Fifteen years ago
The walls were crumbling. The floor was shaking. She could hear them getting closer, and she knew she didn't have much time.
Fantine raised her right hand and circled it carefully, creating a small golden portal. She winced as she felt another piece of the ceiling crash to the floor behind her. They were almost there.
She turned to the bundle of blue fabric in her arms. An elfin face surrounded by golden blonde hair peeked out at her. Her darling Euphrasie was still asleep, thank the Dragon. Fantine planted a kiss on her daughter's head, and with a heavy heart placed her into the portal. She saw the child's eyes open, and confusion cross her face as she wondered why her mother was no longer holding her, before the portal closed and spirited the infant away to another dimension.
One where she would be safe, where darkness would not be able to find her.
Fantine smiled at the knowledge that her daughter would not die, and turned to face her fate.