Chapter 21 Under the Opera

Troy practically pushed down Nikki's dressing room door, "Nikki!?" the room was vacant. He shut the door when he heard Nikki's parents.

"Where did Nicole rush off to?" Marguerite and Richard were both standing there with proud smiles.

"Uh—she is changing, getting out of costume, and hair, make-up, all that kind of stuff," Troy stepped toward them, "She told me to tell you, she will meet you folks in the foyer for the ball. Messieurs Vanois and Shante are expecting you," Troy grinned and guided them a few steps off in the right direction. He turned and went back to her dressing room.

There was a knock on the door, "Nikki?" Jennie popped her head in and frowned, "Where did she go? Everyone is asking for her."

Troy tried to think of an excuse, "Um – she's –" he was at a loss.

Jennie put her hands on her hips, "Where did she go?"

"Jennie, I'm going to need your help. How much do you know about what she's been going through?"

The blond ballerina's eyes widened in terror, "He's real!? Did he get her? How did he do it! Oh, my gosh! We need to call the police," she started for the door.

Troy stopped her, "No, Jennie. We can't call the police. Listen to me, I need your help. Obviously, Nikki fell through a trap door of some kind. I need to get underneath."

"The stage?"

"No," he sighed, "I have an idea on where he took her and I need your help getting there. I think he took her underneath the opera house."

She frowned, "There is nothing down there."

"I believe there is. And he has taken her there. Please, think, do you know the way down to the lake?"

Jennie thought for a moment, then bit her lower lip, "Are you sure he took her down there?"

Troy nodded.

"Come with me," Jennie led him out of the dressing room and they both rushed through the crowd of people swarming around and congratulating each other. Jennie took him to a door that was locked. She produced the key from a hiding place and unlocked it. They looked around then quickly disappeared behind the door. They descended the stone stairs in the dim darkness. A cold breeze rushed past them and Jennie gasped. Troy took her hand and they continued downward. The stairs suddenly stopped, depositing into the murky, green water. A fog hovered over the water and sent chills up Jennie's spine.

"This is as far as I can go," Jennie said, "Follow that way to the right. The other way leads outside."

Troy removed his costume coat, vest and handed them to Jennie. He then rolled up his sleeves.

Jennie winced as he jumped down into the water, "Are you sure he took her down here?"

"Yes. He used to live down here. Take care of crowd control up there for me."

Jennie nodded, "Be careful. And find her."

Troy nodded then slowly followed the watery path.

Jennie waited a moment before returning.

Alone, in the darkness, Troy's eyes slowly adjusted. He heard the distant squeaks of rats and various tinking sounds. All these noises tried to pull at his will to continue, but he swallowed his hesitation and continued onward.

Up next...Chapter 22: Under the Opera Part 2