Hello Readers!

Many apologies regarding the confusion in names…her name is Madalynn, NOT Renee, which was her name when I first wrote the story. It is my regret that I over looked Renee occasionally in my attempt to rename her. I hope this prevents further confusion.

I am grateful to you all for your reviews, and I will try my best to re-alter the chapters, such as this one, where I missed a name. I will try to be more careful in the future.

The story is just picking up, and hopefully there will be a surprise for you all at the end….and without further ado, here for you my friends is the fixed chapter 6 and chapter 7 as well to make up for it. Enjoy!

I remain your obedient authoress,

EriksRedOperaRose

Part VI

Unanswered Questions

1874

Madalynn woke with a start, breathing heavily. She sat up confused, as the morning sun cast its rays on the floor of the ballet dormitories. It had seemed so real, the singing, and voice. She sat up, rubbing her forehead. She did not even remember falling asleep! Looking beside her, she noticed Meg sleeping soundly on the cot next to her. Deciding to forget the dream for now, she got up and softly walked up to Meg's cot. Sitting down quietly beside Meg's sleeping figure, she softly called, "Meg...Meg Giry...it is morning."

She was met by a small snort and Meg turned over to face away from her, unable to hide her smile in time. Madalynn laughed and Meg began to giggle. Since she had already given herself away, Meg sat up and turned back to her friend. "Good morning Madalynn!"

"Good morning! Are you feeling better Meg?"

"Yes I am," Meg replied with a smile. "I suppose I was just worn out."

They got dressed and after a quick breakfast, headed down the hallway arm in arm to the stage to begin practice, laughing and talking pleasantly. The practice went on for most of the morning, and at last, a little past noon; they were let out for a break to eat. Meg, flushed and glistening from the exercise, turned to Madalynn, who she had been next to the majority of the rehearsal.

"Whew! Maman always wears me out; no matter how long I have danced!" Meg said with a small laugh. "I am going to head up to the dormitories for a quick lunch, would you like to join me?"

Madalynn thought about her dream the night before. "No, I still need help on some of the steps...I think I will practice a little longer."

Meg looked at her as though she had just uttered a curse. "MORE practice? Now that is a first!" She said with a laugh. "Well I shall see you up there?"

"Of course," said Madalynn, waving to her friend goodbye. With that, Meg turned to leave. After the stage was empty of ballerinas and ballet instructors, Madalynn started off. She was desperate to know more about this Phantom. Her dream had been so real...she remembered everything like it had just occurred. But it could not have, because when she woke up she was in her bed. It must have been a dream. Making her way backstage and into the hallway leading to the dressing rooms, Renee continued to ponder this. She had always been known for her intelligence and her ability to reason things through. Her father had often said she would probably grow up to be a forensic detective. "Ha...if only he could see me now!" She laughed to herself miserably. Never had she dreamed she would end up dancing in an opera house in another century for the rest of her life.

Bringing her thoughts back to the present, she came upon the Prima Donna's dressing room once again. But instead of an old, broken down door with tarnished knobs, it was a newly polished door, which looked brand new. She debated her decision to go in for a little while longer, and at last, with a small sigh, she closed her eyes and cautiously pushed open the door. Once it opened, her eyelids carefully parted and she saw once more the room she had came here from. Cautiously stepping inside, she again looked at the exquisite paintings and tapestries with wide eyes. The beautiful wallpaper and the dark furniture were so detailed. She made her way to the other wall, remembering her purpose. The familiar full length mirror loomed before her. As she got closer, she began to be a little frightened. Madalynn did not forget the less than hospitable welcome she had received last time and wondered if she dared to face his eminent wrath should she return. She hesitated just in front of the mirror, but she had made up her mind. Taking a deep breath, she slowly slid the mirror aside and stepped into the piercing darkness.

Shutting the mirror behind her, she heard the familiar dripping of water and scuttling of rats. She was not sure where she was going, as last time she was passed out, but she continued walking straight ahead, hands out in front of her. Her footsteps echoed around her eerily as she made her way down the damp corridor. At last Madalynn came upon a great stair case. It was lit dimly by the familiar candles which stretched the length of the labyrinth, and she chanced a look over the railing to see how far down the stairs descended. To her dismay, it looked as though the stone steps stretched on forever. However, if she were to make it to that lake before she died; she knew she had better start now. Slowly and cautiously she made her way down the stairs, avoiding the middle where she knew to be traps from her in-depth studies of the opera house and the Phantom mystery. After only a few minutes, she was at the bottom of the staircase and before her loomed the lake.

"Odd," Madalynn thought to herself, "Perhaps the staircase was an optical illusion to deter unwanted guests…"

She quickly forgot the mystery of the staircase as memories returned to her the more she gazed at her familiar surroundings. Seeing that there was no boat, she decided to wait, as the black water did not look the least bit inviting.

"He has to come eventually," Madalynn thought as she sat down on the cold stone, wondering if her courage would fail her as she waited alone in the darkness.

Erik stilled his pen and looked up from his music suddenly. His ears, accustomed to solitude, picked up faint footsteps. Smirking, he looked over his shoulder. It appeared he would soon have a visitor. He got up from his organ bench and reached over for his punjab lasso, tucking it neatly into the depths of his cape. With a grand flourish, he slung the cape over his shoulders and ensured his mask was secure. Using the lever he had installed to raise the portcullis, he walked towards the lakes edge as it rose. His boat sat motionless on the glassy surface of his lake. He always enjoyed unexpected company.