'What am I getting myself into?' I wonder as I enter box 5. I sit on one of the opulent chairs and wring my hands nervously. I hoped I would not have to wait long, since the longer my mind has to worry and create doubt. The doors are all locked by now, How will he get in? Does he have a key? Why box 5? It has been reserved for the opera ghost for as long as I've been at the Opera Populaire.

"Christine" I jumped as he softly said my name. He stood at the side of my chair, yet I had not heard him approach. All doubts, all worries, all questions disappeared. I rise and face him, I become intoxicated by his presence. Finally I am with him in the flesh. No longer a phantom of my dreams. From the way he looked at me I could tell that he was just as intoxicated as I. "Come" he said as he holds out a leather clad hand.

I put my hand in his and he leads me to the column that stood to one side of the box. He touched the wall where it meets the column, and I watch in amazement as part of the column slide away. He leads me through the opening, we took a seemingly endless journey through the bowls of the opera house and who knows where. For most of our underground journey I sat upon a horse that was waiting not far from where we began.

After what seemed like forever he helped me off the horse and lead me through another hidden door. From the dark tunnel we entered a room that almost looked like a cave with its dark walls. As I gazed at the contents, I realized that this was the room I had seen many times in my dreams. The plethora of candles creating a soft golden glow. The organ where in my dreams Erik would play, and where he would give me voice lessons. I was utterly confused how could I have dreamt of things that are real? I turned in a circle to take in the room once more. When I faced Erik once more he had a small smirk on his face. "Shall I sing for you my dear?" my heart beat began to increase and unable to form words I simply nodded my head. His smirk grew into a smile then he began to sing.

Nighttime sharpens, heightens, each sensation.

Darkness stirs and wakes imagination.

Silently the senses abandon their defences

Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendour.

Grasp it sense it, tremulous and tender.

Turn your face away from the garish light of day.

Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling, light,

And listen to the music of the night

Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams.

Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before.

Close your eyes

let your spirit start to soar

And you'll live as you've never lived before

Softly, deftly, music shall caress you.

Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you

Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind

In this darkness that you know you cannot fight

The darkness of the music of the night.

Let your mind start a journey to a strange new world.

Leave all thoughts of the life you knew before

Let your soul take you where you long to be.

Only then can you belong to me

Floating, falling, sweet intoxication

Touch me. Trust me

Savour each sensation

Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in

To the power of the music that I write.

The power of the music of the night

you alone can make my song take flight

help me make the music of the night.

His voice intoxicated me. His occasional light caress sent fire through my body. As he sang the final note he gently traced my jaw line with his gloved hand. We stood there in silence for several minutes, then he slowly, almost timidly approached me. He brought his head down just as slowly and softly brushed his lips against mine. He pulled back and looked at me for a moment, then moved in for another kiss. I lifted my arms and encircled them around his neck, as he put his hands on my hips and pulled me closer. The kiss seemed to last an eternity, but in reality it only lasted several minutes. After our kiss ended, I put my head on his shoulder and savored the feeling of being in his arms. My reverie was interrupted by a large yawn that escaped my lips. "You are tired. Let me show you to the room where you may sleep."

He must have seen the look of confusion and apprehension on my face for then he said, "Do not worry, my dear. I will be sleeping in my own bedroom."