Finally I got
around to writing. I don't really have a good excuse, except that
school started and I've been getting homework. I'd also like to thank
my lovely reviewers who have kept me going. Without further
ado, chapter 4. Enjoy!
Meg walked through the opened gate. She looked around but could not find the source of the mysterious voice. Taking a few more cautious steps, Meg suddenly found herself surrounded by water. The floor had taken a very sudden drop, and Meg now found herself treading water. She was not a very good swimmer, and she began to panic.
Her arms began to flail uselessly and she shut her eyes tight. All she could do was hope for some miracle, something that would save her. She did not want to drown, but she was too distressed to do anything. Just as she was about to give up, strong arms lifted her out of the water and onto a solid platform.
Meg opened her eyes wide and looked around. She was sitting in a boat that, she remembered, was called a gondola. She heard water moving behind her, and turned to see a man pushing the boat up to the shore. The man wore a white mask over half of his face. This was the Phantom.
Suddenly filled with fear, Meg turned around suddenly and went rigid. She hoped the man had not seen her. She silently waited until the boat hit the land edge, and then sat in the gondola until she heard the man behind her stand. The Phantom hopped into the water and held a hand out for Meg. Taking it, she clumsily hopped onto the land. The Phantom didn't let her fall, however, and kept a tight grip on her hand.
A soft breeze blew through the cavern, and Meg shivered, realizing how cold she was. The Phantom seemed to sense it, too. He wordlessly took of his own cape and draped it over Meg's shoulders. Her shivering ceased. Turning to the man, she opened her mouth to thank him, but he put a finger to his lips. "Shh…," he whispered. "The night is too peaceful for words." Still holding Meg's hand, the Phantom led her up a set of stairs. She followed him without question. As the stairs ended, Meg truly saw the Phantom's lair.
Sheets of music were strewn everywhere. Candles were lit, and intricate pieces were spread all over the area. In the center of this mess that seemed, somehow, organized to Meg was a piano. I was beautiful. Black as a shadow, it glimmered in the candles' lights. Meg continued following the Phantom as she realized he was headed towards the piano.
Motioning for Meg to sit on the bench, he sat down himself. Meg dared not disobey. Silently, she sat down, smoothing the ruffles out of her soggy night dress. As she began to get comfortable, and quiet tune began to play. A lower voice joined in, and Meg realized the man next to her was humming and playing the piano. The music became louder, and Meg closed her eyes, letting the strange sounds overwhelm her. She heard a voice in the distance, singing, "Nighttime, heightens, sharpens each sensation…" and then she was gone.
There's chapter 4! I'm thinking about putting the Phantom's point-of-view in the next chapter. It's just a thought, though. Please tell me what you think of it in your reviews! Thanks for reading!
