The next morning, Annabelle woke up to the sound of her uncle making breakfast, "Good morning my Empress!" He called from the kitchen, "I am making something to eat before we go to the Opera House today…" Suddenly everything from the previous night came rushing back to her, 'The farewell party! Box 5, The Phantom!' She closed her eyes tightly and she pulled the blankets over her head, "I don't want to go to the Opera House today…" She muttered to herself quietly, but then she remembered the threat in her letter. "I have to go… For Uncle Andre…" She got up from her bed, proceeded to get dressed for the day, and went to see her uncle about Breakfast.

Her uncle turned to her as she walked to the table and smiled, "How did you sleep, Annabelle? I'm sure you did very well, considering you woke up late this morning…" He chuckled to himself and served Annabelle her breakfast. She gave a small smile as she sat and faked an embarrassed laugh, "Sorry Uncle, I'm just not used to staying up all night," She looked up and winked while smiling, "A woman needs her beauty sleep!" Andre smiled, "You must have been asleep for a long time, Annabelle. How else would you be this beautiful?" Annabelle blushed as she ate, "Uncle… You are such a charmer…" He laughed and sat as well, "I only speak the truth… Now hurry or we will be late for today's rehearsal."

Annabelle stopped mid-bite, her stomach feeling queasy and her appetite quickly fading. She wished her uncle knew about the letter, but she thought it best not to tell him about it. He would try to console her and say that someone was just pulling her leg because there was no Opera Ghost… But she knew there was. She had spoken to him and seen him multiple times, she didn't know how she was alive at this point. Annabelle wished that she had asked the others more about the Phantom, but in the end, she realized that she couldn't settle on the "should haves" and focus on what she needed to do today to keep her uncle safe.

They got to the opera house at about 11:45, which by then the whole Opera House was up and running. Everyone was so when busy working, Monsieur Andre and Annabelle showed up, they hardly noticed. Andre hugged Annabelle goodbye and went off to work, reciting how he was going to excuse himself for being late. Annabelle walked around the Opera House a bit, trying to calm herself before she went into box 5 when she found Sorrelli, Meg, and Cécile backstage with a kindle of kittens. "We need to send them away, Cécile," Sorrelli said exasperated, "If the Assistant stage manager finds them he will throw them out himself…" Cécile looked on the edge of tears, "But they were born a few days ago! Give them a few weeks to grow, then I will find them homes myself…"

Sorelli sighed, then Meg noticed Annabelle standing awkwardly, "Oh… Good morning Annabelle…" she said quietly. Sorrelli and Cécile quit their bickering and looked at Annabelle, who was waving hello. "Uh, good morning… I am sorry we got here so late, I overslept…" she said embarrassed. Cécile immediately forgot the argument and ran over to give her a hug, causing Sorelli to laugh, "You saw her just yesterday, Cécile, and yet you act as if you haven't seen her in years…" Meg nodded to herself, she found it strange that Cécile was so attached to someone who they barely knew. She felt awful for being so critical but she couldn't help it, she was worried that Cécile would get used, hurt, or worse.

Annabelle laughed and hugged her back, "It's good to see you too, Cécile. I was just on my way to… Meet someone and wanted to say good morning to you all…" Cécile let her go and asked curiously, "Who is that you're seeing?" Annabelle paused, 'There's no way I'm able to tell them the full truth…' She gave a small smile and said, "I'm going to see someone who said he'll help me sing just like Christine. Speaking of Christine, where is she? Shouldn't she be back by now?" Sorelli and Meg looked at each other uncomfortably, "We don't know where she is either…" Sorelli muttered quietly. Annabelle tried to lighten the mood with a little smile, "Well maybe she just slept in like me? She probably was exhausted from her performance last night…"

Sorelli nodded, "That's a much more comforting thought than…" she went quiet. Meg and Cécile both immediately understood what she meant, but Annabelle, was again, left in the dark. "More comforting than what?" she inquired, knowing that she wouldn't like the answer. Sorrelli glanced at Meg and Cécile, who were both shaking their heads fearfully. "I believe it's time we told her about… him…" Annabelle didn't want to ask who she was referring to, but she had a pretty good idea who the 'him' was, "You are talking about the Opera Ghost, aren't you…" They all turned white with fright at hearing her utter his name, "I-if you speak his name, the devil shall come!" Meg hissed while holding a frightened Cécile.

Annabelle wore a resolute expression, "I'm sorry for scaring you all, but I need to know who this… thing is if I am to protect myself and my uncle…" Sorelli sighed, "We don't know much about him, but we do know that whoever tries to learn of him usually meets an untimely demise…" Annabelle shuddered, while Sorelli continued solemnly, "He leaves letters of his demands, which must be followed exactly as written or there are usually consequences…" Meg decided it was her turn to contribute to the conversation, "My m-mother is in charge of his box seat. She encourages others to simply follow his orders as she has… Somehow nothing has happened to her…"

They both took turns telling Annabelle what they knew about the Opera Ghost until about 5 minutes before noon, when Annabelle had to stop them, "Thank you for all that you've told me, but I must be leaving…" She was significantly more fearful of the Phantom than she was before, but she was glad to know what kind of person she was up against. After saying her goodbyes to the girls, she made her way to Box Number 5. She made sure that no one saw her go into the box seat, for fear they would make her late to see the Phantom. She took one last breath before opening the door quietly. She quickly noticed the Phantom wasn't here yet and hurried inside.

She stood in the middle of the room patiently waiting for the Opera Ghost to come but soon grew extremely bored. Annabelle walked to the balcony of the box office to look at the dark and empty stage. She longed to be able to astound audiences with her singing and acting ability, but she wondered if this truly was the only way to accomplish her goal… She didn't have much time to ponder her situation, for the Phantom had finally arrived. "I see you came after all…" the Phantom said impressed. Annabelle turned around frightened, which made the Phantom chuckle.

She lowered her head as he walked towards her, "Though I knew you would… Understand what was at stake if you didn't come…" he said as he gently held her chin to look into his eyes. Annabelle froze, her body started to shake and she started hyperventilating. She tried to convince herself that nothing was wrong and that she would be okay, but her mind was filled with all the reasons this man was dangerous. She felt very lightheaded, her vision was going dark, and collapsed from fear. Eric didn't mean to scare her into fainting and was quite shocked when she fell. He managed to catch her before she hurt herself and carried her bridal style, "That was close... " he muttered to himself. He studied her gentle face, which had gone pale from her fright, 'I'll take her down below, she will be able to rest and recover there…"

He made up his mind and silently made the journey down to the dark and bleak catacombs beneath the Opera House, or as he called it, his home.