Chapter 5: Phantom's Return to the Stage

Nicolas slipped through the hidden walls of the opera house and up to the dormitories; where the girls were sleeping. He held a dozen roses in his hand and walked ever so quietly to Victoire.

" For luck, my young chorus girl," he whispered

He laid the roses and a soft hearted note beside her, then fled taking a different route when hearing footsteps. He saw the stagehand enter and looked around, then went on.

" Victoire wake up," one of the girls said

Victoire opened her eyes and sat up and saw the roses.

" Oh my," she whispered

" He's visited you for a second time this week," the girl said

" The phantom must love you," Amelia said

Victoire found the letter and saw the skull seal on the back. She opened the letter afraid to read it.

Dear Victoire,

Your grace and balance have inspired me to write a piece for you. I wish for you to dance in the ballet I write for you. Tonight I shall watch you from my usual seat and to share your great triumph that will astound the audience.

I remain dearest Victoire your guardian angel.

Sincerely,

O.G.

Victoire folded the letter up and looked at the roses.

" He's going to be there, tonight," she whispered

" You are truly a star Victoire, even Carlotta isn't this popular," Amelia said

Meg walked up into the dormitories and looked at the girls.

" Girls come on, we have warm ups to do, tonight is another big night," Meg said

The girls quickly dressed and went downstairs for warm ups. Amelia looked at Victoire.

" So, did you have a good time with Captain Alexander?" Amelia asked

" I had a nice time," Victoire replied, " We went out beyond the city lines and spent time together."

" She didn't get back until late last night, perhaps there was something in that good time," a girl said

Victoire blushed and Meg looked at the girls as they became silent. Meg looked in box five and saw Nicolas standing there. She gave a nod of her head and he gave a bow, then vanished into darkness.

Meg saw her husband walking towards the stage, with Captain Alexander.

" As you can see tonight's rehearsal is going on," Henri said

" Henri please," Meg said

He looked at his wife as she got back to work with the girls. She worked with Victoire on her part, she showed her the part she was suppose to do, then let her try.

" Just let it come to you Victoire, reach outward," Meg said

Meg tapped the beat and looked at the young star. Captain Alexander watched her dance and smiled, then took a seat. Henri looked at the young girls and his wife, then sat down.

Later, Victoire walked around the Paris Opera house with the young captain.

" So, you're in another leading role, my cousin said you are becoming quite the star in both opera and ballet," he said

" And monsieur who is your cousin?" she asked

" Christelle Chaffee," Alexander replied

" Oh, she's a really nice person," Victoire said, " She's helped me so much when I practice by myself."

Alexander looked at her and then looked at Victoire.

" Well, I wish you luck Victoire," he said, " I will be here watching your performance."

He kissed her cheek and went off and Victoire smiled.

" The young captain has his eye set on you," the girls called

" Oh, come on," she said

Meg walked into the mangers office and Henri looked at her.

" Ah Meg glad your hear," he said

" You said you received a note?" she asked

" O.G. has once more sent us yet another letter," Henri said, " But this time he is telling us he will not be attending the performance."

" Perhaps he just feels like staying in tonight," Meg said, " I don't know Henri…are you scared he might be up to something?"

" That's exactly what I'm afraid of…I don't want our performers hurt," Henri said

" He won't harm them," Meg said

Henri looked at her and said, " How do you know Meg?"

" Because he won't," Meg replied

Meg sighed and walked off and Henri looked at her.

" Oh, Meg, my beloved Meg…when will you stop comparing this one to the old one…he's not Erik," Henri said, " This Phantom is not him."

Victoire looked at the roses and lifted them to her nose.

" Why do I feel so nervous?" she thought, " This Phantom fellow is my admirer from a distance."

Nicolas tied his ascot and slipped a full face mask on, to match that of the other male performers. He smiled under the wood carved mask and wrapped his cloak around him.

" Tonight we dance Victoire," he said

The pit warmed up as they played soft music and the girls looked at the full house.

" It's filled tonight, not one seat is empty," Amelia said, " It's wonderful."

" I'm so nervous," Victoire said

Meg walked to the back and handed a red rose with a black ribbon.

" He wishes you luck," Meg said

Victoire looked at the rose and she pulled it close to her.

" Thank you," she thought

Nicolas looked down at Meg as she talked to Victoire about how they practiced. Victoire nodded and then they got ready and Nicolas watched as Meg walked off. Victoire walked on and Christelle looked at Victoire as she danced. Christelle looked out and saw Alexander sitting in box five watching both. She smiled and knew he had truly fell in love with a chorus girl.

Nicolas entered and did not say a word as he crept up on the young chorus girl. He was quick and took Victoire into his arms.

" Fair young angel, I have captured you…it is you who will lead me to heaven," Nicolas sang

Victoire was shocked to hear a different voice singing to her. Though different she was slightly comforted by this voice and hold. They danced and Nicolas lifted her up into his arms.

Meg watched from the mangers' box, she breathed deep seeing Nicolas on stage.

" Who is that gentlemen?" Henri asked

" I don't know, but he's good," Jacque replied

" Like a phantom," Meg whispered

Henri looked at her and grabbed her hand as she stared out.

" Don't hurt her," she thought, " Nicolas please."

By the end of the opera Nicolas kissed Victoire's hand.

" A piece of art," he whispered, " Dance my angel. Dance for me, your master."

He vanished with a sudden motion of his hands. Smoke clouded the stage and Victoire covered her mouth.

" I will be waiting for you Victoire," his voice called to her

The curtain fell by itself and Meg stood up, as she watched the stage become dark.

" No, not this again," Meg said

She ran off and Henri ran after her, seeing she was scared about something.

" Meg," Henri called

Meg continued to run until she came to the back stage. She saw a stage hand walk Victoire off stage coughing from the smoky atmosphere.

" Is she alright?" Meg asked

" She's fine Madame, just a little smoke," the stage hand replied

Victoire wiped her teary eyes and looked at Meg.

" He was on stage with me," she whispered

" Who?" Meg asked

" The Phantom of the Opera," Victoire said

In her hand laid a glass cut rose pendant, with a black ribbon through it.

" It's all in your mind," Meg said