A/N Sorry it's been so long, I've been really busy with school and other things but here it is at last my new chapter! Thank you to every one who has read and reviewed my story. I am in need of a beta reader so if any one is interested please e-mail me. I wont gabble one any more so here ya go! >

What the hell was going on! The phantom of the opera was sitting in my home drinking tea and my mother was acting as if it was the most normal thing in the world! When we entered the Phantom glared over at me, his dark eyes flashing hate and spite behind the black Don Juan mask…in fact he was still in his costume. What kind of freak runs around in a costume? Looking down I realized, with a slight bit of embarrassment, that I too was still in costume. Well there's my answer to what kinds of freaks run around in their costumes.

Looking to my mother for some kind of explanation to why the heck he was here, I was met with only my mothers cold stare that told me not to ask any questions. It seems I've been getting that look a lot. The first time was when my mother had gotten a note from the phantom; I had only been about eight at the time and was able to shrug the question off easily. Lately more of thoughts glances have had been sent my way.

Like the time Christine disappeared only to reappear the next day. Christine was not one to have night times visitors like some of the other ballet girls. But one look at her you would think she had seen the devil himself that night. There was also the time I found a condor behind Christine's mirror. My mother had caught me before I could get too far to explore. If it had not been for the stupid rats I might have been able to get a little further. But no, one has to run right over my foot.

You see I hate rats and thought I will never admit it, rats are the one thing that can stop me from getting what I want. I have no problem facing the crowds on opening night and if a stagehand gets me pissed I have no problem with punching them. The good thing is I don't have to worry about them telling my mother on me because they will never want to admit a little ballet rat punched them out. But then there Beau, the little parasite can twist anything so that he sounds like the one who should be believed. I hate to think how many times he has squealed me on. What's worse is I think my mother has it in her head that I will end up marring him some day. Yah right I'd rather marry a rat.

Still in the door way I looked to my mother who was now seated across from the phantom at our table. He had stopped glaring at me and was now stirring at his tea. Closing to door in case anyone outside spotted him. Wait, I was TRYING to hid the phantom of the opera? The man who had kidnapped my best friend…black mailed the mangers…burned down the opera house…and is passable the most wanted man in France? There's something wrong with this picture. Well this time my mother will not silence me I had to know what was going on.

Before I could open my mouth there was a sharp knock at the door. I nearly jumped out of my pants. My mother grabbed my by the shoulder and hiss in my ear.

"Take Erik to one of the back rooms and hid there until I say come out!"

Erik who the heck was Erik? Before I could ask she pushed my towards the phantom. Oh so that's Erik. I never knew he had a name…wait how did my mother know his name? I would interrogate her latter now I had to hid the phantom…I mean Erik and my self…I guess.

Leading him towards a back room I could hear the voice of Beau at our door accompanied by the voice of someone I don't know. How did Beau find us here, and why was he here? Probably looking for the phantom, coming to see if my mother knew anything. She knew stuff, a lot more than I would have ever guessed.

cliff hanger Dun dun dun! Ok not really. Well it's not too long but still it's better than nothing >