Chapter Five:
Michelle rushed from the backstage of the theatre and dodged past the chorus girls, stagehands, and other cast members. They had performed their opera and now Michelle knew she had to meet the Opera Ghost. Tonight would prove if she was hallucinating, insane, or whether he was real.
Making her way back to the room through the crowded hallways was a difficulty, but when she finally arrived she slammed the door and locked the door. What was she to do now? What if the Opera Ghost never arrived? She looked around to see the candles unlit. Hadn't she kept them lit when she had left?
Before she could answer that question, she heard a deep voice throughout her bedroom say, "Michelle."
"Yes. I am here Opera Ghost. Prove that you're real. Please. I wish to know." Michelle told the disembodied voice.
"You will soon enough. A wonderful performance my dear. However, you deserved the spotlight. You are much more graceful than that cow on stage." The voice said to her then quieted.
"So you saw?"
He laughed loudly. "This is my opera house and I see everything that goes on in it." He was silent again, "Come to the mirror Michelle and I will take you to a world where your dreams will come true. For I know you wish to be the prima ballerina of this stage and so it will happen."
She obeyed him and moved nervously to the mirror. "What do I do?"
"Trust me." He told her as the mirror slid to the side revealing her fully to him. She was much more beautiful in person. His eyes took in her beauty as he held a hand out to her.
She hesitantly took his hand and looked at the Opera Ghost, who was indeed a man. A very handsome man who wore black coattails, a crisp white shirt, patterned vest, black pants, and military boots. His dark hair was combed back and was neat and his piercing golden eyes gazed deeply into her own.
Suddenly, Michelle felt underdressed. She was only wearing a simple black leotard with a gauzy pink wrap and white hose. Her shoes were only her pointe ballerina shoes which were not in the best condition. Why hadn't he told her to dress in something special?
He led her deep in the winding tunnels beneath the opera house. The temperature dropped considerably and he paused a moment to take off his cloak and wrap it around her. "Thank you."
"Your welcome." He answered then took her hand and led her down the tunnel once more.
As they traveled, she was aware of her breathing becoming heavier. She would have never expected tunnels to exist underneath the opera house. The tunnels were dark and cold, but also had some architecture beneath the beauty of the opera house. He led her to a boat, where she carefully stepped in and sat in the front, while he stood in the back to guide the boat along the water.
"Do you live here all alone or is there a Madame Opera Ghost?" She asked innocently.
"I live by myself. Something I wish to remedy."
His voice washed over her, making her knees shake considerably. "Remedy, Monsieur Opera Ghost? What do you mean?"
"That is something you will have to discover dear Michelle." He whispered, though his voice echoed off the stone walls. She sighed as his lilting, musical laugh echoed off the wall. "Yes. You will have to wait."
He guided them to a cave where it seemed thousands of candles lit the room. A grand organ sat in the center and covered mirrors lined the wall along with brass statues and stone statues. He let the boat come to a rest against the shore and got out of the boat then helped her out gently.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome Michelle." He paused as she looked at the surroundings. "Tell me, do you think you are still hallucinating?"
"No Monsieur Opera Ghost. Definitely not." Michelle replied.
He offered his hand and she took it quickly. He lead her to the organ and asked her, "Would you dance for me?"
"I will," she said, "if you tell me your real name. I do not wish to call you Monsieur Opera Ghost for the rest of my duration at the opera house."
He smiled at her then said, "It is Erik."
"Nice to meet you Erik." Michelle replied as he took her hand and kissed the top of her hand.
"And you as well."
"Then sit down Erik. You wish to see me dance and I will." She told him then watched as he did so. "I hope you enjoy Erik."
She positioned herself and began dancing to one of the familiar ballets that she used to do in Bordeaux. She leaped and twirled along the floor. Erik watched her spin, twirl, leap, and dance before him. His thoughts turned towards the thought of how her body looked as she danced. Her supple and tone limbs showed how dedicated she was to her art. Her wavy, golden hair swished about as she danced before him. This was some sort of test for him, right? This angel who had utterly trusted him and now danced for him. Was it a sign from the god he didn't believe in?
Finally, she finished, heavily panting as she curtsied. He clapped then said, "Brava, brava, bravissima."
"Thank you Erik. I appreciate your kindness." She responded as he stood up and took her hand and led her to a set of chairs in front of a fireplace.
"Sit down Michelle. You must be tired." He said to her kindly as she sat in the chair slowly. He then sat down across from her and steepled his fingers. "Michelle. Do you trust me?"
His question struck her deep in her heart. His eyes held no playfulness, only sadness and a small gleam of hope. She took one of his larger hands between her own hands. "Oh Erik. Why do you live here? Why are you so alone? Why are you called the Opera Ghost?"
He smiled sadly. "One question at a time Michelle. I live here because I have too."
"But no one has to live alone." Michelle replied as he gently pressed a finger to her pink lips.
He noted how smooth they felt then said, "But I have to Michelle. I cannot say why, but soon enough I will show you if you wish." He paused, "I'm alone because no one wants me and i'm called the Opera Ghost because I have made this place my home."
"I'm sorry Erik." She apologized then took felt him take her hands and lift her up from the chair.
"It is alright. Would you like to stay with me tonight?" He asked politely.
"Yes." She said.
"Would you like to hear a song before you go to bed?"
"Yes."
He then sang a song in which he had not sang in such a long time.
"Night-time sharpens,
heightens each sensation . . .
Darkness stirs and
wakes imagination . . .
Silently the senses
abandon their defences . . ."
He paused then cupped her face between his hands. She looked up at him as he continued:
"Slowly, gently
night unfurls its splendour . . .
Grasp it, sense it -
tremulous and tender . . .
Turn your face away
from the garish light of day,
turn your thoughts away
from cold, unfeeling light -
and listen to
the music of the night . . ."
She sighed softly, her legs felt weak as his hands descended along her waist respectfully:
"Close your eyes
and surrender to your
darkest dreams!
Purge your thoughts
of the life
you knew before!
Close your eyes,
let your spirit
start to soar!
And you'll live
as you've never
lived before . . ."
He then softly took her hands in his and began leading her to the bedroom as he continued singing:
"Softly, deftly,
music shall surround you . . .
Feel it, hear it,
closing in around you . . .
Open up your mind,
let your fantasies unwind,
in this darkness which
you know you cannot fight -
the darkness of
the music of the night . . .
Let your mind
start a journey through a
strange new world!
Leave all thoughts
of the world
you knew before!
Let your soul
Take you where you
long to be !
Only then
can you belong
to me . . ."
His hand gently rested on the left side of her waist as his arm held her to him. He looked down at her and saw her eyes slightly glazed. He continued:
"Floating, falling,
sweet intoxication!
Touch me, trust me
savour each sensation!
Let the dream begin,
let your darker side give in
to the power of the music that I write -
the power of the music of the night . . ."
Her fingers reached outwards to cup his face and gently stroke the flesh that was bared to her. Erik smiled at her then led her into the bedrooom. "Oh this bedroom is beautiful." Michelle commented quietly as she saw a beautiful bed that was shaped like a black swan. Blood red sheets and covers made the bed complete.
"Thank you dear. Why don't you sleep now?" He thanked her then suggested.
"Where will you sleep Erik?"
"I don't need sleep."
"Don't speak nonsense Erik. Of course you do. You'll sleep with me tonight."
He thought he was hallucinating when she had said that. "Excuse me?" He asked.
"You heard me Erik. You need to sleep. You look so tired. Please sleep with me." She begged him in a kind and serious voice.
This wasn't a joke nor a product of hallucination. She was being serious. "Yes." He watched as she slowly climbed beneath the covers after taking off her pointe shoes then waited for him to come as well. He took off his shoes and coattails then sat on the bed uncomfortably.
"Erik?"
"Hmm." He replied as he turned to look at her face.
"Is everything alright?" Michelle questioned him in a concerned voice.
"Yes." He replied, though in truth he felt his stomach clench. He had never felt such a powerful nervousness with Christine.
She grasped his right hand and pulled him on his side. "It is fine Erik. I'm not gonig to hurt you."
He laughed softly. "I know that my dear. Go on and sleep."
She smiled at him then placed her head on her pillow and glanced at his handsome face before falling asleep. Erik smiled back then thought how lucky he was and how he was going to keep Michelle. This was his angel, his real and true angel. He then closed his eyes and fell asleep as well.