Chapter 4: Silently Watching
Michelle opened her eyes after a long slumber, she sat up and saw the black curtain. She pulled the chord and the curtain came up; she got up then walked out. Candles lit the dull domain and she looked around. She felt the coldness of the damp domain touch her skin.
" I fell asleep, I remember everything," she said
She saw the boat that she came in and then looked up and saw the man that sat at the organ. He was playing and he stopped and looked over at her. She walked to him and he continue to play, she gently touched his face. He closed his eyes to her gentle touch and she hesitated to touch his mask. What was he hiding underneath the mask? Why did her hide in a deary place such as this? She gently took the mask off and he opened his eyes. He covered half of his face.
" Why you ignorant girl!" he shouted
She back off as he covered his face. His eyes were no longer gentle, but full pain and distrust. She stepped back and fell to the ground.
" I'm sorry," she said
" Did you want to see the devil's mark on my face?" he questioned
He turned away in shame of his face and she looked at him. She was scared, but sadden by his reaction. He breathed deep and felt the anger just swell up.
" Is your curiosity content?" he growled
He fell to his knees and covered both sides of his face. Michelle looked at him and looked at the mask. She got up and knelt down by his side, wrapped her arms around him.
" I'm sorry, I did not know," she whispered
She handed him the mask and he slipped it on. He didn't move for a second as Michelle embraced him. He pulled away and stood up and fixed his appearance.
" Come, they are probably looking for you," he said
Michelle came to her knees and Leon put out his hand. She grabbed it and he helped her up. She looked at him and touched his face and he looked at her.
" Your not ugly," she whispered, " Your handsome."
Leon looked at her and she gave a soft smile to encourage him to smile a little.
" Come," he said
He lead her down to the boat and helped her in, then got in. He brought her back to her dressing room and Madame Cuivre stood there.
" You've returned her safely Monsieur," Madame Cuivre said
Leon nodded and Madame Cuivre draped a soft blanket over Michelle's shoulders. He turned and vanished into the shadows, and Michelle sat down.
" Drink this, this will warm you from the cold," she said
" Madame Cuivre, the Phantom, what happened to him? He's so scared to show his face," Michelle stated
" It was several years ago, Mademoiselle Ecorce," Madame Cuivre said
" Please, tell me," Michelle said
" It was 12 years ago, there was a mob after a young boy," Madame Cuivre began
Flash Back
Madame Cuivre walked with the young dancers, who were studying under her. She looked over a crowd of angry people and saw Philippe being held down.
" He's the cursed child!" A man yelled
" Let him go!" a woman cried out
" Shut up bitch!" the man snarled
Madame Cuivre told her young girls to stay where they were. She made her way through the crowd and came to the front. A young boy only 12 tied up to stake, with half a sack over his head.
" What is going on?" she asked
" Looks like a hanging, a boy was accused to killing two people," a little girl said
" This has to stop, the French government won't allow this," she said
" They were held back by some protestors," the girl said
" Who is the boy?" she asked
" Leon DeVan," the girl replied
Madame Cuivre looked at the boy as he looked up and around. The man slipped a lasso around his neck. He tighten it and Madame Cuivre looked at the mother who struggled and the other boy.
" Kill him!" the people shouted, " End the curse!"
" Let him go!" the mother cried out
Philippe struggled and looked at his brother.
" Kill him!" the people shouted
The man smiled and looked at the boy.
" You've only brought pain you two face monsters," the man said
Leon closed his eyes and Madame Cuivre felt her heart beat. She stepped out and the little girl grabbed her hand.
" No, please Madame," she said
" Someone one has to do something," she said
She walked out and looked at the man.
" Leave him alone!" Madame Cuivre shouted
" Who are you!" the man growled
" A righteous person, what has this child done?" She asked
" He's cursed," the man said
Madame Cuivre walked over to the boy and knelt down. She looked at him and gently removed the rest of the sack. She looked at his face seeing the burns on his face. Scared for all his life, she shook her head.
" Your not cursed, just different," she said
The man pushed Madame Cuivre and pulled the rope.
" No!" she shouted
Leon looked at the man and narrowed his eyes, the rope around his hands fell. He grabbed some of it and tied it around the man's neck choking him with it.
" Hasn't anyone taught you how to treat a woman?" Leon spoke
Philippe broke free and grabbed his brother's hand and ran through the crowd. Madame Cuivre got up and followed and Leon and Philippe's mother tried to hold them back.
" Madame, what made you save him?" Philippe asked
" No one should be treated that way," she said
She led him to the old Opera house and let him in.
" Go, he will be fine, a friend has left him a place to stay," she said
She ran to get her girls and took them to safety.
End of Flash Back
" He's lived here for 12 years, with his brother and myself watching him," Madame Cuivre said
" So, he thinks he's cursed?" Michelle asked
" Yes, very much, he's also broken hearted. All the women he has taught, not one could accept his disfigurement," Madame Cuivre said, " He's worked his life for this opera house…he's also taken it to heart to find the woman that the old phantom had failed to keep."
Michelle lowered her head a little and sighed.
" He doesn't seem like one to hide," Michelle said
Madame Cuivre looked at her and said, " Mademoiselle?"
Michelle looked at her and shook her head.
" I'm tiered, may I rest here?" she asked
" Yes, rest," she said
Madame Cuivre turned down the lights and walked off. Michelle laid back on the chaise and closed her eyes. She had small glimpses that flashed back to seeing his face. She was scared, but in the end it was beautiful to her. She fell asleep and Leon watched her from the mirror.
" She thinks me handsome," he whispered, " How can someone so pure think that of me?"
He fled and went to his domain and sat at the organ as he worked on a piece. His mind was filled with thoughts and yet they all were settled on Michelle.
" Mademoiselle Ecorce, is very soft hearted," Philippe's voice broke through the silence
" She is very kind," Leon said
" I'm telling you Leon ,she is trouble," Philippe said, " She's sneaky and she will become like all those other women. Dear brother, the ones that see your disfigured face and scream. The ones that call you a monster."
" No," Leon growled, " She wouldn't."
" Forgive me, but I don't think putting your hopes into this one girl will make you the man you once were," Philippe said
He looked at his twin and Leon turned away.
" Don't you know the story of the true Phantom of the Opera, she chose a handsome young man over the phantom, brother. A man who was so powerful ready to give everything to her. I don't think you see that this other boy will give her up," Philippe said
Leon looked at the music and his brother touched the mask.
" Remember brother I have always been your right eye," Philippe said, " I am your only family. Your care taker from the outside world."
Philippe walked off and Leon looked at his brother as he walked off. Leon felt angry and threw his music off the organ.
" This young suitor, who is he Madame?" Leon asked
" He's a young investor, his name is Pierre Puissant," she replied, " He knows Mademoiselle Ecorce, but I don't know if she interested in him."
Madame Cuivre picked up the fallen music and set it down.
" Leon, you mustn't let the things your brother says get to you," Madame Cuivre said
Leon removed his mask and touched the flesh that became scared. He lowered his head and sat the mask down on the organ.
" You are removing your mask?" she questioned, " Is this for good?"
" No, just until I go up again," Leon said, " Do you feel repulsed by my face Madame Cuivre?"
" You should know I find you as handsome as your brother," she said
Leon sighed and slipped his mask back on, and he sealed a letter, that he had written earlier.
" Take this to that idiot Monsieur Love," he said, " Demands will be met."
" I will do so," she said
Michelle got up and dressed and she went down to rehearse. She looked at the elaborate set that had allowed to make her debut. She wondered if the man she sang with on stage was the same man that took her down to his lair…the Phantom's lair.
" Michelle there you are," Monsieur Love called, " Monsieur Puissant was looking for you."
" Oh?" she questioned
" Yes," he said, " He was worried about you after the performance."
" I see," Michelle said
She walked towards the lobby of the opera house and saw Pierre standing there. She walked over to him and he presented her with flowers.
" Pierre," she said, " What are you doing here?"
" I came to see you perform, don't you remember?" he replied
Michelle nodded and he looked at her, then touched her face.
" Can I take you to lunch, maybe spend the day with the rising star of opera?" Pierre asked
" Lunch would be great, Monsieur Love said you were looking for me," she said
" Yes, I was wondering if you were ok," he said, " Worried that is."
" You don't have to worry about me," she said
Pierre smiled and they walked together, where a limo was waiting. He helped her in and then he did. The two caught up after two years of not seeing each other. She looked at Pierre and smiled as they became closer.
" I know tonight you are not singing lead, but I will be there," Pierre said
She hugged him and kissed his cheek, then got out the car after lunch.
" Tonight, will your Angel of music allow you to come to dinner after the show?" he asked
" I will see," she replied
Michelle walked back to the opera house. She rehearsed with everyone, before everyone was rushed off to get ready. Michelle did her make-up and looked in the mirror, to see a shadow standing behind her.
" I wish you luck Mademoiselle," he said, " I will be watching."
She turned around and he was gone, she felt her heart beating hard against her chest.
" He's also broken hearted. All the women he has taught, not one could accept his disfigurement," Madame Cuivre's voice echoed " He's worked his life for this opera house…he's also taken it to heart to find the woman that the old phantom had failed to keep."
Michelle finished and got ready for the stage call for characters. She sang lightly the song she was suppose to sing. The curtain began and everyone stared at them. Isabelle and Philippe opened up with a lovers' duet. Michelle followed with interrupting their love affair and so the comedy began. Though Isabelle and Philippe were the stars, Michelle's voice conquered all.
Each Act she looked up in box five to see it empty and then in a blink of an eye it was like he just appeared. She looked in the audience and saw Pierre watching her every move, this brought a smile to her face.
After the performance Michelle walked to the small dressing room and began to undress, when the lights went out. She closed her eyes feeling that chill touch her spine.
" Shh, don't say anything," a voice whispered
He gently reached for her robe and slipped it on and touched her face. She closed her eyes as he wrapped his arms around her.
" Come with me," he whispered
Michelle turned around and looked at the man. She touched his face and stroked his suave half.
" Why do you seek me out ?" she asked
" I care for your talent," he stated
Michelle looked at him and lowered her head then reached over and turned the lamp light on. She looked at him and traced his mask and then his face.
" I would say you have a little crush on me, Monsieur," she said, " And I think a crush is just enough now."
She kissed his cheek and then walked off and Leon looked at her. Michelle changed and walked out to see he was gone. She smiled and saw his calling card.
" He watches me silently," she thought, " Like an angel."