Cassie took a deep breath and slipped into the shadowed doorway. No one called her out and no one appeared to ask her what she was up to. She turned the knob and only opened the door enough to pass through.
The darkness was punctured by red emergency lights above the doors. Spooky but at least it wasn’t completely dark. She wouldn’t have to risk a light.
The metal stairs and walkways might be sturdy, but they appeared too ethereal in the dim light that reminded her a little too much of blood. It took three deep breaths before she built up the nerve to step onto the first catwalk to cross the cavernous space.
Following the instructions she’d memorized, Cassie moved silently on her sneakers to the third stairway leading down. A couple of levels below, the shadows shifted but no one yelled at her. With a shiver, she checked behind her and above, but nothing else stirred.
Down she went. Through a door. Down again. Two catwalks. Up a level. Cross two rooms. And down one more time.
The door was unlocked as promised and she slid through it shuddering with relief. It took her seven long breaths before she could peel herself off the door.
The circular room soared into an arch above her. The red lights seemed to pulse with energy.
Cassie pushed off the door and crept to the middle of the room. She needed to be in the exact center. Once there, she spread her arms wide and turned in a slow circle, embracing the air.
With a deep breath she brought her arms in, lowered her shoulders, closed her eyes and felt her diaphragm pull in the air it needed. Then she sang.
Think of me.
Think of me fondly
when we’ve said goodbye.
The first notes soared into the air and she almost smiled before she pulled herself back into the song that was filled with longing and regrets. Andrew Lloyd Webber knew what he was doing with those notes.
As she sang, the acoustics proved they were indeed perfect. The song filled the space with all the yearning the lyrics provided. She could almost hear the haunting notes of the piano around her as she sang.
Chills covered her as she sang through the heartache and the hope and the memories. She’d never been in a space so beautifully designed for music.
As the final notes ended on a sigh, she wrapped her arms around herself. If the auditions were held here, she stood a chance.
The sound of clapping had her whirling around. Two men stood in an open doorway. They wore orange safety vests and hardhats. One man pointed to the side door. “Nice job, kid. Now get going before we have to charge you with trespassing.”
The other man grinned. “That’s the best version we’ve heard so far. You’re going to nail the audition. Now move it.”
She moved it, grinning all the way.
***
Tagline: Deep in tunnels, surprises await
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The above is part of the October WEP Challenge: Phantom Of The Opera. I saw the Toronto production of Phantom one year with my husband for our anniversary. It was incredible!
Webber has written an incredible score. The music is haunting and memorable. I've even learned to play a few of the songs on the piano, including this one. Beautiful music.
To sign up with your own entry or to check out the other entries in the Challenge, check out the links below. There are always amazing entries in the challenge.
Enjoy the challenge!
