Phantom of the Opera

Just when you no longer know how to escape this situation, a woman trips and bumps into you. The impact snaps you out of your trance. When you look back toward the doors, the shadowy figure has disappeared. -------------------------------------- "___, are you alright?" "Huh? Were you talking to me?" "Yes. ___, you've been very distracted lately." "Really? I hadn't noticed." You absently touch the edge of your sleeve. "It's okay, let's not talk about it anymore. Hurry up and try on the new costume. I'll see what else needs mending." Meg's words jolt you. The new production, Faust, premieres soon, and you need to focus. "Thank you, my dear tailor!" You say as you try on your costume. "Mmm... Let me see... The skirt is too tight. I must adjust the waist again. Let me see the seam on the side. Last time, the skirt of one of the dancers had a few loose threads..." Hearing Meg's cheerful voice moving around you is comforting. It brings you back to reality and distracts you from thinking about that dark silhouette. "___, I've been meaning to ask you something for a while." Suddenly, Meg takes your hands. Her eyes shine with concern. "Has something happened? You know you can tell me anything... Since the banquet, you've been deep in thought. You make me worry." Meg's understanding gaze finally gives you the strength to tell her about the incident. "During the banquet, I saw a strange shadow. I had a feeling it wasn't someone from the opera. I don't know how to explain it, but fear came over me. It had a gloomy look." "When did that happen? I remember being by your side all night." You tell Meg all the details of that night, about the dark silhouette in the doorway, the white mask, and the red rose... "A red rose? ___... do you think it was... the Phantom?" Meg pales. "I don't know." You bite your lip. "It looked like a man....aren't ghosts supposed to be more ethereal?" "No one knows what his true appearance is." She whispers leaning closer to you, as if afraid to be heard. "He changes form constantly. Some claim to have seen a skeleton. Others say it's a ball of fire. I heard that this opera is very old and that ghost has been here for a long time. They've done everything to chase it away, but they haven't succeeded." "Even though the figure I saw was scary, I don't think it's the ghost you're talking about... The way you say it, it seems like everyone in the opera has been manipulated by the ghost." Endless questions roam through your mind. Will you continue to be tortured by its apparitions? Is everyone at the mercy of the ghost? If there is nothing to do, must you live every day in fear? As your thoughts wander, someone knocks on the door. "Forgive my boldness. Good afternoon." You immediately recognize the stranger. "Ah, you're the one who gave me the flowers that day, right?" "The one who gave you flowers?" The stranger holds a hand to his heart, feigning pain. "Apparently, you still don't remember me." "It looks like you have a visitor. Well, I won't interrupt anymore. I'll come to see you later." Seeing the visitor, Meg's worried face suddenly turns smiling and she bids him a polite farewell. And she slides toward the door throwing you an accomplice smile. "I'm sorry, it's just that, lately..." "I don't blame you," he interrupts you. "After all, it's been a long time. I can't expect you to remember me in an instant. So, do you still remember Perros-Guirec?" "Perros-Guirec? You mean that little village in northern France where I used to live with my father when I was little?" "If you still remember it, it means you've just forgotten about me." He shakes his head while letting out a laugh. Then, you notice his blond hair, which becomes more evident in the candlelight. You feel the gears in your mind start to turn: Perros-Guirec... Blond hair... "You're Raoul, my childhood friend!" "You finally remembered," he smiles cheerfully. "I could recognize you right away just by hearing your voice." "I'm sorry, you've changed so much since we were kids. We were still kids back then. I remember you would often come to see my father's show on the streets. You'd wait until his act was over, and we'd go for a walk on the beach together. You even once helped me retrieve my cape when the wind blew it into the sea." "I almost drowned..... Anyway, I knew you'd remember." Raoul touches his head in shame. Remembering that scene, you both burst out laughing at the same time. "It was the best summer I ever had." "After that summer, I came with my mother to Paris. But when I came back the following year, I lost contact with you. Speaking of which, why did you leave?" "I left that place after my father died and wandered from town to town until I came to Paris." "I see, I'm so sorry, ___. It's a shame I'm not usually in Paris. Otherwise, we would have met sooner." You make a gesture with your hand, waving it slightly to the side, downplaying the matter. "Those days are in the past. I've started a new life. I'm sure my father wouldn't have wanted me to live a sad life. I've found my dream and my sustenance. Maybe you'll think it's a little silly when I tell you... But whenever I lose myself in singing, I can feel my father's warmth and companionship." You raise your eyes and look at Raoul with a little embarrassment, but he doesn't make fun of you. He just watches you, attentive. "___, I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed it most. I'm sure you will be a great singer. You always had a passion for music." "Thank you, Raoul. What about you? You said you're not usually in Paris. Where are you usually, then?" "I joined a group of sailors. We spend practically the whole year at sea. I was planning an expedition to Antarctica, but I heard my brother mention the news about the ghost at the opera, and I came to investigate." Hearing him say those words, you can't help but ask... "The Phantom of the Opera!" Your hair stands on end. "How did you know about him?" "Ahem... well. I have inside information. Sometimes,even the best-kept secret gets out. Besides, I was explicitly warned about it." "But... I don't understand. Why did you come to investigate the case?" "My brother put it in my hands, surely because he wants me to wait around like a good boy in Paris and forget about Antarctica." Hearing him say that, you feel your blood boil. His tone implies he has no idea of the panic you all live with at the opera. "Thank you for enlightening us with your visit, I'm so sorry that a mere ghost is not worthy of your attention." "What? No, no. ___, don't misunderstand me." He looks away, embarrassed. "I admit that at first I thought it was absurd. How could such a famous place be the source of supernatural rumors? But later... I realized this case wasn't so simple. Arrogance blinded me. Joseph's death made me understand there are many things I don't know, so I decided to change my attitude." Raoul seems confused. He extends his hand toward yours but pulls it back, still embarrassed. You sigh. "It's not your fault. To tell you the truth, I can't quite believe there's a ghost lurking around the opera either.... I'm sorry I jumped up like that. It's just... we've been through a lot." "I understand, ___. I know the desperation fear can cause. Please, you have to believe me. I don't intend to stand by and do nothing." Meg interrupts your conversation. "___, may I come in?" "Of course, Meg, come in." "Sorry to interrupt, but I forgot to take your costume." "It's no matter, Miss. I must be going anyway; I have a meeting with the director. It was a pleasure talking to you, ___. Until next time." Raoul waves to you before leaving and closes the door lightly. Now that you are alone, Meg begins to speak. "I know I shouldn't ask, but I can't hold back!" "What?" "Well, what else? How do you know the Viscount of Chagny?" "The Viscount of Chagny? You mean... Raoul?" "Come on, ____, stop pretending. I can see you're very close." "Raoul and I were good friends in childhood. I had no idea he was a viscount." "His brother, the Count of Chagny, is the main sponsor of the opera. Haven't you heard of the Chagny family?" "I hadn't imagined..." The Chagny family... Raoul kept mentioning that his brother sent him to investigate the opera. Now it all makes sense. No wonder Raoul knew the opera's secret. "Well, I'm going to hurry and fix this costume. I want you to tell me all the details tomorrow." "Wait, Meg! You can't go around telling everyone..." Meg runs off before you can finish speaking. You look up and only catch a glimpse of the white hem of her skirt, resigning yourself to not trying to catch her. "Looks like you have a new friend." "Angel of Music! You startled me..." "You weren't expecting me, were you? Is your new friend any more welcome than I am?" "Not at all! You know well that I always long for your visit. It's just that it's not the time we're used to seeing each other, I wasn't prepared." "Ah, I see, so I can't arrive at all hours like him. You're more tolerant of your new friend of withered nobility." His tone is acidic, sharp. "You must be tired of my company, I should have been more considerate." "Please, don't say that. I always faithfully await your visit, and you know it." The Angel of Music had never spoken to you in that way before. Unconsciously, you turn to look at the full-length mirror. It only reflects your own image. "Are you angry?" You approach the mirror. "Please, don't be angry. I'll do anything to make you happy." "Anything? Then sing for me, ___. Singing is the greatest proof of sincerity." "My teacher, my angel, my voice will always be yours. Please, never doubt me again." The Angel of Music remains silent. You know he is waiting for you. You try to get into character, but your voice won't stop trembling. This time, he does not guide you gently, nor does he join your song as he normally does. You are afraid that from now on he will ignore you, but you don't dare stop singing to ask if he is still there.