Ok everyone here it is. I'm sorry it took so long, but schoolhas been keeping my on my toes. If you have any ideas for the plot feel free to tell me, I only have a vage idea of what will happen well on with the show!>

There it was, just sitting there. Even with out the face behind it the mask seemed treacherous. I'm not sure why I did it, but I quickly scooped up the mask and looked at it closely, I was sure that it would tell me where it's owner was. Of course it was just a mask and the likely hood of it deciding to tell me where the phantom was, was not even a chance. Still stared at it for a few long moments.

I could hear the mob growing closer, their fuming drunken shouts echoed through the caves as they made there way steadily to wards the phantoms home and were I was. It must have been fear that made me suddenly feel very cold standing there alone in that overly decorated room. Not only was I not sure if the phantom was still here, thought he was clearly not. But also and angry mob was coming this way and they would assume that I knew something about the phantom if I was standing in his home holding his mask non the less. I had to flee…but how?

Rushing out of the room and back towards the lake I decided I would risk the chance and try and get out of sight before the mob could see me. I had no such luck.

There they were, some had stopped to gawk at the sear grandness of the place other had already began to loot the place. Still no one seemed to think I was out of place, even if I was one of few women around. Then again I was still in costume so maybe they thought I was a man? A very skinny man with long blonde hair? But then again they were all drunk from the looks of it. But I could see a few sober people milling about. They most likely came to see were the phantom lived and if they could loot anything good off him.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I felt a hand grip my shoulder. Rather rudely I was pulled around to face the person who grabbed me. Oh great it was Beau. He was the resident pretty boy, next to Raoul of course. Beau was the understudy for lead tenor and went on when ever Paingi did not. I did my best not to scowl when I saw that cocky smirk on his face.

"Well, well. Meg Giry I'm shocked what are you doing down here? Now what would your mother say?"

'My mother would tell you to take your slimy hand off my shoulder' I thought bitterly to my self. Of course my mother would never say that. She was one of many who thought Beau was a charming young man. Ha! He only acted that way when he was around people like my mother. She never saw when him friends and him would harass the other ballet girls and me. I really didn't like him, and how some of the little ballet rats could think he was so great was beyond my wildest imagination. And my imagination can be pretty wild at times. Once more his too sweet cocky voice rung in my ears. "Now come along Meg we don't want to Opera ghost to get you do we?"

God he was annoying. I tried to pull away as he took a firm hold of my arm and began to lead me away from the house on the lake. Unfortunately he was stronger than he looked and did not take the hint tat I wanted to be let go of. Letting out a sigh of exasperation I realized as I glanced down that I still held the Phantoms Mask in my hand. Had Beau seen? I drought that if it's not a mirror I drought he would even notice it. Figuring this was for the better I stuffed the mask down my shirt just in case he decided suddenly that he wanted to hold my hand. I would need my free hand to slap him if he dared try that.

Grudgingly I was led back up to the opera house to see that most of the flames had been doused and were now only smoldering. I felt tears began to well at my eyes. This place had been my life; I had know no other home except for here. What was going to happen to me? Another thought came to mind. Had my mother made it out safe? I hoped so, with out her here I would be forced to live on the street. I shuddered involuntarily at the thought.

"It's terrible isn't it? This all that god damned phantoms fault, he's ruined every ones lives."

There was a brain under that think skull! I believe that was the most intelligent thing I had ever heard Beau say. I almost wanted to applaud him for saying, but now was definitely not the right time to do so. Not sure what to say I nodded my head yes. It must have been good enough for him because he was silent after that. Darn I was wondering if he had any other intelligent thoughts going on in that head. He was right this was all the phantoms fault! He had no right to be demanding things from us, to make us perform that awful dark opera. He acted as if he owned the place! Well I hope he's happy wherever he is; because of him his opera house is no more. I almost wanted to laugh at the irony of it.

I was thankful to feel the cold night air hit my face. I coughed a little; I had not realized how much smoke I had been breathing in until I got a breath of fresh clean air. The next thing I knew I was In my mothers arms as she held me in a bone crunching hug. I was happy to see her, but if she did not let go she was going to crush me. Letting go of me I could see she had been crying.

"Meg! I'm so happy you're alive! I was so worried where were you!"

Before I could say anything that stupid fop Beau decided now would be a good time to say something stupid that was sure to get me into trouble.

" Madam Giry I found her down in the phantoms home, I knew it was not safe for her to be there so I escorted her back up here."

Stupid, stupid boy! I really wish the phantom had killed him. Why of all people had this idiot been spared? I could feel my mothers cold gaze pricing my skin as I glared at Beau. Oh he was so proud of himself was he? If my mother had not been looking I would have punched him. But I was in enough trouble as it was and did not need another thing for my mother to lecture me about.

"Thank you Beau, I will that my daughter from here."

I could hear the coldness in her words, yup I was in trouble…big trouble. Beau bowed his head and walked off, not after smirking at me of course. He really made me sick. I was literally dragged alone as my mother grabbed my arm and led my thought the crowds of people who were gawking at the burning opera house. She was angry with me. I don't know why thought, I had only gone down to the phantoms house. And it's not like I was alone either.

"Mother, I…"

"Meg I am not angry that you were curious but I am angry that you went and intruded upon the phantoms personal business. You of all people should know he does not like people meddling. You are very lucky he was not there."

Wow my mom had a way with words; she could make me feel like real crap at times. We had arrived at my mothers flat a few blocks from the opera house. Wait a minute how did she know that the phantom was not there? As we entered the kitchen I got the surprise of my life.

There was the phantom of the opera sitting at our table drinking a cup of tea!