A/N: Well... I was going to get this done and posted yesterday but... That didn't happen. I got video chatting with some of my friends and... yeah... Anyways... Here it is! Hope you enjoy!
Chapter Two:
The Secret Door
Darcey rubbed tired eyes and stretched sore muscles. Sitting up, Darcey happened to see a bag with a note on top of the dresser next to the bed. His face scrunched up in confusion. 'What is this? Who would bring me something?' Darcey through his legs over the edge of the bed and stood up, walking over to stand in front of the dresser. He picked up the note and opened it, noting the red skull seal.
Darcey Bois,
I could not but help notice your injuries. Inside the bag, you will find some clothing and medical supplies. While I do not approve of your presence at my opera house, I do not want anyone to needlessly die.
-O.G.
'O.G. Who is that?' He flipped the note back over to look at the red seal. A skull. O.G. "Opera Ghost," he whispered aloud in recognition. He set down the note and opened the bag to find a dark blue shirt and a black pair of trousers. He changed into the trousers but decided to treat his injuries before putting on the shirt. Pulling out a container of ointment, he opened it and spread a layer across the wounds. He hissed at the pain as the ointment penetrated deep into the cuts. He then wrapped them up with the strips of cloth that were also from the bag. This done, he quickly loosened the bandages around his chest so he could breath easier then he pulled the shirt on and buttoned up his old vest over top. He looked down at his threadbare and holey stockings and reached back into the bag, hoping that there might be some in the bag. He grinned as he pulled some out of the bag. He replaced his own worn ones before pulling on his old shoes. He sighed. They would just have to work.
He stood and opened the door and was almost ran over by one of the ballerinas as she rushed down the hallway. He straightened his vest before walking down the hallway in the same direction as the girl.
"What is that horrible screeching?" Darcey exclaimed.
Several of the stagehands chuckled. "That, my boy, would be La Carlotta."
Darcey grimaced. She sounded horrible! How was she the lead singer? "Glad I'm not on stage with her," Darcey muttered, causing several stagehands, close enough to hear, to laugh.
"Aren't we all."
As Carlotta continued to screech, Darcey did his best to ignore her, he took a look around the rafters. There were many stage props from old productions and ropes, levers, and pulleys to control the big set pieces. Darcey was about to turn around when he noticed a door. It was barely noticeable and could easily be mistaken for the wall that surrounded it. He was about to open it when he heard one of the stagehands call. He turned back, making a mental note to check it out when the rehearsal was over and He was no longer needed to help out.
"Finally," Darcey whispered, climbing back up to the rafters and over to the door he had found earlier. Rehearsals with the screeching Carlotta, had been less than enjoyable. Time had seemed to slow down as she continued to sing, if you could call it singing. Shivering at the memory, He opened the door and coughed from the dust in the air. This door had obviously not been used recently. Hearing a sound, Darcey quickly stepped in and closed the door, casting the passage into darkness. It only took a few seconds for Darcey's eyes to adjust to the all too familiar dim light. Walking carefully down the passageway, he shivered as a cool breeze drifted through.
Suddenly the floor collapsed underneath his feet.
"Who dares to intrude?" a voice said. Sitting up, Darcey looked around to find himself to be, seemingly, alone.
"Hello? Who's there?" Darcey caught movement out of the corner of his eye. A dark figure and a flash of white, but it had moved but had disappeared by the time Darcey had looked that way. "Where are you? Why are you hiding?"
"My, my. So many questions." Before Darcey could even blink, he was seized from behind. Two strong hands grabbed his arms. Darcey jerked, trying to get free. "You will have to try harder to get away from me," the voice whispered in his ear. Darcey took a breath before stomping as hard as possible on his attackers foot and successfully pulling out of the strong grip. Darcey started running blindly, hoping to escape but was once again seized from behind, this time with an arm across tight across his stomach and one across his chest, successfully pinning Darcey's arms. The grip pulled Darcey tight against the attacker's body and suddenly released. Darcey spun around to see a white mask on an incredulous face. "You're a girl."