The Hand of Death
Disclaimer: The phantom doesn't belong to me… unfortunately; I am just making a story based upon my imagination about after his disappearance.
Summary (in full): That hand of death was not really a hand, but rather a mask, the half mask that OG wore. It burned the color white and covered the monster of the genius. Many know this OG as the Phantom of the Opera, I know him as Erik, my partner in both music and love. My name is Sarah Fichaud and I will tell you the tale of my experiences with the well-known Phantom after his disappearance from the Opera Populaire.
Chapter One – What happened to him?
A young woman was in a "hidden" spot of the Paris Conservatory in Paris, France, she was in her first year of music. The woman's name was Sarah Fichaud and she was very excited to be finishing her first semester at the school. Later that day there was supposed to be feature performances for all first year students. Sarah's private lesson earlier that day did not go well, and her clarinet teacher was furious with her for the poor musicianship she achieved during her lesson. "Today really was an off day for me… Why couldn't my teacher understand? What did I do wrong?" Sarah asked herself.
"You, my innocent child, have done nothing to me, the Angel of Music." Sang a voice in the shadows.
"Whose is that voice? Is it you Samuel?" Sarah asked the shadows.
"I do not know who you talk about. Who is this dear Samuel of your?" Sang that mysterious voice, "I am the one who will teach you to sing."
"I do not need too much teaching," Sarah began to reply, "I am indeed, well taught."
"But if you wish to excel, just allow me to teach you." The man in the shadows responded, suddenly footsteps were heard approaching. "I must go now, I shall be back soon. Do not look for me, for I will come to you again." His voice faded as the footsteps halted.
"Sarah, it is time for rehearsal." Samuel informed. Samuel was a young man also in his first year; he was the first person Sarah knew at the conservatory. Like her, Samuel played the clarinet, they were both talented but Sarah also had the skill of singing. Sarah nodded and they both walked to the stage where everyone was waiting to start rehearsal. Samuel and Sarah both began to get ready for the rehearsal, but both were not to be the featured performers. Marie, a first year student who was not very nice to the other students, was the soloist for both clarinet and singing.
The opening performance was to be cello, then it was trumpet, and of course after trumpet was clarinet, after those three there was intermission. Singing opened up the second half, followed by the violin solo and last was the piano solo. The cello soloist started to play J.S. Bach's Solo Cello Suite on Marimba as the opening act. The trumpet's solo piece was Trumpet Concerto in E-flat major, :1 by Joseph Haydn in which both Samuel and Sarah played in the accompanying orchestra. The next solo was for clarinet; Marie went to the center of the stage and ensured that her reed was secure. Marie was to play Carl Maria von Weber's Clarinet Concerto No. 1 for the concert that night, but during rehearsal the most mysterious thing happened. The orchestra began to play the introduction and Marie did not begin playing at her entrance. Madame Chatelaine stopped the orchestra and Marie exclaimed, "What has happened?"
"You missed your entrance Mademoiselle Marie." Madam Chatelaine responded.
"No I didn't! We weren't there yet!" Marie said.
"We shall try from the beginning again." Madame Chatelaine stated and began to conduct the orchestra again.
This time Marie did enter at the correct spot, but after a few seconds her reed began to squeak. Marie stopped playing and readjusted her reed before trying again to no avail. She could not stop squeaking no matter how hard she tried.
"What is going on? This was my very best reed! All the others have cracked this morning!" Marie cried.
"It is the work of the Phantom Ghost!" Madame Chatelaine exclaimed.
"The Phantom? Things like this do not happen at this conservatory! They only happen at the Opera Populaire! It was just a month ago that he had destroyed it! He has apparently died! The police found –" Marie complained.
"They found nothing except his white mask that he wore!" Madame Chatelaine interrupted.
"If he's not dead than wouldn't he still be at the Opera house?" Sarah asked, being quite curious about the whole ordeal.
"No, I'm afraid not, the police searched everywhere and could not find him. They believe that he has moved into this academy." Madame Chatelaine responded.
"Well now I refuse to play since I haven't any reeds! And I refuse to sing! You must all be mad letting this happen! GOODBYE!" With that Marie marched off of the stage and outside to the shivery day.
"Well we are unable to continue our rehearsal for tonight's performance! Mainly because our main star has just left the building!" Monsieur Nadeau, the head of the academy, exclaimed. He seemed furious that Marie stormed out.
"Well I believe Samuel Diemert can play it." Madame Chatelaine said.
"What? A simply orchestral member? Marie has been practicing this solo for three months! You must be joking me!" Monsieur Nadeau complained.
"Monsieur, he has been well taught by myself and it is a requirement for all first year students to play, please give him a chance." Madame Chatelaine explained.
"Fine. I will allow him to play if he doesn't screw up!" Monsieur Nadeau said calmly. Madame Chatelaine nodded at him then looked over to Samuel. Samuel smiled and went to the front with his clarinet. He began to play the concerto, and he sounded like an angel playing it.
"So?" Madame Chatelaine asked at the end of Samuel's performance.
"He shall do, but what about the singing portion?" Monsieur Nadeau asked.
"I believe that the girl that was beside Samuel is able to sing it, I heard her singing earlier and she was magnificent, what is her name again… oh yes, Sarah Fichaud." Madame Chatelaine pointed out.
"Me Madame?" Sarah asked pointing to herself.
"Yes you, why not try Marie's solo? You must know the words by now." Madame Chatelaine responded.
"I'm not sure about this," Monsieur Nadeau began, "How about you trying the solo? It is the most popular song besides Point of No Return, give it a shot."
"I shall try, but I am not sure if it will turn out okay…" Sarah said being a little unsure.
"You'll be fine, I feel quite confident in you," Madame Chatelaine said. Samuel nodded at Sarah for good luck and Sarah went to the center of the stage.
After quickly clearing her throat, Sarah began to sing Think of Me from Hannibal that Christine Daaé sang during the time of the Phantom. At the end of her performance the orchestra began to clap.
"I believe we have found our new star!" Monsieur Nadeau stated.
"I believe I found my new victim," The Phantom said under the stage where he was watching the rehearsal, he said it so quietly that no one could hear him.
A/N: I am in the process of editing and re-writing this story. I have re-written the first two chapters and am now continuing this story with new motivation. Hope you enjoy!