The Jealous Thorn
Opera Populaire, Annual Christmas Opera. December 23…
Originally, Raoul DeChagney would never be caught dead returning to the Opera Populaire, but he was a patron and his wife did love anything related to society. Raoul had married a young baroness from Austria after learning that he had murdered Christine, and though Renée was nothing more than a means of relieving his sexual frustrations, he still gave her whatever she wanted. He was still unsure exactly what happened that night a year and a half ago when he awoke in the woods, but when he eventually stumbled back into town he learned from his private army that Christine and her two brats had been killed. His annoying wife tugged at his sleeve and whispered into his ear as they took their seats in Opera box #5.
"Oh, Raoul! I'm so excited, aren't you?"
"Yes, yes Renée, now hush."
In the back-alley behind the opera two forms shifted nervously as they snuck into a small passageway leading into the building.
"Erik, are you sure this leads to the stage?"
"No, we're heading straight into the arms of the police, they're sitting right ahead of us waiting to fire."
"That's not funny."
"Hmm, damn I must be losing my touch."
Silently laughing, Erik led the way deeper into the Opera house. Every few moments he could hear Nadir beg Allah to guide him. He rolled his eyes and pushed aside a doorway to reveal the catwalk right above the stage.
"My friend you are definitely not losing your touch."
Rolling his eyes one last time Erik followed Nadir onto the middle of the platform and took a seat to watch the opera begin.
Gustave had taken his seat beside another violinist and began warming up. It only took a few minutes before the conductor tapped his baton on the podium and signaled for the orchestra to begin the first song. Gustave closed his eyes and let his soul enter his music. He barely noticed when the music began to quiet and the first Intermission began. However, when the last song finished he opened his eyes and let his nervousness begin to fill him up.
--In box 5
Raoul's slightly embarrassed wife stirred him awake.
"Raoul, darling, wake up, it's Intermission."
Shaking his head, Raoul stood up and followed Renée towards the exit where many of the other patrons were gathering.
--On the catwalk
"Erik…do you know of anywhere umm more comfortable to sit…?""Oh forgive me Nadir, let me go find the throne room, and oh how terrible of me, I forgot to bring the harem."
"That's not funny Erik."
"That makes me 0 for 2…I am losing my touch!"
Erik sighed dramatically and received a glare from his good friend.
"Well the least you can do is tell me what is coming up?"
"There should be a solo from a violinist and then the damn thing ends."
"Ah, sounds good!"
"Humph! Only if the violinist is good."
--Behind stage
"Alright then Gustave, just play the song and then take your bows."
"Y-yes sir…"
Gustave was pale as a ghost and shaking so bad that the conductor almost wanted to go onstage for him. Deciding to try and comfort him, the conductor called out just before Gustave entered the stage.
"Just relax and listen to the music Gus!"
Nodding and taking a deep breath, Gustave took his place onstage.
--On the Catwalk
"Oh look Erik, the violinist is onstage."
Erik turned and felt his breath catch in his throat. The person taking the place was a boy no older than five, his raven colored hair was smoothed back and he was clothed in an outfit obviously borrowed. What was really eye-catching however was the white cloth covering half his face. The entire building fell deathly silent, and suddenly, the boy's music filled the air.
--On Stage
There were no thoughts within himself, only music. He could hear his mother's beautiful voice filling his soul. He slowly let every note entrance his sheltered heart and smiled faintly as the notes consumed him. The final chord filtered through the air and Gustave lowered the bow and opened his eyes towards the audience. Several tense moments passed before the room burst into applause.
"Bravo! Bravo!"
Nervously, Gustave bowed and smiled again at the over-excited crowd. From the right of the stage, the conductor appeared and once again the room fell silent.
"I would just like to introduce our young star, this is Gustave!"
More applause erupted and Gustave turned a light pink as he bowed again. The audience began calling out as he resumed his upward stance.
"Encore! Encore! Encore!"
Looking up at his conductor, Gustave readied to play again as the conductor nodded and the applause died down again. His silent lullaby filled the air…
"In sleep he sang to me In dreams he came…"
--On the Catwalk
Erik couldn't breath. He couldn't think…the song. The violinist was playing the song that held every single thought he ever felt for Christine elegantly. His deft fingers glided across the instrument performing his lover's and his own song. The boy finished and Erik was thrown from his silent world.
"Who is he!"
His voice was angry and terrified at the same time, and Nadir looked oddly at Erik.
"My friend what is wrong?"
"His name! What's the boy's name!"
"Gustave-."
"NO! His full name!"
"I don't know Erik-."
"Damn it man find out!"
Racing past the confused Persian, Erik took off down the passageway towards the stage where Gustave left backstage and headed towards his brother.
--Box 5
Raoul was beyond furious, his feet pounded on the stairway as he made his way backstage. He had sworn that he would never leave anything behind that would remind him of Christine. His mind swirled…how was it possible? His men had burned the brats alive! Yet, here they were alive and making a great lives for themselves. He would stop them; he would make them suffer as she did…
--Backstage
"Gus! Gus, you did such an awesome job!"
"Thanks Jean!"
The ecstatic brother hugged his twin before turning towards the exit.
"Now come on, let's go find Monsieur Firman so he can pay us!"
Smiling, Gus nodded and the two took off towards the foyer where the managers would be well wishing the patrons.
--Halfway to the Foyer
Gus was running happily beside his brother when the most terrifying noise filled his ears…
"Aggggggrrrrhhhh!"
The scent of blood filled the air and Gus turned terrified eyes towards the form of his brother. He was falling to the ground, his eyes wide, his mouth opened to release a scream. Blood fell from his lips, and his small form hit the ground in a loud thunk. The crack of a gunshot still hung loudly on the air.
"JEAN!"
Gus turned, he was going to save him, help him, do something, but his body was jerked off the ground. He tried to scream, but a hand covered his mouth and a voice whispered in his ear.
"Now you will suffer as your father suffered…"
--With Erik
Erik had been watching Gustave interact with the other boy, and he followed them when they were heading towards the foyer. Suddenly, he heard it. A gunshot sang through the building. Increasing his pace, Erik came to the hallway and spied one of the boys on the ground. He was bleeding severely…Erik didn't hesitate as he gathered the boy into his arms and ran out the building. He would save this boy; he would save him and get the answers he desired.
--With Gus
He didn't know where he was being taken, his eyes were blindfolded, and his mouth silenced with something that tasted disgusting. His hands were tied behind his back, but he could feel wood beneath his hands. Suddenly, voices filled his ears.
"Monsieur Viscount, I don't understand…why do you want us to take this boy?"
Gus was suddenly yanked to his feet and the blindfold was pulled from his eyes. Dim light filled his eyes and he groaned slightly in pain from the brightness. It was then that he realized that his face was exposed. Trying desperately to shield himself only earned him a pistol whipping. He turned his eyes towards the voice once again.
"Ugh, yes, I do believe we can use a face like that for something…"
The blindfold was replaced and Gus was sent back into a world of darkness and uncertainty.
End Chapter 14
A/N: Weeee another chapter down! Please Review! Oh and Erik took Jean, but he doesn't know that Jean and Gus are related because though he did see them talking, he didn't hear what they were saying.
