Prologue: The Phantom
Once, a ballet dancer boasted to her friends that she saw his shadow flitting above her.
Of course, it was impossible to imagine…everyone knew that he moved with the speed of a graceful panther. He had become something of a legend over the years, almost a ghost. He existed in the thoughts and fears of the dancers, that lyrical boundary between dream and nightmare.
And how did they know he existed?
Those letters. Written in passionate, powerful script, they were the one connection between the man of mystery and those who felt they belonged to the real world. It was his theater, and he had complete power over them. The directors of the ballet company dared not decide against his looming wrath.
The precision of his directions showed he was a ballet master himself, knowledgeable of each and every detailed term to describe the subtle nuances of ballet.
He would give instructions on how to choreograph each production, the specific steps to be performed and the delicate positioning of each dancer. There was one thing he allowed the directors to decide; the casting of the dancers in their roles was a matter on which he was mysteriously silent.
His carefully written instructions never failed to bring raving reviews and full houses each night. They had become the most prestigious dancing company in the country, perhaps even in the world.
The air of mystery that pervaded each performance was unmistakable; that secretive, shadowy ghost also became their wise protector.
Being a dancer at the company was a highly coveted position shrouded with respect and mystery. Each one of the dancers possessed a mixture of luck, talent, and dedication in order to become part of that selective group.
The ghost, however, watched over each of their backs like a silent guardian; he was everywhere precisely because no one knew where he was.
Who would have known so much was to change with the arrival of a young dancer?
[A/N] Trying to decide if I should continue this one or not. Tell me what you think!
