Part Five
Christine walked away as Crystal entered her dressing room. She locked the door behind her and sat down at her vanity. While brushing her hair she noticed a dark shape of a man standing behind her. She was about to turn around but it was too late. The figure had already grabbed her so she couldn't move. She tried to shout out but a gloved hand had covered her mouth. The dark shape came into the light. It was The Phantoms opposite. The madman.
"You'll do as I say or your Phantom will die," the man said in a harsh whisper. Crystal didn't want her friend to get hurt, so she stopped struggling and listened to him.
"Be quiet and come with me," he said. Crystal followed him to the back of the stage. He opened a trap door that led into a dark room underneath the stage.
"Stand at the edge of the opening," the man said. Crystal did as she was told and went and stood next to the opening. Before she knew what was happening, he tied her wrists and feet and pushed her into the hole. After he had shut and locked the door, he ran toward the dressing rooms.
What the man did not know was that Danny was watching them from the balcony. In the morning, seeing no one around, Danny ran to the abandoned dressing room. When he opened the door he saw The Phantom standing by the mirror. The Phantom saw that Danny was pale and out of breath and wondered what was going on.
"What's wrong?" The Phantom asked.
"It's Crystal. She's been kidnapped."
"What?" The Phantom asked in disbelief.
"A man took her," Danny said, just as the door to the room opened. Danny ran and hid behind The Phantom.
"That's him," Danny whispered.
"What do you want?" The Phantom asked angrily.
"I want to make a deal with you. I want you to kill Raoul," the man said.
"No. I won't harm him. He has done nothing to me," The Phantom replied.
"I think you'll reconsider when I tell you that if you don't kill him, I will kill Crystal."
"Where is she? What have you done to her?"
"Nothing…yet," the man replied coldly. "Just do what I said and no harm will come to her."
"Fine. Just don't harm her," The Phantom said.
"Don't worry. You'll get her back as soon as you do my bidding. Until next time," the man said turning around and leaving the room.
"Danny, go get Raoul. I have a plan."
Danny ran off and fetched Raoul. Soon, there was a knock on the door. When Raoul walked in, he kept his distance for Danny had explained the situation to Raoul on the way.
"Don't worry. I just need to talk to you," said The Phantom.
"Where is my daughter? Is she alright?" Raoul asked.
"I don't know, but I do know how to get her back."
"How?"
"You have to pretend your dead. Tell the managers and they should spread the word. Then go hide in my lair until I get her back. Will you do this?"
"Only if it gets my daughter back. I apologize for my rude behavior before. I don't want my daughter taken from me."
"I understand. We must start right away. Go and tell the managers then come back here and go through the mirror. I'll come and get you when I've found your daughter."
Raoul rushed to tell the managers then ran back to the mirror. He wasn't seen again for a few days. The Phantom waited in the dressing room for the man to return. On the third day there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," The Phantom said.
"The man is coming. I saw him," said Danny.
"Are you sure?" asked The Phantom. As he said this, the door opened to the room. The man walked in.
"I've heard. Everyone's talking about it."
"About what?" asked The Phantom.
"About how you killed Raoul."
"Yes, I did. Now, what about my part of the deal. Where is Crystal?"
"She is yours. She is hidden underneath the stage. You might want to hurry. She could be dead for all I know."
"What have you done?" The Phantom asked.
"You're wasting your time. Here's the key," the man said as he threw him a key and disappeared out the door.
"Danny, do know where he keeps her?"
"Follow me. Quick!"
