- Chapter 1–

Meg Giry was, as always, standing with her mother, looking around at all the beautiful costumes and decorations in the Masquerade Ball. She sighed and glanced over to Christine, who was passionately kissing Raoul De Chagny. Meg rolled her eyes and tried not to stare.

She sighed again and rested one hand under her chin.

All of a sudden, the music stopped and darkness covered the stage, and organ music could be heard. Meg was frightened. The Phantom appeared dressed as The Red Death. Meg gasped. "It's him..." she whispered under her breath. [Meg had always secretly had a crush on The Phantom, but she didn't know why

"Why so silent, good messieurs?
Did you think that I had left you for good?
Have you missed me, good messieurs?
I have written you an opera!

The Phantom took from his pocket a script.

Here I bring the finished score –
Don Juan Triumphant!"

The Phantom threw it to Andre and Firmen.

Christine just stared, mesmerized, at him. Then he raised a hand towards her, and she walked to him slowly. The Phantom stared at Christine, then he said with anger, "Your chains are still mine, you belong to ME!!" as he ripped her engagement ring from the chain around her neck. Then he suddenly disappeared.

Meg looked at Christine, who stood, silent. She simply stared after him with a look of shock on her face. "Wow…what was that?" Meg thought. She was shocked and confused. Meg was entranced by The Phantom and Christine knew him... She had to know more. "Christine!! Christine!!" she shouted running up to her. "I can't talk now Meg…" replied Christine. "But, Christine, why does The Phantom look at you like that?"

Christine looked at Meg. "I need to talk to you in my room... come on." She said. She grabbed Meg by the hand and ran to her room. When they got there, Christine fell to her bed and started to cry.

"The Phantom is in love with me, and I love him too. But I also love Raoul. I think he saw me kissing Raoul a few nights ago...I don't know what to do, Meg..." sobbed Christine into her pillow.

"Well... Maybe you should give The Phantom a chance... I mean, he seems to really like you..." advised Meg.

"No… sniff I mean, Meg… He kills people... and he has such a feeling of darkness and sadness about him..." on this she sat up, clutching her pillow.

"Well, you know... I still think..." just then, Meg got an idea.

Meg cleared her throat. "I think you could be right… maybe Raoul is the man for you." Said Meg.

"You really think so?" sniffled Christine, looking up at Meg

"Raoul and I have always loved each other… and… The Phantom kind of scares me with his infatuation…"she just trailed off and stared out her window.

"Christine, be with Raoul, your childhood sweetheart. He loves you, after all… and you barely even know this 'Phantom'." Said Meg.

"Oh ...You're…right…" said Christine between sobs. "I love you so much Meg… you're my best friend!" exclaimed Christine, as she threw her arms around Meg and sobbed on her shoulder.

"Shhhh… there, there Christine ... all will be well, soon..." consoled Meg, patting Christine lightly.

Just then, Madame Giry entered the room. "Meg, come now. It is time for bed."

"Oh Madame... Please, let her stay... I need some company tonight..." pleaded Christine.

"Oh, alrightt… But, if you two get into any trouble… any at all... I will be there to say, I told you so." Scolded Madame Giry, and she left the room.

Meg looked worriedly into Christine's eyes. "Why don't you get some rest...? You've had a rough night." She said.

"Alright Meg, you can sleep in my bed if you like." Said Christine rolling over to sleep.

"I'm just going to get ready for bed, I'll be back in a few minutes..." replied Meg.

Meg got off the bed and went over to the mirror, pretending to be busy, until she knew Christine was sleeping. Then she pushed through, and began down the dark, dank, tunnel. She saw strange things and was slightly afraid. It was cold, wet, and eerie. But she finally came to a door.

She opened it and saw The Phantom at his desk, writing something. Her heart fluttered.

"It's him!" she whispered to herself. Slowly she began walking towards him. "And who might you be?" Said The Phantom without even looking up from his work.

"I… I'm... Meg Giry… m…Monsieur..."

He looked up at her abruptly. Meg gasped. He was even more mysterious up close. If only she could see what was behind that white mask. "Meg Giry." He observed. "You are the daughter of Madame Giry, am I right?"

"Yes, I am."

"Well, well." He said, shaking his head.

"You know me?"

"Well, I know of your mother"

Meg was silent.

"So, why are you here?" he asked.

"I was curious where that tunnel behind Christine's mirror led..."

The Phantom seemed to flinch at the name 'Christine'.

"I see... so you know her?"

"She's my best friend."

"Ah...I see…" he said and his eyes grew wide.

"Has she said anything of me?"

"Not much, Monsieur... only that you are mysterious... and she is scared of you." He looked wounded.

"But, I'm not scared of you Messieur, not at all."

"Really? Well, what do you think of me?"

"I think you are mesmerizing... and romantic" Meg told him.

He looked a bit flattered and a bit shocked.

"…So anyway... Christine... does she love me?"

"Oh. Yes, Messieur... but I'm afraid she loves Raoul more..."

The Phantom lowered his head.

"Monsieur... don't be sad..." said Meg, as she moved towards him and put a hand on his shoulder

He looked up with the most defeated expression on his face.

"Leave me... Miss Giry..."

"But I… but Messieur, I..."

"Now!"

Meg's eyes grew wide with fear and she ran as fast as she could back through the tunnel.