RUFF, RUFF, GRRRRRRR! RUFF! SNARL! "Oh My God! Damn Dogs!" I ran like it was the last time I would ever run again. 'There is the fence' I sped up so I could launch myself up that fence and jump over it. Yeah, well the launch didn't exactly help me to clear it. I was a foot from the top. I pushed my foot up over the edge. "OUCH!" I cried. I glanced down at my skirt. It had a long rip, as it was caught on the top of the spiked fence. Since there was a rip, I could see to my leg. Blood slowly dripped down my leg. It was throbbing as I used my legs to push me up to keep me from resting on the spikes. 'Okay just lift your foot over and jump.' CHING RUFF RUFF!
I looked over and the dogs had reached the fence. I could feel the fence vibrating as they jumped against it on their hind legs trying to get at me. I soon lost my balance and fell off the top of the fence, luckily I landed outside of my "Master's" property. Yes, he was my master. When I was little I was sold to him. I was forced to do his chores or whatever popped into his sick little mind. Luckily, someone always showed up or something happened or I got away before it got too far. Of course, when I would escape and he found me later I was always in for some lashings. There was probably very little skin left on my back that wasn't scar tissue. Suddenly, my ankle was throbbing horribly. I looked at it and it had already swollen to 4 times its size. "Ugh! Curse you fence, why is it always me that breaks my bones? Why couldn't it have been those ungrateful dogs? I took one last look at that horrible house I was escaping. 'OH GOD! Lay still' I told myself. I saw a man with a lantern step on to the stairs leaving his house. 'Those cursed dogs are going to give me away!' So I stood up and ran as fast as my legs and wounded ankle would carry me.
Trust me, it wasn't very fast at all, but I limped all the way out of sight. There was only one problem, "Master" would be looking for me. I also knew he would eventually find me. I walked, or should I say, limped until morning. I happened upon a few buildings, and asked a nearby villager where I was. "My dear, you are in beautiful Paris. Didn't you know?" the old woman asked. I shook my head. "I had no idea." I replied. "Well Christine, when will you be heading back to the opera house? My husband is heading that way, he would be glad to take you in his carriage." she said. "Umm, I'm sorry Madame but I'm afraid you have me confused with someone else. My name is Lily, Lily Cetey O'Clair." I said. "OH! I'M SORRY MY DEAR! I thought you were Christine, she is a ballerina up at the opera house, you look just like her. She was recently married to the Vicomte De Chagny. My it was a beautiful wedding. He invited the whole town."
"What opera house?" I asked. "Why my dear, the world famous OPERA POPULAIRE! You should go there, I'm sure you could find some work there, you have the dancer's figure. As I said before, my husband is headed that way to go to the market for me. I sure he would be glad to take you," she offered. "That would be wonderful!" I exclaimed, maybe they would have some job openings, I will be in need of work, but I don't think I could be a dancer, not with my ankle like this. Ugh, it hurts like crazy! It's still throbbing! So I got into the carriage and I headed off to the OPERA POPULAIRE! I sat in the back of the carriage as the old man drove in the front. I had the whole inside of the carriage to myself, I was wonderful for me to put my acheing foot up. Every once in a while we would hit a bump and my foot would hit the wall across from me. UGH! That hurt so bad, It was almost as if I wanted to cut my foot off to stop the pain. Of course, I knew that wouldn't do any good. Then I heard tapping on the roof of the carriage. The old man had started smacking the roof to get my attention. "Look out yer winder. QUITE A VEIW, HUH?" he said. I glanced out the window, and there it was. THE OPERA POPULAIRE!