Okay, I know I've been really really lazy and putting this story off for too long so here's a little in-between chapter to tide you over til I get to the next one (which will be more interesting, I promise)
Finally reaching the trapdoor in front of the opera house, Erik pushed it open and stood in the moonlight. He stared at the cloudless night sky, the night's sounds playing tantalizingly over and over in his ears. He scowled and began to walk away from the trapdoor when he heard a noise around the corner, as if someone was walking hurriedly in a fixed direction. He peered around the corner of the opera house, but could see nothing for the deep shadows that seemed to flow between buildings and trees. The street lamps had long since gone out.
Figuring it was probably just some sort of night creature, Erik drew his cape closer to him and began to walk down the dark alleyway.
He was absorbed in his thoughts much more this night than any other. The reason was that he had a feeling he had been seen by the opera house. This was not what he had wanted when he'd settled down to live there; he wished to remain invisible and quite undisturbed. Except that three nights ago, just as he was coming back from an evening walk, a maid had been tending to the gardens outside the opera house. Why she had been doing it past midnight was a complete mystery to Erik. Erik had tried, as softly as he could, to glide through the shadows and descend his trapdoor unnoticed. Just as he had closed the door above him, though, he'd heard a gasp. He did not want to think about what that gasp might have meant, but...
Erik tried to assure himself that perhaps this maid had gasped because of some night creature in the garden or something of the sort, but a sinister feeling in the pit of his stomach was telling him differently.
Erik walked on. He loved the scent and feel of the night air, and did not want to relinquish his grip on it just yet. He could almost hear her song in the winds of the night... could almost hear whispered echos of what was once the Music of the Night...
As the wind picked up and a strong breeze played with the hem of his cloak, Erik walked on, taking to the shadows and listening intently.
If it comes to it, Erik thought suddenly, I shall have to kill the maid. I cannot let her ruin what I've accomplished. I am too close to finishing my opera... maybe... just maybe... this one will be the one... and I can end it... maybe...