Chapter Two
The Opera Ghost remembered the rejection of his mother greatly. Pain seared through him when the memory of how she screamed whenever he reached out, his tiny hands, longing for her to wrap her arms around him… nuzzling him with all the motherly love he would receive… but instead…
"She tossed my mask at me and screamed to leave her alone." The Opera Ghost remembered as he rowed harder. He felt his throat twist when his first memory of his father was when he placed his first "gift" on his face and that was his mask. He continued to row with such force the wood seemed to cut through his skin. He didn't care… he had the legal papers… someone entered his domain… he paused in rowing and turned back. Her figure was there on the banks but when he noticed she was staring off into the distance, he knew that he'd tempered with her heart in some form. He wasn't sure but he didn't want her to know him "for who he was". Not yet… he was risking losing her… though she was his from the evening before… the Opera Ghost a longer period would work better than "letting the cat out of the bag." He would make sure she was capable of singing… she seemed to contain the voice for it… he hoped so as he continued rowing. The Opera Ghost also remembered that Monsieur Andre and Firmin were determined men who also would investigate the "murder" that occurred, too.
"Blame it on the Opera Ghost for causing such an uproar." He thought.
He pushed through the waters and they seemed to flow alongside his canoe. The Opera Ghost knew he needed to put the papers in order but he also knew that he was starting to feel a glimmer of hope. He never felt this way as he reached the other side of the shoe. Stepping out, he glanced back and the house on the lake seemed to beckon him.
"Her name is Elizabeth." His final thought was as he drew himself up.
He smiled to himself as he finished.
"Lizzy. What a fine name."
Then he turned and made his way up above. He would make sure his presence wasn't known because he couldn't afford risking being seen. Everything else didn't matter. For a moment, he wanted to be like everyone… someone who blended in like all other men…
"Wives on their arms and children running around them." He thought as he walked forward. "I just want to be like everyone else. And have a wife who will love me for who I am."
This was the most calming and peaceful thought he experienced. The Opera Ghost continued to walk forward with this thought in mind. He yearned to be like other men and he envied them when he would watch them from Box 5. He knew that marriage had its challenges but through them… growth spurted and the Opera Ghost regretted his past greatly. If anything… when he heard about the "hanging" he'd immediately wished he could vanish. He also knew he needed to do something about Andre and Firmin. And what about how the Paris papers would announce "Miss Elizabeth Bennet" was missing? He knew how they worked but he returned to his original decision.
"I'm going to marry her and she will never be allowed to leave. Maybe I can instruct her in the ways of music." He remembered how "his new wife" entered the music room and he seen her enter from a glass goblet. But then he remembered something…
"She will never see my face until I win her trust." He finished.
This impelled him more to quicken his pace. Soon: he was above and entered through a secret passage only he knew. Once it was closed under him, the Opera Ghost entered the streets and asked for a carriage. Seated behind the driver, he directed him to the newest Catholic Church and he paid him a fair amount of coins in token for his generosity. After he spoke with Father, the priest informed him that he would need to bring his bride with him for the "ceremony" and if there were any witnesses, he would need to bring them too. The Opera Ghost nodded but he also remembered what he'd told Elizabeth.
"A trunk of dresses and a fine dinner. I know where will purchase the chicken." He thought after he exited the church. He made sure his presence wasn't too obvious so he hid himself in the shadows. Thankful for the protection of the cape, he escaped to a back alley and soon came upon the store where he would purchase the chicken. The Opera Ghost hoped Elizabeth would enjoy them. Yet after he stepped out of the store, he glanced over and on one of the signs, there read an inscription he knew was the result of a party who knew his bride.
"Missing Person: Elizabeth Bennet. Contact Mr. George Collins if seen."
He growled when he read this. Placing the box down, after making sure no one was watching, he reached out and took hold of the paper. In a firm gesture, he tossed it to the ground and he was thankful a muddy puddle was there. He watched as the inscription was soaked and he drew his shoulders back. Then he took hold of the box and returned to the Opera House. He took a back route and didn't bother to take another carriage. He was determined to keep Elizabeth and make her his wife. But the managers were the next set he was to take care of. The hanging of the person at the back of the theater? He would deal with that later, too.
"Blame it on the Opera Ghost for something like that!" he thought as he exited another alley.