Search for the Opera Ghost: Rewrite

I.

It had all begun with the fire at the opera house. It had been the talk of all Paris. The newspapers printed articles on front pages in big, bold letters of the Opera Ghost and his obsession with the soprano Christine Daae, though little else was known of him or the situation between him and Christine.

Ever since learning about the Opera Ghost, Zuri had been obsessed. She wanted to know everything about him. However, it was very difficult gathering information about him considering everything that was said was blown out of proportion. She imagined that any man who burned down an opera house for love wasn't a monster, just misunderstood. The Opera Ghost was a simply misunderstood being.

For two years Zuri had been researching and waiting for the day the opera house reopened to the public. She had recently spoke with the ballet mistress and the managers who were more than welcome to accommodate her. However, the managers had laughed at her and told her that he no longer resided there. The ballet mistress simply told her to watch her back.

Zuri was resolved to meet him. She knew that he was a lonely soul and maybe she could help him. So here she was packing to stay two weeks at the Opera Populaire before it began it's first opera in two years. She hoped that during those two weeks she would be able to find him and talk with him. She smiled to herself as she thought of meeting him. It was a dream come true. Soon she would be at the opera house and she intended to find the Opera Ghost no matter what.

xxxx

The next week Zuri arrived at the opera house feeling excited and anxious. Outside she could see the ballet mistress waiting for her to come into the opera house. Zuri met the ballet mistress at the door and greeted her. "Madame Giry. Thank you for coming to meet me."

"I still think this a bad idea Mademoiselle Bellamont. We do not know for certain if the Opera Ghost is gone and he is a dangerous man." Madame Giry told her as they entered the large marble foyer.

"I understand that Madame Giry. I do not fear him though. I only want to meet him and interview him. The worst case scenario is that he will not be here and I will have spent two weeks searching in vain." Zuri reasoned with the older woman.

"No. There definitely is much worse. The Opera Ghost is a dangerous man as I said before. He will not take it well if you try to interfere with his business."

"I do not intend on interfering. I only want an interview with him." Zuri explained.

"I hope you know what you are doing. It is a dangerous predicament that you are putting yourself in." Madame Giry commented as she led Zuri to a medium-sized dormitory room. "I will leave you here for now. I am certain you wish to unpack and settle yourself in. I will bring you some supper later tonight."

Zuri curtsied then thanked the ballet mistress. She walked into the room and put her two bags on the bed. She then surveyed the room. The bed was somewhat plain with an old and musty mattress. There was a small desk sitting in a corner, a tattered chaise in the opposite corner and a dresser beside it. 'Well,' she thought to herself, 'it's time to make the best of these two weeks.' Zuri then set to unpacking her bags and settling into her new room.

xxxx

Erik watched as Madame Giry approached her room. "Who is she? Who is that girl you were with?" His voice echoed around hers.

Madame Giry drew a deep breath before answering, "None of your concern Erik. It is best if you stay away from her."

"I want to know madame!" His angry voice grew nearer.

She sighed, knowing that sooner or later he would find out and she did not want Zuri to get hurt. "Her name is Zuri Bellamont. She is here on a ridiculous crusade to speak to you. So it would be wise to not to speak to her."

"Why would she want to know about me?" He questioned her.

"I don't know. It is certain though that she wants to find you and talk to you."

"Hmm. Very well madame. Thank you for the information." Erik thanked her then left to find the woman known as Zuri Bellamont.