Okay, I know I haven't updated in a realllly long time. Thank you very much to everyone who keeps reading this story! I will try to update more often (keyword try). And if you have a better chapter title suggestion than what I've got, PM me and let me know. Thanks!
When I woke again, I was lying on a small mattress in a well-lit room. I pushed myself into a sitting position and yelped when I tried to put weight on my left arm.
"Go slowly," a gentle voice said. "You've hurt your wrist." I blinked to clear my vision a little and saw the same man from the night before.
"Oh!" I cried softly. The man was a hunchback; he had scraggly red hair and an enormous wart over one eye. He sighed.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I know I'm ugly. I'll go away now." He turned to leave.
"No!" I cried. "Wait! I'm sorry. You just surprised me." He turned back to me.
"Truthfully?" he asked. I looked him in the eyes and said, "Yes." He smiled.
"My name is Quasimodo," he said, "Who are you?"
"Erik," I replied.
"Would you like some water?" he asked. I nodded gratefully.
"Thank you," I said when he handed me a small cup. Quasimodo laughed.
"You're welcome," he said. I finished and handed him the cup.
"Why were you running from the guards last night?" he asked.
"They thought I was a horse thief," I said.
"So it was your horse I found in the shed this morning," he said.
"What did the horse look like?" I asked.
"It was a mare," he told me. "A black mare with white markings. Her tail looked as if it had been dipped in paint."
"That's Gypsy!" I said happily. Quasimodo seemed like a person I could trust, but I wouldn't tell him everything quite yet.
"Why are you in Paris?" he asked. I thought carefully.
"I'm visiting my family," I said. "Once I find them, I can leave." Quasimodo shook his head.
"Not while you're still hurt," he said, "You won't be going anywhere. I can keep you safe." I smiled.
"Thank you," I said. "Thank you very much." He returned my thanks with a smile and went to the door.
"I'll be right back," he said. "I've got to ring the bells in two minutes." I nodded and lay back against the pillow.
I wasn't sure how long I slept, but I woke to the ringing of bells. I sat up; Quasimodo wasn't there, but the gypsy from the night before was. I jumped.
"Be careful," she advised. "You don't want to hurt your hand."
"Wh-who are you?" I asked.
"I'm Esmerelda," she said. "I came to see if you were well." I nodded.
"Much better now," I told her. "Thank you for helping me." Esmerelda smiled.
"It wasn't any trouble at all," she said. "This isn't the first time my husband has mistaken an innocent person for a thief." I gasped.
"Your husband was the captain?!" I said. She nodded.
"Yes," she said. "I love him dearly, but he is a bit slow-witted at times."
"Aren't most men?" I said, laughing. She smiled; Quasimodo came back.
"You're awake," he said. "That is a good sign." I smiled.
"Thank you both," I said. "I appreciate your kindness." Esmerelda smiled.
"You're welcome," she said. "We are glad to help." As I pushed myself into a sitting position with my right arm, I brushed against something in my pocket. I remembered the package. I felt my blood run cold; I was in Notre Dame, wasn't I? I glanced at Quasimodo and Esmerelda; I still wasn't entirely sure I could trust either one of them, but I didn't feel like I had another choice. I took my mother's package from my pocket.
"What's that?" Esmerelda asked.
"Something from my mother," I said, "That's why I'm in Paris." It took me several minutes, but I told them of my father and Mira and my mother.
"Oh, my," Esmerelda said. "And your father doesn't know you are here?" I shook my head.
"For now," I said, "He will find out eventually, but I hope I will have found my mother by then."
"What's in the package?" Quasimodo asked.
"I don't know," I said. "It says not to open it until I get to Notre Dame." I took several deep breaths.
"I know I'm here," I said. "But I'm not entirely sure I want to open it right now." I traced the words with my finger. Quasimodo looked out the window.
"I'll be back in a moment," he said. "I need to ring the bells." He got up and left. Esmerelda watched him go and shut the door. I swallowed, unsure of what her gesture meant.
"I mean you no harm," she said. "Quasimodo may not be able to tell that you are a girl, but I can." My heart leapt into my throat; I clapped my hand over my mouth to keep from screaming. The bells started to ring.
"Your secret is safe with me," she said. "I want to help you find your mother. I know where she might be, but I'm not sure." I felt hope wash over my doubts of Esmerelda.
"Not a word to Quasimodo," I said. "I feel horrible not telling him, but…"
"I understand," Esmerelda said. "What is your real name?"
"Alianore," I said. My heart was still pounding. I wasn't sure whether I should be more grateful or more frightened that Esmerelda knew.