I've decided, seeing as though I suddenly have a lot of spare time on my hands, to write another chapter. I don't thank the last on had quite the effect I wanted it two and lacked character. So in this chapter, I've decided to delve more into the newer characters personality, as they'll all play a key role in what is to come. So, per usual, please be kind but feel free to criticize.
And thanks to FunkyBubble14 for the wonderful review. In this chapter I will try to develop the two better, but I don't want to give too much away. There will be a few hints here. I'm hoping that the relationship between the two newest will come along very well. Thanks again.
And don't worry Phanatic01 I will keep it going. Though i'm not as pleased with this chapter than my others. An you will see if she is this wise angel. Maybe. Maybe not.
Thank you.
So for the first time someone has recognised the Phantom as a true human being. Hope has sparked again. But what do we know of our astute teacher? I think we should take a break from our sorrowful specter and delve into the world of light once again. Finally get a glimpse of the heroine of our tale. Miss Cendrillon Armelle.
Four Days After The Encounter
The young maiden made herself tea inside the comfort of her cosy cottage. Weary from a day of calming down frightened and tearful children, she leant back in her chair. For now she could enjoy the quiet and-
"Cendrillon. I'm hungry." Damien walked through to her living room, leaning in the door way with a book in his hand. Cendrillon sighed.
"I wish you would cal me Auntie sometimes Dammy." She walked up to him and ruffled his hair. But he batted her away with a growl.
"It's because you're not my Auntie!" Cendrillon recoiled and looked down. The boy growled and stormed back up the stairs.
"But what about dinner?!" She shouted up after him, hoping he would come down and speak to her. To no avail of course.
"I'm not hungry anymore!" He slammed his door shut and clambered into bed. Great.
Sick of staying inside, she shrugged on her coat and her walking boots, setting out into the night. She would often do this. Sometimes she'd walk for hours on end, finding herself deep in the woods; She would always be too deep in thought to notice where she was.
Lately life had become strenuous on her. A new job, a new home, a child to take care of. Sometimes it was too much. Her last job was simple: washing linens, dusting book cases, pouring wine. Educated, but with no place to go.
She sighed as once again she seemed to have made it deep into the woods. Looking left to right, she noticed she had no clue where she was.
"Oh my..." As she murmured to herself, a light crying could be heard in the dark. She turned her head toward it quickly. It sounded like an animal in pain.
Moving as fast as her tall shoes would allow she followed the sad sound. Suddenly the ground got boggy and she slipped. "Whoop!" SHe exclaimed as her shoe got stuck in the mud and she fell into a thick patch of moss and mud. Despite her situation and despite herself she laughed. A tiny giggle slipped from her lips.
Then she heard the whimpering again. As she carried on the whimpering and moaning grew louder, she moved quicker. When she finally reached the poor creature, it was too weak.
A gorgeously golden dog lay whimpering, leg trapped in a fox trap. "You poor dear..." Cendrillon tried to release it quickly, but her lack in strength meant that it was released slowly. All of the way through she kept her eyes tight shut. Shaking her head and apologising. When it sprung open, it was too late. It was gone.
With a tear in her eye she picked it up. Noticing that it had deep scars in its skin, slashes and bites. A fighting dog. She picked it up in her arms, holding it close and sang.
"Poor and pitiful creature,
what kind of life have you know?
Rejected, harmed and battered,
You are not alone."
She held it close and started to walk out of the woods. Unsure of her whereabouts, still. But her feet eventually led her back...there. To that dark and abysmal place. Rivier Chateau. She walked to a tree and placed the dog beneath it. Then, with all the courage she could muster, walked to the door. Where she timidly knocked. Bringing a sombre Phantom from his music.
What now?! Visitors?! Surely not. I made it quite clear to that woman I wanted to be alone, can Madame Giry not even follow the simplest of orders? Or maybe she has become dumber in her old age... When he did not answer, she knocked again. A growl of dismay slipped from him and he found himself dragging his old feet to the door. Muttering to himself as he did so.
"This is why I so very despise houses. Display ones door and suddenly the world comes knocking. I haven't the time nor the patience to answer to cold callers or business men. First thing tomorrow i'm building a fence around this house. I'll be damned if I keep continuing to answer this door to vagabonds and ruffians looking for a place to sta-"
" I am no ruffian Monsieur!" A rather offended Cendrillon was stood at his window which he must have left open by mistakes. And it wasn't like him to make mistakes. He froze where he stood, staring at the woman hoisted up to his window by her hands. Then quickly turned away, holding his face remembering he left his mask upstairs.
"What are you doing?! This is breaking and entering! I have every right to hang you myself!" He yelled as he stumbled around the lobby trying to find his spare mask. The woman from the window laughed musically and it irked him further. "SILENCE!"
She went cold inside at the deepness and commanding tone of his voice.
"I-I'm sorry Monsieur. I was just wondering if I...could borrow a shovel?" The Phantom scoffed, turning around as he placed his mask on.
"Right! You probably came to mock me! Roll up and see the Phantom! The Ghost! The monster!" He ran over with his Punjab lasso, ready to wrap around her neck. But she jumped back just in time.
He jumped out of the window after her, when she bounded away, she'd fallen and was now crawling along the floor. Small and helpless. Attempting to get away she kept crawling backwards.
"Please Monsieur, I did not mean to intrude! I'll leave I promise!" She screamed; fearful for her life. Eventually, she backed into a tree. The lasso wrapped around her neck, tight. And as she stared deep into his amber eyes, she knew... She was done.
It was all over now.
Damien woke the next morning to silence. No breakfast being made, no singing from the bathroom. Cendrillon was gone. He did as best he could to dress himself. But he found his buttons and tie difficult. So he threw on a coat and walked to school. All of the children where there, waiting to get in. But she was nowhere to be seen.
The troubled boy sat by himself as the other children played, laughed and made jokes. He snarled at them and turned away. I'm too good for them. He brushed back his hair and stared off into the distance. If father saw me here, he'd surely have a heart attack. A ball rolled over to him and tapped his leg.
The boys stumbled past each other, laughing and fighting. Damien looked down at the ball.
"D-Damien!" All of the boys stopped and looked at him nervously. Each looking to each other for the courage to say something. Then one plucky young man pushed through them.
"D-do you want to play?" Something inside him lit up and a brief smile phased on his lips. He stood up with the ball and kicked it to the boy. They all laughed and ran into the field.
Damien ran up to the ball, eager to play. But he hadn't tied his shoelace and he tripped. He kicked the ball. It flew up over their heads and into a high tree.
They all gave an exasperated sigh. Damien blushed.
"That was my only ball Damien!" They all crowded him as he brushed himself off.
"I didn't mean it!" The troubled child pleaded. But they all scoffed and left him in the mud. He gripped his fist. Ruffians!
"I'm sorry I'm late children!" Cendrillon ran up, wearing the same clothes as the night before, covered in mud and blood, pale. And with a strange red line on her neck. Damiens mouth dropped open. What happened to her?
