Author's Notes: Bonjour! I found this little story hiding on my computer. I decided to dust off the cobwebs and post it! Hope you enjoy The Ghost of the Phantom!


Chapter 1: The Story Begins

"Did it really happen?" the young boy asked with wide eyes.

"Yes, Phillipe, it really happened," the older woman laughed as she sat down on the boy's bed.

Phillipe's younger sister sat up in her bed and pleaded with her grandmother, "Do tell us about it. Please? I love it when you tell your stories."

"Well, all right, Michelle," the woman switched her position on the bed, "But, it is a bit scary."

Michelle wriggled in under her blankets, "Oooh, I love scary stories."

"All right. I'll start at the beginning. It was about seventeen years ago when a young chorus girl, Nichole deChagny, met the mysterious Opera Ghost of long ago..."

With a faraway look in her eyes and a wistful tone in her voice, the children's grandmother began to tell them about Nicole deChagny's story. In her mind, the older woman went back to the scenes of time long ago…


"Nikki," Marguerite, a middle-aged, yet beautiful woman with brunette hair tied back called from the kitchen. Thundering steps rushed down the rickety stairs and into the kitchen. A young girl of seventeen ran into the room. She had a creamy complexion with rosy cheeks, doll eyes and long brown curls that dangled well past her shoulders. "There you are, I was wondering what you were doing up there. Eat your breakfast before it gets cold," the woman nodded at a plate on the table.

"Right," Nikki sat at the table and started to eat.

"Do you have rehearsal today?" asked her mother.

"Yes; chorus is two and the full company starts at four," Nikki shrugged and took a sip of tea.

"Someday you will be the star of the Opera House," her mother encouraged her daughter as she washed dishes, "you sing beautifully. Like an angel. I'm surprised the managers, Monsieur Shante and Monsieur Vanois haven't noticed you yet."

"It would have been the most exciting experience if I was the leading soprano for this performance. It's the biggest one there's ever been or ever will be, for that matter. One hundred years of the Palais Garnier. It will be the biggest celebration on its anniversary and there is to be the ball afterwards. But, I can only dream. Madmoiselle Sellie has already been picked for the role of Colette. She's been singing there for three seasons now."

"There will be other anniversaries."

"Not like this one. This is the biggest. Messieurs Shante and Vanois had a new chandelier put in, and the whole town is going to celebrate," Nikki handed her empty plate to her mother. "Well, I've got to run."

"And might I guess, to whom?" Her mother smiled coyly.

Nikki just grinned affectionately, "See you later."

"I'll try and spare you leftovers before Jean-Paul eats it all."

Nikki giggled, "Bye," and she was out the door. Nikki took a taxi to her friend's house. In truth, Troy was more than just a friend. He was the one to whom Nikki confided all of her dreams, secrets and fears and the one whom she counted on the most in life.

Troy was a handsome young man, with short, black hair and bright blue eyes. Troy was a few years older than Nikki and was the subject of many teenage girls' dreams. Although he was French, he had been given an American name. His mother had given birth to him in America while she and Troy's father had been away on a vacation. As a commemoration of that "one last childless fling," Troy's parents had chosen an Americanized form of the French name, Tres, they had originally selected for him.

Nikki and Troy spent much of their spare time together. They had many things in common, including their musical talents. Troy was an extraordinarily gifted pianist and taught lessons to all ages at a prestigious conservatory in Paris. He also taught singing lessons. He often coached Nikki, helping her with her chorus numbers and solos. They were such constant companions that many people assumed them to be an engaged couple, rather than friends.

Nikki walked up to the apartment house where Troy and his parents lived. The door was answered by Troy's mother. A pretty smile appeared on her face when she recognized Nikki, "Well, Nikki, it's nice to see you again. No doubt you are here to see Troy. I'll go get him."

The woman invited Nikki in and disappeared into another room. Nikki looked around the neat apartment. The furnishings were the latest fashion and the floor was clean.

Nikki beamed a grin when Troy walked into the main room, "Hello, Nikki," his husky voice always gave her goose bumps, especially when he said her name.

"Bye, Mom," Troy kissed his mother on the cheek, grabbed his jacket and led Nikki out of the apartment. They walked leisurely down the stairs, "So what's the plan for today?"

"I have to stop off at the opera house to get tickets. Gerard said he's spot me some good ones. I will have a little time in between before rehearsals. Do you have any ideas?" Nikki shrugged as they exited the complex.

"I was thinking, maybe we could stop by Les Café for a Danish and coffee? I think they have cream Danish's today."

"That's sounds perfect!" Nikki exclaimed they hopped into Troy's car that was parked on the side street with a row of other cars.

The engine roared to life. After a pleasant chat, updating each other on their trivial news since they saw each other last, Troy turned onto the Boulevard des Capucines and they saw the grand opera house in front of them. Troy scanned the area for a parking space and was able to park off to the side, "That's strange," he frowned.

"I was thinking that too," they both saw that the street was strangely vacant. It usually was busy with tourists. Nikki popped out of the car, "I'll go pick up the tickets."

"Need me?"

"Nah," Nikki waved playfully then went up the steps, then entered one set of the numerous double doors.

"I'll be here," Troy turned the dials on the dashboard.

Nikki stopped when the doors closed behind her. She noticed that she was the only one in the foyer. "Strange, usually this place is crawling with people," she said aloud then made her way to the ticket booth and found it empty. "That's funny. Gerard is always here."

Just then, in the quiet thoughts of her minds, a loud bang of music made her jump. It sounded like organ music. It was quite harsh, but yet intoxicating. Every note was played with perfection. "That's beautiful," Nikki thought it might have been the orchestra rehearsing, but frowned when the only instrument playing was the organ. Maybe the organ is being tuned? She tried to think of a logical conclusion for the solitary instrument. She took a few steps, "That isn't in the Opera," she went around the large ceremonial staircase of white marble with a balustrade of red and green marble which divided into two divergent flights of stairs that lead to the Grand Foyer. She peeked into the auditorium. Looking directly at the stage, she saw the red curtains were drawn and nobody was visible.

"Hmmm," she stepped inside, looking all around. The music suddenly stopped when a loud bang boomed behind her. She turned around and saw that the door had heavily closed. She looked around again at the stage to see if anyone would come out. No one did.

Her curiosity aroused her and she walked down the aisle; looking left to right to see if anyone was there. "Hello?" Her voice echoed throughout the empty room.

She bent down to see if anyone was in the orchestra pit: no sign of anyone. "No one's there. This is really strange," she put her hands on her hips, "I must be going crazy," laughing at herself she then decided to climb onto the stage.

She stopped at center-stage. Nikki felt so small on one of the largest stages in Europe. It was able to hold at maximum 450 people. Nikki looked up at the famous chandelier. "I wonder how they got that up there? It's just amazing."

Nikki gazed over all the chairs, the balconies and the boxes. Imagining they were full of people, Nikki took a few bows as if her imaginary audience had enjoyed her performance and were cheering for an encore.

Suddenly her smile froze when a chilling sound startled her.

A faint whisper echoed through the auditorium. She was not able to make it out. "Hello?" Nikki shielded her eyes to see if anyone was in the boxes. She could not see anyone.

Nikki was petrified stiff when a loud, repeated laugh abruptly boomed throughout the room. She dared not look for the source. The laugh diminished and Nikki felt someone's presence behind her, but was too scared to turn around.

All went quiet. Then the same voice whispered, "I have returned to you."

Nikki wanted to get out of there, but her legs would not move. Her body told her to run, but her mind pulled to stay and find the source. Who was there?

Then as if that someone read her mind, the voice whispered again, but this time she could feel their breath on her ear, "I am your Angel of Music."

Every hair stood on end, as her body went hot and cold. Nikki forced her legs to move. She bounded off the stage and ran down the aisle and to the doors; not looking back. As she pushed open the doors she stopped short and squealed when she bumped into Troy.

"What took you so long––Nikki? Are you all right?" Troy was instantly concerned at seeing Nikki's sheer white complexion.

"Oh my gosh, Troy!"

"That's the matter?"

Nikki took a deep breath, regaining herself, "Nevermind. It-it w-was probably a j-joke. Or maybe, my imagination. J-just forget it. Let's get out of here."

"Whatever you say. Are you sure you are all right?"

"I was just spooked. You know big empty places have that effect," Nikki took his hand and started out; but she could not help but look back into the auditorium as the doors were slowly closing. The red velvet curtains, which normally stood still, swayed quickly back and forth, as if someone were rushing behind them. Nikki quickly looked forward and held tight to Troy's arm. Whatever or whoever it was really spooked her.


Up next...Chapter 2: Consequences Lie Ahead!

Hope you enjoyed! Please be kind!