The phantom's daughter

Chapter Six

As Victoria stepped out of the door that led into an alleyway near the Opera House, she had to squint her eyes. The new incoming light was more than she was accustomed to in her home. Even though the sun was slowly setting, it took a moment for her eyes to adjust, but once they did she made her way out of the alley. This part of town was illuminated by a golden hue due to the time of day, something Victoria made sure to note. She wasn't sure where she was going, but her feet were moving and that was a start.

She came across a small girl selling single flowers. The little girl's face was caked with dirt and her blonde hair was tangled in knots. Victoria felt pity for the girl and bent down to be eye level with her.

"Hello, what pretty flowers you have," Victoria smiled. The little girl looked down at her cup of flowers. "How much for one?"

"20 Francs," The little girl's voice was barely above a whisper.

She looked at Victoria curiously since the hood of Victoria's cloak was still up. Noticing this she took off the hood, allowing the girl to see her face. The little girl's eyes widened at the sight of Victoria's face. Victoria quickly put her hood back on and took her coin pouch out to pay the little girl for the flower. When Victoria looked back up the little girl had raised her hand to touch the scars on Victoria's face, but Victoria could tell the little girl was hesitant.

"You can touch them," She placed the francs in the little girl's cup before taking the girl's hand and pulling it toward her face. "See? Nothing frightening about it." The little girl gently touched Victoria's face, which Victoria leaned into. "What's your name?" Victoria asked.

"Amie," She pulled her hand away from Victoria's face, using it to them tuck the flower behind Victoria's ear.

"You must be starving," Victoria stood slowly, offering her hand to Amie. "Let's get you something to eat," Amie took her hand hesitantly and Victoria lead her down the street, hoping to find something for her new friend.

The streets were lined with people trying to sell things, it amazed Victoria that this is what had been going on in the outside world this whole time. There were booths selling fancy jewelry, fabrics to make clothing, scarves with elaborate designs, and finally one that sold fresh fruit. Amie put her tiny hands on the edge of the table so she could see what was offered. Victoria also took a look, trying to figure out what the best fruit to choose was. There was a selection between apples, several types of melons, peaches, and nectarines She looked down at Amie to see what exactly Amie might have her eyes on. Amie seemed to have her heart set on getting her hands on one of the nectarines. Seeing this, Victoria reached and plucked three nectarines from its box on the table. She smiled as she handed on of the pieces of fruit to Amie, watching her eyes light up.

"I know it's not much," Victoria grabbed a bag that she found and put the other two pieces of fruit into it before handing it to Amie. "But maybe it will be enough until you get more money by selling your beautiful flowers,"

Amie scarfed down the first nectarine, spitting the pit into her hand before throwing it onto the ground, the juices of the fruit staining her cheeks. Victoria smiled as she bent down yet again, using the hem of her skirt to wipe Amie's face. Making Amie fuss a little but allowing Victoria to do so. Her eyes widened suddenly however, and Victoria felt a tall figure approach from behind her. She slowly stood up and turned to face whoever was behind her.

"Do you plan to pay for those nectarines you just took?" It was a woman; Victoria could only assume she was the owner of the booth. She was a rather plump woman with unruly orange hair that was tied back to keep it out of her face as she worked.

Victoria nodded and smiled as she reached to find the coin pouch she had the remainder of her money in. However, the pouch was missing, she turned to look at Amie to try and at least give the woman two of the three nectarines back, but she was gone. Victoria felt a flash of panic run through her body as she looked back up at the woman. She looked down at Victoria with a raised eyebrow and her hand outstretched, waiting.

"I'm sorry, I did have the money, but it appears that I lost my pouch," Victoria whispered, trying to explain herself. The woman didn't seem amused and just kept her hand out. "I don't have any money, but if you let me go I can go get some,"

"Just so you can leave and get away with stealing, I don't think so," The woman shook her head. "No one steals from my booth and gets away with it. Thief! Someone help!" She yelled, making most people turn in their direction.

Scared, Victoria turned and tried to run away as fast as she could, but she ran right into someone. Nervous it was someone who would take her away and from pure embarrassment, she refused to look up at them. In the commotion, her hood had also fallen down. If she looked up the whole world would see her face. She felt the person she ran into gently grab onto her arms and for some reason, this calmed her. The person didn't attempt to pull her away to bring her to prison for thievery. They just held her.

"I don't see a crime happening here." The person's voice was low and seemed young. It was surely a male voice, but not one she recognized. It wasn't her father as she hopped it might have been. "I saw the whole thing the street urchin stole the money from this young woman," They spoke again.

"But she took three nectarines from my booth and has no way of paying for them," The woman retorted. "I have young ones to care for. I cannot allow people to steal from me and there not be consequences," The woman put her hands on her hips.

"I'll pay for her," He unclasped one of his hands from Victoria's arm and dug into his pocket for the money and a little extra for the trouble. The woman counted it before shoving it in the chemise of her dress. "Does that satisfy you?" The person spoke with a sarcastic tone. The woman waved her hand at them as if telling them to go and she turned back to her booth.

"Thank you," Victoria mumbled into the person's chest. "I'm sorry," She said, pulling away from the person.

"Why apologize? None of that was your fault," The person reassured. "May I see your face little thief?" The person joked, using his pointer finger to lift Victoria's chin. She almost let them, but suddenly remembering who she was she quickly jolted away to avoid them.

"No, you may not," She whispered as she lifted the hood of her cloak back over to shield her face. "I must be going now," She tried to move around them but they side-stepped her to keep her from leaving.

"I must know your name at least," They titled their head slightly, trying to see under her hood. "I'm Elijah, a pleasure to make your acquaintance," He gave a mock bow, making Victoria smile without realizing she was doing it.

"Victoria," She finally told him, keeping her face out of his view. "I must go now, my father is expecting me," She then realized how late it had actually become.

"Of course," He smiled, taking her hand in his and giving it a gentle kiss. "May we meet again," He smiled.

She gently took her hand from his and turned in the direction she had come to go back home. She thought of Elijah. Had he not helped her, who knows what might have happened. Then she thought about his smile, and her worry seemed to fade away. Something about that smile made Victoria's insides melt at the mere thought of it. Something about that smile made her want to believe everything that came out of his mouth.