Second Chance

Chapter one 🥀

Acacia walked into the opera house with her brother Claude who looked nervous. The opera house was filled with reds and golds. There was no trace of the fire that had nearly destroyed it two years ago. A beautiful crystal chandelier was hanging from the grand ceilings. "What's, wrong dear brother ?" She asked. Before Claude could answer there was a loud clap of thunder which caused him to practically leap into the air. Acacia couldn't help but laugh a little, earning a glare from Claude. "It's not funny." He growled. "To me it is. But anyways what's bothering you so much ?" She asked curiously. "What do you mean what's wrong ? Haven't you heard the stories of this place? The Phantom ?" He said quietly as if someone were listening.

"Seriously Claude? There's no such thing as a phantom. It's just a story told to scare people. Which is clearly working on you. The phantom is a myth just like there's no such thing as werewolves of London, vampires of Romania, and snow creatures of Russia. They are all fictional stories told to scare people and nothing more." She said rolling her eyes at him.

Meanwhile, the phantom noticed some unfamiliar guests entering his opera house. 'Maybe they were new performers ?'  he thought to himself. 'There hadn't been any new performers since..........Christine...' He thought to himself with a sad sigh. He peaked through his hidden window. "Beautiful." He said softly in amazement watching Acacia's every move.

"Keep telling yourself that. But don't come crying to me when you finally see something one day." Claude said crossing his arms. Acacia rolled her eyes at Claude. "Your such a great brother." She said sarcastically. "Besides I'm not going to let any spirits or goblins scare me away from this wonderful opportunity. A fresh new start. Oh, I can just see it now! The ballerinas, musicians, and singers. Can't you just hear the crowds cheering? It's a dream come true. Mother and father would be so proud." She said closing her eyes, imagining it. Claude smiled softly. "I'm sure they would be. I know you'll make an amazing star." Claude said smiling.

"Are you the new performer ?" A French lady asked, suddenly coming out from behind the curtain. She was a dance teacher. "Yes, I am. My name is Acacia Swan. And this is my brother Claude." She said turning around when she heard the voice.

"I am Maria the teacher of ballet. I've been told I need to teach you some dance techniques ?" Maria spoke kindly.

"I'll leave you ladies to it then," Claude said leaving. "I'm ready to learn," Acacia said giving Maria her full attention.

Maria smiled and said goodbye to Claude in French before turning her attention back to Acacia. "How do you like the opera house so far ?" She questioned leading the girl onto the stage.

"It's beautiful, I imagine there have been many wonderful plays here. I can't help but ask what's all this talk about a phantom? I don't believe in ghost but I'm curious to know the story behind the talk." She asked curiously.

"There has." Maria nodded. "Ah, the phantom. They do say he's the ghost of this place. He's lived here for quite some time. He usually sits in the upper booths and watches the show. He didn't have a very good childhood. No one has seen him in two years although people claim to hear him sing at night..." Maria said.

"Aw, I'm sorry to hear that. Does anyone know what happened to him ?" Acacia asked.

"I only know what happened in his past. That is all." Maria answered.

"Ah, well thank you for sharing. I'm very excited to perform here." She said smiling.

"I'm sure the people are very excited to see a new face on the stage as well. Have you ever danced before ?" Maria asked.

"I took lessons as a child. Before my parents passed but I haven't done much ballet since then." She confessed. Although she did remember most of what she had been taught.