The sounds of your voice still linger in my mind, caressing my ears with your haunting songs. Though you never directed your lullaby's towards me, but to her, I still had listened as eagerly as she did. Like so many others I was no one to you. I was only another one of the many nameless chorus girls who was friends with your angel, Christine Daae. Though I had been there long before her, you still paid no heed to me, not a single glance towards me, Marguerite Giry, or simply Meg.

I had lived in Opera Populaire all my life, growing up with dance and music as my entire world. Once our innocent Christine came to live with us at Opera Populaire you had become entranced by her and so did many. She was so shy and pretty and all thought she was the most adorable thing in all of Paris. Mother and everyone else dotted on her, loving her so much, that I had been left in the shadows to watch as Christine won over the entire opera house. Somehow despite my jealousy towards her, I befriended her, but still envy pumped through my veins. I would always seem to find her in the chapel praying silently, being even more angelic than she already was. She spoke of an Angel of Music that would come to her at night and sing in her dreams that only she could hear, but if that were the case then why could I hear this "Angel" too? As weeks turned into months, this angel's visits became frequently, turning into nightly visits, singing both Christine and I to sleep. For a while you had fooled me, I had actually believed you were an angel sent by Christine's father, but as the years went by, I grew up, while Christine remained a child in her mind.

I yearn to know what you saw in her, what made her so special. Why oh dear, Phantom, why did you choose her? I had silently watched as you turned her into something she had not been ready for. She was obviously still gullible to the world of stardom, but you pressured her into it, promising her all would turned out fine, but it turned out to be anything, but fine. At first she had been fascinated by who you were, and though I tried to guide her towards the truth of what lies you had created, I could not, for your power over her was stronger. Once you had captured her and taken her to the kingdom of night and darkness, she had become, if possible, more fearful, but yet she still held onto a piece of the angel she once knew. While everyone nurtured and cared for "poor Christine", I stayed away and practiced my dance, letting my life slip away for just awhile.

We had not seen you for three months, you kept quiet and everyone believed the Opera Ghost's haunting days were finally over, but I distinguished you were somewhere below my feet, mourning over the lost of your "precious Christine". Finally you came back as Red Death, reminding us we would never be rid of you. I had watched you pace back and forth, the anger blazing in your eyes. I had been drawn to you that night. I do not know why, but I had been. You had always sparked my curiosity, but for some reason that night I was engulfed by your presence. Your ignited emerald eyes met mine and caused me to be unable to look away. I was loosing my senses, to you, a man I hardly knew. I stepped towards you, but my mother's arm grabbed a hold of my wrist causing me to arouse from the oblivion. My breathing was heavy and I could barely control myself. I was out of my mind for how can you make me burn for you without even laying a finger on me? Your eyes then turn towards to Christine who was frozen to the spot. You had caught her in your trap. She came to you, no words were spoken. All of us were anticipating what would happen next. Out of fury you tore off the pretty little ring Raoul had given her and ran up the steps. We all watched as you disappeared; swallowed by a raging fire. Raoul found the trap-door and jumped in, unsure of his fate.

From there on all hell broke loose. You tortured us mercilessly during rehearsals, causing 'accidents' whenever a fellow actor made a mistake. You had dropped a sandbag by my feet when I missed a step in my solo dance. I retained from whispering with the rest of ballet girls, thinking best to be silent rather than cause even more problems. To me you seemed harder on me than the rest. You would always cause chaos once I did something wrong with my dance. Of course Christine was swept away from this madness during our rehearsals. Though I had noticed Christine make errors, your cherub was never punished. While you tried to prepare the most talked about performance of the year, you did not notice your heavenly angel's heartbreak. She was petrified and I could not help but feel sorry for her. I would listen to her cry herself to sleep at night and once you thought we were both asleep, you would sing your melodies not knowing, or maybe you did know that I would listen until my eyes would grow heavy and I would drift off to a whole other world. My mind was everlastingly on you, your half-masked face engrossed my mind. Unknown to you my dreams swarmed around you not letting me have a peaceful slumber. Once I believed I cried out for you not sure if you had heard me or not.

On the night of the performance you did the unthinkable. You set your world, my world on fire. I had perfected the dance just for you, hoping I would please you. While I changed out of my costume I heard a voice I remembered all to well… yours. By the time I had arrived Christine and you had reached the bridge and you were clasped on to one another. My body itched for your touch and the envy that always seemed to pump lightly through my veins, grew thicker and fiercer. I watched silently as you pleaded to Christine, promising her that you would love her always. Her choice was made when she ripped the mask off your horrid face. I screamed with the rest, the hurt you felt was unmistakable. You looked down to what appeared to be at me and then your eyes swept across the audience. Before the police could do anything you held onto Christine and let the floor underneath your feet give way and I watched as the two of you descended into another one of your trapdoors.

Mother pulled me away from the sight I last saw you and had me come with her. I had no idea where she was heading, but I followed obediently. Then Raoul came asking Mother to lead her to you. I tried to follow, but she made me stay. When I was sure Mother and Raoul were gone, I ran to Christine's dressing room, opening the two-way mirror I had discovered on the night of "Hannibal". I descended down to your nightmare finding a lake before me. I craved to know who won the battle between darkness and light, hoping to find you still alive. My heart was beating rapidly as I plunged into the icy water. The water was up to my thighs, but I did not care only reaching you was in my mind. Through a maze of tunnels I found myself gained on by the raging mob, increasing my need to find you somehow. I could hear the splashes of their footsteps coming closer and closer. All of them chanted a song that was horrid to my ears, but everything slipped away when I arrived at your domain.

The grotto was opened, all was silent. I could see a rope lying at the bottom of the lake fearing what it had been used for. The mob had arrived, but stopped, transfixed by the beauty you created. I thought I heard a faint sound from the room up the steps. I was the first to step towards the realm you had created by your own hands. I was the first to enter your room with the swan shaped bed. It was empty. You weren't here neither was Christine or Raoul. The tears were burning to come out, but I refused. Had you really taken Christine away and finally defeat your foe? A glimpse of white caught my eye to find your mask lying on a small table next to a music box attached with a figure of a monkey playing the cymbals. I slowly walked towards it not listening to the echoes of the crowd's disappointments. I kneeled down to pick up your trade-mark, holding it to my heart. The mask was cool to my fingers. Cool and lifeless. I stood up walking towards a velvet curtain that hugged the wall. My fingers brushed the fabric when I heard a soft melody began to play. I turned to find the music box playing on its' own. You were here. I could feel it. "Beautiful Angel of Darkness, you deserve so much more," I whispered.

I left. I did not stay to watch them destroy your masterpiece. I brought with me the mask and music box; nothing else. I sit hear awake in my bedroom. The mask lies on my lap staring at me blankly. I peeked over at the music box that had not played since that night. I had tried to find a way to turn on the music that still lingers in my ears, but I found nothing. I close my eyes and lay back down on the bed the sheets caressing my skin. The melody begins to play again. I sit up hoping against hope you were somehow here. I find nothing. The balcony doors burst open, a fierce when blowing back my hair. The mask tumbles onto the sheets as I leap off the bed. You're here, I can feel, but not see you. Each step I take towards the balcony causes my heart to beat faster. "Phantom," I call out to you, but no reply? For a few moments I wait, but you do not appear. My heart sinks as I close the doors, locking them this time. The captivatingly beautiful music box still performs its' ghostly song, but when I turn to find the mask gone, it stops, never to play again until many years later.

I hope all of you enjoyed it!