Chapter Two
The Diva's Echo
Maria stood backstage, watching the ballet; Meg was dancing the lead. She smiled. Meg was so good at everything she did. Her attention was drawn away from the ballet for a moment. She noticed that the young man from that morning was sitting in Box Five. She sighed, staring at the man. Madame Giry walked up and touched her shoulder. Maria turned back to her.
"Maurice torn his tunic," she whispered. "Do you think you can fix it before act three?"
Maria smiled and held up her pincushion, which was attached to her wrist. She pulled the needle from it. She brushed by Madame Giry and found Maurice standing in the corner. She shook her head, and her smile broadened.
The show passed quickly. Maria finished the tunic right as the third act began. She slid her pincushion off her wrist and disappeared down the corridor. She walked silently and undetected to the small chapel. She sat down on the window seat and rested her head on the stain-glass window. She could hear the orchestra start Carlotta's solo. She felt tears of longing welling in her eyes. She had wanted to sing all his life, but life had dealt her a losing hand. She looked over at the picture of her father mounted on the candle memorial.
Carlotta's voice soon echoed through out the halls. Maria looked up and felt something strange and strong growing in her. She slowly opened her mouth, and the words of the song flowed out of her. The singing was beautiful. She had such a force and class behind it that is should have been her on the stage. She stood up and sang louder than before. She listened as the music began to fade and fell to her knees, coughing.
Maria never noticed the pair of eyes watching her. The famous Phantom of the Opera had been passing beneath the chapel, anger evident in his every move. He had stopped suddenly hearing the notes of a perfect angel. He had never heard anyone like the woman singing. He had stopped his fuming and walked up to a secret passage in the chapel. He had looked inside and found the angel.
The angel he saw was a beautiful young woman with dark brown hair. He couldn't see her eyes well, but he could tell that she was nonetheless beautiful. He watched her and could see that she was having a hard time hitting and holding the notes. He felt sorry for her. Her cough seemed to wrack her whole body. He went to step out of his hiding place, and then he saw another young girl walk into the chapel. He stepped back into the deep shadows.
Meg rushed over to Maria. She helped Maria to her feet and saw blood on her lips.
"Maria," Meg started. "Are you all right?"
Maria coughed one more time and then nodded. The sound echoed through the chapel. Meg held her friend close.
"Let's go upstairs and get you some water," Meg said pulling Maria along.
Maria succumbed and started upstairs. The Phantom slowly moved out of his hiding place. He watched as the two girls climbed the staircase. He could see that the girl he thought of as an angel was in great pain.
"I'll see you tonight, Angel," he whispered.
With a flip of his cape the Phantom disappeared. He went back to his small world of creativity and music. He had seen something in young girl that he had never seen before. It was true beauty, from her face all the way to her soul.
The performance ended, and the cast celebration began. Maria and Meg walked up into the middle of the scene. They walked through the crowded corridor when Carlotta grabbed Maria by the arm.
"Would you mind fixing that party dress I asked you about?" Carlotta asked.
Maria wanted to say no, but she wanted out of the crowd. She nodded. Meg turned to her, making sure that she was all right. Maria indicated that she was and walked into Carlotta's dressing room.
The room was stunning. The walls were a pale pink color, and there were lots of flowers sitting around. On the far wall there was an enormous full length mirror. It was elaborately framed in gold and bright with a luster shine. The glass was smooth and flawless. There were also pictures of Carlotta in various performances hanging up on the wall. Maria rolled her eyes when she saw the pictures. She then noticed a pile of dresses and walked over to them. She threw most of them aside and found the light blue, almost white dress. She pulled it out to find the hole. She laid it down when she heard the door opened. She didn't turn around, thinking it was most likely Carlotta. Finally she found the hole and started toward the dressing doll. She suddenly stopped when she saw the guest was the young man from Box Five. She cleared her throat.
"That is a beautiful dress," he said.
Maria smiled. "If you're looking for Carlotta, she is most likely at the party."
The young smiled. He had been looking for Carlotta, but he had found something a lot better. He walked over and helped the woman place the dress on the dummy.
"Thank you," Maria said.
"I'm Raoul De Changy," the young man said holding out his hand.
Maria took his hand, and he kissed hers. Maria felt a blush come to her cheeks. She pulled her hand away and turned back to the dress.
"Do you have a name?" Raoul asked.
Maria looked up, "Maria Leroux."
Raoul smiled. He played her name over in his head. It sounded very familiar. He sat down on a nearby stool. He enjoyed watching the girl work. Then it hit him.
"Leroux," he paused. "Are you the daughter of Andre Leroux, the pianist?"
Maria looked over at hearing her father's name. It had been years since someone had mentioned him. Maria simply smiled and nodded.
"He's how I ended up here," she said, pulling the needle carefully through the hole. "He played piano in one of the shows and became good friends with M. Lefevre. After he died Lefevre took me in as a favor."
Raoul listened quite attentively. He sat back and watched Maria.
"Did you learn how to sew from him?" He asked.
Maria laughed and then coughed a little. She looked up at the young man, and he was grinning too. She could see that he was kind, decent, and very handsome.
"Would you like to go to dine with me?" he suddenly asked.
Maria quickly glanced down at her clothes, and then back up to the dress she was mending. She wasn't dressed for a social place with him, and he knew it.
"I'm afraid I can't," Maria paused. "I have to finish this dress before tomorrow night."
"The dress can wait, as the Patron of the Opera Populaire, I order you to come."
Maria blanched. Not only was Raoul a different class standing than she was, but he was the Patron of the opera. She couldn't risk getting involved with him. She would be great trouble if anything went wrong. She swallowed.
"Monsieur De Changy, I told Carlotta that I would be finished with the dress tonight. I shouldn't let her down."
Raoul smiled. He helped Maria to her feet. She smiled backed, and then he gently kissed her hand again. Maria could see that Raoul was sincere, but she could not get involved with him. Raoul could see the worry in her eyes. He caressed her cheek tenderly.
"You are too beautiful to stay locked up in here," he said softly.
Maria looked down at the floor. She could hear her heart pounding in her throat. Raoul was so attractive and wonderful. He could also save her from the life she was living. She looked back up at him and went to accept, when a clap of thunder sounded throughout the opera house.
"I guess the storm finally got here," Raoul said.
Maria nodded. She let her hand slip from Raoul's. "Another night would be better perhaps for an outing."
"I agree."
The door of the dressing room opened. Andre and Firmin poked their heads in and motioned for Raoul. He sighed and kissed Maria's cheek.
"I must go," he said kindly.
Maria could only nod. She watched him walk out. She shook her head as she watched the door close. She knew this was crazy. She quickly returned to thoughts to her work and the dress.
The night passed and all the guests went home. Maria finished her chores and went to bed. Exhaustion took over, and sleep was a much welcome peace.
The Phantom saw her light go out. He waited until the whole opera house was silent before he made his move. He walked like a specter up the corridor to the room at the far end of the hall. There was a secret way, known only to him, to get into every room but this one. He reached for the door knob. It turned quietly. Luckily Maria didn't believe in locking her door. He gently pushed the door in, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness.
The room was small and scarcely furnished. He could make out the small iron bed tucked in the corner between the window and the wall. His eyes then fell on all the fabric that littered the floor. He walked farther into the room. He noticed a little bedside table with a lamp and book on it. He took a step closer and picked up the book. It was on old, worn novel that had been read at least a thousand times.
There was a sudden, brilliant flash of lightening. The room for a moment was bathed in a dazzling white light. In that split second, the Phantom could see the sleeping form of Maria. He wished that the light would last longer. He walked closer to the bed and pulled out a beautiful red rose. It was almost in full bloom with a black, silk ribbon tied to the stem. He placed it on the pillow next to her along with a note. He then turned his attention to the sleeping woman. He had never seen someone so beautiful. He brushed some hair away from her face.
Another flash of lightening illuminated the room. This time a loud crack of thunder followed. Maria slowly opened her eyes at hearing the sound. She looked up as a new flash lit up the room.
In the instant of the flash Maria saw the form of a man standing over her. She suppressed a scream and sit up quickly. She scrambled for the lamp. She quickly turned up the wick and found that the man was gone. She looked around, wondering if she had been dreaming and noticed the door was ajar. She got up and shut the door, then locked it. Thunder echoed throughout the room as she walked back to her bed. If the situation had been a dream it had been very real. She then saw the rose on her other pillow. Her heart skipped as she reached for it. Then her eyes fell on the letter. She picked up the small envelope. It was exceptionally thin, almost like tissue paper. She turned it over. The seal which held it close was a bright red, wax skull. She quickly ripped it open and pulled out the letter. The handwriting was a sturdy, classy hand. She slowly began to read.
Dear Angel,
I heard you echo the diva tonight. You were amazing. I have never heard such music from anyone. Please allow me to help you; you belong on the stage not in the chapel. If you wish to accept my offer come to the diva's dressing room in two nights. I will be waiting.
Your Angel of Music
Maria reread the note at least three times before she put it down. She couldn't understand. No one had heard her in the chapel except maybe Meg. Then a smile flickered across her lips. The rose and the letter, it was nothing but a wicked jest. She picked up the rose and noticed the black ribbon. She gasped at its beauty and simplicity. She gently sat both of them aside. She would think about the strange event in the morning when her mind was clear.
