Doot, doot, doot. It be Reccie's turn and does she have a surprise for you! Here's the hint: Sexy Beastie! =)

Chapter 8

Raine

As Raine and Cossette tip toed down the hallways, Raine began to glance around worriedly. Several times, she was sure she saw a shadow move or elongate next to them. Cossette whimpered next to her. "Raine, where are we going?" she looked around worriedly.

There where wooden rafters coming out of the ground that created cubby holes and dark shadows. Raine and Cossette watched their steps as they picked their way up the stairs.

"I'm not sure; I think this is the right way."

"Raine, I'm sure the managers don't have to dodge rafters every day to get to there office, besides I'm sure it's not so high up." She looked down over the railing of the stairs they were climbing. Raine followed her gaze downwards.

"Oh, I didn't notice. Maybe we should turn around." When they reached the bottom of the stairs they heard voices coming their way.

"Raine!" Cossette whispered urgently.

"Hide!" Raine answered and ducked into one of the cubbies becoming submerged in the shadows. Cossette ducked in with her. They waited, holding their breath as two of the stage hands came around the corner. Raine let out her breath in a whoosh of thankful air. She stepped out of the shadows.

"Raine wait!" Cossette reached out but her hand grabbed air. She had no choice but to follow Raine out. Two of the newer stage hands stood before them. They yelled as the two materialized out of the shadows. Raine crossed her arms in front of her chest. One of the stage hands nudged the other.

"Look, it's that girl who felled earlier," his words slurred.

Raine looked from side to side swaying uncertainly. Cossette took one of Raine's hands and squeezed it. Raine looked at her with panicked eyes, Cossette bit her lip.

"I see that. Come to visit us dawls?" the other said his words running together drunkenly.

"No," Raine stated firmly.

The two drunk men's faces fell.

"We are looking for the managers, do you know where their office is?" Raine squeezed Cossette's hand subconsciously with anxiety. Cossette looked up at her friend who was staring with cold features at the men, but Cossette could feel Raine shaking next to her.

"Come to please the managers? Why can't you pick us instead?" One of the men stepped forwards and picked a piece of Raine's hair off her shoulder and twiddled it between his fingers. Raine tried to jerk away but he was quicker, even in his drunken state. He grabbed a larger chunk of her hair. She let out a scream and collapsed to her knees.

Raine began whimpering and put both her hands on the man's wrist and tried to dislodge his grip. The man began to chuckle and tossed his head at his friend motioning at Cossette who stood like a frightened rabbit; eyes wide and trembling.

"Coss."

Cossette's snap towards Raine, but she didn't look focused.

"Cossette, I need you to listen. Are you?" Raine's voice was strained, but calm and in control. Tears were running down her face.

Cossette nodded curtly.

"Cossette, run, anywhere, get help, go."

Cossette nodded again and began sprinting off but the other man who had been waiting and watching caught her around the waist and tackled her to the ground. Cossette let out a scream and began struggling against the man's weight on top of her.

"No!" Raine screamed. Raine closed her eyes as the man tried to drag her to her feet. She gave a final twist of her body, letting out a scream as her hair was pulled. Suddenly, the hand was gone and the pressure relieved. She collapsed to the ground crying. She looked up from her spot on the floor but all she could see was the man stumbling into the rafters, disappearing into the shadows. There was a gargled scream and than silence. A hallow thud echoed and Raine assumed a body hit the floor.

Raine looked to see where Cossette was. She was curled up in a ball with her knees tucked under her chin. Raine recognized this as her defensive position. Raine scrambled to her knees and crawled over to Cossette. She laid a hand on her shoulder, but Cossette flinched away.

"Coss, it's me," Raine said softly. Her body was shaking just as hard as Cossette's.

Raine scrambled to her feet and pulled Cossette up with her. Cossette leaned on her as they both stood hugging each other around the waist and trembling. They looked into the shadows where Raine's attacker had disappeared.

Suddenly, something moved in the dark. Then, out of no where a man materialized out of the shadows. He was wearing black formal wear and a long flowing cape. His hair was black and slicked back elegantly. He stood at the bottom of the stairs with his back to Cossette and Raine.

Cossette started to turn around and run, but Raine grabbed her arm and held her in place. "Wait," she whispered.

Cossette nodded and ducked behind Raine.

Raine stepped forwards to the man who stood stiffly in front of them. She tapped him on the shoulder. "Monsieur?" she said hesitantly.

The man turned around so quickly that Raine jumped back just in time to miss his cape swirling around. It cracked against wood rafter making a sound like thunder which made Cossette yelp.

Raine took in his features. His eyes were searching Raine's face, she noticed his eyes where a light shade of blue and green, which was unexpected; the only color that dressed his person. His jaw was set in a taught line. The last thing she noticed was the white mask that decorated the right side of his face.

"Monsieur Phantom?" she whispered and than laughed slightly, "or do you prefer O. G.?" when he didn't respond, just looked at her quizzically, she continued, "what does that even stand for?"

Hahahahaha. Poor Erik. We know: it's about time the Erik came into the picture. Thanks for reading and stuff. Don't look so mean... Fop got your monkey?