Different From This Hell I'm Living
By Sara E. DeVaney
It was fall in the year 1822 and nineteen year old Fantine was out for her evening stroll.
She took in a deep breath and made her way down the streets of Paris, lost in thought of the trees and the cool evening breeze.
She flipped her long blond braid over her shoulder and hummed gently to herself.
She was happy for no particular reason at all.
Just happy about the leaves in the fall.
"Aren't you looking pretty today, Mad'moiselle?" said a cool voice from behind her.
"G-good evening, Monsieur," she said in her timid and shy voice.
"Come a little closer, dearie," said the voice again. A man stepped out of the shadows.
His clothes torn and ragged, but he was smiling an evil smile. Fantine knew what he was – a pimp. She tried to get away from him, but he grabbed her wrist and swung her around.
Nine months later, Fantine holds a screaming baby in her arms. The baby is her daughter, Cosette.