Here is the second chapter. It will be even more twisted and wrong. JK! Well, here you go. Enjoy! And I apologize for the cruddy lyrics.
Ch. 2- that voice….
Chris felt his heart leap into his throat as he stepped out onto the stage in his devil costume. The material was sticking to his skin, making him even more nervous. He was probably the sorriest looking devil that anyone in the audience had ever seen. The horned helmet slid down over his face. He pulled it back up. He could see Meg gazing anxiously at him fro behind the material of her red veil. With the false flames dancing behind him, he bean to sing. A/n I am a horrible poet, so just imagine some words!
With the final high note, all of the Parisians in the audience gave him a standing ovation. Roses were tossed onstage, but he threw those to the chorus girls. It was bad enough that he was wearing a red spandex costume. Roses would probably just complete the illusion of gender identity crisis.
Meanwhile, up in one of the boxes, Riley stared at the devil onstage. Could it really be Chris? Suddenly, the man sitting next to her her nameless date seemed obsolete. Chris was here! Oh, how she had missed him! She quickly removed her elbow length gloves, clapping loudly. " Encore!" She shouted. The man onstage looked up at her. He seemed to not believe what he was seeing. She gazed for a while, and he gazed back. They both stared until Chris was forced off the stage by a couple of unruly stagehands. Riley rushed out of the box immediately, leaving her date scratching his head in confusion. With the biggest smile on her face, she pushed her way through the crowd, set on finding her old friend.
After Chris was pulled from the stage, all the chorus girls came up and congratulated him. A few upfront ones actually kissed him on the cheek. When he had finally pushed his way out of the bunch, his neck and ears were bright red from embarrassment. Meg shooed the others away, giving Chris a friendly hug. " You were perfect!" she praised, "Bouvire couldn't hold a candle to you!" Chris smiled appreciatively. He knew that Bouvire wouldn't hold candles either way. There were always tables or sleeping drunks to do that for him.
Meg produced a red rose tied with a black ribbon from her bodice. She peered around the hallway cautiously. " She is pleased with you." Chris took the rose, examining it. Meg squeezed his hand, and then left him to his thoughts.
He placed the rose next to his wardrobe. His heart fluttered as he gazed at it. His angel was pleased. And she was usually such a strict teacher. The door suddenly creaked open, and Chris whirled around. Riley stood there, fiddling with er gloves. " Hello." She said shyly. Chris stood silent for a moment then rushed forward to hug her. Although surprised, Riley was pleased and returned the embrace. " It's been so long, I thought you wouldn't remember me." Chris quickly tried to straighten his attire. He felt very shabby next to Riley's beautiful eveningwear. "How could I forget? How could I forget those years we spent together as children, listening to each other's poetry, describing our every dream," Chris melted at those fond memories " And those nights we spent watching each sunset and star." He finished for her. " You were great tonight," Riley murmured, "but now, we shall go to supper!"
Chris quickly shook his head. " No, I can't my, er, instructor is very strict. 'I'm afraid I must stay here." Riley looked surprised, but shrugged it off. " Alright," She said, " I suppose I shall see you tomorrow then." She gently closed the door. Chris sat in silence for a dew minutes. He was ecstatic about seeing Riley. She was his best friend, next to Meg. The candles soon extinguished themselves in exhaustion. As the darkness came, a new aura to the room came as well. Out of the darkness, a voice sang:
Who is this girl?
Who all but flaunts
Who is after one thing and one thing aloneDisgraceful wench
And after all I've done
Won't somebody throw me a bone?
The voice rang in his ears. He suddenly felt terrible for acting so coquettishly with Riley. In return, he sang:
Angel, my angelPlease forgive me
She is a comrade and nothing more
Unlike you,
She is not benefactive
She is a friend, you can be sure.
The voice seemed to be mollified by these statements, softening her tone.
Cajoling child, you will see meYou angel in front of your eyes
Try to look past my mask
An object composed of lies!
Suddenly, a gloved hand lay on his shoulder. He whirled around, looking a woman in the eyes. She gazed back, taking him by the hand. The mysterious girl pressed her hand into a spot on the wall, revealing a passageway. As if by hypnosis, Chris submitted, following the figure, his will entirely her plaything. A white porcelain mask concealed half of her face, but apart from that, she was stunning. Her jet-black hair merged with the jet black of her clothing, almost making her a living shadow. Dark eyes, almost black, gazed at him from behind the mask. Chris… she called softly. Although her hand only clasped his gently, he could feel tremendous power in her form, almost unbelievable for a woman of her thin stature.
She wagged a finger at his face, silently calling for him to follow her. With all thoughts of anything else gone, he followed her into the mysterious labyrinths below.
