Ok...I think I've figured this out. I would like to point out that I am almost completely unfamiliar with modern technology and therefore progress with this story and mastering the Doc Manager thingie may be slow, so bear with me.

The story thus far: We've been introduced to Orianne, who seems incredibly down on her luck and has the habit of telling people more than she should...which may have already gotten her in trouble. We shall see...*dun dun dunnn*

Disclaimer: I own nothing related to this story. Though I do have every Phantom-related book known to man, including the Forsythian nightmare known as Phantom of Manhattan. *shudder*

BTW: I used Claudin as Erik's last name. It's his last name in the 1943 movie version. I have no idea where everybody keeps getting Destler from. And I'm certainly not using Mulheim.

Father Mansart was a balding man of about fifty who looked worn from hearing years of confessions and doling out penances. He met me at his little house behind the church where he lived in humble piety. I found this rather strange. Most priests in Bordeaux were anything but humble and pious.

"My child, I must admit that I am surprised at your offer. None have come to help Madame Claudin in her time of need. She lost her husband at such a young age. They weren't even married a year. And then her child…when she first saw him, she wished them both dead. I was there to baptize him the night he was born. The girl questioned if it was a cruelty not to feed him."

I was taken aback. What mother would not want to feed their child? "Surely he is not monstrous as everyone says?"

"You are not a local." he stated, rather than asked. "Everyone in the village fears the child, and condemns the mother as a witch." He paused. "She is young and misguided. She only pays attention to all that is beautiful."

"So…the child is ugly."

"More than that. Madame Claudin's previous housemaid fled the house the night of the birth and came to fetch me. When she reached my doorstep she was pale and trembling and refused to go back."

I could not believe I was hearing this from a priest. "Do you think it would be wise to offer my services?" I asked.

"I do not think Madame Claudin would be accepting of your help, but perhaps if I accompanied you, she might change her mind."

And so, I found myself journeying to the edge of town accompanied by the priest. As I got further and further away from the village proper my sense of dread grew. How awful was the sight which I would inevitably be shown? I steeled myself and vowed not to scream.

Before I could think twice, Father Mansart knocked on the door.

He turned to me. "Are you sure you want to do this, my child?"

"I've run out of options." I replied.

A very pretty girl answered the door. She appeared to be younger than me. Her auburn hair was well-coifed and she wore a gown of the latest fashion.

She wrinkled her perfect brow as soon as she saw me. "Good day, Father Mansart. I see you've brought a visitor."

"This is Mademoiselle Orianne Duval. She has consulted me about offering her services as a housemaid to you and a nursemaid to Erik."

"I can manage the housework on my own, but if she wants to be a nursemaid to the little…" she caught herself, "to Erik, she's perfectly welcome. Would you care to come inside, Mademoiselle Duval?"

"Shall I leave?" asked the priest. He leaned in to her and said in a low voice, "Madeleine, it is God's grace that brought her here. Just remember that."

"I will, Father. Thank you." She closed the door behind him and turned to me. "So, mademoiselle, where are you from? You cannot be a resident of Boscherville."

"From Bordeaux, Madame. My mother has recently died and I was making my way to England."

"You would have been better off," she remarked. "Why did you stop here?"

"I…I need sufficient money for passage, Madame."

"So I am to expect you to stay only long enough to get it?"

"That depends."

She placed a hand on her hip and glared at me with steely eyes. "On what?"

I stumbled for an answer. "Well…if I find I am comfortable enough, I may stay. And I think my English needs improvement before I cross the water. I could not possibly make my way as it is now."

"Hmm…" she gathered her thoughts. "I am prepared to make a deal with you. As payment, I will start by giving you lessons in English. When you've made satisfactory progress, and if Erik is no longer entirely dependent on you, I shall start paying money."

She was sly, and she knew she had me right where she wanted me. I should not have told her anything more than my need for money. But then, she probably still would have figured out a way to cheat me. But I did not protest. I had gotten what I wanted.

"Very well," I replied. "When would you like me to start?"

"Today, if you can." She turned and proceeded up the stairs. "Shall I show you to Erik's room?

She led me up to the attic and pushed open the door. A small dog sat by the cradle, half asleep. When it saw us, it began growling.

"Oh, Sasha, must you do that?" Madame picked her up and carried her out into the corridor, closing the door before the dog can get back in. "I sometimes wonder if she thinks she is the thing's mother." She led me over to the cradle and folded back the blanket, revealing a skeletal baby with an untied mask over its face. "Now, Mademoiselle, I must ask that you prepare yourself for a shock. If you can, try not to scream. He will wake and then you will see how truly horrible he is."

"Madame, why is he so thin? Do you not feed him?" I wondered if she had not taken the Father's advice and was not caring for him at all.

She sneered. "He rarely eats if I try to."

"Have you thought that he might be ill?"

"He's been like that since he was born." Looking wistful, she added, "I pray every day that he will soon die."

"What?!" I gasped. "Why—"

She cut me short. "Do you wish to keep your job? Then let me show you…"

And with that, she removed his mask.

Will she run? Will she scream? Maybe both? Tune in whenever I get around to updating for the next exciting episode! In the meantime, reviews are appreciated.