Search for the Opera Ghost: Rewrite

II.Zuri heard the soft ticking of a clock as she drew the covers around her body. Shewas terribly cold despite all the candles lit in the room. She did not realize thatthe rooms would be so cool at night. She closed her eyes trying to go to sleep, butexcitation coursed through her veins. She could not wait to meet the opera ghost.She could not wait to see him in person. However, she knew that he would not appearto her out of nowhere. She would have to find him.

"This is ridiculous." She told herself in a low voice. "Stop thinking about him.Stop thinking he will appear out of nowhere."

She closed her eyes and tried to think of a more calming subject, however, she couldnot. Excitation coursed through her veins as she imagined him. She imagined him talland dark, his body well muscled and shielded in dark garments. She imagined him witha white mask covering the half of his face. Heat flushed her cheeks pink as sherealized that she should not be thinking of the Opera Ghost at all. Certainly not atnight. Such scandalous thoughts were not for a woman who wanted to investigate a manof the Opera Ghost's caliber.

She sighed to herself then smiled as she thought once more of him. She thought ofwhat it would be like to meet him. Shaking her thoughts away she closed her eyes andtried once more to fall asleep.

xxxx

Erik slipped quietly into the new girl's room. He blew out the candles that were litbefore turning his attention to her. 'You have been wanting to meet me. Why?' Hequestioned, trying to reach an answer as he glanced at her. She was relativelypleasant looking, though all he could see was her face, neck, and shoulders. Therest of her was covered by blankets. 'This is the last thing I need, a woman chasingafter me. Though it is ironic.'

She sat up in bed suddenly and looked around in a confused manner. "Dreaming." Shemuttered to herself. She then drew her knees to her chest and laid her head againsther knees. "I will never fall asleep." Zuri looked around and noticed the candleshad been blown out and she shivered suddenly. She gasped softly as she noticed anoutline of a dark figure in the corner. "I am dreaming. I must be."

"No mademoiselle, you are not." A dark voice replied.

"Is it true? Are you really the Opera Ghost?" She questioned him excitedly as shebegan to stand up.

"Stay on your bed mademoiselle." He ordered her as she gasped from his harsh tone."Tell me mademoiselle, why do you wish to meet me?"

"I want to interview you monsieur." Zuri replied quietly.

"In other words you want information about me. I do not give out information aboutmyself. Especially not to women who think they can come to my opera house and searchme out." Erik returned as his golden eyes glittered dangerously in her direction.

"Monsieur, I wish to only know you. Is it terrible to meet a new person?" She askedhim as he glared at her from behind a white half-mask.

"I do not want to meet anyone. Now mademoiselle, I came for one reason and onealone. You are to leave by tomorrow. If you do not do what I say I will punish youand believe me when I say that I do not like giving punishments when I should nothave to." He told her while watching her move her arm over her breasts. He chuckledsoftly, "Do not worry mademoiselle. I would not waste time acting like a rake withyou. You are certainly not worth it."

"I am not leaving Monsieur Ghost. So do your worst." Zuri told him bravely, hergreen eyes hardened like emeralds.

"If you are not gone by tomorrow mademoiselle, you will be punished and I am not inthe mood to punish a woman." Erik growled then disappeared into the tunnel fromwhich he came.

Zuri looked at the sudden empty space where the Opera Ghost once stood. What couldhe do? What would he do to her if she didn't leave? She certainly was not about toleave because of the Opera Ghost. She came here to learn about him and she would,even if she had to go through a trial of some sorts. She would learn about him, nomatter what.

A/N: Please review!