Chapter 1
Is there any question more terrifying than that of 'What if?'
It is a haunting question, one that can drag your heart into your stomach, one that can trap you like quicksand in your own insecurities. But, 'What if?' can also be hypnotic. Romance, adventure, failure and success; every thing worth fearing or worth having is grounded on 'What if?', and it is this question that buzzed in the ballet girl's mind. 'What if they find out what I've done?' Her quill trembled. She could lose her job - lose her home - lose her hopes and her dreams! If someone found out - if she was reckless - if she sent this letter at all... The girl shook her head. She must have been out of her mind.
She had heard one of the other girls say that Christine Daae was out of her mind.
Christine Daae, Viscountess De Chagney. Soprano angel, fluttering around Europe in dresses as bright as butterfly wings with her husband who looked like a prince. . A chorus girl like her, and now look at her! Of course, the girl did not for a minute hope for anything like that; she knew she could never match Christine in looks, talent or kindness. In fact, had anyone who mattered been shown all of the chorus girls and asked to pick the prima ballerina among them, they would not have picked this girl. If Christine had been interviewed, and the girl who killed the phantom had been mentioned, the Viscountess would have had little more to say than: 'Who?'
Christine, that kind girl who ascended on phantom wings. Biting her cheeks, the girl pressed her nib to the paper. Perhaps paper wings would help her, too.