Chapter 4 - The Offer

The Phantom was anxious. Finding her locker had been easy enough, and putting the letter inside a simple matter of bribing someone to do it. But he had watched her discreetly then, saw her finding it and putting it into her bag. He had seen her hiding it from her friend, and leaving to go home. He hadn't dared follow her outside the parks, for it wasn't his domain, but he hoped, he so hoped she would accept and come to see him.

He knew his chances were small, but nonetheless, he hoped, sitting on his comfy sofa in his secret room in front of the castle, overlooking the hub, waiting for the show to start.

He had helped design it, a few years ago, given many ideas and technical tools, and enjoyed hearing the applause of the guests as it ended, the wonder and joy in their cheers as the fireworks lit the sky, and it brought tears to his eyes, to know that they may never know it, but He, and He alone, was at the root of so many of their fondest memories.

Tonight was no exception. His heart was empty, but tonight, as Tinkerbell lit up the star at the top of his castle, he felt it soar with the hope that maybe, later this evening, his dearest wish might come true.

Maybe he wouldn't feel so alone anymore.

There. The night crew would soon arrive, and she stayed in the shadows, to wait for the "E" that had called to her. It was most unwise, she knew that, but she couldn't help herself. After all, nothing bad would happen, now, would it ? With all the cameras around, she was quite safe. And just in case, she'd left her letter and a note on her kitchen table, so that Meg knew what had happened should she fail to answer her, as she had the keys to her flat.

The night was cold, but the sky was clear and moonless, and the stars shone far away. She stepped out, five minutes to midnight, to wait for the one who'd called upon her. She didn't know what to expect, who would be there in the shadows. He was working here, that she knew, he wasn't new, either, and might belong to her team, but there was no one she knew that could fill that description, so she waited, heart beating fast, her breath puffing white in the cold air.

The music was still on, from the Main Street just behind the "Cast Members only" door, and even though she strained her ears, she couldn't hear the soft steps of the dark figure coming.

He was there, over her, in the shadows.

She'd come. He hadn't dared believe it, but she was there. Waiting for him. Now that it was done, he found his voice might fail him. He had rehearsed a few speeches, to say to her, but no words would come out.

He took a deep breath, trying to slow his beating heart, and slowly, gently, he spoke in the darkness.

"You came."

It startled her again. The voice was smooth, deep and low, and she couldn't see from where it came. She looked around, trying to sense the presence behind the voice, but she couldn't see anyone.

"I… I did. Who are you? What do you want? Show yourself!"

"Who I am is not important."

She didn't dare raise her voice too much, fearing to be overheard, but the voice seemed to come from near her ears. And yet, what he said made her blood boiling. After what he'd demanded she did, and asking her to come, he dared refuse to reveal such simple information.

"Then I should leave," she said, her voice cold.

"Please don't… Trust me. Christine…"

The voice was pleading, now, soft and desperate.

Despite her mind telling her it was a mistake, she wanted to know more. She wanted to keep listening to that voice.

"Then why have you sent me this letter? Why am I here?"

"I want to help you. You have a wonderful, strong voice. I… I could help you strengthen it. Make it soar and dazzle the world."

She laughed softly, and a bit bitterly.

"That path was closed for me a long time ago. I couldn't do it. Why should I trust what you say? You've barely listened to me."

"You have no reason to trust me, but I am a great musician, and I know a good voice when I hear one. You have an amazing potential, and with work, you could make it true. Haven't you dreamt of starring in the shows you usher the crowds in?"

"I… It's too hard…"

She had no idea why she didn't refuse outright. He had no reason to fill her head with the dreams and hopes she'd banished when her parents had died, when they had wanted her to be the princess in the shows they'd seen. Now she was glad to remain in the shadows, unseen.

"I don't want to be in the light", she whispered. "I enjoy working away from that world."

"Then don't. But your voice… It'd be a crime not to work on it…"

That voice, despite her reserve, spoke to her, fueled a desire she'd long buried within her heart.

"Please," he whispered again. "Let me help you… I can feel you want it desperately."

Tears she hadn't known were there fell from her eyes, and the pain and despair she'd spent the day keeping at bay overwhelmed her, and great sobs began shaking her body. She wanted to believe him. Oh, she wanted it so much. To feel the joy and relief of singing again, to see the praise in her parents' eyes, when she did. She'd missed it. And damn it all, if it took a bodiless voice to do it, then so be it.

"Alright," she said after a while, drying her tears, when she could trust her voice not to display her breaking moment. "What should I do?"

He closed his eyes. He'd done it. She believed him. She wanted him to help her. Now he had only to close the deal.

"We'll begin tomorrow, if you'd like. Come to the castle, after the Dreams show. I'll be there."

"In body, as well?"

He laughed softly, a retort ready on his lips.

"Isn't my voice pleasing enough?"

He had few assets, but he knew he could rely on his voice, and its attractive tone.

She smiled in the darkness, and answered, feeling less shy to admit it without anyone to see her:

"It is. It'll be enough, for now."

So they seemed to have reached a truce. An understanding. She'd agreed to his lessons, to let him have his secrets, but in time, she would have to know.

"Fair enough. Until tomorrow, then, my dear."

He couldn't escape the endearment falling from his lips. She was too naïve, too trusting for her own good. And yet, he couldn't begin to regret it, and doubt himself. Tomorrow would never come fast enough.

She smiled, as well, feeling a small blush on her cheeks, hoping the darkness hid it from him, wherever he could be. He'd called her his dear. It didn't feel too much, or condescending. She couldn't believe how so small a thing could send such hope and care into her heart.

Was this the angel she'd been hoping for? Had the stars finally granted her wish?

She looked up at the stars, feeling him leaving her, and crept to the shadows to leave the park. The buses had stopped for the night, and she had to come home on foot.

She didn't mind, though, as it left her time to think about it.

Soon her brain caught up with her heart, and she chastised herself for having blindly agreed to his lessons. But strangely enough, she felt safe with that voice. She'd go on protecting herself, with the pepper spray that never left her, and leaving notes for her friends to find, should she go missing, but he was only a voice, and a voice couldn't harm her. After all, nobody could say more hurtful things than she'd herself thought.

So she came home, and went to sleep. In her dreams, for the first time in years, she sang.