The Man Behind the Monster: Phantom of the Opera Story

33: Devastation

ELIZABETH'S POV

I woke up to the sound of bells, not from inside of the house, but outside. I sat up in bed to look at the clock to find it was half past midnight. Why would bells be ringing at this time of night? I removed my blanket and stood up. I grabbed an oil lamp and exited my room.

I made my way across the hall to Raph's room. He surely hasn't heard the bells as he is a very heavy sleeper. A herd of elephants could be running down this hallway and Raph wouldn't even flinch.

I knocked on his room and slowly opened it.

"Raph. Raph, wake up. Something is going on outside.", I said trying to wake him up. "The sound of bells is almost ear defining."

I placed my hand on his shoulder and shook him a little to wake up.

"Raph, wake up.", I said, louder than before so he would hear me.

He stirred in his sleep and finally opened his eyes.

"Lizzie, what's wrong? What's going on?", he sat up, taking my hand in his.

"The bells, can't you hear them? I think something is going on outside.", I said, concern laced in my voice.

"It is probably nothing Lizzie. Just go back to bed. I'm sure everything is alright.", Raph lazily said, without opening his eyes.

"I'm going outside to see if I can see anything.", I said turning towards the door.

"Wait Lizzie. I'll come with you.", he said, before removing his blanket and getting out of bed.

Raph followed me out of his room and down the hallway towards the front door.

As soon as I opened the door, I was met with a flood of bells and whistles.

"Something bad must be happening", Raph said, standing behind me.

Walking outside and past the gate, we saw all of our neighbors outside too, looking down the avenue. We followed their gaze and saw the blazing inferno about a mile down the street.

"Oh my!", I gasped as I raised my hands to cover my mouth in shock.

"I sure hope no one is hurt.", Raph said.

There was an officer walking down the street, seeming to be stopping to talk to bystanders.

"Officer!", Raph called out, grabbing the attention of the man. "Do you know what is going on?"

"The old Brodeur house caught fire about an hour ago. We can't get in yet to see if anyone was inside. As soon as we know, it'll be posted in the paper. Just remain calm and go back inside. Things are under control.", the officer responded.

"Thank you.", Raph nodded, as the officer continued on. "We should go back inside."

He placed his hand on my lower back, ushered me back through the gate, and in through the door.

"Let's get back to bed, yeah?", Raph said, as soon as he closed the front door. He escorted me back to my room, kissed my forehead, before he exited my room and went across the hall.

I laid back down in bed, but was unable to fall asleep. The idea of a house on fire right down the street made me feel uneasy. I just have a bad feeling about that whole situation.

I sure hope whoever lived in that house escaped and is okay.

My wandering mind once again found its way to Erik.