A/N: Hey guys! Not really that happy with how this chapter turned out, but here is is! And yes, finally, we get to see Erik in this! Please don't forget to favourite, follow, and review! Thank you guys for reading!3
"Charlotte!" I heard a familiar voice shout from across the street. From the wooden bench across from the Opera house, I saw Destin waving his gangly arms to try to catch my attention. I smiled and waved back as he started to jog across the street to meet me, two small pieces of parchment in his long fingers.
Noticing my gaze on the papers in his hands, he quickly made sure they were hidden behind this back, like a child hiding something from his mother.
"What do you have there, Destin?" I asked, trying to catch a glimpse to see what it was.
"So, you really do like this opera house, don't you?" He asked, turning his head to look up at the massive structure across the street. "It's a shame you got kicked out last time. I'm sure they would have understood if you had tickets." He said, mindlessly kicking a pebble with his shoe.
"Yeah." I said slowly and suspiciously, squinting my eyes at his strange behavior.
"Well it's a shame you didn't have any tickets," he started to pull the papers from behind his back, "except for now."
I quickly stood up and looked at the pieces of parchment in his hand. There they were, two tickets to an opera that I could hardly pronounce.
"Destin!" I shrieked, pulling him into a hug, causing him to laugh at my reaction.
"I thought you hated opera!" I said, pulling back from the hug, and examining the official-looking tickets once more.
"I do," he chuckled, "but apparently, you like it, so I guess I'll have no choice but to go with you to make sure you don't get into any trouble."
"Oh, Destin, thank you!" I shouted once more. "But what will I wear?" I thought out loud, looking down at my frayed and patched skirt.
Destin sighed, "I was going to wait until before the performance tonight, but I guess I can tell you that I've got that covered."
"But, Destin, this must have cost a fortune!"
"I had some money saved up, don't worry about it."
I gave Destin another tight hug, and together we walked to who-knows-where, giggling about attending an actual opera.
"I can hardly wait!" I said, jumping up and down in the cramped lobby of Destin's apartment. He was getting his mail, but only found a single letter that he quickly stuffed in the inner pocket of his jacket.
"I can tell," he teased.
Together, we walked up to his small studio apartment. His apartment was quite simple. There were only the necessities along with a few decorations on the wall. It was nothing special, yet comfortably simple.
As I walked into his apartment, I noticed a large bag resting on the chipped kitchen table.
Before I could touch the bag, Destin quickly ran to the opposite side of the table, and took the bag in his hands.
"Close your eyes," he smiled, getting ready to take whatever was in the bag out.
I did what I was told as I heard rustling coming from the bag. I already knew what it was, it was just the anticipation of what it would look like that made my stomach fill with butterflies.
"Open." He said.
I quickly opened my eyes, and let out a gasp as I laid eyes on a beautiful floor-length blue dress. The shade of blue reminded me of the river at night, and the dark puce that bordered the few extensions of fabric made a dark colored apple come to mind.
"It's beautiful, Destin," I breathed, holding up the dress myself. I don't believe I had ever worn a dress that was that fancy. No, it wasn't like the frilly and lacy patterns of the high status women that were married to rich officials, but it had a beautiful simplicity to it that simply reminded me of me.
"What are you waiting for?" Destin said excitedly, "Go put it on!"
I giggled as I ran to his small bathroom, and began to get changed. I was surprised to see that the dress was a perfect fit, and the deep blue made my red hair stand out perfectly. I braided my hair before I pulled it into a neat bun, becoming more and more excited as I watched myself transform.
Destin even clapped when he saw me dramatically emerge from the bathroom. He let out a laugh before saying "it's just like how you were always meant to be."
I practically dragged Destin into the opera house that night. I didn't care that I must have looked like a child dragging their parent through the slowly streaming crowd. Destin's thick eyebrows pushed upwards when he finally saw the interior of the opera house.
"Isn't it beautiful?" I said, just above a whisper as I too began to marvel at the sight once more.
"I have to admit, this is kind of worth being surrounded by snooty aristocrats and obnoxiously high pitched singing," he teased.
We eventually found our way to the theater, and found our seats, which were actually quite decent. We sat in the very middle of the floor seats, the magnificent chandelier hanging over our heads.
I kept giggling at the sight of the ridiculous hairstyles and dresses of some of the women in the theater, and Destin had to keep quieting me, knowing that I was probably being too loud. I couldn't help myself though, for the excitement of just being in this magnificent structure was almost overwhelming.
When the opera was over, Destin and I happily chatted about what we had seen, although I'm pretty sure Destin had fallen asleep about halfway through.
"I'm going to find a restroom alright? I'll meet you back here." I said to Destin in the lobby of the theater, but I think he knew what I was up to.
"Alright, just don't get lost." He said, leaning against one of the marble pillars.
I quickly skipped off to find "a restroom" but became lost quite quickly (which had been my original intent). I slowed down once I came across a narrow hallway that seemed to be empty. My footsteps echoed off the walls as I carried on. There didn't seem to be any doors in this hallway, only windows lining the left side of the wall. That's when I noticed one single door standing tall on the right side of the hall.
Looking behind me, I checked to make sure no one was following me. I then pressed my ear against the door to check if there was anyone on the other side of the strange door. Then, I pushed it open.
I had to admit, I was somewhat disappointed that it wasn't some mysterious library, or perhaps a large ballroom, but I was surprised to be greeted with a very brightly lit pink room.
It seemed to be a dressing room of some sort. To the side, there was a large table filled with different types of cosmetics and makeup. There were also many fainting couches and plush chairs. As I stepped further into the room, the sickly sweet perfume of the flowers that crowded every inch of the room flooded my nose. What really caught my attention though, was the large gold-framed mirror that lay directly across from the door.
I slowly made my way towards it, hoping that no one would walk into the room at the time. Before I knew it, I was standing nose to nose with myself as I gazed into the mirror. Something seemed off though. My mother had taught me a trick when I was a child. She always knew the best hiding places, and knew all about trap doors and hidden rooms. From her, I had learned the trick about two-way mirrors. Pressing my index finger to the glass, I smiled as I saw that my reflection touched my actual finger, an obvious sign that it was a two-way mirror. I scanned the frame of the mirror, hoping to find some sort of clue as to how it would open. What would be the point of having a two-way mirror if you could not open it? What was behind the mirror in the first place? Could it have been a hidden library? Or perhaps an office? There was only one way to find out.
Not seeing any handles anywhere on the frame or the glass, I decided that it must have been a sliding door. I pressed my hands against the glass, trying to get a firm grip on the smooth surface, and as I pushed to one side, I noticed the glass opening. I had to try to cover my mouth so I didn't yelp in excitement.
I was surprised, though, to not find a clean and manicured room, but instead a long and dark passage, dimly lit by very few candles. From what I could see, there were cobwebs lacing every crevice they could find, and rats running along the walls and burrowing into holes. I hardly let that phase me, though.
I bit my lip as I took a step over the golden frame and into the hallway. I just hoped that I wouldn't get my dress too dirty.
Clutching my bag (that I had insisted on bringing with me), I began walking down the tunnel-like hall. My footsteps echoed even more than they did against the marble floors, and the echo seemed to go deeper and deeper.
That's when I heard notes playing. I froze at the sudden sound, but continued to walk in the direction that it was coming from. When the music stopped though, so did I. But, I wouldn't stop for long, because the music would continue again. It seemed to continue to stop and start. The tune was absolutely lovely though. It was nothing like the loud and boisterous opera that I had just listened to. This was more calming and yet mysterious at the same time. I wondered who was playing it, and why they were playing it in the dark catacombs of the opera house.
I noticed a light getting brighter and brighter at the end of the hall. It was definitely candlelight, but who would have candles down here? The cold temperature grew warmer as I approached the light. I walked faster and faster towards the music and the light, until I came to a lake.
As I remained hidden behind a large wall of rock, I came to see a small murky lake, surrounded by candles. On the lake, rested a boat that seemed to be decorated with soft pillows and golden skulls. I let my head peer around the rock, and the sight amazed me. It seemed like a whole home down here. There was furniture and decorations and more candles. From where I could see, there was another room attached that held a grand bedroom with a swan-shaped bed. What caught my attention was the massive organ that rested in the center of it all. Sitting on the bench in front of the organ, was a man.
I could only see one side of his face, which seemed to be deep in concentration. It was quite a beautiful sight, really. He was playing a few notes at a time on the organ, and was writing them down on a piece of parchment. He was composing. I tilted my head as I took a step out from behind the rock. I doubted he could see me; he was too deep in focus.
Amazed at the sight, I sat down where I was, not caring that the floor was slightly damp from the lake water. I quietly pulled my sketchbook from my bag, along with a piece of charcoal, and then I began to draw.
I started with his profile, making sure I paid close attention as to how his nose curved slightly at the end. Then, I moved to his eyes, which seemed to be so lost in his music and writing, which I found incredible. I filled in the rest of his features, and shaded his hair. I decided I didn't need to look at him for reference as I worked on his clothing, which consisted of a simple billowy white blouse, and dark pants.
I was working on shading in the folds of his blouse, when I noticed something: it was quiet. It was so silent; it was almost loud in that there was a sharp ringing in my ears. Slowly, I looked up from the yellowing paper in my hands, to see the man, standing tall above his organ, and staring at me.
"Who are you?" He hissed. I could see his entire face, now, and he seemed to be wearing a stark white mask along the right side of his face.
"Sorry, do you live here?" I asked, calmly yet awkwardly as I began to stand up, putting away my sketchbook in the process.
"Who. Are. You?" He asked once more, enunciating each syllable.
"Oh, um, I'm Charlotte. Charlotte Baudin. May I ask your name, monsieur?" I asked, politely.
"Get out, now." He growled, taking a threatening step forwards.
I put my hands up in surrender.
"Sorry," I started, "but why are you down here?" I asked.
"What part of 'Get out now' do you not understand, you foolish girl?" The man bellowed.
"Oh, okay, sorry, I didn't mean to bother you. I guess I'll just be going then." I said, gesturing to the tunnel from which I came. He looked at me, as if he was shocked and confused at what I had just said.
I then decided that he was right, and I was probably acting foolish. I find a secret tunnel that leads me to a man that is living under the opera house, and I asked him what his name was. I decided that it was my cue to leave, so I started to run through the tunnel, and back to the pink room. Quickly sliding the glass open, I stepped from the dark passage, and into the light, laughing while taking deep breaths.
I was definitely coming back.
A/N: Oh charlotte... So, what did you guys think? With the Charlotte and Erik interaction, I kind of wanted to show how even though Erik was trying to be menacing, Charlotte was just not phased by it. Did you guys see that? i was going to have Erik run after her with a noose, but i decided that he probably would have caught up with her, so it wouldn't have worked out. So, instead, i just made Erik confused and just being like "what the fuck who is this girl". SO please let me know your thoughts on this chapter/this story in general! I love hearing from you guys!
Thank you guys so much for reading! I'll see you in the next chapter!
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