Part II

Strange New Surroundings and Into the Mirror

1874

Madalynn's mind was buzzing. How on earth could this have happened? Frustrated at her lack of ability to come up with a logical explanation for what had just transpired, she walked up to the vanity carefully and reached down for the green stem of the rose, to test it's validity. Perhaps she had dreamed up this entire thing. An elaborate dream, a realistic dream, but a dream none the less. But before her hand had even begun to touch it, she heard people walking by the door, talking and laughing loudly. Startled, she drew back her hand sharply and suppressed a squeal, stepping back and shaking her head vigorously. What was going on?! Turning away from the vanity, she walked back in front of the mirror and faced the door, which was on the opposing side of the room. She had to get out of here. Obviously the door was not an option, so she put her hand back on the mirror and squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the familiar sensation to grip her.

When it did not come she waited a little longer. Finally opening her eyes she sighed and turned around putting her hands in the pockets of her worn jeans. She had to think. There must be some other way out of here. It was then she looked down, studying her red Pumas as though they would supply her with the answer she desired. "Oh no..." Madalynn pulled her hands out of her pockets and looked over her appearance. Looking at her jeans, she breathed in sharply and then grabbed her t-shirt, pulling it out so she could see it better. Cursing, she turned sharply to face the mirror once more and grabbed her hair, examining its modern style. Definitely would not go over well if someone were to see her. She quickly scanned the room for something that she could wear, understanding that time was not on her side and the owner of this dressing room could return at any moment. At last her eyes fell upon a tall wardrobe. She strode over to it and flung it open.

"Oh my goodness," Madalynn gazed in wonder at the beautiful clothing that met her searching gaze. Costumes of every color and design were in the wardrobe, just as she had imagined them. She looked for something simple, not wanting to appear as though she was a part of any production, and at last her eyes fell upon a simple brown skirt and fitted blouse. It did not appear to need a corset, thank goodness, as she knew there would be no way to lace that up herself, and the idea of venturing into the hallway to ask someone for assistance was just about as appealing as actually wearing the corset. Madalynn grabbed the garment and began stripping down quickly, casting her jeans and shirt aside. She quickly put on the costume as though the devil himself was after her, and spun around to face the mirror once more. It was a bit big, but it would have to do for now. Quickly she took down her hair and braided it, letting it trail behind her back. Madalynn gathered up her jeans and shirt and looked for somewhere to put them. If someone were to find these it would be disastrous. Her eyes finally came to rest on the fire place, and she gazed at the flames for a moment. Staring down at her jeans and t-shirt for the last time, Madalynn sighed, realizing it was her only option. Those jeans had not been cheap. She strode quickly to the fire and threw them in, not daring to look back as her clothes turned to ash in the blaze. She walked back to the center of the room. She had to get out, but could she really just walk right out of the Prima Donna's dressing room? Just then she heard a click coming from the direction of the door and spun around, a sick feeling arising in her stomach as she saw the doorknob begin to turn slowly. Someone was coming in.

Acting quickly, Madalynn ran to the mirror. "Oh please oh please" she thought to herself putting her hand once again on the smooth glass. This was her last chance to get out of here before she was caught! But just as the door began to open, she noticed the mirror give way slightly. Quickly pushing the mirror aside, Madalynn stepped into a cold, damp corridor and shut the mirror again with a thud. Putting her back against the mirror, she sat there for a minute, her heart beating wildly, trying her best to breath and calm her racing heart. 'That was close' she thought to herself. Turning back to the mirror, Madalynn noticed she could see everything that was going on in the room. "Odd..." she said aloud, "A two way mirror..." She looked at the person who had walked in. The woman was older, wearing a dark brown dress and holding a cane. Her hair was auburn, braided neatly and hanging over her shoulder to almost waist length. She seemed to have a worried air about her, and she glanced around the room as though looking for something. At last her eyes fell on the vanity, and with a small frown she walked towards it gracefully. Picking up the rose she studied it, touching the silky black ribbon tied around its stalk. The woman shook her head and sighed. "Will he ever forget her?" She said aloud sadly. At last, taking the rose with her, she turned and left the room, shutting the door with a click behind her.

Madalynn pondered the strangeness of this event, as she still was not sure of the year. Letting her reasoning skills do the work, she thought over the situation with careful consideration. If the room she had just left was the Prima Donna's dressing room, then what could that woman have meant by what she said? Then it dawned on her. The rose she knew was the Phantom's trademark, and that he always left one for Christine Daaé after her performances. The woman who came in obviously knew about the Phantom because she had said "he", which could only mean one thing. That woman had to have been Madame Giry, whom she had read was suspected to have a strange relationship with the Phantom and was also the ballet mistress at the time. As for her comment, that must mean that the affair between the Phantom and Mademoiselle Daaé has already occurred. "Oh my...How strange..." she muttered, lost in her own thoughts.

Up until that point, she had not really thought much about where she was until she felt something touch her shoulder. Emitting a squeal of surprise she spun around in time to see a tall form with a black glove and a stark white handkerchief grab her. He flipped her around so that her back was pinned to his stomach and forced the handkerchief over her nose and mouth. She fought, kicking and clawing at the arms of her unseen captor, but he was too strong and she soon discovered herself becoming increasingly tired. She tried not to breath, as she knew that whatever was on the handkerchief was what was sapping her strength, but the more she fought not to breath the deeper she ended up inhaling to make up for it. Her body became weak and her eyes began to close against her will. Looking up at her captor before she lost consciousness, she got the impression of something white, almost glowing right above her.

As she fainted, she realized.

It was a mask.