Chapter 6

Disclaimer: See chapter 1

As I was waiting for the opera to start, I thought about what was going on. I wondered how I could get out of this dream and back home. Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted as Messr. Firmin approached me. He looked slightly humbled."Mademoiselle Daae, I have to apologize. You are a very beautiful young lady and I never meant to violate you in any way. You have an amazing gift and I hope you will continue to use it to sing here in the Opera Populaire." He said, kissed her hand and walked away, obviously to go sit in his box. Madame Giry, walked up to me."Are you ready my dear?" I nodded not trusting my own voice. Suddenly I was ushered onto the stage, the curtains were opened and the opera began.The performance went so beautifully. It was then that we got to my big scene. I walked out and felt that warm feeling in the pit of my stomach and I began to sing.

Think of me

Think of me fondly when we've said goodbye

Remember me every so often, promise me you'll try

When you find that once again you long to take your heart back and be free

If you ever find a moment spare a thought for me.

We never said our love was evergreen

Or as unchanging as the sea.

But if you can still remember

Stop and think of me.

Think of all the things we've shared and seen,

Don't think about the way things might have been.

Think of me,

Think of me waking, silent and resigned.

Imagine me

Trying too hard to put you from my mind.

Recall those days, look back on all those times,

Think of the things we'll never do.

There will never be a day when I won't think of you!

I smiled because I think I finally found where I belong. I belong on a stage singing my heart out. And I was good at it too. I didn't look up but I knew that Raoul was singing his part. I casually glanced up and noticed he was gone. He must have walked out. Messr Reyer gave me my cue and I continued to sing.

Flowers fade,

The fruits of summer fade,

They have their seasons so do we.

But please promise me that sometimes

You will think...

Here comes the operatic part. I started to hit the notes and I found it just came naturally to me. I went down to the low note and then hit the high note beautifullyOf me.

As the music died away, the applause rang out. Rose were thrown at my feet. I hear "Bravas" coming from the crowd. Messr. Andre was the loudest. I looked to the side and saw that the whole cast was cheering as well. I looked at Messr. Reyer and saw him mouth "Brava". Wow! A compliment from the conductor is a real honor! I smiled and bowed, then walked off the stage into Meg's arms.

"Serena, you were incredible! You brought down the house! Let's see that diva bitch Carlotta come back now!" I laughed. Meg sounded a lot like my friend Kate. She was outgoing, passionate, and very protective of her friends. I sighed slightly and walked away from Meg, who was engaged in conversation with another dancer. I realized I had to go to the chapel to light a candle for my father. I walked off and tried to remember which passage led to the chapel. Finally after about 10 minutes, I found a doorway marked Chapel and walked down the winding stairs. It was more beautiful than in the movie. Paintings lined the wall. Most of them were of angels. I smiled a little. There were more than just painted angels in here. There was the "Angel of Music". I saw down on the floor and picked up a stick, lit it, lit the candle that burned above my "father's" memorial and then I blew the stick out. I sat there not saying anything for a minute, when I heard a voice sing

Brava

Brava

Bravissima

It was him. It was the Phantom or the Angel as I was supposed to call him. I opened my mouth to answer him but I heard Meg's sweet voice coming down the stairs.

Serene

Serene

She knew my childhood nickname. My mother called me Serene because as a child, I didn't cry much. This is just getting weirder and weirder

It was then that I heard the Phantom's voice one more time. He used my nickname too!

Serene

Meg's voice came through louder and clearer as she walked into the chapel

Where in the world have you been hiding?

Really, you were perfect.

I only wish I knew your secret.

Who is your great tutor?

I struggled for the memory of how she told the tale of her Angel. As soon as I remembered, I spoke."Meg, when your mother first brought me here to live, whenever I'd come down here alone, to light a candle for my father, a voice, from above and in my dreams, he was always there. You see, when my father lay dying, he told me I would be protected by an angel. An angel of music." As I finished my tale, I saw the look on Meg's face. She didn't believe me. "Serena, do you believe? Do you think the spirit of your father is coaching you?" I smiled, knowing that she thought I was a little loony at that moment."Who else, Meg? Who?" I said, as Meg looked away. Wait a minute, she looks like she knows something. Does she know about Erik like Madame Giry does? I shook off these thoughts as I began to sing again.

Father once spoke of an angel

I used to dream he'd appear

Now as I sing, I can sense him

And I know he's here

I rose at this next line. I began to look around the room, as if looking for my Angel. Secretly, I was looking for him or a place he could be hiding. But no, he had lived here forever. He knew how to hide.

Here in this room he calls me softly somewhere inside hiding

Somehow I know he's always with me he - the unseen genius

Meg took my hand and began to lead me out of the chapel while she was singing

Serene, you must have been dreaming, stories like this can't come true

Serene, you're talking in riddles, and it's not like you!

As she led me up the winding stairs, I felt a presence with me. I knew it was him. It was terrifying, but exhilarating all at once. I wanted to see him. He apparently was amazing. I wanted to see for myself. I began singing again as we walked toward my dressing room.

Angel of Music!

Guide and guardian!

Grant to me your glory!

I heard Meg sing under her breath

Who is this angel?

This

We both joined in as we walked down the hallway of the wings, holding each other's hands.

Angel of Music!

Hide no longer!

Secret and strange angel

I felt the chilling presence again and sang without even realizing it. Whoa! This place is getting to me.

He's with me, even now...

I sang and Meg touched my hand gently and sang,

Your hands are cold...

I sang again

All around me...

Meg took my face and pulled it gently toward her.

Your face, Serene, it's white...

I shiver slightly and sang

It frightens me...

Meg smiled and gently and pulled me along to my dressing room.

Don't be frightened...

Man, I really need to realize that I don't belong here. This is my dream and I just need to get through it so I can wake up and get back to my normal life.

Four pages of story! I was on a role tonight. Oh well, it's not as good as it could be. I am still in a little bit of a block, but I'm working my way through it.

Review please!

P.S.- Thank you to Racheal () for pointing my mistake out to me...she knows which one!