The Darker Side
I was walking back to my room when I heard a scream come from down the hallway. I turned around and saw Meg running towards me. She was waving her arms frantically and looked as if she were afraid. I had just left her at the dining room and couldn't imagine what had happened since then.
"Meg, what's the matter?" She grabbed my arms and pointed towards the end of the hall. She began to tell me what happened, but I couldn't understand her.
"Meg, calm down! I can't understand a word you're saying." She took deep breaths and slowly released my arms.
"Miss Sherry and Carlotta have been poisoned! They were eating in the dining room and after you left they began to complain about having stomach cramps. They got sick in the dining room and were told to go lay down. Mama went to check on them a couple minutes ago and found that they were unconscious. Andre' and Firmin called for a doctor and he is here now trying to save their lives!" My heart probably stopped right then. I broke out into a cold sweat and became extremely dizzy. I heard Meg yell at me.
"Rachel, what is the matter? You don't look so good all of a sudden." I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. When I opened them up my vision was better.
"I, um, think I was just shocked from the sudden news. I'm alright now, though. Do you know if there's any chance for them?" She shook her head and gripped my hands once again.
"I don't know! Mama won't tell me how she thinks it happened, but I think it's the work of the Opera Ghost! This isn't his first murder you know. There have been others much worse than this, but I just never suspected that he had it in for them. Oh, Rachel, I am very frightened!" She fell against me crying and I wrapped my arms around her, trying to comfort her. I never knew he would do something this terrible! I hope my sudden out burst of the truth yesterday didn't lead him to doing this. Oh God, please help Carlotta and Miss Sherry survive! I never wished for anything like this to happen. We broke apart when we heard a door down the hall open. Madame Giry walked out very slowly, but stopped when she saw us in the hallway. Meg rushed over to her mother.
"How is Carlotta, Mama?" Madame Giry shook her head.
"I am sorry girls but she didn't make it. I think Miss Sherry is doing a little better, though. It seems that she didn't have as much poison in her system as Carlotta did. Please, do not spread the news all over the dormitories until Andre' and Firmin properly announce it tomorrow. Now, please go to your rooms and calm yourselves. Everything will be alright. I must go tell Andre' and Firmin." She hugged Meg one last time and then made her way down the hall. I could feel a cold chill go down my spine. Meg was very pale and silent as we walked back to our rooms. We hugged each other one more time and went our separate ways. I reached my room and unlocked the door. I stepped inside and made sure I locked it behind me, although I don't know why that would matter. I went over to my bed and gently sat down. How could you, Erik? I know you have had a hard life, but how could you choose this as your new one? Can you not see that this is bringing you more pain? Now I am frightened just like everyone else is. I don't want to be like this! I want to be able to trust you and you the same for me. Why did I have to come here? Why couldn't I have just stayed at home and taken care of father? He needed me more than anyone, but I had to reach out to my needs. I was being so selfish! I stood up and walked over to the vanity. I picked up all of the letters that Erik had sent to me and threw them into the fireplace. I stood back and watched as they burned to a crisp. I wiped away a tear that threatened to slide down my face.
"I'm sorry it has come to this, Erik."
Behind the mirror a dark shadow was watching her. The look of pain and longing in it's eyes was too painful to even look at. One single tear fell from his eye as he turned and walked into the darkness.
From that day on, I found every possible way that there was to ignore Erik. I didn't visit him anymore and I didn't read the letters that he sent. Each time I saw that seal of the skull, I threw the letters into the fire. Madame Giry told me that she understood that I was upset, but ignoring him completely would only make the pain much worse for him.
"Why does it matter, though? He murdered an innocent woman! Sure she was a witch, but she didn't deserve to die! You expect me just to forget about it and forgive him!" She shook her head and placed her hand on my shoulder.
"That's not what I am saying at all, Rachel. Just be his friend. He doesn't understand what true friendship is. I am only an acquaintance that he puts up with because I help him. Just show him what it is like to be wanted and I am sure he will forget about evil."
"I'll think about it." I briskly walked off of the stage and back to my room. I looked at my vanity and found yet another letter. This time I decided to open it.
Dear Miss Thompson,
I realize that you are angry with me and for that I apologize. I know it was a very harsh thing to do, but I couldn't bear to see them torture you. I care far too much for you to allow that to continue. Please consider coming back to me for your lessons. I hear that the next opera will be even more challenging than Il Muto was. Think about what I have said, Rachel. I remain your obedient servant,
Angel (Erik)
I couldn't believe that he had used his real name! Could this mean that he was willing to accept the truth? I folded the letter back up and walked over to the mirror. I slid it back and stepped inside. I shut it behind me and walked down the dark tunnel. I saw his familiar form by the boat and as I reached his side I smiled up into his face.
"I accept your apology as long as you don't ever pull a stunt like this again, understand?" He hesitated a moment but then slightly nodded. He raised his hand and tenderly traced the outline of my lips. I began to tremble at the warmth that his glove put off. Why am I acting this way? It is just Erik. Why is he doing this, though? His head began to lower to my level until we were but mere inches apart. I sucked in a deep breath which broke him out of his trance. He stood up rather stiffly and turned away to face the boat.
"I am glad to have you back. You have been long missed." He motioned for me to sit in the boat. "After you, ma'am."
(Author's Note: It's shorter than the other one, but I apologize! I am sick (again) and am going to go rest in a minute. This is the first chapter where they start to have chemistry between them. I know you guys have been waiting for this! I'll try and update as soon as possible).
