The Phantom's Family

Chapter 1

In France, a famous Opera Populaire is haunted by the so-called "Phantom of the Opera."

Some say he can be found terrorizing anyone who dares disturb him in any way. Even unintentionally. Others say he haunts the rafters, or box five. And most believe he truly is a ghost, and can materialize or stay invisible to the human eye whenever he wishes.

While some of those tales might be partially true, there is a tragic story behind it all, and no one, no matter how much they claim to understand the opera ghost, can ever comprehend what he is like.

The truth is, he is a man, though far from normal at that. And at this very moment, on May 1st of 1905, he can be found in his precious box five, a book in his hand, and his body stretched out across the velvet upholstered bench seat.

Today had been a particularly boring day. Everyone would be gone for a week so that they could all rest before the start of practice for the new performances.

The strange man had just closed his book when the squeal of the front door could be heard echoing through the large building.

Quickly scooting over into the shadows, he watched the area below him very carefully to see who was disturbing him.

A family of three walked into the seating area and the phantom was immediately intrigued.

Who he assumed to be the parents, were looking around the grand room, while who he assumed to be the daughter looked more carefully. Drinking in every detail.

She didn't wear a smile, but a scowl instead. However, she was very happy to be in the Populaire, but rather annoyed by the party she had come with.

The girl often wondered how she and her parents could be related; they were the definition of polar opposites.

The two adults were quite loud and obnoxious. The girl however, was silent and never spoke. She stared daggers at the mother, who was being particularly annoying at the moment.

At one point, the woman climbed up on the stage. Infuriated, the Phantom was considering using some of his tricks to scare them all out of his home.

But, before he could, the child spoke up.

"Mother! Get down from there at once!" she snapped.

Disrespectful, yet straight, simple, and to the point.

"What is the matter with you, Liz? You've been quite edgy lately!" the woman said.

"How many times must I say that my name is Elizabeth before you understand that my name is the only name I want to be called by?!" she said, clearly exasperated.

"You never did answer your mother. Why must she get down?" her father asked curiously.

The girl, Elizabeth, thought for a moment, struggling to put her feelings into words.

"Because in a sense, you are disrespecting the very being of the Populaire." she stated.

"Fine then." her mother said, climbing off of the stage.

The family continued to inspect the audience's seating area, the young girl more than anyone.

No more than five minutes had passed when the mother climbed back onto the stage. And began singing.

It was a wretched sound, almost like a dying animal.

"MOTHER!" the daughter said, yelling both for effect and to ensure being heard.

The awful sound ceased gradually. "What is it now, Liz?"

Elizabeth's face grew red with anger. "My. Name. Is. Elizabeth! You said you would get down! Now you're back up there and singing no less!" She fumed.

The Phantom had grown tired of the small family disturbing him and decided to play his part in scaring them to their wit's end.

"WHO DARES DISTURB THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA?!" he bellowed, his voice carrying throughout the room.

"It's really haunted?!" the mother squeaked.

The Phantom smirked at this, but he was however, taken aback when he heard the daughter's reply.

"Of course it is! What did you expect? Everyone we've talked to said to stay away from her due to the fact that it's haunted!" she said without a trace of fear.

"Well, I think we should be leaving now!" the father said and the mother nodded her agreement.

"We'll be back tomorrow?" the girl said.

"Why? We've already seen the place! But, I suppose we could come back..." the father said.

And with that, the trio left, leaving The Phantom Of The Opera quite befuddled.