Phantom of the Opera

The bustle of the audience, the murmuring backstage, the noise of performers coming and going in all directions...it all blends together in a murmur that washes over you like tidal water. "So you were here, ___!" Hearing a sharp intake of breath behind you, you instinctively turn around. "What are you doing standing there? Everything's ready, the performance will begin any moment." You hesitate, and she takes a step towards you, frowning.  "___? Are you all right?"  Finally, you react. "It's nothing, Meg. Just... nerves. Today's the big day." The premiere of the new production, Aníbal. Everyone is in position, expectant.  For someone new to show business like you, this is a unique opportunity. It's not the title role... but it's a good start. "The orchestra has already begun." Meg squeezes your shoulder. "I hope everything goes well."  The music accompanies you as you take a deep breath and step onto the stage you've always dreamed of, your palms damp and pulse racing.  It's the first time you've been the center of attention for so many people. Your head spins and your voice trembles. But you focus on singing and immerse yourself in the melody. After the first verse you calm down enough to start looking around. No one seems to have paid attention to you. The center of the stage lights up, bringing all attention to Carlotta, the prima donna.  "My God!" exclaims an audience member. "Carlotta is a prodigy!"  "The finest soprano in Paris!" agrees another.  Her performance is perfect. Every note, every gesture... Her voice echoes throughout the auditorium, the audience is completely enraptured by her voice. And meanwhile, your own performance feels mediocre. Will you ever be like her? It's your first time on stage and yet why do you feel so insignificant? You try to shake those thoughts out of your mind; you must keep your composure. Surely the Angel of Music is worried about you. Setting your worries aside, you dive back into your role, trying your best to convey each of the character's emotions. Finally the play ends and the curtain falls. The audience applauds and cheers excitedly. You are sure that they are all moved. The premiere was a success. "Step aside! Must you block the way?" Carlotta pushes past several actresses. "How can such insignificant singers as yourselves lack discipline?" "I'm sorry!", stammers a fellow performer. "We've just come off stage and—" With an air of arrogance, Carlotta walks past you without stopping to listen to the girl's explanation. She doesn't even deign to turn around to look at you. Her performance may be perfect, but her manners not. Suddenly, something falls into your arms, a bouquet of white roses. "Oh, what beautiful flowers!"  Looking up, you see a young man and wonder how long he's been standing there. Smiling, you accept the flowers as he begins to speak.  "I hope I'm not too bold, but your performance was unforgettable, ___."  "Thank you, but..." You blink in confusion. "How do you know my name?"  Recieving flowers and compliments on your debut... Not bad at all.  "I've only played one small role, I haven't even been on stage that long...." "But I remember your voice, ___." His fingers brush the edge of your sleeve. "Still as lovely as in my memories."  "Thank you, but... have we met?"  His smile fades.  "So you don't remember me..."  "I... I'm sorry..." His look shows disappointment. You try to remember, but at that moment a voice calls out to you. "___! You need to change, the costumes must be returned!"  It's Meg, she waits for you to accompany her so she can put away the wardrobe you're still wearing. You look at the man a little embarrassed, but he simply nods. "Go, I won't take up any more of your time. See you soon." With a slight bow, he takes his leave.  You hurry to change out of your costume, unable to stop wondering about that man. There was something familiar about him. And something in the way he spoke gave you a hint that you were once close.  "How was the performance? I knew you'd do well."  Suddenly, a warm voice echoes through the room. You don't startle, you know it's the Angel of Music speaking to you.  "Of course, Maestro,“ you exclaim, ”It was wonderful! I have so many things to say! I know you told me not to be nervous, but...." You can't help pouring out every detail of the performance to your Angel. Occasionally, he responds with a hum or a nod, encouraging you to continue. He listens with such patience and attention that you forget entirely the time when you were alone without his companion.  ------------------------------------------------------------ It was three months ago, on a silent night. You were in your dressing room, practicing the high notes that still came out stiff and strained.  Then, suddenly, a beautiful voice joined yours. At first you were startled, but soon you let yourself be carried away by that melodious singing. It sounded so heavenly and pure. "It's so beautiful... like an angel's voice. That range... it's almost impossible." "You can widen the range with practice, but it takes techniques that ordinary people don't know." You were surprised for the second time, had the voice just responded to you? You rushed out of the room. you searched the opera house for the source of that mysterious voice, but the halls stood empty. Not another soul in sight. It's just you in the opera house, at this hour, who could it have been? With goosebumps rising, you walk up and down the cluttered corridor, with the feeling that there is something hidden in the darkness... You return to your dressing room, fully on alert for any sound you might hear. "___, don't be afraid, I don't want to hurt you." The voice seems to come from the full-length mirror, but in it you can only see your reflection. "Who are you? Why won't you show yourself?" A sigh echoed through the dressing room. His voice was soft as velvet. Holding your breath, you waited for his reply. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you, it's just...I fear we cannot meet face to face." His voice evokes a deep pain. Then, you forget the fear. Now all you want is to be able to keep hearing his voice. "I just want to help you. You have a gift for singing and I can't let it go to waste." His words remind you of the legend your father used to tell you. When someone moves an angel with their music, that angel will descend to guide and protect them. On his deathbed, your father held your hand and promised you that he would beg for an angel to accompany you. "Are you an angel of music?" He doesn't answer right away, and you wonder if perhaps he didn’t hear you, so you ask again. This time,he responds. "That's right. I am an angel who has come to guide you." Hearing his answer, your eyes water and your heart fills with shock and happiness. The arrival of the Angel of Music gives you the feeling of having communicated with your father. You will never be alone again. The Angel assures you that he will do his best to instruct you, to take care of you and to establish a fixed schedule for teaching you. And before you know it, you already have a very close relationship and trust him with absolutely everything. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- "What are you thinking about?" "I was just remembering our first meeting. Back then, getting on stage seemed like an impossible dream." "Now you know what it feels like to be on it." "That's right, my dear angel. But I'm afraid I still can't say I'm familiar with the stage. After all, I haven't yet..." "You haven't performed at the center yet?" Tactfully, the Angel of Music finishes your sentence. "___, I know what you're worried about, but you shouldn't make a big deal out of it. You must trust yourself. You have much more potential than Carlotta. And someday, your voice will be heard all over Paris." "I appreciate you comforting me." His words mean a lot to you, especially coming from him. "No, you will soon realize that it is not a comfort. It's already late, you should go back home. ___, I want you to know that I am proud of the performance you gave tonight. Remember the joy you felt today." The words of the Angel of Music warm your heart and fill it with affection, you can feel nothing but gratitude for how much he cares for you. You stand silently in front of the mirror, still thinking of him. Then, a scream interrupts your thoughts. Immediately you hear a thump, a crash that reverberates throughout the building, and right after that the lights go out in the entire building. You move forward in fear, feeling all around you, but the only thing you manage to touch is the cold surface of the mirror. A flash goes through the mirror and you instinctively close your eyes. You wonder what's going on. You want to go outside to find out what has happened, but you fear that whatever is out there is even more terrifying. Second by second you feel fear wrapped around you like a noose tightening your body. What should you do?