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Standing in the Shadows

Chapter 2

By: XO Erik's Angel OX

"Meg!bang Meg!bang bang bang Megan open this door NOW!" Christine was knocking loudly upon Meg's dressing room door.

"M-e-e-eg! Open up! It's just Christi-"

"Chrissie! Oh my! How are you? How is Raoul? I haven't gotten an invitation. You didn't get married without me, did you?"

Christine stood in shock. This wasn't the Meg she remembered.

"Oh…I'm fine. Raoul's-Raoul's-in-um-America. For-uh-three years actually." Christine stuttered.

Meg's lips fell from an excited grin to a worried frown.

"Oh." She mumbled. Her face, Christine noticed, was extremely pale.

"Yes. It's a shame isn't it? Well, I really need help Meg. Please?"

"Fine. Come in. What do you need help with? You don't usually come begging for help."

"Uh-Raoul. Raoul is gone for three years. He left yesterday afternoon. When did he tell me he was leaving for three years, when did he tell me of this bloody trip? Yesterday afternoon. Meg, what do I do? I've been engaged for nearly a year, and now I have to wait another three! I can't handle it anymore Meg!" Christine's eyes glistened once more with unshed tears.

"He-he only told you yesterday? As in you didn't know there was any possibility that he could be leaving?" Christine nodded, "Oh my. Er- Chrissie, I-well, what do you want? Do you still love Raoul? Do you still want to marry him? Because that is your choice. If you love him, wait and marry him. If you don't love him, don't wait, don't marry him and-well do something else I guess."

Christine sighed and put her head in her hands. She slowly ran her fingers through her hair.

"Meg, I don't know. Everything is happening so fast. Yesterday morning, I decided that I would speak to Raoul about the wedding at dinner. But no, he was on a bloody ship during dinner." Tears started falling. "Meg. Meg I want to see the Phantom. Do you know if he's still here?"

Meg gasped audibly. Her green eyes grlittered with fear and horrow.

"Christine. Christine you can't see him and- and I won't let you. He's dangerous. He'll-he'll kill you. No, Christine, you can not see him."

Christine sighed. "But, he is still under the opera house?"

"Yes."