A/N: A BIG merci to all of my readers! I'm glad I've kept most of you this far… cause we've still got a ways to go…. :) On Wednesday, I was privileged to get the chance to see "The Phantom of the Opera" with Hugh Panaro and Sandra Joseph in New York. That experience has truly inspired me to work on this fanfic and it has really come a long ways. I did like the last chapter. However I was not sure where I was going with this one – yet I think it turned out pretty good.
A quick note: there is one use of profanity in this chapter – if this offends anyone, I will be glad to e-mail them a copy of the chapter "profanity-free". Another note: I recently EDITED Chapter 4 and if you want a better "visual" I'd suggest you go back and re-read it. :)
Again – I own nothing but it would be wonderful if I did…. Enjoy!
Adele crept down the hallway, careful not to disturb any of the props and costumes that lay strew on the floor. She tiptoed past Madame Ombré's chamber and breathed a sigh of relief to hear the ballet instructor's heavy snoring. She turned the corner to enter the ballet dormitories and had to come to an abrupt stop. One of the stagehands was sitting, hunched over in the middle of the hallway, an empty bottle of whiskey in his hand. Adele shook her head softly. Jacques was always being reprimanded by Madame Ombré for his excessive drinking around the ballet girls.
Now came the real challenge, she thought to her self as she inched closer to Jacques' slumped figure. Ever so slowly, she stepped over his outstretched legs. Just as she was about to breathe another sigh of relief, she heard him begin to mumble. She quickly glanced back only to see him squirm a bit before letting out a ear-piercing snore. Adele winced, but continued on her way.
She opened the first door on her left and quietly slipped inside. The sound of heavy breathing and the occasional snore drifted through the room. Adele smiled to herself. She did it. She had made it back…. Suddenly, Adele saw a lit candle appear out of nowhere. The candle gave just enough light to give her a clear view of the person who held it. Lisette d'Arbre.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't Mademoiselle Adele Dubois. So nice of you to join us," sneered Lisette.
"I don't have time for this," Adele said, trying to pass her.
"Do you have the slightest idea what time it is?" Lisette asked, her voice raising.
"Well, let's see, we had dinner at six-thirty, and at seven we went to the fair… I'm guessing it's some time after seven."
Lisette sneered then raised her hand and struck Adele across the face. "Don't you talk like that to me! We may be the same age but I am a far better dancer than you will ever be!"
Adele's face tingled with pain yet she dare not touch the spot in Lisette's presence. "And that makes you superior?"
"In a place where ballet is a part of life, yes, I think it does," replied Lisette bitterly. "Now, for your information it is almost midnight! Every one of us was in this Opera House at ten o'clock precisely. Dare I ask where you were?"
"It's none of your business!"
Lisette chuckled then turned to the group of ballet dancers who watched anxiously from their beds. "She was probably out making money on some street corner; selling herself any tramp who happened to come along." A few of the girls giggled, yet all noise came to a halt by a loud slap that echoed off the walls of the room. Lisette's eyes went wide as she realized what had just happened. She clutched at her cheek with her free hand. "You bitch!" she screamed, as she gingerly touched her face.
"That's what you get for telling lies," Adele said firmly.
"Well maybe you'd like to know that we all have an extra hour of practice tomorrow morning. All thanks to… you." Lisette returned to her bunk and blew out the candle, allowing darkness to once again fill the room.
Adele made her way along the row of beds to her own bunk. She pulled off her dress and unlaced her corset, throwing them both on top of her wooden trunk. As she began to climb the ladder up to her bed, she felt someone tug on her chemise.
Adele glanced down at the figure that had pulled on her nightdress. It was Marie, lying in her own bed, the bunk below Adele's. "Adele," she whispered. "Come talk to me."
"I can't Marie," Adele whispered back. "I've already got the entire ballet company upset with me over the extra hour of practice. I don't want to keep them up with my talking."
Marie's grip did not loosen. "Please, Adele. Tell me what happened."
Adele paused for a moment, then descended the ladder. She knelt by Marie's bed and leaned in close so that no one could hear what they were saying. "What do you wish to know?" Adele asked in a voice lower than a whisper.
"Did you succeed?" Adele slowly nodded. Marie's eyes went wide. "How?"
"I can't say now. All I will say is that he is free and for the time being, under my care."
"Adele…" Marie sighed. "I thought you were only going to free him."
"But I have," Adele said, her eyes sparkling. "He is free and now he can start a new life."
Marie let out a soft groan, then asked, "Where is he now?"
"I can't tell you that."
"Adele!"
"No, Marie. It's too risky. I'll handle this on my own. Bon nuit. Good night."
With that, Adele hurried up the short ladder before Marie could stop her again. Adele let out another sigh of relief as she snuggled into her bed. She had done it. The "Devil's child" was free and never again would he be on display like that. She laid on her back and thought of the mysterious garçon who now was creeping through the many halls and floors of the Opera House. Adele finally raised her hand to her cheek to feel the spot where Lisette had smacked her. It was still tender and her hand still hurt from slapping Lisette but it had been worth it. It was all worth it – even the early morning practice. For that night, a life was saved.
You know the drill... :)
