I don't own any character from the Phantom of the opera. Enjoy!


Chapter 1

Ten years had passed from the day that the Opera Populaire was destroyed. The fire had caused serious problems but nothing that could not be repaired. After three months everything was settled. The employers went back to their posts and the building had returned to its previous glory. Nothing reminded of the fire. The fire which he had put into the opera so many years ago. None had seen him or heard about him. The mob had found no one. The fire had destroyed everything. Madame Giry tried to find him but she couldn't. Neither did he contact her. She didn't know where he was all these years and thought that he may have been dead but she was sure that the Phantom of the Opera would find a way to survive. Once more.

Today, madame Giry had a dancing lesson with the ballet rats because a new production would be staged the next month and everything had to be perfect.

"Meg, how many times will i tell you that you have to practise more hours a day?"

"Mama, i am trying."

"That's not enough. You have to try more", said Madame Giry strictly.

"Ok mama, i will practise more, i promise", said Meg.

"Good. Now go and find Christine. She told me that she would come to practise".

Meg obeyed and headed to the dormitories.

"Christine, are you here?"

"Yes Meg. Come in".

"What are you doing? You supposed to practise today".

"I know but Rosalie didn't feel well and i stayed with her."

"Oh, is she all right?'', asked Meg looking at the sleeping form on Christine's bed.

"Yes, don't worry, she is fine. It wasn't nothing serious."

"Good. Can you come with me? Mama is looking for you."

"Ok Meg, let's go".

Christine was more than happy to join her best friend and her foster mother back to the opera house. And the reason was that after the divorce with Raoul she had to find a job to raise her child. Yes, a divorce. She discovered that her husband was cheating on her. After that, it was impossible for her to stay with him any longer. So, she took their daughter Rosalie and went to Madame Giry to stay. Then, the Opera Populaire reopened and got a job as a dancer. Like old times.

The next days everyone was in big anticipation because of the upcoming performance. The actors and the dancers were practicing really hard, since the very early morning 'till late the night.

"Come on girls, everything should be perfect", said Madame Giry to the ballet rats. "You need to concentrate more".

After the rehearsal, everybody were really tired. Meg and Christine decided to make a small walk before go to bed.

"Honestly, I can't do this anymore. I am so tired".

"I know Meg. I am exhausted, too. But we have to be patient".

"Mama says that the Opera is gonna open again so we have to work really hard to prove that nothing has changed. That the Opera has returned to its previous glory".

"She is right, you know, but something indeed has changed".

"What do you mean Christine?"

"Everything is peaceful here Meg. No notes, no…voices!"

"What are you saying Christine? That maybe you have missed all these crazy things?"

Christine lowered her gaze.

"Christine, what's wrong? Tell me , please."

"I don't know Meg. It's funny but sometimes I think that I will see someone hide in the shadows or that your mother will give an envelope with the Phantom's stamp to the managers."

"I know Christine. I think the same things, just like you. But nothing is going to happen."

Meg paused for a moment and then asked Christine:

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course Meg."

"Do you miss him?"

Christine didn't answer immediately. The truth was that she didn't know what answer she could give.

"I don't exactly miss him but I am thinking about him. Where has he been all these years? Is he alive? My instinct says that he is. But at the same time I am scared too."

"It makes sense. This man scared you, terrified you. He almost killed Raoul."

"Yes, but he also helped me. He was there for me when I hadn't anyone. My only friend. I could discuss anything with him. He was singing lullabies to me to sleep. He was comforting me when I was sad."

"But he lied to you."

"I know but I didn't have better behavior towards him. I judged him by his appearance, his face. I never tried to understand him, as everyone else. Raoul told me about his past, you know. Your mother told him."

Christine paused.

"It's so unfair Meg. He is a genious and he had done bad things because of his past. He had never been loved Meg."

"I can understand that Christine but he didn't try to make you understand. It's reasonable for you to behave like this."

"It's just that sometimes I think that if I had a chance to talk to him, I would want to say how sorry I am. Because I really miss our friendship."

"I don't know what to say Christine. I hope he is well and safe somewhere and, who knows, maybe one day you two will reunite again."

"Maybe", said Christine, lost to her own thoughts.