Disclaimer: See chapter One
Author's Note: I want to send out a big thank you to angelofnight, Daroga's Sidekick (CSI so rocks!), Juliette, Christine, AriesSolar, Deirdre of the Sorrows, and last but certainly not least, chicketieboo (who reviewed…twice!! Thanks : ) I'm glad you think Penelope's cool. I tried to make her sort of Severus Snapeish because I really love that guy.) Thank you all again.
And just one more thing, this chapter is going to be a little longer and is a sort of vague beginning to the actual story (angelofnight). Hope you like it!
Turah!
~Ayesha
CHAPTER THREE
Big. It was very big.
I got out of the car and gaped open - mouthed at the huge structure towering before me. No wonder it was called one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture in the world. It was simply breathtaking… and big. My eyes traveled over the various columns and statues, taking in the stone arches, the precise and careful detail to every carving, and the faces of fairytale creatures, angels, and masks. I looked over to Mr. Eyraud, who was standing with his back leaning against the passenger car door, his arms crossed, watching me with a small smile on his face.
"It is always fun watching a person's first reaction," he said, straightening up and walking over to where I was standing.
"It's beautiful," I said, my voice almost a whisper. I cleared my throat and lifted my head, straining to see what's higher. "How many floors are there?"
"Seventeen. Seven of which are below street level."
"Underground," I muttered to no one in particular.
"Indeed," he said. Then I felt his hand at my elbow and he started to lead me to the front doors. "The basements are extremely large. They are used for storing sets and bigger props. The fifth basement, or cellar, has an underground lake, which is drained every few years so the foundation can be checked."
"So there really is an underground lake. I thought that was just part of Leroux's book."
"No, it really does exist. You shall see it for yourself."
"We're not gonna cross it, are we?" I asked cautiously. He answered by smiling and opening the large front door, letting me walk in first.
~***~
If I thought the outside was impressive, it was nothing compared to the inside. We walked into the foyer where a magnificent marble staircase greeted my eyes. At the foot of the staircase were statues of women holding torches filled with electrically lit candles. Statues and figures were everywhere, the biggest being two women dressed in robes that guarded an entrance with a sign that said:
~AMPHITHEATRE~
BAIGNOIRES ~ ORCHESTRE
I was so busy admiring my surroundings that I barely noticed the two men standing in a corner, speaking rapid French. When they saw Francois and myself, they both stopped talking, looked at each other, and started walking towards us, their strides short and quick. These two instantly reminded me of Mr. Bean. I had to hide a laugh when they stopped in front of us, one with his hands on his hips, the other with his upper arms glued to his sides while the elbows down was stretched in front of him and his hands were hanging downwards. The classic Mr. Burns pose. Not that I watch 'The Simpsons'…
"Ah, monsieurs. I have brought you mademoiselle Penelope Richards, a forensic scientist from the United States. Mademoiselle, this is Monsieurs Pierre et Claude Thiele. The are the current managers of the Opera House," said Francois, introducing us.
As we shook hands, Pierre spoke: "We are thankful that you arrived at such short notice, mademoiselle."
And then Claude piped up: "Yes. Thankful. Short notice."
Both had really high voices that carried all around the massive room, echoing slightly off the walls. They were staring at me with wide eyes that were blinking rapidly, both nodding their heads enthusiastically.
Well, well. I thought. Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dumb.
"It is my pleasure, gentlemen. I shall try to do my best with whatever it is that was found," I answered. These two looked so much like hyper - active birds that I couldn't help but smile. The birds attention was once again directed to the policeman at my side as Francois began to speak.
"I thought it would be best if I showed the good mademoiselle what was found immediately, so that she may have a little bit of a head start," he said. Was it my imagination, or was he trying hard not to laugh himself?
They both started to nod even more enthusiastically than before, and by taking turns, they started to repeat themselves.
"Oh, quite right - "
" - good idea - "
" - quite right - "
" - good idea - "
" - quite right."
I almost burst out laughing but caught myself just in time. Francois cleared his throat, his gray eyes sparkling with amusement.
After assuring us that if we should ever need anything - anything at all - to not hesitate in coming up to their office and asking, Francois and I made our leave of the two birds.
~***~
The trip down to the fifth cellar was incredibly long. Not only was it damp and dark, it seemed as if the lower we descended, the colder it got. And, my knees were killing me. I muttered curses under my breath, mentally smacking myself for not bringing a warmer jacket. Then I remembered that I couldn't have brought a warmer jacket because my baggage was God knows where. I cursed even more under my breath.
Finally, we reached the underground lake. I gazed over the unnaturally still waters, a heavy uneasiness settling down in the pit of my stomach. I started to shiver from more than just the cold. There was something about this dark, forbidden lake that changed the entire atmosphere around it. It was incredibly silent. Not a sound was heard but our own breathing. It was freezing, but the air was so thick with unnamable things that it made you want to look behind you, making sure there is nothing there. I had this constant feeling that I was being watched, but I saw nothing in the darkness. It was just a man made body of water, but it radiated such power that it could make even the strongest individual weak at the knees.
I jumped half a foot when I felt a hand at my elbow. I turned to face Francois, who was looking across the lake, his face uneasy. When he spoke, his voice was barely a whisper.
"We have arrived at the gates of the Dark Angel's Domain."
