AN: Thanks (again) for the LOVELY reviews :o) We've FINALLY made it to the Opera House! cheers The story will start getting more exciting from here on out!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Phantom of the Opera (sadly). I'm just a 16 year old having fun, so please don't sue!

CHAPTER 3

I slowly pushed open the heavy wooden doors, revealing a sight I had only seen in pictures and in my dreams. The grand staircase, the towering ceiling and the intricately sculpted pillars and walls. As I stepped into the hall, the faint sound of music drifted over my ears. They must be rehearsing, I thought to myself. I slowly began to walk into the large building, my heals clicking lightly on the marble floor. I was unsure of where to go, but I guessed the best place to start off was the manager's office. If only I knew where that was!

I continued to walk through the hall, admiring the elegance that surrounded me on every side. This is my new home, I told my self, How much nicer it is then my previous one! As I crossed the foyer, I continued to glance around in hopes of finding a person who could direct me in the direction I needed to go. Yet, not a soul was in sight.

I walked around for nearly five minutes more, still no one appearing. It was only then that I began to notice a cool draft wafting though the hall. A strange eeriness began to creep up around me. Where is everyone? I asked myself, crossing my arms over my chest. The hairs on the back of my neck began had begun to prickle as if someone were watching me. With a swish of my cape, I spun around searching the open space. No one was there. Sighing, feeling rather foolish, I turned around and continued on my quest. I was now at the head of a long hallway lit by flickering gas lamps. With no better option, I decided to try my luck and began following the winding corridor. As I walked deeper into the Opera House, I couldn't help but notice how the eerie feeling kept growing stronger and stronger. Several times I swore I heard the light swish of a cape, but each time I turned around I found the hallway deserted.

I was soon quite lost in the labyrinth of passageways. Had I known the building was so huge, I wouldn't have attempted to find the managers on my own. The faint singing that had once graced my ears had now disappeared completely, and the gas lamps were becoming fewer and fewer.

Turning another corner, I stopped and completely froze. I had heard the swish of material once more extremely close behind me. This time however, a deep, slow breathing accompanied it. Rooted to the ground, I didn't dare turn around, not knowing what I would see. The deep breaths continued intune with my own shallow ones. Who was there, or better yet, what was there. Knowing I had no other choice, I slowly began to turn around.

In a small, dark corner not ten feet off, two yellow eyes peered out from the darkness. My lungs completely collapsed, the air vanishing, as my eyes grew wide as saucers. My heart began to race as a strange dizziness engulfed me. I stared back at those haunting eyes for a few seconds, briefly hypnotised by them. They were so evil and cold, yet at the same time soaked in pain. They seemed dangerous yet inviting all at once. It took me a few seconds to realize what was going on, and when I finally did I turned and ran, tattered carpetbag in hand and as fast as my legs would carry me.

I had no idea where I was going, the same cold stone passageways extending in every direction. Speeding around a corner, I suddenly collided with something, being thrown to the floor. I looked up, afraid with my whole heart and soul that those eyes would be there. However, I was quite comforted to find a middle-aged woman, with dark hair tightly woven into a bun, standing in front of me. I wasn't even phased by the fact that she didn't look too pleased with being run into.

"I-I'm sorry," I said, scrambling to my feet, straightening my dress.

"Humph," She began, "It would do you good to watch where you're going."

Yet, the second we made eye contact and she had looked me over, those strict eyes of hers softened.

"Just where were you going in such a hurry?" She questioned, a mysterious tone in her voice.

"No where, really," I responded, not meeting her eyes.

The woman slowly walked over to me, reaching out a boney hand and tilting my face so that I was forced to look into hers.

"You're quite pale," she spoke in a soft yet intense voice, her eyes never leaving mine, "Why, you look like you've seen a ghost."

My eyes widened at that comment, and even though I didn't respond, she let go of my chin. A satisfied look of understanding passed over her own features and she smiled at me, speaking once more.

"I see your suitcase on the floor... have you come to work at the opera?"

"Yes...yes," I replied, extending my hand as I tried to calm down and introduced myself, "My name in Evelyn McPherson. I've been hired to help on the props crew."

"Ahh, yes!" She said brightening the mood, taking my hand in hers, "Madam Alda told me you would be arriving today. It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Madam Giry."

"It's lovely to meet you as well," I was very glad to have at least one acquaintance under my belt, even if she was a great deal older than I. Dropping my hand, she spoke once more.

"If you don't mind me asking, what are doing down here?"

"Well," I chuckled bashfully, "I was actually looking for the managers office, and as you can see, I wasn't all too successful."

"Ahh yes. I'd be happy to personally show you there myself."

Kindly, she picked up my suitcase smiling at me while she beckoned me to follow her. We walked down hall after hall and up one staircase after another. I noticed that as we went on, there were more and more lamps lining the halls, creating a brighter and brighter glow. In no time at all, we were back in the entrance hall and standing in front of a door which I had not noticed on my initial inspection.

"Wait here," Madam Giry spoke softly as she disappeared behind the wooden door.

Less then a minute later, I found myself following her lead and entering the room which lay beyond the door. Along with Madame Giry, there were two middle aged, tired looking gentlemen. They gave me two weak smiles and introduced themselves as MM. Cordell and Pierre. They explained very vague details of my job, and said, very leadenly, how happy they were that I had come to work with them. Then, drawing a key out of a small draw, M. Pierre asked Madame Giry if she would kindly show me to my room.

We left quickly, me following Madame Giry back into the winding corridors. Not a word passed between us until we came to another door, which she unlocked and then opened.

"This is your room, where you shall be living while you're with us. Clean sheets, pillows and blankets will be brought to you later today. They'll undoubtedly bring you soaps and towels as well. If there's nothing else," She paused looking me over as she handed the key to me, "I'm afraid I have to leave you and return to rehearsal."

"Thank you for all you're help," I said smiling at her, "I shall be fine. I daresay I need some rest!"

"Yes," she said, smiling, "Oh, and Madam Alda shall check in with you later, after run though."

"Thank you," I replied as she began to leave my room. Yet, she paused in the doorway, turning back to me.

"And you are sure that you are all right... you seemed quite unnerved when you bumped into me."

I glanced up at her, my insides growing cold and numb as I remembered those eyes...

"Yes. It was really nothing serious! I was just worried about being lost! I didn't like the idea of being stuck down there alone!" I lied, something that was quite out of character for me. Throwing in a small laughing, I studied the woman before me. She seemed strongly unconvinced, though I wasn't about to tell her the truth. She would more then likely call me crazy and have me locked up in a home for the mentally unstable.

"Well, if you ever need anything," She began, looking me up and down, "Anything at all, please do not hesitate to speak to me."

And with that, she flashed me one last smile and disappeared into the hall, closing the door behind her.

I spent the remainder of the afternoon tidying the room. It was in desperate need on a good dusting. I wiped off a tiny desk and chair, a chest of drawers and a small bed frame. I even washed the large mirror which covered a good portion of the wall on one side of my room.

When my new room had been cleaned to my satisfaction, I arranged my few possessions, placing them on my desk and bureau. I had a few trinkets which had once belonged to my mother, along with a book or two that had belonged to my father. When I was finished, I collapsed onto my lumpy, rickety bed, sighing and hoping for a few seconds of peace.

A few seconds of peace was all I got, for not a minute after lying down a soft knock came at my door. Groaning, I stood up and hurried across the room, knowing it was either Madam Alda or the servant with my sheets and blankets. I was greatly surprised, however, when I threw open the door to find a deserted hallway, void of anything except the dim light of the fading sun, shining through the dingy windows.

Telling myself that I had probably heard someone bumping around in the room next to mine, I turned around and was about to reenter my room when a soft fluttering noise caught my attention. I looked up just in time to see a creme colored paper falling through the air, coming to rest at my feet. Upon further inspection, I realized that it was not just a piece of paper, but an envelope. An envelope with a brilliant red skull imbedded in the dry sealing wax. For the second time that day, my breath escaped me and I began to feel dizzy once more.

Ok, so I hope this chapter didn't suck too much… see, I was a bit pressed for time when I wrote it AND I was EXSTREMLY sleepy :o( I really wanted to post something though, cuz' I haven't posted since Thursday. So, I promise the next chappie will be better!

Please r/r :o)