Chapter 2 – The Sighting of the Strange, Awoken Dream

I woke up very late in the morning. I stared at my watch... 11 o'clock, Saturday. I felt tears on my face. I dried them and said to myself:

"Crying again, huh?" and I got out of the blankets. "You must have been dreaming a..."

When I jumped out of my bed, I discovered that, from what I thought was a dream, I had not only brought tears, but also a scarlet rose that fell in front of my feet. Red as the burning fire in hell, but beautiful and delicate as an angel in heaven. In the middle of the stem, it had a perfectly tied black ribbon.

Not imagination, but a wandering dream. An awoken activity of the mind, or pure reality? Now I knew that it was merely true. I had proof... It was not only a bunch of dreams, but also a real pursuit. That angel of the night was really with me...

I combed my hair, took a sleeping gown, and went downstairs to prepare lunch. When I reached the kitchen, I found that my best friend, Sophia, had already done it.

I had met her three or four months ago, when I first came to France. Coming from England, I knew only the basics of the French language. She was from Norway, and we two came almost at the same time with our other friends, who also lived with us. Anne and Frédéric were our salvation there, because they were the only ones who were French and who really knew the city. David, who also was from England, came with me in the same flight. Derek was Canadian, and knew French also, but he had some trouble with directions in the city. We all studied architecture, except Anne, who was studying arts.

"Awake already, my sleeping buddy? Too much action last night?" Sophia said in a mocking tone. She was very witty, but sometimes she got me to the point of being annoyed.

"What are you talking about? I was just tired, that's all!" I answered, angry.

"You won't deny that you brought some kind of musician friend or something like that. Don't tell me that it was the radio with whom you were arguing..."

"Don't be a fool, I haven't brought any friend!" I said, hitting the table.

"He has a very good voice. And so do you. That is a quality I didn't know about you."

"I don't understand what you are trying to say."

"Ok, ok, it's fine. I will not continue nosing about things that are not of my interest. The only things I certainly know are that yesterday I discovered that you sing very well, and that if it is true that you are bringing someone here, David is going to get jealous."

"Now it's about David, huh? You know that I am only his friend!" I was already mad, but she was so insisting... Could I not hide some secrets?

"But he is in love with you and you know it."

"Let's talk about something else, for God's sake!"

"Ok, but remember that sooner or later I will discover what you are hiding. I've made some meat. Want some?"

"Please... I didn't know that you'd never heard me sing."

"Yes, so many months of knowing each other and I didn't know that you sing so well!" she said, standing up. She went to the kitchen and returned with a plate.

"I have sung since I was seven, when I made the role ofMaria in a play of 'The Sound of Music'. Thank you, I was starving."

"You're welcome. Since you were seven, you said? Each day I discover something different and even stranger from you. You are like a Pandora's Box..."

At the time she finished saying that, David and Derek were just entering the kitchen.

"Good morning, Sophia. Good morning, Elli. What does the Pandora's Box reveal today?" said David.

"Hi guys, where have you been?" I asked.

"I was working, and David was buying some stuff that was missing in our rooms," said Derek.

"Last night I discovered a new virtue in our friend," said Sophia.

"And what was it?" asked David.

"Our smart pal is a great singer," stated Sophia.

"Oh, please, don't exaggerate!" I said.

"Really? Let's see, sing something for us!" exclaimed Derek.

"Yes, please, let us enjoy your voice," said David.

"No, I'm not in the mood for singing today..." I said, fearing to enter into trance and reveal my secret.

"Please, sing for us!" insisted David.

"Oh, I've just remembered that I have to present a project on Monday, and I haven't started yet! Ok, people, goodbye! If you need me, I'll be using the computer," I said, and ran quickly to the third floor, where the office was.

When I arrived, I noticed that a letter lay on the principle table of the room. The envelope, which was already opened, had the following inscription:

To: Mme. Giry

From: The Hidden Inhabitant

I felt curiosity invading every spot of my brain. It seemed to be very old, because it was of yellow parchment, and written in an antique way. I opened it and read:

"Dear Mme. Giry:

Thank you for all the help you've given me all these years since we first met. But, most of all, I want to show gratitude because you give me a place to live and to hide, risking your own life.

I know that you still think that I am the same aggressive man of the night of the 'Don Juan Triumphant' performance, but let me tell you that I have already recognized my mistakes. Now I am a changed man, and I have learned to live almost by myself.

I want to do something in return for your infinite kindness. Maybe I can give some voice lessons to Meg, now that she has decided to quit dancing. She told me that she wanted to continue performing, but not in the ballet. I won't harm her, you know. We two are very good friends. In her I have found, at last, someone that fully understands me.

Once more I thank you for your endless preoccupations with me. Be sure that you will never be disappointed of me again...

I remain your obedient servant,

But no more the Opera Ghost,

Erik."

I was totally astonished and again, full of doubts. Why was this letter here? Who brought it here? Who was Mme. Giry? Maybe she was the first owner of this house. Now I had more clues about who Meg was. She was a ballet dancer, and maybe Mme. Giry's daughter. But was this the same Erik that visited me? I was almost sure that it was. He was offering to give voice lessons to Meg, and saying that she was the only one who really understood him. And what was "Don Juan Triumphant"? I wanted to see Erik again. Perhaps he had the answers to my questions.

Suddenly, his voice invaded the room:

"Have you read my letter?"

And I answered: "Yes, and I am full of uncertainties again. Who was Mme. Giry?"

"She was the one that brought me here. Your mother—well, Meg's mother."

"She was very kind to you, I see. What is 'Don Juan Triumphant'?"

"An opera I have written. I prefer not talking about it, not now. Someone is coming—farewell, my Angel..."

"Don't leave me here, please!

Don't leave me alone..."

In that very instant, David entered the room. "You are very rare, Elli. What were you singing? By the way, it was true what Sophia said—you sing very well."

"Thank you. It was a piece of an opera I heard many years ago..." I answered, sitting on a bench near the wall.

He sat beside me, hugged me, and said, "What happened to you? You are acting very strange... You wake up very late, knowing you have lots of things to do; you run away when we ask you to sing; you become nervous when I approach you..."

"I have nothing, really. I'm under too much pressure."

"Are you sure? Is there something I can help with?"

"I am delayed in this project. Can you help me?"

"Ok, I will bring my books," he said, standing up and going out of the room.

When he left, the doors of the room closed roughly, and the voice of Erik echoed in the room:

"What is this boy

Trying to do?

Why is he here?

Explain to me!

He doesn't have

Rights on you!

Who is this plain suitor?"

"Erik, oh please,

Don't be so angry!

He is a friend,

Angel!

I do not have him

As a suitor.

He is a good fellow," I answered.

"You swear to me he is only a friend?" he asked, still sounding suspicious.

"Yes," I answered, "but we have to be more careful. I don't want my friends to think that I am crazy."

"I will be more cautious from now on, if that will make you happy... I will see you tonight, Little Lune."

"Thank you. I knew you would understand. See you later."

When David came to work with me, we had already finished talking. All the time that we worked, I was longing to see Erik again...