The Messenger
The next few days were spent with all of us being present at rehearsals which were becoming increasingly hectic. It meant that I had little time to rest and hardly getting to see Raoul, despite bumping into each other occasionally when he visited the opera house. Luckily though, he promised that he understood that I was busy.
The opening of the opera arrived quickly and I found myself excited to be part of its new production. I had a bigger role and I was excited for Raoul to see me perform too. I knew that seemed silly, given that he had seen me before but it was different this time. Christine shone in rehearsals as the Countess.
The afternoon of the performance involved a busy a busy dress rehearsal and I found myself growing nervous as the evening approached but it seemed most people were feeling the same way, given the number of people biting nails and pacing the stage.
I hadn't been able to speak to Christine very much since she had been back because of how busy we were but we found a little bit of time to ourselves after the dress rehearsal. There was only me, Meg and Christine sat together in the dormitories.
"So given that Raoul brought your beautiful dress for the ball, I presume that the two of you are finally officially courting?" Christine asked suddenly with a grin.
My eyes widened as she asked that, not expecting her to say it so bluntly. I was so terrified of what her reaction would be, that I barely managed a nod of my head.
She laughed at my expression. "There's no need to look so alarmed silly! It was obvious enough that you were in a relationship at the ball."
"Was it?" I asked confused.
"Well of course," she smiled. "For one thing, he had accompanied you and then he also prepared your dress. The night of Erik's opera, I saw the way you were together when Erik released him and I knew that he returned your feelings and I hoped that in me staying, you would begin courting."
"Oh," I flushed even more. When she said it like that, it seemed almost obvious that she would work it out for herself. "And you truly don't mind Raoul and I being together?"
"No of course not," she quickly insisted, coming to sit beside me on my bed and taking my hands. "As if I could ever condemn your relationship, when it is obvious how happy you both make each other. That was all I wanted for Raoul and it is what I want for you now. I knew when we were together that we didn't really make each other happy. We make better friends."
I smiled in relief at her words. I had wished to hear them for so long and now that I knew I had Christine's blessing, I felt much better about Raoul and I, given how important her opinion was to the two of us.
"I told you that you would have her blessing," Meg interjected with a grin. "She was worrying so much when the Vicomte began courting her."
Christine smiled at that.
I decided to have a quick look at the market in town whilst we still had a couple of hours left to ourselves. Meg and Christine insisted that they would come with me first of all but I assured them I would be okay. Sometimes when I was nervous, I found that wondering alone sometimes helped a little.
The market was lovely to walk around and it helped me to take my mind off of my nerves about tonight for a little while. After a while, I began to realize that I would need to get back soon though and I reluctantly began to make my way back. It was only a ten minute walk from the opera house.
I caught a shadow from the corner of my eye though and I hesitantly glanced before turning round fully when I noticed the strange sight. There was a man stood in front, with a row of stalls dividing us. He was watching me intently as though waiting for me.
I frowned at his clothes. He was wearing a black trench coat, over a beige jumper and darkened jeans. He was definitely dressed as though he was from the future! He looked a little older than me, but only by a few years, with a strong, assured look about him. He had russet brown hair and a tanned, olive complexion. His dark brown eyes watched me closely as I stepped forwards. Then, he turned and began to walk away.
I blinked, watching him for a moment before realizing that he probably wanted me to follow him Given that he looked as though he was from the future, I was curious. Nobody else seemed to notice him which made me wonder if I was just imagining this.
I continued to wonder that as I moved down the row of stalls before I managed to catch up with him at the end of the massive marker. His eyes were set forwards, appearing determined as he continued walking. He stood tall and straight, with the same confidence in his the way he walked.
"Who are you?" I asked quietly, too afraid to ask any louder in case I really was imagining this in my head, though it seemed a little strange if I was.
He ignored me as we continued walking and I frowned. Maybe I really was going mad.
We headed to a slight alleyway and I paused by the entrance as he moved into the surprisingly darkened passage. I hesitated for a moment before realizing that if I really was imagining this then he wouldn't be able to hurt me…right? And I wanted to know why I was seeing hi, whether it was real or not. I hadn't thought of going home lately. Of course I missed it but I had Raoul now and I was happy here.
I hesitantly followed him, watching as he finally turned towards me, his eyes finding mine. I felt as though I was under scrutiny.
"You are Charlotte Higgins." He said confidently as though he already knew the answer to that. It certainly didn't sound like a question.
I frowned. "Err yeah…who are you?"
He shook his head. "That doesn't matter. Your identity is what matters."
"Right," I said in confusion, trying to work out if this was even real.
I pinched the skin of my wrist to make certain that I hadn't just dreamed all this. Nope, there was pain alright. So who the hell was this guy meant to be?
He continued to stare, watching me closely as though he was fascinated. "You are not meant to be here."
"No, I'm meant to be at the opera house getting ready for tonight's performance." I replied jokingly, before rolling my eyes when he continued to watch me, completely unamused. "How do you know that?"
He shrugged. "Call me a messenger."
"Right, because that makes sense." I huffed. "Okay so if I'm allowed to ask, why are you even here oh wise one?"
He stared back unamused, still unflinching as he calmly replied to my question. "To help bring you back home of course."
He stepped forwards before I could stop him, reaching out with a hand and pressing it against my arm.
I gasped as a sudden hot feeling pulsed within me, opening my mouth to scream as everything around me went black…