Ooh...reviews and flames...okay, well, fine.

ErikLuv – Thank you. I don't want to offend Christine lovers (or Raoul lovers) either, but how can you choose him over Erik? Sorry, but it's just my opinion.

Ri – It's not repulsion! (is rather offended) Just mild surprise. ;-)

Lila – Yeah, I know the remote thing was stupid, but I plan to use it in other stories. It's kind of a series. This is just the first one. Apparently Mary Sue is a well-known term that I'm not familiar with (because everyone uses it), but the story does end up differently. I'm not dating the Phantom, because if you notice, he hasn't said he loves me. I've just shown him rare compassion, and I said I loved him. I'm not insulted. Thanks for not flaming.

On the other hand, to the spiteful person who flamed me and wasn't even forthcoming enough to leave their name, I'm deleting that review. I wouldn't normally, but I don't swear, and I really don't want to leave that there. I have only one thing to say for you, my short-tempered friend: If you don't like the concept, you don't have to read it.

I don't write to please others (although it's nice if it does please you). I write to please myself. Having the opportunity to put my work on the Internet just appeals to me. I even asked not to flame my work. How boring could it have been, if you read all five chapters?

Okay, I'm sorry. I felt really offended, that's all.

Bundles-'o-joy – Aw, thank you! Yes, I do feel better now. Phans against flaming unite!

Oh, and I love all your stories! :-) Everybody go read bundles-'o-joy's stuff!

Okay, my self-esteem is back. (hugs it) Now I can continue. I don't think this phic is going to be much longer.

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Raven had tried her very best to keep up with the storyline as she was living it, but for the life of her, she had completely lost track of where in the novel she was. It was much different to actually be going through it within a span of months instead of reading it in a matter of days. She dearly hoped that the same amount of time hadn't passed back home.

Something had happened after the incident with Erik's mask. He hadn't been at home for a lesson since. She'd gone down to his house on three days, and found it empty. The first night, she had waited, but now it was starting to get ridiculous. Something was going on, and she hoped it wasn't her fault.

By now, she had ceased trying to find him in his house, and merely went about her business at the Opera hoping to find a trace of him. It was only several days later that she saw something that completely clarified what had happened.

It was Christine.

Try as she might, Raven had not gotten Erik to stop thinking about Christine – she knew it. And what Christine was doing now was bound to have drawn the attentions of the lovesick phantom.

One evening, while browsing the hallways of the first floor, gazing a bit longingly at every trapdoor she passed, she heard laughter – high-pitched, false, frightened laughter. Raven didn't really want to interrupt whatever was going on, so she quickly stepped through the nearest door. She would have left the high-strung people alone then, had the nearest door not led to a broom closet.

Trapped, Raven stood as still as possible, listening to the footsteps coming closer and closer. She was then surprised to hear Christine's voice say, "Just a little farther – we must go all the way to the top!"

Oh no...

Raven peeked out of a tiny opening in the door. She got a glimpse of Christine, positively bouncing by, looking both ecstatic and apprehensive at the same time. She was followed by a handsome, confused-looking young man who could only be Raoul de Chagny.

Raven had to admit, she could see why, at a glance, one would want to choose the young vicomte instead of poor Erik. Raoul surpassed Erik in all physical features, excluding perhaps height. But from what Raven could see from her vague view, his eyes had none of the depth of Erik's, his voice hardly half the emotion. He looked distinctly jumpy and distrustful, though perhaps that was just because Christine was acting so odd.

Raven sank to the floor of her closet, trying not to listen as the young couple spoke outside. She didn't approve of eavesdropping. Besides, she had a good idea of what was happening.

Nothing went on in the Opera that its resident ghost didn't know about. Erik must have disappeared because he knew that his Christine was being untrue to him. He was surely spending every waking moment watching Christine, and cursing Raoul. And tonight...Christine would take him up to the roof, where she would tell Raoul about her lessons from the Angel of Music...about Erik, and the house by the lake...and about how he terrified her, and she hated to be with him.

And Erik would hear.

Raven toyed with the idea of sneaking up to the roof to listen as well, but decided against it. She knew the story all too well, and it made her angry enough just reading it, without having to sit and listen to it in real life.

She climbed out of the closet, and, considerably depressed, made her way to her dressing room.

.:The next night:.

Something had escaped Raven's mind.

That night, Faust was going to be performed at the Opera. It was a full house, and Christine was to sing the lead. Preoccupied with thoughts of the conversation that had taken place on the roof last night, she had messed up many times during rehearsal with the other chorus girls.

Walking onto the great bright stage late in the evening, it struck her. What had Christine said to Raoul?

It is the night of Faust. Christine has the lead. And she plans to run away with Raoul after the show.

Erik would kidnap her, and have her spirited away for himself.

Raven knew that this was her last chance to see him, before he disappeared forever. After this she had no idea of where he would be. It was too late to do anything now, however. The opera had just started. All she could do was glance nervously at Box Five and pray that she could get away quickly when she had the chance.

The first part of the performance went exceptionally well. Christine sang like an angel, and Raven did her very best to match her, especially after the slip-ups in practice. The orchestra played no sour notes, and every singer was in tune. It was too bad they'd never be able to finish the show.

Sure enough, late in the performance, Christine stood, pale and alone, in the middle of the stage. Raising her hands to the heavens above, she sang out –

"Holy Angel in Heaven blessed...My spirit longs with thee to rest!"

Pitch-black darkness was an odd thing, especially when nearly no one is expecting it.

Every light in the auditorium of the Paris Opera House went out at once, from the weakest oil lamp to the great (new) chandelier swaying gently but safely above. You'd think that when a huge crowd loses its ability to see, the natural instinct would be to stay where you are. Apparently not. The audience members began to scream and rush in every direction almost at once. Raven was instantly jostled by frightened girls crying, "The ghost – it's the opera ghost!" in high pitched voices.

It only lasted a minute or so. The lights returned, briefly dazzling everyone, revealing people in the most random places, including on top of seats, balcony railings, and other people. Christine, however, was gone.

Raven knew that this was probably the only chance she'd get. Pushing her way out of the bewildered singers, she jumped off the platform she stood on and dashed backstage, dodging confused shouting stagehands and one very agitated Raoul.

Quickly she searched for the most direct route to the cellars. She didn't know why, but she knew she was going to see Erik – now.

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Oh, incidentally, I changed the title and the summary slightly, to make the story sound more interesting. :-) Hope that didn't confuse anybody. Read and review! Only one chapter left...