The Murders Of The Opera

Chapter 8: The Warning

When they had left for the museum Anna was still thinking about the case they were on. But she knew she would have to put that into the back of her mind, so she could focus on Erik.

Lord Erik Estelle. Anna knew he had been dressed like someone of high society, she just had no idea he would be a lord.

It was at the restaurant while they were waiting for their dinner to arrive, did Leopold take matters into his own hands. All throughout the day since they had talked to Asher Cameron, and those three girls came, Anna had been silent, and keeping her distance from everyone. What she was thinking he had no idea because of how unpredictable the girl was.

So, when Anna had excused herself to go to the ladies room, Leopold had left not seconds later, to wait outside the door of the ladies room. When Anna stepped out, she walked right past him, and didn't even realize he was there, until he gripped her upper arm and dragged her over to a supply closet, then locked it behind them.

"What are you doing?" Anna asks him, outraged. This was the second time he had pulled her away from everyone to have a private conversation with her. "Why did you run away?" He asks her, and Anna froze.

Memories of when she first started at the academy, of her being bullied and teased, and ignored, because she wasn't like them. She had no title she would inherit, or a company, or a lot money. She had to make her own due.

"Anna" Leopold whispers as he walks over to her, and places his fingers to hold her chin as he lifts it up, and whips away the tears that were dripping down her cheeks slowly from her eyes. "Whatever happened..I won't let it happen again." Leopold promises her, as he takes her hands in his, "I promise." Anna stared at him, searching his eyes for any dishonesty, but she found none. Anna cried more, as she ran forwards and hugged his torso, as he wrapped his arms gently around her shoulders and smiled as he brought her closer to his chest.

*~*~~*~*

When they finished their dinner, and walked out to the bus which was going to take them to the opera house, Leopold was holding Anna's lower arm, which was around his own arm. He held it gently, as he led her into the bus and had her sit beside him in the bus, making sure they were sitting close to the teachers.

When they reached the opera house, Anna was eager to go talk to Erik to find out more on him and his past, so that she could hopefully help him rest in peace.

But as Anna gazed out the window she had a sickening feeling in her stomach, as if something was about to happen. Something bad. Anna practically jumped out of her seat as she pushed Leopold to hurry up out into the aisle, and down the steps of the bus as she ran past him and everyone else, up the steps, and into the main fowey.

Anna looked around frantically, before her eyes landed on Erik. He was standing on the steps, gazing down at her, as those around acted as if he wasn't even there. 'Or am I the only one who can see him?' She wonders.

Anna slowly walked over to the steps and walked up to stand beside him and gaze down at where he was looking. He was just blankly staring into space. "You feel it to?" He asks suddenly. Anna turns her head to look at him, "something bad is about to happen" she whispers and he nodded his head. "I'll see what it is. Wait for my signal" Erik tells her before he disappears into smoke.

"Anna!" Leopold shouts from the first step of the staircase as he tries to get her attention, and when Anna heard him scream her name for the fifth time she looks down at him. "Are you okay?" he asks her as he ran up the steps to stand in front of her. "He said he would send me a signal for when he shows what is going on" Anna says as she steps around Leopold and runs down the staircase and follows everyone into the auditorium.