AN: Thanks so much (once more) for the lovely reviews :o) I'm SOOO sorry about those strange numbers and crap in the last chapter. I have NO idea why they keep popping up (I've re-uploaded that chapter like, a million times, and they won't go away). Hopefully they won't appear with this chapter! I just realized that I forgot my disclaimer (oops!) so I'm putting it in this chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Phantom of the Opera (however, I do own my original stuff)… and please don't sue me! I'm just a 16 year old girl with NO money :o)
CHAPTER 2I awoke the next morning feeling more refreshed and alive then I had felt in years. My headache was gone, and I could think perfectly clearly once more. I slipped from under the warm covers of my bed and crossed the length of the room to a window which was hidden by a pair of thick, course curtains. Slowly I drew them back to peek outside at the new day. The sun was blazing over head, and there was not a cloud in the sky. It took a minute for my eyes to adjust to the brightness, but when they did I was able to look out into the world. A small garden, which then lead to acres and acres of farmland, lay below me at my feet. To my left was a small hen house, and the rear of a plump woman was poking out of the door. To my right, a skinny man was tending to a clump of what appeared to be tomatoes. Roaming the garden freely, mostly prancing back and forth between the couple, was a very tiny, very furry dog. Smiling to myself, I turned from the window and crossed the room back to my carpetbag. Undoing the clasp, I stared into the half empty space. I only owned two dresses and a nightgown... that was all the orphanage provided. They were hand-me-downs as well, already falling apart when they were given to me. Sighing, as I always did when attempting to push something to the back of my mind, I slipped my nightgown over my head as I changed my clothes. I must not think about that dreadful place anymore, I told myself, I'm though with life there... I need never to go back. I pulled my dress on, and began shifting my bodice, irritated by it, as it was a bit too big for my frame. Having a previous owner, it had been build for someone larger then myself.
When I was finally completely dressed, I left the small room, finding myself at the end of a short hall which led to a steep staircase descending downward. I followed the path laid out before me, and I soon entered a tiny kitchen where the plump old woman was busy over a wood burning stove.
At the sound of my footsteps, she looked up and smiled, dropping whatever it was she had been doing, and walking to a table which lay between us.
"I'm so happy to see you up, my dear," she beamed, "won't you sit down? I have brunch nearly prepared."
Smiling back at her, I pulled out the rickety chair in front of me and sat at the old, wooden table. The woman, seeing I was settled, returned to her work over the stove.
"I trust you had a good sleep?" She asked, not looking up from her occupation.
"Quite," I replied happily, "I don't think I've slept so well in a long time."
"Wonderful," she said as she left her post at the stove, moving to a dusty old cupboard where she extracted three dishes and some utensils. She returned to the table where I sat and began to lay them out.
"Can I help in any way?" I asked, making to stand up.
"No, no my dear. Please just stay right where you are!"
She bustled back to the stove as I situated myself in the chair once more. We didn't speak for a few minutes, as she was intently cooking the meal before her. She finally looked up as her husband entered the kitchen. The man came to rest in the chair beside me, flashing a polite smile in my direction. The woman soon followed his lead, coming over to the table carrying a large bowl of scrambled eggs, a bowl of graded cheese, and yet another bowl of fresh vegetables.
"Please, eat up everyone," She spoke merrily as she placed the dished on the table and sat down herself.
I began to scoop the eggs onto my plate, a delicious aroma filling my nosed. I was just glancing up at my kind rescuers to show an appreciative smile, when a though struck me. I didn't know either of their names, and I felt horrible rude for not inquiring earlier. Here I was, sitting at their table, eating their food, having never been completely introduced to them.
"Pardon me," I spoke softly, a hint of embarrassment in my tone, "I feel quite strange. I'm afraid I know neither of your names. I would-"
"Oh my!" The woman spoke, a red flush coming to her cheeks, "How rude of us! Oh, dear please do forgive us for not introducing ourselves earlier. It's just been so stressful since you came... we were so worried... and, well, you know. My name is Beatrice and this is my husband Tom."
She gestured first to herself, and then her husband. I smiled and nodded.
"Well," I began, "It's lovely to meet you... even though I suppose we've already met. My name is Evelyn. And, please do not apologize! If anyone is at fault it is I."
"You are very kind, dear," Beatrice smiled, "And, your name... Irish?"
"Yes. That is perhaps the one thing I know about my past," I chuckled. Beatrice's eyes softened at my comment, yet she did say more on the subject.
"So, you are off to work in Paris?" she asked.
"Yes... and I'm quite excited! I've been longing to go there since I was a child."
"Well, it is a pretty city... in some parts," she responded, "May I ask where you shall be working?"
"I have been given a job at the Opera house," I began, my face brightening with excitement, "On the props crew. It shall be dreadfully exciting! I will get to meet the cast and-"
"The Paris Opera house, my dear?" Tom spoke, the first time I had ever heard him, with a hint of concern in his tone.
"The very one," I responded, knitting my brow in confusion.
"Child," this time it was Beatrice who spoke, she too with the same concern, "Have you not heard of all the terrible tales which come out from that place?"
I suddenly began to feel uneasy. I had not heard of any bad tales... only ones about marvelous shows which had taken place there. And, the chandelier story. Perhaps that was what they were referring to when they spoke of the bad stories. But, as everyone knew, it had been a freak accident. The chains were old and the inspectors had missed a rusty link that should have been replaced. I opened my mouth to speak.
"The only bad story I've heard is of the chandelier falling. But that was nearly five years ago, and it was nothing more then an accident!"
"An accident, huh?" Tom muttered.
"Thomas!" Beatrice spoke sternly, glaring at him for a moment, before softening her gaze and turning to me, "Child, the opera house holds many secrets. More then I'm afraid you understand. Strange things have been occurring there recently. There have been a couple of deaths. Though the papers say they were accidents, I find my opinions to differ. I don't mean to frighten you child, but you must be careful there. Why I wouldn't be surprised if you... well, I'm sure you'll be fine."
She smiled warmly, and returned to her meal. I, however, had suddenly lost my appetite. What was this talk of death? Had the people she'd spoken of been victims of a strange accident, or had foul play been involved? Her voice penetrated into my thoughts before I could give it anymore consideration.
"Evelyn, you'll be happy to know that the city is only 10 miles down the road from here. Tom actually needs to run into town today... we need some meat from the butchers, and I've run out of yarn... so he can take you the rest of the way in the cart.
That did brighten my mood, and I sighed pushing my previous thoughts to the back of my mind.
"You wouldn't mind giving me a lift, Sir?"
"Not one bit, young lady," He chuckled, as I beamed over at him.
My legs were absolutely killing me from walking... I had spent the previous three days doing so, and riding for the last part of my journey was going to be a treat.
Half an hour later, I found myself sitting next to Tom on an old ox cart waving over my shoulder to the kindhearted Beatrice. I felt a little twinge in my heart, wishing I could have stayed a little longer. Yet, I knew I was expected at the Opera house that night, and I absolutely couldn't afford to be late. As we traveled down the winding dirt road, I noticed more and more houses as the land became more populated. We soon entered neighborhoods of homes, tiny children playing in the streets, throwing balls and chasing each other around. We began to travel up a hill, and as we reached the crescent, Tom lightly grabbed my hand and spoke.
"Welcome to Paris, my dear!"
And sure enough, there it was, spread out before us. Cobble stone roads intwined with some of the largest buildings I had seen in my life. The beautiful Seine flowed through the center, as people bustled around the shops.
A few minutes later, I found myself apart of the crowed, as Tom and I trotted down the winding roads of people and shops. My ears began to throb with all the noises around me.
"Apples, one frank a dozen!"
"Come, come and get your pork!"
"Silk, the cheapest you'll find in all Paris!"
I was finally here. The place I had been waiting to go to since I was a child. I was so busy taking in all the sights, sounds and smells, that I hardly noticed when we had stopped.
Tom stepped out, retrieving my old bag from the back, along with a small brown parcel. He came to my side of the wagon, offering his had to me as I stepped down to the road.
"Here we are, mademoiselle. L'opéra populaire!"
I stared up at the large building that seemed to beckon to me. It was beautiful. A dream. I wanted so badly to run up the stairs and explore the depths of this marvelous piece of architecture. Yet, I composed myself, turning to Tom.
"Thank you ever so much!" I beamed up at him. He returned my smile.
"I'm sure you will enjoy yourself here," He said, handing me my bag, and then extending his other arm, offering me the brown parcel, "This is a tiny present from Beatrice."
"Thank you," I responded, giving him a small hug before receiving the gift, "Thank you not only for this, but for saving my life."
"You're quite welcome my dear," He responded, "Well, I must be on my way if I want to make it back before dark. Take care of yourself and remember that you're always welcome at our house."
"Thank you," I said softly as he climbed back onto the old cart. He flashed me one last smile, and with a crack of the whip, he was rolling off down the street, disappearing into the crowds of people. Slowly I turned to once more face the building. I was here, my new home. I began to walk up the stone steps that led to the door, ready for the next chapter of my life.
So, the next chappie is when we'll learn about the Opera house and all of it's secrets ;o)
Please R/R!
Oh, and lovelyreviewerperson… I may be turning to you in the future for french help :o)