Disclaimer: I do not own Phantom of the Opera, When a Stranger Calls, Beauty and the Beast, or Keturah and Lord Death; they all belong to their rightful owners.
Author's Note: So, I'm back with chapter three as promised. Took me awhile to write. This has to be the longest chapter of this fic. I'm quite proud of myself. Although, not many people seem to like this fic, oh well. Perhaps once the romance is unleashed, it will be better. I think we have more fluff lovers then thriller seekers here. I have to say I am a down right smittened fluff lover, this is definitely new to me. But it's fun to write, that I'll say!
I want to thank all of those who reviewed, it means much, and I appreciate it greatly. I am hoping I am actually making a horror fic and not some dumb boring crossover. But I know the beginning isn't very interesting, but it soon will once I get Erik involved; A warning to those who aren't too fond of dark Erik. He will play a big role in this phic, and he's not very sane…He's your normal psychotic Leroux figure Erik, with a darker side and a lust for blood. This is new for me, as I have said before, but I am hoping I am coming out good with this new experiment.
I was surfing the net a few nights ago and I somehow found myself on the critic-slash-review site for "When a Stranger Calls," the 2006 movie. And my goodness, I don't believe I have never seen so many flames. I have to say that those crictics were just plain downright horrible. I thought the movie was good, heck it even scared me a bit, of course I am easily scared of horror films…but geez I think that the actors and actresses did pretty good with the movie, oh well.
Anyways, school is going to start August 20th, and by that time, I am hoping to have a few more updates here and there, cuz this will be my last year of high school and I have to focus hard on my studies to get into the college that I am planning on going to. But I change my mind many times about what I am and what I'm not going to update. Again, I was surprised. I found my half written incomplete chapter four of "Soul of Sorrows," so I will be updating that here hopefully soon, along with that, as promised with a few other updates and my one-shot. So, I am excited.
I reply to all of my reviewers, and I found out that I can't exactly reply to my anonymous reviews. So, I'm gonna put you guys out here, otherwise it wouldn't be fair for everyone. So I want to thank them.
Zareka- First one, you say? Well I hope I can keep your interest, and once again thank you!
Miss Marian Paroo- Why, thank you. I'm glad you liked it. And I did notice, it was actually pretty easy! Yes, quite horrifying, but I don't want to overdo it. And I have read all of those fics, they are very talented writers, indeed! Again, thank you. It means much.
Alrighty, with that said, please enjoy the chapter, and leave a review. I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
Now onto the story!
Warnings: Language, graphic scenes (a.k.a. blood, death, and others.) Also not beta-d yet, beta is still finishing up my other two chapters. Bless the poor lad; I feel like I am working him too hard. Soon-to-be big thanks to Brent-ka.
In the dead silence, the sound of a rattling utensil could be heard within the room. Repeatedly, it trembled in the hand of the owner, against the glass bowl. Two sets of eyes glanced at each other and then back at the one responsible for the disturbing noise. "Christine? Christine are you all right? You seem a little pale." Luellen questioned her daughter. Ever since evening had set in, Christine had not left her room. Finally Gustave had convinced her to come down for dinner. But still the poor girl would not udder a word. Luellen was afraid Christine had quit taking her medication.
"Christine?" She repeated again. Still no response from the child. She slammed her fork down. She was tired of this. The noise had startled Christine, bringing her back to the present. She looked at her parents, but could not bring forth the words she so desperately wanted to say. They wouldn't believe her. They'd think she might have gone mad. She didn't even have the guts to report it to the police.
"Yes…" So quiet was her voice, that the other two individuals hardly heard her. "Enough of this! What has gotten you so shaken up, Christine? You look like you've seen a ghost! You're acting as if you are at deaths door, child! Have you been taking your medication as subscribed?" Luellen held the look of a fierce lion. She was annoyed at the way Christine was behaving.
Christine didn't answer. All she wanted to do was escape to her bedroom and cry her eyes out. The scene kept repeating itself in her mind, over and over again. Her throat tightened. It was too much. She didn't know what to do. She felt tears coming on. "May I be excused, please?" With her head bowed, she stood up and went to take her plate, but her father cut in. "Sweetheart, what's the matter? You can tell me anything, you know that, don't you?" Oh, her beloved father was such an angel. But he would never believe her. She opened her mouth, but quickly shut it, only to open it again. "No. There is nothing wrong. But thank you…daddy." Gustave gave her a sad smile. She'd come around soon. His daughter couldn't keep a secret from him for long.
"It's Mr. Reynolds, isn't it? I told you to stay away from that lunatic. All of his stories are lies, child. And you know it." Luellen huffed and left the room, just as Christine turned to the kitchen, Luellen called back, "Get your stuff ready. We'll be heading over to Ms. Matthews in five minutes." Christine sighed. She didn't want to go. She couldn't. Not after what she had seen earlier.
After placing the dishes in the sink, cleaning the table off, and putting the food away, did she drag her feet slowly up the stairs to her bedroom. Dreading the evening plans. She had hardly eaten anything, the image of the mutilated body repeating itself constantly in her mind, was enough to make her retch. She should have contacted the police right away…but what if that was exactly what the murderer wanted her to do? Perhaps, the killer had already taken the body and cleaned away all of the evidence, making it appear normal as before? Therefore framing her as an attention getter…No. Nobody would believe her.
A thought struck her. Why was this killer after her? She couldn't fathom why. Questions with no answers swarm around in her head. She wasn't ready for her life to end. So, she'd just have to fight back to keep it. Opening the door, darkness greeted her. But there was the faint glow of her weak night light of an orange-amber color. And then it hit her. The house! Those golden eyes from the creepy rundown place from a few days ago; those eyes belonged to the murderer! And she had trespassed. It all made sense. Staring at the window her eyes had already adjusted to the dark, but unconsciously she had begun to tremble. Fear permitting itself all around her. She didn't want to go…she couldn't…A sharp knock, followed by a gruff command, and Christine was out the door, small bag in hand.
Her mother unlocked the car doors, and Christine climbed into the passenger seat and buckled up. Sighing, she watched from the side mirror as Luellen pulled out of the drive and headed to Noelle's mansion. The last time she seen that place was three years ago. She wouldn't be surprised if Ms. Matthews had added onto the house. "Don't look so glum, Christine. It doesn't suit you." Her mother remarked, not taking her eyes off the road. Christine snorted, but said nothing.
"Don't you sass me!" Christine rolled her eyes. "I wasn't sassing you, mother, and if I was, you'd know." That hit a nerve. Her mother sighed. "I don't know what's gotten into you, but you best snap out of it. I don't want you looking as if you're getting ready for your own funeral," Christine had to smirk at this. How right her mother was. "We're meeting Ms. Matthews here in a few minutes. And while I'm at it, take this." Luellen handed Christine a piece of paper. A list of phone calls present, just in case for any emergencies. She mumbled her thanks and continued to look out the window. The sun was going to set soon. Just about an hour left of daylight. Christine shivered. It didn't go unnoticed by Luellen, but she said nothing.
The older woman wrinkled her nose. Now she knew why she never liked Christine babysitting for Noelle. The business woman had a problem with neighbors and secluded herself and her family far out from the towns limit. To Luellen it was ridiculous. She just hoped that Christine followed every single instruction. She remembered when she used to baby-sit all those years ago. But she would never forget that one night, where her life changed forever. But Christine was a smart girl and Wellpools was a safe town.
They pulled up to the front of the drive, and looked over the grand lake to the glass mansion that sat perched on the green land contently, with trees and the green nature surrounding the entire perimeter, almost suffocating the area. The two women in the car, could never cease the awe that overcame them every time they set their eyes on the elegant mansion. Luellen's cheeks flushed. Pity she hadn't married a rich man. But she loved Gustave dearly, and if she hadn't married her husband, she never would have had Christine.
"Well, here we are. Grand place, isn't it?" Christine didn't answer. The inspiring shock was gone and once again replaced with apprehension. She couldn't do this, but the car was already at the gates, and she wasn't a fool to walk home. Sighing, for what seemed the hundredth time, she gathered her handbag and proceeded to get out of the car and to the front door. The surrounding trees gave her the creeps. They looked dead with dead leaves to go with it. Frowning, they both ascended up the front steps, neither saying a word. Ringing the doorbell, they were greeted with a smiling red-haired woman. Noelle Matthews.
"Why hello! So glad you could make it." Luellen said her greetings, and gave Christine a kiss on the cheek, before going back to the car. Christine watched her ride drive out and back onto the deserted highway. "Please, come inside." She let Christine through the front door and they began on the rules. "Well, let's go over the instructions, and I'll give you a list of phone numbers to call in case of an emergency." Noelle led her through the living room and into the kitchen. Just by walking in, the lights automatically turned on, startling Christine. Well that was new.
"Oh, you'll get use to that. Markus just got those placed. It's quite neat. Well anyways, here are some numbers on the fridge. I probably won't be home till around three o'clock in the morning. But please, make yourself at home. The children are upstairs getting ready for bed, so you make sure they stay in bed. They've already had dinner and their night time snack. So anyways, good luck. Oh, and please help yourself to anything in the fridge. I remember when I used to baby-sit. The food's the best part." Noelle winked, and then finished putting on her earrings.
"So any questions?" Noelle asked wanting to make sure Christine got everything. "No. But thank you. I think I'll be just fine." Christine smiled. "Alrighty then, I suppose I'll be off. Have a good night." And with that Noelle was out the door. Christine sighed. She hoped this was going to be a simple night.
Plopping down on the sofa, she took a good look at her surroundings. Noelle Matthews sure was a rich woman, and didn't hold back letting it known. The carpet was a royal red as was the seven pieces of expensive furniture that decorated the room, along with the two old medieval swords crossing each other over the grand fireplace. Most of the decorations around the room seemed to be from the 1800's and the old war eras. It was incredible. They had a wide screen television. It was huge. Simply put. To the right, against the red bricked wall was an enormous stereo. Goodness, she wondered where they ordered that from. It had nine speakers altogether. If her mother had been able to see the inside of this room, she probably would have fainted.
Leaning back against the couch, she found her eyes straying over to the set of clickers. She was afraid to find out what they were for. She only wanted the television remote. Reaching for the smallest one, she pressed the 'power' button and the most frightening music came blaring from the speakers. Frantically, she tried to press the 'off' button, but ended up bumping the lamp, which almost fell, if she hadn't caught it in time. The horrible music finally went off. She sighed again. She hoped it hadn't woken up the children. After that incident she dared not touch anything else. Now she would probably be bored to death, but the eerie silence that followed didn't suit her well either. She was still paranoid and distressed from earlier that day. She shook off the feeling and just sat there for a moment, then winced. The silence was loud in her ears. And she hadn't even been sitting there for a whole five minutes. She hated that.
Drumming her fingers against the table, she realized she had forgotten to bring her studies with her, but if she remembered right…digging in her small handbag, she fished out her book; One of her favorites. 'Gentle Conqueror by Mary Ellen Gronau.' Her mother didn't even know she had gotten her paws on it. Not even Meg knew her dirty little secret. Happily flipping to her page,she began to read. So engrossed was she, the sound of the phone startled her. Putting her book down, she picked the phone up. "Hello?" Silence followed. And then the line went dead. Frowning, she shrugged and put the phone back in it's place. "That was odd…" It was probably Kevin. Go figure.
She went back to her book. She had read this novel at least four times, and yet she never grew tired of it. She was getting to the good part. Turning the page, she was once again interrupted by the sound of the ringing phone. Scowling, she answered it. "Hello? If this is you Kevin, stop it right now!" After she had said the last word, the person hung up. She hated prank calls. She was going to hurt that idiot when she got the chance. Before she was able to even touch her book, the phone rang again. She growled, and angrily pressed the 'talk' button. "Hello?" Not sounding too happy.
"Hey slut how's it goin'?" Kevin laughed and then hung up. "Jerk!" She practically slammed the phone down. She knew it had been him all along. Sitting down once more, she sighed. Not daring to even try and make contact with her book. It seemed if she did, the phone would ring. But she dared. The good part was only two pages away. Snatching the novel from the table she was able to read two paragraphs before her cellphone decided to make itself known.
"Damnit." The song "Send Me An Angel by Scorpions" could be heard from the inside of her purse. Searching around, she grabbed hold of her cell and flipped it open. "Hello? Christine here."
"Hey!" Meg sounded from the other end. "Oh hey! Where are you? Aren't you suppose to be at the party?" Christine asked. "Yeah. I'm here at the dump."
"Hm? That bad, eh? Wanna spill?"
"Nah, just it's pretty boring. I don't have my partner here with me." Meg giggled, referring to Christine.
"Aww, I know. Oh well..." She sighed.
"So, havin' some fun over there?" Meg asked. Christine snorted. "No. It's boring and...hey did you give Kevin the number for here?"
"Nope. He probably got it from the local phonebook."
"Oh."
"He call?"
"Yup." Christine wrinked her nose in disgust.
"That sucks. Anyways, I better go. Laters."
"Bye." Christne put her phone away, and turned back to her book, becoming engrossed in it once more.
An hour had passed, and she was still involved in her romance novel, completely forgetting about the children. Ah, yes she remembered. They were asleep in bed. But then, if they were asleep, why did Noelle need her anyways? She shrugged. Not that she was complaining. She rather liked the house despite the eerie feeling it gave off. It was just too quiet...
Streching and giving off a rather loud yawn, she all of a sudden felt like taking a nap. She was abosolutely tired, and the large sofa in the other corner looked rather inviting. She was a bit drowsy from reading. Checking her watch, she was surprised at the time. It was already eight o'clock. She had been there for almost two hours.
She was about to stand up when a horrendous series of loud thunder and lightening broke loose from the skies above, followed by the angry patter of rain up on the rooftop. It had startled Christine, fear jolted throughout her system. She definitely hated thunderstorms when she was in a spooky, isolated mansion at night. It was just frightening. Before the house had been quiet, but now she was hearing a strange noise over the raging thunder. The sound of something falling to the floor was heard down the right hallway. Christine went to go investigate.
Walking through the dark hallway, she could feel the hairs on her neck stick up. Her mind was in a mess, and her body was feeling threatened. Heart pounding loud in her ears, and her throat parched, she kept placing one foot in front of the other, urging herself to move forward. How desperately she wanted to run back into the previous room she had come from.
A shaking hand reached out to grasp the knob, turning it with caution. She wasn't prepared for two glowing, terrified, yellow eyes appearing before her, dashing madly towards the figure in front of it. The yellow eyes were followed by a bulk of black fur. A sharp pain in her right arm alerted her that she had been abushed by a frightened feline. Looking over in the corner, she seen a black tail disappear into another room. So they had a cat...Obviously Ms. Matthews had forgotten to tell her that. Glaring where the strange cat had been, she began her journey back to the comfort of the living room, only to bump into another form. A soft gasp met her ears.
"Oh, forgive me Miss. I did not see you there." An oddly accented voice spoke out in the dark.
"Tis a bit dark in 'ere, init?"
"Yes, it is. Uhm, who might you be?" Christine asked, trying to make out the person in the dark.
"Aye, of course! I am Marilyn, the housemaid. And you must be the babysitter, no?" Marilyn asked.
"Oh, yes. That'd be me. Sorry, I heard a noise and...well..." She trailed off.
"Ah. Yes, that darn cat, Midnight, tends to be a pest. Dun mind 'im, Child," Marilyn smiled and then continued. "Oh, I almost forgot. The Madam has an alarm system. She probably forgot to tell you. It tends to go off sometimes. So, dun be too startled. Otherwise, have a grand night. I must finish the chores. And if you need any help I will be up on the third floor." So off the maid went, leaving Christine in the dark hallway.
"Lovely. So, now I best find my way back."
Heading towards the family room, she came upon the sofa and fell down against it. She was exhausted. Sitting up, she grabbed her novel and decided to finish a chapter or two before going to get something to eat. The storm outside still raged on, casuing Christine to lose her place. The constant clashing of thunder and blinding lightening was starting to get on her nerves. Although, she was still quite paranoid and a bit frightened, she tried her best to push the fear aside.
It hadn't even been an hour yet, but another sound came to her ears. As if something was thumping against a wall, but it seemed as if the sound was smothered by an object or shield of some sort. Placing her book down for the upteenth time, she made her way carefully to the other hallway, but the phone caused her to cease forward motion. Frowning, she went over to the telephone. "Hello? Matthews Residents?" Once more she was met with silence and the sound of a person hanging up. "Odd..." She stared at the phone in her hand. Perhaps, it had been Kevin again? She placed it back to it's original spot. Taking another step, the phone suddently rang again.
"Now this is getting ridiculous." She answered and this time the sound of labored breathing was heard, but before she could ask the same question again, the phone buzzed loudly in her ear. They had hung up again. This time though, she knew it had been someone, and it was starting to freak her out. Maybe it was one of Kevin's friends...Backing away from the phone, she jogged down the hallway she had intended to go. She still had a mystery to solve.
The odd sound could now be heard quite clearly. It was coming from that door. Opening it, she was greeted by an overly large dryer doing it's job. "Must be the shoes in there..." Satisfied of finding out the source of the noise, she led herself back to the safety of the couch. She was thinking of unplugging the phone. Maybe that would stop the pranksters, or whoever it was. She was going to inform Ms. Matthews about this problem as soon as she got home.
Sighing, she laid down. Not feeling up to reading anymore. If she did, she would probably start seeing dots. She looked at her purse. Maybe she had a pen and perhaps some paper. Reaching over to search, the wretched black device began to ring again. Angrily, she stomped over to the cursed phone and answered. Hello? Matthews Residents? Who keeps calling?" Christine spoke, trying to keep calm. Now the moment came. The one she had been waiting for. And this time, it was not mistaken. Fear engulfed her as the sound of a bartione voice answered.
"Hello...Christine..."
The click came, letting it be known that the caller had hung up. It took Christine a few seconds to register everything in her mind. That voice didn't belong to Kevin. It was a man. A stranger that knew her name...Quite shaken was she, the paranoia came back in the full, along with the scene from days ago, haunting her memory once again. Quivering, she managed to glance out of the nearby window and thought she saw a glint of amber, but then it vanished. And the fury of the storm continued by an unknown force. But the terror didn't end. Another flash...and then the lights went out, followed by the angry clashes of thunder warring outside.
And there is chapter three for you. Hope you all enjoyed it. Sorry for any mistakes. I feel pretty sorry for Christine right now. Left all alone in the dark during a horrible thunderstorm and a killer, pretty original though, right? But don't worry, it's going to get better, whether you be for the darker side or the lighter, you'll just have to wait and see. Well anyways, please review, I would very much appreciate it if you would, it means much. Thanks for reading. Until next time.
Best Wishes,
Sapphire Lupe