New Chaptuh! Hope yal like, the IL MUTO scene!


Chapter 8: Il Uh-Oh

I take a glance before me at the display of music sheets, in assortment of different speeds, rhythms… I had no idea that these were all written by the mysterious E.D.

"So shall we begin, now you are indeed feeling much better?" He says softly, standing behind me. No pressure then! Soon after I awoke in the swan bed again, he had told me that I had some rest but must practice more as the Il Muto show was tonight. He really loved to pressure me didn't he?!

"Yes…" I say, and then hesitate. I cannot keep calling him phantom or O.G., right? I had to know his name…

"Forgive me, but what should I call you?" I look at him through my long lashes. I see his distaste for my question, drawing in a quick breath before answering.

"Phantom, O.G. the Devil's Child, which ever you think fits," He says, looking down at his feet. I have never seen him so unsure of himself.

I scoff at his choice of names. Surely he would want me to call him by his real name, if he even had one, that is.

"Are those your only choices, monsieur? Do you not have a proper name?" I lift up one of the scores with the initials 'E.D.' scrawled on top.

"Is E.D. your name?" I ask cautiously, hoping he would not be mad at my forwardness.

He simply shrugs, "It is. Erik Destler."

I begin to feel like a huge weight has fallen upon me. He has a name, a human one that no one has bothered to know. I feel so much sadness for him all of sudden...

"You must dislike those which call you only by 'Opera Ghost and Phantom'. Do you not wish they would see you as a person, rather than a monster?"

Erik coughs awkwardly, then taps the sheets, urging me to play the music. So I obey and drop the subject. I smile, knowing that I had made some progress with the Phantom: I know his real name.


The room is full to burst with aristocrats and the highest of society all seated and eager to see the show. With Carlotta back, she must have brought in a whole herd of new fans, there are more than ever before.

I feel very nervous and shaken. Erik said that he had plans to put Christine back into the leading role, not the page boy farce that she had been forced into. He would not tell me though, probably in fear that I might have told Christine and foil his plans. All he said was that by the end of the night, everyone will know who the real star of the show was. Dread clouds me as I think of whatever that may mean.

I step quickly toward the piano, not really needing to use it until a bit later in the performance, but needing to prepare myself. I watch as the show goes underway, almost regretting taking the position of piano. I can unfortunately hear the performance loudly as ever, and when Carlotta is the Countess...

Her voice pierces the room as she prances the stage, poor Christine in tow. I feel so bad for her, not being allowed to sing and having to pretend to like Carlotta. She steals a glance at me, her act falling slightly as I catch her pleading eyes. She wants so badly to be the leading soprano. I wish I could help her.

"Serafimo - away with this pretense!

You cannot speak, but kiss me in my husband's absence!

Poor fool, he makes me laugh!

Haha, Haha...

Time I tried to get a better better half!

Poor fool, he doesn't know!

Hoho, Hoho...

If he knew the truth, he'd never, ever..."

Just then a voice booms over the stage:

'Did I NOT instruct, that box 5 was to remain EMPTY?!' It is Erik! What is he doing?

Gasps and whispers echo around the room as everyone comes to terms that the 'Phantom of the Opera' has struck once again. I must admit, it is quite exciting, Erik does put on quite a show and a convincing one at that. He has everyone practically shaking at the knees. All except me, because I know his truth.

Carlotta however seems unfazed by the Phantom, demanding the show go on, snidely calls Christine a toad and rushes off stage for her throat spray. Ugh, I wish I could just make her choke on her words. How dare she call Christine a toad?!

I sit arms crossed, waiting for the show to just be over already. I will not listen to her any longer.

"Serafimo - away with this pretense, You cannot speak,

but kiss me in my AAAARRRRRGGGHHHH!"

I shoot up from my seat, what was THAT?!

Carlotta continues to croak and her voice sounds like a dog barking in the night!

The audience erupts into laughter and Carlotta begins to cry. Monsieur Firmin and Andre signal to the stage and the curtains are drawn. I cannot contain my giggles at the events unfolding before me. My wish became true! No more Carlotta! WHoo!

We are then informed that Christine will be the lead instead of Carlotta. Yes! Thank heavens balance has been restored. We are also informed that to make sure Christine is ready for the role and has time to change there will be the ballet of a different act playing. Which means I have to play this part. Oh Well...

I seat myself down and begin as the curtains open and the ballet gets going. This isn't so bad after all! Erik gets what he wants and so does Christine, everyone is happy. But unfortunately all good things must come to an end. During the show I look up and see Erik, running about above the stage. What is he doing? I cannot see well but suddenly a body flies down on a noose from the above the stage!

"Oh my god!" I shout, as I see a flash of a black cloak as the Phantom runs away. Why Erik, Why?!


Whoo finally got this chapter finito, it took longer than excpected because I have been sooo busy and I wanted this to be decent. Hopefully it was. More Erik and Katia interaction will be coming soon in the next chapters! Thank you everyone for reviewing, following and favouriting!