A/N: Hello again! Where did my reviewers go? Come back! Erik and Christine miss hearing what you think! Big thanks to Alexanne for reviewing (you win!), and enjoy the chapter – things are getting exciting!

"With the closing of their latest, successful opera, the theatre is hosting a well-deserved celebration on New Years Eve – a dazzling masquerade ball…"

- NY Times

Christine's POV

I smoothed out the skirt of my elaborate gown as I stepped out of Raoul's car, running my hands over the folds of lace and silky pink fabric. I was adjusting my mask as Raoul stepped into view, looking quite handsome in his tuxedo. He had refused to dress up for the ball, as if such childish things were beneath him. He had even objected to my dressing up (because apparently no one wears costumes to masquerade balls), but when I had refused to budge on the issue, he eventually agreed to allow me to dress up as long as he chose what I wore. When I reluctantly agreed to his terms, he dragged me all over the city to the type of high-end stores and boutiques where Meg and I used to sit outside of and make fun of all the snobby rich people who went in.

And so I ended up dressed like this. To Raoul's credit, I saw now that this is how most of the really important guests were dressed. The little cream-colored mask I wore shone and glittered with pearls and crystals and little pink roses, but it seemed understated next to the dress, which not only was too gaudy for my taste, but also too tight in the bodice and far, far too low cut. But Raoul liked it, I reminded myself, and he is my boyfriend. I should want to wear things that he likes to see me in. And it really was a beautiful dress. I just wasn't used to such fancy things.

"You look great," Raoul said, putting his arm around my waist as we walked up the steps of the theatre. I noticed with more than a little embarrassment that his eyes were not exactly on my face as he said this. That was something else that I hadn't gotten used to – how obviously he showed his affections and desires. Really, we hadn't been together for that long, and I still wasn't entirely comfortable with the relationship.

The fact that we were leaving for his beach house together after the ball tonight wasn't helping me feel any more comfortable. Not only was I still unsure about my feelings for him, but if I was completely honest with myself, Erik still occupied my thoughts. After the night that the opera opened, I had heard nothing from him. He was never at out lessons, and after a while I simply stopped going, knowing that he would not be there. Mrs. Giry always handed me a red rose with a black ribbon tied around the stem after every performance, and I knew without her telling me who they were from, but Erik was never there. I knew that he wasn't gone gone, but it worried me that I hadn't seen him in such a long time.

Raoul and I hurried inside the theatre out of the unbearably cold night, and were quickly greeted by Meg and Mrs. Giry.

"Christine, you look beautiful!" Meg gushed. "That dress is just perfect for you!" She leaned closer to me and said more softly, "I saw that all your bags are ready to go at home." I smiled but said nothing. Meg was clearly more enthusiastic about the whole thing than I was. "So, are you excited for your vacation?" she probed after not getting the response she wanted out of me.

"I'm sure it will be nice," I answered noncommittally, glancing over at Raoul who was still speaking politely with Mrs. Giry.

"Christine, I think it's supposed to be a little more than nice, and I think that common social rules dictate that you should be a bit more excited about vacationing on the beach with your hot, wealthy boyfriend," Meg said flatly.

I rolled my eyes. "I know, Meg. I guess I just have commitment issues or something. I still don't feel entirely sure about the whole thing."

Meg gave me an affectionate smile. "Stop worrying so much. Just have fun. And then come home and tell me all about it," she said teasingly, making me laugh.

We parted and Raoul took my hand, leading me to the dance floor. The minutes ticked by in swirls of color and music, in swishes of elaborately beaded ball gowns. When the clock struck midnight, cheers rang out and people reached for glasses of champagne to toast with. Raoul held me in his arms to kiss me, his lips barely hovering over mine when a terrible hush fell over the room that made us both look up.

The final stroke of the clock rang out, the lingering echo fading away to leave us in complete silence. All eyes were on the ominous figure in red that stood at the top of the grand staircase, his cold eyes inspecting us from behind the skeleton mask he wore.

If this had been the olden days when women were all delicate, I'm sure I would have fainted. I was drowning in emotions that I couldn't even begin to decipher. I felt Raoul leave my side, whispering something to me that I didn't hear, as Erik began to approach me. No one dared to try to stop him, or even to move. His every step seemed dominating, threatening, and I felt fear well up in me, fear that vanished as soon as I heard that familiar voice.

"Christine," he called out gently. His voice was more melodious, more enticing than I remembered, and a wave of relief washed over me at hearing it after being parted for so long. "Christine, come to me. Return to your teacher. You have much still to learn. Leave all this behind. Come to me, my Christine."

My thoughts were blurred, my mind unable to focus, unable to recognize that anything but that voice existed. I was consumed with him. I began to drift towards him, completely unaware that I was walking. My lips moved to silently form one word: Erik. He reached out and took my hand, bringing me closer to him. I vaguely heard Meg calling my name, but she sounded so distant. And why did she sound so frantic? It was only Erik, he would never hurt me. I felt warm velvet against my cheek as I rested my head on his chest. I was so tired. I was tired of everything that was going on, tired of the world. I faintly heard Erik whisper, "You belong to me."

And then in a whirl of noise and darkness, we were falling.

Meg's POV

Raoul shouldn't have left her side to go fetch security. He left her, and she went to Erik as if in a trance when he called to her. I frantically looked to Mother, but she looked on stoically, keeping a firm hand on my shoulder. "Christine!" I cried out. "Christine!" She didn't even seem to hear me. I watched in horror as Erik took Christine and held her gently, lovingly even. Raoul was returning with several guards, who were shouting orders at Erik. He gave the men no notice, even when their guns were aimed at him.

He whispered something to Christine and shot a fiery glance in Raoul's direction, and then just as one of the guards shot, he and Christine vanished.

Everyone was in a panic now, and there were cries of terror and confusion. "Mother! Mother, what happened? What's going on? Where are they?" I cried, desperately clutching to her sleeve like a frightened child.

Mother turned and looked at me gravely. "I do not know."

Dun dun dun! Lots of excitement to come! I should have time to update again this week, so I'll work hard on that. In the meantime, you know what gets me wanting to write more? Reviews! So please let me know what you think, and if you have ideas or suggestions I would love to hear them!