The Phantom of the Opera

Chapter 2-Angel of Music

The crowding backstage corridors was filled with excitment after the success of that night's performance. Bottles of champagne were popping, and flowers were being delivered. Everyone was chatting about the show and Athine's wonderful performance. Among the crowd, was Angel, trying to find her friend, wondering where she was.

In a small chapel within the opera house, the young echidna was lighting a small candle next to a plaque with a name reading "Mod Daae". She touched the candle to set it alight, lowered head and clasp her hands to pray. It was not long til she heard a ghostly, womanly voice.

"Brava, Brava, Bravasimma,"

Athine looks up, drawn to the voice.

The white hedgehog softly calls for Athine as she went down the stairs to the chapel.

"Athine, Athine,"

"Athine..." The voice spoke once more, before Angel enter the room smiling as she finally found her friend.

"Where in the world have you been hiding?

Really you were perfect"

Athine smiled as Angel knelt down next to her and gently touching her shoulder as she sang.

"I only wish I knew your secret

Who is your great tutor?"

"Angel," Athine began. "When your Mother brought me here to live, whenever I came down here alone to light a candle for my Mother, a voice, from above and in my dreams, she was always there. You see, when my mother lay dying, she told me I would be protected by an Angel...An Angel of Music,"

"Athine, do you believe..." Angel quietly sighed. "Do you believe the spirit of your mother is coaching you?"

"Who else Angel?...who?" Athine asked her, and began to sing softly.

"Mother once spoke of an angel,

I used to dream she'd appeared,

Now as I sing I can sense her and I know she's here,

Here in this room she calls me softly,

Somewhere inside, hiding,

Somehow I know she's always with me,

Here the unseen genius"

Angel gently grabbed Athine's hand and began to lead her out of the room.

"Athine you must have been dreaming,

Stories like this can't come true,

Athine you're talking in riddles,

And it's not like you"

Both girls started to make their way out of the chapel, and walking along backstage with Angel gently holding Athine's hand.

"Angel of Music guide and guardian,

Grant to me your glory,

Who is this Angel?

This Angel of Music,

Hide no longer,

Secret and strange angel"

Athine stopped in her steps as she began to feel odd

"She is with me even now"

Angel felt Athine's hands.

"Your hands are cold..."

"All around me..."

"Your face Athine, it's white"

Athine looked at her friend, feeling scared.

"It frightens me"

Angel began to lead her away again.

"Don't be frightened"

As they walked away, Buquet watched them leave as he turned away and took his drink.

----------------------------

"No!" Madame Rose shouted to the adoring crowd of fans who wanted to see Athine, as she let the young echidna in a dressing room filled with many roses of different kinds. Madame Rose groaned. "No!" she shouted again, and closed the door behind her and turned to look at Athine.

"You did very well my dear," she said with a small smile as she gently touch Athine's cheek. She walked towards a table, picking up a red rose with a black ribbon tied round it.

"She is pleased with you," she said as she gave Athine the rose. The echidna looked at the rose with wonder as Madame Rose left the room.