The Phantom's Melody (The Phantom of the Opera)

07. Blackmail in the Catacombs

The weekend finally came and I blessed the sweet Lord for the much needed break after a tiring five days of non-stop rehearsals.

My feet were cramped and bruised, but despite the pain and suffering they had endured the past week, I decided to venture into the city today. It wasn't an everyday occurance to have no rehearsals, so I took advantage of the little time I had.

After quickly changing into my favorite green dress and the blasted corset, I slipped on a comfortable pair of flats before collecting my purse and walking out of the dormitories. I approached one of the stable men and gave him a few francs to take me into the city.

I needed to clear my mind of the Phantom and being so close to the Opera Populaire wasn't helping. I kept feeling as if I was being watched everywhere I went. Though to be fair, I probably was being watched. I had a feeling the Phantom didn't exactly like me too much after our more recent encounters.

Climbing into the coach, I sighed and watched as the opera house disappeared behind us as we rode off into the busy city of Paris. A lot of people were out today, crowding the streets and shops with busy bodies, but I didn't care. At least here I could breathe without someone peering over my shoulder every second of the day, whether that be Madame Giry or the Phantom.

I had the driver drop me off in front of a small bakery a bit further into town, smiling when the sweet scent of bread and chocolate hit my nostrils. My stomach growled, obviously not too mad at the wonderful smell. It was very obvious now how strict my recent diet had been, but with Madame Giry nowhere around, I decided this may be the perfect opportunity to treat myself.

As soon as I entered the bakery, my eyes darted straight to the little chocolate morsels hidden away in the glass display. There were all kinds ranging from dark and milk chocolates to even caramel and fudge filled ones. The sight alone made my mouth water.

Quickly I dug out the money from my purse and looked at the short, pudgy woman behind the counter. "How much for a small tin of those?" I asked, pointing to the small squares of milk chocolate.

"Five francs."

I almost frowned a little at the price but I muttered a curse under my breath and handed over the money regardless. I could make them last for a while if I really tried. That's where that beautiful thing called self control would really come in handy.

The woman picked a few of the chocolates out and filled a small, metal tin before handing it over to me in exchange for the money. I smiled as I looked down at the creamy pieces of candy before walking out with a pleased look on my face. And people said that money couldn't buy happiness.

After that, I spent the rest of the afternoon in the city, walking from boutique to bakery, looking at the fine and expensive dresses and all the very tempting chocolate and pastries. But eventually I decided to return to the Opera Populaire when I realized I indeed did not have very much self control and wouldn't last much longer around all those enticing treats.

I hid my tin of chocolates away under my bed when I walked back into the dormitories before letting my hair down out of its braid and sliding my fingers through the curls as I hummed to myself.

Despite not being an avid singer like Christine, I still found such a joy in music. I could listen to the different operas all day long (as long as Carlotta wasn't singing them.) But also unlike Christine, I never had a teacher to truly improve my vocal skills. Even if her teacher was a crazy, murderous maniac who haunts the halls of the opera house.

Part of me even wondered what the Phantom sounded like. He must have been rather good if he was able to train Christine so well.

You're thinking about him again. Stop!