Chapter 4
Christine covered her mouth with her hand to stifle her gasp. A stout man with black hair and a long curly beard, was beating a boy with a wooden poll. They were both in some sort of cage. Every time the pull struck the boy, Christine flinched. She felt tears running down her face. The man suddenly stopped hitting the boy. The man was panting in exhaustion. The boy gowned in pain. He was nearly unconscious.
"If you have any brains in your fucking head, you will learn not to disobey old Javert." He pointed a fat thumb to his chest.
"I did not receive enough money from your show tonight, you little piece of shit! How am I suppose to feed you? I'm not feeding you until you come up with more money. With a face as ugly as yours, I thought I would be rich!" Javert kicked a dog bowl to the side of the cage. "You son of a bitch, when will you learn?" Javert kicked him in the ribs. The boy moaned in pain as Javert threw something at the boy. The boy quickly took the object that was thrown to him and put it on his head. Javert left the tent in a different diretcion from Christine.
Christine was burning with anger and sadness. 'How can someone do something like that?' she thought as she wiped away the tears on her cheeks. Making sure the coast was clear, she walked into the tent. Gathering her courage, she walked towards the cage. The boy heard her footsteps and turned to look at her.
There before him, stood the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. She was wearing a scarlet dress with a black ribbon in her hair. The dress brought out the color of her eyes and hair. Her eyes were a beautiful shade of chocolate brown. Just by looking at her dark brown hair, he could tell it was curly. Her cheeks were rosy, for she was blushing. 'Why would she be interested in me. Why would a pretty girl want to see an ugly corpse?' he thought.
She was now standing at least two feet away from him. His heart was racing. He felt very venerable.
He was scared inside, but on the outside he didn't show her these feelings. He just stared at her as she stared back at him.
Christine sat next to him on the other side of the cage. She didn't know where to start. 'Tell him you name!' her mind said. "Hello, my name is Christine DaaƩ."
'She wants to talk to me.' he thought. His pain all over his body seemed to have been switched off all of a sudden.
"I thought you might be hungry, so I'm giving you this." She pulled out a paper bag. She put her arm in the cage with the bag. He sat up. She smiled at him encouragingly. "Go ahead. You can have it."
'Was this a trick?' he silently asked himself. He looked in her eyes that at the bag. He had nothing to loose. He had nothing left in his life. There can only be something that he can gain from this situation.
He cautiously took the bag from her hand. He opened the bag looking inside. He saw two large portions of two different pastries. He looked at her. He was glad for the mask he wore, for tears were streaming down his face. "Thank you." he said evenly.
She gave him a big smile showing her pearly white teeth. She felt more than happy that she could help him. He could feel himself smile for the first time in a long time.
"Do you want to be my friend?" Christine asked innocently.
The boy nodded. He lifted his mask slightly to allow him to eat. He took the pastry and ate it hungrily.
Christine took this time to study him. He was skinny and was tall if he were to come to his full height. He looked like he was around twelve years old. From what she saw of his face was only his eyes, for the rest was covered by a burlap sack. His eyes were the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. They were a golden yellow. Finally she tore her eyes away from his. The only clothing he was wearing was a mask and tattered black pants. She could see that his skinny body was covered with scars and cuts that were dried up with blood. Her face lost it's color.
"Why-? How can someone-?" she broke off.
He knew what she was trying to say. "Because he can." he said. Changing the subject, he asked, "Did you see me?"
"I see you now." she said.
"No. When exactly did you first see me?" he restated.
"The first time I sawyou waswhen that man was hurting you." she answered.
He breathed a sigh of relief.
He finished the rest of the pastry. He handed her the bag. "What time is it?" he asked.
"Last time I checked it was eight o'clock. It must be fifteen minutes past eight, now." he nodded.
"I must get going. My father will be furious with me because I left his side."
She took the empty bag. The boy grabbed her arm to stop her. "Wait. Will I ever see you again?"
"Yes." she said. "Tomorrow in fact. That is unless my father forbids me to leave my room." she finished smiling.
He nodded. "Come here at nine, when it's dark"
"Why?" she asked frowning slightly.
"Javert will be too drunk to notice you are with me or he will be asleep by then." he said. In truth he didn't want her to see tomorrow's show. He didn't want her to see his face. 'If she did, would she run from me?' he thought.
She walked towards the exit of the tent. She stopped and turned, facing him. "I'll bring you some food tomorrow." she said. She turned around and left.
A/N: Sorry it took so long for the new chapter. My schedule is tight these days. I have to pick up my grades and stuff. I might take a break from writing a bit. I've already started the new chapter during times when the teachers aren't looking . and in the hospital with my Babci (grandma). She's sick. :(
Yes, I'm Polish for those of you who don't know. :P Besides Polish, I'm a lot of other different nationalities. .
-Jessica-
