The Return

Mercedes spun around and went back down the corridor, back to Madame Giry's room. She was feeling a little bad about constantly interrupting Madame Giry when she was sure that her ballet instructor was already busy enough. Her regret, however, was not important right now.

Rapping on the solid oak door yet again, she was greeted by Madame Giry, yet again. Madame Giry looked puzzled by her employers return to her room after being here only a few minutes ago. That was only to be expected.

Mercedes decided to keep her visit brief and not take up any more of Madame Giry's time. "I just want to apologize for my behavior earlier. I think that I have found the reason why I am so curious as to who this 'Opera Ghost' really is. I think that I am in love with him."

Madame Giry, to her surprise, saw a look of relief cross Mercedes' face. The confusion that surely clouded Mercedes' mind now seemed to clear. Madame Giry then noticed that a look of puzzlement had crossed Mercedes' mind. She followed Mercedes' gaze, which alighted on a leather-bound book that lay open on her coffee table.

"May I see what that is?" questioned Mercedes.

Madame Giry finally relented, and Mercedes walked over to the thick book and, almost reverently, touched the fragile papers. The pages in the book held music! This appeared to be an opera! Mercedes carefully closed the book, looking at the front cover. She saw the title of the book, "Don Juan Triumphant."

She loved him! It had been one thing when he just assumed what her feelings towards him had been. It was entirely different to hear her utter those words. He still wasn't sure what his feelings towards her were. He did like her. He enjoyed her company, even though she could be bothersome. He just wasn't sure if he loved her.

He saw from the shadows outside of Madame Giry's room that Mercedes seemed to be staring at something. He followed her gaze just as Madame Giry did. He saw a large, heavy leather-bound book. His masterpiece! He couldn't believe that Madame Giry had saved his life's work! What surprised him even more was that Mercedes was now looking through his masterpiece, reading the music. Most shocking of all, however, was Mercedes talking to Madame Giry about performing this opera. His opera! He was overjoyed, but a little hesitant. It would not have the same meaning to him any more. He had written this piece for him and Christine to perform together. Nothing else could duplicate the passion that had been intended. It would not be the same.

She stood outside the Opera Populaire. This elegant marble building which held so many memories, some wonderful, some terrible. She had not visited this place since that fateful night. Tears streamed down her cheeks at the remembrance of that horrible night that she's had to choose between her safety and her love. With a calm that shocked even her, she walked into the Opera Populaire.

Christine Daae stood on the roof of her beloved opera house. She remembered one night, what seemed like years ago, that she and Raoul had professed their love to each other.

Gautier. Where had she heard that name before? Madame Giry had told her that a young woman named Mercedes Gautier now owned this theater. She was positive that she had heard that name before, but when? She was racking her brain, searching for an answer to her questions, when she heard footsteps coming up the stairs that led to the roof.

She decided to hide, mostly because she wanted to be left alone. She knew she would never have her freedom and isolation if those footsteps belonged to one of her old friends. Blending into the shadows was easy, mostly because she wore a dark blue dress.

The person who had come to the roof, however, was a total stranger. She was a tall woman with loose, black hair and very pale skin. She was wrapped in an elaborately embroidered black cloak, and underneath it Christine could make out a scarlet dress.

The stranger strode to the edge of the roof and gazed out at all of Paris. The city was sparkling with lights, which reflected the countless stars that dotted the velvet-black sky.

Suddenly, the stranger was joined by a silent, dark shadow that Christine knew only too well. Erik.