"Over there is the boardwalk, and that is our famous House of Mirrors." Meg Giry smiled as she pointed out the sites around the park. "The Midway is around that corner and the stage… Well you can see the top of it over those trees." Normally she wouldn't be showing people around, but Mr. Y had told her these guests were very special, as they had just arrived from Paris.

There were four people following her around, getting this grand tour. Marius and Cosette had recently been married and the young lovers looked like they were glued to each other at the hip. It was sweet, how much they adored each other. Following behind were Enjolras and Eponine; two friends who were serving as traveling companions to the others. Both of them were quiet and reserved. They had apparently been through a revolution and survived with many mental and physical wounds, which Mr. Y forbade Meg to mention. Eponine looked sullen and fragile and Enjolras kept her close, an arm tightly wrapped around her shoulders.

"Meg? My god, is that you?"

Meg turned at the sound of the voice and just stared at the woman walking briskly towards her. Following behind was a handsome man and a little 5-year-old boy.

"Christine?"

The two old friends embraced and laughed happily. Christine's husband also hugged Meg.

"It's been forever since we've seem you," Raoul said. "What a coincidence to find you here."

Meg was suddenly hesitant. "Yes, a coincidence. I'm actually employed here, mother and I."

"So was it your mother who sent us this?" Christine asked. She pulled out a flyer for Phantasma, advertising a "very special weekend" for couples and young people in love.

"I'm not really sure," Meg replied slowly. "Maybe. Who is this handsome boy?"

Raoul smiled and clasped the child by the shoulders. "This is our son, Philippe. Say hello to our friend Miss Giry."

"Bonjour, Miss Giry," he whispered.

"Bonjour," Meg replied. "Oh Christine, he's precious." She turned back to the others. "I'm so sorry, let me introduce you to my friends. I knew them back when we all lived in France. Christine and I were at the Paris Opera together."

"Christine Daaé?" Cosette asked. "The famous Christine Daaé?"

"Not so famous anymore," Christine admitted.

"And not a Daaé either," Raoul spoke up. He pulled Christine close. "She now Madam de Chagny. I'm Raoul, the current Comte."

Cosette clasped her hands together." A Comte and an Opera singer? How romantic!"

Marius leaned in and kissed Cosette. "It's good to see other couples as happy as we are. I feel like the right again after all the time we were apart. It was worth it, though. Good things come to those who wait. And just think, we owe all our happiness to my dear friend 'ponine."

Eponine looked green.

"So Christine, a married woman now?" Meg said, sensing the tension in the air. "What of your career?"

"Well after… After everything I decided to devote myself to my family and leave the Opera behind. Maybe I'll go back someday, but I'm content being a mother. But it surprises me that you didn't come to our wedding, we sent you an invitation."

"We never got it," Meg replied quietly. "I just… Mother and I left France right after… After, well… you know. "

"Yes," Raoul replied darkly. "That. We've tried to forget about that. About him. And I'm sure your mother didn't want to be implicated in anything."

Meg cleared her throat. "Yes… Well… I'm being so rude! These are my new friends; Enjolras and Eponine. And this Marius and Cosette Pontmercy."

"It's nice to meet you," Raoul said.

Marius shook the offered hand. "And you as well. You know, you look like someone I know."

Raoul managed a smile. "I get that a lot."

"Are you enjoying your time here at Coney?" Christine asked.

"Yes indeed," Cosette replied. "I love it, even if Phantasma is a bit eerie with all the freaks running around."

Raoul's eyes darkened again. "Wait one blasted minute. Why didn't I realize this before?"

"What's wrong, Papa?" Philippe asked innocently.

"Nothing you need worry about," Raoul replied. "I hope. But does anyone else find it odd that Miss Giry works at Phantasma at Coney Island where the main attraction is a freak show?"

"I… I don't know what you're talking about," Meg said quickly.

"Did he die, Meg?" Raoul demanded.

"I don't like all this talk about death," Cosette said. "I might have to excuse myself from this talk."

"I'll go with you," Marius told her. "After all this isn't our business. And I think I saw the tunnel of love. It would be good to spend some time alone with my Cosette."

"Cosette. Cosette," Eponine hissed out. "Always COSETTE!"

"Steady 'ponine," Enjolras whispered. "They're not doing it on purpose."

"Like that makes it any better," she bit out.

"We'll take our leave now," Marius said, offering a bow.

He led Cosette away, holding her tightly as he whispered things in her ear that made her giggle like a school girl. Eponine clenched her hands into fists and fought back tears. Enjolras tentatively touched her shoulder.

"Don't touch me!"

"Eponine…"

"I can't," she managed through tears. "I have to be alone. I'm sorry."

She ran from the group, looking for a quick escape route. Seeing her chance at getting lost, she ducked into the House of Mirrors.

Enjolras looked frantic. "Eponine… Eponine!"

An icy breeze blew past them, a whispering echo. Eponine…

Christine paled. "Oh no… Raoul, you don't really think…" She clutched his arm.

"Enjolras heed my advice: if I were you, and if you have any feeling for that girl, I would go after her," Raoul ordered. "Now. If he gets his hands on her it's all over."

"Who?" Enjolras asked. "I don't understand what's happening."