Chapter 14
Lost
Raphael, didn't know where he was. He just knew it was really late and he didn't know where to go. He decided to just find a place to hide and rest for the night. When he woke up the next morning, he needed to find food even if he had to steal it. Luckily he was still Phantom R. He snuck up to the food cart. All the food was disgusting. He figured he was in a bad part of Paris. He just ignored his hungry stomach and tried to find his way home.
Teresa: What if he's never found. What if it's too late and he's already-
Kyle: Calm down Teresa. I have a feeling that he is alright and unharmed. He will be found, I'm sure of it.
Raphael from he more he traveled, the further he felt from home. He's been traveling like this for over two months, it felt shorter than that. He turned every which way to find his way home.
A/N: There will be a minor cross over with code Lyoko in this chapter.
He didn't even know if he were in Paris any more. He came across a school. He just remembered school is going to start soon. A kid spotted him.
Boy: Hey kid.
Raphael looked up at a boy who looked to be around his real age. He had brunette hair.
Raphael: Do you know where I am?
His voice was shaky. He was scared and hungry.
Boy: You're in France. A little bit on the outskirts of Paris. At Kadic junior high.
Raphael: I'm that far?
Boy: Where do you live?
Raphael: I live in Paris, near the Eifel tower. I got lost when I was trying to find my way home.
Boy: Yea, you really are far.
Raphael: Do you have any idea how I can get home?
Boy: Fraid not. If you want, you can come in and get some food. You look hungry.
Raphael decided to go inside the school.
Boy: So how old are you?
Raphael: I'm going to be ten in October.
Boy: Oh.
Raphael: My name's Raphael by the way.
Boy: I'm Ulrich.
Raphael: Nice to meet you.
They went inside the dorms,
Ulrich: This is my dorm. I share it with my friend.
Another boy walked in.
Ulrich: Speaking of which, here he is.
Boy 2: Hey Ulrich, it's time for lunch.
He looked confused as to who the little kid is.
Boy 2: Uh…
Ulrich: Don't freak out Odd. I found him outside and he's lost. I figured we'd help him. We have no classes for the rest of the day or tomorrow.
Odd: But, how can we help?
Ulrich: First, let's get him something to eat.
They went to the cafeteria.
Girl: Who's this little kid.
Raphael wanted them to stop calling him a little kid.
Ulrich: This is Raphael. He was standing outside of the gates. I figured we'd help him out.
Girl: Help him out how?
Ulrich: Help him get home. He lives all the way in Paris.
Girl: What's he doing all the way out here.
Raphael: May I sit down. I'll tell you the whole story of how I'm here.
The group nodded and he sat down.
Raphael: Ok. This is what happened…
He told them the story of how he got here.
Girl 2: Wow.
Raphael: That's why I'm here.
Girl: How do we get you home though?
Odd: Let's have him take a train into the city. We'll go with him, make sure he gets home safely. Everything will be ok.
Girl: I wish I was able to believe you. You never think these things through.
Odd: Come on Yumi. It's fool proof.
Ulrich: Guess not, a fool has already gotten into the plan.
Odd: Just wait, when this kid get's home safely, you won't call me a fool.
Raphael: Please stop fighting. That will get you nowhere.
Someone tapped Raphael's shoulder.
Raphael: Yes?
He turned to see a weird looking girl with a pink shirt on.
Girl 3: Well, you four haven't told me about your little friend here.
Raphael: Who are you?
Girl 3: My name is Sissi Delmas, daughter of the principle.
Raphael: Hello.
Sissi: That's all you can say, hello? Your talking to the prettiest girl in the world.
Raphael: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I have to say, I've seen beauty and let me say, you don't match up. Not even as close as her.
Sissi: Who's her?
Raphael: Not you?
The others were laughing as she walked away.
Raphael: I'm usually not rude. I guess seeing that lady brought the rudeness out of me.
Odd: It's ok to be rude to her. She's so annoying, it's the only way to get rid of her.
Raphael wolfed down his food.
Yumi: Wow, you eat like Odd.
Odd: Hey!
Raphael: I haven't eaten in a while. I'm so hungry.
Ulrich: Well Odd is always hungry.
Raphael: So is my dog.
Odd: You have a dog?
Raphael: Yep, his name is Fondue. He loves cheese.
Odd: I have a dog named Kiwi. He's very intelligent.
Ulrich: Intelligent? He's about as brainless as Sissi.
Raphael: I'm sorry, but I think no dog can be that stupid.
Odd: See, Raphie agrees with me.
Raphael: Please don't call me Raphie. I hate that.
Odd: I understand, I hate it when people call me scrawny.
They finished with lunch. They were headed outside the campus when a ring came from Odd's pocket.
Odd: Hello…oh, hi Jeremie…what? Now? Ok, I'll be there soon.
He hung up.
Odd: Ulrich, your going to have to get the train tickets yourself. Jeremie wants me to come to help finish our project.
Ulrich: Go on, I'll handle this.
Odd nodded and ran toward the school. Ulrich and Raphael were about to leave the school grounds, but were caught by Jim.
Jim: Where do you think your going? And who's this little kid.
Raphael was getting real tired of being called little kid.
Ulrich: Well, you see, Jim, this boy came across the school and he was hungry and I-
Jim: No excuses, you two are going to see the principle.
They walked in front of Jim as they went to the principle's office.
Mr. Delmas: Jim, any reason you brought these two in here?
Jim: They were attempting to leave the school grounds. This little boy hasn't been seen here before.
Raphael was getting to his last straw with being called little.
Mr. Delmas: Explain yourselves you two.
Ulrich told the story.
Raphael: I'm sorry for trespassing. I was just scared and I didn't know what would happen. I'll be gone soon. I promise.
Mr. Delmas: Well, how about I call your parents. They must be worried sick.
Raphael's face started to get a little warm. He was starting to feel a bit sick. He remembered he felt a bit sick around this time of his life before his father left.
Mr. Delmas: You don't look to good.
Raphael: No, I'm fine. I just had a wave of tiredness come over me. I haven't had a lot of sleep since I got lost.
Mr. Delmas: Ok then. Stern would you mind having this boy rest in your room until his parents arrive.
Ulrich: Not at all Mr. Delmas.
Mr. Delmas: Thank you. Run along now.
The two boys left to go Ulrich's room.
Ulrich: So who was the "her" you were speaking of at lunch.
Raphael: Well, I have a friend back home. She is very lovely. She has bright, clear blue eyes and long blond hair. She is very sweet and kind to everyone. She can always make you smile, no matter what mood your in. She is also very skilled with the violin.
He started humming Moon Princess.
Ulrich: I know what it's like. Between you and me. I like this girl named Yumi.
Raphael: The girl who said I ate like Odd?
Ulrich: Yea. Don't tell anyone ok?
Raphael: Ok. I'm not one to gossip. I just hope it all works out for you. She seems like a great person to be around. Everyone has at least one of them where they are and I think you found her.
Ulrich: Thank you. Your actually more grown up for your age.
Raphael: Thanks.
A return to the past trip was initiated. Everyone was at lunch, just after Sissi walked away. Practically the same events occurred, except they didn't run into Jim and Odd didn't have to run off. They made it to the train station.
Ulrich: Closed. Fool proof huh?
Odd: Nobody could have expected that.
Ulrich: Looks like we'll be gone for awhile.
They started walking along how the tracks went, toward Paris. They had to cross a few streets. A white creature was running up to them
Raphael: Fondue?
The white creature took the form of a dog as it got closer. Raphael recognized it immediately.
Raphael: Fondue!
Raphael ran toward the dog and sat on the ground. The dog ran up to his arms.
Raphael: It's so great to see you.
Fondue: Weouf.
Odd: That is a good dog right there. He found his master.
Raphael got up, still holding Fondue.
Raphael: This is Fondue. He is very social. He can be a scaredy-cat, but he saved me once.
Fondue: Weouf!
Raphael: Well you are. You were being chased by a cat when I first met you.
He set Fondue down and they continued walking toward Paris. Fondue started running again.
Raphael: Fondue! Wait!
They ran across the street.
Odd (+Ulrich): Raphael get out of the street!
A car came and hit him. Odd and Ulrich ran to him. The car kept going.
Ulrich: Raphael.
He wouldn't wake up.
Ulrich: He's just knocked out. Seems like he has a slight fever. He said that he was starting to feel tired before we left the principle's office. I guess that meant he was sick. Might have to carry him now.
They traveled to where Raphael first got lost in less than a day.
Odd: I can see the EifelTower. I've always wanted to see it.
Ulrich: Maybe we should rest for the night. We'll start up again tomorrow.
Odd agreed and they hid in an alleyway,
waking up early the next morning. They had to keep carrying Raphael. They traveled toward the Eifel tower they could see in the distance. As they traveled, Raphael started to wake up.
Ulrich: You ok, Raphael?
Raphael: W-What happened?
Odd: You were hit by a car. It's weird that you survived.
Raphael: That's not the first time I was hit.
Raphael told them the story as they walked.
Ulrich: After all that, your father still died.
Raphael: Yea. I still cry about it sometimes, but since I started living with my new family, I don't cry as much. You could even ask my friends. I would cry off and on for two weeks. Then I stopped talking.
Odd: Why did you stop talking?
Raphael: I just didn't have the courage anymore. Not even when my friends tried to bring me back up. I would just fall right back down. Possibly even further. Then I met my foster parents. I had the idea that I could start my life over. Forget it ever happened, forget my past.
Odd: It may seem easier to forget, but your wrong. It's actually very hard to forget. It's easier to remember your past so that you don't make those same mistakes again. I lost my cousin ten years ago and I refuse to forget. I don't want to forget her, because then I'll just feel miserable.
Raphael: Thank you Odd.
Ulrich: I didn't think you could be so serious.
Odd: I have my moments.
They were extreamly close to the EifelTower.
Raphael: I recognize this area.
Ulrich: Someone's coming.
They hid in an alley.
Émile: So, have you any idea where he might have gone?
Marie: No, I just wonder, how he disappeared. It's been over two months.
Émile: His birthday is coming up too.
Marie: Yep, 17th of October.
Raphael: That's Marie. Put me down.
Ulrich put Raphael down and he walked out of the alley. Took him a few minutes to find his footing.
Raphael: Marie
Raphael fell on the ground.
Ulrich: Are you ok?
Raphael: Yea, I'm fine. I can take it from here, you guys can leave if you want.
Odd: Ulrich, that may be a good idea. We need to get back before tomorrow. He'll be fine, he's home.
Ulrich: Ok. We hope to hear from you again.
Raphael: I'll be sure to visit.
The two boys left.
Fondue: Weouf Woeuf.
Raphael: Marie.
Raphael fell on the ground.
Marie: You just hear something? It sounded like my name was called.
Émile: I didn't hear anything.
Marie looked toward where she heard the noise.
Marie: Look, someone collapsed!
Marie ran across the street to him. The boy looked like he had brown hair. She turned him over and recognized him immediately. Émile joined her.
Émile: Raphael!
Marie: What happened to him?
Émile: He looks so dirty, you can't even tell he has red hair.
Marie: He's hardly breathing, call an ambulance.
Émile: Already on it.
Émile called for an ambulance. Marie was trying to see if she could get Raphael conscious again. It took about ten minutes for the ambulance to arrive.
Nurse: We have good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?
Émile: the bad news
Marie: The good news
They said at the same time.
Nurse: I'll just say the bad news first, He has a few broken bones, and his rib cage is slightly broken. The good news is, he will live, most likely. It's a good thing you got him in when you did. Where are his parents?
Marie: His parents think he's missing.
Nurse: Oh, should we call them?
Marie: Not yet. Not until he's 100% going to live.
Nurse: Ok.
After a few days, Raphael was said to live. Marie visited him daily. They cleaned him up and his red hair was now bright and clear.
Marie: After he's ready to leave the hospital, I'll keep him at my house until he's gotten his full strength back.
Émile: Ok. You're mother already knows about him being a kid.
Marie: Nurse, how long until Raphael is able to leave?
Nurse: He's free to go on the seventh.
The seventh rolled around quicker than expected.
Marie: Raphael, I've talked to my mother, she said you can come stay with us until you have enough strength to return home.
Raphael: No, not after all you've done for me already.
Marie: We want to. You're my angel. You've protected me so many times. I can't leave your side again. Not after what happened since the day I did.
Raphael: Ok, did you at least tell my parents that I'm ok.
Marie: We were going to let you do that when you return.
Raphael went home with Marie.
Elisabeth: Welcome to our home Raphael.
Raphael: Thank you for having me stay until I get my strength back.
Elisabeth: Oh no problem. Your practically a member of the family.
Raphael slowly got his strength back. He was able to be like he was Phantom R. He would sometimes show Marie how to sneak up on people, show her how to get around without being seen.
Raphael: Ok, let's try it out Marie.
Marie snuck into the kitchen. Raphael watched as she got the mission objective and came out without any cook noticing her presence.
Raphael: Well done Marie. You have the makings of a phantom.
She giggled. Her mission objective was to grab a few cookies from the cookie jar. Kids.
On the seventeen,
Marie: Happy Birthday Raphael!
Marie surprised him awake.
Raphael: T-thank you.
He was trying to slow down his heart rate.
Marie: Sorry, did I scare you?
Raphael: A little bit.
Marie: Sorry. Get changed, get some breakfast and let's go.
Raphael: Where?
Marie: To surprise your parents. You've gained enough strength to see them now.
Raphael: Ok.
Raphael got ready.
Kyle: Do you know what day it is?
Teresa: I know. Our little boy's birthday. I wish he were here. If it was my birthday wish, I'd wish he were here.
Kyle: I would to. Why did they stop the search? They might have found him.
Teresa: It doesn't matter now. Raphael told us that the constables here were airheads. They couldn't catch Phantom R even if he'd warn them.
There was a knock on the door. Kyle, with Teresa at his side, opened the door and saw Marie. She was trying not to smile.
Marie: Hi, I just wanted to come by and see how you were doing.
Kyle: We're doing fine Marie. We were just talking about how today was Raphael's birthday. Sadly, he isn't here with us.
Raphael: I wouldn't be so sure of that.
They looked around the corner and saw Raphael leaning against the wall of the house with his arms crossed.
Raphael: Surprise.
Kyle and Teresa were speechless, but they hugged Raphael so tight.
Teresa: How can this be? You've been gone for so long.
Raphael: I had some new friends take care of me. I've missed you so much.
Kyle: We missed you too Raphael. Come inside, both of you.
They stopped hugging and they went inside.
Raphael: The place feels so much, lighter.
Teresa: We had an exorcism. The shadow man no longer is here.
Raphael: Good.
Teresa: So where should we go?
Raphael: Huh?
Teresa: To celebrate. It's your birthday and you just came home.
Marie: I'm sure he wants to rest a bit. We had to walk all the way here. He had enough strength to get here.
Raphael: A few weeks ago, I got hit by a car. I'm still recovering.
Teresa: Ok. We'll celebrate this weekend or something.
His parents left the room to go get something. Raphael noticed the kitchen was much cleaner. A cupboard suddenly opened. It shut when he looked at Marie. It opens again when he looked at it. He would blink and it would shut. He'd open his eyes back up and it would open.
Raphael: Ok, what is going on here?
He moved his hand up and acted like he was opening and closing the cupboard.
Marie: That is so weird.
Raphael tried it with the other cupboards and they did the same thing. He acted like he was opening the fridge, while looking at the fridge, and it open and closed.
Raphael: This is so cool.
He stopped when his parents came back in. He made the front door open and close.
Teresa: Oh no, not another ghost. Now Raphael could control stuff with his eyes. It was so cool. Everything in the kitchen started falling off the shelves and counters. Fondue walked up to him.
Teresa: Oh, there he is. He disappeared a few weeks ago. We were worried he'd never come home.
Raphael: He found me as I was on my way home a few weeks ago, He found me as I was on my way home.
Marie: A boy and his dog. Just makes you feel so lighthearted, huh?
Teresa: I agree.
