Authors note: OK, history for this chapter, just a heads up, I am going mostly off of the original book here; meaning the chandelier went down, but the opera did not burn to ashes, and Erik was never unmasked in front of everybody,

Also, I love reading reviews from people, so feel free to tell me what you think!

Chapt. 11

"There are some things about the way people act," CJ said shaking her head sadly, "I will never understand,"

"Neither will I," I stated

"Well," CJ let out a small laugh, "When I figure out the workings of humanity I will tell you,"

"Wonderful, can you also tell me the meaning of life?" I asked sarcastically, causing CJ to laugh,

"I can't tell you that! who do I look like? God?" She smiled at me and I stared at her,

"I think if you do look like God quite a few people are going to be very upset," CJ was laughing harder now,

At that moment, CJ suddenly moved even closer to me. I was so paralyzed by shock I did not stop her as she leaned back against me; resting her head on my shoulder.

I felt a sense of panic; what was I supposed to do? I wanted to pull away, but it seemed I was frozen. I sat in silence, with my body tense.

After the first few moments, I realized it was sort of pleasant; to share contact with another human that was not forced or quickly broken.

I was just beginning to relax when our door opened. Dumas strode in and quickly surveyed us.

"Am I interrupting something?" He asked briskly,

I had to restrain CJ to keep her from jumping up and strangling Dumas then and there.

"No," I said icily as I tried to keep CJ at bay. She was writhing wildly in order to free herself from my grasp, and suddenly one of her elbows collided with my chin and I let go of her. So much for pleasant contact. CJ did not lose a second; as soon as I let her go she jumped up.

In a flash CJ let her fist fly; connecting with the jaw of the bewildered police man. It all happened so fast, I doubt Dumas even realized he had been hit until he was falling.

Dumas struggled to his feet;

"What the bloody hell was that about?" Dumas yelled angrily as he stood. His face was red and his eyes bulging,

"Last night," CJ said coldly, her voice was frighteningly calm. I got off the bed and stood behind her,

"Last night was your job!" Dumas growled, "I did not keep you alive because I wanted a friend, I did it so I would not have to lose innocent, hard working police men on hard jobs, if you cannot meet my demands I will get rid of you,"

"Nobody is innocent," CJ narrowed her eyes but said nothing more. Dumas took a little step back. I had to admit I would have as well if I had been him. CJ had a very wicked look in her eerily green eyes; a calculating glare which promised that CJ was building a plan. A wicked, evil plan.

Dumas blinked; regaining his composure he took a paper out of his back pocket and handed it to me. I stared down at it. It was a copy of the newspaper, and the title headline caught my eye. It read; Disappearances, Is the Ghost of the Opera To Blame?

I looked up at Dumas, eyes wide;

"What is this?" I asked, bewildered. What ever it was, I knew I was not to blame, CJ had been with me the whole time, she would vouch for me. She was not the best alibi witness, but at least it was something.

"I should be asking you that, but I know where you have been while this was going on, so I don't know what all this is about, but you are going to find out,"

CJ moved beside me and looked at the paper in my hands. She read the headline with a furrowed brow. It occurred to me she had not idea who I had been; now it seemed I would have to tell her.

"Follow me," Dumas said after a moment, motioning to both of us. Neither of us moved. "Come, take your things, you are moving to a different room,"

CJ and I stared at each other for a moment, "Why?" we asked at the same time.

"Do you like it down here?" Dumas asked exasperatedly

"What concern is that of yours?" I asked, honestly wondering

"I am trying to do you two a favor!" Dumas said angrily, "Just follow me,"

CJ and I grabbed the few items in the room; the books, candles, and the gun bullet. We cautiously followed Dumas up the stairs to the street level. Instead of going outside, we went up another flight of stairs to the second floor.

Dumas opened a door to our right and revealed a room which had been set up similarly to the one in the basement. There were two beds; both looked shabby and uncomfortable, but they did seem slightly less disgusting than the ones in the basement. In fact the whole room had a less repulsive feel to it; I guess that was the favor.

"This was the room of the two men you killed last night," Dumas informed us, and a slight shutter ran down my spine as I thought about the men who had once occupied this room; men I had killed. They had deserved it, after threatening a family and shooting CJ, but it still felt wrong.

"Why did they get this room and we got stuck in the basement?" CJ asked angrily,

"They were better men than the two of you, their crimes they were imprisoned for were less sever, I trusted them more,"

"Well, I am glad you are such an excellent judge of character, or else that might have turned out badly," CJ said sarcastically.

Dumas ignored her, "Here," he handed me flints for lighting the candles, "I will come back again tomorrow, and you can tell me about what you think is causing these disappearances at the opera," without another word he left. I heard the lock on the door click shut and Dumas was gone.