This is what happens when you are in your last year of high school and involved in an extremely demanding after school activity- you don't write nearly as much as you would have hoped. How long has it been since my last post? Like a week? I'm sorry everyone, seriously- been busy and just couldn't find the time. Sorry I kept yall waiting! Please forgive me! I am actually making a post though...be proud of me!

A Few Thanks

shimmeringtears- As always, so happy that you liked it, and extremely sorry for keeping you waiting. About the pain of getting up so early, I know how you feel. So my school starts at 7 a.m. so I am getting up at 5 in the freaking morning, and then school goes to about 2:30 and then I have practice everyday after school until about 6 or 7. Ugh, least to say I am dead by the end of the day. Which is why I have taken so long to update- so yea, I feel you pain.

surf with music- Ugh, band camp, it just hurts to think about. Thanks for the support though, and yea I am happy that she wont be becoming Erik's slut too... I just can't see her or him for that matter enjoying that. Hey, what do you play? In band I mean... or did play?

Juilette Delphe- Woot! You are back! High five my crazy friend! And yes, very sad scene, but don't use all those tissues... you and I both know that later you'll be needing them. And about he coffin thing...you lose. Sorry, but everyone else wants it...so we have to keep it. Ha! You must write him in coffin! By the way, everyone besides Sumner, Sumner is the one who writes our lovely Phantom so you can thank her for the genius of him.

Dernhelm- Actually, the song is a creation of Sumner's with a few parts inspired by other various songs. So you want me to destroy the swan bed? Pent up anger towards it, huh? Just kidding. But yea, probably wont have it- have yet to decide- but yes the coffin is staying, but no they will not be sleeping on the cold, damp floor. Sorry... I know, bummer right:)

Alright everyone, thank so much for the comments. I will try to have the next post up sooner. Ciao for now,

-Olivia N.

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The sweetest sounds graced over the water, wafting towards the pair in the boat, the stone tunnels closing in on them, echoing the music's melody. An organ's euphonic notes called them closer, begging them to follow. Music entrapped them, bringing them father down, away from the light, and into the darkness. Yet the melodies were so silvery that it reminded the wary travelers that heaven did reside in Hell.

As they drew closer the tune changed, slowly, a spider ensnaring its prey, slowly wrapping it up within its glistening web of beautiful music. The harmony became controlling, the gentle guidance becoming a deep mastery, forcing them to follow. Still the lyrical music held its sweet, soft compelling, underlying the desire, the need to become his.

They heard the music, persuading them, seducing them to grow closer. Raylan felt the shift in the boat as Ethan's rows became more rapid, more determined, and she edged him on with looks of desperation. Closer, they had to get closer to the music that was calling them, to grasp the sultry sound in their yearning arms, to be consumed by this passion that filled their senses.

They pressed forward, so impatient and eager. Ethan's strokes had become so rapid that he was almost reckless, several times hitting the side of the boat instead of the water. Raylan didn't notice though, didn't even think to correct him on his movements. She just remained poised, her eyes peering through the tunnel ahead, searching for the source of this luscious noise.

Candles flickered and wavered all around, creating a dazzling lightshow of shadows and light. The contrast of heaven and hell. The shore rose before them, a gentle slope next to a sheer cliff, ten feet to the water's surface. Golden candle auras caught and reflected the light with a soft golden glow, reminding the travelers of an early morning sunrise where the sun had just peeked over the horizon. The pipe organ rose in the view, dark maestro at the foot of its glittering glory. Music enchantingly danced over sheets, his black gloved hands flitting gracefully over the keys. A black figure sat, blending in with the sunrise, the darkness to the light. His body moved slightly as his fingers flew over the keys, bringing forth the compelling melody, drawing the captive to their captor.

Ethan brought the boat to bump lightly against the rocky shore, dropping the rod limply as he lifted his eyes to the shadowed angel that produced the magic they felt surging through them. Both remained absolutely still as if fearing the music to stop if they interrupted.

Alas, it did. The alluring music slowly dropped off, gracefully ending with an arpeggio to allow the magic to linger a bit longer. The spell wore off within moments, as he turned and faced them. Half of his face beautiful beyond compare, the other half hidden behind a black mask, where only the holes for his eye and mouth showed some of the horror with in.

His dazzling green eyes looked over the pair, critically. After a quite thorough inspection, his gaze settled lightly upon Raylan, the girl's wildly curling hair falling straight into her view with the slightest movement, so like Christine's. His long lost love, the one who had betrayed him! Would she be the same? So alike with her deep chestnut locks, that her hair alone could have been Christine, standing before him, pleading for her life. No, he would not turn her down. She would be useful to him, just as she had. Down here in his Hell.

His gaze fell to the intruder, Raoul in another form, drawing her attention away from him-he who was important. Hatred burned in the dark heart of the Opera Ghost for Ethan, who stood before him. The one who did not belong and never would, he will be the first to go. The first to die, should he cross the Phantom of the Opera. Which, he was already doing by being there, by controlling Vits's heart. His pride and joy, his prodigy- after his beloved left to the traitor. She was the one who needed none of the pain the insolent boy was giving her, the one whom he wanted to love, needed to love, and be loved in return.

Raylan watched him, her eyes holding to the one who had created the beauty that took her very breathe away. She stared for what seemed for so long, absolute appeal and curiosity written all over her expressions, her gaze holding him as if he were an angel above mortals. This affect was momentary though, because of Ethan's incapability to keep his balance.

He stood, trying to keep his footwork and in result toppling clumsily over the side of the boat and into the shallow waters. Raylan's gaze instantly snapped from the Phantom to her now soaked companion, raising to her own feet and stepping gracefully on the shore. She then offered him a helping hand, chuckling lightly to herself and grinning towards Ethan's sulking expressions.

The Phantom glared at the clumsy fool, falling into his water. He watched her pull the stupid boy to his feet with a small smirk. How easy it would be, he thought smugly, to be rid of such an incompetent fool, but she, his eyes twitched towards Raylan, she protects him. Why? For the moment he ignored the thoughts, bowing gracefully to his guests, his arms open and inviting as he greeted, "Welcome."

Raylan turned, a slightly friendly gaze falling upon the Phantom once she had helped Ethan to his feet, saying with small laughs caused from her companions accident, "Thank you Monsieur. Glad you could have us."

He nodded, a king lording over his subjects. With a sweeping arm, her gestured to the immense cavern behind him, saying sternly, "Come, I shall show you to your rooms."

Instantly Raylan's smile dropped. She had undoubtedly remembered where she was, pulled from the illusion that Ethan's clumsiness had momentarily caused. She nodded, a gentle and solemn nod before returning to the boat. Raylan took her two bags into her hands, and like a gentlemen Ethan offered to carry them for her, but being the independent woman she was, she politely refused. Of all things, she was going to keep her dignity.

Ethan shrugged and gathered his own things, shortly coming to stand by Raylan's side as they waited before their host.

When his guests were ready the Phantom lead them through the maze of flaming candles, and through a short hallway like alcove. It was a brief walk before he came to a graceful halt. There stood a sturdy mahogany door not far from the great organ placed in the center of the cavern, waiting patiently within the confines of it's cold stone walls to be opened.

"Mademoiselle," His dark and silvery voice drew Raylan's attention, "Your chambers." He gestured grandly, royalty showing a visitor their room.

Raylan nodded a polite thank you and made her way towards the door. She paused right before the grand mahogany and turned to face them both. Her eyes danced back and forth between the two of them, and then she asked very politely, "And of Ethan? Might I inquire as to where he is staying?"

The Phantom's gaze slid to her, his tone becoming one of suppressed irritation as he hissed, "If you insist."

Raylan's response was hesitant, a result of catching the frustration in his voice, "It's just for curiosity's sake... I don't have to see just now...I can be patient." Ethan scoffed for a moment, knowing better than to believe the last statement of patients. Raylan shot him a vicious glare in result.

The Phantom nodded, "Very well." Once more he gestured commandingly to her door.

Although she usually felt inclined to deny any given command, Raylan did as she was instructed, sending Ethan a comforting smile before vanishing behind the mahogany door with a soft thud of closure.

The Phantom then very smoothly directed his eyes to Ethan, a vicious sneer creasing his lips. It was a hideous grin, the Ghost exercising his power over the helpless boy.

Surprisingly, this 'boy' remained the same masculine and stubborn figure as he had always appeared around others, except Raylan, and recently Vits. He had a cocky grin plastered on his face, not acknowledging the menacing appearance the Phantom was displaying just then.

"Hope you're keeping her comfortable," Ethan said in a knowing voice that was dripping with mock crudeness, "She's picky."

The Opera Ghost's glare increased. "Her quarters are more than suitable," He snapped harshly, and then turned on his heel, leading the way back towards the organ. There he paused to grab a candelabra, and briskly lead Ethan to the opposite side of his lair, and into the depths of his many hidden passageways.

"Separating us, huh?" Ethan continued with his sarcastic bantering as he followed the dark man, "What we being punished for?"

The Phantom thought cruelly, for living. However he responded, "She agreed to my terms. If you do not like them, I suggest you die trying to leave." His tone was frosty, a bitter winter's air.

Finally, after approximately five minutes, The Phantom abruptly stopped before another door, this time of rich ebony. The dark wood barely reflected any light, and could hardly be seen even with the candle's flickering light. "Your room," He gestured forcefully, demanding without words for the boy to enter it.

Ethan nodded thankfully and opened the door. He was half way in when he turned about to ask his final question, "Why, exactly, are you placing us so far apart?"

However, he asked the question to the darkness. The Phantom had disappeared, along with his light, leaving Ethan to stand bewildered within this hell's thick night. A darkness that blinded all others.

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Her door was closed, the way she had left it, Vits noted with satisfaction as she returned home. It didn't help though, this small satisfaction didn't ease even the least bit of pain. Her heart was breaking beneath her hardened exterior with every lowly step. Would small satisfactions ever help again? She doubted it.

She opened the door and walked inside, intent on going into her room, and relieving her pain in what ever means necessary. The letter lay forgotten in the back of her mind, something she wanted to push away, until she was ready to face the truth. She almost made it there too, until he shuffled the pages.

Slowly, Vits spun to face the intruder, her mind leaping to memory, to the note that Raylan had left her. Her emerald green eyes opened wide, surprise mingled with fear. The brilliant orbs rested upon a man, the only man who had the audacity to be there.

Her gaze narrowed, anger and hatred spewing forth at his cheek, at his daring. Then she looked at his face. The utter delight scared her down to her soul. She knew the amount of power he had, and the amount she didn't have now. He knew what the letter said, what she needed to know.

Her first reaction was to run, the second to strangle him. Her body, confused by its commands, attempted to do both. She launched herself across her tiny room, Vits knew its boundaries better than her assailant, who tried to back away, but instead found a solid wall. However, her body attempted to save itself, so she fell short, managing to grab the letter, and do a spectacularly painful belly-flop on the table, which cracked from the impact.

Vits gasped from the air leaving her body, and rolled. However, living in such tight quarters, she rolled off the table, and fell in the small gap between the table and the stove. Her knee became caught on the oven's handle, which supported her weight for a moment, then broke under the strain of gravity, and both crashed loudly upon the floor.

As the outsider watched this, he thought, She is human, just like everyone else, and a cruel grin settled upon his face. Vits forced herself to remember just which son of a bitch stood before her through the pain. There had been a sharp crack as her knee crashed up on the stove, and then fell again upon the bleeding oven's handle. The sailor's daughter forced herself to stand, and didn't allow herself to show the pain that ripped up and down her leg as it threatened to give out. She angrily broke the silence first.

"What the fucking hell are you doing in my apartment?" She demanded an answer. Her tone wasn't loud, but it didn't need to be to convey her rage.

Patron Claude Burke paused, taken aback for a moment his strength failed him. Then he remembered the letter's contents. He knew by her face, that she had not read it. A smile grew upon his face that struck true fear into Vits's heart. She could take anything he dished out on her own behalf. She could not, however, take that and what he wanted to punish Raylan for.

"I was just dropping by to," He paused, his smile widening sickly, "Discuss certain matters with you." His tone was soft and sweet, knowing that he now held the power, and she poised no threat to him. Not anymore.

"So you read my mail?" Vits demanded again, her anger mounting, but not as fast as her fear rose, bile climbing up her throat, threatening to spew out of her mouth, as the world swam. She didn't know how much longer she could take the pain. That more than anything wore down her defense, and her anger.

Claude chose to ignore that, knowing that he truly had no right to read her mail, but he did hold the power still. He flaunted it cruelly through his threats, "I know your sordid secret. I know why she had to leave. I know where she is. I can inform the police." He lost his nerve at that point, under her death glare. He rushed for the door, becoming nervous.

Vits swallowed, knowing he had a point. She looked broken; she lost this battle, and was forced, for once, to submit to his orders, to his commands. Claude turned around to face her at the door, once seeing the look in her eyes his face lighting up in an oily smile. He had won. Finally, he beat the uppity little bitch at her own game. He was master now. Triumphantly he spoke, "I'll make it real easy for you. I promise."

Vits doubted that very much, but she didn't say anything, knowing that speaking would only make matters worse. If that was possible.

"Simply do as I ask, whatever I ask. And I won't air out your secret," The oily smile returned, "Deal?"

Vits felt cornered; there was no where to run in this situation, no way out. She had no choice for the first time with this man. Vits nodded, her eyes filled with unspeakable hatred.

The Patron pushed his luck, exerting his new found command immediately "Do we? Say it."

The hatred in her green eyes grew, doubling. "Yes, we have a deal," Her tone was surly, forced against her will, and chocked off when Burke smiled broadly.

"Very well," He laughed, practically giddy with his new luck, his precious threat. With that he turned and left, softly shutting the door behind him.

As the door shut, Vits sank into the chair she had been using to support herself. The tears flowed anew once she was left to her silence. After a few minutes of sobbing she forced herself to regain her composure. Crying wasn't going to help anything.

Her swollen eyes fell upon the evil letter still clasped in her hands, finally reading it through lingering tears. She read it once through, then again, followed by several more times, just to make sure she had read it correctly. It was as she feared, her suspicions confirmed. Within the pages was Raylan's horrid confession, all the ghastly mistakes. She had made mistakes that indeed guaranteed the law would follow her till the end, and would bring certain death if she were ever found. The damned letter, it told everything, and because of it he knew those mistakes. The bastard knew Raylan's crimes, and he would hold them over Vits, a lingering threat for her to obey or watch him betray her one friend.

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Woot! Got another post up! I am happy! Alright, well sorry it took so long and that it is so short. I will try to make the next one quicker. Please leave a review, and all that jazz. Thanks everyone! Until later...Ciao!

-Olivia N.