Part III

Down Once More

1874

Drip, drip, drip. She became aware of slowly dripping water, echoing in a manner reminiscent of a cave. Although Madalynn was still extremely dizzy, and had a splitting headache, she could have sworn she heard something rowing through water, in a rhythmic, almost hypnotizing pattern. She didn't quite know where she was, and her mind was in a dreadful fog that refused to lift and allow her clear thoughts. Last she remembered she was in the Prima Donna's dressing room, which she was certain had no bodies of water in it, and it seemed as though she were lying down on something hard, which smelled slightly of damp wood. Opening her eyes just a bit, Madalynn saw a shadowy figure looming above her, tall and imposing. As the figure turned towards her to row another stroke, the gleam of its mask brought her back to reality.

Letting out a small scream, her eyes flew open and her heart raced as she sat up quickly, propelling herself backwards quickly until her hasty retreat was blocked unexpectedly by something solid. Wood. The icy fingers of fear and dread took hold of her as she looked around. She was in what appeared to be a wooden boat, maybe a gondola, rowing through a large, dark cavern. The only light was emitted by a small lantern and tiny candle suspended from the front of the boat, which seemed to serve no other purpose but to distort the already frightening statues of the gargoyles that met her gaze.

"If you are wise," Said the dark figure smoothly in a rich, yet commanding baritone, "you will not attempt anything that you will later regret."

Startled by his voice, her panicked green eyes widened and she stole a glance up at him before diverting her gaze to the dark, murky water. She did not utter a sound, nor could she have if she had tried, for Madalynn's mouth felt as though it were laced with cotton. Her eyes darted over the watery surface as though expecting a monster to rise from the depths and steal her away. She almost wished she had remained unconscious in light of her new situation. Finally finding her voice, she managed to stammer, "Where am I? Who are you?" He continued rowing the gondola with a smooth precision, each stroke measured as he continued to ignore Madalynn's pleas for answers. Answers were something that would perhaps come later, although she was certain they would most likely never come at all.

They glided through a green, mossy gate, which seemed to rise to meet the boat as it shed its layers of stagnant water. On the other side of the gate sat a secluded, obviously inhabited part of the cave. And to her infinite surprise, it was magnificent, and Madalynn quite nearly forgot her fear in awe of her wondrous surroundings. A great organ sat against the far wall, its metal pipes extending to the cave's ceiling as it majestically gleamed in the candle light of what seemed to be millions of candles, spread about. There were mirrors everywhere, as well as odd statues and figurines; most whose ivory faces were covered by a mask of sorts. She was brought out of her observations by the same deep, rich voice.

"You are in my domain now." He said, with an air of almost tangible annoyance, "and I am The Phantom of the Opera." He half smiled at her menacingly, allowing his lethal tendencies to be known.

She sat stunned as he pushed the boat onto the shore and pulled her up roughly by her arm. "Ow!" She yelped in pain, "You're hurting me!" A slight smirk continued to grace his face as he dragged her to a chair like a rag doll.

"Sit" he commanded imperiously, and she obeyed dumbly, her mouth slightly open. He towered effortlessly above her. So this was the Phantom she had read about. Truly the books, plays and movies did not do him justice. He was very handsome, with strong, bold features framed by black hair. His eyes were a brilliant shade of blue-green, and they seemed luminescent as they burned with a passion she had never before seen. He frightened her to no end.

"Stop gaping at me like a simpleton, you are lucky to be alive!" He growled, stooping down to meet her face to face as she hastily shut her mouth, "What are you doing here?"

"I am sorry…truly sorry….I-I got lost." She lied, avoiding his piercing gaze.

"You are lying. Do you think me a fool? You will not even meet my gaze, let alone the fact that it is impossible to simply get lost and end up in my home. I will ask you once again what you are doing here. Answer me truthfully; for my patience grows thin and your chance of survival continues to dwindle."

Madalynn looked up at him, but the snarl that his lips formed was enough to cause her to abandon that idea and look back down at her lap, wringing her hands nervously.

Thinking as quickly as one could expect in such circumstances, she drew enough courage to cast another look at him. "I am homeless," She said, trying to control the betraying waver in her voice. "I stumbled into the theatre seeking shelter and in the hustle and bustle of the production, no one noticed me among the actors." She did not stop to see if he was accepting her answer so far, but continued to rush through her explanation before he could interrupt her. "Somehow I stumbled into the Prima Donna's dressing room. I was admiring everything when I heard someone approach the door. I panicked and ran towards the mirror. I bumped into it and I felt it give way a little, and stumbled inside." She let out her remaining breath in a whoosh, and continued to watch him, this time attempting to no avail to gauge his reaction to her poorly thought out lie.

"Very well," He said finally, his growl never ceasing, "I will accept this answer for now, only because your presence here continues to grate on my nerves and I have neither the time nor the inclination to kill you." His eyes seemed to sear her soul as Madalynn attempted to hold his gaze. "What is your name?"

"Madalynn Pelletier"

"Well, Mademoiselle Pelletier, I will allow you to go this time. Do not come back here or you will face my wrath and your untimely demise. Do you understand?"

"Yes" she said. He grabbed her by the same arm again and pulled her out of the chair, half dragging her across the floor. He walked briskly with her to a mirror. Pulling the mirror aside, he continued to walk quickly, at a pace that was impossible to keep up with. She stumbled several times, as it was dark and the floor was damp and slippery, but he just pulled her sharply back to her feet. At last they came to a door. "Go through here. It will take you to the lobby. Goodbye Mademoiselle, and for your sake, I hope we never meet again." and with a flip of his black cape he was swallowed in the darkness. Rubbing her now sore arm and taking one last look back at the Phantom's retreat, she opened the door and stepped through.