The OPERA HOUSE Chapter 41 - 43

Book of Death and Destruction

41.

The officer held out his lantern on the right hand towards the ceiling but the lights could only reach part of the darkened area. He swung the lantern to lend in more coverage but the effect was eerie with the shadows forming glimpses to his sight.

“Perin, let us move on. I don’t think there will be anyone that will be here.” The officer shuddered on the tap on his left shoulder and then nodded. He was sure the escaped figure whom he was brief may had been hurt would not manage the high climb there on the wooden parapets with the steep drop of over a hundred over feet to the floor. More to it the walkways appeared not only worn out but also narrow for his figure. He had once climbed the Eifel Tower and regretted for some weeks.

“Oui, Gaulle. Let us move back.” With that Perin took his steps backward and almost tripped on a wrong step. The lantern on his hand fell off and onto the floor. He recalled back seeing the lantern falling as if it was in a delayed motion, and saw what may to him then were hands reaching out for it. The lantern landed on the floor and burst into a small fire but it was the end of the stage where some staff was working there setting up props. They assisted in extinguishing the fire and then cursed at the two officers standing up there gaping downwards.

“Fools! You could had started a fire.” The staff below shouted up at them. They were arranging the props for the show then.

“Perin, are you okay?” The other officer asked him. Perin nodded and then held out his right hand to the other’s left shoulder to balance himself. He then followed the lead of the other to make their way down. If he had looked harder he would had seen the figure propped against the wall like a monkey on the branches.

Emil sighed on the near escape and then climbed down to the same walkway taken by the officers. He leaned down to touch the surface and felt the greasy surface. It was his leftover works from some repairs on the roofing. Emil smiled then that the officer had stepped on it or he would had been seen. He was curious on the number of officers in the House and the exhaustive search even to the work area at the roof. He wanted to go back to the basement but there were too many people down there. He just had to wait his opportunity later.

“Fools!” Armand was upset then while he paced his office at the Opera House. He was informed by the staff that the authorities were there to search for an escaped fugitive. He had asked for the Chief Inspector but the later was indisposed and a junior officer was sent over.

“Oui, Monsieur Armand. I have my orders. We must search the Opera House.” The junior officer assigned to meet him told the bare facts of the search. “We cannot take a risk with the number of dignitaries coming over in hours to the show.”

“I ….” Armand held his words back when he saw Firmin stepping in. He dismissed the young officer and then spoke to Firmin.

“My …Our shipment? Is it here? Safe?”

“Yes, and you won’t know even if you stand by it.” Firmin smiled and then he asked. “I heard the authorities came looking for the fugitive. What did happen?”

“I don’t have all the facts but a criminal by the name of Durka …. Durka Goran was found beaten in the streets. His attacker was seen coming into the House.”

“Did they find the man?” Armand asked and got his reply when he saw the shrug on the other’s shoulders. “The shipment? Is it done?”

Firmin nodded once more before he left the office. He bumped into Coligny who was there to see Armand. 

“Bonjour, Frimin. I heard the authorities are here to search for a fugitive. Have they found that person?” Firmin shook his head and then raised his own query.

“Why are you so concern, Monsieur? The House held secrets. The Phantom perhaps.

“None, Monsieur….none at all.” Coligny looked away. “I have to go but can you tell me where I can find Lenier.”

Just before Coligny turned to leave he turned back towards Firmin.

“Don’t ignore the Phantom. It may be the cause of your problems. You have intruded on the House that the Phantom had lived for decades.”

“And I am the saviour to save the Phantom’s soul. Or perhaps end it.” Firmin laughed and then directed Coligny to where the other may be located thus their conversation ended. The conversation that the Chief Inspector was having then with Durka Goran was not to end. The Chief Inspector looked at the other chained to the bedding with his head bandaged.

“Monsieur Loren or should we call you Monsieur Durka Goran.” That accusation at the other shook the figure on the bedding. “You have an impressive record with us as both, Marcel Loren and Durka Goran. I am ever pleased that we are having this talk now with you here.” The Chief Inspector looked at the cell which they have assigned the criminal. It was a luxurious one considering that it housed a sizeable area with a window that overlooked to the Seine River. It was not the best of sight but it was paradise to the ones that held residence there.

“I have spoken to the Magistrates. We are unsure of who you are. As such for us to unravel that, we are looking at a long tenure for you here.” The Chief Inspector remarked back. “We have however to move you to the other wing. This one is reserved for the known locals and foreign criminals pending their extradition. For the unknown like you, we housed them at the other wing. Do you know there are fellow Serbs that we kept there for they deny their identities to us?  We kept them there till we sort them out.”

That last line shook the criminal up and he pleaded not to be moved.

“I am not a Serbian. I am French. I am Marcel …” The criminal reached out for the Chief Inspector but the chains held him back. “They are …”

“I can’t promise. You see, we found out that truth, your tenure here is not for me  ….”

“I will talk.” That was the trigger that held the Chief Inspector to have a long conversation with the real Durka Goran. “I will tell you of the Legion of Phantom.”

42.

Christine Daas was at the nearby chapel asking for the divine assistance seated on the long bench there. Her fingers were interlocked in the praying form while her mind was reeling on the events that prevailed in her life then from the House to the de Chagny. She was dressed in a dark frock that covered her head to her knees and was in prayer when she chanced on the two figures seated on the row before her on the right.

“Lenier, you know we have to avoid the Chief Inspector searching the House. Our…” It was Monsieur Coligny who was talking to the other.

“Monsieur Coligny, our secrets are hidden away. They won’ find the Phantom legacy.” Lenier assured the other. “I have also the man the authorities sought for.”

“What? The fugitive? Who is he? And why you hid him?”

“His is Jean Valerian, and he is fine. I hid him for I …was asked. He is one of us. From the past.” Lenier looked to the divine figurine at the altar. “I have redemptions to fulfil in my sinful life.”

“And you placed this …pianist where?” Coligny asked. He then shuddered and continued on. “You placed him in the catacombs where our secret ….”

“The secret are well tucked in. He is a Phantom too, or was one before. Just stay patient, Monsieur all will be well.” With that Lenier stood up and then turned to leave on the far side from Christine. The young lady kept her head down to avoid being seen and soon she saw Coligny seated there alone. Christine was to move when she saw another figure took Lenier’s place next to Coligny.

“Monsieur Firmin…. I am surprised…” It was then Coligny saw the dagger held by the other below the jacket. Firmin motioned to the other before he sat down next to him.

“I heard part of the conversation, and would like to know more.” Firmin pushed back the jacket to point it at Coligny. “I believe you have more to tell me of the Legion of Phantom.”

“Monsieur Firmin, I have no ….nothing to tell you. I was merely …”

“Tell me of the Phantom.” Firmin cut in. “The real tale, please.”

“The Phantom is a fake. I made it up during our …bad periods and it won over the curious to seek it. I have seen retired from the role when …we sold the House to you and Armand.” Coligny spilled it all out. “The Phantom held no harm to anyone but a form of pranks to some.”

“That I know. Pray tell me of the Legion of Phantom please. After all, we are among friends here.”

“Yes…. There is more.” Coligny looked to the same figurine that was the attention of Lenier. It was time to redeem some old sins. “I have ….we have some old history there.”

With that, Coligny pulled his sleeve up. He had on there the tattoo of the Phantom. Firmin was taken aback by the display.

“I was part of the organization that ….we fled our country to come here. I have been in hiding since then. My real name is Ivan Jaga…”

“The famed leader named Phantom of Haiti…” Firmin gasped out.

“Yes, the Phantom was my nickname. The Phantom was akin to the Chimera who was a fire breathing creature with a lion head, goat’s body and snake for a tail. The creature was a myth said to be adapted from Asia but for me it was a symbol of power. The Phantom was like the Chimera; a myth that the people feared. I was the Phantom of Haiti but had to flee when the people routed my organization. My people were scattered and since then we have remained in hiding.”

“So we are back then. We have regrouped not in the old country but in this city. We will take care of those who used to hunt us. For one, is Armand the son of the Butcher.” Firmin revealed his tattoo. It had faded but the mark was there. “Phantom, we are back. I am your servant to the cause.”

Coligny smiled then.

“That’s good. I did not recognize you then but it’s good you are here. I will tell you a deep secret. I have stashed our treasures in the catacombs below the House. I was to move it soon after we disposed the House. Lenier knows of it.” Coligny then stopped and asked. “I do not remember you again. Who are …no, who were you then? Pardon me, for I am old now.”

“Mirven Stoven son of Durin Stoven or you may have known him as the Andelko.” Andelko means the Angel.  “Your hunter and now killer.”

With that Firmin plunged the dagger with his right hand into the low left ribs and pierced the arteries to the heart while his left hand reached out to pull the other’s face towards his chest. The scream was stifled by the left shoulder that cradled the older man’s face. Firmin twisted the dagger to drive it deeper into the heart. He then left the dagger there to prevent the blood from spilling out. He reached for his shirt pocket to pull the cloth to wipe his bloodied hand before he lowered the dead ma faced down on the bench. He then turned to look and saw his act was not seen by the others including the young lady in the dark frock still deep in prayer. He got up and left the area, with his mind on the next target.

Christine saw the man leave and then decided to approach the bench where Coligny was lying on. She hushed her scream when she saw the blood on the flooring. She rushed towards him and felt his body for signs of life. It was faint but she was unsure of what was there to do.  She then felt the push on her back and soon she was on her way out.

“Don’t scream or look. It’s Me, Raoul. I am getting you out.” Christine wanted to scream not in pain or fear but of relief. Her lover was there.

43.

Jean Valerian leaned back on the dark damp wall at the hiding spot he was told to stay at in the catacombs. He was accompanied by his lover while Madame Giry had returned to the stage for the final preparations. His body was aching from the bruises and small cuts inflicted when he fought with Pieter or whatever he calls himself then. He had waited for the later outside at the alley and grabbed the later for a thrashing. He may be older but his body was in good shape to throw the punches and kicks. So was the other but Jean held the fight until the authorities spotted them. He fled then to the place he knew and there he saw rescued by the one other he never knew as with the same cause. Lenier had seen his tattoo from the torn sleeve and asked him.

“Yes, that is my symbol.” Jean had admitted with his body tensed to do another fight but Lenier assured him that he was with allies.

“Hail Phantom.” Jean voiced out but the other silenced him before taking him to the catacombs to hide. He was led down the stairs to the subterranean level. Jean and his lover was uneasy with the dim lighted area with imposing pillars that represent its foundation that held the House above for decades. He saw then the fleeing rodents and other forms of creatures unknown to him. It reminded Jean of their flight to safety with the rest beneath the stars but that new area was different for there was no stars to look at.

“Lenier, I …..I doubt I can …” Jean tried to find an excuse. “Let me….”

“There is no place safer than here. Rest easy my brother. I have the spot for you.” Jean was led to a dark enclosure and then the lamp was lit. “It’s not home but safe.”

Jean saw the place was a small chamber with stacks of materials once familiar to him. It was from the past and once forgotten but then recalled in vivid details. He looked at Lenier.

“Those are….” Jean was sure he recognized the items.

“Yes, they are from the days when we were in Legion of the Phantoms. I had them kept here soon after we left the country. Yes, I did for there was no other place to hide it.” Lenier saw Jean held up the sceptre that was once held high by the leaders in their meetings. He had smuggled the precious items when he flee the land and kept the items there.

“We will arise once more, brother. The Opera House will be our place of rebirth.” Lenier smiled. “Our cause will be once more there. I have signalled the others. Ivan Jagain is with us here. He will addressed the others when we meet tonight.”

“Hail the Phantom.” Jean replied.

With that Lenier left the elderly couple there and made his way up to the House but he did not see the set of eyes that was on him. It was Emil who had stood there in the dark corner watching. The younger figure was upset that Lenier had brought the couple there. It was his sanctuary and then it was invaded by the couple. He had no dealings with them but he seen them treat Christine with love at times and hardship at some with the singing. They are good at the chords but they are not the class of his mother or even the other masters. He felt that the couple was pushing her too hard at times. He was also then upset that they have come there to his domain. He will get rid of them like the Diva.

Across the streets and towards the hotel, Carlotta stood at the entrance to await her carriage when she was bumped into by Trevor, the lover of the other man named Coligny.

“Oh hello…. Mademoiselle, did you happen to meet my friend Monsieur Coligny?” Trevor had shown up at her side then with the popping question towards her. The Diva stepped back and glared at the figure who she loathed. She heard of him and from her own personal likes she was discriminating against their affinity.

“Do I look like a house keeper for your …..friend?” The Diva replied. “Maybe he is with someone.”

That insult made Trevor upset and he was to reply when he saw the Chief Inspector joining them there. The other was with two more officers.

“Mademoiselle, if I may intrude on you. I am Chief Inspector Buquet. I have with me a need to have my officers escort you to the House?” With that the Chief Inspector motioned to his officers to join her in another carriage.

“Am I in trouble? Maybe a crazy admirer?” The Diva looked towards Trevor. “I am sure there are something I enjoy but never from there.”

“Mademoiselle, I do declare… Trevor was clearly upset then but the arrival of the carriages averted the embarrassing scene. He then turned his attention towards the Chief Inspector.

“I am pressing charges against her for personal injury.” The Chief Inspector looked at the other and smiled before he asked.

“Are you going to the House? With Monsieur Coligny?” Trevor shook his head and then asked the Chief Inspector of his companion.

“Oui, I would not know. I do have a busy schedule with the House Opening and ….”

“I will join you then.” Trevor strung his right arm on the other’s elbow and signalled the carriage. “Shall we?”

The joining of arms was then when Christine leaned on Raoul. She related her incident on seeing Monsieur Coligny killed at the house of prayer. Raoul comforted here while they stood at the alley opposite of the place where the event took place. He could see the alarm was raised on the incident with parishioners rushing out calling for the authorities. He motioned to her to walk on and then boarded the carriage.

“Why to the House? I can’t go there. Not like this.” Christine spoke up. “The Comte…”

“Forget my brother. He does not deserve you. And more to it the House is the only place I can think of where you will be safe.” Raoul looked away and then thought of his other intention. “I have some work there. You must promise me that you will stay in the box which I have booked.”

“The box? What about… the Diva?” Christine found the voice to ask him then. Raoul looked at her but he won’t reply to her. She insisted and then he told her.

“We are just friends. I do …love you.” Raoul declared to her. “Soon after tonight, we will leave Paris. I can offer you a better life.”

“Trust me.” Raoul held Christine’s hands. “I will always love you.”

The young lady looked at the man who had then declared his love but inside her heart she was unsure. Or was she then of another.