Well, after much thought, I've decided to change the title to 'Starlit Night', not 'Change in Spirit'. Think it makes more sense, since the song will play an important role in the story. So okay, here goes the second chapter...

Erik was taking his usual stroll around the opera house. He did this every night, trying to imagine Christine singing on stage. The Paris Opera House lacked a diva now since Christine left with Raoul, and Carlotta, distressed about the death of Piangi, could not stand to stay, for the place bared too many memories of him. No one had replaced them, and so all that was heard was the tapping of shoes, and melodies sung by the chorus girls. None, I might add, had a talent well enough for Erik's taste.

The seats around the stage were still not fully replaced from the fire, so there were no performances being held. Still, the ballet rehearsed everyday, preparing for the reopening. Madame Giry kept on as the dance instructor, her daughter Meg still an aspiring ballerina. Andre and Firman, the former managers, claimed that running the place was too stressful, and so sold it to a wealthy entrepreneur by the name of Eustache Beauvais. He had no trouble with the Opera Ghost, for Erik had no energy to deal with the fuss, if people had found out he was still around.

Erik's thoughts were interrupted once he heard Roselle, and so he halted. His passion for singing indulged him to get a closer look. He crept behind a stage prop close by.

"But, what if that star is not to come,

Will their dreams fade to nothing?

When the horizon darkens most,

We all need to believe there is hope…"

Intent on seeing the girl's face, he tried to turn his head silently, but failed. He bumped his head against the stage prop, giving out a faint thud.

Roselle immediately heard and responded with a quick, "Who's there?"

No reply came forth.

"Don't pretend you're not there. I know you're here!" cried she. "Reveal yourself! Or I shall find you!" She pinpointed the exact location where the intruder hid and made her way to him, feeling through the darkness.

Erik could sense her footsteps drawing closer. He knew he couldn't escape, since the only exit was the one she blocked, so he spoke. "No need to get flustered. I was just listening to your singing. It sounds nice, but not enough vibrato for opera."

"Who said you can criticize my singing? I'm not a professional anyway, for I'm just a dancer!" snapped Roselle, quite annoyed of the stranger. "Who are you!"

Shaken with the girl's tone, he responded sarcastically, "There's no need for you to know."

"That's not a good enough answer!" Her face began to redden. "Well?"

She received no response.

Suddenly the story of the Phantom entered Roselle's mind. "You need not to reply, for I already know who you are. You cannot fool me. You're the Opera Ghost!"

Erik was stunned she drew up such a conclusion. Did he give her any clues? Still, he remained silent.

Roselle was satisfied with the lack of response. She knew he was what she claimed him to be. "Yes, I know who you are, and I know what you've done. You sure have made a mess of things, killing innocent lives and ruining the stage. Look at those seats, smoldered by the fire! Oh and that poor Christine!"

'Christine…' Erik could feel his throat swallowing his tears. He pulled at the ring on his finger, the one Christine have given him right before she left with Raoul. His mind was in a battle with two emotions, one of sorrow, the other of anger. His anger side would soon take over.

"Good thing Raoul had saved her in time!" She continued. "Or she would have been miserable being left with you! Such an uncivilized being you are, and hideous at that!"

Erik's hands were pleading to strangle the girl's neck, and his teeth gritted against each other. Was she there the night of Duan Juan Triumphant? How can she judge him like that, not knowing him at all? Bringing up Christine with Raoul added more to his anger. Roselle spoke as if Christine had no love for Erik at all. How could she say such things? He tried hard to calm himself down, and succeeded, becoming less tense.

Still, Roselle's sassy tongue would not quit. "I have mind to report you to Manager Beauvais! And I will, believe me, I will, and he'll get rid you!"

Erik couldn't allow that. His home had already been discovered before, and he could not allow them to take it away from him. "I think it best if you keep this between you and me," he said in a rough voice, "Or you shall the suffer the consequences."

"I'm not afraid of you. You think that threat works? Well think again!" She had become impatient with Erik, and so marched away, heading to her bedroom, not forgetting to remind Erik that he will be reported.

Erik stayed behind the stage prop, utterly disgusted with the girl's behavior, and yet, surprised with her fearlessness. His words were only a threat and nothing else. He wasn't actually planning to harm her, because he vowed to himself he would never harm again, and he intended on keeping that vow.

After a few moments of meditation, Erik left the stage and made his way through the black down into his liar, where he was greeted by the illumination of candles. From there he dragged his feet up the stone steps into his bedroom, fearing that this was going to be one of his last nights in his home, not doubting that Roselle will keep her word.