Part V

1874

New Friends and Old Acquaintances

Madalynn took on to ballet rather quickly, to Madame Giry's delight, and in three short months was a wonderful ballerina. All thoughts of the mysterious Phantom were forgotten due to her rigorous rehearsals and the stress of adjusting to life in a 19th century opera house.

However, after rehearsal one evening, she was heading back to the dormitories when she thought she heard her name. Spinning around quickly, she only met darkness. Chastising herself for being so easily frightened as usual, she shook her head and continued walking. As she entered the door, Madalynn caught sight of Meg Giry sitting on her bed. Meg had been a great help to her ever since she came. Being the daughter of Madame Giry, she was able to instruct her also and help her grow accustomed to her new surroundings, but she had also become her best friend.

Madalynn approached her friend and sat beside her on one of many cots in the ballerina's dormitories. "Hello Meg," she said with a smile, "how did you get up here so fast?"

"Maman let me go a little early," Meg smiled up at her, her pretty blonde ringlets framing blue eyes that mirrored her mothers, "I told her I was not feeling well."

"Are you alright?" Madalynn worried, taking her hand.

"Yes I am fine...just tired I guess."

Still grasping her hand, Madalynn turned to fully face Meg. "If there is anything I can do...anything at all...please ask me."

"You know I will," Meg said with a smile, lightly squeezing her friend's hand reassuringly, "I guess all of this practicing has worn me out."

"You should get some sleep Meg." Madalynn released her hand and stood up. "You need to be well rested for tomorrow...another day of practice." She smiled gently as she helped Meg under the covers.

"You are too good to me Matty." Meg said, using Madalynn's nickname as she looked at her friend with tired gratitude.

"No, that is not true. If it weren't for you and your mother, I would have no where to live. You made me feel welcome among strangers. It is you who are too kind." Madalynn smiled down at her warmly.

Meg closed her eyes and Madalynn blew out the candle, flooding the room in darkness except for the small window above her bed which allowed moonlight to cast a dim light in the room. She made her way to her cot and changing into her night dress, slipped under the rough wool covers.

Lately she had become homesick, and often thought of her parents. She was an only child, leaving them alone without anyone. She remembered how her mother would always come in and sit on her bed just before she went to sleep and kiss her forehead and wish her a goodnight's rest. A silent tear slipped down her pale cheek, as more memories flooded her head. Of daddy, holding her hand as she walked to the bus her first day of kindergarten, she smiled to herself, remembering how proud her parents were when she learned how to swim. She did miss home.

She wiped her face and looked out the window that was close to her bed. "Well no sense in crying," she thought to herself. "Crying never helped anyone." Madalynn looked at the moon, casting its pale light over the Paris streets. Suddenly her thoughts were redirected. There it was again. The voice she had heard in the hallway, Faint, like a whisper.

"Madalynn..."

She sat up and looked over at Meg. She was sound asleep, her chest rising and falling slowly and rhythmically. She sat up, looking around for a possible culprit. Nothing. Madalynn sat alone in the darkness. She swung her feet over the side of the cot. Standing cautiously, she walked around, hands in front of her, blind in the pervasive dark. "This is stupid," she said out loud, "I look like a fool." Madalynn continued to walk around, until she hit something. Upon further inspection, she found it to be the door frame. With her bare feet, she cautiously stepped out into the cold, drafty hallway.

She peered intently into the darkness and heard a voice. It was singing. The sound resonated in her head like a sweet melody. Soft and soothing, full of emotion, deep and passionate. She closed her eyes to the sound, willing it to continue as her very soul seemed to react to the gentle melody. Too soon it seemed, the voice stopped. Madalynn opened her eyes hazily and saw a black figure, standing tall before her, yet she was unafraid. Still entranced by the voice, she noticed the glimmer of an ivory mask and knew it was him. The Phantom had come for her. He extended a gloved hand, and Madalynn took it.