The smell of coffee awoke me, that and the sound of an organ playing. It rang through the cavern, as the harmonies swirled and danced together very much like my friends and I on stage. It even reminded me of the Opera house that now towered above us. A sudden wave claustrophobia came over me as I stared up at the granite ceiling and letting out a small moan; I huddled in the scarlet sheets around me trying to shut out the world. As I sat there I noticed that it was extremely quiet and opening my eyes, I came face to face with a man who was sitting on the edge of the bed. I had never moved so fast before in my life as I clamored from one end of the bed to the other and then off.

" My God, you're real." He just cocked his head, the mask a cream color in the candlelight. " But you're a myth, a ghost story. How can you actually be real?" He shrugged.

" I am as real as you are. See?" He held out his hand to help me up onto the bed and I shrunk back. It wasn't from fear, Being scared of him was silly now that he sat in front of me; I refused to be anywhere near him and the bed wearing my pajamas.

" You don't need to be afraid…"

" Is that what you said to the last girl you raped?" I snapped and his entire body stiffened in anger. The fingers before trembled from the onrush of rage then subsided just as quickly. Suddenly he stood as a look of understanding passed over his face.

" Forgive me. I didn't mean to startle you especially in your manner of dress." I felt my breath release on those words with a sense of relief and slowly I too stood up before him. I felt exposed standing there in pair of male underwear and a low cut shirt, but as I gazed at him, my eyes running over the fine features of his face, his eyes never left mine.

" Did you…?"

" Did I rape the girl called Elizabeth? No I did not, I tried to prevent it but I was too late. The one who did it was Buquet. " I stared at him incredulously. Buquet was the chief stagehand and the nicest man I ever knew always giving me treats and keeping an eye on me while I was on the catwalk. Thinking back, a shudder ran through me. So nice…

" Do not think of such thoughts my dear." He took a step towards me as if to protect me and I glanced up at him. He stopped and I smiled slightly.

" A telepath I see. If you are that good why do you live under the Opera house?"

" Because I have no reason to live up there."

" No one just makes there home under a building. What are you trying to hide?" I watched, as his eyes grew wide with shock and fear.

" What is under the mask?"

" Anyway there is breakfast for you in the other room. I shall go up and fetch you some clothes." He began moving from the room and I quickly followed.

" Wait." Turning on a dime he faced me and I ran into him. I felt his arms around me and his warmth bleeding through his clothes. It enfolded me gently along with the sharp smell cedar and pine and instinctively I took a deep breath, drawing in his scent. I could feel the press of his fingers on my shoulder blades as he just barely touched the skin. This felt right, him holding me, my arms wrapped around him… I quickly pulled out of the hug with a jerk and he automatically let go.

" I'm sorry I ran into you. I didn't expect you to move that fast." He smiled and I watched as part of it disappeared up into the seam of the mask.

" Anyway, let me go and retrieve my clothes."

" NO!" The attack was sharp and swift as his eyes turned an almost silver color reminding me of a knife that sliced through to my core on that word. I took a step back as his eyes went from hard to a liquid sorrow.

" I brought you down here because at the moment it is too dangerous up there for you." I cocked my head. " What do you mean by too dangerous? I can take care of myself." He smiled again, the sadness tainting it to a point that I wanted to ask how I could cheer him up.

" I know you can my dear. But I still think it is safer for you down here." I shrugged. " If you say so, but if you are going to fetch me some clothes, there is a trunk under my bed at the back. Pull the clothes from there please." The man copied my head cocking movement and I chuckled.

" I honestly hate wearing dresses. I always have; and since you're a guy, you know what a shirt and pair of pants are."

" As you wish." He said flatly and he once more turned, took the steps into what I perceived to be the main parlor, two at a time and grabbing a cloak off of an old red leather chair, vanished into the darkness held at bay by the numerous candles that glittered and flickered in the cool air. As soon as he left, I also came down the stairs and following my sense of smell, found a breakfast of meat pies, potatoes and coffee.

" This man seemed to know my tastes." I mused and sitting down, quickly ate my fill of food. As soon as I was done, I began to explore what my new home was like. Cluttered and slightly dirty, I could tell that this place never had a woman in before me and if it did, the man must have had it dark in here. But what caught my attention the most was the giant organ that dominated the apartment and reaching out to touch it, a searing pain blotted out my vision and I quickly sat down on the bench to clear it. I didn't know how long I sat there, time held no sway here and deep down inside me, I enjoyed it. It was like the water shimmering before me, each drop always the same, yet so different from the next, making up the entire pool reflecting the candlelight. Yet as I stared at my reflection, I felt a pull towards it, the irresistible draw to go for a swim and relaxing myself, obliged. Dipping my finger into the pitch colored water, the cold sent shivers up my spine. I sighed; I needed to be clean, but I wasn't going to take it in this. Placing my hand on top of the water, I reached out through the water, to the ground and very gently brought up veins of blue electricity that weaved in idyllic patterns to where my hands was, heated the water with geothermal energy. Satisfied that it now was warm enough to bathe in, I walked around the apartment, relinquishing the candles to the darkness, leaving only enough for me to see by. Assuring myself that the apartment was quite empty besides me, I slipped out of my nightclothes and personal clothing and into the warm water.

Yes, I know. Not what people had in store but it was bound to happen.