The Man and The Monster

I couldn’t relax as I made my way up and down the vast hall in the Court Of Miracles once more. I’d lost count of how many times I’d made the same repeated journey back and forth but I was worried, extremely worried. Nightfall had come hours ago and Esmeralda still hadn't returned, so as time went on, my panic increased. I didn’t care what Clopin said, she was the only family I had, so I couldn't help but want to kick myself repeatedly for taking his advice and not at least attempting to intervene in the previous event with the guards ordered to capture her. I caught Clopin’s eye from across the hall briefly before shaking my head, breaking the gaze and continuing to pace.

“You are going to make yourself dizzy if you continue.” Sara commented as she stepped in my path.

“It’s not as if I can relax, Sara,” I grumbled, “God knows where she is at this moment.”

“I know, I know. Just think though, this isn’t going to help.” She said, motioning with her hand at my constant pacing before placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder, “She will be fine.”

“You don’t know that, though. No-one does.” I replied, attempting to sit down on the floor before a sharp dig in my side stopped me momentarily.

“Ouch! What in gods name-” I began as I attempted to rub my side, only to find that in was blocked by the Flute that I’d forgotten I’d placed there earlier. I reached into my deep pocket and pulled it out, surprised that there wasn’t the smallest bit of damage on it, considering I hadn’t be the most careful of beings that day.

I sat down crossed legged on the floor as Sara mimicked my actions, taking a seat opposite me as she eyed the Flute in my hands.

“I can’t believe you own that Flute.” She said in disbelief.

“Why? What’s wrong with it?” I questioned slowly, my suspicions returning as I glanced at Clopin out of the corner of my eye.

“There’s nothing wrong with it, but it’s like I was trying to explain earlier, that Flute is extremely expensive.”

I scoffed, rolling the Flute in my hands a couple of times, “And he had the nerve to call me a thief.”

“Have you considered the slight possibility that he might not have stolen it?” She asked, moments before I burst out laughing.

“Are you suggesting that Clopin of all people, might have actually bought this, for me?”

She shrugged as she smirked slightly, “Maybe. It’s a possibility though, right?”

I shook my head, “A very unlikely one, I’d bet everything I own onto the fact that he stole it. This was probably part of his plan, he’d steal the Flute, give me it, I’d play it in the town square one day then bam! I’d be in the stocks.”

“I do not understand you, just like I do not understand him or his actions at this moment in time.” She replied softly.

“What is there to understand though, Sara? Besides the obvious that I dislike him, and he dislikes me.”

“I do not know, maybe there is more to it than that, I-” She cut herself off suddenly as I raised an eyebrow in confusion, until I heard the all too familiar voice that made me realise why.

“Ah, finally stopped pacing like a lunatic have you, Genevieve?” Clopin questioned as Sara stood up swiftly, sending me a subtle wink before walking off.

“Can you not just leave me alone for five minutes? I’ve spent more time with you today than I could ever hope for the rest of my life.”

He ignored my words completely as he took a seat in Sara’s previous spot before removing his trademark mask and gazing at me expectantly.

“What do you want from me now?” I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

“A secret.”

“You are honestly despicable, you want to dig information out of me at a time like this? For all I know I may not see my cousin again, and you’re asking me this now?!” I screeched.

“Best to just get it out of the way, don’t you think?” He shrugged as he feigned innocence.

I glared at him as I realised he really wouldn't leave me alone, much to my utter displeasure, unless I gave him what he wanted. I doubted he would leave me alone anyway as he liked to infuriate me so much, but especially on that day, I couldn't be bothered to put up a fight. I was all out of fight for one day.

“Fine, if you want a secret that much, I’ll give you a secret. When I was sixteen, I witnessed my mother be killed as she was accused of witchcraft, they drowned her in front of me. As I had no other family members nearby I was ordered to move to a new town and move in with Esmeralda and her mother and father before they did the same to me. Which is what I mean by if something happens to her I swear your life won’t be worth living.” I seethed as he started at me in complete shock, expecting a secret far from that.

“I am-”

“Save your apology. You asked for these secrets, and I’m going to keep giving you them in order to make you feel nothing but guilt.”

Before he could utter another word, my gaze moved swiftly towards the opposite end of the hall which led to the sewer as sudden movement caught my eye. I stood up hurriedly, almost tripping over my own feet in the process as I screamed loudly, startling everyone around me before literally running over to the entrance as fast as my feet could physically carry me. I jumped into Esmeralda’s arms, pulling her into the tightest embrace I could muster without cutting off her air supply as she hugged me back just as tight.

“You had me worried sick! Never, ever do something like that again! You hear me?!” I began as I released my grip on her slightly, still holding her close, “But I’m so proud of what you did for Quasimodo.”

“I wouldn’t be back here now without him,” She smiled as we both released our grip on each other fully, taking a step back, “Although I wouldn’t have even been able to get as far as needing Quasimodo’s help if it hadn’t have been for someone preparing me for what could happen before hand.”

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion as Esmeralda made her way past me and wrapped her arms around Clopin, who I had no idea was in such close proximity of us, “Thank you for everything, my friend.” She said as he chuckled, returning the hug before shaking his head.

“Nonsense, like I would let anything happen to you. You did well.”

As I witnessed the exchanging of words between the two, it was then I realised how much I owed Clopin, despite only knowing him for three days, and I hated it. No matter how much he irked me and pushed my buttons, he had done so much without knowing how much it truly meant.

“Djali!” I exclaimed happily as he jumped up into my arms before I hugged him close to me, truly thankful to have them both back safely. Esmeralda smiled before nodding and making her way over to the other Gypsies in the hall at the time who had formed a small crowd, waiting to be bombard her with questions as well as give her praise.

“Maybe you should force yourself to trust me.” Clopin spoke up calmly, reaching out and stroking Djali’s head as he began to bleat.

“Trust has to be earned. You haven’t done a very good job of earning my trust so far, but we’ll see.”

"One day we're going to look back on this and wonder why you wasted so much unnecessary time not trusting me."

"And what exactly makes you think that I'll still know you during the reflection period of our lives?"

He shrugged before smirking, "Trust me."

I rolled my eyes at his response, although I couldn't help but smirk myself and reply in the same manner.

"We'll see."

---

“Oh my god Esmeralda, I’d never have imagined what you did could have an impact like this. You know I stand by you and your actions, but this is unbelievable. You do realise that you have to keep a low profile now, don’t you?”

She nodded as she ran a hand through her hair, “I’ll keep a lower profile, but I’m not staying within these walls all of the time, Frollo cannot take away my freedom, that is something he will never gain.”

I knew there was no arguing with her as she would not budge once she had made a decision, even if the decision wasn’t the smartest, but we were both alike in that sense. As she re-told the events of what had transpired with the guards followed by the sanctuary plea in Notre Dame I couldn’t help but feel my heart sink slightly, I knew there was no way Frollo was going to let her defiance go, even more so when he eventually learned that she had escaped.

“I have given Quasimodo the woven band in order to lead him to us if he ever chooses a better life for himself, which I hope with all my heart that he does.”

“You can count me in on that, he doesn't deserve to be cruelly treated and to fall obedient to the likes of Frollo, it disgusts me what lies he drills into his mind, I just want to help him, more than I’ve wanted to help anyone.”

“I dread to think what will transpire once Frollo learns that he helped me escape.”

“That is another reason why you have to stay within the court of miracles, at least for tomorrow. I know I’m not exactly a safe bet as we look so much alike, but at least there are a few differences that set us apart so it is not as bad when I step out. Please Esmeralda, just stay inside for tomorrow?” I pleaded softly.

She sighed loudly before nodding in agreement as I too let out a sigh of my own relief at the fact she had agreed and I wouldn't have to purse the matter any further as I was completely drained from the day. As I threw my head down against my pillow I closed my eyes without another word before I let sleep overcome me, not sure if I wanted tomorrow to come as I knew things were only going to get a lot harder from then on.