The rehearsal ended. The dancers and the chorus girls all walked to the dressing rooms, talking and laughing loudly.

I tried to act naturally near my fellow dancers, replying and nodding my head, but my mind was somewhere else.

I couldn't avoid stealing some glances at her, her gracious form, her brown curls, her sad eyes. I noticed she was walking towards our little group and my heart accelerated.

"Thank you for your help, Meg," she said, lightly touching my shoulder. I felt a heat on my cheeks. She was smiling, but her smile didn't reach her eyes.

"It was a pleasure, Christine," I replied. Any moment with her was a pleasure.

I watched the other girls leave. Giving a few vague excuses I stayed behind, trying to not draw their attention.

I knew he didn't like meeting up here but I could not wait until the weekend, when we had our usual meeting away from suspecting eyes. I had something to ask from him and it couldn't wait.

I made sure everyone had left before walking to a particularly dark and small corridor. I looked around. Of course I couldn't see him, but I had a feeling he could see me.

I had no way of knowing if he really was in that part of the Opera House, but wherever he was I knew he could hear me. So I called him, my voice as if he was just in front of me.

"Erik."

"Such a little girl should not be here so late. Didn't you hear this place is haunted?" Spoke a voice right behind me. I turned around and there he was. "What, no screams?"

"You know that is just for show," I said, snorting. "To help with your 'reputation'. You haven't scared me for real since I was twelve."

He brought his hand to his chest, in a very dramatic gesture. I rolled my eyes.

"Why are you here?" He asked, becoming serious. "You know it is dangerous for us to meet like this."

"There is no one but us here, Erik. And I need your help in something."

He seemed to flinch when I said his name. It wasn't the first time I noticed it, but since he never said anything on the matter I ignored it.

"Of course you do. What do you need this time?" He asked, sounding a little impatient.

"Have you been hearing the rehearsals?" I asked.

"Of course. What else do you think I do here all day?"

"What did you think of Christine Daaé?"

"The Swedish new girl? She is really bad."

I felt offended.

"She is not bad! She is a great singer!"

"Great? She sounds like a toad."

I felt like shouting at him, but had to hold myself back. One wrong word and Erik would leave as suddenly as he showed up.

"Don't you think she has some potential? I heard she was really good before... before she lost her father," I tried, careful.

He shook his head.

"My little Meg, you certainly do not understand how talent work. Either one has it, or they don't. And that girl clearly doesn't."

"Don't you think maybe her trauma is getting on her way?" I asked, clenching my fist.

"No. I bet she was just as bad before it."

"You are just being mean. I know she has a good voice," I said, irritated.

"I don't think it's her voice what you're focusing on."

I felt my face heating, and I was sure he noticed it too. Still, I tried to hide it.

"I have no idea of what you're talking about."

"I see how you look at her," he explained, making me even more nervous. Had he realized my abnormal feelings? I never noticed how terrifying was the idea of someone knowing about it, of what they would think of me. The fear only lasted a moment. It was Erik who I was talking to.

"You could teach her." I said, going to the point.

"What?" He asked, shocked.

"You are the greatest musician I know. If anyone can help her voice reach its full potential, it's you," I explained.

"No way, Meg. You know I don't interact with other humans unless it's absolutely necessary," he said, looking at me as if I was insane.

"And thanks to whom you have this privilege, Erik? Who saves you from these unnecessary interactions?", I was thankful that no one was around, because I was almost shouting. I knew I was hitting a weak spot. I held one of his arms, as if to make sure he wouldn't run away from this. Erik was much stronger than me, so I knew it wouldn't do much if he really intended to disappear, but for some reason he stood still. "Who makes sure you have everything you need? Who makes sure you can stay hidden? Who brought here in the first place? Me and my mother!"

He looked down, closing his eyes. With a strong move he freed his arm from me, but didn't run away.

"You owe us your life. You know it."

"Yes, I know," he said, raising his head. The glare he gave me made me shiver.

For a moment I regretted my words. I knew what he was capable of. I knew he could hurt me if he wanted to. But I also knew he wouldn't do it. I knew just how grateful he was for what my mother did for him, for she really did save his life, even if he never said it aloud. I knew she was the only person in the world he cared for, and that he would do anything for her. And I was her dear only daughter, her pride, her everything.

He wouldn't give her this pain. He wouldn't make her regret rescuing him in first place.

Some moments of silence passed before he spoke again.

"How do you even expect me to do this?"

"Aren't you the almighty Opera Ghost? I am sure you can find a way."

"You know, most young girls run away if they encounter a ghost."

"Don't be a ghost then. Be something else," I suggested.

He leaned against a wall, crossing his arms.

"And what else could I possibly be?" He asked, seeming amused.

"I don't know, use your imagination." An idea came to my mind. "Christine... she told me her father used to tell her about an angel."

He laughed.

"An angel? Me?"

"You could convince the whole company that you are a ghost, I am pretty sure you can convince one girl that you are some angel."

He laughed again. It frustrated me. He seemed to realize, becoming serious. He stared at me for a while.

"You can't be serious about this."

"I am. I know Christine can do so much better. And if you help her..."

"That girl can't sing, Meg!" He cut me. "Even if I do help her, I can't magically give her talent."

"Just try it, Erik. Please. At least you will give her some confidence."

At least you will give her some happiness, I added in my mind. Christine always seemed unhappy, no matter what. Her smile never reached her eyes. I wanted so badly to see her truly happy.

I would do anything for it.

Erik kept staring at me.

"You owe me this. Please, just do it."

He sighed.

"Fine. But it won't do any good."

"Thank you."

Before I could even finish saying it, I blinked, and he disappeared.