Disclaimer: I do not own Phantom of the Opera, When a Stranger Calls, Beauty and the Beast, or Keturah and Lord Death; they all belong to their rightful owners.

Author's Note: Hello again. So, I posted the second chapter a bit early, but it only took me three nights to complete, after rewriting sections until satisfied. So, my main focus is gonna be this story, but no worries, I am still slowly writing the others. Sadly, they probably won't be finished for a couple of months, but I'll keep workin' on them.

But thank you to all who reviewed and for those who read, it helps every bit.

Last night I found my rough draft copy of "A New Beginning," so I can retype it and hopefully get it beta-d before posting. And as of editing, the first chap of Strangers hasn't yet been sent back to me. My beta is taking summer courses and just got a job about a week ago, but he's kind enough to edit for me, even during his busy times.

I must say, I was quite frustrated with this chapter. It just didn't turn out the way I wanted it, but I couldn't put what I intended to, because then it would have messed the following chapters up, so I just had to settle for this one. It's not as long as the other chap, but close enough. I'm more of a descriptive writer, than I am a dialogue person, meaning I am by no means a social butterfly, but I tried. I wonder if the first chapter wasn't a fluke (laughs). Everybody else makes the dialogue look so easy. Especially Quiet2885, who I adore completely. She's a fantastic writer, you should check out her fic, "When All is Lost," if you haven't already. Along with many other talented authors as well. They are what have inspired me to write my own fanfiction, along with life itself and movie inspirations.

This is a slightly boring chapter, and a bit awkward, so you have been warned, but the next chapter will be better, I promise. But anyways, have a great read, and please review, it means much. And if you see any mistakes that kind of stick out, let me know, thank you.

Warnings: Language, graphic scenes (a.k.a. blood, death, and others.)


Tiptoeing quietly across the wooden floor, she made her way to the front door. She was almost there. Just a few more steps. Before her hand had even came in contact with the golden doorknob, the witch caught her. "And where do you think you're goin', young lady?" Grimacing she faced the woman who had spoken.

Her mother stood just a little ways inside of the doorway, with her hands on her hips, and those cold grey eyes locked onto hers. One could say that her mother might have stepped out of a time machine from the 1800's. The way she dressed, and held herself, spoke for itself. It made Christine feel like a lowly peasant. Such a woman made with grace had given birth to one who was exactly the complete opposite. She was everything that Christine could never have dreamt of, even if her mother's temper clipped a few times, it didn't deter Christine's fantasy of becoming a figure just like her.

"Nothin', I just wanted some fresh air…" Christine trailed off, her eyes glancing left, leaving her mother the real truth. She had just given herself away. Her mother was like a lie detector. "Is that so?" Luellen raised an eyebrow, clearing knowing her daughter had told yet another lie.

"You know the rules, Christine. All privileges taken away, until you can show me that you are able to be a responsible young woman. But so far you've proven nothing. Your father and I specifically told you to be home before ten, and then you show up during the wee hours of the morning? Can you explain that? Did you lose your head out there with all those idiots you call friends? And on top of that, you passed out before either of us could reach you. Another rule broken; you were told to leave if alcohol came into the picture." Luellen pointed an accusing finger at the seething Christine.

"I did not even touch one drop of alcohol! It was Kevin's fault. He wouldn't take me home, even after I asked three times in the same hour. And I didn't want to walk back here in the storm…" She had trekked most of the way home and all through the back of the town in the storm. If anything, that was one of the lamest answers she had come up with this morning. She really wasn't right in the head today. Perhaps, she was having a hangover with the fear from last night. Gritting her teeth, she knew this little spat wasn't about to end.

"Don't you go blamin' that dimwit. You knew he was trouble the first time you laid eyes on that boy. Yet you went ahead, clearing ignoring our suspicions. So it's your own fault, young lady, and you are the one that is going to suffer the consequences. Not him." Before Christine had a chance to voice her opinion, her mother cut in once again. "Starting tomorrow you are going to earn your way out of punishment, by working it off. You are going to get a job to help out with this family."

Christine laughed. "Get a job? Mum, there are no job openings in Wellpools. You and I both know that. And plus I don't have my Driver's License yet." Luellen had to smile at her daughter. She was trying so hard to get herself out of the mess she had already made. But the girl had to learn one way or another, or she was going to end up facing the world, learning the hard way.

"Well darlin', there are jobs in this town, you just have to look. And there's no need for a Driver's License, at the moment. This town is small enough for you to walk to wherever your little heart desires." She crossed her arms over her chest, waiting to hear what her daughter would come back with. Christine felt like throwing a tantrum. Her mother was being so difficult, it made her blood boil. She couldn't just boss her around like she was nothing. At the moment her pride was sinking. She didn't feel like walking, especially after last night. No matter how much she tried, those golden eyes had haunted her in sleep until she woke.

After being woken up by a cold rag to the forehead and the concerned looks her parents had been giving her, didn't help any. Now she was paranoid to even take a step outside. In fact she had closed all the curtains after a long round with her mother who was beginning to believe that the alcohol had gotten into her head. Christine wasn't crazy, she knew what she saw. Those eyes had been stalking her, she was almost certain.

"Christine. Christine Daee! I am speaking to you!"

She was jolted back to the living, flinching a bit. The screaming was uncalled for. She hadn't even noticed she had drifted back to the night before. It was just so shocking. There she went again. Shaking her head, she tried to focus her mind on the present situation at hand. "Don't you shake your head at me, young lady!" She winced, goodness she was out of it today. "No, no. Sorry, I was just thinking. But anyways, yes I'll go find a job, and earn my keep. Sorry for upsetting you." She turned to leave, but her mother stopped her.

"Ms. Matthews is going out of town this weekend. And tomorrow she has a business meeting to attend and doesn't have a sitter for that day. She asked me if you would be able to." Christine smiled. "Thanks mum. That'll be perfect. Besides it's been awhile since I last saw the twins." Luellen chuckled. "Yes, but don't worry, you won't have to stay for the weekend. Emilie is."

"So does this mean I get to use my phone?" Her mother gave her a stern look. "Christine, you are grounded from your phone, computer, and friends. Remember you are earning your way out of this little debt you put yourself in. But anyways, Ms. Matthews said she'd pay you handsomely, since you'll be there from early afternoon till late in the night." She felt the panic rise. Ms. Matthews wanted her to stay that late? But…those eyes! They would know. They would follow her, unless whoever it had been had left. She hoped so. "Oh…" Luellen passed it as a sign of uneasiness, since this would be Christine's first time spending an entire night babysitting.

"When you go, make sure to behave and be careful. Make sure you listen to all of the rules she gives you and make sure you get those children to bed early. Tomorrow, I'll give you a list of phone numbers just in case you need anything, and I'm sure Ms. Matthews will do the same. So now, I believe the dishes are calling for you." Christine groaned. The other part of the punishment was cleaning house, which she despised above all. That's what mothers were for.

Dragging her feet towards the kitchen, she went over the new plans in her mind. The last time she had babysat was for Mrs. Jansen. And her two boys had been a handful. Actually made Christine rethink her decision about having children. Opening the door, she was greeted with a most distasteful sight. She had to fight back another groan. The two sinks were full to the brim with dirty dishes, while both countertops were piled high until they almost reached the bottoms of the cabinets. A few pots and pans lay on the floor in front of the broken dishwasher. Pressing her lips together, she got to work.

First she went up to the bathroom and grabbed a few towels, heading back downstairs, she heard her mother talking on the phone. Apparently it seemed she was in some sort of heated disagreement. At the moment, Christine didn't care. She had a job to do. She set to cleaning off the countertops, placing the dirty dishes on the floor, but allowing room for her to move around in front of the sinks. Laying the towel across the now clear countertop, she started to wash the sinks out with the cleaning detergent. After rinsing them out, she filled one up with hot water, and went to scrubbing the smaller dishes.

Placing the cups in a line on the towel, along with the other various smaller dishes, she then began to tackle the bigger dishes, plates included. After washing and rinsing three loads, she dried and put them away, not forgetting to snatch another dry towel to finish the last load. She had saved the huge pots for last. The smell of greasy pots, made her stomach lurch. She had despised anything that was covered in grease. It was just disgusting. Tackling the last pot was a bit of work. It kept slipping from her grasp and into the luke-warm water. Frustrated, she threw the rag at the dirty water, getting splashed in the process. Grumbling, she grabbed a dry washcloth and wiped away the water droplets.

Walking over to the kitchen closet, she took hold of the broom, and started to sweep the kitchen floor, making a small dirt pile in the center. After throwing the contents in the trashcan, she took the challenge of mopping. The mop and her never did get along. She searched for the bucket, and found it in the garage. Filling it halfway with hot water, she added a lid-full of bleach along with a few drops of the orange detergent to make the smell more pleasant. Dunking the mop head into the water, she ringed it out and began the fierce battle of cleaning the kitchen floor. After 20 minutes, the floor was glistening for her. Smiling at a good job done, she went to empty the bucket and put the mop away.

Her next chore was taking the trash out. She wasn't too thrilled about it. Looking at the already over-flowing trashcan, she wrinkled her nose. It smelled even from where she was standing. She wondered how a woman could clean house everyday and want to do it again. Maids had a job for a reason. Approaching the trash, she lifted the sack up, and tied the tops twice, crossing over, and then another two times to make sure it held together. Hauling it up, she took it outside. Stopping, she looked towards the sun. The sun was slowly starting to set on the horizon. Another hour or two of sunlight was left.

Turning to look at the door, she realized she had to walk a block down to the dumpster. She didn't want to do it. Even during the day those two yellow specks haunted her. She didn't have the feeling of being watched right then, but she was quite paranoid after the incident last night. Biting her lip, she sucked it up, and walked towards the street, heading for the dump. She knew she looked silly carrying a big, plastic, black, trash bag. And no doubt her appearance was a mess. She felt embarrassed.

Her flip-flops plopped against the concrete, making a funny sound. It was loud, but thankfully there were people still out and doing their own business. The trees above shaded the street. She didn't like those trees. And the yard to her left was barren of any grass. Old man Roberts had never taken care of his property. It's no wonder after he died, that his wife made a run for it. Probably glad to finally be in freedom. Christine thought there were too many loonies in town.

She wondered where in the world had the town folks came up with the name Wellpools anyway? There were only two wells in the town and a very small lake a few miles west, and there definitely was no pool around. There were a few ponds out in the pastures made by farmers, but that was about it. They once did have a nice river, but they had to dam it up, because every year they ended up getting flooded.

Just a few steps ahead was the dumpster. Snorting, she felt out of shape. It shouldn't have taken her 15 minutes just to walk down to the dump. She must have gained a couple of pounds. Inwardly, she felt a slight depression coming on. She didn't want to be fat. She had to take a little break. Besides, she'd have to climb the ladder to throw the trash into the dumpster. And at the moment, after carrying the huge sack and walking for 15 minutes, she was tired. Sitting a little ways from the dump, she let her muscles relax; forgetting once about being paranoid for the moment. The sun was just now setting, but there was enough light to still make her way back. So there was no reason to be afraid.

All of a sudden there was a vibration in the back of her jeans; it made her squeak and jump, clearly startled by the unexpected surprise. Taking out her cell phone, she forgot she had put it there, to hide it from her mother. A grin settled on her face. There was no mother to ruin it for her this time. Quickly opening up the cell and pressing the talk button, she spoke, trying not to let her excitement get out of hand. "Hello?" She asked, hoping it was one of her friends, and not her mother.

"Hey girlfriend! How are you?" Meg asked, sounding a bit hyper. "I'm all right. Grounded for staying out too late, though. So, I have a punishment to pay off, plus all of my privileges have been taken away. But I managed to save my phone!" Christine wasn't going to tell Meg about last night. She'd have to wait for the appropriate time to discuss it.

"So…I guess you won't be coming to the party?" Meg asked, already knowing the answer. "Nope." Sighing, Christine fell onto her back. "Yup, this sucks. I'm babysitting tomorrow for Ms. Matthews."

"No way!" Meg screamed into the phone, obviously quite excited by the news. "Whoa sister! That woman has one hell of a house! She's so rich! Perhaps, she'll pay you a grand amout of money, eh?" Meg laughed. Everybody knew that Ms. Matthews was somewhat of a shrewed woman, but if a lady with manners walked past her, she'd gladly pay them up for acting the way every lady should be. Ms. Matthews was just too old in fashion, just like Christine's mother, but worse. "Maybe…I just don't like it. I mean she lives so far out, and well it's just too…isolated for my liking…well from what I've heard anyways."

"Oh, stop being such a baby. You'll have loads of fun! Maybe…I can come over too? Of course after Ms. Matthews leaves." Christine snorted. "Probably not. The kids would tell." Meg groaned. "Oh. Yeah…Man, that sucks. Well, anyways I gotta go. Have a blast! Love ya. Bye." Christine said her goodbyes and closed the phone, putting it back in her pocket.

She wrinkled her nose. The garbage sure did smell. Sighing, she got up and lifted the bag, then began the process of climbing the wimpy ladder. Heaving it over the side, she threw it in. Hearing the 'clunk', she started to go down, but frowned. She noticed the sound didn't seem right. Taking a peek over the edge, she peered down into the rancid pit. What she saw made her scream bloody murder. There was a dead body in the dumpster! Screaming again, she raced back home; all the while the image of the bloody corpse still fresh in her mind. It looked as if the poor victim had been striped of its skin, perhaps even skinned alive…

Deep in the shadows of the nearby trees, amber eyes watched the retreating female running in the direction she had come from. It seemed his artwork must have made an impression, for the girl had acted just as he planned. He had waited long enough. It was time for the predator to move in on his prey. Chuckling softly, the figure disappeared into the darkness.


Yes, he finally makes an appearance! Wonder what he'll do next? Read and find out for next time! So, tomorrow night I'll start on chapter three. Even as I'm writing it, I'm getting into it as well, funny isn't it? Hope you guys all liked it. Please review, I'd appreciate it. Thank you for reading, it means much.

Until next time,

Sapphire Lupe