Chapter 2

Christine took the early bus so she could get to Erik's lesson before it ended. Excitement filled her system at the thought of hearing him play music again. A vague worry followed that the spinning might happen again, but she pushed it away.

The thing was, the spinning, or whatever it was, scared her. Christine didn't like it because she felt powerless to stop it. She could only wait until it ended. Christine hated being out of control, with one exception, that being music. Music was different because there was something so secretive in its next notes, which only the player could be in charge of, even though not even the player could have power over the music's effect.

It was being in control of something bigger and more dangerous, and in that way, Christine supposed, it was like being out of control.

Now feeling a bit more nervous about how early she was, Christine stood on the driveway outside and contemplated waiting until Erik left.

Then it began to rain.

Hurrying towards the door as big fat droplets fell on her curly golden hair; Christine didn't notice the voice singing along with the piano.

As she opened the door, the voice stopped.

"Hello Christine!" cried Mrs. Giry. "I'm glad you got here early today, I have a favor to ask you. I found this music in an old book of mine, and I think yours and Erik's voices would fit it perfectly. Do you mind?"

Distracted by the fact that Erik also sang, and busy imagining what it would sound like, Christine nodded dazedly. He looked to be about 17 years old, she mused, and then wondered where that thought had come from.

"Excellent! You can go into the library and do your warm-ups while I finish this piece with Erik here."

Christine walked into the library and looked around curiously. An old copy of "The Phantom of the Opera" by Gaston Leroux was lying on a table beside the fireplace. Christine remembered reading it a while ago, and the longing it had filled her with, the romantic-ness of the story.

Once finished warming up, Christine moved back into the living room to see Erik reading through the lyrics of their duet with a frown.

Christine took her copy and glanced at it in surprise. The notes seemed to spin on the paper, and she found that she didn't need to read the lyrics, she already knew them. Sneaking a peek at Erik, she saw the same look of surprised confusion on his face, and—why was he wearing a mask? Christine blinked and it was gone.

Then the music began.

Nervously at first, Christine began her part, but as the music lifted and rose, she forgot her uncertainty.

Erik's voice soon joined hers, and Christine turned to him amazement.

Then the spinning began.

Wind was whistling all around her, ripping at her skin, she screamed, but her voice was only swept away from her. The winds pulled at her, until she felt herself falling, drifting from one time to another completely different one.

And with a whump, Christine landed on a cold hard wood floor.

Erik stared at the music in front of him. His aunt had to be kidding. The "Point of No Return" scene from Phantom of the Opera?

Erik had made no protest once she entered, though. Every thought of exasperation had left his mind as he stared at her beautiful face. Wondering if the spinning would start again if he met her eyes, he had tried… but only met with an odd unfocused quality there. He abruptly ignored the idea that she was going through the spinning herself, and returned to his lesson.

But now she was back, and it was time for the duet. He looked over the music again, filled now with a feeling of familiarity, as if he knew the piece so well he could've written it.

She began to sing. He didn't know what to do, could not think for her voice soaring through him. He was filled with so much longing, oh, how he longed to hear that voice singing for him and only him.

And when Erik began his part, he was singing for her and only her. He saw the look of wonder on her face…

And then the spinning began.