Twisted Every Way

Chapter Three

I heard the small sigh escape her lips as she glanced back at the blonde girl watching her as if she had two heads. "Meg, I am telling you the truth, that song my Angel sang was meant for me. As if he knew I was there and wanted me to hear him. It was truly one of greatest moments of my entire life." My heart was pounding at the sound of her admission. I almost cried listening to the words I only dreamed would appear. "It was the very same song I sang when the Maestro found me, and when I felt my Angel's presence and pride seep through me, it gave me the confidence to allow the Maestro to put my name on the list."

Meg grabbed Christine by the upper arms, snapping her friend out of her trance and tried to shake some sense into her. I felt my jaw clench and my fists close tight. How dare she take this moment of happiness from Christine! From me!

"Oh, Christine! You can't be so gullible! What if it was the Opera Ghost? What if he heard you and now he is waiting to steal you away? Her frantic cries pierced my ears and I cringed, praying Christine wouldn't listen to a word. "He is a murderer, Christine! I do not think your angel is real, but I do believe it's the Ghost using the guise to capture you and your voice!"

Christine had a look of disbelief on her face as she gaped at her friend. She ripped her arms away from her and questioned harshly, "Have you ever seen him before, Meg?"

Her friend slowly shook her head.

"No but I-"

"Then how fast you are to judge something you know nothing about! Especially based off rumors only. Besides, ghosts," she paused, "are not real. Ghosts can't even touch anyone, let alone murder. If there truly is a 'ghost' it must be some practical joke a stagehand plays to keep the girls screaming and running into their arms for protection. Have you ever heard him, seen him, or even felt him?"

Hurt flashed across Meg's as she shook her head. "No, but Mother has talked about him! She says that the ghost is real, Christine! He haunts the Opera House waiting for the love of his life to return to him! Some say that his love use to be a wonderful singer until she took her own life in one of the dressing rooms. After she died, the Opera Ghost appeared and has been haunting the place ever since!"

Christine rolled her eyes and Meg shouted, "It's true!  There have been many disappearances, missing props, and pieces of stage falling by itself! Momma says that he wears a mask and that he has his own personal box in the grand tier, box five! Once, I heard one of the stagehands say that if you ever see his face, that the Opera Ghost would kill you!"

I nearly laughed at the idea! Haunting the Opera House, looking for my lost love? If only it were true! God, how funny, indeed! I guess it was good to obtain some sort of reputation that would have my orders followed in a blink of an eye. The only thing I detested of the statement, and found untrue, were the murders. I have never murdered anyone in the Opera House, never.

Sometimes a drunken man would get too bold, and try to follow stories down into the catacombs, falling prey to the traps that are intended to keep my home safe. They are safeguards that protect myself from the outside world and I feel no remorse for those that venture to their deaths through them. They all were warned and should know better.

I rolled my eyes and felt a bit of relief that Christine did not seem to believe her friends story.

"Meg, this is so absurd! You criticize me for speaking of Angels and yet you yourself stand there talking of ghosts! And besides there has to be some logical explanation as to why such strange things go on at the Opera House. It must be a disgruntled employee that believes he should be paid more and using tricks to get more money out of scared managers."

I couldn't help but stare at her in awe. She was so strong and resilient. Nothing like the timid shy girl from the other night.

Meg shook her head and said, "You'll see, Christine. Once rehearsals start, you will feel the intensity of the Opera Ghost lingering around every corner and you will notice the cast acting just as jumpy and frightened!"