Chapter 16: Cannelle

Christine and I had little to say to one another as we walked towards the stables. Christine wore a simple black dress with a plunging neckline. The dress was accompanied with a black cloak and maroon head dress. She was silent as she forced a small smile on her face, I returned her smile and awkwardly patted my own dress. It was similar to Christine's but with a more modest neckline, my cloak was a deep green and my head dress was black lace.

"We should go soon it's nearly dawn everyone will be waking." With that being said she walked off with her hands folded together. Once we reached the stables the carriage driver silently greeted us. There was something familiar about him, something wasn't right.

"To my father's grave please." Christine's voice was soft as she gathered her skirts and settled in the coach. Climbing in I continued to eye the Coachman, why did he look so damn familiar? I sat myself down and shivered, wrapping the cloak around my frame I looked around me. The city, though sleeping, had never looked more beautiful than now. It was as if the snow kissed the streets. As the carriage took off, I allowed myself to relax and drift into dreamland.

` When I awoke I wasn't in the carriage any longer, I was in a living room sitting by a warm fire. Around me were scattered toys, books, and a pair of tiny black boots. I was in my childhood home!

"My booties!" I went to grab my boots, which I recall being my favorite pair at the time.

"Where's my special girl?" A strong voice boomed though the house, it had been ages since I heard that voice.

"PAPA!" I ran to him with every ounce of energy I had, he chuckled as he held his arms open.

"My little Cannelle." I hugged him tightly, as if I was about to lose him again.

"Oh papa, I've missed you…" Tears stung my eyes as one of them began to roll down my cheek.

"Cannelle, I've missed you too but you won't ever truly lose me. I have always been with you and your mother. Guiding you and helping you. Cannelle I know about your Phantom, do not give up on him." He wiped my tears away and smiled, his face still looked that same it did all those years ago. Same bushy red mustache and slightly aged face. He even smelled of tobacco and mint, I missed that.

"But Papa, he doesn't love me."

"BAH! Do you think I would have married a woman like your mother if I hadn't pursued her? Your mother turned me down too many times to count the stubborn old goat." I giggled.

"If mama heard you say that now."

"She would have kicked me out and made me sleep in the rose bush, believe me I remember." He chuckled and held my hand.

"Cannelle, you're wearing your locket?" His hand picked up my locket and opened it. He smiled and closed it. It's a good picture. Promise me something?"

"Anything papa."

"When you one day have your own family, and your own daughter put a picture of it in this locket and give it to her." He let go of my locket and smiled.

"Yes papa." I smiled back at him.

"Cannelle, it appears you're waking up now." He held my hand tightly and smiled.

"I'm not ready to go! I want more time!" Tears were rolling down my cheeks as I hugged my father.

"One day." His words echoed in my mind as my dream world faded. As I came to I could feel someone lightly shaking me.

"Claudine?" Claudine were almost there." I heard Christine call to me.

"Sorry I must have drifted off to sleep." I blushed slightly as she giggled.

"More like fell off the cliff of consciousness into a coma." I smiled. The ride was silent again.

"Claudine, may I ask you something?" I looked at her questioningly.

"Yes you may."

"Who is Cannelle?" My eyes lit up in surprise.

"That was my fathers nickname for me, as you know it means Cinnamon but my father couldn't pronounce the English version of it. So he just called me Canelle." I smiled at the memory.

"Why did he call you that?"

"Well, as you know cinnamon is a spice used in cooking and what not. So one day I came home from school particularly angry because a group of boys were picking on me. You see when I first arrived in America I had a very heavy accent, so most of the kids would pick on me. Anyways, I came home and my father asked me what was wrong and I said to him "The kids are making fun of my accent again today." My father then asked me what I did about it and I said I yelled at them and punched one of the boys. "Then why are you still angry?" I remember looking up at him Christine and saying "Because now they call me pepper, because I'm more of spice than a sweet." I will never forget the look he gave me and what he said next, "Pepper? You're more like Cannelle, you may have some spice to you but if treated properly and used right you can be sweet too."

"It sounds like your father loved you very much." Christine's voice was soft as she looked down at her folded hands.

"We were the best of friends him and I. I miss him." Christine took her hand and laid it on mine giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"Our fathers would have been the best of friends." I smiled.

"Are we friends now Claudine?" She looked at me and bit her lip.

"I'd like to believe we are." She smiled and hugged me, but before we could detach from one another the carriage came to a jerking halt.

"We've arrived, we should go." Christine stood up and took the hand of the Coach driver as she stepped down. Gathering myself I did the same but before I could move I was frozen. He's wearing a mask…

"Erik…" I whispered under my breath but the Coachman refused to speak, he helped me down and then walked back to his seat. With the crack of the whip he became to steer away from the cemetery.

'Claudine?" I heard Christine call to me.

"I'll be right there Christine." I slowly started to walk towards her.

"Claudine you're so pale. Did you see a ghost?" Christine teased me lightly as we walked further into the cemetery.

I kept my gaze fixated on the front gate as it began to grow smaller with distance.

"Something like that."

Alright guys! Sorry if this chapter wasn't all that great. I'm not gonna lie I did kinda rush through it. Partly because if I hadn't posted today it would have been another week or so before I could post anything. I would rather post a filler chapter than nothing at all and keep you guys waiting. I do it cuz I love my poppets! Anyways I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Review and message me if you'd like. ONE MORE THING BEFORE I GO! What do you think about Claudine and Christine's new found friendship? Should I keep it at that or should something happen to where they once again battle it out? Message me what you would like to happen between them! Hopefully I'll have the next chapter posted by the weekend!

-Kara