Updated and sooo happy!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Phantom of the Opera. (and why do i bother saying the sad truth.

Part Seven:

The next morning was much better for Lark, her headache had disappeared but she was still a bit weak, especially in the knees. Reaching for her cloak Lark took an object from its pocket and stroked it lovingly whispering, "See Mama? I got better…" She put it back into the pocket and placed her head on her drawn-up knees. She thought of the masked man she saw last night. Who was he? And why did he take the music sheets? Lark was a bit put out when she realized that he had taken the music sheets but then if he hadn't…Lark doubted that she would believe that he really appeared in her room.

She remembered how they stared at each other, how neither said nor did anything. 'Why didn't I say something?' she wondered, 'I should be scared to death that a man in a mask was in my room last night.' And yet, and yet she wasn't afraid of him. Seeing the mask on his face had reminded her of someone… For one reason or another Lark had felt a little less afraid when she had seen his mask, Lark could almost tell that she'd of have been more scared if it was a man without a mask then one with one on.

But she had felt less frightened when she caught sight of his mask. "Just like Mama," she said. Removing herself from the bed she felt stronger than when she had first come to the Opera Populaire. Lark got dressed into her shirt and pants for the first time in a long while, she had been wearing a nightgown when she was more ill. 'I can leave my cloak,' she thought before leaving, though she took the object in its pocket and placed it inside her shirt close to her heart.

Opening the door with new strength the girl set out to find Meg or perhaps Madame Giry. The Opera Populaire was in a big rush and very busy back stage, Lark had to leap out of people's way as they hurried past. All were getting ready for tonight's performance. Girls in bright costumes that glittered prettily when they moved raced pace Lark, pausing only near a chalk box to dust their ballet slippers with the white powder for better movement.

Men with half painted faces strode past her all shouting and practicing lines. 'Everyone's so busy,' thought Lark excitedly as she ducked underneath a pair of stagehands that carried a large painted block of some sort, wheezing heavily under its weight.

"Lark!"

Lark spun around to find herself face to face with Meg who was also dressed as the other ballet girls. "You look very pretty," Lark said, Meg beamed and grabbed her arm, leading her forward to the stage. "You can watch us practice!" said Meg, "Just stand next to my mother, she won't mind." Lark nodded and took her place next to Madame Giry while Meg joined the other ballet dancers.

Madame Giry nodded a good morning to Lark before shouting at the girls to get in position. The young girl watched with wonder as music began to play as the dancers swept across the stage with grace and ease one would envy. "Are you feeling any better, mademoiselle?" Madame Giry asked as she watched the dancing girls carefully in case there was a flaw. "Much better, thank you," replied Lark.

"That's good. Feet together, Marie!" she barked, causing the one called Marie to jump into the correct position, her pretty face ablaze. Lark smiled and left Madame Giry's side to sit casually on the edge of the stage.

She should stay here in the opera, it was so nice. Surely Lark could…she glanced up and saw the ladies that cleaned the opera up in the seats and a little light when off in her head.

Getting up, Lark asked an actor where there the manager's office was and headed down the halls directed to her. 'I can be one of the maids!' she thought happily, 'then I could stay!' She touched the slight bulge in her shirt where the object was. 'I wish you could see it here, Mama,' she thought, 'you would love it.' The girl was passing the rooms when a dark figure caught her eye.

Looking up, she was very surprised to see the masked man perched on a rafter. As though he could tell she was looking at him, Erik looked down and stared at her for a moment then disappeared. 'Was that…?' Lark thought, 'Was that the masked man from my room..?' She was positive it was him, and Lark wanted to see where he went but… She continued down the halls, she had to speak to the manager about a certain cleaner's job…

This has been Haleybob, over and out.