Chapter 6: The Roof

Peter came to see Penelope the next day. They met on the stage. She was happy to see her old friend and Peter was saddened by seeing the ring still on her finger. They both avoided the topic of "the Angel of Music."

They talked of an expedition Peter was undertaking. He was going to leave at the beginning of the next month. Because of his growing love for Penelope though, he was beginning to doubt if he could bring himself to leave.

"So, I may never see you again?" asked Penelope. Peter looked sad. It was then that Penelope got an idea. "Peter, if this is the last we are to see of each other, then I want us to spend as much time together as possible, like when we were young."

She grabbed both of his hands and he grasped hers. "What do you suggest?" he asked.

"There are secret marriages. Let us have a secret engagement! We can play as future husband and wife!" she said. "We'll be engaged for a month and this happiness will harm no one."

He bowed before her and humbly said, "I have the honor of asking for your hand in marriage."

"You already have both of my hands," she giggled. "How happy we shall be. Come!" she urged him to his feet and they danced.

They spent the month roaming the entirety of the opera. They met the actors, the dancers, the stagehands, and even some people who had lived at the opera long enough to be forgotten there. Penelope knew every corner of the opera as if it were her own. Everyone knew her and everyone loved her.

Ever since the terrible croak that humiliated Candace Sorelli, she had not performed, afraid of another occurrence. Penelope had often stepped into her place on stage. Peter would watch her, enraptured, but also feeling jealous, knowing who she was singing for. It was difficult to cope with, especially with the ring on her finger.

After one of her performances, she asked him to follow her. They went to her dressing room and they embraced. In his ear, he barely heard her whisper, "Until tomorrow, my dear fiancé… and be happy. I sang for you tonight."

As much as he wanted to stay with her, she didn't want it that way. The one time he had talked about it, she was distraught. She told him that she wasn't going to let him give up his expedition for her. Besides, she was afraid of Perry hurting Peter.

Penelope was afraid for her friend. She would lead him away whenever she thought Perry might have been in the shadows, following or watching them. As much as she would try to assure Peter that everything was all right, how could he believe her? She seemed so afraid.

Penelope had taken Peter everywhere aboveground. When they were on the stage one day and saw a trapdoor open, Peter made a remark about it. "You've shown me everything in the upper part of the opera, but strange stories are told of the world beneath the floors. Shall we go down there?" he asked.

"No!" she cried, pulling him back. "Everything below ground belongs to him."

"So, he lives down there?"

"I never said that. Who told you? Come now, Peter. You say such impossible things sometimes."

Then, the door shut. It was quick and loud enough to make the both of them jump. Neither of them saw who closed it… or what.

"Perhaps it was him," said Peter.

"Why would he be up here playing with the trapdoors? He's working," said Penelope. "There are trapdoor-closers who close those. They need something to do, so they do that."

"But what if he was there?"

"He can't work and open and close trapdoors at the same time. There's no need to worry."

"What's he working on?"

"Something terrifying. When he works, he sees nothing. He doesn't eat or drink and he scarcely breathes. He's a living dead man. He has no time to close trapdoors."

She clung to Peter, shaking slightly. "What if he really was there?" she asked.

He hugged her tighter. "Are you afraid of him?" he asked.

"No, of course not!" Despite her words, her trembling did not cease.

Peter made a threatening gesture to the door and Penelope looked at him in astonishment. She seemed to be gauging his bravery. She was thankful for the gesture, however, and kissed his cheek in appreciation. He realized the platonic nature of the kiss, but accepted it nonetheless.

Penelope was very afraid and Peter told her that he wouldn't leave for the expedition until he knew the secret of "the man's voice." She was very hesitant. "I'll free you from him, Penelope, I will. I'll take you far away from here," he said.

"Is it possible?" she asked quietly. Her eyes darted in thought. She grabbed his hand and said, "Come. We must climb higher."

They climbed into the upper flies, among the rigging, yet she still urged him to climb higher with her. She kept looking back. It felt as if there was something chasing them. Despite how much Penelope turned her head, they were being followed. A shadow followed behind them nimbly, stopping and starting whenever they would stop or start. They kept climbing, higher and higher.

"Why have you brought me here?" asked Peter.

"We can't go back there," replied Penelope.

"We must return."

"He'll kill you. His eyes will find us there."

"Penelope, don't say that."

"Those eyes that burn."

"Don't even think it."

"If he has to kill a thousand men…"

"Forget this waking nightmare."

"The Phantom of the Opera will kill!"

"Believe me, there is no Phantom of the Opera."

"My God, who is this man who hunts to kill?"

"This mask of death."

"I can't escape from him."

"Whose is this voice you hear?"

"I never will."

"With every breath?"

They both sang, "And in this labyrinth where night is blind the Phantom of the Opera is here/there inside my/your mind."

They continued talking. Peter said, "There is no Phantom of the Opera."

They were on the roof now. Perry settled himself in the shadows. Neither Penelope nor Peter were aware of his presence there.

"You can't understand, Peter," she said sadly. "I have to go back to him. If I don't, he may do something horrible."

"Let us get away, tonight," said Peter.

"No, he needs to hear me sing. Tomorrow at midnight, come to me in my dressing room. I will have made my decision by then."

"Would you… you're not seriously considering on staying with him. Are you, Penelope?"

"I don't know."

"Then let me know, Penelope. If nothing else, you owe me that. How did you see him for the first time?"

Penelope took a deep breath and began her story.

That lovely little scene shall be saved for next chapter ;) This is the second song from the movie I have put in here and I think it was well-placed. I don't think I'll add anymore… maybe not. IDK. Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter. Please keep reading and reviewing, thanks :)