Ah I love reviews! Thank you all for the lovely reviews I enjoy them so much! I'm sorry for not updating soon enough, even though its summer I still have a crazy busy schedule, and I've been away for a couple days. But nothing will stop me from updating this story because it's to fun! Okay so this is going to be an exciting but rather tricky chapter to right so bear with me!
I hope you enjoy! I don't own any phantom rites.
Darkness, there was darkness everywhere. There was no telling which way was up and which way was down in the pitch black tunnels of the catacombs. Scared of whatever might be lurking within the blackness surrounding her, May ran. She ran as fast as she possibly could following the sound of the running water that was just ahead. Finally a dim light illuminated the dark tunnels lighting May's way to "safety".
She finally reached the light but stopped running and stood still. In front of the girl stretched a mysterious lake. In front of where she was standing was a fairly thing ledge that stretched onward with the lake against the stone walls. Pulling together all of her courage, May took a deep breath and stepped onto the ledge. She walked for a little while hugging the wall when suddenly her foot slipped and plunged into the fridge water of the lake. She gave out a loud yelp of fear as she grabbed a hold of a crack in the wall. She steadied herself and pulled her now soaked foot out of the water. Breathing quickly May grabbed the wall and tried to calm her down. Cautiously she peered down into the water and was shocked to see that she could not see the bottom at all.
Putting all of her fears behind her she began to walk again. May noticed that as she walked the scenery began to change. The walls went from being completely bare to being engraved with pictures and faces, and holding candles to light the way. As she walked she finally saw it. The lake fled into an open area that was hard to make out. May was able to see candles that seemed to be coming out of the water, and across that water was a large organ looking instrument. She finally made it. Slowing down her pace a little bit, May was getting closer and closer. Finally she made it into the phantoms lair.
The lair was rather large with stone walls decorated with many different art works, some painted some drawn with charcoal and pencils. Candles surrounded the entire area. May wasn't able to make out much from across the lake where she was standing. She needed to get over. Looking around her she conveniently spotted a long plank against the wall a little ways over from where she was standing frozen in place. Quickly she grabbed the plank and eased it down to the other side of the lake where it landed with a loud plunk sound.
Making sure the phantom was not around at all she swiftly made her way across the plank trying not to lose her balance and fall. Once across the lake May peered around her surroundings and finally was able to see everything. There was in fact a large organ against a wall in the middle of the lair. A little ways behind it was a beautiful grand piano with sheet music scattered all around the top of it. There were beautiful red sheets draped over things and across walls, and many sculptures and authentic looking pieces of art. There was also a quaint sitting area, and many doors leading to areas unknown.
One specific picture lying on a table caught May's eye. She slowly paced towards it and picked it up. The picture was beautiful. It looked to be a portrait of a young lady with long curly hair and big bright eyes. The girl in the portrait looked very familiar to May but she couldn't figure out who it was. Suddenly it hit her. The young lady in the drawing was in fact Christine. May gasped loudly, dropping the picture and stumbling backwards right into a trap.
A strong arm was thrown tightly around her neck pinning her back against a strong chest. She tried to scream but nothing came out. She couldn't breathe and was struggling to get away. The person pulled her back as she struggled to stay on her feet. Using all of the air she could she was able to make out a few words. "Let me go! Please, please let me go!" As soon as the words were spoken she was brutally thrown to the ground. Her cape fell over her shoulders and her satchel broke off and lay on the ground beside her.
Gasping for air, May laid lifeless on the ground holding her throat when suddenly two large, shiny black shoes stopped in front of where she laid. Slowly tracing her eyes upwards from the feet she saw him. The ominous Opera Ghost was now standing frozen in front of her and staring at her with anger in his eyes. He was so tall, with dark black silky hair and golden eyes that shone so brightly; May found his eyes rather stunning. He was dress impeccably wearing pristine black dress pants, a crisp white button up collared shirt that hung slightly open, and a black vest over the shirt. Suddenly he spoke; his voice was so deep and threatening but there was something beautiful about it.
"Stand up girl." His command echoed through the entire lair. Frightened beyond belief May obeyed his command and stood on shaking legs in front of him. He towered over the rather tall ballerina.
"Why are you here?" Why was she here? What could she say that she just wanted to see him that she wanted to meet him for real?
"I-uh I just wanted to- um I saw you today and I" He cut her off before she was able to finish.
"And you wanted to expose the infamous Opera Ghost to the world, to put him on display and have people track him down and shun him from society. Am I correct?" Although May was now standing, he still towered over her as she coward under his menacing gaze.
May was confused by his word, that's not what she wanted to do at all. She looked at him now with more sympathy in her eyes and spoke softly. "No. No that's not at all what I wanted to do."
The phantom shot a venomous gaze at her than slowly paced towards her. "Oh really, then tell me little one; why are you here?" every word he said was spoken slowly and viciously. He now stood directly in front of May now. His eyes bore down on her with a fierce dangerous fire.
The young girl slowly looked up and met his gaze but with a softer one. May took a moment to actually see who he was. Realizing that he was just a man and not the monster people portrayed him as, she grew more courageous and spoke with truth and courage in her words. "Well the truth is, um I've always wanted to meet you and see who you were and well- I guess what you were."
"And now you see that I am the monster that they all talk about."
"No. You're not a monster. Not at all."
The phantom threw out a sarcastic laugh that bellowed through the catacombs. "Tell me, what is your name girl?"
He backed up a little and turned away from May. She was shocked by his simple question. The phantom actually wanted to know her name. "My name?"
The opera ghost turned quickly and shot her a sarcastic look as he spoke. "No, the girl standing next to you."
May was not amused by his joke but spoke up anyways. "May. Maygen Daily."
Suddenly the phantom realized just who was standing in his lair and gave a shy smile as he paced around her slowly. "Ah yes, the young Maygen Daily; tallest of the ballerinas but yet the youngest. Curious young lady but occasionally clumsy; oh and we must not forget, close friends to the talkative Meg Giry and sweet, soft spoken Christine Daae."
When he spoke about Christine he spoke slowly almost as if he was savoring every word. May was confused and rather frightened by how he knew all of this about her.
"H-how do you know all of that?" He was now standing back in front of her with his hands behind his back.
"Well I take pride in knowing about the people of my opera house, and especially the more talented ones."
May stood shocked; the phantom had just called her talented. She was also shocked by the fact that he was actually very nice, not like how some people portrayed him as.
"You think I'm talented?"
"Well you do stand out a lot."
"oh" Was the only thing she was able to say in response.
"But yes I would have to say you are rather talented."
May smiled brightly at him admiring how nice he actually was to her and admiring what he had just told her. The phantom looked at her confused.
"What?"
"You're nice." Once her words were spoken he looked at her in disbelief.
"Me? the opera ghost nice?" May nodded in response. He then spoke again with a softer feeling in his voice. "oh, well thank you."
There was a short pause before May spoke up. "what is your name?"
The phantom gazed at her amusingly. "My name? Why do you need to know?"
"Well I don't want to keep referring to you as Monsieur Phantom."
The Phantom was clearly amused by her words. "I do not have a name. They are only useless labels to have." "Meanwhile I believe that you should be leaving my presence and be returning to your dormitories before a search party is put out to find you."
He began to turn and walk away when May ran up behind him and lightly grabbed him by the shoulder. The opera ghost stopped and turned peering down at the small hand laid on his shoulder.
"Will I ever get to see you again?" May wanted to see him again, to learn more about him and his life.
The phantom slowly removed Mays hand from his shoulder turning to face the small ballerina. "That young ballerina is up to you to decide." There was a short pause as May smiled at him. "Now please be on your way."
"Thank you Monsieur Phantom" Giving one more smile, May turned and ran back across the plank that was still laid across the lake. Quickly she made her way up to her room and collapsed on her bed from exhaustion. Trying to remember every feature of the phantom and every word he spoke to her she quickly to drifted asleep.
Deep beneath the opera house the phantom who was actually named Erik was emerging from his music room with sheet music in his hands to a new opera when something caught his eye. Setting the sheet music down atop his piano, he slowly made his way over to where he first approached the young girl who was being ever so friendly with him moments ago.
Laying on the ground next to the lake was a dark brown satchel with a broken strap.
Dun Dun Dunnnn. Ok that was a hard chapter but I hope everyone enjoys it. I would love to get some reviews and hear how im doing so far! Thanks so much!(: