As many years as Ae Chea has lived in the city of Paris, she had never attended one of the Catacombs tours. She didn’t believe in ghosts. What was so fascinating about millions of dead people and piles of bones? But she kept with the group, listening to the leader ramble on and on about the history of the catacombs. Brown eyes were looking at anywhere else. Even at the crowd of people in front of her, falling upon a certain person her eyes narrowed and softened. For a brief moment, her heart skipped a beat. She thought it was her sister. A sister she hadn’t seen in years.. one that was so special to Ae.
Before Ae Chea could confront the woman, there was a loud crying that echoed through the catacombs. It was full of pain, sorrow. As if limbs were being ripped from someones body. Ae Chea quickly turned her head toward the sound. Staring into hall of darkness. The cries still bounced off the walls and filled her ears. She looked back to the group, no one moved. The host still talking about the history of the catacombs. Did no one hear it? Or did they not care? How could you listen to someone sobbing their heart out and do nothing?
She was far too stubborn, or perhaps naive, to leave this crying woman alone to herself. As the group moved forward, Ae Chea slowly fell back into the crowd. Once they were far enough forward she darted back and disappeared into the darkness to find the crying woman.