Chapter X
Margret set up a round table on the center stage. It had taken time to sweep up the glass and force the curtains open, but they had managed to complete things enough to get the table set up. They threw an old red table cloth across it. It didn't even reach the floor. They carefully lit each candle along the stage edge and the candelabra at the table's center. Seven chairs were placed around the table for each person, a number which was argued for a while. It was hesitantly decided that the children would stay.
"So, what exactly are we doing here, anyway?" grumbled Marcus, sitting first.
"We are to commune with the spirits in this place," hummed Margret, opening a large book. "We want to remain subtle, only communing with the awoken spirits without alerting the still slumbering ones."
"You talk weird," remarked John, sitting beside his father.
"John!" snapped Belle.
"What do you mean still slumbering ones?" commented Marcus. "How many 'spirits' are here?"
"Hard to say," she replied. "We'd rather keep the problem to the one, yes?"
Jasper sat on the other side of his father. Dani sat between Belle and Margret. Tilly sat between Jasper and Margret. After the chairs had finished shuffling, silence began falling. Margret looked over her book a moment before raising her head to look to Dani. The little one rested her hands on the table, legs kicking off the ledge of the chair.
"My dear," Margret hummed, "I've heard you've made an interesting friend recently."
Dani lowered her eyes, avoiding the stares of everyone. Belle moves her hand atop her daughter's, gently rubbing it. She offered the girl a soft nod.
"Yes…"
"What's his name?"
"Mr. Phantom."
"Is he the only friend you've made?"
Dani perked, turning to stare at Margret. Belle removed her hand. Margret nodded softly, patting the child's hand.
"It's okay," she spoke. "You're not in trouble. I just want to be sure."
Dani glanced at her mother, then her father, before turning back to Margret. After a moment's pause, she nodded, lowering her gaze again. Her kicking feet stopped.
"What's their name?"
"Christine."
"That's lovely," nodded Margret, sitting up. "Has there been any other new friends?"
Silence.
"Then let us begin. We will try to summon one of these beings. All join hands, shut your eyes, and focus on my voice."
The candle lights flickered slightly as everyone shuffled to hold hands. The boys objected originally but eventually held their neighbor's hand. Margaret tilted her head back, eyes shut and breathing soft.
"I seek protection and sound my alarm. May body, mind and spirit be safe from harm. My aura a shield to help me stay strong. I block negativity and all that is wrong," Margaret hummed.
Marc rolled his eyes and shook his head before Belle sent him a glare. He shut his eyes again. Belle nodded lightly, shutting her eyes as well.
"Guardians of the Spirit realm, hear and guide my plea," cooed Margaret. "when the witching hour rings true, bring my friend Christine to me. Other souls who hear my call are not welcome in this place. Only the one known as Christine may enter sacred space."
Dani opened one eyes to look around. There seemed to be a slight breeze floating by, brushing the candles' flames and swaying Margaret's hair around her, stray strands frizzing out. She continued repeating her chant, beckoning Christine appear in some way or form Dani waited, looking around for her friend. After a moment, Marc opened his eyes as well.
"This is stupid," he huffed.
"Marcus, be quiet," hushed Belle.
"This is a sham," he snapped.
"Be patient," instructed Margaret, lowering her head to look between Belle and Marcus. "It can take time for the message to reach the other side."
"And sometimes the voice that calls is so soft…"
Eyes fell on the center of the table where a lovely woman now sat. She had her legs bent to one side, an arm propping her up. Her long-curled hair draped over one shoulder. Her lovely white dress hung off her shoulders and revealed a small portion of her chest. Her eyes softly looked between each member of the group, falling lastly on Dani accompanied with a soft smile. Dani smiled lightly.
"Hello, spirit," greeted Margaret, "I am sorry for disturbing you and thank you joining us."
"It is no disruption," Christine replied. "I am happy to meet you all, and I'm happy to see you again, my child."
"Hi," whispered Dani.
"We have questions if we may," offered Margaret. "Are you the only spirit here?"
"No."
"Who else is here with you?"
Christine looked over her shoulder into the shadows of curtains, seeing her once angel music lurk. He watched her and the group, eyes drifting between her and child farthest from him. Dani peered around her, seeing him as well.
"The Phantom of the Opera," Christine said softly, turning her attention back to the group. "My Angel of Music. The unseen revenant."
"Do you see him?" whispered Margaret to Dani.
She turned to her mother and then to Margaret, nodding.
"What holds you here, spirit? What holds him?" Margaret called out.
The Phantom furled his cape, disappearing into the shadows. Dani looked away. Christine shook her head.
"I spent much my life here and him more so," she hummed. "I am here for him and he…doesn't know why. He lingers because in life he was lost and now more so."
"What's she saying?" mumbled John.
"Shut up," snapped Jasper, jabbing him with his elbow.
"We are not alone here," Christine perked. "We are merely the one's aware of our fate, aware of you. For the most part, we go about our way, avoiding life. He makes only one exception." Christine tilted her head, looking to Dani. "Her. The only one who sought him with no fear in her eyes or malice in her soul. She saw no difference and held no pity. She liked him truly and was kind to him as only a child can."
"A child doesn't know better," huffed Marc. "She is talking with a known criminal and murderer."
"Marcus!" hissed Belle.
"I want him gone. I want her gone!" ordered Marc, pointing at Christine.
"Please, do not break the circle!" gasped Margaret.
"Don't you have some sort of banishing spell? Some make believe magic garbage that will get rid of these things?" he shouted, slamming his hands on the table. "We called you to get rid of them, not to socialize with them like some tea party."
"Marcus, please. Behave!" directed Belle.
The breeze picked up slightly.
"Give me that," Marc grumbled, snatching the open book from under Margaret. She reached out but failed to stop him.
"No, you don't know what you're messing with!" gasped Margaret.
"This can't be that hard," mumbled Marc, flipping through the pages. "Spirits show yourself. Spirits reveal. Spirits come to me so I know you are real? What is this nonsense?"
"No!"
There was a loud echoing of piano keys, followed by the sweeping wind from an unknown source. The candles went out and curtains billowed. Everyone leapt to their feet as Christine faded. Peering down into the pit in front of the stage's edge, they found it filled with smartly dressed musicians, wielding their instruments and playing vigorously. Before them stood a conductor, swinging his arms and instructing the band to play. The music swelled, growing louder.
"What in the world!" shouted Marc.
"You fool," hissed Margaret, snatching the book. "You have awoken what was sleeping."
"This is your fault," argued Marc, pointing. "If you had done what we'd hired you for, this wouldn't have happened!"
"Foolish nonbeliever," huffed Margaret, flipping through the book. She paused, raising her hand into the air. "This is not your place, spirits; it is time for you to move on!"
The music continued to play. Margaret snarled, flipping through the book again. Belle held onto Dani, dragging her around the side of the table to stand beside her siblings. Tilly sat back down, watching the band play on. The music was growing louder. Margaret again raised her hand.
"Any unwanted spirits and entities, please leave now. Any evil or negative energies or presences, please leave! You don't belong here. I am sending you home. Go back whence you came! Please leave now! Only light and healing energy is allowed in this room! Thank you…"
The music seemed to calm, slowly fading. The band seemed unfazed by her chanting, continuing mindlessly. Belle clung to her children, huddling them together around her. John and Jasper clung to her legs. Dani peered through her mother's hands, looking around. She could see more. Not only the band playing but the wandering people in the audience, several sitting in imaginary chairs, some walking behind the stage. They were everywhere now.
"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, may the wind blow you, wandering ghost and clear the world of the living! Turn you to where you belong and may you disappear without a trace!"
The conductor turned, looking to the group. His eyes were blank, empty sockets staring at them. Belle went to cover Dani's eyes but found the girl had left her protection. Spinning around, she spotted Dani wandering into the back of the stage. The little girl peered upward at the scaffolding at more wandering spirits.
"Danielle!" cried Belle, reaching out.
Dani looked over her shoulder, seeing her mother near tears. The music swelled again, as if anticipating something unseen. Without warning, Dani felt someone wrap around her, tackling her, and shoving her out of the way. As soon of her and other's body rested, something came crashing to the ground. Dani finally moved her gaze, peering upward at her rescuer. It was the Phantom. He looked over his shoulder at the fallen catwalk. Her black cloak wrapped around her small body, clothing her in darkness.
"Mr. Phantom," whispered Dani, slowly looking over to her mother.
Belle covered her mouth, eyes welled with tears. She left John and Jasper, walking over to her daughter and rescuer. She fell to her knees just short of them. Her breathing was labored as she held out her arms.
"Dani…" she sniffled.
The Phantom stood up, releasing Dani from his cloak. She looked up at him as he quickly disappeared back into the curtain's shadow. Dani got to her feet carefully, running to her mother. They embraced in a long hug, and Dani could feel her mother's tears on her shirt. The hug tightened. Dani looked over her shoulder, watching the curtains sway.
A/N
This is a changing point for the story. Things might get a little more...detailed if you get what I mean. Just a heads up, if the eyeless conductor wasn't an obvious hint.