The Perri Mistero Series: Black Roses Fall

Chapter 4: I Shall Have A Stroll...But What Is That Smell?

 I finally got my room to open up. I walk into the small pink room and collapse on the bed. That was enough fright for one night. I couldn't help but think about that one candle that bestowed one flame in the darkness of that room. Something about the candle was so familiar, where have I seen it? An idea struck my mind as I reached for one of the letters from my 'admirer'. That's it! The red skull seal! It was the same deep red wax as that candle! I think back to the room last night, completely dark except for that one candle. Could he have been there, holding that candle and watching me? 

Shivers snuck up my spine at this quite frightening thought. I wrote this all down in my laptop, along with the other things: the letters, the seal, the stamp, and the locked door. Maybe I should film a bit? I took out my laptop and decided to film a bit of the room and talk about my experiences. I picked up the laptop, turned on the webcam, and began to record. I walk around the room. "So, I am here in my fancy room in the fancy Opera. Look at all thess antiques!" I start rambling on. I sound more light-hearted until I got to the Phantom. I finished after I did a good number of freaking myself out. I desperately need sleep. 

---------------------

It is the second day on the job of figuring out this Phantom, but heck, I need a break. It was a major breakthrough yesterday. I do not want to ruin anything by digging in all at one go, I need to take my time. How about a quick stroll around Paris? A girl needs some TLC! Oh, how I kid myself, I am only doing this because I am in Paris. Well, I do need my sweets. A bakery sounds nice, I should ask the lovely (and quite odd) Mrs. Changey where I can locate one. 

I got dressed in a simple skirt and shirt. Eh, I should throw a light scarf on, I can be a girl and accessorize sometimes. I travel down the dim corridor. I get a whiff of a sweet, overpowering scent. It smells like roses. I follow scent and peek into a highly decorated room. It was a lovely shade of pink, with fleur de lis covering the molding. Their was delicate gold ivy decorating a huge mirror that stood by the middle wall. I know that mirror. In the legend, the Phantom would appear to Christine through that mirror. So this must be the Prima Donna room! I decide not to walk in, as I notice fresh roses by the mirror. Hmm, an offering to the Phantom? Or, is the Phantom doing this for Christine? Whichever this was, I decided to take a picture and some notes. 

I finally locate Mrs. Chagney in the garden, she was sitting peacefully and reading something. Oh, it was the magazine that I had wrote a column in for a few issues. I waltz over to her, I was in a curious and joyful mood. "Bonjour, Mrs. Chagney!" I say cheerfully, I am glad I remember a bit from my French class in high school, but 'Bonjour!' was pretty universal. "Oh, Bonjour, Miss Mistero! I hope you slept well." She said looking up from her book. Her eyes were warm with benevolence, I must have found her in a good mood. "Sorry to bother your reading, but I have two questions for you." I tell her, hoping she would be understanding. She nodded with grace. Everytime I am speaking to her I wish she can come home with me and be my morning greater. 'Hello, Miss Mistero! Sleep well? Coffee is on your desk, along with a lovely pastry I have made.' Yeah, that would be nice. 

I snap out of my rediculous daydream. Gosh, I must have ADD, maybe that's why I am so good at what I do? Oh, fudge snacks, Perri! Ask the woman your question! "I was walking down the corridor and got a whiff of roses. I followed the svent and found the Prima Donna room. There are fresh roses littered around the huge mirror. I was just curious on the origins of the roses, do you know?" I ask her, almost hoping it was the staff. "L'amour ne meurt jamais..." She responded in a hushed whisper, she was almost pale as a powdered donut. This woman sure likes to look like a ghost. I didn't remember all French, so I was a bit confuse with her strange words. " Love never...I'm sorry, what?" 

"I have to go. Ta ta!" She said with a quick rush and trying to hide something. My unanswered question lingers in the cool breeze. I need to figure out that saying, along with where a bakery is.