I'm on a roll. Because I'm nervous about the last chapter I'm gonna move right along.

Raoul may be on to something, Practice in the Opera House is complete chaos, more E/C drama, and what the hell is Erik going to do?

Why do I sound like an advertiser? All these questions will be answered in the chapter. The only warnings I should give is some adult language.


Long Way To Happy

Raoul sat at a large table with piles of books on it. He was in the family library looking to find something to do. Since he was bored out of his mind he decided to do some reading on his family and other matters.

He read about how the manor he was in right now was built in 1745 by his great grand-père, Antoine De Chagny. Other papers and books had information about the other plantations the De Chagnys own. Some of the information dated back to the 12th century, which fascinated him.

While Raoul moved some books out of the way an older paper fell down onto the floor along with another book, possibly a journal.

Raoul picked up the paper and noticed it was his family tree. He found his name at the bottom and traced his finger up to his mother and father's section. His father had no brothers or sisters, but his mother had two sisters. It said her parents were the Comte and Comtesse De Bourgogne.

He looked over to his father's side of the family, the De Chagnys. His father's name had a line under it that connected with his mother, and had a small line pointing down to his name. But also right under his father's name was a line pointing to a spot that was whitened out. "Interesting." Raoul said in his mind.

Raoul looked down at the journal that also fell. He picked it up and started to read it. Since he was beginning on the first page, he knew he would be there for a while.


Monsieur Reyer walked onto the stage and looked to the ballet and chorus.

"I have just received word that our opening opera will be a classic tale of two star-crossed lovers and tragedy. We will be performing Romeo and Juliet."

The ballet girls squealed and the chorus clapped in excitement. Carlotta on the other hand started crying.

Reyer rolled his eyes, "It's only day one and she's already starting this again!" He thought.

"Signora, what is the matter?" He asked the leading soprano.

"Ubaldo! My Piangi! He love-ahed dis opera!" The woman screeched.

Though she was annoying, everyone felt bad for her at this point. Christine walked on to the stage with Meg.

"YOU!" Carlotta screamed. "What-ah are you doin here?"

Christine stood frozen in shock as the woman came running towards her like she was about to strike Christine.

"Signora! Please calm down!" Reyer yelled.

"You little bitch! È il vostro difetto Ubaldo Piangi è guasto...he was mah amante! Come la sfida voi viene qui!" She screamed at the top of her lungs.

"I don't understand what you said, but I understand you're angry." Christine began.

"I said that it is your fault he is dead! How dare you come here." Carlotta replied.

"I didn't kill him!" Christine yelled back.

"Déjà Vu." She thought in her mind. "I know I've had a dream similar to this before."

"Yes, but you're opera ghost did!"

The room got quite when she mentioned the opera ghost. Though they haven't heard anything of him they were still afraid and very careful about uttering his name.

"I had no control over that!" Christine replied almost near tears. "Oh God! It IS all my fault."

"Hmm, maybe you're right…." Carlotta said turning around, "It's their fault! And your precious little Vicomte!"

She pointed over to the two managers who were out in the audience seats. Andre fell asleep during their first rehearsal and Firmin was playing solitaire by the table that was previously there for auditions. When she said it was their faults he looked up from his game and walked over towards the stage.

"I've already told you how sorry I am about what happened to Piangi, but we needed to capture the Pha…" Firmin said but was cut short by Carlotta.

"But at what price?" She now took her frustrations out on him. "Because of you're need to capture him the love of mah life is dead!" She said while tears fell down. For once the Facade of the Prima Donna fell and she acted like a truly hurt person.

"My Ubaldo did nothing to any of you." She said calming down, the cast was stunned at this new look of La Carlotta. "He did…nothing to him. I lost the one person I ever cared about and for what?" Silence filled the room. "Nothing!" She finished.

"The opera ghost is dead." Firmin reassured her that Piangi didn't die in vain.

"I don't give a damn about that stupid Phantom! I want Piangi back!"

Christine was now hysterical. She looked over to Carlotta giving a sympathetic look and then ran off the stage and towards the chapel.

Carlotta returned her focus to the managers and the conductor. "I cannot sing in this play. It was Piangi's favorite Opera. Mi scusi." She said and walked off the stage.

"Here we go again!" Firmin frustratingly exclaimed.

"Miss Daae may sing it." Reyer said looking over to the one manager.

Carlotta reached the exit and slammed the door which caused Andre to wake up and jump out of his seat.

"Did I miss something?" He asked curiously.

Instead of replying the whole cast glared at him.

"What?" He asked.

"We lost our star." Firmin informed him.

"Again?" Andre exclaimed. "That's just great."


Christine ran into the chapel and fell to the ground. "Why do I still love a …murderer?"

"He kills without a thought…he murders all that's good!" She sang.

"I don't kill without a thought, Christine." A voice answered her which caused her to jump.

Christine looked around her but saw nobody in the room. "Did you see Carlotta?" She asked with a harsh tone.

"Yes I did." He replied.

She started to get frustrated. "Show yourself God damn it!" She yelled. Erik didn't reply to her command. The room became silent, but 5 minutes later Erik appeared at the door. Christine became silent and just stared at him. She hated him so much right now, but she was so mesmerized by his presence.

"You asked me to show myself so we can talk to each other. But all you're doing is staring." He paused and walked towards her. Butterflies started to appear in her stomach. "I don't like to be stared at." He continued. His voice was somewhat harsh, but had no emotion in it.

"Why?" She finally found her voice. "How can you stand there and be proud of killing?"

"Proud?" He almost laughed. "What makes you think I'm glad about all the things I've done? That would make it easier for you, wouldn't it? You can blame everything on me and just go back to the Vicomte."

Erik waited for a response from Christine, but received nothing. "You're quick to label me a monster. If you keep tempting me, I may decide to become the monster the world has turned me into."

"I thought maybe you've changed, but now I have realized you won't ever change!" Christine started. "You yell at me for leaving you, but what do you expect? Erik, what did you expect me to do?"

"I don't know." Erik started to calm down.

"Did you think I would stay after what you did?"

"Yes." Erik replied.

She felt her stomach twist, "You make me sick."

"That's not the reason you left." He murmured.

"Oh, so you know the real reason?" She questioned.

"Yes. It's because of my face."

Christine threw her hands up in the air. "For the love of God!" She exclaimed. "You're deformity has nothing to do with this. I've already told you that before."

"It's in my soul that the true distortion lies…" Erik said.

"Exactly." She yelled. That created a pause between the two of them.

"…You have no idea how much that hurts me." He said.

Christine didn't say anything. Erik stood there waiting for her to say anything.

"What can I do to prove to you that I'm not like that anymore?" Erik asked. "How can I show you that I will never kill again? How I feel horrible ever single breath that I take…how horrible I feel about the people I've killed!"

Christine still did not say anything.

"I have nightmares every God damn night!" He was now at the point of yelling. "I'm being haunted -- literally -- for Christ's sake!"

Erik looked to her again but she still looked angry. Apparently she doesn't believe him.

Erik shook his head, "Fine." He walked out the door but turned back to her before walking out. "Just know that I love you, and I always will."

Christine's silence was broken when she heard him say that. Fear began to rise in her, "What are you going to do?"

"I'm not going to kill myself if that's what you think." He replied and walked out before she could ask another question.

He walked through a trap door just outside the chapel. When Christine walked out she didn't see him anywhere. Her first instinct was to go to Madame Giry.


"Maman!" Christine yelled running through the halls.

Madame Giry heard her yelling and walked out of her bedroom. "Christine, Mon chéri! Quel est erroné?"

"Erik's up to something. I don't know what, but we must find him!" Christine answered.

"What did he say to you?" The older woman questioned.

"He was angry because I thought he was proud of killing so many people, and he tried to tell me otherwise. But I was so angry, and then he said he was going to prove that he was sorry for everything he did."

"Oh dear." Madame Giry said.

"But then he said he wasn't going to kill himself." Christine continued. Madame Giry stopped and thought of what he could mean.


Andre and Firmin were in the manager's office discussing what they should do about the starring soprano role.

"Maybe we should select a different piece." Firmin suggested.

"Or we could re-audition." Andre said.

"And sit there for hours again? I don't think so." Firmin laughed.

"Then we have no choice! We have to let Christine sing."

"But that may bring back 'you know who'."

"Come on now! The Vicomte was right, when were you ever superstitious?" Andre asked.

"Since the Opera House burnt down." Firmin replied in a sarcastic manner.

"Well I'm not afraid of some stupid ghost! We'll let Christine sing the damn part, and then that'll prove to all of you that the ghost is gone!" Andre said triumphantly.

After Andre said that there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." Firmin said.

The door opened and Erik appeared into the office, with the mask and cape. Firmin's mouth dropped to the floor and Andre's face whitened immediately.

Firmin looked over to Andre, "As you were saying?"

"Shut up." Andre replied back.

"Gentlemen, I am here to turn myself in."

Firmin and Andre stared at each other with confused looks.

"Get a hold of the police." Erik said.

"…sure." Firmin said slowly.

Andre slowly walked past Erik and motioned two security guards to come to the office.

"Arrest him." Andre demanded. The security guards handcuffed Erik's arms behind his back. One of them laughed when he saw that Erik was wearing a mask.

He took a deep sigh, he knew what may happen if they get curious. And what may happen if they do decide to see what's underneath. He may be sent back to a traveling fair. Memories flooded his mind, and he started to deeply regret this decision.

The two security men guided him outside the opera house and to a carriage.

Andre walked out of the office followed by Firmin.

"I can't believe he just turned himself in." Andre said out loud.

"I know, what was that about?" Firmin questioned

Andre shrugged. "I'm going to go get something to eat."

"Ok. I'll be here paying the bills and such." Firmin said laughing.

Andre walked past the corner and headed out the door to the little Opera Café outside. Madame Giry and Christine appeared from behind a corner. "Do you think they were talking about Erik?" Christine asked Madame Giry.

"I don't know. I hope not." She replied to the young girl.

"Should we go ask Andre?" Christine questioned.

"No, I have an idea."

Firmin walked out the door and saw the two women standing there. "Ladies, can I help you with something?"

"Was it my imagination or was somebody arrested?" Madame Giry asked.

Firmin hesitated for a moment, not sure what to tell them. "Uhhh…yes, some local nutcase was running around in here. He refused to leave so we ordered the security personnel to take him to jail."

"Ok, thank you Monsieur." Madame Giry replied. Firmin nodded to them and walked past.

"We're going to the local jail." The older woman announced to Christine.

"But how do you know it was Erik? He said it was some guy running around."

"Did you see the way he hesitated? He knows both of our connections to the 'Opera Ghost'. Why would he take the chance of telling us?"

"Oh, that's pretty smart." Christine mused.

"It gets better." Madame Giry grabbed her hand and led her out the doors, "follow me."

They walked over to Andre who was outside eating. "Hello Monsieur, may I ask a question?"

"Of course, Madame." Andre replied.

"Who did they arrest just recently?"

Andre paused and thought of what to say. Madame Giry saw this and shot a glance to Christine.

"A thief broke in and tried to steal money from us." He said simply.

"How horrible! Well, I'm glad he was caught. Thank you for your time, we were just wondering what was going on." She replied.

"Anytime." He said smiling.

Madame Giry and Christine turned around and walked away. "Interesting how their stories were different." Madame Giry laughed.

"What do we do now?" Christine asked.

"Get a carriage and go to the nearest police station."


What will happen next! And old character from Erik's past will appear. Till then, thanks for reading.