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1.1 Relic
Darkparis In this session and the next, you are going to read the opening of a novel called Darkparis. The story is set in Paris. The main character, Louis, finds himself in the mysterious catacombs below the city streets, led by his new companion, Relic. Catacombs were originally mines that were later used as storage tunnels. The catacombs are a popular tourist attraction in Paris today. 01
Extract 1 flickering: shining unsteadily naïve: lacking experience or wisdom
FT
Louis stood just inside the entrance, watching the shadows from the flickering torches dance on the walls. This was the first time he’d been inside the ancient catacombs and the situation felt unnatural. He could see Relic begin to make her way through the narrow tunnels, and despite his hesitation, something – he didn’t know what – made him trust her. Somehow, she was the key to this. He started to follow her. Darkparis. How did he end up here – and why?
R
A
He was bored. Bored with work, bored with home, bored with life. Louis was 17 years old and living in a small apartment in northern Paris. That much sounded like a dream, but Louis had soon discovered how dull life in the world beyond childhood could be. His job in the local supermarket hardly filled him with joy. Yes, he was bored. Lonely, actually. So when a dark-haired girl he’d never met before had approached him as he left work the previous day and asked him how to find the entrance to the catacombs, he was pleased to have a brief distraction.
D
‘I’ll show you,’ he found himself saying. ‘I’m heading that way.’ The girl smiled and introduced herself as she began walking alongside him. ‘I’m Relic,’ she said. As they navigated the back streets of Paris, Louis found himself in an easy conversation with Relic. She had a kind face and seemed a little too naïve to live in the city. At the same time, though, there was something odd about her – as if she belonged to another time.
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