Disclaimer: All original Phantom of the Opera related things belong to Andrew Lloyd Webber and Gaston Leroux.
Chapter Two: A Troubled Past
Matilda and Angèle both took a step back with caution. A figure gradually appeared in the mirror, in between their reflections. Half of his face was pure white, which, when his features became clear, was seen as a mask. He wore a black cape, black pants, and a white shirt neatly tucked into his pants. His hair was black and slick, with icy blue eyes.
He slowly extended his hands, both of which were covered in black leather gloves, as he sang in his infatuating voice, "I am the Angel of Music... trust in the Angel of Music..."
Angèle stared at him, "Matilda... who could that be? He has such a beautiful voice... it's like hearing the Angel of Music... What should we do?"
"Come and believe in me... Believe in the Angel of Music..." His voice echoed throughout the labyrinth.
Angèle stepped through the mirror and started down the path, not looking to see if Matilda was following.
"Sir," she called, "Please, who are you?"
The response was in song, "I am your Angel... Trust in the Angel of Music..." Oh that voice... she didn't want it to stop, so she followed it.
Matilda was enchanted by his voice, but at the same time afraid. But she didn't want to be left behind and took his other hand.
He led them through the mirror into his domain. He continued to lead them, and he brought them into the center of the room. There wasn't much there though, but his voice kept them from noticing. There was a small organ, a bench in front of it, papers everywhere, and a few shelves with little things. Candles were everywhere, but few of them were lit, yet the room seemed lit so well.
As the mysterious figure walked past a shelf that contained a small monkey music box, one of his notes cracked and as it did so, Angèle became aware of her surroundings and her face lost the trancelike expression it had held. She ran over to the man, "Who are you and where have you brought us?"
She ran over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. Suddenly, he grabbed her wrist and turned around, his masked face barely a foot or two from her face, "You need not know my name nor my face. Is that understood?" His anger seemed to subside after a few tense moments, "It is... safer that way."
He slowly released her arm and Angèle backed timidly away. She turned to Matilda, "Remember what I said about the lantern before coming down here? Well... it's your turn to be the brave one because you don't have someone brave enough to cling to anymore..." She looked back at the cloaked figure and said softly and regretfully, "I liked him much better when he was singing..."
Matilda gulped loudly. It seemed so silent, the three of them just staring each other down, for a minute or so anyway. Matilda searched the room, taking it all in, memorizing it with her photographic memory. When she dared to look back at their Angel, he was gone.
"For a room so silent, he does move swiftly and silently," she whispered to Angèle. But just as soon as he had disappeared, he had reappeared; sitting on the bench in front of the small organ. His face expressed no emotions, his movement still. Matilda was reluctant to approach him, even in the tiniest of steps, but a small shove from Angèle forced her to stumble forward. She quickly put out the lantern, since his lair had, somehow, plenty of light. She was about to speak, but was cut off by the Angel.
"Now, what shall I do with you?" his voice was deep and handsome, but had hidden anger within it. Although he was speaking to the two of them, his enchanting voice seemed to make everything else disappear for Matilda. "For I cannot very well just, let you go. But then again," he was walking towards Matilda as he spoke, taking long sweeping strides, "you don't very well know how you got here." His face was only a few inches from hers. He had a grin on his face, both slightly playful and slightly stern. Matilda was looking up at him wide eyed, shocked with fear and impressed by his grace. "And your voice is rather lovely," he said stroking the left side of her face with the back of his hand, and running his fingers through some of her hair, "and I'd hate for that to be held back by my greed."
He walked past Matilda, leaving her in the position looking up, cast back into a trance. As he walked towards Angèle, he had the grin back on his face. Angèle had seen his anger though, and backed away slowly. "And as for your flute playing," he said in the same mesmerizing tone, "It is exquisite. And don't think I haven't heard you sing as well," the comment sent chills down Angèle's spine, "I know my way around. And it's also," he paused taking a larger step towards her. His spell was cast upon her as well, for she didn't move, "quite good."
Angèle gulped, "Y-you heard me sing?" She stuttered, "H-how could you? I never sing out in the open. Only when I'm... alone." She began backing slowly away from him and turned to Matilda for help, but she was still entranced by him.
Part of Angèle wanted to stay, but the other was terrified by him. Matilda hadn't been close enough to see his anger and therefore, had no reason to be afraid of him. Angèle looked much like a frightened deer, "So much for being the brave one..." she thought and then asked aloud, "Why did you bring us here? And how did you hear me sing?"
As she backed away, Angèle discreetly nudged Matilda, trying to get her to snap out of it without the man noticing.
As Matilda slowly returned from her state of pleasure, she turned to see the Angel closing in on the backing away Angèle. She quickly approached them, making the same mistake Angèle had made. She put her hand on his right shoulder, and in an instant she was on the floor, back skidded with dirt. His upper half was turned around facing her, face reddened and teeth clenched. His neat hair was in some disarray, as he stood facing her with his right arm swung outwards. Matilda and Angèle both had faces struck with utmost horror, and Matilda was holding her right shoulder as she lay against the floor. His eyes shifted back and forth as his expression lightened, realizing he had hurt her. As he turned the rest of his body to face her, his eyes became filled with sorrow, and she flinched at his first step towards her.
Realizing the giant mistake he had made, he simply looked away with his head lowered slightly, leaving the two of them to do as they wished. "Please, just leave. I am not ready for another voice. Just don't forget the Angel of Music; don't forget the one who drowns in sorrow." He exited through a curtain, obviously leading to an extension of his domain.
Angèle was suddenly overwhelmed by mixed emotions. She was still horrified by his reaction and his outbursts of anger. But, she suddenly noticed the despairing sorrow in his eyes as he had told them to leave. She began to sing, quietly, still not confident in herself and disturbed that when she had thought she was alone, someone had heard her sing,
(Sung to part of "Down Once More")
"Pitiful creature of darkness
What kind of life have you known?
Why do you live in the darkness,
Living a dark life alone?
What made you seek us
And lure us into your home?
How is it we can help you
And show you are not alone?"
Angèle gasped as the Angel stepped slowly out from behind the curtain and stood there, like a dark and malignant figure, "Why? Why would you sing that?" he said between clenched teeth. He was obviously very angry and trembling, Angèle backed away from him again. But he stepped forward, much faster than she could walk backwards and was soon directly in front of her, so close that she could see the anger burning in his eyes. All she could do was stand there.
Matilda watched from the ground, remaining still. She couldn't see much behind him, but one thing that caught her attention was a tiny figure. It wasn't clear who it was supposed to be, or even what gender, but just that it was there quirked her curiosity.
(Sung to part of "Down Once More")
"How could you know, to sing that?
How could you know, what she sang?
My heart is filled enough, with sorrow
And like hers, your voice rang...
Why must your concern
Hurt me so much?
Why must it
Torment me?
What have I done to deserve this?
Something seems amiss..."
He was on the verge of tears, barely able to keep his stature. Memories from five years ago were flooding back to him. Although he attempted to suppress them, they would not leave him.
"Please," he talked through semi-clenched teeth, but not of anger, but to keep himself from crying, "Leave now. I'd prefer to be alone. You shall know if I want you here again." Angèle was surprised by his answer, but backed off to help Matilda up. Matilda winced as Angèle helped her up, and he noticed, for as he turned to recede into his darkness, he stopped for a brief moment.
"Come on," Angèle said softly, "We had better go before someone misses us. Rehearsal is early tomorrow." She helped Matilda to her feet and together they walked back down the tunnel and through the mirror. Neither dared to look back and when they at last emerged into the main part of the Opera house, they both squinted against the sudden light. Meg came running over to them, "Where have you been? Everyone's been looking for you! What happened?"
"Well, I was playing my flute and Matilda was singing... Oh no!" Angèle gasped, "I left my flute! How could I have left that! Where did I put it down?" Angèle was in complete panic and eventually just sat down and held her knees, crying softly.
Matilda kneeled down to comfort Angèle. "It's ok; we can go back and search for it later. Right now we should get cleaned up and get to bed. It's late," Matilda knew very well where the beloved flute was, but dare not speak it. She helped Angèle up, and the three of them went back up to the dorm. Meg had noticed Matilda's hurt arm and asked about it, but Matilda just shook it off saying she had bumped into a statue while exploring with Angèle. As they entered the dorm and changed for bed, none of them had noticed the gift that awaited Angèle on her bed.
"Hey, that's where it was Angèle!" Meg said pointing to Angèle's bed. "Huh?" she responded, looking. Her flute case on the bed, flute safely inside. Angèle's face lit up. But realizing, and knowing, that she hadn't actually left it there, looked over at Matilda. Matilda also had a worried expression on her face.
Angèle shooed Meg out of her room giving the excuse that she was tired from the day's experience. As soon as she was gone she turned to Matilda, clutching her flute tightly, "What does this mean? And how could he have gotten it here this fast? He got here before we did!"
"I-I don't know," Matilda was shaking tremendously. She slid to the floor, clutching her arms in an attempt to control herself. She gulped, then quickly looked around, and then at Angèle. Complete fear blanketed her face.
"Maybe… Maybe we should just sleep. It… it'll be better in the morning," Angèle had never seen Matilda so frightened, and Angèle had never been so much either.
As they slept, even though Matilda didn't sleep so well, her mind wandered through the events that had happened during the day. She tried to sleep, but was unable. Turning over, she looked at Angèle across the room, sleeping soundly. Her flute was placed right next to the bed, kept safe. As she started to drift into the much needed night-time slumber, he came. Swift and quiet, he stood before her, dropping from what seemed like mid-air. A solemn expression was spread across his face. Matilda's breath quickened and her pulse shot up. All he did was stand there though, his sky blue eyes staring at her, and Matilda could tell that he was not there to hurt her in any way, but her breath did not slow.
He stretched a single hand out and stroked her forehead, calming her. His face stayed solemn though. "Calm yourself beauty, I shall not harm you. You have nothing to fear. Please accept my apologies for my actions earlier, and sleep now. You need to rest." Matilda scanned him over for anything she needed to fear, but found nothing. She took comfort in his sincerity, and finally fell asleep. All through the night his voice sang in her head as she slept.
