I wrote this chapter a couple of years ago, I would love to know what you guys think, so please read and review!

Chapter 1

There was noise throughout the entire cavern. Men and women were rushing down into the dark tunnels with their torches lit, looking for the man who called himself the Phantom of the Opera. He had killed men in his pursuit for control, and they were going to finally put an end to this monster. So many times he had frightened them, and there were always the stories, but no more.

They were ready to take the matter into their own hands and finally kill this beast. He didn't deserve a trial or even the right to live, he'd killed so many people already.

The noise of them approaching grew throughout the tunnels, the sloshing of water and shouts being heard.

Meg was in the lead. Her mother had told her to hold them off, but she couldn't control their hatred for the Phantom. Coming to a gate, she found it raised, so she walked in as fast as the water would allow her. She realized she was looking at his strange home that had been built under the opera house, and she marveled.

Stories of a Phantom were rampant backstage at the opera, but she had never believed the strange tales that had been told. She stepped onto the landing and stopped. Looking around, she took in everything. There were pages of music strewn everywhere, along with instruments, candles, and drawings. She saw masks lying about as well, and she wondered at the location of their owner.

Walking up the steps, more curious than ever, she noticed a number of large mirrors lined up next to each other. When she tried to look into them, she saw they had been shattered. Continuing on, she came upon an alcove and saw a mannequin with Christine's face, but the dress was gone. She couldn't help but wonder now: what if he was here?

Meg kept going, wondering if she would run into the man that lived in this dark place. She came to another alcove she found to be a bedroom. There was a bed in the form of a swan, and she looked over to find a music box with a monkey puppet sitting atop it. Bending down, she picked up a white mask. It was still warm; he had been here recently.

She looked around once more, hoping to find a sign of him, but to no avail. Taking the mask with her, she searched the room further, but there was no one there. She set the mask back down where she found it and left the room in peace.

When she came out, men had reached the gate and were looking around, amazed. Some had already arrived at the landing and come up, searching for him. They knocked over his instruments and the candles, starting his drawings on fire. She wanted to scream to make them stop, but she knew that if she said anything, they would think she was in cahoots with the Phantom.

Meg didn't want to see such talent die, just because men wanted to kill. She continued down the stairs, wondering what could have happened to him. Reaching the landing, another young woman came through the gate.

Catching Meg's eye, the girl approached with concern on her face.

"Meg, have you found anything?" she questioned.

"Non, Catherine. He is not here, if that is what you mean."

Catherine looked down at her hands and then around the room. "It is such a shame that they are destroying such beautiful work, even though he is a murderer."

"I feel the same. I could not find him, and I cannot stop them, for they will think that I had a hand in all of this."

"Did you?" Catherine asked, intrigued.

Meg looked at her, "Of course not. I am just the same as you. I feel that it is a shame that such talent should go to waste."

Catherine walked past her, also wearing pants so that she could travel through the water easily.

"I am returning to find Maman. The opera house is burning down, and these men are daft to try to catch a murderer, when they will be dead before they can find him," Meg told her.

Catherine turned to face her. "I want to look around, and then I will follow quickly. I cannot believe that we cannot even tell there is a fire going on above us. It is so quiet and dark down here. I wonder how he ever lived in this place."

"I wish I knew. I will look for you later, to make sure you are safe," Meg said, turning to leave.

Catherine continued on, looking at everything as Meg had done. Entering his room, she wished she could look longer but knew she needed to get out of the cavern before her way was sealed. She came upon the mask as Meg had, only she took it, hiding it in her clothing before heading back out the way she had come.

The men had already left, and she felt strange and scared being in this strange place. She walked by the mirrors again, looking into the broken glass. Catherine had also heard stories of the infamous Phantom. He wore the mask she was carrying because of a deformity. He had killed men, and she herself had seen Joseph Buquet die on the stage. She knew this Phantom was a murderer and a controlling man, having been close enough to Christine to see the effects that he had upon her.

For some strange reason, though, she wanted to learn more about him. Perhaps if she could find out who he really was behind his mask, she could help him. She understood his pain, for she had a secret of her own.

Catherine passed the last mirror and noticed pieces of glass next to a cloth that hung down in an odd way. Investigating, she pulled it back and found that the mirror had been shattered to reveal a secret passageway. Was this the manner in which he had escaped?

She bent down to retrieve a candlestick and placed a stray candle in it. Suddenly, she heard wood cracking, and something splashed into the water. It surprised her so that she jumped and turned around, only to find the gate entry being closed up by burning wood falling from the fire above.

It looked as if it was too late now, so she decided to continue down this hidden passage. She only hoped that since he had escaped this way, there would be a way to get out to the world above. Pulling the cloth aside, she stepped through into total darkness. The candle gave off a glow, but she could still only see a few feet in front of her.

Catherine walked along passages, trying to find her away. Since she did not know where she was headed and there was very little light, she felt as if she was going around in circles. Stopping for a moment, she wondered how long she had been here. It must have been hours, yet the fire didn't affect this place. Not knowing what else to do, she continued on. Walking aimlessly in the dark, she wondered how the Phantom could live in such a dark and dank world. It made her feel lonely and trapped down here.

There was no light except what little that came from the candle. Walking for so long, she tried to recall what real light was like and found that she couldn't remember.

"Lord," she prayed, "I do not know where I am going, but I pray that You guide me, and help me through this ordeal. It is so dark down here, and this candle is burning down. I pray that You lead me on with Your light, and help me find him and the way out. I pray this in Christ's name."

Catherine continued and went down another path, feeling that it was somehow different than the ones she had traveled before. Coming around a corner, she hit something with her foot. The light didn't shine upon it, so she bent down, bringing the candle closer to what she had bumped into.

She saw brown, then white, and then a head of hair. Backing away, she was almost in shock that she had found him so quickly after praying. She sent up a silent 'thank you', then set the candlestick down nearby. Rolling the man over, she tried to see if he was dead or alive.

Putting her ear to his chest to listen, she heard a faint heartbeat and wondered why it was not stronger. He hadn't shot himself or done something worse. She shook him, trying to wake him, but he did not move. Grabbing his wrist, she felt something wet. Catherine brought the candle near, praying that she would not find what she thought was there.

The candle showed blood. "Dear God, please, do not let me be too late. I believe You have put me here for a reason. Do not desert me now." She ripped off a piece of her shirt and tightly wrapped it around his wrist to stop the bleeding. He had cut his wrist deeply, and she looked at the other wrist to see if he had done the same damage to that one. He had not, and she sent up another silent thank you to her Lord.

How was she to get out, though? He was unconscious and the only one who knew the way out. Not to mention, how was she going to carry him? He was far heavier than anything that she had ever lifted.

Catherine sat for a minute, thinking through her options. She could try to wander around and find out how to get out, then have someone come back with her and get him out. Or she could try to carry him, and find the way out. She decided upon the first.

Feeling sure that she could find her way back, Catherine walked around the tunnel and came upon a door. She opened it to find hidden room with a chair, table, and a cot. This must have been where he was going to stay if anyone would happen to find him out. She found a knife on the floor and blood all around. This must have been where he had tried to commit suicide.

Looking around the room for the way out, she saw another doorway and went through it. There was another tunnel, a little lower than the one that she had come through into the room. She had to bend over to get through, and then it opened out above her. Seeing a ladder in the wall, she climbed it and saw light shining through a grate. She pushed on the grate, but it would not budge. Blowing out the candle, she pulled it out of the candlestick and dropped it, using the candlestick to try to pry open the grate. She balanced herself against the wall behind her so that she could use both arms to shove at the grate. After a few moments of relentless hitting, she somehow managed to pry it open. Looking around quickly before pushing the grate all the way open, she hoped no one had heard the noise and discovered her.

Catherine found that she was in an alley, and no one was there. She put the candlestick next to the grate and closed it quietly. Going to the end of the alley and looking to her left, she saw the opera house still burning, and people running away. Men were trying desperately to put the fire out, but she knew the beautiful opera house would never be the same. Turning from the tragic scene, she went to her right.

She walked at a moderate pace so as not to draw unwarranted attention to herself. Not only did she want to return quickly, but she was also cold. Snow was falling, and she didn't have anything heavier on than a chemise and her thin, torn shirt. She walked through alleys and down streets until she reached her destination.

Catherine decided to go into the house through the back, and snuck up to the fire in the kitchen to get warm. Who should she ask to help her get the Phantom out? She decided on her brother. He would do anything for her, and he would still be up at this hour. She went up the stairs to the library, and opened the door quietly.

As she predicted, he was there by the fire, reading. When she entered, he looked up and set his book aside. She came to him, and he rose from his chair.

"Catherine, are you all right?" he asked, clearly puzzled.

"Oui, Thomas, I am fine. It is just a little cold outside."

"I know. That is why I am in here. Why not sit down and get warm," he offered, motioning to the chair behind her.

"I do not have time, Thomas. I decided to come to you because I knew that you would help me," she explained.

"I see. I know where this is going. You want me to do something for you, and in the end, I will be paying for it, will I not?" he questioned.

"Thomas, please. The opera house is burning, and I have found a man in there who is unconscious. We must get him out before he dies," she said, telling him only part of the truth.

"Are you serious? The opera house is burning?" He was surprised.

"Oui, and there is a man who needs our help," she said, blowing on her hands to warm them.

"All right, I will help you. Let us get some things, though. You need a warm coat, and I will get the horses. Meet me down in the front of the house."

"I will be right there," she said, already leaving to fetch her coat.

Minutes later, she was out the front door, where Thomas was waiting. She approached her horse, and he handed her the reins, looking her up and down.

"I see, dear sister, that you are wearing pants again. Our dear mother, God rest her soul, would not be very happy with you," he said, smirking at her.

"No time for that, Brother," she said, mounting the horse. She had brought a blanket for her "patient", so that he would stay warm. They rode off at a fast pace with her in the lead.

Catherine found her way back to the alley and noticed that the commotion had died down somewhat by the opera house. It was still engulfed in flames, and would be until morning.

The two tied their horses to a stanchion, and she went to the grate, finding the candlestick still there. Catherine opened the grate, and Thomas stopped.

"He is down there? What kind of trouble are you getting me into, Catherine?" he asked in a serious tone.

"He fell behind the rest, and I found him in time. I am not getting you into any trouble by helping a defenseless man," she said, shocked that her brother wouldn't trust her. She climbed into the grate and started down the ladder.

"All right, I will follow you," he said, climbing in after her.

Catherine reached the bottom of the ladder and felt around on the floor for the candle she had dropped before. Amazingly, she found it by touch and placed it in the candlestick. Lighting it with the matches she had brought, she moved out of the way so Thomas could jump down and stand beside her. He followed her willingly through the passage and into the small room.

"What kind of place is this?" Thomas wondered, looking around him.

"A safe house, I presume," Catherine said. "Come on, we need to hurry." Catherine wondered if Thomas had noticed the blood, but he would have to be a simpleton not to.

They went through the room to the other doorway, and Catherine hoped that she could remember the way to where the Phantom was. Minutes passed, and all that was heard throughout the tunnel were their footsteps and breathing.

Catherine bumped into something again, and she closed her eyes, thankful. She bent down and found him in the same position she had left him. For some reason, she was scared that he would have moved, or that someone would have found him and taken him. Settling into a crouch, she saw the piece of cloth wrapped around his wrist and hoped that the bleeding had stopped.

Bending down close to chest, she strained to hear his heartbeat, and yet again, it could barely be heard. She looked at her brother and said, "He is still alive. We need to get him out of here. Can you carry him?"

"I think so." Thomas stooped down, pulling the other man into a sitting position. Catherine stood with her candle while her brother picked up the Phantom, draping him over his shoulder. There was an 'oof' that came from Thomas. "He is heavy!" he stated.

Ignoring him, Catherine turned to head back the way they had come, passing through the room again, and back through the tunnel. When they reached the ladder, they agreed Thomas should go first in case he would need help getting the man over the grate.

As Catherine climbed the ladder beneath them, she wondered how she was going to tell her brother who the man he was helping really was. Thomas had heard of the Phantom as well, from her telling him all the tales from the gossipers, not to mention the times when she had witnessed his cruelty herself. There was just something that drew her to this man, though. A helplessness that she couldn't describe.

They came out of the grate, and again, Catherine dropped the candle but took the candlestick. They might be able to use it, or at least sell it. Her family was in a comfortable position financially. They were not rich, but they were not in want, either. Catherine replaced the grate and stomped on it a couple of times to make sure it was secure.

Thomas was waiting by the horses. "I can't get him up with me on the horse, so he'll have to travel with you."

"All right," she said, mounting her horse quickly. Thomas came next to her, and through his pushing and her pulling, they somehow managed to get the injured man up on the horse. Thomas took the blanket that Catherine had brought and put it around the man. She took his arms and put them around her, so that he would not fall off the horse. Catherine hoped that Thomas had not seen his disfigurement, but it was so dark, and her brother had not mentioned anything, so she assumed the secret was not yet out.

They rode back to their house, heading around to the back. Thomas got off his mount, helping get the Phantom off, and Catherine took the horses to the stable while Thomas carried their patient upstairs to a spare room. Quickly unsaddling the horses, she gave them some extra hay, then ran up to the room, hoping that Thomas hadn't discovered the Phantom's secret.

She reached the room to find no sign of Thomas. Catherine went to the bedside and looked down at the Phantom. His appearance was peaceful, and yet not. The disfigured side of his face looked like peace could not reach it, but the other side looked serene. There was only one candle lit, and Catherine berated herself for not realizing that she needed to start a fire. In the process of doing that, Thomas returned with a basin of water and some clean towels.

"You failed to mention, dear sister, that you wanted me to rescue the infamous Phantom of the Opera," he said, somewhat sarcastically.

Catherine chastised herself again, ashamed that she didn't tell her brother the truth in the first place. "What makes you think he is the Phantom?" she asked.

"Oh, Catherine, do you truly take me for a simpleton? I have heard your stories and others enough to realize by the way he looks who he is!"

She came to him, and he set the basin down. "Thomas, I am sorry," she apologized. "I did not mean to mislead you, but I did not know what other way to get you to come with me. I knew that you would not help me if I told you who he was."

"Why did you so desperately want me to help you?"

"I find something in him akin to what I have felt in the past. Disgust and pity. I want to help him, Thomas. He deserves that."

"He deserves nothing! He is a murderer, Catherine. Do you not realize that?" Thomas asked, looking into her eyes.

"I know, Thomas, but I sense something in him, something that no one has been able to find, maybe not even him," she explained as he walked over to the fire, staring into the burning logs. He stood in that position for a few moments, and Catherine was afraid of what he was thinking. Finally she broke the silence. "Do you think that our Lord Jesus could do any less?"

Thomas turned around and looked at her, squinting. Then he looked over at the unconscious man on the bed and back at her.

"All right, I will help, but let me find a way to break this to Father," he said, coming back around and grabbing the basin with one hand.

"Oh, Thomas, I knew you would not let me down!" Catherine exclaimed.

"Little, sister, you do have your ways to get your way," he said, grabbing her chin and smiling.

There's the first chapter, the second one is already written, so for me to put it up, please read and review a lot!!