Bravissimo

Exchanges

Darius-

I sit and wait by the roaring fire with Gustave who fidgets his hands. What can we do? Christine is very ill, when not by her side Erik is aloof, and no one has heard a word from Annabel, only her boots on the floor from time to time allows us to know she is still alive. But where does she go? Suddenly, finally, her steps are heard down the stairs.

"Ann Lee! Can I accompany you today and perhaps sit by the viol-" Gustave starts but is rudely interrupted by the slamming of the great oak door behind his sister. Monsieur Destler walks in and looks after the door with a look of disturbed confusion. All she does it seems is leave, but never arrives.

"I suppose I'm to be going as well." he says to Gustave with a nod. What will become of us if the unspeakable happens? This family is falling apart when Christine is still with us. She truly is the most important piece of the puzzle, if we wish to keep it together. My back burns and aches at the thought of my own mother. How foolish I am to be frightened of her ever coming back, I am a grown man. There is no sorrow to my name now that she's gone, I only hope she forgets me.

"Darius?" Gustave whispers and I realize I've been crying. But what for? The boy looks up to me from his spot next to me as if to say; "Don't you leave too."

"Darius, what am I to do if my mother actually does-" he begins but I cannot bare to hear it.

"Don't you say that my friend." I warn and bring his head to my chest. "Do not even think it."

Erik-

I was not fast enough to ride along with Annabel this morning, and with everything that is going on around here I really do wish to keep her in arms length. It's been days since the reporter's murder and the police have nothing. This will indeed make the people nervous as the Opera will forever have its history of death attached to it, and will make us look very badly if they do not find something soon. So for now, we must continue to talk about it, as if his death meant anything to us. We must, or the Opera will suffer. I look down at my sheets and shake my head, I do not wish to ask Annabel to sing in her mother's place like this but I must, she must, she has no choice.

Looking up through the window I see her small black silhouette make its way up the steps, the police and reporters swiftly getting out of her way. My carriage stops and I step out, the cameras now on myself. Annabel opens one side of her jacket, pulls out an envelope and within the moment hands it to the mail carrier and swiftly he walks away. Annabel looks over the crowd with a small sigh and walks through the doors.

"Erik!" I hear a jolly voice yell to me and I turn to see Firmin.

"Hello, my friend." I say and force a smile and it seems he notices.

"Oh, do not be gloomy my friend. What happened will be found out soon enough." he says loudly with a wave and a grin to the reporters.

The doors close behind us and I just catch a glimpse of Annabel's cloak going down the hallway on the third floor towards the theater. Perhaps she knows what is coming to her and wishes to avoid me? I tilt my head at the thought. Firmin clears his throat and nods, telling me to follow him. We walk silently to the office and I close the door behind myself and raise my brow to him.

"Erik." He says and I give him a look of disapproval as I am aware of where this is headed. "Erik, my gut tells me one thing, but you know I have to ask."

"Yes, Firmin go on." I say unamused.

"Well... did you?" he asks.

"Did I." I respond growing angry.

"Come now Erik, be reasonable" he says a bit agitated, as if I should answer a question not even spoken.

"Why don't you ask me your question, and than we shall linger here in silence at your foolish words." I say and spit out the last two words.