A DISCOVERY
IN ELIZABETH’S TUNNELS

Story by JoAnn Baca

Art by Amber N. Shelton

“I’m curious about what she wants to show you.”

Vincent had been in his chamber with Catherine, enjoying some rare one-on-one time, when Mouse had burst in, waving a folded note. He had proceeded to recite its entire contents, right down to the “Love, Elizabeth,” before handing it over and dashing out as quickly as he’d come in.

Catherine was still laughing over the unexpected performance, but now she turned to her companion. “There’s only one way to find out what ‘Come visit me, I have something for you to see’ means. Shall we go to the Painted Tunnels now?”

He shrugged, resigned to their day taking an unexpected turn…as so many of them did when Catherine was Below. Holding out a hand to her, he said, “I know a shortcut.”

It had been a while since either of them had ventured to Elizabeth’s gallery. They noted a few new pieces had been added: Eric and Ellie were there now, as was Lena and her little Cathy, and some newer items that were in the sketching stage. Was this what Elizabeth meant them to see?

“Ah, there you two are!”

The voice was unmistakable. They turned to find the community’s painter in residence smiling at them, brushes in one hand, an open pot of black paint in the other.

“Hello, children!” She laid her small burdens down on the ground. “Didn’t expect that odd boy to get you here so quickly.”

“We can come at a better time if we’re interrupting,” Vincent said.

“No, no, I’m ready for a break. Visits are more important than my small chores anyway. Here…” She reached out, taking each of them by a hand. “Come this way.”

She led them off down the familiar passageway, but continued well past the point where her paintings no longer graced the tunnel walls. Vincent cast Catherine a confused look. Then the old woman made an abrupt right turn and entered a cramped side tunnel that Vincent had to turn sideways to traverse. His confusion turned to bafflement, as he had no memory of this pathway.

“Almost there…” Suddenly, Elizabeth halted them. “Here.” She looked over her shoulder at Catherine. “Narcissa found this place for me. It’s not on the maps, she said.”

“It’s not,” Vincent confirmed. “I don’t recognize this area at all.”

“Ah, well, you know Narcissa. Best not to question her about things, just accept whatever she says.” Elizabeth let their hands go and stepped forward a few more paces. “Start here, Catherine. You can look, too, Vincent.”

She squeezed behind them so they could move forward into a cavern about half the size of Vincent’s chamber. It was lit from above by some kind of reflected light but they still needed the lanterns set by the entrance to view what was clearly a series of paintings along several of the smooth rock walls.

Astonishment lit Catherine’s features as she slowly traveled from the earliest images on the left, down one long wall and over to another. She smiled and even laughed at the pictures, done with obvious love and a bit of whimsey. “These are wonderful, Elizabeth,” she enthused. “Has Father seen them?”

“Oh, no…he might not like them all, so why get him into a tizzy when it’s unnecessary.” She smiled. “It’s my own personal gallery but I thought, with your upcoming wedding, it was time both of you knew about it.” She pointed to the unpainted walls. “There’s room for many more paintings, as you can see. So you two go ahead making memories and let this place be your special album for them.”

Vincent, astonished and a little embarrassed, turned to hug his old friend. “I’m touched…and honored. Thank you for this.”

Elizabeth stood in the entryway, watching the couple as they continued to gaze at her secret labor of love. She had a special place in her heart for this one child of the Tunnels. This was the best gift she could think of for him, for his very special love…and for the children she knew would help her fill the remaining walls.