The Angel's Past

Isabelle de Lon Craie was a gay, kindhearted, and compassionate young girl. From the age of ten she was both very intelligent and very wise. She had dark, wavy hair that reached her shoulders and had the most beautiful dark, sparkling eyes anyone had ever seen. She had a round face and a beautiful tan complexion. She had the most radiant smile anyone had ever seen; many said it could melt the coldest of hearts. Her features and her cleverness never changed through the years.

Isabelle was known to many people in the neighborhood as the 'Angel'. She was so kind to all of God's Creation, especially to the street urchins and their families. She would tell them stories of places and people everyone only dreamed to meet or to go to. One of her favorite stories to tell the young ones was of the Angel of Music. Every time she spoke of him her eyes sparkled. This was a story she had created based on a dream she had and she was very proud of it.
Sometimes she would even beg her parents for money to help the poor families. Everyone from the streets to the richest folks on the block loved Isabelle for her charity.

Isabelle's beloved parents, Christine and Daniel de Lon Craie, were of French decent and were born in France. They came to England in search of a better life for their children, Isabelle and Jeanette. They spoke very fluent English, without an accent to be heard, and they decided to teach their children French as well in order to keep the memory of their roots alive. Christine and Daniel loved their children deeply and would give anything to see the two girls smile.

Isabelle also had a younger sister named Jeanette. The two sisters were very much alike and they were also very close. No one could separate the two, even bribery would fail! They looked almost identical. Although they did have their differences; some of them were that Jeanette was more of a tomboy, had very curly hair, was three years younger than her sister, and was three inches shorter.

Like her sister, Jeanette was a kind hearted young girl although she was not as intelligent or mature as her sister. Since a very young age, she has been by her sister's side through the best of times and the worst of times. She idolized her sister very much and hoped that one day she would be as successful as she was. Jeanette also had a dream, when she grew older she wanted to become a physician; the best in all Europe.

Isabelle and Jeanette were so close that when one was away, for even an hour, the other would worry immensely, and nothing would sooth her. These sisters shared a bond that only few will share in a lifetime.

They lived contented, peaceful lives until the year of 1877. From then on nothing but terror claimed their lives…

On a beautiful summer evening, on June 28, 1877, two girls played together in their backyard. Their giggles could be heard all through the neighborhood and everyone who heard it smiled. Many knew who the two girls were and knew that they were enjoying the evening immensely. Then the girls' mother called out,

"Isabelle! Jeanette! Time to come inside! Dinner is ready!"

"Coming, Maman!" said the two girls in unison. Isabelle turned to her sister.

"Come on Netta," said she, "we can play again tomorrow."

"Oui, Bella." replied Jeanette.

The two girls then ran all back inside the house giggling all the while; their mother just smiled. Once inside the girls raced to the dining room. Once they took their places at the table their mother and father entered the room. Christine told them,

"Now mes filles, keep up your good behavior while your Papa and I are at the theater. We will be back by eleven alright, Bella?"

"Oui, Maman." replied Isabelle gaily.

"Now mes cheries, when dinner is over help Charlotte clean up and don't forget to pray before bed. Oui?"

"Oui." said the girls in unison.

"Alright then. Au revior, mes filles."

"Au revior Maman! Au revior Papa!"

The girls then kissed their parents good night and they left.

After dinner, the girls cleaned up the dining room and decided to go to bed. Just as Isabelle was tucking Jeanette in there was a knock on the door. Isabelle called Charlotte ̶ the de Lon Craie housekeeper, a woman with black hair and plain features ̶ to get it, but she remembered that Charlotte was in the library and wouldn't be able to hear her. So she went to the door herself. She took hold of the doorknob and asked; "Hello?" in reply she received a half-gasp, half-moan sound.

She quickly opened the door, as she did a young boy about her age fell to the ground. Startled, Isabelle quickly jumped back and screamed. Charlotte and Jeanette came racing down the stairs. Charlotte ran towards her and Jeanette ran towards the boy. She said, "He's barely breathing...we have to do SOMETHING!"

Finally overcoming shock, Isabelle knelt beside the boy. She gently brushed away some of his stray black hair and leaned towards him for a closer look. He was bleeding from a gash on his right cheek and he had a large bruise over his left eye. She felt his ribs and heard him cry out in pain; she knew that some of his ribs were broken. As he continued to cry out she gently placed her hand on his forehead and whispered to him softly. When he began to relax she asked him his name.

"David, David Parker." replied the boy. Isabelle smiled.

"Hello, David. I'm Isabelle and I'm here to watch over you." David then slipped into unconsciousness and left himself in the care of an angel...
After that fateful night, Isabelle, Jeanette, and their mother nursed David to full health and learned his story. Apparently he had been attacked by a group of boys from his school. He would not give them the reason why though. He also told her of his life; he was the son of Joseph Parker, the richest man any of the de Lon Craie's had ever known.

She tried very hard to hide her surprise but David looked past it and reassured her that his father wouldn't punish her for helping him. After four days they were able to send David home to his father, who didn't really know he was gone.
During the time the spent together, David and Isabelle had become fast friends. She believed him to be the most wonderful boy she had ever set eyes on, and her opinion of him never changed. David thought she looked like an angel...and he truly believed she was.
Three years after David and Isabelle met; David left England to attend boarding school in Switzerland. He did not even have time to say good bye to her. She received the news in a formal, unfeeling letter two weeks later. After she read the letter Isabelle locked herself in her room for three days, and she did not eat or drink and was in serious malnutrition, but she never ceased her endless river of tears; for she had started to fall deeply in love with David. Eight weeks later tragedy struck her life once more.

It was the night of August 10, 1877, and the theater was showing Romeo and Juliet. The night was beautiful, stars shone brightly against the pitch black sky. At seven o'clock, Christine and Daniel left for the theater, leaving Isabelle and Jeanette behind with Charlotte. As Christine and Daniel entered the large marble building, a man shrouded in a dark blue cloak followed closely.

Christine and Daniel made their way to the front of the theater and took their seats ̶ the best in the house. At Daniel's right, sat the man who followed them ̶ he had not removed his cloak thus shrouding his features. Throughout the beginning performance, the man ceaselessly stared at the de Lon Craie couple. During the intermission, he spoke freely with Daniel about the recent news in the city. His voice hypnotized Daniel; it was both sweet and dangerous at the same time. Only when Christine touched his arm was Daniel released from the spell.

"The performance is about to begin once more, bien-aimé," remarked Christine.

"Ah! Yes, of course," replied Daniel tiredly; the effect of the hypnosis was still wearing off.

"Are you alright?" asked Christine with concern.

"Oui, mon cherie," replied Daniel cheerily. "Oui."

As the second part of the performance began, the man suddenly disappeared; Daniel and Christine took no notice. As Juliet cried, "And let me die!" and plunged the dagger into her chest, the entire theater plunged into darkness. Screams and shouts were heard everywhere. Christine rose quickly as Daniel took her arm.

"Quickly, Christine," he said; trying to keep his voice calm, "we have to get out of here!"

"Quickly, Daniel," she said; her voice strained, "to the door."

Everyone in the house ran to the only exit and entrance in the theater ̶ the back door ̶ suddenly an inferno of flames sprung up in front of it. Those closest to the flames recoiled in fear and some suffered burns. Above the noise of the crowd, a loud mocking cackle was heard. Daniel and some other men ̶ ignoring the insane laughter ̶ calmed the hysterical and frightened crowd and were able to coax them to the stage. Outside, firefighters and other citizens had arrived and were desperately trying to break down the burning door. Women and men screamed for help while Daniel and Christine clung to each other helplessly. The efforts of the firemen and others were heard outside, but everyone within knew the end was near. The fire had begun to spread quickly through out the house and was nearing the stage. In her panic, Christine began speaking in French.

"Isabelle," whispered Christine, "Jeanette…je t'aime!"

"Mon cherie," said Daniel, "They will be alright. I know they will be."

"Oui, Daniel," she whispered, "Oui."

The fire was now licking the seats in front of the stage. The actors and many people were now desperately moving to the back of the stage. Daniel and Christine turned to each other for the last time. The grasped each others hands fiercely.

"What ever happens, Christine," Daniel whispered, "I will always love you."

"I will as well, Daniel," Christine replied, "You and our girls have always been my life."

"Je t'aime, mon amour," he whispered.

"Je t'aime, mon amour," she whispered back.

Then as the fire began to consume the stage, Christine and Daniel de Lon Craie kissed and embraced for the last time on this earth. A dark blue cloak swirled above them in their last moments…

Smoke…a blue cloak…Maman…Papa…one last kiss…fire…

Isabelle screamed and sat upright in bed. She was breathing heavily and a cold sweat had broken out on her forehead. Charlotte rushed into the room, a candle in her hand, her hair astray and her nightgown billowing hastily behind her.

"Isabelle," she began, "are you alright, my dear?"

"Yes," said Isabelle uneasily, "Yes, I'm fine."

Charlotte sat on Isabelle's bed, placed the candle on the bedside table, and stroked the girl's hair reassuringly. Soon enough, Jeanette entered the room with another candle and sat next to her sister. She placed a comforting hand on Isabelle's hand.

"Bella, what happened?" Jeanette asked tentatively.

"Maman and Papa," Isabelle whispered, "T-they…"

"They what, Bella?" Jeanette persisted, "What happened to Maman and Papa?"

Isabelle raised her eyes which were now filled with tears. "They were k-killed, Netta. They were killed in a…fire…at the theater." Isabelle then began to sob heavily.

Jeanette felt such pain for her sister and a slight fear for the dream her sister had.

"Don't worry, Bella," Jeanette said softly, "it was only a dream."

"Oui, Netta," she turned to both Charlotte and her sister, "Just a dream…just a dream."

The next day, Jeanette and Isabelle were outside in the yard worrying. Their parents had not returned home the night before and there was a rumor of the theater burning to the ground just before midnight. Isabelle was especially worried because of her dream; now she prayed and hoped that it was not true.

Suddenly, their neighbor ̶ Madame Cordon ̶ rushed up to them in tears. Mme. Cordon was a stout, old woman with long gray hair and a warm smile; unfortunately, she was slow at understanding information others tried to tell her and she was also quite inconsiderate at times. This –amazingly ̶ was not one of those times (that she did not understand that is). The de Lon Craie girls welcomed her warmly, but were distressed when they saw her tears.

"What's wrong, Madame?" asked Isabelle concerned.

"Oh, my dears…" sobbed Mme. Cordon, "I am so sorry. It's your p-parents."

"W-what's happened?" demanded Isabelle and Jeanette fear rising in their hearts, "WHAT HAPPENED?"

"They're dead!" wailed Mme. Cordon, "They're DEAD!"

"W-what?" whispered the two girls. They looked at each other with fear. What would happen to them now? Their beloved family was torn apart…forever.

Jeanette and Isabelle quietly and politely excused themselves from Mme. Cordon's presence, and went into the house. They locked themselves in Isabelle's room ignoring the pleas for an explanation from Charlotte. The sisters then cried themselves to sleep…

After their parents' memorial service the next week, Charlotte took care of everything. The girls were put into her care and their parents' hard earned inheritance of five-hundred thousand pounds was ̶ unfortunately ̶ given to their wealthy, selfish cousin, Xavier de Lon Craie. Fortunately, Charlotte was able to find lodging with a family friend, and the girls were able to live life somewhat normally again. The girls were somber most of the time, but they found a few ways to cheer themselves up. They went on picnics in the park and strolled through the city. They bought each other gifts that always made the other smile.

One day ̶ ten weeks after the death of their parents ̶ both sisters were strolling in the park. Suddenly, it began to rain heavily; as everyone hurried for shelter, Jeanette insisted that they continue down the street. The harsh, cold wind blew leaves and rain into their frozen faces. They trudged on and on until they reached the end of the street. They opened the door of their new home and Jeanette began to cough and sneeze.

"Are you alright, Netta," Isabelle asked patting her sister on the back.

"O-oui, Bella," coughed her sister.

"Perhaps you should lie down," said Isabelle and she led her sister to her room. When Netta was safely tucked into bed, Isabelle went into the parlor and told Charlotte of her sister's condition. Charlotte wasn't too worried and promised the girl that she would see to her sister in the morning. Isabelle wasn't as sure…

Two weeks later, Isabelle and Charlotte rushed to find the local doctor. They brought him ̶ ̶Dr. Bernard ̶ to Netta. Poor Netta was in terrible condition; she struggled to breathe and she was always burning with a fever. She slipped in and out of consciousness and Isabelle was always wary of her breathing. When the doctor arrived, he immediately did tests on Jeanette. After two hours of testing, he told Isabelle that there was nothing he could do. Isabelle, with tears in her eyes, sat at the edge of her sister's bed. Charlotte had summoned the priest and he just finished giving Netta her last rites.

"I'm so sorry, Isabelle," he whispered, "We all loved her too."

Isabelle could do nothing, but nod. She was stroking her sister's hand when the priest left the room.

"Netta…" she whispered, "I'm sorry that I couldn't do anything for you. You are the greatest person in the world, mon cherie. I'm so sorry." Then she began to cry. Suddenly, she felt a movement from her sister. Jeanette turned to Isabelle and smiled weakly.

"It's not your fault, Bella," she gasped.

"Please, Netta save your strength," Bella said squeezing her sister's hand.

"I won't last much longer, Bella, you know that."

"But-"

"No "buts", Bella; there isn't anything for you to be sorry for. It wasn't anyone's fault, not yours, not Charlotte's. It was my own fault, in my own folly I brought this upon myself," She smiled once more, "Please keep that in your heart and mind, Bella, it was my fault…" with that Netta unexpectedly fell into unconsciousness once more. Isabelle contemplated her sister's words and prayed that she would be spared from this horrible fate.

A few hours later, Isabelle felt a movement from Jeanette once more. She had begun to breathe in labored gasps. Isabelle screamed for Charlotte, but she knew there was nothing that could be done. A few moments, later Jeanette opened her eyes for the last time and in her last precious moments she whispered these words to Isabelle: "Dearest sister…Bella...please don't cry...rejoice...for now three angels will watch over you...I...love...you...a-au...re-vior…" then Jeanette de Lon Craie left this world…forever…

After the death of her sister Isabelle cried and mourned often. Charlotte could find no words to console the poor child and had no choice but to stand by idly while the Angel plunged into unending grief…

As the days went on the flame that made Isabelle's dark brown eyes sparkle was extinguished, and her smile vanished. She would sit for hours in front of her window staring longingly at her house, which was only a few blocks away, where she and her family had spent playing and having picnics together.
The Angel who had smiled so often and who so many loved no longer smiled and now felt as though she was cast into the fires of hell...to be alone forever...

One year later...

Knock, Knock.

"I'm coming!" shouted Isabelle irritably. She was now fourteen years old. She had just finished school and was helping Charlotte make dinner. She wiped her hands on her apron, adjusted her dress, and opened the door. She gasped loudly; at the door was someone she thought she would never see again ̶ David Parker.

"Hello, Isabelle," he said graciously; he looked deeply into her dark brown orbs. Isabelle was speechless. How did he find her? Did he know about her parents? What in the world was he doing here?

"May I come in?" asked David tentatively when she did not respond.

"Y-yes of course!" stuttered Isabelle, finally snapping out of her daze. She stepped out of the way as David stepped into the room. He turned to her.

"So, Bella," he began nervously, "How have you been?"

"F-fine." Replied Isabelle breathlessly. She noticed how much David had changed. He was much taller now, his hair was messier than it was last time, the flame in his eyes had grown much stronger and more irresistible, and lastly, David's features had matured and become far more charming than they ever would be.

"I heard about your family," remarked David quietly. He noticed Isabelle flinch at the mention of the tragedies. All he wanted to do was hold her and never let her go.

"Yes…" said Isabelle in a barely audible whisper, "The news of their deaths were everywhere…I tried to stop it but…" She spread her arms out in front of her helplessly.

"The problem with people today," remarked David, "they have no consideration for the feelings of others…" He walked over to Isabelle and lifted her chin. He stared into her deep brown eyes.

"I never forgot about you, Isabelle," he whispered, "It may have seemed so, but I never did. How could I?"

"David…" Isabelle began trying not to give away her feelings. David cut her off.

"I thought of you everyday…" he told her his voice becoming full of emotion, "Isabelle…I love you."

Isabelle was stunned…he loved her? She just stood there stupidly in front of David. He looked at her expectantly, waiting for an answer. When she continued to stare at the floor, he sighed.

"Isabelle, I know this is so sudden," he began shakily, "but will you come to dinner with me…for old times' sake? Please?"

Isabelle looked up and immediately could not refuse his offer. His eyes were full of a pleading sadness that tore at her heart. She was still speechless, so she nodded in agreement. He then took her hand in his and brought it to his lips.

"Till tomorrow then, Bella," he said as he opened the door and with a curt nod he left.

"Till tomorrow," Isabelle whispered after he had closed it, "Till tomorrow."

Isabelle and David had a wonderful time the night of May 31. David took her to the beautiful clock tower, Big Ben where they had a great time; they reminisced on the past and that brought both of them closer. After a few more months, David and Isabelle shared there first kiss; it was shy and uneasily at first, but then it became more passionate and pure.

One year later…

Isabelle sat at her vanity, fingering a white rose that David had given her. She smiled and recalled last night's events.

David brought her to a small restaurant near the river. He gave her the rose and they had a wonderful dinner. Around nine o' clock, David took Isabelle's hand and they walked together under the moonlight. He led her to a small meadow covered with daisies, and they sat together in the center of the field. He put his arms lovingly around Isabelle, and he felt her lean into his chest.

"I love you, Isabelle," David whispered into her ear.

"I love you too, David," Isabelle whispered in reply. She felt as though nothing would ever make her happier. Then she felt David stir and she turned to look at him. When she met his eyes she smiled ̶ he was staring at her lovingly. He took her hand once more and produced a black velvet box. He showed it to her and Isabelle's eyes widened in surprise and glee.

"Isabelle…Bella," David began shakily yet with a gleeful shine in his eyes, "Will you marry me?" He looked anxiously and expectantly at Isabelle, whose mouth was hanging open in surprise. After a few breathless moments, she was able to breathe and speak, shakily.

"Y-yes," she said breathlessly, "Yes! Whole-heartedly, YES!"

"Wonderful…" David whispered, still unable to believe what he had heard. He then opened the box and took out a beautiful gold band with two diamonds surrounding a large pearl. They both smiled as David gently placed the ring on her finger, uniting them for all eternity…

Unknown to the lovely couple, a man in a blue cloak watched them menacingly from atop the tower of Big Ben.

"It has begun…" he sneered and a wicked smile crossed his lips.

One year later…

"What the hell is this?"

David threw Isabelle to the floor with the letter she was writing still in his hands. He was crinkling it in fury and a deadly fire burned in his eyes.

"It's nothing," Isabelle whimpered, "It's just a letter I was sending to one of my friends, Henri. We were friends since we were children; I told him and the others stories-"

"Enough!" he screamed, "Enough of your damned lies! You've been cheating on me, haven't you? You stupid little wretch!" He grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her violently.

"No!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, "I would never betray you, David."

"Shut up!" he said suddenly with dangerous calm, "If you ever speak to him again…I will kill you…" Then David began to mercilessly beat poor, unfortunate Isabelle.

When David finally left the room, the half-alive body of Isabelle Parker staggered agonizingly to her feet. With unsure, wobbly steps she walked to the bed, and once before it she collapsed. What she saw was blood, her blood, it ran like a small river down the white, satin sheets. After a while, she stood shakily once more and sat at her vanity to examine her wounds. She was a horrible, gruesome mess. Her hair was astray, her right eye was graced with a bruise, her lips were badly swollen, many cuts in various places on her face were bleeding, she had a few more bruises on her neck and cheeks, and when she lifted her hand; she saw that it was also covered in bruises. Her sides ached- every breath was labored and hurt immensely.

She needed a doctor but did not have the strength to find one. So she did the only thing she could, she cleaned herself up and the bloodied sheets as best she could, and lay in the bed she and David had shared for one wonderful, peaceful year. She felt cold tears of anger, sadness, and hate well up in her eyes and slowly begin to run down her cheeks.

"Why David?" she whispered sadly to the darkness around her, "Why would you not trust me? I love you…only you." She then fell into a restless slumber filled with troubled dreams of fire, murders, and dark blue cloaks…

The next day, Isabelle found David sitting in the parlor reading the local newspaper. She quietly stepped into the room and he looked up.

"Yes?" he asked sarcastically.

"I just wanted to say good morning," whispered Isabelle uncertainly.

"Well, then good morning to you, my dear," he whispered back icily. He then turned back to his paper and absentmindedly handed Isabelle a section. She took it without question; she no longer had the will to fight. She sat in a chair in the corner of the room and began to read. When she reached a certain section, she gasped loudly. The article was about her friend, Henri…he was dead. His body was found in the meadow ̶ the same one David had taken Isabelle to when he proposed ̶ totally mutilated. She looked up in horror and saw the smirk cross David's once handsome lips; now Isabelle thought them ugly and gruesome. Isabelle Parker hated her husband for what he had done; she knew he killed Henri.

For the next few weeks, Isabelle did as much as she could for Henri's poor family. He had left behind five children and a young, frantic wife. When David learned of her charity, he beat her again but not as harshly. Soon enough he stopped, but only because of Catherine. The day David met Isabelle's friend, Catherine Smith, he changed. He lusted for her; Isabelle could see it in his eyes, for she was a beautiful woman. Pale white skin, ruby red lips, sapphire blue eyes, and a sly smile. Unfortunately, Isabelle paid no attention to the actions of Catherine and David; that mistake would soon catch up with her.

Isabelle discovered that David and Catherine….were in an affair when David did not return home for many days. She searched the mail and found a shocking postcard from Catherine, telling him to meet her at midnight on April 28 at the tower. It continued to say that they would get away, away from "the boring nun" (as Catherine had dubbed Isabelle). It seemed that David had happily agreed. He left one morning, without an explanation, only giving her a hasty, unfeeling kiss.

When David returned from that trip four days later, he showed her divorce papers and happily and rudely told her everything that occurred between Catherine and himself. He then gathered up his belongings and left…forever…

Isabelle was then forced to find a new home. This was when she met a few kind strangers that helped her find a new home. She had barely any money and did odd jobs to put bread on her table. Although David had wounded her heart, she still loved him more than life itself…