Chapter 2

Meg's eyes widened as they reached their destination at the end of the tunnel. She let her eyes roam as they entered the room. The walls were plain stone, keeping the room cold, leading to a great arched roof, much like the cathedrals she and the corps du ballet would visit to pray at before opening night. She looked around and saw the lone bed, couch and three doors leading out of the room. A small window, high up near the roof, showed the ground level up on the roads, though Meg didn't know exactly where they were. Everything was plain, there were no fancy decorations and, Meg noted, no mirrors.

"Where are we?" she asked

"This is my home until things calm down and I can safely go out and find a new, permanent one. There is no way out except through that door. It is locked from the outside and the only one who has the key is your mother." He had walked up to the centre door, and trying the handle, showed her it was locked.

"What if something happens to her? What if she loses the key, or…or…" Meg swallowed "she dies. Will we be stuck like this forever?"

"Silly child. I have also given a key to the Persian, so no, we will not be staying here forever. I feel that too much time with a corps du Ballet like yourself, would not benefit my health."

Meg didn't reply. She walked around the room, glancing at the few pieces of furniture, and then continued to the door on the right.

"What's in here?" she asked.

"A bathroom."

Meg opened the door, glanced in, and saw that it was a bathroom indeed, but again, noted that there weren't any mirrors. Instead, there was a white bathtub, standing on four "legs", complete with feet, a sink, complete with running water and, she noted, a small toilet.

Meg, after leaving the bathroom, walked to the door on the left.

"What's in here?"

"That is my room. Do not go in there unless I give you permission. That is also my musical workshop. Whenever I am in there, I will be UNinterrupted, unless the centre door is opened, or something is on fire and we are going to die. Is this clear?"

"Oui Monsieur Le Phantom. Where do I stay?" Meg replied.

"You, my dear, will stay out here. The bathroom will be at your disposal, but do not ever leave this room without me. If you do, lord know what will happen. Do not go back through the door we came in. as of now, it is non-existent, whatever happens, there is one exit. The police, our dear Viscount, the managers…They could follow us through that door, and if they come in here, I will be arrested, or killed, and you will be hounded for the rest of your days, and will never be able to marry or work…"

Meg was surprised that the Phantom had thought these things through, but was grateful for the consideration he had taken.

As night fell through the small window, Meg found that she could hardly keep her eyes open, and was continually yawning.

"If you are tired, go sleep on your bed. I will go work on my music."

Meg said goodnight, then, after removing her shoes, stockings, and corset, lay down and pulled up the covers.

Soon she was fast asleep.