A/N: I hope you all are enjoying this writing spree. This chapter is not as long but I just wanted to stop it.
The beginning of this chapter is a little confusing but hopefully it'll make sense as you read. I like this chapter and hopefully you will too. :) Enjoy!
Darkness. The only place he ever found peace and solitude. Now it was his – all his. He tightened his grip on the limp monkey doll in his hand as a cold wind surrounded him. The wind whipped around his face and pulled at the bag that covered his head. With his free hand, he pulled the bag down harder. Out of nowhere several torches lit up revealing the boy's location - Javert's tent. The boy panicked and ran toward the open tent flap. Before he could escape, a metal cage appeared around him, imprisoning him once again. He beat violently on the bars. How would he ever escape? Suddenly, his master, Javert entered the tent with his whip. "You didn't think you were going to get away so easily did you?" He snapped his fingers and immediately a crowd of onlookers appeared around the cage. They were all laughing and pointing at the boy. The boy reached up once more only to find his bag was gone! He sank to the ground and curled up in a ball as the sound of laughter filled his ears.
The laughter was then drowned out by the sweet sound of his old violin. He glanced up to a see a beautiful woman surrounded by a dim, white light. In her hands was his repaired violin. He slowly outstretched his arm toward her. "M'aidez. Help me, please." She was close, so close; if he just stretched a little more….
He was suddenly yanked back by his hair. He winced in pain, then looked up to see his master hovering over him. Javert grinned evilly at the boy. "You will never be free!" he sneered. He then dropped the boy, but instead of landing on the hay-covered ground, the boy kept falling. Down, down, down into the gypsy's fire….
The boy jumped up, rapidly breathing. Sweat droplets trickled down his face. He glanced around at his surroundings. This was not his cage or even Javert's tent. "Qu'est-ce que c'est?" He whispered to himself. "What is this place? Where am I?" He slowed his breathing as he pulled his only possession closer to his chest. He began to look around, despite his limited vision. It must be very early, he thought to himself, noting that the only light in the room was still cold and grey. He remained motionless as he sat on the damp, stone floor. If only he could remember how he got here….
"Garçon?" A sweet voice floated into the room. A young woman's voice. Immediately the previous night's events filled his memory - freedom from his life as a slave. A tear fell from his eye, as now he wished he could go back to not remembering. Not knowing was far better than knowing the truth.
As the door to the room opened, letting more light fill the room, the boy's hands immediately shot up to cover his face. "Garçon," came the voice again as a petite ballerina crept down the three stone steps then crossed the room to where the boy sat, curled up in a corner. Her blonde hair was pulled back tightly. She was wearing her recital outfit. The pale green bodice grasped at her gently while her long tutu ruffled softly when she walked.
"Garçon," she said a third time. "Why are you hiding?"
He did not answer, but lowered his hands from his covered head.
"Are you hurt? Or frightened?" The boy slowly shook his head. "I'm not going to hurt you," she said softly as she slowly approached him then sat on the ground in front of him. "Have you a name, garçon?"
He glanced away from her. "They called me the Devil's child," he responded bitterly.
Adele bit her lip then asked, "Well, what did you mother call you?"
The boy seemed to ponder this for a while. "She didn't speak to me much." Before Adele could ask another question, he added, "She once called me Erik. Elle m'a appelé Erik."
Adele smiled, "Pleased to meet you, Erik. My name is Adele Dubois. Welcome to the Paris Opera House."
EDIT 4/16/06 A/N: I am saddened to say that I have had neither time nor inspiration concerning the continuation of this fanfiction. I have a folder full of various future scenes, plot lines, and ideas – yet when I have had time to sit down and write, very little to nothing actually ends up on the screen. :( Instead of forcing chapters to come about, I would rather leave the story where it is currently.
Therefore, I regret to inform you readers that THIS chapter is (for now) the last. Perhaps one day my muse will return and I will pick up right where I left off, but as of right now, I do not see that happening. I am sorry if I have disappointed anyone. And you are more than welcome to take what I have started and play with some variations on what would happen next. I just didn't want to leave this hanging forever and I wanted to let everyone know that unless some free time (and inspiration) comes up (maybe this summer), I will not be updating this story. Thank you for understanding.
