CHAPTER TWO

Raoul sat in his usual box with Andre and Firmin, watching Rebecca in yet another production of Hannibal. She had grace and poise like a swan, which Raoul was proud of. Sarah had also gotten a part in the opera, a very small singing part. Raphael next to Raoul and they watched the girls sing and dance in the production.

Once the production was over, Raoul headed to the dormitories to see Rebecca when he suddenly felt chills down his spine. Deciding to ignore it, he entered the room and saw Rebecca sitting on her bed, holding a picture of Christine.

"Rebecca? Angel, what's wrong?" Raoul asked, going over to his daughter.

"Do you think momma would be proud of me?" Rebecca inquired. Raoul sat down next to her and hugged her close.

"My darling, your mother would be more than proud of you." Raoul whispered, kissing her cheek. Rebecca smiled and hugged her father around the neck. Raoul hugged her back, a hand running through her soft blonde hair.

As soon as Raoul exited the dressing room, Sarah entered and hugged her sister. Rebecca smiled and hugged her sister back. Raoul saw Rebecca hand Sarah something, but from where he was standing, he couldn't see what it was. However, he could see the look of terror on Sarah's face. She dropped the object and ran out of the room. Raoul re-entered and walked over to Rebecca, who picked up the object that Sarah had dropped – it was a red rose with a black ribbon around it.

"Is Sarah all right?" Rebecca inquired.

"Let's give her some space – she looked awfully frightened." Raoul suggested. Rebecca nodded and followed her father back towards the stage where Madame Giry was waiting for her.

"Rebecca de Chagny – you are a ballerina, correct?" Madame Giry asked. Rebecca nodded and went to join the other ballerinas. Raoul took that moment to look for Sarah.

Sarah was in a dressing room, starting to pull the ribbon off the rose when she heard a voice from up above.

"Christine?" the voice questioned.

"No, I'm her daughter – well, one of them." Sarah replied.

"Come to the mirror so I can get a better look at you." The voice told her. Sarah nodded and went to the mirror. A masked figure stood before her. He wore all black, except for a white mask that covered the left side of his face.

"You look so much like your mother. What is your name, child?" the figure asked.

"Sarah Christine de Chagny." Sarah told him, not noticing the mirror slide open and she put her hand in his.

"I'm Erik." The figure – Erik – told her.

"Where are you taking me?" Sarah inquired, looking at the dressing room. The mirror had slid shut just as Raoul entered, a look of sheer panic on his face.

"To where the night never ends, my dear." The phantom answered. He helped Sarah into the boat that was waiting for them and made his way down the dark tunnel.

Back in the dressing room, Raoul slid the mirror open and went to follow his daughter. He slid the mirror behind him and ventured down the dark tunnel.

"SING TO ME!" Raoul heard the figure command. He then heard Sarah singing notes he had never heard her sing before.

"Sarah?" Raoul called down the tunnel.

He searched for an hour before heading back to Rebecca. She had a worried look on her face as Raoul entered the dressing room.

"Where's my sister?" Rebecca asked, holding on tightly to Raphael's hand.

"Deep down below – I can't get to her." Raoul answered.

"He doesn't know me – let me go." Raphael offered.

"No, Raphael. I couldn't let you do that." Raoul told the young man.

"Please let me go." Raphael pleaded.

"He'll kill you." Rebecca spoke up.

"Not if I keep my hand at the level of my eyes." Raphael told them. Raoul slid the mirror open and handed Raphael his sword. Raphael entered on the other side and ventured down the tunnel.

He heard voices up ahead, so Raphael decided to investigate. He saw the Phantom put his cloak around Sarah's shoulders as he sang softly to her. He didn't make a sound as he slid towards Sarah. He looked into her eyes and saw she was in a trance. Raphael slid backwards and ran out of the tunnel before the Phantom saw him.

Sarah woke up in a bed that was shaped like a swan. Taking the covers off, she got out of bed and walked around in a daze. She saw the Phantom sitting at his organ, writing a song. The Phantom sensed her presence and turned away from his music. What happened next was a blur – Sarah took off the Phantom's mask to get a better look, he cursed at her and called her names.

"Come, we must return – your idiot father will be missing you." The Phantom growled, leading Sarah out of his sanctuary.