Chapter 2: Worried about the Mysterious Man

1919

Meg walked up the staircase and took a right, she walked to the old boxes, there she opened box five and walked in it. She walked to the seats and stared out onto where the stage would be. She sat down and closed her eyes and listened to the sounds of the audience clapping.

Year 1865

Meg and Christine looked from behind the curtains and saw the house filling up.

" It's going to be a full house tonight," Meg chirped

" Isn't this exciting!" Christine exclaimed

They warmed up and finishing applying their make up and the older chorus girls pushed them aside.

" Elders first," one elder chorus girl said

Meg looked at the older chorus girl, Christine sighed as they stepped aside to let them go through.

The production started and they eagerly waited to go on, they watched the show from the back. Meg warmed up and looked up at the boxes to see the manger and his wife in their box and the important people on the balcony and selected boxes. She looked at box five and saw as usual it was empty yet again.

" Why is box five always empty?" Meg asked one of the chorus girls

" That's where the Phantom sits, he doesn't come until the second act, you'll see a shadow enter," one chorus girl said

Christine and Meg looked at each other and then looked at box five to see if that was true. They were eager to see if this mysterious man made his presence known, but they were disappointed when they saw no one come or go from the box.

" Maybe he was ill," Meg said

" Why so interested?" Christine asked

" I don't know, I just want to see what he looks like," Meg said

The third act came and they leapt onto stage as the ballet was presented, most understudies were only seen for the third act when the ballet was presented, Meg and Christine were far from understudies though.

Madame Giry watched her daughter and Christine and then vanished into the shadows. A hand reached over and tapped her shoulder and Madame Giry jumped. She turned around and saw the white envelope hovering in mid air. She grabbed it and turned the envelope over to see the skull seal. She looked and briefly saw his mask and she nodded. She opened the letter and read it and then walked off to the manager's box. She gave it to the box keeper, who then gave it to the manager. She walked to box five and slipped an envelope on a chair, then left. She locked the door and went down to the stage again. Meg and Christine walked off with pleasing looks as they held roses in their hands from the young gentlemen in the front row. They smiled and waved to them and then vanished to change for the next act. Madame Giry looked at her daughter and then looked out.

The following performance, Madame Giry trained Meg and Christine for special parts. Meg and Christine were now officially moved from understudies and would receive the right acknowledgement.

Meg ran down the hall one evening with the guidance of a small lantern. She headed towards the stage and tied her ballet shoes on and tied her hair back. As she got to the stage she heard her mother's voice and a man's voice.

" She's only 13," her mother said

" And she will be 14," the man's voice said, " Why not let her try?"

Meg hid in the shadows and hid her lantern. Meg saw a cloaked figure, with a black wide brim hat standing in front of Madame Giry. Madame Giry tried to persuade this man that a child was not meant for the lime light. Meg listened to the man's voice as he spoke.

" I am," he said, " I am O. G."

" O. G." she whispered, " he's talking to my mother."

Meg leaned forward on something and she leaned to much and knocked down a set piece. Madame Giry and the cloaked figure turned around saw the lantern. The cloaked figure looked at Madame Giry and vanished into the shadows. Madame Giry walked over to it and lifted her lantern to see Meg getting up.

" Meg!" she exclaimed

" Mama, I can explain," Meg said rubbing her arm

Madame Giry helped her daughter up and looked at her.

" Why are you up?" she asked

" I came to practice my part," Meg said

" Go back to bed Meg," Madame Giry said, " You can practice tomorrow."

Meg looked at her mother and then did as she said and Madame Giry looked over in the shadows as a letter fell from the rafters. She sighed and walked over to it then knelt down to pick it up.

"Antoinette, I will be watching. Send for Christine tomorrow and send her to the dressing room," his voice echoed in the emptiness

" Erik, she is so young still," Madame Giry said

" Do not cross me Madame, do as I say not as you wish," he said

Madame Giry walked off and Meg watched her mother as she stood there.

" He's real, but demands so much," Meg thought, " What does he want with Christine?"

The following day Christine walked with Madame Giry to the dressing room and Meg followed close behind in shadows. She was worried for Christine's sake, that there was possibly someone after her. Madame Giry walked out and Meg walked down the hall ever so casually.

" Meg, what are you doing here?" Madame Giry asked

" I was wondering where Christine went," Meg said

" She's having her lessons, come my darling there is practice," Madame Giry said

Meg walked down with Madame Giry and they practice with the other girls. Meg still was worried and remained worried.

" The Phantom wants Christine, but why?" Meg thought

" Meg, pay attention," her mother scolded

Meg snapped out of her day dream and began to focus. She wanted to keep her spot as a chorus girl and not an understudy.

After rehearsal Meg went to her room and laid down feeling a little over whelmed about rehearsal. She fell asleep and there she felt a chilling presence in the dorm room. A hand rested on her head and then warmth came over her body. She suddenly felt as though she was being watched by an angel. She slept with ease and did not dare dream of trouble.

" You are under my wings young Giry," a soft voice whispered