Talk of Ghosts

I had just finished unpacking when I heard a knock on my door. I opened it up to see a woman, probably in her late thirties, staring back at me with a smile on her face. She had long blonde hair and a couple wrinkles on her face. Her smile reached her bright green eyes as she welcomed me.

"Rachel, we are so glad that you could join us here! I am Madame Giry and I will help you with rehearsals and auditions. I am really the director over ballet, but I also help with the singing, too. Are you ready, my dear?"

"Oh yes, I am!" I was very excited and nervous at the same time. It felt like there were a million butterflies fluttering around in my stomach. I closed my door behind me and locked it. I followed her down the hall and into a small door that led backstage. As we arrived backstage, I could here many people talking. I looked around to see girls in ballet costumes stretching their muscles, others working on the props for the upcoming performance, and then some were practicing their scales. It felt like I had arrived at my second home. Madame Giry led me over to the corner where the people were practicing their scales.

"Alright, I want to see how well you can sing. In our upcoming performance, we have one certain song that can be a little tricky for some people. Carlotta, our lead singer, has tried it more than once and still hasn't gotten it right. But you didn't here that from me." She handed me a piece of paper that had the song on it. I read the title, Think Of Me, and walked over to the corner where she was standing. I cleared my throat and then just gave it my all.

"Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye.

Remember me once in a while, please promise me you'll try.

When you find that once again you long to take your heart back and be free.

If you ever find a moment spare a thought for me!

We never said our love was ever green or as unchanging as the sea

but if you can still remember, stop and think of me.

Think of all the things we've shared and seen

don't think about the way things might have been.

Think of me, think of me when I came silent and resigned.

Imagine me trying too hard to put you from my mind!

Recall those days, the path on all those times.

Think of the things we'll never do.

There will never be a day when I won't think of you!

Flowers fade, the fruits of summer fade.

They have their seasons, so do we.

But please promise me that sometimes you will think

ah ah ah ah

ah ah ah ah

ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah

ah ah ah ah ah ah of me!"

I finished the last note and could hear applause all around me. Everyone had stopped what they were doing to listen to me sing. Madame Giry walked over and hugged me.

"You were excellent, my dear! You were born to sing in the opera!" I smiled so much the rest of the day that my face was hurting that evening. After rehearsals, I decided to head back to my room. I was accompanied by Meg Giry, who I had made friends with during rehearsals. She was a ballet dancer, due to the fact that her mother was Madame Giry.

"I thought you were simply perfect, Rachel! No one has ever sang that beautifully here, well, since never!" We both laughed as we reached the hallway that led to where my room was.As we were walking through the dimly lit hallway, I thought I heard a floor board squeak from behind us. I turned quickly around but saw just an empty hall.

"What's the matter? See a ghost?"

"No, I just thought I heard something. I guess not, though." I was going to drop the whole subject, but Meg kept talking about ghosts.

"You know, there is a rumor about a ghost that haunts the Opera House. He goes by the name of Opera Ghost. Andre' and Firmin have received lettersfrom him demanding his salary and also suggestions for the performances. They don't listen to them, I don't think, which makes him upset. If he gets really upset, different things start to happen around here. Things such as props falling and injuring people." I've never been one to believe in ghosts, though, so I didn't believe in any of this Opera Ghost talk.

"Do you really believe there is a ghost in the Opera House? Surely there's a reasonable explanation as to why all that stuff happens."

"Well, I do believe that there is a ghost. I don't think it is some sort of practical joke, if that is what you mean. Anyway, it isn't important. I will see you tomorrow at rehearsals. Goodnight!" I watched as she walked down the hall attached to this one that led to her room. As soon as she was gone I looked up and down the hall. I was so sure I had heard someone walking behind us! All this talk of ghosts must be getting to my head. I was about to unlock my door, when all of a sudden I heard a voice echoing down the hall. I couldn't make out what it said, though. It must be someone in their room, talking too loud. Get a hold of yourself, Rachel! I took my key in my hand again and unlocked my door. I stepped in and shut the door behind me. I lit some candles and walked over to my vanity. I took all my jewelry off and untied my hair from its braid. I picked up my brush and started to brush it out. That's when I noticed a red rose with a black ribbon tied around it laying on my vanity. Beside of it was a note. I picked it up and began to read.

Dear Miss Thompson,

I am very pleased that you could join my opera. I heard you sing at rehearsals and I must say that you have a beautiful voice. I will be looking forward to seeing you perform in the upcoming opera. I remain your faithful servant,

O.G. (Opera Ghost)

I almost dropped the note. The Opera Ghost? It must be a joke but how could anyone get in here? I had the door locked. At least it wasn't a hateful note. Whoever it is sounds like they do admire my singing. I placed the rose back on the vanity and decided to call it a night. I put my night gown on, blew out my candles, and crawled into bed. I thought I heard a voice singing as I drifted off to sleep, but I'm sure it was just all in my head.

"Listen to the music of the night..."

(Author's Note: Okay, so I said I might add Erik into this chapter and I did, just not physically. I definitely will in chapter 4, though! Please remember to review!)