Under The Spell Of A Phantom.
Eight: The Letter
It's been so long since I written a letter back in those times in the Opera Poplaurie, making the same demands to the manger.
I look down at the blank sheet holding the pen in my hand, thinking of the words that won't unmask the real person behind it.
Touching my mask with my other hand, I shut my eyes and thought back of the night Ruby revealed it before her curious eyes.
If only I awoken, grabbed her before she had a chance to run and explained her the real reasons why people were so cruel.
Would she even believe me? After seeing my horrific face, I highly doubted she could feel anything other than pure terror.
With a heavy sigh, I reopened my eyes and began to write down the words that seemed not suspious yet mysterious.
Placing it in the elevope, I sealed it down with a stamp and turned the letter around to write down her name in the middle.
Rereading it over and over, my body relaxed of the feel of her ghostly hand on my shoulder for a few moments before disappearing.
I blew out the candle, went towards my organ and began to play music that had no songs or meanings behind it but it was escaspim from my troubling thoughts.
Morning arose for a another day, the sun was up above the cloudless sky and the birds were singing their melodies to the world.
Ruby slowly opened her eyes with a heavy sigh, it seemed so beautiful outside and yet she thought it was best to stay indoors.
But the sound of her rumbling stomach pleading for food won the battle so she pushed away the sheets and walked towards her large mirror.
The image before her was distressing, there was no sparkle in her eyes just heavy black rings under them and her cheeks were gaunt.
All because of him, the man that captured her mind and dreams within mere seconds of meeting him that one amazing yet terrifying night.
Though his hidden horrific secret haunted her constanly, she could never escape of how he made her feel in such short space of time.
She rubbed her arms which were covered in goose-pimples, her mind tracked back to his music and powerfully he played like no-other.
Shaking away the images, Ruby headed to her wardobe and picked out a long dress to put on for today and combed her tangled hair.
Another look in the mirror, ther was a little difference in her appearence but she couldn't mask what she really looked like.
Opening her door, she closed it behind her and walked along the hallway towards the staircase which she went down them slowly.
The smell of breakfast filled the rooms, Ruby followed it with her nose to enter the kitchen where Eleanor and Mr Johnson sat together hand in hand.
They turned to see her with a stunned look on her face, it was enough for both of them to break away from their embrace very quickly.
"Ruby, you've come down from your bedroom!" Eleanor said, coming towards her with tears threatening to fall down her cheeks.
The rage in her daughter's eyes made her stop in mid-step, suddenly frightened of what was going to be said within a matter of seconds.
"What is he doing here?" Ruby said, pointing her finger at Mr Johnson but not moving her angry gaze towards him.
"He's been with me ever since for comfort, I was so worried about you missing like that he went back with me that night so I wasn't alone." Eleanor explained.
"Well, he can leave after breakfast." She decided, sitting down to spread some butter on a piece of toast and began to eat it.
"You do not order me about in my own home!" Her mother screamed, stomping her foot but Ruby didn't flinch or turn to look at her.
"It's alright, Eleanor. I'll make my leave now." Mr Johnson said, removing himself from the seat and headed out of the kitchen.
"Oh please don't go!" She pleaded, grabbing his jacket in a tight grip but his hands pushed them off gently with a sorry look in his eyes.
She watched him leave, hearing his footsteps echo the hollow walls until they faded away though the front door didn't close behind him.
"See what you have done, Ruby?" Eleanor shouted, slapping the food from her daughter's hand. The evil stare from her was chilling.
"I haven't ate for days and I don't expect some man you're having some affair come in my house holding my mother's hand like that!" She cried, standing up.
"Sorry to break up the fight but there's a letter for Ruby here, it was lying on the doorstep outside." Mr Johnson said, handing it to her.
She studied they way her name was written, so perfect and a talented hand indeed. Though it could've been Erik but she dismissed it.
Pushing Eleanor and Mr Johnson aside, Ruby ran back upstairs and slammed the door behind her. She headed to her bed to sit down and opened it.
Pulling out the note, her heart began to pound furiously against her chest as she began to read what it had been written before her eyes.
Dear Ruby, I am writing to you as I'm searching for a student who would be willing to have singing lessons for a opera I'm currently working with.
Please arrive at this adress written below at one pm on Saturday the eleveth of May, do not be late as it would greatly anger me and this offer will not rise again.
I assure you that I'm a simple, talented, muscian who has a keen eye on giving people chances in a proud profession that I truely admire all my life.
You may think that it seems strange that I would choose someone like you who I haven't seen before but I have send letters to others before and they become my proud students.
Take some time to think, of course, but I know you will accept this offer. Yours faithfully, ?
The question mark was a mystery, it captured her that whoever this person was just wanted her to learn to become a singer.
There was no need to think it over, she already had her answer but what she didn't know was that she was going to make a mistake.
Or was she?
