Darkness had settled over the sleeping city. The full moon hung high in the velvet black sky, as stars twinkled, slowly fading behind puffs of gray clouds. Lights dimmed in the houses as street lights fought back the shadows from the side walks. Tavern doors were open, showing the giddy people full of booze and delight.
A young man trotted down the street, a bouquet of fresh red roses in his gloved hands. His black cape floated behind him, reveling the nicely pressed suit he wore. A top hat rested on his head, hiding his cherry blonde hair.
The wind rustled by, tossing the man's hat from his head. He turned and cursed under his breath. Without another thought he ran after it. His foot steps echoed off the cobblestone street, his free hand reaching for the tumbling hat.
Finally the top hat came to a stop. The man smiled and scooped the hat up. He examined it, brushing off a few grains of dirt. With a sigh he placed on his head. Adjusting his hat, the man turned to begin his journey down the street.
Suddenly a soft meow slithered from the darkness. The man came to a stop. He looked around his feet, only to find a Siamese kitten. The young cat looked up at him with crystal blue eyes, unblinking. Its charcoal colored tail flopped around.
"Why, hello there!" he said with a smile. He knelt down and held out his gloved hand. The kitten sniffed it and looked him in the eye. "I've never seen a feline like you around here. You must belong to someone of high class!"
A soft meow came from the cat, like some type of reply.
The man chuckled. "Well, I have no time to chat to such a petty thing." He patted the Siamese on the head. "Now, off with you. It would be a terrible thing to find such a creature dead in the street."
"In deed it would." The voice seemed to flow from the darkness behind the cat. It seemed to hold immense power, but came out as soft and tremulous.
The man stood, his eyes fixated on the darkness of the ally. His dark blue eyes strained to find the source of the voice, but could not find a single person. His heart beat heavily in his chest, his eyes growing wider with fear.
Without a word the man turned to leave but came face to face with a tall man. A soft, rose colored porcelain mask covered half of the man's face, leaving a beautifully shaped opening for his brown eye. The man was tall and wore an elegant suit and cloak. The bare skin of his face was pale, and his black hair brushed back, whisking around his ears.
"Good evening, sir." he said, grasping the roses he had.
The masked man sneered, his eyes fixating on the roses. "Roses? Who is the lovely mademoiselle that is to receive such a beautiful present?" He touched the velvet petals with a white, gloved hand. "The young woman must mean much if you're going to her at such an hour."
He nodded. "She is." A soft smile crossed his face as he looked at the roses. "She is a beautiful woman and I adore her more than life itself. I only hope she feels the same way, and I can gather my courage to approach her in person."
"You've never spoken with the girl?" the masked man asked, raising an eyebrow. He suddenly bent down and picked up the cat, delicately. He stroked the cat's fur, causing the Siamese to purr. "A strange romance if I say so. Who, may I ask, is she?"
"Her name is Christine Daae." he replied with a smile. "She is a chorus girl from the Paris Opera house. She is a beauty." He adjusted the flowers. "Christine may not be of great importance in the Opera populace, but she means a great deal to me."
The masked man suddenly took hold of the man's neck. The cat jumped from his arms, slowly circling around his feet. A soft growl seemed to grow from the masked man's throat. His brown eyes bore into the young suitor's soul.
"I suggest that you stay away from the Opera House. No one within those walls should be bothered by such a petty thing." he said in great disgust. The masked man tightened his grip on the young suitor's neck. The man clawed at the gloved hands, letting the bouquet fall to the cold ground. "I do not wish to harm you, but I will if I must."
"Please," the man gasped. "let me go. I will abide by your wishes if you let me live."
Without a word the masked man let go of the suitor. The young man fell to his knees gasping for air. His hat fell from his head, tumbling to the masked man's feet. He kicked it away with a soft laugh. He bent down and picked up the fallen roses, his eyes coming into contact with the suitor's.
"I bide you good night." the masked man said, adjusting the roses, pulling out the ruined stems. He looked down at the Siamese kitten, which meowed playfully. "Come, Ayesha. It is time we return to the Opera House."
The masked man turned on his heel and began walking down the street. The cat trotted beside him, her head in the air with pride. The man hummed a song, that lingered in the air as a fog rolled in.
The young suitor was left alone, gasping for air and wondering what had happened. He stood, not bothering to grab his hat. Brushing the dirt from his clothes, he looked down the street, his eyes struck with fear. The man and his cat were gone. Without another glance he turned and ran. Fear was dancing in his heart, and that masked face lingered in his memory.