Chapter Eight

DISCLAIMER: OK; I don't own phantom of the opera. Plain and simple

Karen was dreaming. She and Erik were in the fields resting in the Forget-me-not flowers. A cool breeze had blown by three or four times; blowing Karen's hair forward. Soon; the sky disappeared and became a swirling black and purple cloud; the gentle breeze had become a hard wind; and instead of Erik, Raphael lie beside her. She jumped up and moved back; soon Erik appeared out of the shadows; and started pushing her towards Raphael; but she struggled. She escaped Erik's grasp and started running. They came after her shouting "You can't escape your fate!" But she kept running. Soon; she wasn't going anywhere; and they kept coming after her, getting closer and closer. Soon; Erik started shouting:

"Wake up Karen! It's time to practice!" Karen blinked and asked what he said. But Raphael started talking.

"I don't think she'll wake up. She's out cold." Suddenly; Meg appeared in the purple sky; her arms crossed and giving Karen a sharp look.

"Wake up you bum!" That's when they all started shouting at her to wake up.

Her eyes flung open and she sprang up. Meg was standing beside her bed, and Iris was sitting at her feet.

"About time you woke up." Meg told her; cross at first but starting to smile. "Get ready. We've got to practice for the new Production." Karen nodded and started to dress in her white ballet dress.Frighting dream? She looked around; but then realized who it was

"The worst." She replied aloud. Slipping her shoes on while talking. "I've really got to get to practice. I'll see you later." Without his reply; she left; following Meg and Iris.

"Who were you talking to?" Meg asked. "No one was in there but you; Don't tell me you've gone insane." Karen shook her head.

"I'm not crazy." She replied; smiling as though telling Meg it was Erik whom she was speaking to. But she didn't get it. Once at the stage to practice; they began.

Two hours of practicing; and then they'd be free. Until then; Meg and Karen talked.

"Who were you talking to?" Meg asked softly.

"Erik" Karen replied; bending as far back as her spine would allow.

"Who?" Meg asked; Bending to the side with all the others.

"The Phantom." Karen spoke that part softly. When the ballet girls were to leave the stage; Karen and Meg talked a bit louder.

"I told you you'd see him again. What's he like?"

"Really nice. I don't see why everyone was so afraid of him."

"Could you introduce me to him?" Meg asked; Karen was hesitant with her answer. She wasn't sure if what Erik needed was to meet someone who thought of him as everyone else did.

"I suppose. But not now." Karen told her. "Not until I can get through to him."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean; not until he can show me his face and not be afraid; or angry; or anything."

"Oh, well." Meg smirked. "Looks like I'll never meet him then." Karen hit her arm gently and the ballet girls were called back out onto the stage.


After practice, Meg and Iris left Karen alone so she'd be able to meet her masked phantom. As Karen walked down the halls and a hand touched her shoulder. For a moment; she thought it was Erik; She spun around smiling; until she saw it was not Erik; but Raphael.

"Where have you been sneaking off to my dear?" He asked; brushing the hair out of her eyes. "You seem to be running all over the place recently."

"I'm just trying to lose you." She told him coldly. "Leave. I'm meeting someone."

"Who?"

"Someone that isn't any of your business. Now leave!" When she saw he wasn't leaving; she took off at a run. Running to Christine's dressing room and locking the door. She sighed to herself and turned to the mirror. She walked over to it and pulled it aside, Seeing Erik leaning on the stone wall waiting for her. "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." He extended a hand out to her; she took it and he lead her down the hall.

"You had a frighting dream did you not?" Erik asked as Karen climbed onto the black horse and he lead it to the boats.

"Yep." She replied bluntly. "At first it made some since; but after a while; nothing did."

"Mind telling me?" he was just making conversation as they walked. Karen nodded and told him of her dream. Of how he had turned into Raphael; and how he was pushing her to Raphael. Erik looked at her and then started laughing.

"It's not funny." She started out a bit irritated; but then found herself laughing too.

"That's just so ridiculous." He told her; no longer laughing.

"I know." He held out a hand to help her off the horse; she placed her hand in his palm and climbed off the horse and into the boat. After getting to the lair; Erik and Karen talked; and while Erik was playing the organ; Karen had fallen asleep. He smirked at her; and carried her off to the swan-like bed. He left her so she could sleep; and he took a book from the shelves; sat on a chair and began to read.


Karen woke up a few hours later. She had slept like a rock; and rather liked how the silk bed felt. It was very comfortable and it took her a few moments to bring herself to get up out of the bed and see Erik. When she walked out to the main room; she saw him asleep on a chair; a book in his lap and his head was turned so his mask was the side that was visible. Karen tip-toed over to him; trying not to wake him. She moved over to him; and hesitated with the unsurity of how deeply he slept. She rested her right index finger on the top of the mask; and her left index finger on the bottom; and gently lifted it up.
wooo cliffie! now to see what will happen you'd have to stay tuned :DD