I'm afraid that I might add a bit of humor to this story. Sorry if anyone liked my serious side a lot. It'll still be in my old writing style, but hopefully the Phantom and Meg will be able to be more open with each other. I don't really control what I write, it just kind of happens, so if the story starts to really go downhill from anything that might happen, just tell me in a review, and I'll take it to heart. Anyway…. Chapter 8!


The two stared at each other for a while. "Wow," the Phantom finally said.

"Yeah…" said Meg. "I guess we're best friends, now, huh?"

"I guess so. So… what is it that friends do? I'm not really an expert in this area."

"Well… we could do all kinds of things. We could clean up your lair if you wanted."

"Um… well, if that's your best suggestion, I say go for it!"

The twosome set to work. Meg began dusting the chandeliers, while the Phantom started organizing his papers. After a while, the place was starting to clear up. The piano had neat stacks of music on it, and all of the ornaments were shining. Deciding to take a break, the two sat down on the bench.

"Wow… this sure is fun," said Meg.

"Oh, yeah. I couldn't think of any more fun that I've had in years." Meg giggled a little bit. She didn't know why, but that comment just struck her as being absolutely hilarious. Maybe it was the sarcasm dripping from his voice. "Actually… this is a lot of fun for me. I've been all by myself in here for years. The place is a pit. It's nice to clear it up; it's like getting rid of all of my ghosts from the past."

"I hope you're not referring to all of the people that you've killed."

"You just had to ruin it, didn't you?"

"Yeah, I guess I did. But we're friends, now, so that doesn't really matter." Meg hesitated. "Does it?"

"Meg, I want you to promise me something." Meg looked at him, completely serious. "Though I may be the older one in this relationship… and the scarier one… and the more deformed one… you must promise me that you will treat me just as you would treat Christine, or anyone else."

Meg smiled. "Okay, uh….uh…." Meg struggled to find an appropriate name for the man. "Uh…. what would you like me to call you?"

"If I may call you Meg, you may call me Erik."

"Okay, Erik. So, do you want to finish up your lair?"

"Hm…. the spare bedroom could use some work. I'll work on that, and you can sweep. How's that?"

"Sounds great to me. Meet here when you're done?"

"Okay."

Meg started off to find a broom, when she remembered with a start something very important. "Erik!" she called, nearly slipping and shouting the more familiar 'Phantom.'

Erik turned around. "Yes?"

"Erik, I completely forgot about Christine and Raoul and the others! They'll be searching everywhere for me! I have to go! But I promise I will be back!" Meg's eyes were pleading Erik to let her go.

"Meg… I already told you this: I have no more power than you. As long as you are with me, you are free to do as you like. Go back. Stay as long as you like. Just… remember to come back. I don't think I could stand being alone again."

Meg smiled. "Don't worry. I won't forget." And with that she was off in the gondola, hurrying back to the world she knew so much better than this dark place.


Yup. Chapter 8. Did you like it? I know… I went a little bit crazy with the dialogue.