Angel With a Broken Face - Chapter 1
All of that led me to where I was on that faithful day. I stood in the Opera Populaire upon the singed, but sturdy stage, taking all of it in. My white cloak whipped lightly in the breeze that came from the holes in the ceiling. I had already gone through the entire opera and found two entries, I assumed, that led down to the vaults. One was a door way that led to a downward spiraling staircase, the other, a much more hidden route, a mirror that slid into the wall to expose damp and dark halls. I dared not go down to the vaults, if the Phantom was down there I wished the Phantom come up here, rather I go down into the vaults. Though honestly I think I was just scared.
So there I was upon the stage, mask in hand, too frightened to go into the vaults, yet wanting an encounter with the infamous Phantom. And so I sang. First scales then other songs I knew. I figured that the only way I might get the Opera Ghost to come up, if he was indeed here, was to sing. My voice filled the Opera House wonderfully, it seemed to improve my voice. Though after over a year of voice lessons my voice was excellent, not to boast. I loved the sensation, my voice filling every crevice of the building. Then an idea had dawned on me, why not sing a song that the Phantom's beloved Christine had sung? Surely that would bring him out, if just in curiosity, I thought.
I racked my brain for songs that Christine might have sung. Then the perfect song came to me. The first solo she ever sung in an Opera, "Think of Me", from the Opera Hannibal. Also the beginning, or at least notice, of the Phantom of the Opera. I stood in silence for a moment, remembering the song, and singing it once over in my head, just for memories sake. Then I took a deep breath, my heart was pounding, then began, closing my eyes and listening, hoping.
"Think of me
Think of my fondly
when we've said good bye
Remember me once in awhile
please promise me you'll try..."
On I sang hearing nothing but my voice. I opened my eyes seeing nothing, once again they closed only this time filled with tears. I had been a foolish girl, I thought I of all people could bring the Phantom out of his hiding. All the doubts I had pushed out of my mind before flooded it. I was stupid and ignorant.
"There will never be a day
when I won't think of you"
Still another verse was left, but I stopped. I felt entirely foolish that I had sung in an abandoned Opera house to a man who was not there.
I fell to the ground, my cloak around me and mask still in hand, sobbing. My obsession, infatuation had caused that. I was in love with a man I had never met, a man who killed mercilessly, all because he was obsessed, infatuated, and in love with Christine Daae. I had become like the monster so many feared.
As I placed my hand upon the floor to get up I heard something. I stopped and my heart was beating fiercely in my chest, I looked around wildly. Slowly I wiped my tears and listened, nothing. I felt the tears once again well up, I got angry, I would not cry again.
"Stop this!" I said to myself angrily "You're acting like a child! There is no one her, except you! Now just stop crying and leave. You've let this immature infatuation take control of your life. Just go home, wash up, and never come here gain."
I breathed heavily then got up. While dusting myself off I swore I heard something again, it seemed to be a foot step or something of the sort.
"It's just rats." I thought, then picked up the mask I had left on the ground and turned towards the stairs. But then I was sure I heard something else, something human, a sigh or a cough. With my eyes wide I looked around frantically, I was now terrified. If the Phantom did not live in the vaults I had thought no one would, but I had not thought about bandits. God I was stupid. Then something close, behind me somewhere, not turning around I walked quickly to the stairs farthest me.
"Mademoiselle, what has brought you here?" a deep but beautiful voice sung out, echoing through the House.
I stopped, trembling, without turning I said, or rather stuttered, attempting to sound brave, "Who is there? Show yourself!" I felt as though I would faint.
"Why, mademoiselle, I am sure you know me well, for is it not I who you seek?" the deep voice sang seeming even closer than before, still I did not turn.
"The Phantom." I breathed, hardly above a whisper.
"Why, yes, you have guessed correctly." I jumped, the voice was now behind me, my breath quickened, yet I could not move, no matter how I tried. I just wanted to get out.
"Now, why are you here?" His voice seemed gruff, perhaps impatient, and I think he could tell I was unable to move.
"I-I w-wanted to give you your mask b-back." I said so quietly I wasn't sure if he'd be able to hear me.
"Oh? My mask you say. Would you happen to be the one that took it after I was gone?" This time he did not seem angry, nor exactly happy, more indifferent.
"No! Of course not! I bought it, it was sold to me by Meg Giry." I was not as nervous, more excited now, this was the Phantom of the Opera, the one I had come here to find.
"Meg Giry, you say? Giry…that is a name I have not heard in awhile." He said, more to himself it seemed. "So, do you truly have my mask?" His voice was softer now.
Without turning to face him I raised me arm slightly, the mask in my hand. Out of the corner of my eye I saw his hand hover over it a moment, then he took it, his warm hand touching my cold one ever so slightly, causing me to have to hold back shivers. It sounded as though he had turned, to put on his mask I assumed, I felt I could finally move. I turned my head slightly and saw his back was to me and so I slowly and quietly faced him, breathing deeply. He was tall and nicely dressed in a black evening suit, it seemed, he had dark brown hair, which I had been told by my Aunt was a wig, still he seemed even more intriguing.
Then he turned to me. I think he may have been slightly surprised that I had faced him. I felt my eyes drawn automatically up to his face. I first looked at the mask, then the other uncovered half of his face. I felt my breath catch in my throat, he was beautiful. My infatuation grew, now upon his looks. He had hazel eyes, or perhaps light green, maybe a mix. I continued to take in his appearance, I was in awe.
"How could such a beautiful man scare so many?" I thought to myself, or so I had thought… He looked at me in shock. My eyes widened and my hand flew over my mouth, my face, I am sure, was close to crimson. I turned in embarrassment, I had never done something like that before. I was breathing heavily, fast, and loudly.
By that point I think the Phantom was speechless. He had never been thought of as beautiful, only feared, though I cannot see why. Of course there was the other half of his face, but with the mask one could not see it. He was very attractive and beautiful to me. Suddenly I felt the urge to leave.
"I-I should go." I choked out, I was on the verge of tears and I had no idea why. I took a step forward then felt his hand lightly on my shoulder through my cloak. I stopped not sure of what he would do. Slowly, cautiously, I turned looking towards the floor.
We stood there a moment, his hand still upon my shoulder, in silence. Then he slid his hand from my shoulder across my collar bone, causing me to shiver, then up underneath my chin lifting it. I looked up into his eyes, his eyes that were full of admiration and curiosity. Then gently he put his hand gently upon my cheek and looked over me. My heart was pounding, I was sure he could hear it. Without meaning to I looked down once again. The Phantom slid his thumb down my face onto my bottom lip. I held back shivers and closed my eyes, I felt him closer to me, feelings unknown at that moment stirred in me. He slowly removed his hand from my face.
"You sang Christine's song." He seemed to choke on her name.
I opened my eyes as he spoke and looked up at him. "I-…" I did not know what to say, I looked down. "Yes, I thought it might… bring you out. I wished to meet you…" My voice was surprisingly calm, yet still very quiet, "And give you your mask back, of course." I added quickly. He just stood there quietly, so I continued. "I had heard so many stories of you, mostly from my aunt, and, well, you interested me. So I came here. It is rumored that you still live in the vaults, I had to see you for myself. I promise not to tell a soul, though." I was glad he did not seem angry, more amused.
"Are you sure it was not your 'infatuation' with me that brought you here?" He said smirking ever so slightly. I was horror struck and embarrassed beyond belief, I had forgotten that I had earlier thought out loud. I seemed I did that a lot, causing me much embarrassment.
I felt I was burning up, it did not help that my corset labored my breathing, then I saw nothing. I had fainted.