Anya stared up at the ceiling. Who is the Opera Ghost I wonder? Everyone seems to fear him… Jean seems to think he is a murderer and Claudio seems to think he is a misunderstood man. Oh I would like to know more.

Anya turned over and closed her eyes.

"Wandering child
so lost, so helpless
Yearning for my guidance"

Anya sat up in her bed. Who was singing? It was such a lovely voice.

"Who is there?" Anya whispered. Anya looked around her. No one was there. Anya sighed; I must have been dreaming she thought to herself.

She closed her eyes again.

Night-time sharpens…
heightens each sensation . . .
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination . . .
Silently the senses abandon their defences . . .

Anya woke up again. There was music playing aswell as a voice. A voice of a man. She decided to get up and walk to the stage downstairs. The music got louder as she approached the stage. Even though there was music playing no one was in the pit and no one was on the stage. It was so dark and very cold. Anya shivered.

Little did Anya know she was being watched in the shadows. Erik stared at the young girl. She is very beautiful he thought, Very different to Christine… Christine… I haven't thought about her in a while, the one person who showed me compassion and love, even if I am a hideous creature. My Christine… Now in heaven! But now I need to have a new protégée. Someone with talent…

Wandering child…

You were lost and helpless…

I will be your…

Angel of Music

A figure in shadow

You very own tutor!

Anya looked confused. Where was that voice coming from she thought. That beautiful voice? She cannot see?

Angel of Music?

Angel! I hear you! Speak,
I listen . . .
stay by my side, guide me

Why do you hide?

Sweet Angel!

Anya looked and hoped she would see him but she did not. She decided to go to bed. She was very tired. She left the stage.

Erik looked in wonder at her. Anya… I will give you my music…

The next day

"Anya, are you alright?" asked Claudio. "You seem to be somewhere else today!"

"Oh Claudio I am sorry. I guess I'm just having an off day."

"I'm sorry about yesterday. Talking about him…"

"No, no I want to know more about him? He seems very particular!"

"Anya, Jean is right… we should not speak of him. It brings bad luck!"

"Everyone I have some bad news" announced Jean "Lucetta has quit the show and we have no understudy so therefore the show has been cancelled. I am sorry to disappoint you all, you have all worked very hard but there is nothing we can do."

"Prima Donnas! There are so irritating" said Claudio "Now I won't be able to perform my solo"

"Yes it is a shame… Claudio do you think the ghost brought this bad luck?"

"Anya! I said you shouldn't mention him! Forget all about him!"

Anya nodded. She couldn't though. He was there inside her mind and he will always be there…