Chapter 3: Letters

Hello readers! I understand that this story is starting out pretty slow but I promise it's going to get way better! It's a process guys! Anyways I hope you enjoy this chapter!

-Kara

I paced the hall leading to the managers doors, I was livid. How could these two imbeciles possibly be responsible for this entire Opera House? They couldn't even handle my paper work in a cordial manner. Thoughts were racing through my head, what if I had to return to America I didn't want to go back so soon. I looked at the manager's door then down the hallway to see if Meg and Aunt Giry had arrived. They hadn't. I had half a mind to go in there and raise some hell, I was promised a pianist position.

"Claudine!" I turned my head towards the small voice, Meg was running towards me with her mother gracefully walking behind her.

"It's a good thing you showed up when you did Meg I was about to burst through those doors by myself." I huffed slightly annoyed with their tardiness.

"You would not have done such a thing, besides it hasn't even been ten minutes, you mother warned me of your impatience I thought she was exaggerating." My Aunt looked at me with her stern eyes.

"I'm sorry Aunt, but I hope you can understand my distress and anxiety, I have no intentions of going back to America anytime soon." My cheeks were burning and I knew they were bright red.

"Sweet child, I know you don't believe me I will do everything in my power to keep you here, but you must understand that you have to sometimes make sacrifices." My Aunts voice softened as she once again took my chin into her hand.

"Do you think you can make a sacrifice, if needed, in order to stay her and perhaps fulfill your dream?" I paused for a moment. Was I? Did I want this enough? I looked at my Aunt with determined eyes and shook my head yes. She smiled softly and then turned to Meg.

"Please take Claudine to the stage you can show her a few warm ups while I try to reason with the managers." Meg nodded and took me by the arm and led me away as I watched my Aunt walk through the door. Meg and I walked in complete silence for what seemed like an eternity, but it wasn't a comfortable silence. Meg's eyes were constantly darting from place to place, but not with a child-like curiosity but with fear.

"Meg? Are you alright you're pale as a ghost and you're gripping my arm awful hard." I looked down at my young cousin.

"Oh, I'm sorry Claude I'm just on edge I hate walking though these dark hallways, things happen in these hallways." She moved closer to me.

"Things?" I looked around utterly confused.

"Can I tell you something and trust that you won't tell my mother I told you? I nodded.

"There is Phantom in this Opera house, or so it's rumored. He blood thirsty and cold everyone in this building fears him. In fact he's probably responsible for your paperwork mix-up." She said while her eyes still darted. I laughed at my cousin's wild imagination.

"Meg have you been reading more of Poe's tales at night? You must stop that really, you'll frighten yourself to death if you don't." my cousin turned toward me, pouting childishly.

"But it's true!"

"Meg these stories you make up in your head are getting ridiculous, there are no such things as Phantoms, if anything this Phantom of yours is just a sick man who revels and feeds on fear." I stated Megs eyes widened.

"Claude hush! You mustn't say such foolish things! The Phantom-

"Aw the hell with the Phantom." I rolled my eyes. Whoever this Phantom was he wasn't going to intimidate me or scare me away.

Meg was silent the rest of the way to the stage, I could still sense her fear as she walked close to me. To be honest I felt a strange sense that someone was watching us... No watching me. I shuddered, this presence felt angry. Once we reached our destination Meg ran off to meet her friends dragging me along with her.

"Hi Claudine!" Most of them waved with the exception of a blonde girl who gave me dirty looks.

"Excuse me Miss? Do you have a problem with me or is your face permanently stuck in that heinous sneer." I was not in the mood to deal with some Prima Ballerina wanna be.

"How dare you speak to me in such a manner, do you know who my father is?" she glared at me.

"Honey your father could be the Tsar of Russia and that wouldn't change a thing." I said with a slight shrug of the shoulders. Most of the girls watched with wide eyes while others snickered. Her face turned beet red.

"I am the Vicomte's sister, otherwise known as the Patron of this establishment who fund the opera house." She smirked.

"So your brother has a title? I know for a fact that your brother will not inherit a penny of his wealth until he is married, what little he is putting towards this opera house is only because he worked for it." I may have lived in America but Aunt Giry's letters were always detailed.

"I can have you thrown out of here you'll never dance in this industry again." I chuckled.

"You have no power to throw me out, do you by any chance know who I am, I am Madame Giry's niece, Meg's cousin." I took pleasure in seeing her face turn a pale white.

"So tell me how do you think my Aunt will take the news that you threatened her beloved niece, not only her niece but the financial status of this opera house?" She lowered her gaze in defeat. I smiled victoriously and turned on my heel only to come face to face with my Aunt.

"Claudine Bassett, come with me this instant." My Aunt grabbed me by the ear lobe and led me away from the group of chorus girls. She walked me down numerous hallways and corridors until we finally reached a small room.

"Claudine you have been here for all but an hour and you're already stirring up trouble, I wouldn't want to have to report to your mother on your behavior." I lowered my head at the mention of my mother, I told her that I would try and I've already failed her.

"I'm sorry Aunt, I should have held my tongue." My Aunt remained stern.

"Yes you should have held your tongue but not in this situation." I Aunt then preceded to pull and letter out of her sleeve.

"Our Phantom is not pleased with you Claude and if I were you I'd amend things before something happens." She handed the letter to me.

"T-the Phantom?" I looked down at the letter addressed to me that had a blood red skull o it.

"Oh shi-