Chapter Twenty-two - A Single Hesitant Step

As the Opera Ghost taunted La Carlotta and Signor Piangi, boldly prodding at them with his sword, Meg forced herself to look away.

She glanced at Christine. Raoul was no longer at her side and the girl stood at the foot of the staircase, watching numbly as the Phantom jabbed at his managers, insulting their ability to run the theatre.

Then he looked down at Christine. Meg saw the arrogance drain from his body as he stood transfixed.

Let her return to me…her teacher…her teacher…

It was no demand, it was a plea. Even as he mocked Christine's pride, he let his own vanish, let his eyes plead with her.

Christine took a single hesitant step towards her Angel. Meg saw her mother's small half-nod of encouragement.

Meg heard the sound of someone running in the upper gallery as the Phantom slowly held out one hand to Christine.

For his sake, Meg prayed that Christine would take his hand. For her own sake, she hoped Christine would turn away.

The light caught the diamonds of Christine's ring, drawing his eyes to it.

In a moment, the tenderness was gone. But, before the blaze of anger, Meg swore there was a moment of anguish before the rage…before he reached out and tore the ring from her neck.

And then he was gone, vanishing from them in a storm of rage.

A second later, the Vicomte de Chagney had leapt after him, plummeting down through the trap door before it snapped shut.

As the crowd began to swirl with fear and shock., Meg felt her mother's hand on her arm.

"Gather the other girls and go back to the dormitories."

The ballet mistress did not wait for her daughter to obey or protest. She quickly pushed her way through the terrified throng and hurried from the Grand Foyer.

Meg ignored her mother's warning. She was sure her mother knew where he had gone.

She looked back at Christine. She was sobbing, Monsieur Andre trying awkwardly to comfort her.

Meg knew she should go to her friend, to do her best to reassure her.

Instead, she ran from the Foyer.


Yes...this is a very short chapter...but it has to be that way...it's setting the stage for Chapter 23...Meg's going to get into some trouble a la Leroux