Somehow I went back in time and switched places with Christine Daae'. Now I know it seems nuts, but it was like Quantum leap or something. Anyway instead of being a scientist, I was a literary creature, my only guide person being my friend Megan, who was royally pissed off that I was the one for this mission and not her. Well when I woke up I was in this ornately decorated dressing room with these huge mirrors on the wall. Evidently I had, well Christine had, passed out, due to the corsetry she was wearing, during the intermission. Luckily, I can sing a good soprano and was able to finish the Opera that night, well get to the part where the stage went dark and I was kidnapped. Yes, we were doing Faust that night, and it was the night that Christine was to run off with Raoul. Any way, when the light went out, I felt strong arms wrap around my waist and a large hand cover my mouth. I didn't need to see the porcelain colored silk mask on the muscular man carrying me to figure out that I knew all too well where we were headed.
The labyrinth of l'Opera disoriented even my head for directions. Twists and turns, level after level got my sense of direction so turned around I would not have been able to find myself with both hands, had I really wanted to. Luckily, someone who knew every inch of the opera house and would not loose his way no matter where he went was escorting me. He finally set me on my feet when we were in the fourth basement. He gave me his arm to help me down the final descent before the lakeshore. The boat was tethered at a small dock, a black lantern glimmering in the dark. Setting one foot into the bow end, I lost my balance and tumbled into the hull of the small craft.
"I guess that's what I get for trying to step in without assistance," I said amused and embarrassed. I leaned against the bench and got comfortable; not knowing how long the trip across would take, feeling the exhaustion one feels after an extremely stressful day. When we began to move along the water, the gentle rocking lulled me to sleep, not caring where I was, nor the fact that I was with one of the most dangerous men I have ever met.