Let's see where the keyboard takes me….

Meg was dancing to Poor Fool He Makes Me Laugh during Il Muto and was very focused, so focused, in fact, that she was more shocked than everyone else when Carlotta croaked. Carlotta started screaming and ran off stage as the curtain went down.

"Out of my way!" Meg, who had made her way over to an area that was in Carlotta's path, was consequently knocked down by her as she pushed her way through the ballerinas. Christine helped her friend up.

"You alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"….when the role of the Countess will be played by Miss Daae!" shouted Firmin as he pulled a surprised Christine through the curtain, then shoved her back in again, telling her to quickly change.

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-

Meg felt like she had been dancing the ballet for quite a while. What could be taking her so long? Meg thought absentmindedly.

A blood-curdling scream interrupted her thoughts, followed by more screams. Meg turned around and joined in on the screaming. Buquet, dangling grotesquely, made her feel sick. The Phantom? she thought, Christine?

Meg ran through the crowds trying to find her friend. She saw Raoul get to her first and she saw Christine lead him up the stairs. Meg decided to follow them. She wanted to make sure they were alright.

She had just reached one of the staircases Christine and Raoul had gone up, when she saw a shadow block the stairs. Meg was confused, then she saw a white mask. He was looking straight at her. One thought flashed through her mind: Christine.

Disregarding her fear, Meg resumed her speed towards the stairs where the Phantom was. She tried to scoot past him, but he grabbed her arm and blocked her way.

"I have to get through, let me go!" she told him, struggling.

"No," he said, firmly.

"But why not?"

"I need to see what's going on up there," he answered.

"Don't hurt them! Please, they're my friends! I-I won't let you!" Meg repositioned herself so she was in front of the Phantom with her arms stretched out as if to block his way, while his hand was still gripping her arm. He looked at her thoughtfully. She struggled to keep looking into his eyes.

"Why did you kill him? And why did you sabotage Carlotta's performance?" Sabotage…and for Christine…it seemed like something only someone with influence would do….but how did she know it was for Christine? But then, why kill Buquet? He didn't even get to see her perform. But, why would he want to even see Christine perform? Unless…

"You're him," she said softly, "the one she always talks about."

"And you're you," he replied, "the one she never mentioned." Meg was really confused now. Now she wanted to talk to him half to stall him and half because she was curious.

"Why would she mention me?" she questioned him, not impolitely.

"Get out of my way, girl!" he said suddenly. He let go of her arm, but now, Meg gripped his arm in an attempt to hold him back. He looked furious at her.

"Don't hurt them! You've hurt enough people tonight."

"It's none of your business, girl!"

"How can it be any of yours, either?"

"You wouldn't understand."

"That makes two of us."

"Are you challenging me?"

"I can't let you hurt them."

"Why do you care so much?"

"I could ask you the same question." Meg retorted. Suddenly, they heard footsteps on the stairs. The Phantom cursed under his breath. He turned around quickly, putting his right hand over her mouth and lifting her up slightly so her feet wouldn't drag. He walked backwards into a corner, pulling Meg with him. Meg struggled, but couldn't break free.

Christine and Raoul suddenly came into view, smiling and acting lovey dovey. They pranced down the stairs like they didn't have a care in the world. The Phantom waited for a minute as their laughter died down, before releasing her.

"She is mine; I am hers. She cannot belong to another."

"It's only her voice that you like so much, not actually her." The Phantom turned to look at her again, furious.

"And what makes you an expert?" he demanded.

"Well, you only seem to want to display her voice."

The Phantom looked at her thoughtfully. Meg looked past him, down the hallway.

"I have to go!" she said quickly. She tried to run past him, but he grabbed her arm, lightly though. She flinched in surprise and turned to look at him. He looked at her thoughtfully, as if he was trying to figure her out. He then let go of her arm, suddenly, turned on his heel, and disappeared into the shadows.