The next morning I woke up forgetting about what the gypsy had told me. Everything was all fuzzy and my head throbbed. I couldn't remember if I had dreamed of it or not, not till later. I pushed the hair out of my eyes and stretched my body. Another day of selling myself for money, pathetic, was all I could call myself.
I began to walk down the dark streets of Paris when a woman gave a horrible screeched. "Look at that monster!" She screamed pointing at me. I gave a puzzled look.
"Get her!" A man yelled out. I had to run away otherwise they would kill me. I ran straight to the Opera House just like I had remembered in my dream. I ran straight to the old dressing room, ignoring all the stares and screams. I quickly slammed the door and locked it so no one would get in. I quickly found the switch to open up the mirror and jumped in not even giving a glance back. I continued to sprint down the tunnel blinded by the night. I soon slipped on an unstable stair and tumbled all the way down to the lake's shore. I gave out a moaned and fell into a state of unconsciousness.
I didn't know how long I had been laying there when I woke up. My head hurt horribly and I cursed the stairs for being unstable. I felt dry blood on my right side of my face which I needed to wash off. I crawled over to the shore slipping my hands in the freezing water. I cupped the water then splashed it against my face which felt good. I scrubbed the blood off my left side of my face then was about to scrub the other half when I felt the unevenness and saggy skin. I screamed. "What's happening to me?" I asked myself. I looked into the glassy lake to find my entire right side of my face deformed. "No, no this can't be happening to me. This must be a dream. I have to find Madame Giry." I prayed to God she was somewhere in here.
I ran quickly and quietly in the shadows so that no one could see me. Once I reached Madame Giry's door I knocked quietly. "Come in," she called out. I gave a deep breath before entering. Madame Giry turned around and gasped at the sight of me. "Who…who are you?" She asked frighten.
"Madame Giry it is me, Emily House." I whispered.
"My God what has happen to you? You look like…like Erik." She whispered timidly.
"I know. I don't know how to explain it. I woke up this morning thinking everything normal. I was walking down the street when a…a woman screamed and pointed at me. People began chasing me and I ran here hiding behind the mirror. I was running as fast as I could to Erik's cage when I fell and woke up to find…to find this." I pointed to my face. "Madame Giry I need your help. I have no where else to go, please help me."
"Of coarse my child, we will find out how this happen, I promise." Madame Giry said digging through a drawer.
"What are you doing," I asked.
"I'm looking for the mask," she said pulling out papers.
"What mask?" I dared to ask.
"His mask." I gulped.
"Ahha! Here it is." She pulled the porcelain white mask that had haunted my dreams for so many years. I began backing up against the wall. "Wear this Emily. I know how much it meant to Erik and I am sure it will mean something to you later. Meg had found it that night. When I found out that she had taken it I took from her saving it for him." I slowly walked over to her taking the mask with shaky hands.
"What am I going to do Madame Giry? I thought I was dreaming, but now I know I am not." I asked sitting down on the bed. "I have no where to go and I can't walk around wearing a mask they'll point and stare at me."
"You can stay in Erik's home. I know that it pains you for me to even mention his name, but there you will not have to worry about finding a place to live or people pointing and staring at you." I then decided to accept the offer of staying in Erik's home. I could strangely remember the gypsy woman telling me to go live in there anyways. When I had reached my new home it was still the same as I had left it. Trashed, destroyed, all of its former beauty was gone. I needed to restore it; I couldn't live in a place like this. It may never be as beautiful as it once was, but I would at least try.
1 year later
I was now thirty years old. I had come quite used to living my life in solitude. I had finally accepted what had become of me and only hoped that the gypsy kept to her promise of Erik being beautiful. Over the year I had turned more into a ghost than a woman. I was now known to every one who lived in the opera house as the Phantress of the Opera. I had sent many notes to our managers asking for a monthly salary of 5,000 francs, which wasn't asking too much. They obeyed all of my commands without a second thought for they didn't want another disaster.
As I was wondering the opera house to give someone a good fright I heard a commotion going on at the stage. I had to find out what was going on, for nothing goes on with out my knowing. With a wave of my cape I was gone, hurrying my way to Box 5.
I watched from the shadows as our two managers, Monsieur Firmin and Monsieur Andre walking towards the stage with a woman and a man. I could not see their faces clearly and I knew I had to get closer to get a better view of them. I ran towards the stage and hid behind the curtains. I peaked to see Erik standing there his face, flawless. I had to put my hand to my mouth to hold back a gasp. I stepped back hitting a broken table knocking over an already broken gas lamp. The chorus and ballet girls screamed and began to chant:
The Phantress of the Opera
She is with us
"Will you girls show a little courtesy for our guests?" Monsieur Firmin screamed.
"Girls please," Andre snapped. Erik began to look up at the catwalks to see if he could get a glimpse of the so called, "Phantress of the Opera". "Monsieur, these things do happen." Andre smiled sheepishly.
"Who is this Phantress, Monsieur?" Erik asked with curiosity.
"Oh some girl running around the opera house scarring the chorus and ballet girls." Said Firmin
"-But do not worry about her Monsieur Nightingale. She is harmless. She is more reasonable than the Phantom was." Added Andre. I could see a flash of anger in Erik's eyes, which made me want to laugh, but I had to keep quiet.
"I hope this Phantress won't ruin the opera," said the girl who had been hanging on Erik's arm the entire time.
"Not to worry Madamoiselle. She has never disturbed an opera. Her only wishes are to have a monthly salary and to keep Box 5 empty, for her use." Monsieur Firmin stated. A small smile crept onto Erik's face.
"Thank heavens. The last thing I need is some mad woman ruining my opera." The girl said dramatically.
I had followed the managers watching them give Erik and the girl a tour of the opera house. Erik was definitely bored out of his mind while the girl was fascinated by the grandness of Opera Populaire. Once the managers had finished giving them the tour they gave Erik and the girl who I had learned that her name was in fact, Helen. He had told her to get some rest before tonight's opera and left without protest.
I was curious where Erik was off to and followed him to Christine's dressing room. He took a deep breath and walked inside. I ran as fast as I could to the other side of the mirror to find him on the floor crying. Oh how I had longed to wipe away those tears that he had always fought back, but I could not tell him how he had gotten his beauty. Once he had finished crying he stood up and began to walk towards the mirror. I had to hide! I quickly slipped into the darkest shadows and waited. Once he had entered, he began walking towards the lair. I had to stop him before it was too late. An idea popped into my head. "Monsieur I wouldn't do that if I were you. Rumor has it that a lonely Phantress lives there." I said letting my voice echo through the tunnel.
"Oh really? Tell me mysterious one why would someone live a life of solitude and darkness?"
"The same reason you once did." I said.
"I don't know what you are talking about." He said turning around to leave.
"You know exactly what I am talking about Erik Nightingale for you were once the Phantom of the Opera or also known as by Christine Daae the Angel of Music."
"You seem to know a lot about me Madamoiselle." He said while trying to find my hiding place.
"I do Monsieur for I had once lived here while all the events occurred and now because of you I am now the new Phantress of the Opera. But to you I will be known as your Angel of Darkness."
"Tell me Angel of Darkness, are you here in spirit or do you have a face?" He asked sarcastically.
"I am not one who plays games Monsieur. Do not toy with me. You know very well that I have a face, but I believe it would be called distorted or deformed. Now you must return to your precious light and never come back here without my permission. This isn't your home anymore it is mine." I bellowed.
"Very well Phantress I will leave for now, but I will soon be back for questioning for you hold the key to my new life." He bowed to nothing and left me in my darkness.
Tonight's Opera
I sat in my normal seat in Box Five when I heard some one coming towards my box. I slipped behind a curtain to wait and see who dared to disturbed me during the opera. Angel appeared at the threshold looking so handsome. He began to look around and was walking closer and closer to the curtain I was hiding behind. Oh God please don't let him see me. "Erik." Helen whispered harshly coming into the box. "What are you doing? You are missing the show. Come on now, lets' stop this nonsense and get back to our seats. We have people to meet afterwards."
"Of coarse," Erik said frustrated. Once they left I sat back down in my seat. The performance was entertaining, but it could still use some improvements. Once the performance was over I went back down to the lair to compose some music. It was late at night when I decided to go for a midnight stroll. I was walking on the catwalks when I spotted Erik and Helen kissing passionately. They soon broke the kiss and Helen whispered, "Just think of it Erik. In two weeks I will be up on the stage singing your opera. Then I will show that you must leave singing to the professionals."
"Your voice will sound like a goddess my sweet." He said stroking her cheek. My heart broke seeing him with another woman like that.
"Kiss me Erik." She begged. Erik passionately kissed her again. He was in love with this slave of fashion? How dare he? No! I have sacrificed too much for him. If I can't have him no one can!