A/N: This is a short I did for a writing prompt that asked us to write a story under 350 words. It's not epic, but I wanted to share it.
"What is it called?"
Quasimodo's voice carried through the insides of the tower, resounding off the inner walls of each bell.
He stood in the shadow of the bell he had named Big Marie. Esmeralda, beside him, rested her elbows on the table to give herself a closer view of the contraption, her thick raven locks curtaining her face.
After a moment, she lifted one of its pieces, adjusted it so that she was holding it like an oversized poker. Then, much to Quasimodo's bewilderment, she spoke to it.
"Hello! . . . Hello?"
Her greeting was tentative, as if she were aware of the strangeness of her own behavior. Quasimodo touched her arm, concerned.
"Esmeralda . . .?"
Esmeralda lifted a finger to his lips. "Hush, Quasi."
She brought the strange object closer. " Are you there? I know you can hear me."
Quasimodo began to retreat, headed for the stairwell, beginning to feel that he had cause to worry.
"I'm going to get Phoebus."
"I'm trying to call Phoebus right now."
This brought the bemused Quasimodo to a halt. Phoebus was nowhere in sight - he saw only the object that Esmeralda was holding to her face.
Esmeralda set it down, with a sound of exasperation. "Phoebus! Is this one of your jokes? If so, it's Quasi's birthday, and it's really not the -"
The ringing of a bell - a tiny, shrill bell - cut her off abruptly, even as Quasimodo nearly jumped out of his skin.
Instantly, the strange object was at Esmeraldas mouth again. She spun about, green eyes alight and dancing.
"Quasi, come here!"
Her excitement was infectious, and Quasimodo hurried over, forgetting his trepidation. "What is it?"
Then, Phoebus's deep, smooth voice entered and filled the tower. It was as if a magical creature had snatched it up and borne it there.
"Happy birthday, Quasi. Well? Do you like it?"
Quasi took a shaky step backwards, eliciting laughter from Esmeralda.
"It's a phone, Quasi - a voice vessel with a bell."