My Haven
Chapter 3
Authors Notes: Alright I just finished my second chapter like, not even an hour ago… and I'm already starting on the third. YAY craziness!
Everywhere I looked, darkness. Nighttime was indeed my preferred time. The streets are empty, excluding the occasional drunks. The sky was dimly illuminated with stars, and the moon… the moon was indeed the most beautiful part of the night sky. I smiled brightly as I made my way to the Opera Populaire.
As I now stood in front of Opera Populaire, it was completely different. The decorations had been put away, all the lights were out. I placed one foot on the first step as the familiar chill rushed through my body once more. The tingling sensation was much like the one I received when he was near. I shut my eyes and listened, I could feel something in the air. Sure enough I heard notes, beautiful music notes that were drained of sound by the thick walls. Opening my eyes, the sound was gone. It seemed I could not concentrate with my eyes opened, so I shut them and followed the noise.
I was led around to the side of the building, where a small grate in the wall was removable. I opened my eyes and crawled down carefully, as not to damage my dress, and looked around. I had never been in this part of the Opera House. My heart began to beat heavily as I heard this pulsing beat. My mind became addicted to it, as if I consumed a drug. My body moved towards it without my control.
My venture was stopped at a water-filled pathway as I frowned. This would not be the end; I needed to know where this was coming from! I persistently looked around the area for another passageway, and took it. Narrow and grotesque was tunnel, but I didn't care. The deeper I went, the more power the pulsing beats had. Even now without having to shut my eyes I could hear rhythmic notes.
My body rushed with excitement as I saw before me a shimmer of light. I rushed down the tunnel-like hallway. There was a large red drape covering the exit. By now the music filled the cells of my body like an alluring ecstasy. My hand reached out to move the drape, but there was glass in the way. I examined it, and it seemed to be a two-way mirror. The drape only covered half the mirror, so I managed to get a peak. I gasped softly to myself at what I saw. This was like, a miniature heaven. Candles lit all around, mirrors… just everything seemed perfect. The place itself seemed to be a cave, there being a lake which probably led to the swamped tunnel I got stuck at before.
The organ played heavy notes that made me want to crawl and moan. My eyes caught a glimpse of the massive organ with golden pipes, also seeing the person who was playing it. A dressy white shirt, and black pants is all I could see. However tossed on the side was a black cape, of which looked very familiar. I bit my lip and smiled mischievously. This is him, I'm sure of it! I thought pleasantly.
I must have sat there, staring at his figure sway back and forth playing beautifully seductive music, for an hour at least. This was pure enjoyment… I wanted to go talk to him, but I knew he would probably get angry. I sat there, and stared. I had now shut my eyes, to allow myself to be fully consumed in the music. My head swayed back and forth as I began to hum the tune. My eyes did not open again until he had stopped playing. I eyed the organ-area carefully, noticing standing up and stretching. I was giddy as a schoolgirl as he turned and started to walk over towards the mirrors. This was indeed him, for he had on the white half-mask. I sighed softly, staring at him as he walked up to the mirror I was behind. I covered my mouth and crouched down. I knew that in two-way mirrors, if you got to close they could see. He pulled away the red drape that covered half of the mirror as he then rested his hands on his hips.
"Dreaded beast… angel in hell… why me?" I heard him mutter to himself. I sat crouched down, holding up my dress so it didn't touch the damn floor, staring up at him. He raised his left hand, and ran his fingers over the mask. Carefully, and slowly, he removed it. I gasped softly then bit my lip and covered my mouth again. No wonder he wore a mask, his face was deformed! My eyes tenderly stared at his face. My heart ached in sorrow. It was obvious that the sight of his face made him angry, for he growled loudly and walked off, throwing the mask to the floor. I stood up quickly, pressing myself against the mirror to watch him leave. I did not care how his face looked; he had this aura that drew me to him. I wanted to be his, and he be mine. I bit my lip once more and whimpered as I saw him lay in bed.
I stood there silent for ten or fifteen minutes, my eyes locked on him. I knew this mirror was a door somehow, because he must have known of this passageway. I ran my fingers around the edges of the mirror in the darkness. My fingers ran across hinges, then a small piece of leather attached like a handle. I pulled on it gently as the mirror opened like a door. My body was filled with a rush of adrenaline. I couldn't stop from smiling as I got a full view of this beautiful place. I picked up the white mask he had thrown to the ground and examined it closely. I ran my fingers over the smooth surface of the outside, and then turned it over. I noticed something marked on the bottom, so I wondered over to the nearest candle to attempt at reading it. "Erik…" I read out loud. "So your name is Erik? Exquisite!" I smiled as I walked up to a nearby mirror and put the mask up to my face. I giggled lightly, seeing as it actually looked good despite the fact of it being too big. I held onto it as I wondered around this blissful place.
I heard him groan and turn in his bed, so I stopped my wondering until he was still once more. I did not want to wake him. Once it was safe to move once more, I went over to his organ. There was handwritten sheet music sprawled all over the place. Eyeing what seemed to be the first pages, I smirked at the title. Don Juan Triumphant? Interesting indeed, I thought. I placed my fingers on the keys, but did not press down. I air-played the notes and hummed the sounds. I placed the white mask down on the organ chair and picked up a small black mask with a strap. I smiled softly, and looked for the same name on the back. Indeed Erik was there in golden stitching. I set the black mask beside the white one on the chair and faced where he was lying.
Moments I stood there as I gathered up courage to walk over. Mysteriously my feet acted without mental conformation, walking over to his bed. There was a decorative veil surrounding the bed of see-through, sparkly fabric that gave the allusion of the night sky. I caressed my fingers over the soft, beautiful veil. I pulled the dangling rope that brought up the veil as I knelt down beside the massive swan-bed he laid in. He still did not have the mask on, and was curled up in a black silk blanket. I softly caressed his cheek as I stared at him happily. I wanted to be able to do this every night; he seemed so peaceful when asleep. I leaned in, and placed a soft kiss on his forehead as poetic words began to rhythmically pour from my lips in song.
"Gentle creature, let slumber carry away your troubles.
True beauty blossoms within your soul, alluring the eyes of others.
Seductive tunes earn the hearts of all; consume the glory that shall be yours.
My mind, body, and soul… wish to be devoted to you…
Will you accept me or deny me?
My soul cries out for guidance… will you answer its plea?"
I leaned in then kissed his lips softly and tenderly. How I wish he was awake to kiss me back, but I knew he wouldn't at this point. I sighed softly as I stood up, and pulled the rope for the veil to cloak the bed once more. I caressed the black fabric once more, taking my final look at him for the night. I smiled, and left. Once I reached the mirror and opened it, I took one final look around. This is my haven I thought, and then disappeared into the blackness of the tunnel.
Authors Note: Ok, not a whole lot of action in this chapter but it shows that this chick doesn't care about Erik's deformation. Oh and the poem song thing… yes I know it sucks, I had no idea what to write for that, but I wanted something like it in there… if anyone could help me write a better poemish-song I'd appreciate it! And would include who's ever name helped me with it in the A.N. section (this section)…
