Under The Spell Of A Phantom.

Two: Desire

Ruby rose her eyes to the mirror standing before her.

Instead of the tomboy eighteen year old she knew well, a stranger was staring back at her.

Her long auburn hair was wrapped up in a tight and uncomfortable bun.

Pearls on her neck and ears.

A long flowing blue dress with added corset.

White gloves on her hands.

To finish off was a pair of heeled shoes.

Eleanor placed her hands on her daughter's shoulders, tears were forming in her eyes.

"My Ruby, don't you look beautiful?" She said.

There was no answer, she was stunned of how different she looked.

Her body trembled with constant fear, would she change for good?

Eleanor spun Ruby around so that she could face her mother instead of her reflection.

"Now, let's depart for the ball. Don't forget your mask. I shall wait for you outside but do not take too long."

She watched her leave the room, shutting the door behind her.

Ruby wanted to break down and cry, how she wished that she'd never agreed to do this.

The past week before was going to town, entering shop after shop to find the right outfit for the ball.

One time she saw David and Ariel, arm in arm, laughing and not noticing that she was there watching them in disbelief.

It sickened her deeply, she felt a bout of illness which she pleaded to her mother that she couldn't go but Eleanor had none of it.

Now the night has finally arrived, there was no way she could escape unless she could run in shoes that were too small for her.

Her wet eyes fell on her mask at her table, it had a unusual design and was easy to put on her face.

Nimble fingers touched the material for a few moments then she picked it up and went back to the mirror.

As she put it on, her eyes widened of her reflection once more.

The mask covered half of her face only revealing her pouty lips, two small holes for her to breath through her nose and her eyes looked more brighter than usual.

"Ruby, we are going to miss the carriage if you don't hurry up!" Eleanor's sharp voice made her jump out of her skin.

She stared at the door furiously, feeling her fingers curl up into fists.

Grabbing her clucth on her bed, Ruby stomped out of the bedroom and slammed the door.

Eleanor looked at her in shock but her gaze wasn't returned.

Instead she jogged down the staircase, went outside and waited for the carriage to arrive.

It was a clear night, stars were above the sky along with a half moon shining it's light.

"Honestly Ruby, you will have to change your behaviour when you get a husband. No acting like a spoilt, angry child." Eleanor said, gruffly.

"That's if I do find a husband!" She hissed, burning her eyes at her mother.

The pair remained silent until the carriage came, a elderly gentleman helped them on and began to drive.

"Why are we going to this stupid ball other than me finding a husband?" Ruby asked, folding her arms.

"Because Mr Johnson invited me and you to come." Eleanor replied, failing to hide her blush on her cheeks.

"So you two are lovers, I guess?" Ruby suggested, rising a eyebrow.

"Never, the only man I loved was your father!" Eleanor cried but her daughter could see right through her.

"No wonder you want me gone, not just so I can find this so-called "husband" but you and him can be together!"

Eleanor was going to protest but it was the truth and it sickened her that Ruby found out too quickly.

Again they went silent throughout the journey until they finally arrived at the masked ball.

Stepping off the carriage, the pair walked up the staircase where well dressed gentleman opened the door for them to enter.

Inside the ball was in full swing, music was playing and people were dancing to the enchanting melody.

Ruby studied their masks with curiousity, some were long and covered their entire faces while others were small to place over their eyes.

Her eyes moved to Eleanor who rushed towards a fairly handsome gentleman, her mind instanly knew it was Mr Johnson.

They came towards her, his arm locked in hers in a loving grip that made Ruby feel sick.

"Edward, this is my daughter." Eleanor said, with a warm smile on her face.

"Tis a pleasure to meet you, Ruby. Your mother has spoken a great deal about you for these pass weeks." He said, with a chuckle.

She stared at Eleanor with a sneer across her face, they must have had a full blown affair for a good long time behind her back.

"Oh? How nice of her. Excuse me please, I need a drink." Ruby decided, walking away from them.

A good looking waiter offered her a glass of champane which she glady took and drunk it down in three swallows.

It quickly burned at the back of her throat, that was enough for one night but it felt good anyway.

She went to sit down at one of the empty tables, watching and admiring the couples dancing together.

To her horror, Ruby could see David and Ariel sitting across the room drinking white sparkling wine.

A heavy kick went to her stomach, the harsh reality of having no friends was killing her world in a fast pace.

She turned to see Eleanor and Edward slow dancing, their faces touching each other's.

"What the hell am I doing here?" Ruby muttered to herself, shaking her head.

Making the decison to leave, she stood and headed down the hallway only to stop by a male's voice.

Suddenly taken by his powerful and pulling tenor, Ruby followed the path wondering who he could be.

Reaching towards a staircase, she walked down it taking each step carefully.

Not once did she look back or care if anyone saw her, no-one wanted to notice anyway.

The voice was getting louder and stronger, shivers ran up and down her spine.

When she was little, Ruby always went to the opera to experience a beautiful story told by their out of this world singing voices.

It captured her mind even when it ended and everyone was leaving to enter reality once more.

But when her father died, Eleanor refused to go anymore and shattered Ruby's fanasties for good.

Now as she went down the final step, candles suddenly started to lit once her foot touched the ground.

Following a new path, the golden glow grew brighter with each foot step she took.

Her eyes wandered around this new surrounding, it seemed endless until they lay on a red curtain at the end of the hallway.

Stopping a few inches near it, Ruby took two very heavy breaths and went ahead to push the material aside.

Stepping inside the room, her jaw dropped of how magical and beautiful it really was.

More candles were lit, sheets upon sheets of confusing musical notes were spread all across the tables and a large organ sat proudly.

But as she moved her head, Ruby's eyes fell on a tall and mysterious figure that had just finished his song.

His eyes were shut, a broad smile was across his handsome and masked face.

Once he reopened them, they lay on her in such a piercing stare that she simply froze on the spot.

Within that moment, Ruby began to feel something she hadn't in all of her eighteen years.

Desire.