Author's Note: Hello all! it's me again. Yes I have written many stories and never finished them. But I feel passionate about this one. I can't stop writing it. I'm already on the Fifth chapter. Please enjoy this little piece I have written. Thanks for giving it a chance.

Chapter One: A Rose

Marie tied her hair back into a ribbon, as she was getting ready to go back to the opera house for the first time in a long time. Madame Giry came up to her and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Yes she was happy to see her cousin again. But this was her beloved home, she had a life here, her friends and family. But thanks to her father she was forced to leave all this and go with Madame Giry. She grabbed her luggage and headed out the door to the buggy. As it started to rain she remembered what her father has said to her.

'If you don't want to be scared then don't go down to the ghost's layer again,'

She's seen this ghost before with her own two eyes. Although she was only a little girl. About the age of 8 years. The sight of the monster haunts her dreams every night. She always wakes up with a cold sweat. She's heard about Joseph Bouquet and how he got hanged because he spoke of what he knew about the ghost.

"You'll be alright m'dear. Just hold your tongue about the phantom and you'll be fine," said Madame Giry.

"But I saw him Madame Giry. I saw him with my own two eyes. What if he tries to murder me? I don't want to go back to that opera house," said Marie. Madame Giry just sighed. They finally arrived and Marie ran to Christine as she saw her.

"Oh Marie! It's so good to see you again," said Christine as she hugged her cousin.

"Come on lets go up stairs we have so much up to catch up on," said Marie. Before she could head to he door Madame Giry stopped her.

"Wait! Come and get your luggage please. I'm not your bag carrier," chuckled Madame Giry.

"My apologies Madame," said Marie with a curtsy. She got her bags and headed to the door. Christine showed Marie to her room. As they went in Marie admired the room carefully. The bed had a pink bed sheet with the sowing pattern of flowers on it. It had a head board so she could lay her head back when she wants to read.

"This room. I know this room," she said, frightened.

"This used to be my room. But I have no use for it now. I live with Raoul," said Christine. Marie sat on the bed and glanced at the nightstand. There, lying on it was a red rose with a black ribbon on the stem. She slowly picked it up and smelled it. Roses is her weakness especially red ones.

"Thank you Christine," said Marie. Christine looked at her confused.

"Thank you for what?" she asked

"You mean you didn't give me this rose?" asked Marie, hoping that Christine was the one who gave her the rose.

"No," said Christine. Then Christine just realized who gave Marie that rose. She gasped as she saw the black ribbon tied around the stem.

"What's wrong, Christine you look pale," asked Marie as she felt Christine's cheek for a fever.

"It's him…" whispered Christine.

"Him? Whom, Christine?" asked Marie. She was now getting worried about her cousin. She softly took Christine's hand and set her down on the bed.

"Tell me, is someone after you Christine?" she asked again.

"Well he used to come after me. But after your experience I shouldn't tell you," said Christine. Marie, now suddenly realizing who she was talking about dropped the rose in her hand.

"I'm scared Christine," said Marie. All of a sudden she heard the door open and Madame Giry was at the door.

"Why?" asked Madame Giry. Marie shook her head.

"Nothing, Madame Giry you should go back to whatever you were doing I'm fine" lied Marie. Madame Giry looked at her as if she knew she was lying. Then she saw the rose on the floor.

"I knew this would happen. Come with me," said Madame Giry as she grabbed Marie's arm so she would follow her.

"Where are we going?" asked Marie.

"Christine you stay here I need to talk to Marie in private," said Madame Giry. Christine nodded but still deep in thought of what they were talking about.