Disclaimer: Don't own the Phantom of the Opera. Probably never will :( But at least I get to play with it :D

Author: Thanks everyone for continuing to this story! Please enjoy this chapter! :D

Madame Giry's pov

I gasped out loud when I saw the girl's face. She had dark vine tattoos and open scars cutting across her face. Parts of her face look burned. Where her eyebrows should've been were strange tattoos. What stood out the most was her eyes. Those golden eyes. They looked much less threatening now, but they still made her seem like a fierce beast. Staring at her face, I noticed something. It was that same look that Erik had when I saw his face uncovered. It wasn't fear that I saw. She had a dejected look, like she was expecting something dreadful to happen.

"You aren't scared of me?", she asked. I decided not question her appearance yet. I took another glance at her completely. The side of her shirt was cut open and stained with blood, but she didn't seem to notice.

"I've seen worse. Come now. I need to tend to your wounds before you bleed to death.", I said. "However, we need to enter the opera house without being seen. I do not believe that everyone will have my reaction." I motioned her to follow me and brought her to my room. "This is my personal room.", told her. I quickly got some bandages and water to tend to her wound. The girl sat down on a stool and for the first time she seemed to notice her cut. "Let me tend to your wound. I'll be gentle.", I said while walking towards her with a damp towel.

"It's alright, I can do it.", she said while taking the towel. She lifted part of her shirt up and started to clean the cut. I stood from a distance observing her.

"I'm madame Giry, what's your name?", I asked. She hesitated for a second.

"Anastasia.", she said. I inspected her cut, most of the blood had been wiped off now, and surprisingly it looked as if it had already started to heal. Anastasia washed the blood stained towel, and then she grimaced as she continued to clean the wound.

"Anastasia, have you eaten yet? You look like you haven't eaten in days.", I asked.

"No.", she replied.

"Wait here.", I told her. I ran off to the kitchen to search for some food for her. As I walked, I thought about what I should do with her. She was obviously homeless. But that stallion of hers looked like it was a purebred horse, which would make it awfully expensive. What are the chances, I was out searching for Erik, but instead I find her. "I can't believe I'm doing this again.", I whispered to myself.

As I watch her eat, I noticed that she was very etiquette despite looking like she was starving. When she was almost finished I asked her, "So do you have a home?"

"Not anymore.", she said while looking down.

"What happened?", I asked gently.

"It's a long, complicated story.", she answered uncomfortably. I decided not to press her anymore. Maybe I could get more information later.

"Come with me. I know a place you can stay safe and hidden, if you wish to stay here.", I told her. Hopefully Erik wouldn't mind. He was gone anyways, I argued with myself. I had tried to search for him after the chandelier incident that occurred almost two weeks ago, but he was no where to be found. All that was left of him was his porcelain mask. His lair was ransacked and destroy by the angry mob when they found it. However, no one dared to venture there now because it was so far underground. I led her to the prima donna's room and opened the mirror.

"Where are we going?", she asked.

"Somewhere safe underground.", I answered. "Follow me and do exactly as I do. These tunnels are dangerous, but you'll be safe." I led her down through the dark passages into the Phantom's lair.

"What is this place?", Anastasia asked. "And why is everything destroyed?"

"This is an underground lair that was destroyed after a tragic incident at the opera house.", I answered. "You should get some rest. There's a bed over there. There must be a change of clothes somewhere around here."

"Thank you for everything.", the girl said with a small smile. For a second, I thought that her eyes had changed to a friendly brown color. But it vanished as soon as the smile faded.

"You're very welcome.", I answered. "I don't suggest exploring the passages. There are many traps there. I'll draw you a map of the route we came here by." I searched through the drawers by the beautiful untouched swan bed and found a nightgown. Giving it to her, I allowed her the privacy of changing. "It's getting late. I should be heading back. Are you alright staying here alone?", I asked.

"I'll be fine. Thank you again.", she answered.

"Good night then.", I said. "You can sleep in any of the beds."

"Good night.", she said.


Anastasia's pov

I couldn't believe my luck. This sudden turn of events was startling. Here I was in a dark cave, sleeping in a warm, comfortable bed, wondering about what I should do next. I needed to break this accursed spell. But how? What was I supposed to do? I couldn't go back home to the wishing fountain. I needed to find that strange woman again and reverse this curse. Maybe I should just take one step at a time.

Getting up from the bed, I inspected the room around me. I didn't know what time it was, but I felt fully rested. The room definitely belonged to a woman once. It had a beautiful mahogany dresser in a corner and this exotic swan bed. This room was relatively untouched compared to the room outside.

The state of the room outside was appalling. Papers were scattered everywhere. A thin layer of dust covered everything. There were broken and burnt out candelabras everywhere. In the corner of this large room was a large elegant organ and on the other end was a large lake with a gate as an entrance. After scanning the room for a while, I saw that there was a covered plate on a clean table with a note beside it. I struck a match and lit the candle nearby so that I'd have some more light even though I could see quite well in the dark. I quickly opened the note and read it.

Anastasia,

I have set some breakfast here on the table for you, hopefully it's still warm. I will visit you later when practice is done. Make yourself comfortable, you can stay here as long as you like. Also here's a map of the the route here.

Madame Giry,

I quickly ate the food and decided to start cleaning up this place. I'm probably going to be staying here for a while. Changing out of my nightgown and into my previous attire. I started the long process of cleaning and sorting through all the stuff. I must ask madame Giry about the events that took place here.

I heard footsteps approaching me, so I got up from my work. I didn't know how long I had spent cleaning this place up. I had swept up most of the dust from the floor and gathered up all the scattered papers, which were mostly songs and compositions in the same child like hand writing. Oddly enough it had an elegant look to it.

"I see you've been cleaning up this mess.", madame Giry said.

"Yes. It's not as bad as it first appears.", I responded. "Do you happen to know the time?"

"It's about three in the afternoon.", she said. "Here I brought you some late lunch." She set down the food on the table and we both sat down.

"Are you going to eat too?", I asked about to grab another dish from the kitchen.

"No, no. I've already ate a while ago.", she said.

"The food is delicious.", I said, trying to make some light conversation. "Did you make it?"

"No, the cook did. He's a fabulous chef.", she answered.
"If you don't mind me asking, what exactly happened here?", I asked curiously. Glancing at madame Giry, I saw her let out a short sigh.

"I suppose you have the right to know.", she said. "A few weeks ago, a terrible incident occurred at this opera house. Have you heard of the Phantom of the Opera?"

"No.", I replied.

"Really? It's all over the news papers. Especially, after the chandelier crashed down killing several people in the process.", she said.

"I just arrived in Paris and I haven't read the news in a while.", I said. "Who is this Phantom and did he cause the crash?"

"Yes, it's a complicated love story.", she said. She paused for a moment, like she was trying to collect her thoughts. "The Phantom fell in love with a young singer, but she was deeply in love with vicomte. During an opera, the Phantom tried get her to fall for him. But instead she took off his mask, revealing him to the crowds. In anger, he cut down the chandelier and kidnapped the girl. An angry mob and the vicomte search for them. In the end, the girl left and married the vicomte and the mob wrecked this lair. However, the Phantom was never found."

"So this was his lair then?, I asked.

"Yes.", she answered. "But I don't think he's going to return."

"How do you know this man?", I asked. "And is he the man that you were searching for?" I felt like my questions were making madame Giry uncomfortable, but I couldn't help it.

"Yes, he's the man I was searching for. I saved him once when he was younger.", she answered.

"Just one last question, if you don't mind.", I said. "Why did he live down here?"

"His face was badly deformed.", she said. "The world treated him cruelly, so he decided to hide from it." That would explain the shattered mirrors and his mask.

"Thank you for telling me.", I said. "I appreciate it."

"Now, I think I deserve to know your story.", she said. "What caused you to come to Paris?" I couldn't help but grin. Yes, she's definitely earned my trust.

"Alright, but it might not make too much sense.", I warned. Then I recounted the events that led up to my escape. She listened eagerly and patiently. Never once interrupting me or questioning my sanity. The only thing I left out was my family name. I don't know why, but I felt like I should just keep that a secret. Maybe it was because my father is the marquis of Champagne, which would make my story much harder to believe.

"So then you weren't always like this?", she asked.

"No, not until a few weeks ago.", I answered.

"You are also a noble?", she asked.

"Yes.", I answered. I waited anxiously for the next question of what's your surname. But it never came. I guessed she didn't care or if she did she decided not to ask.

"Oh my, would you look at the time.", she said while looking down at a small pocket watch. "I must be going. Wouldn't do well to be late to my own rehearsal. Can't be a bad influence on my ballerinas, heaven knows they already have enough." I had to smile at that, seeing her so flustered.

"Best be going then. I'll take care of the dishes.", I said. "Farewell."

"Thank you.", she said. "I'll be seeing you later." With that, she got up and left.

Read and Review! :D