Skin Deep By Thomas Mc
Chapter 3: Winterfest
As they were clearing the breakfast table the doorbell chimed and a few minutes later Elizabeth escorted a distinguished looking man into the parlor. Elizabeth brought the new visitor over and introduced him.
"Sparrow, this is Doctor Harold Peterson. He is an old friend of the family and a very good doctor."
Doctor Peterson smiled at her. "I've been asked to check you over and make sure that the pneumonia has cleared up and that you remain healthy."
He glanced at the others.
"Also David wants me to determine if it would be safe for you to go below for Winterfest." He added as he nodded toward David.
"Why don't we go up to your room so that I can examine you?" He gestured toward the spiral stairs. "Shall we?"
Once they reached her room the doctor directed her to sit on the vanity chair.
"Now young lady if you will remove your shirt we will make sure that your pneumonia is all cleared up and see just how serious the damage to your lungs really is."
A bit reluctantly she removed her shirt expecting a look of revulsion and pity from the doctor when he saw the extent of the scarring on her body. He barely showed any reaction to the sight. His only reaction was a slight frown as he looked over the scarred area. Then he pulled out his stethoscope and placed it on the unscarred side of her back.
"Now take a deep breath and hold it, please." He listened for a second.
"Now breathe out." He listened then nodded and shifted the stethoscope to a new location and repeated the procedure.
While this continued, Sparrow glanced over at the black antique doctor's bag that he had been carrying. She could just make out the name 'Dr. Jacob Wells' in badly worn letters on the side of the bag.
"Who is Doctor Jacob Wells?" She asked between breaths.
Doctor Peterson glanced at the ancient bag a moment.
"He was a very good man that helped to found the tunnel community and raised David's great grandfather, Vincent. Vincent was the first of their kind. I never actually met him personally. That doctor's bag was given to me by Teresa the day I graduated from medical school . . . Now breathe in."
After listening to her breathing from a half dozen locations he handed her a small electronic device and had her breath in and out through it several times while he examined the display of an other device he held in his hand. He nodded to himself as he took the device from her. While she put her shirt back on Doctor Peterson checked the results on the hand held device and made a few notations before continuing his examination.
Doctor Peterson seemed to be deep in thought as he put away his instruments after what had been very thorough examination of her. Sparrow was just a tiny bit concerned by his serious demeanor.
"Well doctor, am I going to live?"
He touched the screen of his device a couple of times then answered.
"Well, Sparrow, There is definite damage to your lungs but it is not as bad as I had feared. Your volume capacity is at about eighty nine percent and your oxygen absorption rate is at about seventy eight percent. With time and proper treatment we should be able to improve those numbers significantly.
" Doctor Peterson looked back at her with just a hint of a smile. "I suspect you will still be around for quite a long time yet young lady . . . providing you take proper care of yourself and stay away from damp moldy places."
Sparrow nodded as she absorbed what he had been telling her.
"I guess that means that this Winterfest thing they mentioned is out of the question." She remarked, a bit unsure just how she felt about it.
Doctor Peterson's face became serious as he continued. "I know that David would like to take you to Winterfest next week because he asked me about it." He reached into his bag and pulled out a small object. "And I know how much I think you would enjoy it. I also believe that the time you might spend at Winterfest could do you a lot of good emotionally."
He tilted his head as he looked her in the eye. "Now if you decide to attend Winterfest you will need this." He handed her the object that she recognized as an emergency asthma whiffer. "The medicine in this is very strong and that device only contains fifteen doses. You will need to take one dose at least ten minutes before heading down into the tunnels. After that you must use it at least once every hour and a half, or immediately if you feel the beginnings of an asthma like attack coming on."
She gazed at the object in her hand a moment then looked up at the doctor. "Um, thank-you Doctor."
Doctor Peterson held up his hand. "Like I said, that medicine is extremely strong and there are only fifteen doses. The side effects of continuous use can be very unpleasant so once that is gone you can not have any more for at least ten months. So use it sparingly, but don't hesitate to use it if you need it. Your lungs were damaged by heat and smoke inhalation and you can not afford any more bouts of pneumonia."
When they came down to the parlor Doctor Peterson smiled and nodded to David. "Sparrow is in relatively good health and I have given her the go ahead to attend Winterfest." He held up his hand. "As long as she follows certain precautions."
David responded. "That's wonderful." He smiled as he took Sparrow's hand. "You're going to love Winterfest."
~ x x x x x ~
Two days later Clarissa shook her head in frustration then glanced up. "I'm so sorry Sparrow. I've done a search of every database and I can find no records that match your fingerprints. It's possible that any records have been purged or sealed because of your age. Doctor Peterson said that the fire that scarred you probably happened when you were still a minor."
She touched Sparrow's hand in sympathy.
"Still no memory's from before?"
Sparrow shook her head. "Nothing. I've tried to think back but there is nothing there."
Clarissa cocked her head.
"I won't give up though. Tomorrow I'm going to try to run a DNA search. Even if you are not in the records a DNA search will probably be able to identify your family."
Sparrow looked down at the desk top. "I just hope that all of you aren't disappointed in me when you find out who I really am."
Clarissa shook her head.
"Honey, we already knows who you really are. The boys are empaths, remember? We're just trying to find out your name for you. The rest is just past history . . . an interesting story at best. We already know that you are not wanted by the law, because your fingerprints aren't in the system."
~ x x x x x ~
Sparrow was dressed in a lovely green high necked long dress that Elizabeth had given to her and matching green opera gloves. She had on the brown wig that matched her own natural hair color. David stayed close by her side as they made their way through the tunnels down to the Winterfest Hall. He seemed to have trouble keeping his eyes off of her during the trip. She became totally enthralled as they passed through the painted tunnels. Each image had a story to tell and she wanted to hear each one.
Finally they came to a long stone stairway that followed the wall of a vast windy chasm. Sparrow had to keep one hand on her wig to keep it from being blown away as she made her way down the long stairway along the abyss wall. The way the wind was whipping her hair around, it was not doing a very good job of hiding the scars on her face and she had a tendency to hug the wall, turning the scarred side away from those near her. David had stuck close to her side the whole time since they started heading below. His strong presence between her and the edge of the abyss made her feel safe despite her fear of heights that she had until now been unaware of.
As Jacob pushed the massive wooden doors open David held out his hand to Sparrow. "Will you let me lead you through the darkness?"
There was such gentle kindness in his golden yellow eyes that she couldn't refuse his invitation. Her dark vision in her one good eye was not very strong to begin with and she was unable to see anything in that very dark chamber so she had to rely on David to guide her through. He led her to a table and sat her in the chair that she could barely make out then took the chair next to her. While sitting nervously in that dark gloom she tried to adjust her wind blown hair back into place and discovered that the wig seemed to naturally fall back into place on its own. It was just one more indication of how expensive the two wigs they had given her must have been. She felt David give her arm a reassuring squeeze which helped to allay some of her nervousness at the darkness around her.
Then a light flared at the head of the table as Jacob's voice floated through the darkness and the ceremony began. Soon she was looking around in undisguised open mouthed wonder as the flame was passed from candle to candle and the slowly increasing illumination of the opening ceremony revealed the natural beauty of the Great Winterfest Hall. Then her attention was drawn back to David as he leaned over and lit her candle which for some reason sent a shiver up her spine. She became aware of a strong sense of fear spreading through her as she stared frozen at the lighted candle in her hand.
David leaned in and told her to pass it on to Clarissa who was sitting on the other side of her. This broke her paralysis and she shakily turned and passed the flame along. As soon as she had lit Clarissa's candle she hastily placed her candle in the holder before her with a sigh of relief. She looked over to see the understanding sympathy in David's eyes and turned away. Then she noticed for the first time that Doctor Peterson was seated on the other side of Clarissa.
Sparrow soon found herself deeply moved and felt a hint of tears in her eyes as the meaning of the words being recited combined with the growing brightness of the large cavern began to touch her soul. Finally at the end of the ceremony the two massive chandeliers were raised and Sparrow gasped in amazement as the flickering light of hundreds of candles caused the quartz and mica embedded in the cavern walls to glitter like millions of stars. Everywhere she looked there were hung some of the most beautiful and fascinating tapestries she was sure that anyone had ever seen, each with images of far off places woven into them. Ever since she had come 'below', as they called these tunnels, she had felt as though she were passing through a living fairy tale.
The feast that was brought out next was bountiful and mouth watering and her focus returned to the table before her as the tantalizing aroma of the food penetrated her attention. She glanced over at David who smiled reassuringly back at her then she dug in and was soon enjoying the best meal the she could ever imagine. With the exception of the occasional exchange of comments with David, she simply sat there enjoying her delicious meal while quietly listening, fascinated, to the ebb and flow of the interesting conversations around her as the subjects seemed to travel across the tables like waves.
Her reverie was interrupted by a gentle nudge from Clarissa and she glanced over at her curiously. Clarissa tiled her head toward Doctor Peterson. "The Doctor wanted me to remind you that it is time to take another dose of your medicine."
Sparrow pulled the whiffer out then glanced around a bit embarrassed. The young girl across the table from her nodded encouragingly. "Go ahead hon, most of us know that you need that in order to be able to attend Winterfest. No one is going to mind."
~ o ~
Soon the meal was done and David and the other men began clearing the food from the tables then they started moving the tables off to the side of the great chamber. A small group of people took up positions atop a makeshift stage that had been setup beneath the back stairway and began tuning up various instruments that they had brought with them. Around the peripheral of the cavern various activities were set up including an area near the main doors that had all types of games set out for those that were interested in them. A couple of street entertainers from 'above' set up in another area and began entertaining the younger children. Drinks and snacks were set up near the bottom of the back stairway with a couple of tables and benches set up next to the refreshments.
Left temporarily on her own Sparrow wandered around the peripheral of the chamber examining the fascinating tapestries that were hung there. A couple of times she stopped at the edge of a small knot of people listening to their conversation and soaking up the friendly warmth that seemed to permeate the chamber. With her Veronica Lake hair style covering her scars, she was a lovely picture of a petite pixy that drew the gaze of many of the men. Those that didn't know her would never have guessed at the ravaged condition of her left side.
Then music began to fill the cavern and the central area of the floor was cleared for dancing. Sparrow heard the music from the other side of the chamber and drifted over until she found herself standing at the edge of the clearing, that had become the dance floor, listening to the music.
David appeared at her side just as the improvised band launched into a softer mellower tune. He took her hand. "May I have this dance?" He started to draw her resisting out onto the dance floor.
"I don't know how to dance." She protested as she looked for an avenue of escape.
David smiled at her, his fangs barely peeking out. "It's really very easy." He responded. "We just hold on to each other and all you have to do is shuffle your feet and sway to the music." He grinned, his fangs now clearly displayed and his eyes sparkling engagingly. "Just follow my lead and let the rhythm of the music move you." He pulled her close and placed his other arm around her.
Sparrow felt a thrill go through her at the feel of David's arms around her waist. She looked up into his leonine face so close to hers that she could feel his breath tickling her ear. He smiled at her and she felt a warm glow spread through her. Then she was only aware that she was within his strong arms and moving to the soft romantic music. She felt her cheek tingle to his warm breath and closed her eyes reveling in the feelings that were drifting through her. David glanced down at her face as he felt her emotions and smiled. This was the first time he had felt her at peace since he had first met her.
To her disappointment the song finally came to an end. Then the band began a waltz and she turned to leave the dance floor but David still had hold of her hand and stopped her. "It's only a waltz." He told her. "It's a very easy dance to learn. I'll teach you." He pulled her in close and placed his other arm around her waist again. "Now watch my feet and copy my steps. Leave the rest up to me . . . on the count of three . . . one, two, three." And they were in motion. With his instruction, she was soon into the rhythm of the waltz and again enjoying the feeling of dancing in David's arms.
Sparrow continued dancing with David through several more numbers. Each time a new type of dance came up she would try to beg off but David would draw her back and patiently teach her the new steps. The only one she was not able to master was something called 'the Charleston' but her embarrassment was soon allayed by the laughter of all the others that were also having difficulty and she was soon also laughing along with the rest of the dancers.
After they finished the Charleston, David drew her over to a spot near the stairs where they were serving refreshments. They got drinks and a handful of snacks then made their way over to one of the tables arrayed around the outer edge of the great chamber and sat down. David sensed the happy glow that had settled over Sparrow and was pleased. In the short week she had been living in the brownstone he had developed a real affection for her.
After a short while a very pretty young girl came over and asked David to dance. He politely declined, saying that he had already promised the next dance to Sparrow.
Sparrow looked at David, puzzled as the disappointed girl walked away. "When did you promise me?"
David smiled. "I promised myself." Then he held out a small chocolate treat to her. "Try one of these. Clarissa makes them."
A few minutes later David escorted her back out onto the dance floor.
After several dances David sensed that Sparrow was getting a little tired and brought her over to the back stairs where she had earlier noticed several couples sitting. "These stairs are considered a sanctuary. No one can ask you to dance while you are sitting on the back stairs." He grinned at her. "It's a kind of Winterfest tradition."
While they rested on the stairway David told her a little about the origin and traditions surrounding Winterfest. He would also occasionally point out certain individuals and tell her little bits about that person. After they were rested they left the stairway to others seeking its refuge and made their way over to where a magician was entertaining the children with a few magic tricks.
A little while later they were again out on the dance floor. Slowly Sparrow became aware that David had consistently chosen her over several other very pretty girls that had offered to be his dance partner. As that epiphany invaded her mind she became aware of a tiny nugget of fear in the back of her mind which puzzled her. She wasn't afraid of David. She had gotten past that after that first day she had eaten breakfast with his family but still that little hint of fear would not go away.
David spoke to her quietly. "Are you OK, Sparrow?"
Sparrow looked up into his eyes. "I think so."
"Do you want to stop?" There was a hint of worry in his eyes.
At that point she realized that he was sensing her fear. She still had trouble getting used to the idea that he could sense her emotions. She felt the need to reassure him. "No, I'm fine. I don't want to stop." She smiled up at him. "I don't know where the fear is coming from but it's not because of you and I really like dancing with you."
He pulled her close and the warm feeling she felt in his arms reasserted itself, pushing the puzzling fear away.
~ o ~
It was getting late and Sparrow was beginning to run out of steam as she pulled out her whiffer and used it. David looked at her critically for a moment. "I think it's about time for you to head back above." He smiled at her giving a courtly bow. "May I escort you home my lady."
She blushed. "But I don't want to drag you away from your party." She protested.
"Not a problem, I would love to accompany you back home. You would never be able to find your way on your own, anyway." He grinned and held out his elbow to her. "Shall we?"
After a moment's hesitation, she took his arm and they started toward the stairway at the back of the chamber. She glanced at him curiously. "Where are we going?"
He smiled back. "This is the back way up and it is much shorter than the way we came down. It completely bypasses the painted tunnels and the Great Abyss.
Twenty minutes later they entered the brownstone and David walked her up the stairs right up to her bedroom door. He smiled at her. "Good night Sparrow." Then to her surprise he leaned in and kissed her sending shockwaves all the way down to her toes. They broke from the kiss and he again smiled at her. "See you tomorrow morning." Then he turned away and entered his bedroom next door to hers. Sparrow was walking in a daze as she entered her bedroom.
As she prepared for bed she removed her wig. Though she always avoided looking in the mirror whenever she was not wearing one of the two wigs they had given her, she still caught a glimpse of her reflection. "What could he possibly see in me?" She commented under her breath as her scarred hand came up and touched the scarred side of her face. "It must be sympathy. I'm fooling myself to think that he could really want this." She dropped her hand and turned toward her bed. "Still the attention is nice."
As she slowly drifted off to sleep her mind kept wandering back to the delicious feel of dancing with David's arms around her. Those were memories that she definitely wanted to hold on to.
~ x x x x x ~
It was the day after Winterfest and normally Elizabeth and Clarissa took this day off but there were a couple of cases that needed their immediate attention so they had both come in about mid-morning for a half a day. As she approached her desk Clarissa noticed a large overnight shipping envelope, that had not been there before, sitting prominently in the middle of her desk. The words 'Official Case File – To be opened by addressee only' were prominently printed across the front and back of the envelope. Her curiosity peaked, she opened it and began to peruse the case file folder she found inside.
Tears soon filled Clarissa's eyes as she looked through the folder. The story inside was almost too much for her to take. Her job had exposed her to the worst side of human behavior, but she had never encountered a story this tragic or an example of barbaric behavior this evil.
The search she had ordered of the DNA databases had finally hit pay dirt with three hits on a seven year old case number so she had requested a copy of the case file be sent to her. Now she was sorry that she had ever started that damn search.
She looked up to compose herself, wiping her eyes with a tissue, and thought of that sweet sad girl they all knew as Sparrow then looked back down at the police reports contained in that folder as she mumbled under her breath.
"Oh, Sparrow, you poor, poor, child. How did you ever manage to survive this?"
She sighed deeply.
"How can I possibly tell you about this without doing more harm than has already been done?" She shook her head sadly.
"Do I even dare tell you your real name? What if learning your name triggers your memories? . . . Maybe losing your memory was the best thing that could have happened to you."
She sighed shaking her head. "What should I do?" She looked over at Elizabeth's office.
Clarissa stood up and, handling the folder like it was an unstable explosive, headed for Elizabeth's office. She really needed her mother's advice on this matter.
Continued in Part 4
'Beauty and the Beast' and its characters are owned by Witt-Thomas Productions and Republic Pictures. No infringement on copyrights is intended. This story is presented merely for the enjoyment of fans. Original concepts and story elements may be used by other authors as long as appropriate credit is given.
| 
