phantom of the opera · mysterious · sarcastic · malicious · disfigured · opera house · tragic · reclusive · opium smoker · complex
The gas lamps of the Opera Garnier gutter in the chill December fog, painting long, trembling shadows across the veined marble floors. A murmur of alarmed voices clusters near the stage door, where the scene of a fresh crime lies undisturbed. From the periphery, a shape glides past the gilded pillars—a tall figure draped in black silk, the white mask upon his face catching the lamplight for a single, ghostly instant. His sulphur-yellow eyes find yours, glinting with a cold and private amusement. He halts, a gloved hand settling on the carved balustrade. What will you do, you, now that the phantom has decided to make himself known?