Mirrors

Joseph Bouquet

A/N: Hey guys! Here's the next chapter:) sorry it's been a while! School has been eugh but I finally got the time to write today, and I wanted to get it up as soon as possible! I think this chapter is shorter than the others, so I'm really sorry for that! So, Enjoy the chapter! Also, please read the author's note at the end only because i have some stuff that might help you picture this better? Anyways, ENJOY!

You could tell that something was wrong that day. Everyone was running frantically about the opera house, preparing for the new opera, Il Muto. While the guests of the opera house chattered in excitement for the new production, the workers of the Opera Garnier remained on edge. I, too, was slightly nervous myself. I worried for Erik, and the things he might do. I've witnessed what happens when he becomes upset. Usually it was when Carlotta was singing, or when the managers did not listen to his instructions. As both of these annoyances were to occur that night, one could empathize with my nerves.

When the opera finally commenced after the prestigious audience trickled into the theatre, I found my place hidden in the shadows, watching the performance through the crack in the door that was tucked to the side of the theatre. At the time, all seemed to be going well. Carlotta sung her shrill notes while Christine Daee silently acted along her side. After holding my breath for what seemed to be the entirety of the opening song, I let my shoulders relax, knowing that there was a possibility that the phantom of the opera would hold back for the duration of the performance. Oh, how wrong I was.

Mid-way through the performance, a thundering voice cut off Carlotta as it echoed throughout the theatre.

"Did I not instruct that box five was to be left empty?"

My heart crawled down to the pit of my stomach while my eyes widened. I knew it was him, but at the same time, I knew that if I had heard that voice out of context, I would not have been able to recognize it. This voice was different than the one I heard in the ballroom. It was different than the name he spoke in the prima donna room. It was different than the Erik I knew. Then again, I didn't even know Erik. What right did I have to judge his character?

The entire theatre let out a series of gasps at this surprise. I opened the side door enough for me to poke my head through, and looked for the source of the voice. He wasn't on stage with the gaping Carlotta or the nervous Christine. Though it took a few moments time, my gaze finally landed on a dark figure. It was him.

I almost forgot about the situation that was happening in front of me. I was too dumbfounded that I was actually seeing him. It was Erik. It was Erik and he was right there. I could not see his face, no. It was only a figure there, standing at eye level with the chandelier, amongst the painted angels on the dome ceiling. But, it was something.

I believe that at that moment, some words were exchanged between Carlotta and Mlle. Daee. Then Erik had said something as well with a chuckle. If only I knew what he said. It was as if I had heard the words, but had not processed any of them. I was too much in awe with his presence- his visible presence.

Before I knew it, his dark figure had disappeared behind a door. I wanted so badly to go and see where he went, but I knew that it would be futile. He was, after all, the infamous opera ghost.

The world around me slowly materialized back into existence. The muffled laughter rang clearly in my ears. Wait. Laughter? I quickly noticed the audience guffawing in their seats. Each person was either clutching their stomachs or wiping tears from their eyes. Wondering what was happening, I looked to the stage to see Carlotta frantically flailing her arms about while horrid noises croaked from her lungs. I began to snicker, but held back my amusement, knowing that I myself would have hated to be in Carlotta's situation.

The managers fumbled on stage, stuttering a mess of words, notifying the audience that the ballet from act three was to be put on. Singers and dancers scrambled across the stage, each performer trying to get to wherever they were needed.

Fully standing in the shadows of the theatre, I leaned against the wall, watching the show being put together from the sidelines. The ballet dancers made their way onto stage while the orchestra stuttered to a start. All seemed to be well at the time. Some audience members were even quietly giggling to themselves as they replayed the recent events in their minds.

No one expected this to happen. No one even entertained the thought. I did. I thought of it momentarily the night before, but pushed it off as soon as it slithered into my mind. Surely he wouldn't... I had thought to myself. Oh, how wrong I was.

Within a blink of an eye, the twirling ballet girls were running from their positions, piercing screams echoing between them, while the giggling audience was shrieking and averting their eyes.

There, in front of the garden painted scenery, hung Joseph Bouquet. He was a worker at the opera house. I had only met him once, and from that meeting, it was obvious he wasn't quite the gentleman. Though, I did not think that his rudeness made him deserve this. He was dead.

I felt sick to my stomach at that moment- as if my heart that had dropped from my chest was making my stomach uneasy- as if it was difficult to digest.

What I was expecting was possibly a few pranks played during the performance. The audience would have laughed then, and maybe I would have as well. Everyone would have forgotten about the day's events after a day or two.

I felt horrible for assuming so, but I knew that this had to have been Erik. As I reflect upon it now, perhaps it wasn't Erik, though. Perhaps it was the phantom of the opera.

A/N: Uh, oh... ERIK *shakes fist*. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! What did you guys think? What do you think Isabelle is going to do? ALSO to help with some visualisation, I don't want to force any version of Erik into your heads or any version of christine (or any of the other canon characters) so you can go ahead and picture whichever Erik/Christine/character any way you'd like! On wattpad, i did cast Erik as Butler, but I know he's not a favourite amongst most people. When I picture him in there though, I almost picture kind of a scrawnier Erik? I don't know... It kind of changes throughout but imagine whatever you'd like! Also, I just noticed that this story has reached 600 views! AHH Thank you guys SO SO much! You've all been such awesome readers, and I hope you all can stick around till the end! You're all lovely and amazing and perfect3 Anyways, see you in the next chapter!3