Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or Phantom of the Opera!
A/N: Sadly, school starts again tomorrow tear so I will not be able to update as frequently depending on my workload. But this story has priority over my other one so it shouldn't take more than a few days- thank you so much for reading this! :)
CHAPTER 4
I was once again, too comfortable on a soft bed. 'What had happened?' I thought to myself before peeling my eyes open. All the memories came flooding back and I shuddered despite the warmth of the blankets around me.
"Not going to faint again are we?" mused a voice to my right. I jumped up again, once again shocked and scared. I scrambled over to the farthest side of the bed with the blankets up to my neck.
"No need to be afraid Bella" he murmured, moving slowly closer to me
I was surprised at the mirthless laughter that escaped my lips "no need to be afraid? I have been led down to this forsaken place, trapped here against my will with a monster and just discovered he wants to marry me!" I was fast becoming hysterical and noticed warm moisture falling down my face onto the blankets.
I wiped them away furiously and buried my head into my arms, the sobs shaking my frame violently. After a long moment of me sobbing uncontrollably, I lifted my head to see the Phantom still sitting there staring at me, his golden eyes seemingly troubled.
I frowned as something occurred to me. Do Phantom's have names? Surely they can't just be called 'Phantom'. I almost laughed at my ludicrous thoughts.
The Phantom must have noticed me smiling to myself, for he asked "What are you thinking?"
"What is your name?" I asked, my voice trembling ever so slightly.
"Is that what you were thinking?" he raised a perfectly arched eyebrow
I nodded while gauging his expression
He sighed then answered "You may call me Edward"
It was a nice name, a gentlemanly name. 'A name he does not deserve' I thought viciously. Instead of internally cursing him, I decided to focus my efforts on getting myself out of here.
"Edward, that's a nice name' I attempted to smile at him, but even to me it seemed weak. He bought it though and smiled back at me, so beautifully I nearly fainted again. 'Pull yourself together Bella!' I thought to myself, embarrassed at how dismal I was.
"Bella, I know that you want to leave" I was surprised at his sudden change in conversation.
"How do you know that?" Maybe because I have been pleading to go for the last day.
"You talk in your sleep" he murmured
I blushed and cringed. My old room mate always commented on my sleep talking and usually made fun of me. I waited for Edward to speak, he was still staring at me which made me very self conscious and uncomfortable. I shifted my position a few times before he spoke.
"I will let you go" My eyes flickered upwards in surprise; I didn't think he would ever let me go. I was smiling, thinking of seeing Jacob again when he added in a dangerously low voice "but not forever. You are to return to me in 7 days. I will let you say goodbye but that is the most I could do"
My smile faltered but I agreed whole heartedly. I'm sure Jacob would come up with something, if not we will run away together, far from this cursed Opera house.
"Now quickly go and eat something so I can get you back to the opera before night falls"
I did as he said and went back to the table, eating breads, cheeses and fruits. I carefully avoided my eyes from roaming over to that mannequin I knew was behind the curtain.
All throughout me eating, Edward was watching me. I couldn't help but feel as though he was trying to figure out what was on my mind. I prayed silently that he never found out, because if he did, he would never let me go.
The trip back was quick and slightly awkward. I refused to be carried but he ignored my expressions of contempt and scooped me up anyway.
"You better close your eyes" he warned, grinning slightly at my furious face
"Hmph" I knew I was being stubborn, but that's just who I am. I crossed my arms across my chest and made no move to reply.
"Suit yourself" he muttered before racing off into the dark abyss. I soon found out why he told me to shut my eyes, we were traveling much too fast. The wind whipped at my hair and dress, making it billow out behind me. I was too scared to shut my eyes and was soon unwillingly curling up against Edward's freezing body.
'How come I didn't notice this speed when we first came here' I wondered to myself, my face buried in Edward's cloak. 'Oh that's right, I fell asleep' my mind answered sheepishly.
I must have fallen asleep along the way, again. I woke up on the couch in the dressing room, a note tucked underneath one of the cushions near my head.
The note said:
"It is only the afternoon after last night so not many people would have noticed you are gone" I blinked in surprise, it had felt like I was there with Edward for a few days almost! I stopped my pondering and continued reading the elegant script "Please wait in this dressing room exactly 7 days from now – at midnight, Please do not try running away – you will not go far. I will not forget. Edward"
I shivered despite the sunlight filtering in through the window. Did he guess I was planning on running away? I needed to speak to Jacob right away. I shredded the parchment, balled it up and threw it into the back of the fireplace.
I rushed upstairs to my room and got changed into a new set of clothes. This afternoon, the new play would be announced and parts would be chosen. I fervently hoped that Carlotta will not get the part for once.
I arrived at the stage just in time. I snuck in at the back and nobody noticed me other than a concerned looking Angela. I smiled in reassurance and sat down looking politely to the front.
"Well as you know, today we will begin a new opera. Parts have already been chosen. I am pleased to announce that Carlotta will once again have the lead female role" announced Monsieur Firmin.
I almost groaned, not because I didn't get the part but because there were plenty of other people more deserving and talented. Carlotta stood up and smiled widely at the polite smattering of applause.
All the other parts had been announced shortly after. I had received the part of a silent page boy. It wasn't that bad, I was glad that I had any part at all. We all rehearsed till the sun went down then Angela and I went to back to my dormitory so I could explain what had happened to me.
I closed my door and gestured to my bed, inviting her to sit down.
"So where were you this morning? I was looking for you everywhere!" her kind brown eyes held nothing but concern for me.
"Do you know the story of the Phantom? The one that lurks in this opera?"
"Yes, but what does this have to do with anything -?" she broke off at my expression; her face seemed to light up with sudden understanding "The Phantom… you... kidnapped?" she managed to choke out in complete shock.
I nodded solemnly and tried smiling though it felt strange. Unexpectedly, Angela broke out in laughter "No really, where were you this morning?" she asked still chortling. I frowned at her, she knew me better than to think I was joking. I was about to respond when a knock at the door interrupted
"Angela! I need some help lifting a few things downstairs!" called Madame Giry. Angela sighed but obeyed.
"Promise you'll tell me later okay? See you later Bella!" said Angela, making her way to the door. I nodded again, my mouth feeling dry.
The next few days passed without incident. I tried acting normal but a nagging voice at the back of my head kept reminding me of my limited time left here, and more importantly; with Jacob.
The following afternoon, someone had knocked on my door. I opened it to find no one was there, frowning; I began to close it when my eye caught the piece of paper lying there on the ground. I picked it up and went back inside. The note read:
"Dearest Bella, I have just come back from a business trip and I would like to meet up with you to make up for lost time. Please meet me up on the rooftops after tonight's Opera. Love Jacob"
I smiled happily. I had missed Jacob a great deal while he was away. I needed to tell him about the Phantom, he of all people would believe me.
That night at the Opera, something very strange happened. We were performing in front of another full audience tonight when Carlotta lost her voice. She had been absolutely fine before, trilling through the notes to the song.
She was clutching her throat, her eyes bulging when a booming voice echoed through all the opera.
"I thought I told you not to let Carlotta sing tonight?" The voice was horribly familiar and my stomach lurching, threatening to be sick.
The audience gasped at the mysterious voice. Some thought it was a wonderful addition to the play but some knew better; they believed in the legend of the Phantom of the Opera.
I was frozen in my place when a pair of hands yanked me towards back stage. I nearly screamed but a warm hand covered my mouth. I relaxed when I saw who it was. It was Michael, one of my few friends at this Opera. He was a stage hand with blonde hair and very blue eyes. He smiled at me then pulled me towards the dressing room.
"Monsieur Andre told me to tell you that you are filling in for Carlotta's place. We have to be quick while the audience is preoccupied" he whispered.
I was surprised. Why was no one else scared for their lives? The Phantom or Edward as he is called; had killed so many people during his stay at this Opera. He had murdered several innocent stage hands, and I was worried about Michael.
Michael left the room for me to change. I put on a red dress that hung off the shoulders with a black ribbon tied around my waist. I took off my hat and untied my hair, quickly fastening some pins in to tame it.
As soon as I opened the door, Michael smiled then dragged me on stage. I could see Carlotta fuming backstage, trying to communicate with the Monsieur's. Her eyes narrowed to slits when she saw me and I could see that she suspected foul play from me just so I could get her part.
I was rushed onto stage and began singing from where Carlotta had left off. The audience applauded loudly when I had finished, not seemingly disturbed by the Phantom any more.
