Judit's POV:

The Phantom of the Opera really does exist.

I just met him, and I still can't believe it.

The novel by Gaston Leroux had been my favorite novel from the year 2007, when I had the fortune to read it for the first time. Of course, that is not the way I learned about the existence of Phantom of the Opera- the first version I have watched was the 2004 movie with Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum, and as I liked the music (the story did not yet get me back then), I searched for the Hungarian cast recording of the musical and I fell in love with the soundtrack. Then I met the novel, and Erik instantly became my favorite character. Over ten years of continuous interest and research, Erik turned out to be a mysterious and dangerous, yet utterly fascinating character I loved to write fanfiction of, and play roleplay games with. And I always had the morbid curious urge to meet him in person. This is why I did this silly time- travel as well.

Well, now it did happen, but the meeting did not turn out as pleasant as I had planned it out during my fantasies.

At first, no, I don't remember how the time-travel itself went. I only have blurry memories about finding an online article that went on about possibility of time travel was proven by some scientists. I wanted to try it out, I remember…. And the next thing I can recall is I was laying at the bottom of some stone staircase with a very bad headache and with a foot which did not exactly was in the position a foot should be.

Being in pain and disoriented a lot, I did not know where exactly I was. The darkness and the stone stairs had given me the impression that I was in some kind of cellar, and looking around, contrary to I was wearing my glasses, I could not see a thing, as it was too dark, so I could only rely on my other senses. I heard nothing, but I felt the cool touch of stone, and the air, which was cooler than the temperature I have experienced at home. I could feel that that said cellar was enormous. The walls weren't near at all. I tried to get up to examine my situation better, but a sharp pain in my right foot, which was dislocated, did not make it easy to do so, I could say, it was nearly impossible. Upon gripping the edge of the stone stairs, I made an attempt to lift my weight up without using my injured leg, but it did not go too well. Some warm liquid was dripping on my hand, and as I touched my head, I realized it was bleeding. Awesome. Not even my foot, but also my head injured. I sighed as I tried to recollect my memories about how did I get here, but the pain in my head really made it hard. After some more miserable tries to stand up on my feet, I finally collapsed back on the ground with a sharp pain in my whole body, and with a final moan, I closed my eyes.

Erik's diary:

11th May, 1881

I keep writing this diary, though I never knew why I do it. It is just something I got used to over the years, contrary my useless and meaningless life has no happenings at all, which I should record.

Well, now though, today something did happen.

Erik did not expect anything to happen to him anymore, as he returned from the Daroga's house where he did tell and organize everything he wanted, regarding his coming death. He is just waiting for his miserable life to end, but upon arriving to the third cellar, he had found a body.

A human body, yes. Bodies keep appearing in Erik's home or in the cellars in the last few months. At first, that damned fool Buquet, then I had to drag the nosy Persian cop all around in the cellars, and de Chagny, and now…

As I noticed the thing at the bottom of the stairs, I assumed I was only hallucinating. Erik gets weird hallucinations lately, maybe he is turning delusional, or I don't know, maybe he is turning insane. To chase the hallucination away, and make sure that thing isn't there, Erik sent a forceful kick to its side, and he got terrified of the sound it made.

IT WAS ALIVE.

I did not made it up. It was right there, existing, in reality, and moaned in pain because of my kick. It should actually be thankful, and consider itself lucky because of the fact Erik isn't feeling too well now. Otherwise I would have kicked it by a lot more force.

As I cautiously examined it more by the light of my lantern, I found out that its leg got dislocated and the head was wounded. It was nearly unconscious, could not cooperate, nor speak. It was a young human female, presumably 18-25 years old, Caucasian, with shorter dark hair than any females should wear, and dressed in male clothing. It was wearing a strangely tailored short sleeved shirt and pants made of some unknown blue material, and some weird shaped shoes I had never seen before. All of its clothing was bright colored, pink, and lavender. It wore a pair of glasses and a watch attached to its wrist, with musical symbols instead of numbers on the face. What a creature! I am sure I had never met this thing in the Opera before. I would have remembered it if I did. I searched its pockets for things to keep, but I only found a harmonica, some unknown and unidentified devices, and a small booklet with, I guess the papers identifying its existence. I wasn't interested in who and what it is, so I just kicked it further, not to be on my way while I descended the stairs. To be sure, I kept its watch. I really like how it looks and it isn't going to need it anymore as I see the situation right now. Either it just regains strength and leaves by itself, or it will die there and then I might have find a place to put it. If I keep the watch, it shall at least entertain poor Erik for his remaining days. I decided I had no other things to do with it. Contrary the fact it is still alive, I don't feel the urge to bother with it. I don't want to help it or find out what it wanted to do here. All of my experiences taught me it is a wiser idea not to interfere with other's problems and only think about myself and my own death.

Later, though, I don't know whether out of pity or being curious, I walked back to the third cellar to find out if it was still there and alive.

Judit's POV:

When I opened my eyes again, I was still in pain and felt ill. I was disoriented and cold. My head throbbed and I still felt blood trickling down on it. I was prepared for my own death, when I suddenly heard some noise. It sounded like someone was walking close to me. I tried my best to collect my strength, and finally I was able to cry for help. Whoever is this, they should hear me. As I could not find out where I was I called out in Hungarian, to test if they understand me.

- Help please… help…

- Oh. – A male voice responded to my whining. – Are you still alive?

I cannot describe that voice. It was extraordinarily pleasant to listen to, I wasn't able to identify its range though. It sounded soft, silky, deep and higher pitched at the same time. Some strong operatically trained layer I did notice on it, he sounded like a trained singer. He was also talking in Hungarian. I might still be in Hungary? What has happened?

- Where am I? – I inquired.

- Why, don't you know where did you go, eh? – He now sounded a bit impatient, but that fact did not make his voice any less beautiful.

- No. – I admitted.

- You are in the Opera. – He answered coldly.

- In Budapest? – I went on.

- Paris.

So, at least, I am at the Palais Garnier, it seems like. Now I should only figure out the fact how did I get there. The man who spoke to me reminded me of Erik in the novel, because of his voice. As I am in Paris and in the cellars of the Opera, if the time- travel actually succeeded, I must be talking to him. Or did maybe I just teleport other than doing a time-travel?

- Well, it appears you are alive. – He barked. – Would you mind getting up and leave me the Hell alone?

- I can't get up…

- A dislocated ankle is not that bad. I have faced a lot worse things as well. You will survive it.

- But my head hurts as well…

- My stomach also hurts when it is empty. – He remarked with sarcasm.

I have made a few attempts to get up, but now my side hurt as well, I did not know why. He sighed in irritation as he saw my miserable tries. I could not see him, only hear his voice, which made me even more curious.

- Erik…? – I wanted to test my theory being right or wrong. I had to know what was going on.

- What the bloody Hell? – He gasped, then I felt a strong grip on the front of my T- shirt as he pulled me into a sitting position.

Yes, it was Erik. Black mask, black cape, evening suit, glowing yellow eyes that shone at me with disbelief in the darkness of the cellars.

- You are Erik. – I nodded in realization. – What year is it?

- It is I who asks the questions! – He shook my shoulders forcefully, digging his skeletal fingers in my skin. – Who are you? Why are you here? How do you know my name?

- How can you speak in Hungarian? – I know he was angry, but I could not get rid of the amazement which was caused by Erik's knowledge of my native.

- Enough! – He yelled in my face. – Answer me or Er… the Phantom shall do something to you that you won't say thank you for!

- My name is Judit. – I stuttered upon realizing Erik was really angry now, so I should not make him explode with fury. – I am here because… well, it will definitely sound strange… I was attempting to make a time- travel to 1881 and it seems like I succeeded.

Silence came, I think Erik was thinking about the possibility of my words being true, and without asking he reached into my pocket. I did not dare to spite because of his state of mind, and I just waited to find out what on Earth he was doing. He ripped my ID card holder out of my pocket and opened it to examine my papers. He scratched his head for some seconds, as he read my ID card, and murmured: "1989… it cannot be a typo… I have never seen such a card… hm… can it be you really came from the future?"

- All I say is true… - I said.

- Then one more thing. – He threw my ID card holder at me angrily. – How do you know my name, I repeat? And I am expecting an answer satisfying me, otherwise you will be terribly sorry of making a fool of me.

- I have read a book about your life.

- Book? – He leaned closer suspiciously.

- Yes, it is entitled "The Phantom of the Opera." It is written by Gaston Leroux.

- I don't know that man. – He stated on an annoyed tone.

- I know… he is going to write that book in 30 years from now.

- He won't if it is up to Erik. – He laughed on a terrifying dark way. – And what EXACTLY do you know about me, you thing?

- Um… a lot… - I stated cautiously. – Won't you kill me if I tell you…?

- I bet you know about the whole issue with Christine Daaé… and maybe even more? – He pulled me even closer to his face, so I was only centimeters away from the mask. – Sing, little bird, what do you know, eh?

- I know about Christine, I know about your past, the Rosy hours of Mazandaran and…

- Basically, everything. – He whispered ominously. – Why did you come here, eh?

- To see you. – I found it a better idea to be totally honest with Erik. It can turn out both good and bad, but at least I am not telling lies. Erik is not a stupid person, I think he knows if I am lying to him anyway.

- Now you see me. – He stated simply. – Are you satisfied you nosy little brat?

- Quite. – I responded.

He jumped up, releasing me, so the back of my head hit the stone step again. I did not whine as I simply did not dare to. He was walking in circles around me, like a caged animal, and the only emotion I could see on him was panic. Some time passed like this. I did not dare to say anything, not even breathe loudly. This time travel wasn't the best idea at all. What on Earth did I expect of Erik to do to me, really? To jump in my neck and serve me tea? Stupid girl I was. I have read the book, I exactly knew how Erik was….

Suddenly, after some time spent with nervous stimming and pacing, Erik grabbed me by the arm and pulled me up from the ground.

- Come. – He growled.

- Where are we going… if you want to kill me do it here…

- Shut up! – As he realized I could not keep up his tempo because I was just literally jumping on one foot, he hurriedly lifted me up in his arms and carried me.

Like this, as being carried, I can at least look around. Erik is walking without a single word, unwillingly. In each of his movements I can feel tense distance. I am not allowed to hug his neck, as he growls when I try. I did not mean to hug him out of affection, I just wanted my hands not to hang around and I'd feel safer not to fall off. We passed the veil that was described in the book. Maybe Erik takes me to his home?

- Ha! – He let out a nasty little laugh after exactly this thought of mine. – Well, did you honestly think Erik is going to take you home, eh? In his OWN house, eh, exactly this is what he needs, of course! That house is only for Erik. It is a big enough problem you know about its existence! Well, you little idiot, I know well why did you come here, I am not stupid. You wanted to search for my house. But you shall never set a foot in there, you small nosy bastard! I never accept any visitors, let alone someone uninvited. You shall be happy and thankful that I did not end your life as I have planned. My house, eh? Shall I not take you to the Opera, eh? Shall I not marry you, eh?

Wow, this man must be a mind reader… We arrived to a door that Erik opened, and he pushed me through it. I landed on a stone floor in a smaller room.

- You shall stay here until you can walk on your own and until that I shall decide what happens to you. Nobody walks down here, and if you have the urge to yell, you are absolutely allowed to do so- nobody is going to hear that. Erik's home is at another part, so he isn't bothered by your noisemaking. Later, he will return and bring you food and drink. He is a merciful man, you see. Might it be today, but if he doesn't have the urge, maybe tomorrow then. Well, have fun. – He laughed out again, then leaned closer. – Beware the rats. You should move sometimes, as if you stay too still, they might think you dead and eat off your nose. – He laughed again, having really big fun of his own joke. As he noticed I did not get frightened of his attempt to scare me, he murmured something under his breath, walked out of the room, locked me inside then left.

I was left alone in a dark cellar room. It might be the old communard cellar when Raoul de Chagny was locked up in? I can't do anything else without any light, only to close my eyes and trying to sleep.

I woke up to the feeling that someone shook me violently, then I received a few punches in the side.

- At last. – Erik moaned with an irritated tone.

- Erik, you are here?

- No. I am somewhere else and you ask genial questions.

- Why did you come here, to torture me?

- No. – He slammed a basket down on the floor next to me. – Here are your necessities until I return. It won't happen in the next few days. I have a lot of work to do, you do definitely bother me, and I am not curious of you because you are just a meaningless dumb damned little brat, who got in this situation because of her own mistake and stupidity. I don't feel compassion nor pity, nor any kind of emotions your way, you are only a bother to me, and the only reason I am not releasing you to go around in the Opera is because you know too much of Erik.

- So, to be clear am I your prisoner?

- Absolutely. You are not as dumb as I thought you to be. – He nodded.

- Erik, I promise I am not going to tell anyone about you…

- Erik makes sure you won't. And now, I am going to leave. I am not interested in your convalescence, so help yourself as no one else will. You brought it on yourself, I have nothing to do with it and you, I can't and don't want to look after you. Understood?

- Yes. – I said softly.

- Good. Well, sleep tight. Don't let the spiders and rats bite you! – He laughed and banged the door after himself while leaving me alone again.

For a time, I still could hear his footsteps getting further, then silence and darkness fell on me.