I updated and I will again later on. I'm sorry my chapters are somewhat short (Eric keeps yelling at me about them!) but I promise their lengths will grow in time. For now I will make it seem like Raoul is a gentleman but beware Raoul fans, there will be Raoul Bashing! Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer:See other chapters!

"Past, the point of no return...the final threshold..."

Eric! I told you to cut that thing off! We've watched it 7 times straight already! looks to readers Oops...sorry again! LOL Enjoy! ERIC GET BACK HERE!

Chapter 8: The Opera House

"And to your right, you'll find the the oldest church in Paris," Mark stated. "I hear that the Pope will be preaching there in a week."

"I was never into religion. I'm just a spiritual girl with my own opinions," Cat stated. "Can we please stop by the Opera House and have a look inside?" She had asked this question before Mark had even begun the tour and he was reluctant to answer.

"I don't see why not. But I must warn you-" Mark began.

"Oh come on Mark! Where's your sense of adventure? If there is a Phantom of the Opera, I want to face him head on and to the death if so be it!" Cat stated excitedly. "Let him try to harm this girl!"

"Don't get too ahead of yourself Cat," Claire spoke even though she had been silent for most of the tour.

"How can I not be excited?" Cat asked. "To stand the very building you had told me about since I was a little girl mom; to stand on the very stage that the Phantom had once sung on is quite far fetched, but still within my grasp. I will do anything just to have one small tour inside such a historic building."

Mark smiled and looked to Claire as she had nodded her approval to him. In fact, they were not far away from the Opera House, but Mark was entirely avoiding it. The Opera House has changed since is rebuilt but in the past, the building stood like a haunted house that only children had dared one another to go into. Nobody except the new preformers and Chagny family have been in the rebuilt Opera Populaire, and so few of the people who go in talk about their days inside it.

Mark turned the carriage around the old main street, Cat's eyes immediantly staring at the new Opera House, hopping in her seat in excitment. As soon as the carriage stopped in front of the steps, Cat was out and up at the top of the stairs before anyone had the chance to protest. Mark turned around to see that Claire had not budged from the seat.

"You're not coming?" he asked.

She merely shook her head while a crowd stared as Cat walked even closer to the entrance of the Opera House. Was she really that serious? Everyone was obviously concerned for the dear girl.

"Mark come on!" Cat called out, ignoring the crowd's stares and gossiping. Mark sighed heavily and walked inside with Cat, the crowd in gasps. An astounding sight beheld them within.

The grand stairwell lay stood tall, as if there had never been a fire. The statues called to the visiters, the paint smelled fresh, and the magnificance of the archeticure were beyond any words to describe. It was as if they had just stepped back in time. But then, when Cat looked up at the ceiling, she saw that the roof had appeared to have a hole that shot through to the outside, as if it had not been redone.

"I thought you said it was completely rebuilt?" Cat asked in confusion.

"It was until this morning," Raoul said as he entered the room from atop the grand stairwell. "There was some kind of prank and an explosion on the roof was the result of it. Strangely, no one was found. But nonetheless, it shall be redone before our first Opera preformance."

"Who would wanto to destroy something so beautiful?" Cat asked while climbing the stairs alongside Mark to Raoul's level.

"A ghost," Mark suggested.

"Please, Mark. You know how I feel about the Phantom," Raoul said in disgust.

"Oh, forgive me," Mark stated.

"I don't see a reason to be afraid," Cat said firmly. "If the explosion was caused by a Phantom Ghost why didn't he try anything extreme like murder? He has done it before."

Everyone went silent before Raoul cleared his throat to get their attention.

"So, how about a tour of the stage?" Raoul kindly asked.

"What of the Countess? She was claiming that she was not well," Mark asked suspiously.

"She's quite fine, Delilah is taking care of her. I can give Catherine a tour of the stage while you accompany Ms. Revue around Paris and later Meg Giry will bring Catherine and rejoin you two," Raoul suggested.

"That would be great! I could stay here for a while!" Cat agreed excitedly.

"If Catherine is sure, then yes, that would be fine Count. If you'll excuse me, I'll join Claire in the carriage. This place has a eerie feeling to me. Are you sure you'll be alright Catherine?" Mark asked.

Cat smiled and nodded her head before watching Mark bow and leave the Opera House. Cat then turned back to Raoul.

"Why is everyone so scared of this Phantom?" Cat asked. "He's no more a legend then Hercules or Roman gods."

Raoul sighed heavily at the mention of the Phantom. "How well do you know about the Opera House Catherine?" he asked.

"Cat, please sir, my friends call me Cat. I probably know the historics from what my mother has told me but not more then you, I suppose," she replied.

"Then I believe you'll find my tour to be quite educational Cat," Raoul said.

"Yes, I have often dreamed of this place. As a child I have dreamt of singing on stage of dancing with other ballerinas, but alas, I have no such talents. I can hold a pitch but I can never measure up to be a Prima Dona or even a chorus part. Being here is such a honor," Cat said. "I suppose I have you to thank."

"You are very welcome. Your mother and I are aquaintences of sorts. I sent a letter begging for her to come and witness our opening play," Raoul explained. "When I last saw you, you were but a babe in your mother's arms. I smiled at you and you giggled back before falling asleep. Too young to remember I suppose, but all children are such at that age."

"Yes, I can barely remember anytime spent here. I have blurred memories but none strong enough to follow and investigate on," Cat said. "Anyhow, this is the present, and I will spend my time here getting to know my heritage."

"I hope you find your answers," Raoul said holding out a arm and leading her backstage, back to where old memories still lay active.

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