Amazon05: Thanks for all your great compliments! You made my day! In response to your comment, the part that you talked about in your review seemed really difficult for me to write. I couldn't get it to flow, and I felt the need to go ahead with what I decided to write anyway. I may edit and repost this story once it is done, so that part will be fixed in the future.

RavenPOTOGirl: Thanks for the review! Here's another chapter for you!

Pghal6: Thanks so much for the great reviews! Tell me if you've got any more great LOTR fan fic for me to read. Yours is great! Hope you like the new chapter.

This chapter is dedicated to Herro Kenshin (you know who you are) for helping me through rough times and reminding me of who I am. I couldn't thank you enough. Enjoy the story, and as always, read and review!


This chapter is also dedicated to pghal6 who is proof that you can find fan fic writers in unexpected places. Check out her LOTR fan fic! It's great!

He stared down at me blankly, unsure of how to react to the words that had just come spilling out of my mouth.

"You foolish girl!" He roared, taking a single step toward my prone form. I struggled to move backward away from him. "You think you would have learned not to lie to me!"

"But-I-I didn't lie to you. Monsieur, the year is 2005. You can't tell me in all sincerity that you still believe it is 1880!" I expected his expression to change from one of frustration to one of amusement, but when it did not I began to question the true identity of the man in front of me. I had so desperately wanted to believe that this was the true Phantom of the Opera, but I knew in the back of my mind the impossibility of this. The man would have been over 160 years old! Clearly, there was more going on here than I could truly see.

"Do not mock me mademoiselle." He spat out the last word in disgust. "I know how long I have been residing in this opera house. It is no where near the amount of time that you had been suggesting."

"I wasn't mocking you," I stated truthfully, rising to my feet. "It is really 2005 outside the walls of this opera house. Many things have changed since the time you say you are from. Why not come with me and take a peak at the world?" I waited a moment for him to rise to the bait. Extending my hand, I prayed silently that he would take it. A long instance passed and he had still not made a single move to place his hand in mine. Becoming frustrated with these pointless charades, I made a move to give up. Silently, I turned away from him and nearly ran to the doors of the theatre.

I found Viv pressed up against the wall just outside of the open door of the theatre. She stared at me, incredulity reigning over her features.

"You can't seriously believe what he said you! There is NO possible way that he could be the true Phantom of the Opera! It's been at least 130 years since the fire!" I held up a hand to stop her.

"I don't know what to think about it right now," I whispered harshly. "Something about him tells me that what he said could be the truth. I don't know how I could justify it to you, but he has a passion for this dead place that no one has anymore. It's only still standing because no one can bring themselves to tear it down."

She put up her hand to silence me. "You've only heard the light and happy versions of the Phantom stories. I'll tell you right now that there is so much more to it than that if you'd just listen to me!" She yelled, attempting to approach the subject from a different angle so I would finally listen to her. "Look at you! You're obsessed! Do you know how many people have gone into that opera house on a stupid dare and have never come out? No, you don't! This guy, whoever he is, is just some sick monster that's out to get girls like you who become enthralled with the Phantom's stories and willingly seek him! He's praying on your naivety and you don't even see it! Sometimes. I just don't know what's wrong with you!" With that, she stormed away toward the now nearly deserted marketplace at the end of the street.

"Viv!" I called. She made no attempt to turn around, not even faltering in her stride. I rushed to catch up with her, wishing not to leave things like this.

"I know in my heart that this isn't like that! You can't just trust me on this, can you?"

"I'm just worried about you, that's all!"

"I'm fine Viv, really. This is my decision to make, and I know what my heart is telling me."

"If you go back there tomorrow, don't expect me to come with you! Like you said, it's your decision to make, and you can obviously make it without a friendly opinion." I stopped chasing after her, seeing that it was useless to argue with her in this state. I was going to visit the opera house tomorrow, regardless of what Viv's opinion on that was. Something inside of me told me that this was the right path to take.


As always, reviews make me happy! This chapter is once again short, but I will have a longer and better chapter out next time!