This is the 6th time I've tried to upload this chapter… and no matter what I do, people keep saying that there are strange numbers that appear in the text. I'm hoping they go away this time… and sorry for the confusion :o)

AN: Wow! Thanks SOOO much to Saber, smgirl, Fox of the Nova, and Chaos-Fyre-Elf31 for the lovely reviews :o) They mean so much to me! I also just wanted to say that the rest of the story will be in first person... I like writing that way much more!

CHAPTER ONE

Warmth. I said the word to myself. I was truly warm for the first time I could remember. I must be in heaven. Slowly I opened my eyes, apprehensive of what I might see. The first thing that came into view was my tattered carpetbag lying limply at my feet. Blinking, I let my gaze travel my surroundings, searching for another familiar sight. Maybe it was all a dream. As I lay there examining the room, my senses gradually began to kick in. I soon realized that my body was wrapped in warm soft sheets and placed a top a feather mattress in a small room. The room, dimly lit by candles and a roaring fire, was quite cozy.

I had no idea where I was. Slowly, I tried to sit up, hoping for a better view. Yet my attempt was in vain as my head began to throb like never before. I collapsed back to my pillow, a soft moan passing over my lips.

I lay there helplessly, wondering what on earth to do. I tried to think, to remember what had happened to me, what I could remember. My headache, however, would not allow any of these thoughts to occur. Suddenly, I heard the soft sound of muffled footsteps approaching the door which lay opposite the room to me. As the footsteps stopped directly outside the door, I began to hear the hum of whispering voices. My muscles tense and my eyes never leaving the door, I waited for the unknown guest to enter. Slowly the door began to creak open, revealing two white haired and elderly human beings: a tall, skinny man and a short, round, little woman. I gazed at them, uncertain of what to do. The little woman then made eye contact with me, and smiling, she flew across the room to my bedside.

"My dear" She spoke softly, taking my right had and stroking it gently"I'm so happy to see that you're awake. I was- that is, my husband and I were so worried. You see, we found you lying on the side of the road on our way home from the neighbors last night, and we were certain you were gone."

The old woman smiled kindly down at me, washing away any worried or fears that my have existed. She quietly turned to her husband who was still standing in the doorframe.

"Darling, why don't you go and get the child some tea and soup"

Nodding, he left his position at the door, disappearing into the depths of the house. The woman turned back to me, using her other hand to gently brush back a piece of hair which had fallen over my eyes.

"Are you feeling all right my dear" She cooed.

"I-I have a bit of a headache, b-but I'm fine." I responded meekly.

"Well" she chuckled, sitting down on the edge of my bed"I'm hardly surprised! You have a fever you know. Headaches normally accompany those."

I nodded weakly, and noticed her expression suddenly becoming serious.

"If you don't mind me asking child, what were you doing out on a night like this"

"I" I began to speak in the same tone as before, worrying that I may have to go into the whole story, which I was certainly in no mood to do"I was actually in the middle of a journey to Paris. The cold came so suddenly that I didn't have time to find a place to stay the night."

"What's in Paris" She questioned softly.

"My new employer" I responded in a whisper.

"I see. But, why are you traveling by night and in the cold without a carriage"

"I'm an orphan" I began, my voice lowering as I spoke"I've lived in an orphanage all my life. When the orphans turn 18, they are sent away to different jobs across the country. Yesterday was my 18th birthday"

"And you were being sent away" she cut in.

I nodded closing my eyes and willing my headache to disappear. I could feel her gaze of pity coming to rest upon my face, the dirty face of an orphan, of a child no one wanted. I wished she would stop staring at me, yet her line of vision never strayed from my features until the return of her husband with the soup and tea.

"Here my dear" she said, taking the try of food from him and placing it on a stand next to my bed"Let me help you sit up so we can get some fluid into your system."

Her burly arms came around my petite shoulders and had no trouble pulling me into an upright position, so that I rested against the headboard of the bed. Slowly she fed me the soup, which I gladly consumed. It tasted like heaven and was so pleasant trickling down my throat into my stomach, warming my insides. I smiled gratefully at her when it was gone. She then handed me the mug of tea.

"Drink up my dear, this will help you get a good nights sleep."

I downed the drink quickly, the second I was finished wishing there was more then was given to me. However, as the last drop played on my tongue, I began to feel its affects, my eyelids growing heavier by the second. The woman took the cup from my hands, placing it on the nightstand. Then once more she wrapped her arms around my shoulders, lowering me into the plush blankets and pillows.

"Good night child" She whispered softly, tucking the blankets around me.

I barely heard her and her husband leaving the room with my dirty dishes, for I was drifting into a deep sleep which for once in my lifetime would last the whole night through.

As I slept, I had only one dream which I can still remember. I stood in a large foyer, more marvelous and exquisite than any I had ever seen before. A grand staircase led upward in front of me, splitting half way in it's ascension and traveling to two different sections of the hall. The gigantic endroit d'entrée was beautifully sculpted and painted with the greatest of care. And there I stood, overwhelmed and yet at the same time ready to begin my first day at work...

Please r/r…ALL suggestions are greatly appreciated. If you think this sucks, tell me! I won't be offended (well, maybe a little, but I'll deal ;o) ).

Also… sorry if I completely messed up the French! I can speak absolutely no French whatsoever, so I had to turn to a handy-dandy online translator ;o)

One more thing… sorry for the delay with getting to the Opera house (and Erik)… It will happen soon… I promise :o)