A/N: I'm back with another chapter! Yay!

JJAndrews: Thank you. I'm glad you liked the last chapter. As for Amelia and her relation to Dr. Jekyll. All will be explained in due time, my friend.

Now, ON WITH THE STORY!


Chapter 8: Determination

I woke early and rushed through my morning routine and raced to the Opera Populaire. I can't believe that the Phantom was following me!" I thought to myself as I rushed through entrance and bolted up the stairs. I spared only just enough time to say hello to the chorus and ballet girls and boys before dashing to my office. "Okay. I'm here. What now?" I thought in a rush as I looked around my office,"Okay, first, make sure no one tries to come in here."

I opened the door and called out to the music and set directors as they climbed the grand staircase. "Messieurs! Can you please make sure I am not disturbed today? I have important paperwork that must be done, and I cannot afford any distractions!"

"Of course, Mdme. Jekyll!" the music director called out.

"Anything for you, Madame!" the set director added enthusiastically.

"Wonderful! Thank you, messieurs!" I called out before locking myself inside my office again and stripping off my hat and coat.

A glance at the mirror behind my desk sent a chill down my spine as I remembered the night that the Phantom had locked me in here and confronted me. I came here today with a purpose, and I was not going to leave without answers to the questions that had sprung into existence in my mind yesterday. Taking a deep breath, I moved around my desk and placed a gloved hand on the cool, reflective surface of the mirror.

In a smooth, silent movement, the mirror slid into the wall as I pressed on it and pulled it to my right. The passageway just beyond the false mirror was almost pitch-black, and a new bolt of fear shot through me. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and stepped into the passage. Once inside, I had the fleeting thought, "Only children fear the dark. You are not a child, Amelia." And so, I began my descent into the bowels of the opera house.

After what felt like thousands of stairs, my eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and I was fairly certain that I was now in the fifth cellar of the opera house. The damp, cool air was heavy with the smells of mold and mildew, and I could hear faint music. An organ. Knowing that the only person who could possibly be down here would be the Phantom, I moved towards the music with my left hand on the damp, stone wall of the cellar.

As I grew closer to the source of the music, I became aware of the sound of water lapping at an unseen shore. Then, I rounded a corner, and saw a large, black lake with a single shaft of light illuminating the center of the great cavern. A boat was tethered to a small dock, and I could tell that the music was from the other side of the lake. As I was approaching the boat, a dark hand shot out and grabbed my wrist gently but firmly,"I would not recommend getting in that boat, mademoiselle," a low, accented voice warned.

I turned to see the owner of the hand and frowned slightly. "Why would that be? Who are you, sir?" I asked calmly despite the frantically racing heart inside my chest.

"I am called the Persian by most around here," he stated simply, gently tugging me away from the boat,"That boat will set off a trapped as soon as you start rowing to the other side if you do not know how to disarm it."

I shuddered at the thought. "Are there many traps within these tunnels?"

"Yes. I am quite surprised you made it down here alive and unharmed, Madame," the Persian stated, glancing across the lake as the music disbanded into many dissonant tones all at once as though someone had slammed their hands onto an organ's keys in frustration. "You must hide, Madame, the Phantom will be rowing out soon. He is expecting me to be alone."

"I am not afraid of that man," I stated simply, refusing to budge.

"You should be. He is far more dangerous than you know. You must hide," the Persian pleaded, terror in his eyes.

Then, we heard a splash from the far side of the lake, and I saw the terror contort the man's dark face. My heart twisted as I considered what he had said, and I nodded. "Very well. I will hide," I whispered, stepping backwards until I was hidden in the passage I had followed down.


I slowly raised my hands from the keyboard I had pounded on in my frustration and anger. That damned woman wouldn't get out of my head. I needed to know who she had told of me, what she had said, and why she had said anything. She clearly didn't fear me enough to show it to my face, but perhaps I had frightened her enough to make her want to confide in someone. If that was so, I needed help. Glancing over at the grandfather clock, I hissed a stream of curses when I saw the time. Nadir would be waiting at the far shore of the lake, and he was still quite paranoid after last year. If I was late, he wouldn't be all too pleased with me.

Quickly, I scrambled into the boat and began rowing across. "Ah, Erik, my friend. You seem upset, what is wrong?" Nadir called out as soon as I was in sight.

"Nadir, I fear I may have a problem," I replied as I reached the docks. "The new manager, Mademoiselle Jekyll, knows of my presence, and I need to know who she has spoken to of this. If anyone above finds out, you know what will happen."

"Of course, my friend," the Persian replied with a chuckle. "I understand, but what makes you think this woman will speak to anyone of you?"

"I was seen the other night at the opera. I refused to vacate box five, and she refused to leave me be. Rumors have begun to spread that she has a secret lover, and people are going to talk and grow suspicious. Then, I saw her in town yesterday riding with a young man who could have passed for her brother, and we made eye contact. She looked at me with horror," I explained, crouching on the prow of the boat," If she tells anyone that I am alive..."

My voice trailed off. I didn't want to leave the only home I had left. "I understand my friend, but if she has family here, she will need something to say to them to keep them off your scent. Write her a letter with a story she can feed to anyone who asks about the man she was seen with," Nadir suggested with a stern look on his face,"And if I find out that you have treated her inappropriately like poor Miss DaaƩ, the world finding out about you will be the least of your concerns."

My friend gave me a firm look before smiling gently. "Thank you, Nadir. I would appreciate it if you would approach her yourself, though. Try to warn her away from challenging me," I said softly, my energy having left at the mention of Christine," You and I both know that my temper could get the best of me and cause that wretched woman harm if she continues to be such a nuisance."

The dark-skinned man laughed and nodded. "Of course, my friend, but do not expect much. From what I hear, this woman is incredibly stubborn and refuses to give in. My approaching her could pique her curiosity."

I nodded slowly as my friend turned to leave, and I moved back to my seat to row back across the lake. "Stubborn indeed," I muttered under my breath,"Wretched woman could use a lesson in how to behave."