I glanced at Christine, and guiltily stood. "Monsiuer." Everyone turned to look at me. "Christine Daae could sing it, sir. She has a magnificent voice, and I have heard her sing the part before." This was true, how often we, in the park, mocked Carlotta in her roles. This time was no different.

Firmin looked indifferent. "A chorus girl? Sing a diva role?"

I added, "She's been taking lessons from a great teacher." Christine gave me a stare that plainly said, if I make it out of this alive, I will kill you. "I'm sorry," I mouthed.

Andre turned to Christine. "From whom, may I ask, madmoiselle?"

Christine stammered, "Well, from.um.I don't really know, sir."

Firmin disgustedly exclaimed, "Oh, not you as well! Fanatical people and a ghost, what an opera! What shall we do? Full house and we will have to cancel!" He writhed inwardly at the thought of it.

Madame Giry stepped forward. "Monsieur." Firmin, rubbing his temples, looked at her. "Yes, my dear Giry?"

"Let her sing for you." She smiled encouragingly at Christine. "She has been well taught."

I pulled Christine up. "Just remember everything you have learned. If your teacher really is the angel of music, then you have nothing to worry about," I hissed.

Christine looked dazed as she walked over to center stage. Reyer sighed, then sat at the piano. "From the beginning of the aria, then, Mademoiselle."

Christine nodded. I held my breathe as the notes floated out once again, less grander than the first time. "Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye." She shakily sang. She looked at me and shook her head. I nodded and mentally begged her, please Christine, sing the way you do for me!

"Remember me, once in awhile. Please promise me you'll try."

Firmin leaned against the piano. "Andre, this is doing nothing for my nerves. We shall have to cancel; she can't carry the role."

Christine glanced at me and suddenly found her courage and her voice. "When you find that, once again you long to take your heart back and be free, if you ever find a moment, spare a thought for me!" She had transformed under our eyes. Her voice, a sweet soprano, had changed the song and soared over our heads like an angel's. It amazed me; her voice had never sounded like that, even when we were singing together. She confidently moved about the stage, as Carlotta had done.

Firmin's look of anguish turned to one of delight. "Andre!" he exclaimed. "Perhaps we won't have to call off the performance after all. I told you she could do it."

Reyer stopped playing. Christine looked at me, astounded. I smiled back at her.

"Mademoiselle Daae," Andre began. "You will sing the role of Elissa until further notice. Please go to your room and rest until the show. Madame Giry." She appeared at his side. "Will you please see the costume mistress about Elissa's costume. I have no doubt that it shall have to be altered." I giggled. The ballet mistress nodded and left. Everyone began whispering over Christine and the new managers.

Firmin cleared his throat and asked for silence. "The rehearsal is now over." Reyer raised his eyebrows but said nothing. "Everyone should rest after this afternoon, before the opera tonight. I will be in my box. And do not forget, that the Vicomte himself will be attending. Good afternoon. Oh, and Reyer, I suggest you have a word with Buquet before tonight, about his job and what he should be doing." Firmin and Andre bowed slightly and exited. ~ One by one, people left the rehearsal room. I myself waited, for I wanted to speak to Buquet before I left. Moving backstage, I found him over by where the accident had taken place, checking ropes.

"Ah, Mademoiselle Giry. How is the lass tonight? Nervous, no?" Buquet always used strange language.

"Monsieur, I am a little nervous. More so for my friend Christine than for myself."

"Yes, the child Daae is to sing tonight. Well, much luck to both of you."

"Monsieur Buquet-" I began.

"Just call me Buquet, Mademoiselle Giry." The old man smiled.

"You can call me Meg, then. Buquet, did you notice anything unusual before the accident?"

"Unusual, Meg?" He looked confused.

Nervously I continued. "Well, you said you hadn't let the ropes loose. And no one else had. So."

"You are wondering who else could have done so, no?"

"Yes." I waited.

Buquet answered, "The Opera Ghost. Who else?"

I had been expecting this answer, so I wasn't too surprised. "The Opera Ghost?" I repeated.

"I have not told you of him?" The chief of flies sounded eager.

"Well, only slightly," I admitted. "Perhaps you could tell more." I sat down on a trunk and motioned for him to do the same.

"Ah, the infamous Opera Ghost," he began. "A most cunning creature. Devious, and rather dangerous, if not for information I have gathered about him."

"Dangerous?" I asked. "How so?"

"Because he has a perilous weapon on him. The Punjab lasso."

"A lasso? How can a ghost use a lasso?"

"Because he is a man."

"A man? I thought you said he was a ghost?" I questioned bewilderedly.

"Indeed, he is a man, and yet, more ghost than man, or maybe both. Perhaps phantom is a better word to describe him. But Opera Ghost sounds better than Opera Phantom."

I nodded as he continued. "He uses his noose to kill any man on sight. He has a vengeful attitude toward us in the opera, no one knows why. He will sneak up behind you and by the time you have figured out he is there, its too late. That is why you must remember: Your hand at the level of your eyes. It is the only protection against him."

I stood. "Thank you very much Buquet. I must go prepare for tonight."

He bowed slightly. "Good luck, Meg." ~