Sorry, my chapters are short, eh? I jusst needed to update so you guys wouldn't think I abandoned this fic. But for a while I did. So i'll write more soon, I promise. R&R please! I'll love you forever if you do!

I nearly shrieked when I opened the door to see Christian standing there infront of me with his fist up, appearently getting ready to knock. I could see by the expression on his face, he was shocked as well. I straightened up, taking a deep breath. "Why, hello there." I gave a timid smile, opening the door all the way and walking out.

"I'm terribly sorry, I had no idea you were coming out that moment." Christian blushed lightly. I glanced at the clock on the wall quickly. I had 5 minutes left.

"That's perfectly allright, I was planning on looking for you anyways. The premiere starts in 5 minutes..." I gestured to the clock, and christian nodded. Then something sprang from the back of my head: he didn't know yet. I had to tell him.

"Oh, right. Shall we be off?" he offered an arm to me, and I took it, chewing on my lower lip slightly. "Are you allright, Nni?" he asked, and I blinked.

"Nni? I haven't been called that since I was seven." I gave an assuring smile. I could fondly remember that long ago, we lived in the US back then. Before it all happened, before my parents died and I was sent off. But that's another story, one I decided not to think of.

"I couldn't help it." He grinned as we began our long walk to the autotorium. I was silent nearly the whole way, looking around. I swore at one point I saw a white mask in the shadows for a split second. When we got to the theater, I was thankful I had put makeup on and put my hair up; there were hundreds of people there, and almost all the seats were filled. surely someone would have noticed me.And that's not the way I wanted Christian to find out who I really was. We took our seats just as the lights began to dim. The last thing on my mind was Erik throughout the whole play. Until I heard that farmilliar voice up above the stage.

"Did I not INSTRUCT that box 5 was to remain unoccupied?" it boomed, causing more gasps in the audience. I didn't move at all, as if nothing were happening. Though Christian was looking around suspiciously.

"Annie, did you hear that?" he whispered to me after a few moments.

"Yes, of course I did," was all I had time ot say before the music started again. The dancers continued dancing, and th esingers continued singing. They were ignoring him! That's not smart, I thought. What a night this will be...

About 5 minutes into the show, just when I thought things would be fine, I heard a loud snap, and some horrified screams as the scenery fell on the stage, as well as a long lasso rope as a threat. Erik laughed, his haunting voice echoing throughout the opera house. I looked up at box 5, shrieking as two bodies dropped, hanging by two lassos. He killed them. Two men, falling on the audience as many screams and shrieks blended together in sound. I got up off my seat finally. "Oh, well, the performance was well as over anyway." I said calmly, like it was a normal every day affair.

I could see Christian was playing along, getting up off his seat also. "Right. Let's get out of here." he gave a weak smile, but he was nervous, I could tell. We made our way past several frantic people, all piling up in front of the exits. But Christian and I took another route, up a hidden stairway that Erik had showed me. Luckily, Christian made no comment on it. We ended up backstage, which was empty. I could imagine seeing a tumbleweed floating by, but of course, nothing did.

"Why is it so empty?" I wondered out loud.

"The cast probably scattered away..." Christian replied quietly. "You see, whenever accidents like this occur, they figure it was the Opera Ghost...and afterwards he's usually wandering backstage, rumor has it, looking for someone to murder."

"Oh." I dropped my voice as low as his, trying to look serious. But I was biting back a giggle and grin.

"Would you like me to walk you back to your room?" He asked, looking at me.

"Actually, I have some buisnss to attend to. Thank you for offering, but it seems I am right where I want to be." I replied simply.

Christian nodded. "Allright." He kissed my hand in a form of respect. "I must be getting home as well, I'm sure my sister is waiting for me."

"Goodnight, Christian." I smiled as he walked off.

"Goodnight," he looked back at me for a moment with a timid smile on his face, then looked back ahead and added, "Nni."

I stood there for a few moments, until the candles began to burn out, one by one. Like magic. The light around me dimmed and faded into darkness and I heard that voice again up above me. "Did you enjoy the performance?"

It was Erik.

"Oh, yes, quite much." I replied sarcastically. Cold hands snuck from behind me, resting on either side of my waist.

"So you enjoy dishasterous deaths?' There was a chuckle in his voice as he said this, and it brightened my spirits a little.

"Yes, bravo, Erik. You really got them scared." I smiled, spinning around to face him. But I was a bit dissapointed when I found it was too dark to see him well. He merely laughed, softly. The first real laugh I'd heard from him. At the same time, his hands began to move up from my waist, across my sides. "What are you doing..." I tried to stop his hands, feeling indignant. It wasn't that I neccisarily wanted him to stop, but still wondered what the hell he intended to do. But I couldn't move a muscle, hi hands seemed to paralyze me.

"Shhh, my little one

Sleep and close your eyes

Shhh, my little one

Calm down, please don't cry

Shhh, my little one

Dream sweet things tonight

Shhh, my little one

Learn to love the night."

I could feel his body pressed gently against mine, his voice alone calming me. All those fellings stopped sharply as I felt a raw sting hit my neck, traveling quickly down through my body. I fell limp in his arms, blacking out entirely. I felt dead.

The last thing I heard before I fell was his voice. His angelic, sweet voice.