the songs used in the story belong to Andrew Llyod Webber not me...
The Opera House
How she ended up where she was she could not remember. The girl was walking by candlelight down the dark dusty hallways of the famous opera house. She guessed she was now getting closer to the cellars of the house due to how thick and damp the air was. She picked up her pace hearing the sound of water up ahead.
"I can't believe it I'm almost there," she thought glancing behind her
The girl stopped inches away from the edge of a long narrow lake.
"My god it is real" she gasped holding out her candle to try and get a better view of the lake but is was so dark down there and the candle's dim light would only go so far. Her heart wanted to go further to satisfy her curiosity but she could not find a way to cross.
"I know he's down there, I just know you are," she thought smiling.
She drew in a deep breath and sang out to what she thought was the end of the dark gloomy lake.
In sleep he sang to me
in dreams he came
that voice which calls to me
and speaks my name…
Jewel turned toward the voice that was called her name and smiled. Another girl joined her carrying a pink flashlight. It was Amanda Jewel's best friend who, she fondly called Aeris.
"How in the hell did you get down here? And in your wheelchair for that matter!" asked Aeris.
Jewel looked at her friend her face glowing "Aeris, just look at where we are."
She looked around stopping in aw, "The Phantom's lair it is on the other side of this lake right?" she asked.
"I guess…" Jewel replied.
"I'm going to find out…"said Aeris," I want his mask!"
Jewel pulled her friend away from the edge with a joking laugh, "No Aeris, you can't go not without me."
"I'll be right back," said Aeris in unconvincing way.
Jewel yelled angrily, "Hey, I can't walk so there is no way I could go with you and you are not leaving me here to wait."
Aeris grabbed Jewel's arm, "Relax okay. I was only joking. Besides look at the water it is disgusting."
Jewel looked down at the water and wrinkled her noise it was a dark murky green. The two friends sat together close to the edge of the lake. They talked for awhile down there all alone with only Aeris's pink flashlight and a small candle for light.
Back in their hotel Jewel lay awake saying a prayer for her family back home in Texas. As a graduation gift from college her Parents had paid for her and a friend to spend the summer in Paris. Her father knowing her love for the Paris opera house had booked them a room at the hotel closest to the old opera house. Jewel turned trying to get comfortable for some reason she was unable to sleep. Aeris however, was sound asleep in the bed next to her. She hugged her Hiei plushy tightly to her as she slept.
Jewel envied her at times like this. Aeris was always the first one to fall asleep. But here hey were in Paris. Jewel always had wanted to come here and for one reason, the old opera house. This place haunted her dreams and consumed her thoughts for so long. It was the birthplace to her favorite story, The Phantom of the Opera. She read the book seen the play and owned the movie. She found she much favored Andrew Lloyd Webber's interpretation of The Phantom as a tragic lover, than as a cold hearted killer with death's head on his shoulders.
Jewel rolled to her side picking up the sound of a soft voice sing outside,
No one would listen No one but her Heard as the outcast hears…The sad voice faded of into Silence as Jewel finally fell asleep.
Aeris and Jewel were once again at the opera house the next day. They were walking the main part of the theater and the grand stage seemed smaller than they imagined. They stood close together eyeing the nude states all over the room.
"Box 5" Aeris screamed
Her friend so close to her jumped at her high pitched sound looking up to where she pointed.
"Let's go up there," suggested Aeris.
Jewel followed her friend with excitement. But her heart soon sank as she saw the stairs in her way. Aeris helped her friend from her wheelchair and had her lean on her for support as she helped her up the stairs. After making it up to the booth Aeris helped Jewel to a chair and stared out at the theater. Everything seemed so small from where they were.
"So, this is the famous Box 5," said Aeris.
It really is beautiful just look at the stage," said Jewel.
She looked back and Aeris who was touching the red velvet curtains. Box 5 was a small tight place overcastted in shadow. Perfect for one to sneak in and out of without notice.
"Hey Jewel let's go on stage," suggested Aeris, "They have a ramp that goes up so you should be able to get up there."
Jewel looked down, "I don't think we are allowed to, Aeris."
Aeris turned giving Jewel a taunting look, "Oh come on you, know you want too."
In her heart Jewel admitted she always wanted to stand on that stage just once. Nothing could describe her feelings as she moved around the stage. It was like a dream come true as she took center stage. She closed her eyes imagining herself all dress up for a gala and a house full of people staring at her. A familuar tune began to play and Jewel's fantasy disappeared as she looked behind her.
"Since when can you play the piano?" she asked seeing Aeris at the keys.
"I've been practicing at your house…" Aeris said proudly," now…from the beginning of the aria then, mam'selle."
Jewel took a breath and began singing out to an imaginary crowd…
Think of me
think of me fondly,
when we've said goodbye.
Remember me every so aften
please promise me you'll try.
When you find that, once again,
You long to take your heart back and be free
if you ever find a moment,
spare a thought for me…
Aeris smile at her friend she did not have to her face to know Jewel was happy. The more Jewel got into the song the easier the notes were to hit…
We never said our love
was evergreen, or as unchanging as the sea
but please promise me, that sometimes
you will think of me
The last few notes slipped easily off her tongue. Aeris got up and hugged Jewel tightly, "Man, that was perfect your voice is so good."
"Yes, indeed said another voice startling the girls. They looked up seeing an old woman looking at them.
"What are you two doing up there," she asked firmly.
Too scared to answer her Jewel was first off the stage with Aeris following soon after.
"We didn't mean to cause trouble we wanted to stand on the stage," said Jewel bravely.
She appeared to be a woman in her sixties wearing a loose, plain black dress with most of her grey hair up in a bun.
She looked at Aeris, "You played that song well…" she then turned to Jewel, "You'd make a fine Christine Daae."
Both girls blushed, "Thank you…"
"Do you work in this opera house?" asked Aeris.
"Indeed I do and have for the last 20 years," she spoke with a thick French accent.
"Do you believe in the Opera Ghost," Aeris asked.
Jewel laughed at her question.
"I can't say I do or a don't…" she gave Jewel an eerie look, "please stay off the stage girls. If there is a ghost in this opera house I have a feeling he'd come after you."
Jewel looked up at box 5 and sighed. Her eyes wandered deep into the dark box. She for a split second could make out the outline of a dark figure lingering in box 5 but just like that it was gone. Probably another tourist, but she didn't remember seeing anyone come in and go up there. Jewel felt a little silly she knew her mind was playing tricks on her.