Why Fear The Face ?

Chapter 5

Erik's P.O.V

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This music it teases at my ear. Its beautiful.
I had just escorted my angel home, to the comforts of her dressing room when I stumbled upon a melody of a call. Trying not to pry into the girls room I edged my way closer and closer to the open crevice of the door. It did occur to me that the majority of the ballerinas by this time were already at practise, but non the less I tried my luck and listened intently to the sweet music.

As I looked in upon the scene in front of me I finally concluded that the room,was owned by Madame Giry's daughter... May? Mya? No. Meg ! Meg Giry! Oh what a harmonious voice such a fragile and minute fraction of a girl! I was honestly taken aback by her possessive tune. So sad and somber, for a girl raged in such happiness and joy.

When we were younger me and miss Meg would spend the majority of the day together, dwindling the hours away in the solitude of our backstage hideaway. Yet, soon she took to the art of dance whilst I travelled down the path of music. We simply grew apart. I never knew she was keeper of such a wondrous gift!

A creak tickled my ear as I stood upon a rotting floorboard, edging closer towards the open swing of her wooden panelled door.

The song harshly fell to a halt. Silence replaced the air with a deathly smog. Usually, by now I would of scrambled away from the thought of anyone in this theatre, except from my Christine, ever seeing me and engaging in an actual conversation, though it has just arisen to me that I have not yet had a real conversation with my angel. She still does not know my name...

Behind the door, footsteps began to move towards me. I edged closer and closer with each breath as Meg did the same.

In the spur of the moment, I rushed away, scared of my own shadow, pulling my cape behind me as she swung open the door, peering into the darkness which wrapped itself around me gladly.

Im such a coward of a man. A man? Ha. I'd be a fool to even consider myself, such a hideous and worthless creature, anything even close to the tittle of man. Her voice still haunted me. I felt so light and giddy and happy. This was so different to what I had ever had the pleasure to hear before, and could it possible that I actually prefered this enlightening joy of a sad song compared to my own music that I compose for my one and only? No. Never. No one can compare to my angel. No one. Nobody. Never.

Rose's P.O.V-------

I hummed to myself a sad tune as I got myself ready, borrowing one of Meg's many frightfully short dresses. A creak at the door turned the hairs on the nape of my neck on end. I was frozen to the floorboards. I couldn't find the willpower to move closer towards the intruder until he began taking steps towards me.

We edged closer and closer before only the door stood between us, suddenly he fled cape sprawled behind him as he ran headfirst into the darkness of the theatre. He was back for me! My masked man. Back. For me.

A strange thrill flushed my cheeks and the ludicrous thought of him hearing my song faded as I decided to stay put and finish getting ready before setting out on my journey to find Meg and await the news of the possibility of a job. This idea however, just filled me with pure and utter dread.

Not long after, I made my way to the stage where rehearsals were taking place, looking for my vacant friend, keeping my eyes peeled, just in case he... No. I must not be so pathetic.

"Meg !" I called over to her eveloping her in a hug of greeting when I finally found her practicing alone in one ballroom.

"Rose! I have news!" exclaiming she spun me around with her, she looked so excited, I begged for good news.

"Mama says you can work backstage!" I contained my subtle surprise and slight dissapointment, though I suppose anything was better than nothing.

"Thank you so much... I can't thank you enough Meg! This means so much to me..." I held her close before she brushed me off.

"It's my pleasure I assure you! You can sleep in my room if you wish, the floor may be slightly cold but I'm sure seeing as it's you, you won't mind. Oh Rose we're going to have so much fun together!" she squeeled. I succesfully contained my dissapointment of not being able to perform with my friend deep within as the men backstage showed me the ropes and theatre do's and dont's. It might of been a pleasureable experince, if these said men were not drunken backsides who acted as lords, which I assure you, they were not.

"Girl! Curtains up in 5 get your pretty little behind, into gear." I sighed as the man named Joe Boquet got up close and personal

"Yes monsieur..." I began as I turned to walk away, stopping me from doing so were 5 stubby fingers which wrapped there way easily around my small wrist. He pulled me back to face him, roughly grabbing my chin to face him directly in his eyes. The sudden movement and harsh tone of the conversation put me on edge and the sudden painful dominance of his presence made me wince, nonetheless I stood tall standing my ground.

"And if you mess up girl... My oh my, you'll wish to God you didn't because you'll have me to answer to darling. Am I understood?" His decaying teeth were gritted into what could be considered a smug.

"Yes. Sir." I spat at him before making my quick escape back to my post just as the curtains were pulled up.

It was fun I suppose. I can't complain, I have no right to, I had a birds eye view of the whole performance and it was indeed rather magnificent. Other than the numerous, clumsy mistakes the ballerinas made. Every time I did notice something go wrong, something cringed inside of me putting me off my task at hand, earning numerous death glares of Boquet.

When the curtains did finally fall I applauded along with the rest of the audience, clapping as loud as my petite hands would allow. One man wrapped his 10 stone arm around my neck, the impact nearly crushing me into the dust. Bouquet didn't allow me enough time to let my stomach settle with the adrenaline rush I currently had, before he grabbed my wrist, pulling me from under the others weight. Once we were out of people's sight I began protesting against his power, I really couldn't afford to loose this job.

"Monsieur let go!" I dug my heels into the floor attempting to pull away from his grip. He wouldn't let go. He just continued pulling me and pulling me, through the winding passages of the grand house, darkness enveloping them into the unknown, but I wasn't scared. The adrenaline had kicked in and I knew I could fight my way out of this situation. I never let a man overpower me. Well... Most of the time.