Chapter Two:
Bethany awoke late into the night, finding that Austin had gone to bed and was sound asleep. She also saw that he had changed her into her midnight blue nightdress and smiled at her brother's caring nature. She climbed out of bed and put on a pair of black flats and a thin black sweater, leaving the room. She made her way to Christine's old room and heard a soft melody coming from the entrance to the Phantom's home. She walked into the mirror and found the corridors lit with torches on the walls. She followed the corridors to the stairs and down to the lake where she found the music coming from the Phantom's organ. And the Phantom was playing it! Bethany bravely got into the gondola and rowed over there, climbing out when she came to the shore. She walked slowly over to the organ and stood behind the Phantom.
He knew she was there; he had seen her coming down the stairway, her face filled with curiosity. He was playing his composition for Beth; a soft, melodic lullaby that had drawn his new beloved to him. He continued to play, the music surrounding them.
Bethany smiled at the music, but knew that this was one of his newest compositions. She somehow knew this song was for her. She closed her eyes, mesmerized by the music flowing through the lair. But, the music soon stopped and Bethany opened her eyes and looked down at the Phantom. She was suddenly very shy and wasn't very good at talking to men that were not her brother; especially since the Phantom was her hero.
"Young Beth, you have come to me again," he spoke, his voice ever as heavenly as it was a century ago.
"My full first name is Bethany, but everyone calls me Beth. You're the Phantom of the Opera, aren't you?" she asked shyly.
He slowly turns to Bethany and was shocked at how beautiful this woman was. Her golden hair sat in waves at her shoulders and her honey brown eyes were so innocent. He stood from his organ and sees she is a good foot and a few inches shorter than he is. "Dear Beth, I am who you say I am. I heard your singing while I slept and I felt your lips on my own. You did not flee in fear from my face… you are an angel," he says softly, raising a hand to touch her cheek.
Bethany smiled at him and whispered, "My Angel of Music… my Idol of Song. You cannot scare me away. I do not fear your deformity, but it makes you more handsome. I had dreamt of meeting you and now I see no reason to fear you. I am here because I do not fear you."
Erik smirked, cupping Bethany's cheek and coming closer to her. Their bodies touched as he closed in on her. "Sing for me, my angel," he requested.
She closed her eyes and began to sing:
Bethany: in sleep he sang to me, in dreams he came
That voice which calls to me and speaks my name
And do I dream again? For now I find
The Phantom of the Opera is there inside my mind.
Erik- Sing once again with me, our strange duet
My power over you grows stronger yet
And though you turn from me to glance behind
The Phantom of the Opera is there inside your mind.
Those who have seen your face draw back in fear
I am the mask you wear (it's me they hear)
My spirit and my voice in one combined
The Phantom of the Opera is there inside my/your mind
Beware the Phantom of the Opera
Is that the Phantom of the Opera?
In all your fantasies, you always knew
That man and mystery (are both in you)
And in this labyrinth, where night is light
The Phantom of the Opera is there inside my/mind (Bethany begins vocalizing)
Sing, my Angel
Sing for me
Sing, my Angel
Sing for me.
Bethany finished her song and stared into the eyes of her Phantom. His golden eyes enchanted her and his voice had her under his spell. She was already falling in love, but a voice called her out. "Bethany, where are you?"
"Austin?" she wondered aloud, but didn't turn from Erik.
He sighed. "Return to your brother… I will see you again."
Bethany frowned at the idea of leaving, so she planted a gentle kiss on his left cheek and leaves his arms to go to the boat. She rowed away and disappeared into the corridors, away from her Phantom.
Erik watched his angel leave and vowed to make sure that she stayed with him. He would not let her get away from him. Not like Christine. Nothing like Christine… Bethany is more than Christine ever was and ever will be.
Bethany ran into Christine's room to find Austin waiting for her. He had a look of relief on his face and a slight scold in his eyes. "What were you thinking? He could kill you!" he exclaimed.
"Not him… not when he sings to me. He sang to me, Austin, and his voice is unlike anything on Earth." Bethany said in a dreamy voice.
"Oh no, he has got you under some kind of song induced spell. I won't let him hurt you, Bethany Marie Harper and you are forbidden to see him again." Austin scolded her, grabbing her arm.
That caught Bethany's attention. "NO! You can't keep me from him! I have to see him! He trusts me!" she shouted, pulling against her brother's grip as he pulled her up to their room.
Austin wouldn't have any of that. He pulled her into their room and had her sit on her bed. "I am only trying to protect you! I am your brother and I will stop him from having you if it is the last thing I do!" Austin stormed from the room and locked Bethany in there.
Bethany tried to open the door, but failed. She sank to her knees, tears streaming down her face in pain and sadness. "Oh Erik, please come to me…" she cried out between her sobs.
