The Siren of the Opera [ON HOLD!!!]

Chapter One

  "I'm sorry, Andre. As of today, your services are no longer required. That's just how it is. Apparently, you have done a good job", said Monsieur Richard Firmin, the new owner of the of the Opera Populaire. Though his face was full of sad pretense, he was smiling happily within as he gave the news.

  Monseiur Gilles Andre, however, was stupefied. For the last 30 years as manager, this was how he was repaid. Direct dismission. Replaced by a man, no different than him. Aside the fact that Firmin had bought the Opera Populaire with full cash. With his mind still in a state of shock, he walked down the stairs.

  "Monsieur Andre, what's happened?" asked a staff girl. A crowd of other staff members came as well.

  "I have just been dismissed", he replied. The room was then burst into sounds of dismay, voices of concern.

  "What is going on in here?" asked Carlotta, sister of Firmin, as she took her place next to him. Firmin simply turned his head with amusement. Instantly, Carlotta jumped with glee and embrace her brother. Her mouth blabbering of Spanish words. The both of them immediately took their leave.

  As they were about to celebrate, Carlotta spotted her costumer, Joseph Buquet. What is he doing here? she thought. "Firmin, I shall join you in a short while. I have some business to attend to".

  She made her way down and glared at the peculier worried man. "And why are still here?".

  "Madame! Oh, I'm sorry, Madame. It's just that, I was advised by a stagehand that I should't go there. Madame I think--"

  "You're listening to a stagehand?! What nonsense. Perhaps you don't want to work for me anymore!"

  "No Madame. It's not like that. Precisely whatever do you want me to do down there?".

  "I want you to find whatever you can down below. Costumes, props, anything. I want to know what exactly we are inheriting."

  There was just no words to change her diva mind. With that and full hopes of no regrets, Buquet did as his employer demand.

  A dark stairway loomed him. His only source of light was a small match stick that he had taken along with. The door behind him creaked shut. Not only that, but so were the stairs. After all, the Opera Populaire had many history behind. On the last step, stone walls came into view. Buquet surveyed his surroundings. It was becoming quite frightening for his liking. The more deeper he went, the more darker it got. Strangely, his fire went out. That's odd. There was no wind before.

  He quickly took out an extra match stick from his pocket. But, before he could even light it, he sensed a presence. Like something was watching him. He shook his head, thinking it to be simply his imagination. Then, he felt it. Heard it even. A gust of wind, not too far, blowing past. His anxiety grew. A bead of sweat trickled down his face. He heard it again. On instinct, he ran with not a single hint of direction.

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  Erik was simply exploring of what might be his new home. He was wondering of what might have changed, since the last time he visited. In reality, nothing had. But Erik felt a difference. A difference he knew but couldn't point it out.

  Time went by like a breeze. Erik realised he had to meet the manager for his audition. Though he had traveled up and down of the opera house, it appears he has lost his way. His worry had made him a rat in a maze. His mind started to panic. He can't be late, he'll lose his opportunity.

  "Monsier?" spoke a soft voice. Erik turned his head to see a quite dainty girl. She had a light dirty blond hair, that was plaited on her side. She was wearing a simple white ballerina dress. Her eyes were light green. Her face and skin were delicate and fair. To Erik's perspective, she was very pretty. His heart had skipped a beat. "You look amissed. Do you need some assistance?".

  Erik had opened his mouth, but no words came out. He was too entraced by the sight in front of him.

  "Um...ah...I...was looking for...the operager of this manage house--I mean the manager of this opera house. That's what I meant to say, sorry", Erik foolishly blurted his words. Now he was really embarassed. He probably looked like a idiot.  

  The girl chuckled at his mistake. "Well, I'm sorry to say that, I have not heard of an operager, but I do know of a manager. May I ask which you speak of?".

  "Which?", Erik thought there was only one, "Um...A Monsieur Andre, from what I have been told".

  "Oh. I'm afraid you came at the wrong time. You see, Monsieur Andre no longer works here. Sadly. He has just been dismissed, today.  Perhaps, I could bring you to Monsieur Firmin, instead."

  What?! Erik was stunned. His mother told him to meet an Andre, not a Firmin. Does this means his audition is cancelled?

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  Joseph Buquet was terrified to the core. He had went astray, and could not find the exit any longer. He couldn't even focus, as fear had consumed his mind. Eventually, he had reached what looked like underneath the stage. Since there were no further performances, it was neglected. He decided to stop and take a break. To catch his breath.

  "I'm very much quitting after this", he said. He took in big gasps of air and dabbed his handkerchief on his head. There was just a few moments of silence and peace. Buquet got on his feet to proceed back. Just before he could, it appeared. A shadowy figure, a few feet away, walked slowy across.

  "Hello?! Who's there?!" he shouted. He made his way forward, following the strange creature. He noticed it made a turn, so, he did as well. But, he was somehow faced to a dead end. That's odd. Where did it go?

  He spoke too soon. For right behind him, it stood. Buquet saw it, at the corner of his eye. He gulped. He whirled and his back was met with the wall. There was no place to run. No way out. He was trapped. Fear was growing back, that he was wheezing unnoticingly. While petrified, Buquet studied the figure's physique. It was similar to that of a woman's. He wanted to laugh, were it not for his situation.

  As if acknowledging his discomfort, the creature unexpectantly lulled to him. It even took out it's hand. From the looks of it, Buquet's suspicion was correct. It was a woman. Why is she all cloaked up then? Is she hiding her identity? Could she be a theif? Buquet assumed.

  While in thought, Buquet had not taken heed of his movements towards the mysterious person. He had also taken hold of her hand. Unfortunately, before Buquet could register of his hypnosis, the woman had firmly seized his neck. Because of that, Buquet was stifling. It seemed the woman needed more strength, as she had taken out a long piece of rope. Accurately, it looked like a punjab lasso. She tied it tightly around his neck.

  As Buquet was upon Death's door, she hissed at his ear, "This is your repayment for breaking the rules. Say hello to Death for me".

  Once she knew his life was taken from his eyes, she thrusted the corpse away.

  "Do not mess with the Siren". With no mercy or any emotion, she left, leaving the dead man to rot.

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Writer's Note To Readers:

  Ok that was Chapter One. Sorry it took long to update. Since i could not find and upload a proper video of someone singing a lullaby, you would to imagine it. If you really need an idea of how she would sound like,  search https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujAfhLLVM7E. It's a rough hint but its the closest. Thank you for reading. Please bear and be patient for future updates. Follow us and comment. Thanks.