I have rewritten this chapter as well, and I plan to do so with the rest of the chapters up to chapter 3. I know it has been forever, but with help from my beta Marie Erikson, I finally have a clearer view of where I want my story to go. The plot has a changed a bit, but it's mostly the same. I can't tell you first of all the readers how much I appreciate you just reading my story, and reviews are always welcome. You are my critics, and I improve with your helpful thoughts. Without further ado…
Chapter 1:
Even with her strong dancer's legs, Elizabeth had trouble managing her way down the tunnel. It was dark, darker than the lair, and she couldn't see anything in front of her. Adrenaline from fear pumped throughout her body, her heart thumped so loudly she thought she could hear it echo off the tunnel walls. Suddenly she heard something scurry across the tunnel path in front of her, and a shiver went up her spine. She cringed at the thought of what it was. She quickened her pace, wanting more to be out of the tunnel. When she heard it, something, so familiar. It was a voice. The one she heard on the bridge during Don Juan Triumphant, right before the disaster. But this time it was not singing an entrancing tune, it seemed to be yelling in rage.
Her fear became more powering over her. Her breath became heavier as she saw a dim light at what was hopefully was end of the tunnel. She quieted her steps nearing the end, and came to an opening. Her once perfect-in-place hair was loose and around her shoulders, merely being held up with some pins. Her arms and legs were no longer the clean and pale complexion they once were after going through a lake a dark tunnel. She had a few cuts on her ankles and her legs were smudged in dirt, as well as her arms. Her hard worked on dress was ripped in the back and there was no long one slit in the skirt but two. The once flowing fabric was now damp from the journey through the lake.
She notice the man sitting in the corner, he was singing softly to himself, a tune similar to the on sung at the masquerade ball. As she approached him she became stiff as he whipped around after her foot hit a small rock. His glare stabbed her like a hundred daggers to the heart. "What are you doing?" He screamed, quickly getting to his feet and slapping his hand over the right side of his face. "Come to stare at the monster, have you!" he began to stride towards her, his face twisted with anger and yet washed over with pain and betrayal. "I, uh, I thought, I mean, you mask monsieur." She stuttered, and slowly raised her hand with the still remaining mask as her hand and whole body began to shake. "His eyes widened and he snatched it out of her hand, "LEAVE!" She began to back away from him towards the tunnel, which she had just come from. She was just about to turn and run, when he grabbed her arm, "Wait, you'll only tell them I'm still alive and where to find me." He spoke, not as to speak to her, but as to inform himself. "N-no, I never…" Elizabeth tried to speak, "I did not instruct you to speak, silence!" He snapped back at her. He kept his grip around her small arm fierce, and he closed his eyes in deep thought. "Please, monsieur" she was able to whimper, "You are hurting me."
Out of frustration he threw her to the ground, "Really now? What gives you the right to trespass and disturb me? But who would be considerate of a murderer or monster!" he yelled as he march towards her, as she winced at his words, "Please, monsieur, I was only intent on coming in search for Christine…" She was cut short by his slap on her face, "Never! Never speak of her in my presence! You will stay here, where I can know you are unable to get out, I can not risk a foolish little girl like you speaking of me." Elizabeth was in shock. She had never been slapped across the face since she came to the Opera House. She left her home to escape from that. There was no way this man could treat her that way, but he was much stronger than her, and there was nothing she could do. All she could do was continue to lie there and hold her face, but she dare not to cry. She would not cry in front of this… this monster!