An Opera in Chaos

Chapter 2

     That night, Christine became a star. The audience adored her, and the cast looked at her with a new respect. She couldn't believe it: her dream was coming true, and it was all thanks to her Angel of Music her father sent her.

When Gustave Daae was still alive, he would always tell little Christine about the Angel of Music, and how, when he was gone from this world, he would send the Angel to her. Christine hung on to every word about the Angel that came out of her father's mouth.

Gustave died when Christine was seven years old. Madame Giry took her in after his death and began to train her in the art of ballet. Every night since then, Christine would go into the chapel and light a candle for her father. One night, though, was different.

Christine was crying in the chapel, begging for her father to come back to her. Then she heard a voice call out to her.

"My child, why do you cry?"

She gasped and looked all around her, seeing no one. "Who are you?"

"Why, I am your Angel of Music, of course."

Her eyes widened in disbelief. Her father really did send the Angel of Music to her! "Angel! I thought you would never come. Why can't I see you?"

"Because mere mortals are not able to see celestial beings, my dear. I am here to help you learn to sing, but only if you would like to have me guide you."

"Oh, yes, of course!" she exclaimed.

"Good." She could hear the smile in her new master's voice.

She received voice lessons from the voice of her Angel for 10 years after that, all the way to her first singing success.

Christine was in the chapel, lighting a candle for her father, as always. She then heard the ever-comforting voice of her Angel.

"Brava, Brava, Bravissima..."

She heard someone call out her name, but quickly forgot when the Angel said her name as well. Oh, his voice was like heaven itself, fit only for an angel.

"Christine!" Meg's voice, once again, brought her out of her thoughts. "Where in the world have you been? There's a whole party going on upstairs for you."

"I'm sorry, Meg. I just needed to come down here for a moment."

Meg shrugged. "Well, anyways, you were perfect. Who is your teacher? You never told me."

Christine hesitated. "Meg, remember how I used to tell you that my father would send me the Angel of Music?"

"Well, yes, but I don't see how that has anything to do with you singing like an angel....oh, wait. Your teacher is your Angel, right?"

"Yes. He's been teaching me ever since your mother brought me here." Christine said excitedly.

"Christine," Meg started. "Are you sure it's your Angel of Music and not...something else? Someone else?"

Christine scoffed. "Meg, don't be ridiculous. Of course it's my Angel of Music teaching me. Who else could it be?"

"Just be careful. I hope you know what you're doing." Meg said as she led Christine to her dressing room. They were soon intercepted by Madame Giry, relieving Meg to go practice with the other ballerinas.

Once Meg was out of earshot, Madame Giry turned to Christine, handing her a blood red rose, a black ribbon tied around it. "You did very well, my dear." She said. "He is pleased with you."