Chapter 11
Heaven's Light

Anna Maria had no idea what time it was when she woke up, but she felt very rested and refreshed. It was odd that she didn't wake up with a terrible hangover, but she was fuzzy about the night before nonetheless. She turned onto her back and went through the familiar process of recounting what she remembered about the night's events.

She drank. That much she knew for sure. She was waiting in the bar to find Clopin. She had almost forgotten that was her goal in everything last night. Then it hit her…hard. Antonio, Bull and Georgio had no clue where she was. She'd been gone the entire night. Unbeknownst to them, she'd found a place to stay where she never had to see them again. It was possible that they'd seen her for the very last time the night before when Antonio yelled at her. It was at this point in her thoughts that she stopped. She didn't want to recall the things Antonio had said. Not here. Not today.

She sat up and stretched. She smoothed her hair back and rubber her eyes. She wasn't sure exactly what to do or where to go from here, but she knew she couldn't run from her brother forever. It was very unlikely and almost impossible that he'd find her in the Court of Miracles. But he would tear apart all of Paris to find her for sure. Perhaps her dream of staying here forever wasn't realistic. Maybe it was. Regardless, she dreaded the fact that she had to talk to her brother no matter what. She had to confront him and at least give him the benefit of the doubt. Realistically, she did owe him that.

His words echoed in her head from the night before; she will come back just like she always does. The minute I find her is the minute we pack up and leave this place for good.

She couldn't let that happen. In her time without Antonio she made two friends; that's two more than she made knowing him all of her life. Who knew what else she could achieve with a fresh start and people to believe in her? She didn't know what to do.

With these thoughts in her head, she got up from the cot and left her small hideaway for the time being. She wasn't sure where to go or where to look to find Clopin. As she wandered around, she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Good morning," said a familiar voice behind her. Esmeralda was smiling at her when she turned around. "Did you sleep well?"

"I did, thank you." She said. "But I do have to go. Is um…Clopin around? I'd like to see him before I leave."

"He may have left already…" she said scratching her head. "But you are welcome back whenever you like,"

"That'd be wonderful," she said, only to realize she didn't even know how to get here. "I'm not sure where I'd look, of course." Esmeralda rolled her eyes.

"Oh, did he blind fold you?" she asked, "I'm sorry. He really likes to keep this place as under wraps as he can, ever since it was discovered by Frollo. No one's looking for trouble as much as they used to when Frollo was alive, but it's still kind of a secret." She patted her on the shoulder. "I'm sorry, again. He's a bit over protective of everything…and everyone."

"That explains a lot," Anna Maria shrugged.

"What's that?" Esmeralda asked.

"Nothing really…" she said. "I'm just…not used to people taking kindly to me at all." She said looking off. "I really couldn't imagine anything like this happening to me. And I've been all over the world, it seems."

"Do you travel?" Esmeralda said, her eyes lighting up.

"I kind of have to…" she replied. She couldn't bear to tell someone as nice and perfect as Esmeralda what she did for a 'living.'

"With your brothers?" Esmeralda asked.

"Yes…" she said looking at the ground.

"I don't want to pry," Esmeralda said, "but whatever you decide to do, you're always welcome here…don't worry about what Clopin says."

"I thought he was the boss?" Anna Maria joked.

"Well, not of me." Esmeralda laughed.

…

As she exited the sewer through the opening door, the light of the morning hit her eyes like she'd been sleeping for days. She could hear the bells of the cathedral of Notre Dame chiming. They reminded her of the day she arrived; so full of hope, promise and light.

Anna Maria was amazed when she discovered the mysterious court was in the sewers right near the inn. She could imagine Clopin pushing her around in circles last night while blindfolded for God knows how long. In her drunken stupor, she hadn't even noticed. She could slap him.

She ran quietly and quickly past the inn. She couldn't imagine any of her brothers were awake yet, but she still was careful. She may have had to confront her brother, but she wasn't ready yet. But as she ran past the stable in the back, Genevieve made a great fuss. At this, she ran faster and headed straight for the square.

As she approached she saw the familiar sight of children gathered around to see the famous Clopin telling those stories. She snuck her way over and stood to the side with the parents and adults.

"He's got a knack with the children," she heard a woman say. She was right. He was very good at being dramatic, Anna Maria knew already. But she would never have guessed he'd spend his days in the streets of Paris telling children stories and making puppets. The ratty dolls pranced about to the amusement of the children gathered around. They laughed and oohed and were quite amazed at the spectacular puppets. When one story ended, the children applauded at the sight of him.

His smile was contagious and his humor was greatly received by everyone in the crowd. The stories he told were a mixture of fairy tales he'd seemed to alter and history lessons about certain sights in Paris. Each story was better than the last. Anna Maria actually found herself entertained as well. The children laughed at the puppets and the funny voices, while the adults laughed at the colorful satyr and sarcasm of his tales.

Anna Maria was more amazed as the stories went on. His voice was the most spectacular part. In his narration, it was deep and loud as he bellowed through tales and, even songs. He seemed to have a treasure trove of character voices for each puppet, never repeating a single one for a different character. Just as she suspected, he was a fascinating individual.

After a few stories, Clopin finally brought an end to his puppet show with the announcement of returning later in the afternoon. As he began closing up as usual, Anna Maria nervously approached him. At the sight of her, Clopin froze.

"I was surprised to find out the marvelous Court of Miracles took me a mere 10 minutes to find my way back from." she said glaring at him. "You must have a terrible sense of direction."

"Well…" he said placing a sign on the front of the cart, "there's no fooling you." He joked, poking her playfully.

"Was that just an act yesterday or were you really trying to hide it from me?" she asked following behind him.

"A little of both, my dear." He replied. "I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm a fan of theatrics and laughs; makes things interesting."

"No doubt I've noticed," she rolled her eyes.

"A little fun with a drunken woman is the best kind," he winked.

"As annoying as those theatrics and come-ons of yours are," she said rolling her eyes, "I did want to find you and…well thank you."

"No need to thank me," he said, "but you can repay me by answering one question."

"Depends on the question…" she said suspiciously.

"If you find my theatrics annoying," he said turning to her with his arms folded, "why were you waiting for me in that pub last night?" A wave of embarrassment and regret shot through her. She froze at the question. What was she supposed to tell him? She needed saving from her brother? She needed distracted from the horrible thoughts that overtook her? She wanted company to console her weary mood? Not only would these go to his head and make him positively impossible to deal with, they'd reveal things she wasn't sure she wanted him to know.

"Well…" she said blushing, "the honest answer is quite a long story."

"It just so happens that the rest of my morning is free," he said motioning to the sign on his cart revealing he'd be back by afternoon.

"Oh isn't that lucky," she grimaced as they began to walk. "Are you sure an answer to your question is the only way I can repay you for your hospitality?"

"It's not the only way." He said winking and nudging her. She nudged him back…hard.

"Well then," she said leading them on, "maybe we should take a walk while I tell you this long story."