Opal, Catalina and Simoun hear footsteps. Little do they know, those footsteos belong to Quasimodo and the Frollo guards. The three also hear the dragging of chains. Catalina whispers to Opal and Simoun,
"Guys, Quasimodo is being chained up." Two of them just nodded. Then, Simoun comes up with a plan. A plan that could bring danger. He whispers,
"Ladies, I have a new plan."
Opal and Catalina:"What?"
"After Quasimodo is chained and the Frollo guards are gone, let's go downstairs. When we're there, we should look for Celestina and her family. We talk with them for a bit. Then, we inform the Archdeacon of Esmeralda's near execution. I will hit the guards and he will stop Frollo."
Catalina:"But that will ruin the plot."
"But Frollo won't listen to him. Right?"
Catalina:"Yes. Because Frollo is as hardheaded as a donkey."
"*chuckles* Exactly. Again, we return here with Celestina and her family. This is the time that Quasimodo will know the truth about his past. Then, we help Quasimodo in the battle."
Catalina:"I love your plan, Simoun. Especially your heroism. Simoun, you're really an idiot. You could've died!" Simoun chuckles as he hugs Catalina to calm her down. She hugs him tightly and inhales his scent. He smells of sewer and ashes. So, she stopped smelling.
Opal:"We should do that plan. I'm sure it will work."
Simoun and Catalina broke off the hug and he faces her.
"Yes. May God help us in the plan I designed."
The guards and their sound disappeared. And so as Opal, Catalina and Simoun from Big Marie. They went downstairs. Opal stops the two kids to step on the floor. The guards are still there, but are heading to the door. When they are finally out of sight, Marcel saw the two.
"Catalina, Simoun"
Both:"Marcel"
He walks over to them and asks worriedly,
"Where have you been?"
Simoun:"Long story, Marcel. For now, we want to see your family."
Catalina:"How are they?"
Marcel:"Celestina gave birth to twins." Both of their faces lit with joy at the good news.
Catalina:"Then, how is Celestina and her babies?"
Marcel:*smiles* "She's alright. And her babies are healthy and strong. We were thinking if we could name the boy and girl after you."
Catalina:"Wow. That's um... very kind of you. It's too much for gratitude."
Simoun:"Yes. I don't want people or places bamed after me. That's too much pride."
Marcel:"You helped us very much. Can we please name them after you?"
Catalina:"Alright."
Simoun:"Fine."
Marcel:"Thank you. Do you want to see them?" They nodded. Marcel led the three of them to the convent. Opal stayed at the entrance, while Catalina and Simoun entered Celestina's room.
There, the Archdeacon is washing his hands. Celestina feeds Catalina Jr. while another woman, who is a victim of the fire and a mother of three, feeds Simoun Jr. Gabriel, Gerard and Reynard are in the other room.
Celestina:"Catalina, Simoun, you have come. Is it alright that my family and I named the twins after you?"
Catalina:"Sure."
Simoun:"Oui. (Yes.)"
Celestina:"Thank you." Just in time, Catalina Jr. is done drinking and cries. Catalina comes near her and asks,
"May I hold your baby?"
Celestina:"Yes. This is Catalina."
She nods and takes her namesake, carefully, in her arms. The baby cries and squirms in Catalina's arms. The crying infant reminds Catalina of her siblings when they were babies.
And she thought of Baby Sofia Camilon, a one-year-old EJK victim. Oh the poor child. What a short life she lived. Her happiness is like a candle outside of the house and present in a strong wind. A flame that died of an abrupt wind. And a life taken with such abrupt violence.
Catalina shed tears of joy and sadness. She whispered,
"Hi, Catalina Jr."
Simoun went near to the victim mother and held Simoun Jr. Simoun thought of holding one of his twins like this. Oh his beloved twins are going to be protected. They are to be safe from the violence of the world and the cruelty of Duterte. They're lucky they are not the miscarried or aborted. Simoun smiled at the crying infant and caresses his namesake's cheek.
The Archdeacon smiles softly at them. Then, Gabriel, Reynard, Marcel and Gerard enter the room. Catalina and Simou handed to them the babies. After that, the two friends went over to the Archdeacon.
Catalina:"Father, you must hurry. For Esmeralda is being sentenced to death."
Archdeacon:"What?! Esmeralda is to be sentenced?" The two just nod. The Archdeacon went out of the convent with Opal and the two kids.
The four of them made it outside the cathedral. The Archdeacon was about to walk further, but he's blocked by the guards. Simoun hits them and the Archdeacon thanks him.
Archdeacon:*to Frollo* "Frollo, the Eyes! The Eyes of Notre Dame! They are watching you! You never can run nor hide what you've done from the Eyes! The very Eyes of Notre Dame!"
Frollo:"Enjoy the execution, priest. This execution is for God. This gypsy girl is a sinner. She deflowered my pure mind. Guards, hold him!"
The guards held him. But the Archdeacon protested. Although his protests were treated like whispers in a foreign language, they just did not listened to him.
Opal, Catalina and Simoun snuck in the cathedral. Simoun felt a lot of shame riding his shoulders. For he left the helpless Archdeacon there.
Simoun:"Ladies, I think I'll stay in the door."
Opal and Catalina:"Why?"
Simoun:"I think I don't have the energy to go tell Celestina's family to join us in the battle. And don't worry. For I will stay hidden."
Catalina:"Ok. But don't be stupid again."
Simoun:*chuckles* "Sure. I won't."
Catalina:"Ok."
Opal and Catalina proceed to go to the convent. Simoun just sat down behind the door and mentally recited prayers.
Opal and Catalina entered Celestina's room once more. Opal first spoke up.
"Gabriel, Reynard, Marcel and Gerard, we need you to come with us."
Reynard:"Where will we go?"
Catalina:"To the belltower. There, you'll know Quasimodo and fight Frollo with him."
Gerard:"Fight?"
Opal:"Yes. Fight Frollo."
Marcel:"But how can we do that? We're weaponless but brave and skilled in fighting. But we know how to use a dagger."
Reynard:"And my daughter needs to be taken care of."
Gabriel:"I'll stay here then. I'll look after her."
Celestina:"Besides, he is the father of my children."
Reynard:"Alright. You two stay out of trouble. Come one now, my sons. We must go to battle." The two nodded at their father. Then, the five of them left the convent.
Catalina went near Simoun while Opal and company went upstairs. Catalina sat down near Simoun and told him gently,
"Simoun, kailangan nating umakyat sa taas para labanan natin si Frollo. (Simoun, we need to go up so that we can fight Frollo.)"
"Alam ko yun, Catalina. Pero, naiwan natin ang Archdeacon. Hindi siya malaya. Kaya nagui-guilty ako eh. (I know that, Catalina. But, we left the Archdeacon. He is not free. That's why I feel guilty eh.)"
Suddenly, somebody was trying to open the door. Catalina and Simoun stood up and walked away. Catalina held Simoun's hand tightly. She thinks it's the Frollo guards. But, it was the good Archdeacon who popped out of the door.
He immediately enters and closes the door. Simoun knelt to him and said,
"Father, forgive me for I haven't helped you."
"It's not your fault, my child. Nor is it the guards. Nor is it Frollo. But evil and sin captured me. For now, I must take care of the other victims. Will you help me?"
"No, Father. I need to fight Frollo with Catalina, Opal, Reynard, Gerard and Marcel."
"How will you do that?"
"Only God knows how."
The Archdeacon does the sign of the cross and blesses Simoun.
Meanwhile, Opal goes over to Quasimodo and says,
"Quasimodo, it's me Opal."
"How did you escape?"
"Long story. But, Reynard, Marcel and Gerard need to talk with you."
Reynard:*comes over Quasimodo* *gasps*
Quasimodo:"I know. I'm a monster."
Reynard:"No, Quasimodo. You look like your father."
Quasimodo:"My father?"
Reynard:"Yes. Your father was a noble. And your mother is a gypsy."
Opal:"She actually died saving you."
Quasimodo:"But she abandoned me."
Opal:"No. Frollo killed her because he thought she stole goods. But, you were the bundle she carries."
Marcel:"She went here to Paris with my cousins. To escape from the abuse of others in the gypsy camp."
Reynard:"Quasimodo, I am Reynard. I am your grandfather."
Quasimodo:"Grandfather? You must be lying."
Reynard:"No, my dearest grandson. I would never lie. Especially to my long lost grandson."
Marcel:"I'm Marcel. And I'm your uncle."
Gerard:"And I'm Gerard, your first uncle. If only you are free so we can hug you."
Quasimodo:"I wish for that also, Uncle Gerard. And now, I wish to be alone."
Gerard:"Why?"
Quasimodo:"Frollo won the battle. All of this is my fault. And now, I cannot do anything to reverse it."
Reynard:"You can, Quasimodo. I know that you're very brave and strong. Do what's right."
A/N Oh man. Everything looks bad. I have nothing to write in the Author's Note! AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Just kidding. That's all folks and have a good day or night.
