"Let's go to mon appartemont Marie. There's one more thing I have for you" exclaimed Raphael. Embarrassed, he looked down. Will Charlie reveal my identity? he shook his head and regained his composure. Maybe not. My whereabouts are unknown. Perhaps Charlie is aware of my strength, I shouldn't worry about her. Raphael took Marie's hand, opened the doors as a gentleman should and led her to his home.
Fondue stayed obediently beside them. The dog was silent picking up on the small chatter of the curious couple. The sun was starting to set on this beautiful winter day and the sky was a pleasant shade of orange. Marie wasn't too cold because she had her coat on over her sparkly white dress.
As they walked over the threshold of the home Raphael shut the door behind him. He lifted his hand from the handle, moving it towards Marie who was setting her violin case down. He brushed her hair back behind her ears. Their eyes met, looking at each other with the same nostalgic feeling. Marie lit up and a bright blush was on her cheeks.
A single sheet of paper laid hidden between books. It was now dark outside and the moon was giving Paris its nightly glow. A sickeningly bitter smell filled the air. Marie and Raphael coughed. They felt themselves being dragged down by an unexplainable force. "What's going on Raphael?" Marie panicked. The room once still, started to spin and spots covered their vision. Raphael's stomach turned and Marie went pale. They keeled over, feeling nauseated. The spots became no more and the world went black.
"Aroo!" Fondue looked at his master and Marie who were lying motionless on the ground. "Aroo!" he barked, trying to wake them up. The air wasn't effecting him, for it hadn't sifted its way to the floor yet. Fondue knew what to do. The courageous dog went towards the closed door carefully pawing his way to not step on his dear family. He had no time to lose though and was determined. He jumped, placing his paw on the door like he had seen his master do with his hands. The door wasn't locked, Raphael had only closed it. Fondue kept jumping. After fumbling with it a few times Fondue miraculously opened the door.
He ran out to the murky Paris streets seeking help from the only humans he knew.
Where could Marie be? worried Duchess Elizabeth. It's unlike her to break curfew. Fondue barked furiously at the duchesses' door. She opened it not excepting to see a familiar snow covered fellow especially at this hour. "You're Phantom R's dog" she exclaimed. She had a bad feeling about this but kept it to herself. "Do you know where Marie is?" Fondue barked again and shook his snout as if to say yes. Alfred came to Elizabeth's side alerted to duty by all the commotion. Fondue broke into a run. "Let's follow the dog, what do we have to lose?" stated Alfred. Both Alfred and Elizabeth ran after him being watchful of the desolate streets.
Raphael looked around. It was a brisk twilight and he was trapped, his wrists tied tightly behind his back and to a chair. A man was pushing his head down so all he could see was the dirt ground. "Raphael! Help!" a girl said hoarsely. Raphael jolted his head back at full strength resisting the weight of the man's hand. "Stop struggling or they'll all die sooner" the man responded. The shadowy figure emerged and released his grip, gesturing to the trees. The cry of help came from Marie who was beside Isaac, Fondue, and Charlie. They were dressed in black, their clothes tattered and torn. The four of them were hung to the trees with ropes tied to their necks. Charlie was grabbing the rope trying to release herself. Not succeeding, she grimaced as the man pulled tighter. From her lips escaped an anguished cry of pain. The man was no longer in sight. He watched as the people he loved slipped away from him.
Raphael woke up trembling and petrified with fear. It had felt so real. He propped himself on one elbow and was overcome with dizziness. The room he was now in was bright and cheerful, the sun peeking in though a small window casting a warm glow despite being winter. Songbirds outside chirped pleasantly. Where's Marie? Where am I? his head throbbed. He covered his face with his hands. There was a quiet knock.
"Didn't mean to startle you Master Raphael" said Alfred kindly. Raphael suddenly realized where he was and longed to see Marie. "Are you ok?" he inquired. "I think so..." Raphael replied. "What happened? Is Marie ok?" Alfred sighed "Your dog's sagacity brought you and Marie to the manse. We're not sure what happened. As for Marie, she's still sleeping".
Raphael nodded. Marie was okay! He had put her in danger and yet had only been responded with help. "Thank you Alfred, is there any way I can return the favour?" he said minding his manners. "You've done more than enough for us and Paris as Phantom R. If you need anything do not hesitate to ask." Alfred exited the room and Fondue rushed to his side and onto the mattress that Raphael was on. "Come 'ere Fondue"
Fondue nuzzled up beside his master. Raphael stroked his dog's fur, incredibly proud of his dog.
"Good job boy. Let's go see Marie."