Author's Note: I do not own The Phantom of the Opera.
53
"Here the sire may serve the dam…"
They were an act into the opera, and the familiar cacophony of chords had begun. This was it. Kayla leant over the edge of the second balcony and waved frantically at Clemens. "Get the backstage cleared, now!"
"Here the master takes his meat…"
Clemens saluted, and the red headed boy disappeared into the dark. Kayla peered down at the stage. Carlotta, despite the complaints she had during every rehearsal until now, was in her element. Her stage persona was just like her; dramatic, loud, overbearing, and feisty. "Poor young maiden! For the thrill on your tongue of stolen sweets, you will have to pay the bill – tangled in the winding sheets!" Her voice echoed around the hall, making the harsh and dissonant notes seem like a perfect aria. "Serve the meal and serve the maid! Serve the master so that, when tables, plans, and maids are laid…" Her voice rose, sultry and seductive. Her song and the voices of the other actors harmonized together like a demonic choir.
"Don Juan triumphs once again!"
Piangi and Marizio stepped out onto the stage, cloaked in black. Kayla saw a shadow move out of the corner of her eye and barely stifled a shriek. "Okay, okay, Kayla, calm down, chill, everything's going to be fine…" she muttered to herself.
"Passarino faithful friend
Once again recite the plan."
Marizio seemed to laugh, lithe gestures expressing every emotion even without his voice. There were some soft chuckles from the crowd; Marizio was an audience favourite.
"Your young guest believes I'm you,
I, the master, you the man…"
Piangi nodded, rubbing his hands together gleefully.
"When you met, you wore my cloak,
With my scarf you hid your face.
She believes she dines with me
In her master's borrowed place!
Furtively, we'll scoff and quaff,
Stealing what in truth is mine,
When it's late and modesty starts to mellow with the wine!"
Marizio was really getting in to it… his voice rose and fell with all the excitement of a child.
"You come home!
I use your voice...
Slam the door like crack of doom!"
"I shall say
Come hide with me!
Where oh where?
Of course, my room…"
"Ew." Jamie, standing behind her, made a noise of disgust. "Doesn't matter how many times I hear that line, it will still be weird."
Kayla nodded. "Agreed."
"Abbots!" Clemens ran up the stair, panting. "The backstage's clear. Just the dancers, Madame Giry, Christine and Giudicelli left."
"Perfect. As soon as Piangi and Marizio exit the stage, get them out of here, understood?"
"Yes sir."
Kayla cracked a small smile. "Thanks for that, Clemens."
"Anytime, sir." He vanished again into the gloom.
"Jamie, I want the rest of the crew out of here. Now."
"I'm not going anywhere, Abbots."
On the stage below, Piangi pulled a black half mask over his head, adjusting it carefully over his eyes.
Marizio cackled. "Poor thing hasn't got a chance…"
"This isn't a choice, shit's about to go down, and I want you guys out of here."
"As soon as something happens, I will go, Abbots, but don't make me go yet."
"Okay. But tell Clemens to get the younger ones out; the only crew members I want in here right now are Clemens, you, Dennis, and Marius. Get the rest out, now."
"I'll tell them you love them."
"You do that, Blanchard."
"Here's my hat, my cloak and sword.
Conquest is assured
If I do not forget myself and laugh!"
Throwing open the back curtain with a booming laugh, Piangi exited the stage. "Oh my god. Clemens, go, get Piangi out of here!"
"But Abbots, he's still performing…"
"You heard me, get him out of here!'
There was a muffled thump and the sound of a scuffle. "Never mind, Clemens, I'll deal with it. Jamie, rest of the crew, now."
"Yes Abbots."
Kayla skittered down the stairs as Christine walked serenely onto the stage. The tense audience visibly relaxed, the disgust from the previous songs vanishing beneath a sweet melody. Leaping over the last four steps, Kayla bolted into the dark.
"No thoughts within her head but thoughts of joy…"
The dark shadow loomed over Piangi's limp body. "Oh my god, you little bitch, you promised!"
The Phantom put a black gloved finger to his lips as the baritone's form twitched.
"No dreams within her heart, but dreams of love!"
Kayla sprang forward and pulled Piangi away from the Phantom's feet, the baritone groaning softly as he was dragged over the wooden boards.
"Master?"
Emerald eyes glinted at her as the spectre glided onto the stage. "Carlotta…" Piangi groaned.
"Carlotta!" Kayla hissed.
The diva hurried around the corner, her hands flying to cover her mouth. "Ubaldo?"
"Shh, shh, he's fine, just dizzy. I want you and Piangi to get out, now."
"But, Abbots…"
Kayla gestured impatiently at the stage. Smoother than silk, the deep voice echoed through the Populaire.
"Passarino, go away, for the trap is set
and waits for his prey!"
Carlotta's eyes bulged. "Mio dio."
"I know, you have to go, please, Giudicelli. He might bring the house down, and I'm not talking figuratively."
Carlotta bent down and helped her husband to her feet. Kayla followed them as the pair stumbled to the stage door. As Piangi hobbled out into the courtyard, Carlotta turned back and hugged Kayla. "I trust you with dis, but stay safe, Abbots. Stay safe."
Kayla took a shaky breath. "I will… ally."
Carlotta snorted. "Friends. Sisters. Anything but allies."
Grinning sadly, Kayla squeezed Carlotta and then let go. "Sisters," she agreed. "Now go home, sister. Stay safe."
"Stay safe, Abbots."
And with that, Carlotta turned and hurried over to her husband. Kayla fought down the urge to cry and raced back towards the stage.
"You have come here
In pursuit of your deepest urge
In pursuit of that wish which till now has been silent...
Silent…"
The ballerinas and cavaliers silently crept onto the stage as Kayla ran past, the pale makeup making them look like ghosts. The backstage was eerily silent now, letting the entrancing voice of the Opera Ghost curl through the air like smoke.
"I have brought you
That our passions may fuse and merge
In your mind you've already succumbed to me, dropped all defenses
Completely succumbed to me…
Now you are here with me
No second thoughts
You've decided
Decided…"
Kayla raised her chin. This was it. With this, she was firmly…
"Past the point of no return…"
Author's Note: A mini chapter for all y'all today... Sorry it's so short, but I had to force myself to write today, and a mini chapter was all I had time (and motivation) for. But Point of No Return next chapter will be quite a bit longer, this I vow!
Thank you to everyone who reviewed, faved, followed, read, etc, and to Minha, Bubbly, E-man-dy-S, Liandra2428, Guest, guest, and Guest for their anonymous reviews.
I love you all, and I'll try to post again soon.
Hugs, Tierney
