Of all of the opera's we perform I must say that Il Muto is least favorite. For one thing the costumes are difficult to move in and it is very hard to keep my balance with that horrid wig. However, it is one favorite of the patrons.

It almost doesn't seem real, even though it's been a month since Carlotta left and the new manager mad me Prima Donna.

As I began my performance, I noticed something different. I could not believe it, Raoul was in the Phantoms Box! No one has dares sit in the box 5 since I can remember. Now I have never one to believe in the Opera Ghost. Yet most of the others -especially the Corps de Ballet- believe very strongly in the Phantom. Does Raoul not realize that by so blatantly disregarding the superstitions of us theatre people, will cause hostility toward him?

I began signing about how if 'the old fool' knew he would never go, when suddenly there was a booming voice saying "Did I not instruct that box 5 was to be kept empty."

"He's here, the Phantom of the Opera." I heard Meg say in a high-pitched voice.

The only clear thought in my mind was "It's Him." It took me a moment to realize that I had said that out loud. My mind raced with thoughts of disbelief, confusion, and fear. Still in a daze the performance continued at the urging of the managers.

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My mind was still in turmoil by the time I stood watching the ballet from act three. I did not understand why Erik is masquerading as the Phantom of the Opera.

I was snapped out of my musings as the garroted body of Joseph Buquet appeared on stage. I looked up into the flies where Buquet had fallen from and saw a familiar black shadow and a flash of a white mask.

The fact that Erik could kill filled me with fear. I couldn't breathe. I needed to get away, away from the screams of the ballet rats. The roof. As I raced towards one of the staircases I would need to climb, I ran into Raoul.

"Christine? Are you all right? What is the matter?" Raoul asked as he followed me up the stairs. I made no move to discourage him. I needed the comfort of my old friend.

"I can't believe it, The Phantom of the Opera!" I exclaimed.

"Christine what are you talking about. There is no Phantom of the Opera! The Phantom is nothing but a fable."

"Raoul, I've seen him. I have seen parts of his dark world." Remembering the beautiful candle filled music room, and the peace and comfort I felt there. "Yet what I saw was not a menacing darkness." My brows furrowed as my mind moved onto the sight of Joseph Buquet's lifeless body dangling above the stage. "But he killed Buquet. How could the man I spent time with last night be the same man that could so heartlessly kill?"

"Christine" Raoul said in a soft gentle voice. "Christine, come away with me. You could stay at my chateau. I could keep you safe there."

"Raoul! Are you mad! I cannot just leave. I have a contract." And, I thought I could not leave Erik. "Besides," I said with a sigh turning away from him. "I have so many questions I need answered. If I were to leave with them unanswered, I do believe they would haunt my till I am dead."

"Christine please, I do not think you realize how much danger you are in. I did not want to tell you this, for fear it would frighten you. But it seems now I have no choice. This morning I received a letter warning me to stay away from you. It was signed O.G., Christine. O.G., as in Opera Ghost, the Phantom of the Opera. Who knows what this madman could do to you."

I turned again to face Raoul, and remembering the way Erik acted towards me last night and said, "He would never hurt me."

I said those words with such certainty that Raoul looked confused for a moment, then he got a look in his eyes like he was putting together the pieces of a puzzle.

"What exactly is your relationship to this man?" he asked a guarded expression on his face.

After thinking for a few moments, I gave a small smile and said "I do not know exactly."

Raoul frowned at my answer. He ran a hand through his long blond hair, sighed and said "When you do figure it out will you let me know?" I nodded my head in assent before he continued. "And remember Little Lotte if you ever need anything, please tell me." With that he gave me a quick hug then left me alone on the roof.