XIV

Christine sighed as the rehearsal ended. It was two weeks until the opening night and for once the theatre seemed to be ready for it. The sets were done, the costumes all fit and the lines were all, more or less, perfected. But no matter how hard she tried the performance never felt natural.

She knew every step she was supposed to take, every little nuance she needed to make the performance seem natural, but no matter how hard she tried it never felt right. Beside Piangi everything felt awkward.

"You're doing so well," Meg told her.

"It doesn't feel right," she replied, "I can't make it fee right."

"But it looks good," Meg encouraged, "and its sounds wonderful."

Christine sighed. She knew that Piangi was doing well, he had enough experience to put himself into a character while, at the same time, not really doing it. Christine wasn't like that, she had only performed once as a singer. And though her voice was trained, she felt inexperienced in such a heavy role.

"Christine," Raoul said, striding onto the stage, "its coming together."

"I know," she replied.

"I must be off," he sighed, "I have a dinner to attend. If you'd like-"

"No," Christine interrupted, "I'll stay here, thank you."

"I love you," he murmured, kissing her, "good night, Little Lotte."

Christine smiled and watched as he left, Meg was watching her, "Why don't you go with him?"

"I've told him, and you," Christine said "it would be-"

"Too complicated," Meg finished, "I know. But would it really, Christine?"

"Come on, Meg, I'm hungry. Lets go get some supper."

Erik stared out over the city, already it was dark, and the lights were flickering and glinting in the city like a hundred fallen stars. It was a strange contrast to the sky, where no stars shone at all, hidden behind dark grey clouds.

He had become tired of watching rehearsals, deciding that they were finally becoming good enough to leave alone. He also wanted to make the managers sweat over his lack of involvement. As he watched he saw a carriage pull away from the city, he immediately recognized it and curled his lip irritably.

After a few moments he went back inside, tired of watching the city and brooding over his life. Besides, the wind had been cold and hinting of rain, the theatre really was more enticing.

The halls of the theatre were surprisingly empty, but then again, they had been like that since his last appearance. He made sure to take a final look around before making his way down to the stables.

A horse nickered a quiet greeting and he held his hand out for it to lick. He sighed heavily and rubbed the animal's large cheek as it searched for a treat.

"I have nothing for you," he murmured, "but you don't really care, do you?"

The horse nuzzled his shoulder gently, blowing hot air in his face. Erik gave a sad smile and petted it's forehead, watching as it's large dark eyes closed in contentment. He sighed and was about to leave when the horse opened it's eyes again and gave an eager nicker.

Erik swung around quickly, immediately aware of another presence in the stable. But when he turned he was not met with a stable boy, like he had though, but instead he was met with the wide, frightened eyes of Christine.

"Christine," Meg said, "you seem distracted, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Christine said, sipping her tea, "just a little warm…I think I'll get some fresh air."

"Do you want me to come?"

"I'll just go down to the stable," Christine said, "I'll be fine…"

"I guess…"

"Come on," Meg said, getting to her feet and grabbing Christine's hand "I'll go with you. I haven't' been to the stable in ages."

Christine just nodded and began to follow her friend out of the dormitory and to the stable. They were almost there when Meg gasped and grabbed her arm, "I just had a thought."

"What was it?" Christine asked, trying to calm her hammering heart.

"I'll go to the kitchen and get something for the horses," Meg said, "maybe some carrots, or apples."

"Or lumps of sugar," Christine suggested, "they always like those."

"Wonderful idea," Meg said, "you go ahead, I'll be along in a minute then."

"Alright," Christine said, "hurry though, we're supposed to be in bed."

Meg went off as quickly as she could and Christine went down the few steps to the stable. The difference in the air was immediate and the cool air felt good against her face. She took another step forward and hear one of the horses nicker.

She looked up and felt herself pale at the sight before her. With the horse was the shadow of a man she had come to fear, and he looked poised to strike.

She couldn't do anything, just stare at him, and he stared right back, with a burning intensity that made her blood run cold. Then he took a small step forward and she gave a small gasp and stepped back.

"Christine!" Meg called.

Before she could reply he was gone, disappearing into the shadows of the stable as if he had never even been there. Meg came up beside her and looked a the space where he had been standing.

"Christine?" she asked, worry filling her voice, "Christine, you're trembling!"

Christine felt tears roll down her face and slid slowly to the ground, Meg beside her the entire time, "it was him," she breathed, tears choking her throat, "he was here, Meg, he was right here."

"Who was here?" Meg asked, staring at her friend.

"Him," Christine replied, "the Phantom."

"Come on," Meg said, helping her up, "lets get back inside, you're freezing and so pale."

Erik bolted from the stable as fast as he could, ducking into a passage in the side of the theatre. He followed it until it brought him into an alcove, and then followed that dark hallway before ducking into another passage. He came out of that one into a dimly lit hall before realizing where he was.

Only a few metres in front of him was the door to Antoinette's apartment. He stared at the door, hesitant to do anything. He didn't' want to leave, but he knew he couldn't know. She wouldn't want him there, no one wanted him. And he couldn't blame them for it.

A wave of emotion hit him so hard he nearly doubled over and within seconds he had sunk to his knees, silent sobs tearing through his body. He suddenly couldn't get enough air, and fumbled to untie his cravat and loosen his collar.

For once he didn't care if anyone found him, he almost wished for it to happen, so they could end all his miseries. What he had seen in her face was terror, pure and ungoverned fear.

He heard the door open behind him and turned to glare at the figure of Antoinette. She stared down on him with icy eyes and just shook her head.

Antoinette opened the door to see him doubled over, it wasn't the first time it had happened. When he was younger he had often appeared in front of her door, but it had been a long time since his last fit.

It was almost pathetic, she decided, that he should be so upset when he had caused so much pain to everyone around him. She just shook her head sadly, she didn't want him there.

"You are not welcome here," she said tonelessly, "go away, Erik."

He glared at her again before getting back to his feet. He said nothing, just turned and left. Antoinette let out a held breath and went back into her apartment.

A/N: Oh yeah, two days in a row, go me! So drop me a review, I am sadly lacking in them. I'll update again soon, hopefully.