Okay here it is the rewritten lengthened chapter 2. I do not own the Phantom of The Opera or any of its characters, they belong to Gaston Leroux.

Enjoy.

CHAPTER 2: ENCOUNTER WITH A GHOST.

Erik couldn't believe it. Laura De Chagny, Christine and that fop Raoul's great-great-granddaughter! Part of Erik was happy that this Laura was at the opera house, the other was sorrowful because she would now be a constant reminder of the only woman who had ever shown him any shred of kindness and that he had lost her.

The phantom was now heading down to his lair, which due to all the damage time had done to the old opera house had become somewhat more difficult. Erik was angry, angry with himself, and at the mistakes he had made in the past which he could not change. Why! Why did she have to come and remind him of that which had been so precious to him! But then again, she looked so much like Christine. . . Erik smirked as he remembered again the girl's name, "Laura. . ." Erik rolled the name over his tung a few times, he liked it. She was so beautiful, just like Christine. "Just like Christine." Erik said with a faint smile.

Laura was running in search of the phantom. She wanted to find him, her child like curiosity which she had inherited from Christine beckoned her to do so. Laura stopped for a moment to catch her breath, "Where is he?" she wondered aloud before she looked around to be sure she had not missed anything. Laura winced at the creaking sounds of the floorboards below her, the didn't sound to stable. Laura walked slowly, the creaking got louder with each step she took and made her even more uneasy.

Erik had stopped walking. The sounds of the old un sturdy floorboards creaked above him. CRACK! Erik heard a scream as the floorboards gave way, and a young woman fell on top of him sending both she and Erik to the ground.

Laura had been walking when, CRACK! She let out a scream as she fell through, and onto something rather soft which had broken her fall, and possibly a few of Erik's bones.

As the dust cleared, Erik opened his eyes. There, sitting on top of him, was Laura. The poor girl was shaking, her eyes shut tight. Erik was mesmerized by her beauty and resemblance to Christine, "Beautiful..." he said softly and gently touched the side of Laura's face.

Laura's eyes snapped open when she felt something, rather someone, touch her cheek. She gasped as she found herself face to face with a rather handsome man with dark hair, piercing blue eyes, and a half porcelain mask on the right side of his face. He was touching her face, gazing into her eyes. "You're him. . . you're the Phantom!" Laura exclaimed her eyes wide with fear.

Erik pulled his hand back and looked away. "Are you afraid because you know what is behind this mask?" he asked his expression somewhat saddened. "You would know. You are HER great-great-grandchild." he added somewhat bitterly.

It took Laura a moment to realize that the phantom was referring to Christine. Laura's fear left her, and a sadness that made her want to cry for the phantom had settled in her chest. "I'm not afraid of what is behind your mask. . . It's just, I've heard so

many stories about you. Some quite terrifying really." Laura replied, and it was the truth.

Erik looked back at Laura and grinned, "Oh really? Tell me, Laura. . . What about me terrifies you?" he asked.

"Mademoiselle De Chagny! Where are you Mademoiselle?" The voices of the workmen called from above.

Laura looked up, then back to Erik. He was gone. Laura stood up, and looked around. 'Was it my imagination?' she wondered.

"Mademoiselle De Chagny!" The workmen called out frantically.

"Down here!" Laura called back. Taking one last look around before grabbing the rope that the workmen had sent down.

Erik had managed to flee before the workmen had a chance to spot him and ask questions. He would keep a watch on Laura and the workmen. After all, this still was his opera house. 'I wonder if she can sing.' Erik thought before heading back to the darkness of his lair.

Well, this is it again for chapter 2. I feel better about adding a bit more length and detail to this chapter. Read and review please.