a giant swirl that emanated the light.

Catherine was captured by it.

Vincent turned around and faced the entry:his fears were correct, for it was blocked with heavy rocks.

-We're traped, Catherine...Catherine?

He turned to look for her. She wasn't there.

-Catherine? Where are you?

He approached the edge of the cliff and look down. He paralized:Catherine was descending to the bottom,through the dangerous path that the most audacious swimmers, looking for a good and relaxing bath, would walk. Vincent knew about the path,because he always had to follow it,every time he wanted to swim. He was accustomed to the dangerous rocks, he knew them by heart,but Catherine didn't.

-Catherine! What are you doing?

Catherine look up, with a smile on her face.

-I just want to take a closer look. It's beautiful! The children will love it!

-You'll fall! Wait, I'll get you.

Vincent rushed down the rock walls,and reached for her. Catherine was standing at the edge of a very unstable shelf.Vincent didn't said nothing, because he didn't want to alarm her.

-Catherine...Catherine...give me your hand.

She was in a strange state of emotions, Vincent could feel it:it was almost like she was drown to the edge.

-Give me your hand, Catherine.

Vincent was getting scared by the minute.

Catherine turned around gently and gave him her hand.

It was then that a new earthquake, more dreadly than the other, splited the rock bellow her feet, and she fell into the unknown, screaming.

Vincent formed a tight grip around her fingers, screaming her name.

-CATHERINE!

She was suspended by his fingers, and soon enough, dew to the violence of the earthquake, the rock bellow Vincent feet also crumbled, and he could only secure himself to a piece of rock that was also starting to brake apart.

The swirl bellow them was duplicating the intensity of it's light, like the quakes were duplicating they're intensity.

Catherine saw that they were going to fell unless...

She reached for the fingers forming the grip around hers,an loosen them,one by one,while the tears were rolling down her face. Vincent saw what she was doing.

-Catherine!!!

-I'm sorry,but you can't die! Let me go Vincent...let me go,please! I don't want you to die!

-Catherine, no, please don't do this...I'll die! If you die, I'll die too.

The rock was loosening more and more. Catherine reached for the final finger that was grabbing her.Vincent's strength was diminishing.

-Let me go.

Vincent look down,at her. Her face was covered in tears,and he could see her lips moving,forming a word that he could not hear.

"I love you".

And she fell into the water, into the fantastic swirl bellow.

Vincent roared tremendously.

-NO! CATHERINE!

The rock that was securing him broke loose, with a final earthquake, and Vincent rushed for the cold water, his body submerged in a strange light, and for an instant, he sweared he could see Catherine,r eaching for his hand.

Abandoned into a strange warmth that invaded his heart, he closed his eyes,a nd sank into the unknown depths.

To be continued in "MIRRORS. Part II. Another World"  

Mirrors. The Beginnig belongs to Inês Costa Any distribution, copy, shoul be made under her consent.

All artwork you see here are property and were desing by Sonia Mª Corral, Any distribution, copy, shoul be made under her consent.

DISCLAIMER:

"Beauty and the Beast" and its original characters are the creation of Ron Koslow and is owned by Republic Pictures and its owners. The stories shown here are written strictly for the enjoyment of fans, and no infringement is meant in any way

Fanfiction: "Reunited - Part IV"

Written by Inês Costa

“ How?”


“How am I going to tell him? To tell them both? ”

Diana was reaching her loft after the art exhibit. She instantly started doing a cup of tea, but her hands were shaking so much that she had to sit down for a moment by the kitchen table. She rested her forehead on her hands and shivered, while she started talking to herself.


- How am I going to solve this? What if she isn’t Catherine? I could be opening up wounds that aren’t meant to be opened.

She then remembered Jacob and his reliance in saying that his mother was alive. Maybe some of the instincts that Vincent had before had passed to him.

And then, she realised something even more serious…that meant that Mary was his sister and Vincent’s daughter. Now it all made sense: The look in her eyes, the similarities in her face, the sense that she was certain to have a father somewhere, the proximity to Jacob…


Diana left the boiler on the stove and took the picture and other information that Mary had given her. She looked at the picture once more and her heart just started pounding in a way that she thought it would come out of her chest. There she was. With some lines on her face, that the years had managed to put there, but she was the same, except for the scenario. It was the backyard of a country house, and she was gardening. Mary took her mother by surprise when she took the photograph, since she didn’t like to take pictures, accordingly to Mary.



-All right, first I need to be sure that this isn’t just some strange coincidence. I need to see her up close. I’ll think of something later…



Diana ran to her bedroom and started packing some random clothes. She was even seeing what she was packing. She seemed to be doing those actions automatically, without even thinking about them. Her legs seemed absent and she couldn’t even feel her arms. It was a strange sensation. Suddenly there was a tap up in the window.


“Oh No!. He will see my state. Calm yourself down Diana, please!”



She closed her eyes and breathed a couple of times, with her eyes closed. She tucked the pictures and Mary’s address in Montana under her clothes and went calmly to the roof top. Vincent was waiting her.


- Diana! I’m sorry to come this early, but I was hoping you could tell me how the show went.


-The show? The art show? It was great, great…


There was an awkward silence, while Vincent waited for her to speak. Diana wasn’t really aware that Vincent wanted more information.


-…and Jacob’s work?


- Oh! – she nervously laughed – His work was great. He has very good potential, said his teacher. You should really be proud. I think that he even sold some work. At his age is a very good thing.


There was a silence, again. By this time Vincent was starting to get suspicious.



- Tell me Diana, something happened? You seem nervous.



Diana froze. She was thinking on something to say, but the more she tried the more she got confused. She wanted to burst out what she had discovered, but no…she couldn’t. What if she wasn’t Catherine? That would probably devastate him…he would probably do something crazy. No…for his sake, she couldn’t tell.

Vincent closed on her and grabbed her by the arms.



- Diana, you’re my friend. Tell me, what is bothering you?



She looked the other way, avoiding a confrontation.



- Nothing…troubles with a case.



- I thought you have quitted research.

She managed to release his grip and walked away from him.



- I’m doing a special favour for a friend. You know, getting back on the saddle leaves you nervous…



Vincent paused and turned to her.



- Not really…you always seemed such a relaxed person. I never seen you this nervous.



- Well, I am. I am nervous.



This last remark was made at a loud voice. Vincent looked surprised. Never Diana had raised her voice for that purpose. Diana recognized her mistake and put on a much smoother and reassuring face.



- I’m sorry Vincent. I’m sorry I yelled. You sure aren’t to blame…I’m, I’m just indisposed.



She paused and looked at him.



- Listen, can we talk some other time? I’m going away for a few days and I need to catch my sleep.



- You’re going away?


- Yes…just for a couple of days, don’t worry. I’ll be back in a flash.


“I’m driving for too long now.”


The empty road ahead of her was becoming darker and darker. Diana slapped her face.

-Come on! Don’t fall asleep! You’re close now!


She looked again at the map, where Mary’s hometown was signalled with a red circle.


-It should be around here somewhere…


Sure enough, after a tight curve, Diana could see the road bending down and in front of her midway a valley, she started seeing some houses. She sighed, relieved. She continued to follow the road and following Mary’s instructions, she drove to a very nice bead-and-breakfast that the girl and recommended. Diana was in need of a rest before the big confrontation.



She pulled up near the big house. It was a very large one, typical Victorian style, with very large windows, high rooftop and lots of balconies. There was a light at the front door. She grabbed her backpack and closed the car. She walked up to the stairs and knocked on the door. An old lady came up.


-Yes?


She looked at the backpack and smiled, as she knew what Diana was there for. She was quicker asking.


-Hello, good evening. Sorry to trouble you, but a friend of mine recommended your place to stay for a couple of days.



-Yes, yes dear, come on in!


Diana smiled and entered the house. The hallway was narrow, with a set of stairs. At her left she could see the dining room, with the old lady’s food still placed on the table.


-I’m sorry, I can see that you were having dinner. Sorry to trouble you.


The old lady nodded her head.



-Oh no! Don’t be! I’m glad that you came actually, I was needing a company for dinner anyway.


Diana smiled, while the lady opened up the register book.


-Now, you’re name please?


-Diana Bennett, but please, call me Diana.


The lady smiled.


- I’m Sara Adams, but you can call me Sara. I want nothing of that Mrs Adams! I’ve got tired of it.



Diana laughed.



-May I ask why are you tired of your own name?



The old lady accompanied Diana on her laugh, and picked up the key for her guests room from a drawer on the left of the small table.


- I used to be a nurse in the local hospital. Now I’m retired, but I was so tired of people call me Nurse Adams that I thought “Nurse” was my first name. Even my granddaughter used to call me Nurse, when she was little.


Diana giggled. The old lady was a person someone could deeply feel found of.

After leaving her bag on top of her bed, she accompanied Mrs. Adams to the dining table, where she sat on one of the chairs. The table was set for one, but Mrs. Adams quickly placed a plate, cutlery , a tall glass and a napkin in front of Diana, too fast for her to get up and help.



-Don’t, dear! You must be exhausted and hungry!- the lady finally sat down and served the vegetable soup that was resting in a metal container in front of Diana. The soup smelled divinely and Diana felt her stomach rumble in need of food.


-So, where are you from, my dear?


-I’ve came form New York.


The old lady couldn’t prevent a astonished face.



-And you came driving all this way? You have a courage of a lion!



Diana couldn’t prevent gasping on her last spoon of soup. Of course that remark reminded her of Vincent, and the matter that have sent her there. She began thinking about a way to lead the conversation to the place that she wanted.



-Yes, I took some weeks off, holydays, you see, and like I said, a friend of mine said that this place was very nice to rest.


-Oh! And may I ask you you’re friends name? Probably I know her or him! There isn’t a soul that passes this town that doesn’t stay here or goes to my daughters cookie shop, that I don’t know of! Of course, don’t take me as a nosy woman, but this is a small village…


Diana smiled and understood that everybody there could be like that lady-with a certain amount of nosiness, of course.


- Actually it’s my nephew’s friend. He’s at college in New York and sometimes he brings his friends to dinner at my house.


-New York college…New York college…..Oh! You mean Laura Smith’s daughter, Mary!


Diana shuttered…Laura Smith? She quickly disguised her anxiety and answered positively.


-oh, she is a nice kid! Tell me, how is she doing there? It’s a long way here so she doesn’t visits us...


-She is fine, she is one of the best art students. The other day they held a art exhibit and her paintings where very….revealing ….of a great talent. A little ruff on the edges but they’re coming out fine!


-That’s a relive to hear! – Mrs. Adams face turned somewhat sad – After all that she went through…


Diana knew that the woman was trying to “pinch” her curiosity. She acted like she didn’t knew anything and faked some sort of concern.


- She went trough bad times?

The woman adjusted her seat and got closer to Diana.


- Has she told you about her mother?


- Well, she asked me to visit her, to bring her some news and some letters, but other than that…


-I guess I can tell you, it’s nothing much. Her mother is one of the sweetest persons I know, she couldn’t hurt a fly! But she as always been.. I don’t know, absent. Like she knows that she doesn’t belong here, but simply doesn’t want to leave, afraid of want may come to her. Her daughter is the exact opposite. Mary has always been a open kid, always happy, unafraid of discovering new places.


- But why that absence in part of her mother?


Mrs. Adams head bent slightly over Diana’s shoulder, like she was seeing if there was someone listening.


- Twenty years ago, when I still practiced nursing at the hospital, Deputy Mitchell, the local policeman, found Laura at an empty road near here, carrying Mary on her lap. He brought them to the hospital and we soon found out that she was…well…amnesic.


Diana opened her eyes and looked to her empty bowl of soup. A stir of thoughts went through her head.


Amnesic? How could that be? She was dead! She was!


-Anyway- Mrs. Adams continued – Deputy Mitchell arranged for some psychiatric help, but none of the doctors could help. Her amnesia is very, very deep. I mean 20 years have passed and she still doesn’t remember nothing…or at least she doesn’t want to remember.


Diana stopped talking and crossed her hands on top of the table. She now knew what to do. She had to find Deputy Mitchell and ask him a few questions. Of course her identity and purpose had to be revealed to him, but only to him. Afterwards she would go see Catherine.


Mrs. Adams sighed at Diana’s silence.


-It’s a sad story, isn’t it? Well, at least her daughter has a chance to be happy. Laura on the other way…


-Why do you call Laura? Is it her name?


-No, no. She couldn’t remember her name, so we had to provide her with some temporary identification. After a while, when we saw that Laura wouldn’t leave town and on the contrary settled herself here, we never discussed the matter of her true identity. She is just Laura Smith to us.


How Laura Smith was different from Catherine Chandler, Diana thought. Both in name and in attitude. For what people had described, especially Vincent, Catherine was an restless spirit. Those things couldn’t disappear with amnesia, could they?


After dinner, Diana went upstairs, to her bedroom. Once tucked inside her clean white sheets, she took out her glasses and her notebook and started writing what she had discovered so far. Next morning the first step was the sheriff’s office.



It was a lovely morning. After breakfast, Diana entered her car and drove to the sheriff’s office. The town was small, but every building recognizable. There was the high school, the town hall, and sure enough, a few meters ahead there was a signboard indicating the police station. There were police cars parked outside and so Diana knew that she couldn’t be wrong about the building.

She parked her car and entered the station. The place was very quiet, and she imagined that there wasn’t very much work to be done there. A woman dressed in full police outfit was typing away at some computer and noticed her coming in.


-May I help you?

Diana stopped looking around and faced the police woman. She steeped towards the balcony.

-Yes, hello. May I talk to deputy Mitchell?

The woman noticed that Diana wasn’t local and more like a big city type, by the way she was dressed. She frowned her face a little bit.


-And who wants to talk to him?

Diana hesitated.

-Diana Bennett. I’m a investigator form New York.

The matter seemed strange to the woman, but she reluctly picked up the hone and pressed a button.


-Frank, there’s someone her to see you.


She hung up the phone and turned to Diana.


-He’ll be here soon.


And plunged herself once more into the computer’s keyboard, where she continued her frenetic stomping, not once looking at the screen to see if everything was all right.

Diana waited for the deputy, standing beside the balcony. A few seconds later, she heard a door opening and someone walking down a long corridor. A man appeared, also in a officer’s uniform and looked at her, top to bottom. She could see that he wasn’t expecting any strange visitors and looked puzzled. Diana was determined to break that ice and projected her hand forward, awaiting an hand shake.


-Deputy Mitchell? Diana Bennett, form New York.


-She’s and investigator, said the woman, without lifting her eyes up.


The man seemed even more puzzled, but nevertheless, he greeted Diana, returning her handshake, and noticing her strong grip of the hand. Frank Mitchell could certainly evaluate character, and a strong determined grip always demonstrated strength and confidence. He knew the case was serious.

-Please, step into my office.


Diana was lead inside Frank’s office and he asked her to seat down. He sat afterwards, in front of her. A pile of cases, a computer and a black phone were resting on top of his desk, and Diana noticed the mug of coffee, still fumigating. Frank noticed her eyes.


-I’m sorry, do you want some coffee?


Diana smiled, like she was expecting this.


-No thank you, I’m fine.


There was a 3 second pause and the Deputy started talking.


-So, Miss Bennett from New York…what’s your business these parts?


Diana resented the look and tone of the words and adopted a more firm look. Frank noticed it right away.

-Deputy Mitchell, first I have to ask you discretion about the matters that I am going to discuss with you. This is a delicate case and I must be discrete.


-Of course.


The serious look on his face reassured Diana.

-The matter is Laura Smith.


Frank’s face turned concerned and expectant at the same time.

-Laura Smith?


At first he thought that something had happened to her daughter.


-Is something wrong with Mary, Miss Bennett?


-No, no. Mary is fine. She was the one to ask me to do this, actually.


-To do what?...Oh! The amnesia.

-Yes. She asked me to find out something about her mother’s past, to help her remember.


-As crossed over your mind that Laura Smith doesn’t want to remember nothing, Miss Bennett? I’ve seen it happen all the time. Abused mothers that run away and that are so shocked by the eternal years of terror that the mind just blocks. I’ve seen it a couple of times happening on TV.


-Yes, but this is real life Deputy Mitchell. Laura may have a family out there, don’t you think?


-If there was someone out there missing her, I bet that they would have found her by now.


- Why haven’t you posted her on the Missing Person section of the police’s conjunct network? After all , she was amnesic and a stranger to these parts…


Franks started to become nervous, at took a sip of his coffee.

-I was going to do that, but Laura herself asked not to. After a while she was so accustomed to her new life that she didn’t want to learn about anything more about her past. She was going so well, that I thought it wasn’t necessary.


-That wasn’t a good call and you know that Deputy.


-When I found her on that road, miss Bennett, all bruised, cut and even burned. She was more dead than alive! Whatever life she had, it wasn’t a good one, believe me!


-And the baby?


-Mary was fine, Laura was holding her with a superhuman strength. It was hard for us to take the baby at the hospital. Laura couldn’t stop screaming…she was a mess.


Diana sympathised with Deputy’s reasons for withhold the information about Catherine from the police files on missing persons. However, it would have solved the problem, twenty years ago. She wouldn’t have missed it, for sure.


How things could be different now!, Diana thought.


- All right Deputy, said Diana getting up, I think that this is sufficient for now. I’ll get back to you as soon as I have some new information.


Diana extended her right hand and expected Frank’s hand in return. Her hand stood in the air for a few seconds still, while Mitchell got up and stood still. Finally he pushed his hand forward and sensed a even more firm and strong handshake by Diana’s firm hand. Her eyes were cold and shook Frank to the bone.


- Good morning, deputy, and Diana turned and walk through the door.


Frank was still recovering from the harsh handshake and he nervously rubbed his hand. Still a little bit shaky, he reached for his right drawer and, pulling out a small key form inside his pocket he opened it. Inside there were a few papers, important documents and other things. Among them there was a small black book, which he open and searched for a certain phone number. He quickly grabbed the telephone and pressed the right buttons. He waited, has someone picked up on the other end.


-Yes?- a deep voice asked.

TO BE CONTINUED IN PART V

"REUNITED" belongs to Inês Costa Any distribution, copy, shoul be made under her consent. Thanks

Para coleccionistas - For collectors

Aunque yo tengo ya la colección de cómics y no está en venta, he descubierto que en la web Todocoleccion.com tiene uno de los números de comic basados en la serie que se editaron en los 90.


**ENG:  Thought I have all comic colleccion and mine it's not for sale, I found out someone put for sale #1 of the series in Todocoleccion.com site. You can buy it at Todocoleccion.com.