Hellooo, so I apologize that I didn't put this up earlier on in the day, I had guests over and we were preparing for a funeral tomorrow. Never the less, the story must go on! SO here is the next chapter and it seems that in order to survive any longer in the Opera House, Katia does what she must with the O.G. Or as we know him, the misunderstood Erik :)

Have fun reading :D

Chapter 5: Deal with the Devil

"The Phantom of the Opera is here, inside your mind"

I carefully peel my eyes open to focus as I hear the haunting melody play in my head. The first thing that comes to my attention is a lacy black curtain surrounding me. Candelabras litter the small space I am in. Oh lord, where am I? My whole body is like lead, reluctant to move. I look down and see my green dress Madame Giry had given me. I am still wearing the same dress I had on earlier, and I seem to be on a very comfortable… bed? What on earth happened to me?

Suddenly the lacy black curtain levitates to reveal a dark figure standing before me. What the… he wears a black suit and a white mask which covers one half of his face. Oh my lord, he must be the Opera Ghost!

"You."

So he speaks. My body shivers in response to his seductively scary voice. My instincts are telling me to run, to grab something, anything, and throw it at his face and run out of there, back into the dressing room. But I am too petrified to move, I can all but stare back into his deadly eyes glaring into my soul. I am going to die…

"Do you know why you are here?"

I do not comprehend his question. I can't tear my eyes away from his. If I am going to be killed, I would rather he do it quickly than have a drawn out and awkward conversation. He seems relaxed, oozing arrogance and wit. It terrifies me so, I push myself back to the edge of the bed. I need to be as far from him as I can reach.

"Are you deaf, child?" He growls, growing impatient. He takes a step towards me and lowers his face to mine.

I try to keep myself as calm as possible, but fear gets the better of me and tears start to fall down my face. He reminds me too much of Uncle George, how he would become if I had forgotten to give him extra helpings of stew, or if his room was untidy. How he would lock me in the attic which he claimed was my bedroom, with no daylight or contact to the outside world. All the memories come flooding back to me all at once and it's too much.

"P-please, monsieur, are you going to kill me?" I manage to stutter, clutching the cloth of my dress. My tear filled eyes bore into his, determined to figure out his motives.

He but scoffs and laughs at my question, still standing by my side.

"I was tempted. After all, you did destroy my opportunity to bond with Miss Daae. You had the audacity to encourage her to dine with that Vicomte!" as he spits out Raoul's title, he glares in my direction. So this is why I am here? Because he is jealous of Christine and Raoul?

"You are jealous of Raoul and Christine?" I ask testily, peering up at him through my lashes.

As soon as I speak, a large hand is thrust against my neck and forces me back into the headboard. I struggle for breath against his crushing grip.

"DO NOT SPEAK HIS NAME, IS THAT CLEAR?" He bellows, squeezing every smidgen of air from me.

"Ye-es," I gasp out, my hands pulling on his. When he finally decides to release me, I fall against the bed, coughing and spluttering, my hands massaging my neck. He marches away from the room and down out of my sight. I am completely and utterly dumbfounded. This 'Opera Ghost' whom everyone had feared, was in fact real after all, and had me in his lair. What am I to do? I cannot ignore him!

I decide to brave it and step out into the heart of the lair. Looking around, I am in awe. It is beautifully lit with several candelabras, curtains, sculptures of the Opera Populaire and an organ with sheets of music scattered around. The O.G. sits there as if contemplating. Then I see him is scribbling something down on one of the pages. I want to go and see, but I am too afraid of him.

I realize that I do not know how I came to be here: the last thing I remember is falling and then darkness. He is the only one who knows!

I edge my way towards him, careful not to step on any of his belongings. Conversation is better started sooner rather than later, right?

"Forgive me, monsieur," I begin.

He does not turn round or stop writing, as he replies "Yes?"

"How... um, why am I here, exactly?"

"You ventured here yourself." is his flat response, as if it's obvious.

"Yes, but... I do not remember seeing this place. I would have... if I did come across... it is a beautiful..."

He gets up abruptly, making me jump in return. I take several steps back, realizing that I was indeed quite close in proximity to his organ.

"This is not a haven Miss! This is where I hide! This place, is many things but beautiful is not one of them!" his voice is very low and angry. For goodness sake Katia! You keep angering him!

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" I fall backwards and put my hands to my face in cowardice. I am so terrified of him, more tears fall from my eyes. They sting, but more tears continue to fall.

He looks at me, almost ashamed at my response, he takes a step towards me, and extends a hand to me.

Cautiously, I look from his hand to his face, and take it pulling myself up. I cannot deal with this, with him. I have to leave, but the big question is will he let me. He towers above me, like a predator.

"I saw you enter my home, so I was going to question you, but you had fallen into the lake. From there I placed you in my boat and let you recover on the bed."

I gasp, speechless at his explanation. He had rescued me? As he speaks, he seats himself at the organ.

"You are the new pianist of my home, yes? You are the glue which keeps the show together. Without a pianist, the arias are simply not the same."

I sit on a cold stone step, overlooking the lake and organ. He kept me alive for the sake of the Opera. So there was use for me according to him.

"You do, however, need improvement with your playing and technique. I can help you."

What? He wishes to help me with my playing? So I was an amateur pianist indeed, the audience must have loved Christine so much to not notice me after all.

"You wish to help me with my playing? You saw Christine perform with me by her side?"

He looks longingly at the ground as if in a dream. He must love Christine, but if so, why does he not say so?

"Yes I did. You accompanied Miss Daae and you could have done better if you had the right teacher."

He is hinting very strongly that he wants to teach me. He must know more about music than anyone judging by his surroundings. But if I was to take him up on his offer, I would be putting my life at risk! Although, part of me wonders goodness knows what he would do if I could not accompany Christine's solos. I couldn't embarrass her on stage.

"If you were to teach me, what would be your price?" I ask tentatively. He would not do such a thing for nothing in return, surely?

He ushers me to come by his side at the organ and I obey, quickly gathering my dress. I look over the sheets of music, they all have the initials 'E.D.' on the top corners.

"Take this one to the piano and play it. I want to see where you will start," he hands me a sheet titled: 'Music of the Night'.

I scan the page, eyes widening at the arrangements of the notes. I could not play this! But then again, if I were to refuse...

I take my time heading over to the piano at the other side of the lair, setting down the sheet and taking a large breath. I glance up at him, he nods, encouraging me to proceed.

OK then, Katia. Here goes...

"Night time, sharpens, heightens each sensation

Darkness stirs and wakes imagination

Silently the senses abandon their defenses..."

I sing and play through the song, attempting to reach for the high notes as best I could. But it was late, and tiredness combined with fear, fought against me.

"I'm so sorry. I was terrible, monsieur. I will be better next time, I promise..."

He stays silent as he walks over to me, his eyes never leaving me once. I feel very nervous, what did he think?

"You were not at all bad, Katia. Lessons will commence tomorrow at 3 PM. I shall escort you back into your chambers."

I sigh in relief and happiness, my fear dissipates. He wears a small smile on his face, as do I. If only I could see behind the mask, then maybe I could picture his entire expression. But I shall not provoke him.

Before I can step onto the boat, the O.G. takes my arm and pulls on it, making me turn around abruptly.

"My price is this, Miss Katia: Do NOT interfere with my affairs with Miss Daae, or inform her of our encounter. You would not like to see me at my worst. Is that understood?"

Ah, he is jealous of Raoul and Christine. I wish to be on good terms with Christine, and if she is going to be in danger I must warn her of him. But in doing so, would surely end my life as I know it. I have to choose between my friend, and myself.

"Yes, monsieur. I understand," I agree.

Satisfied with my response, he allows me onto his boat and we both set sail for the other side and I cannot help but worry...

What have I gotten myself into?

Dun dada Dun! So, Katia and Phantom have met! I had fun writing this chapter, hope you had fun reading it! I hope the phantom was in character, I had a wee bitty bother writing his part but I know where this story will go now and have everything mapped out. Thank you to my new followers, there are quite a few. But i have to get going now its tomorrow oclock now! See you next week where Katia tries to follow the phantoms rules, but will she let slip anything to Christine? Stay tuneedd! :D