Christine

Meg gave me a confused look, "Are you crazy?" She asked me, "Why would you go back to that murderer when you can marry Raoul right now?" She asked, not believing what she heard me say.

I gave her a bit of a cruel look, and turned my back to her, "You know nothing of him," I said sadly, "You don't know what he's like."

"I know he's a murderer and deserves to die," Meg stated in the same manner I did, "That's enough said for me to judge him in the way I do." She put her hand on my shoulder and turned her toward me, "Why do you care for him, Christine?" I asked, still just a slight edge of cruelness in my voice.

I shook my head, "He's just..." I started to say. It was hard to describe what he meant to me, "Without him, I would be nothing, Meg. He gave me a voice and he is my Angel. I can't abandon him, no matter how much I might love Raoul, I love him in a different way, on a higher level than Raoul."

"Well, you left him after the fire," Meg pointed out.

"He told me to go," I replied, "I didn't want to deny his wishes. But now that I think more about him, I realize that he did it because he loves me, and I've learned to love him in return."

Meg thought for a bit, then finally sighed, "Do what you wish, Christine," She said, almost sadly, "If you love him more than Raoul, you should be with him. But are you sure he'll want you after he told you to go?"

I shrugged, "I don't know," I replied, "I hope. If not, I will come back and marry Raoul without hesitation. First, I have to find him. I don't know where he went after the fire."

Meg nodded, "Good luck in your quest then," She said, "My prayers are with you."

I gave Meg another hug, "Thank you, Meg," I said, releasing her, "I'll see you again, or I'll write."

And with that, I walked out the door, my rose still grasped in my hand.

I walked slowly to the ruins of the Opera Populaire. If was late afternoon, the sun starting it's descent on the horizon. The streets were just mildly crowded and I made it there without stopping. I stood before the front doors, still slightly gleaming though mostly charred. I advanced up the steps and through them, beginning my quest here, figuring he probably didn't leave.

Glancing around, the main room was blackened, yet you could see the splendor and beauty beneath the ashes. I slowly walked through the vast room, walking into the theater. The grand chandelier still lay in the orchestra pit, the diamonds sparkling in the dim light that flooded through the windows. The stage was the worst of all, almost nothing remained. The props from "Don Juan Triumphant" were still in place, everything just as it was a month ago.

I sighed at the sight, then continued toward my dressing room, closing the door behind me. I was a bit surprised to see that it was in fairly good condition. I stood by the door, looking at the large mirror at the other end of the room, remembering that night he took me to his home. A whole new world lay beyond that glass. And I guessed my Angel lay somewhere in the darkness it held.

I walked to it and gripped the edge, letting it slide easy to the right, revealing the candlelit corridor. I closed the mirror behind me and walked slowly down it, clutching the rose closer to my chest as I advanced into the cold night that was the Phantom's realm.

I finally reached the gondola and climbed carefully inside, grabbing the pole and pushing myself along the passageway toward music's throne, hopefully where I would find my beloved Angel.

The gate was open and I went through it, entering the candlelit chamber, I brought the boat to a stop on the shore and laid the pole again the stone wall, glancing at my surroundings. Everything was as I remembered it, except for the shattered glass that lay scattered around the room. I saw some broken mirrors against the walls, shattered by a violent beating, no doubt by the Phantom in his anger.

I went through the various rooms and didn't spot him, I advanced toward one of the mirrors, the only one covered by a curtain. I lifted the heavy curtain, resting it above the mirror to reveal a hidden passage. This was probably how he had escaped, leaving no trace except the broken mirrors behind.

I looked behind me, glancing to the boat. I should leave now, but I was determined to find him and that is where this passage might lead me to. I looked back to the dark corridor in front of me. I took a step into it then found myself in darkness, the curtain closing behind me as I followed the hallway.

I continued down it until it opened up wider and I gasped softly, figuring out where I was. I was in Box Five, the Phantom's box. I turned around quickly, ready go back to the lighted chamber, but stopped suddenly and took a step back. In front of me, I saw a dark shape, nothing visible except for a white mask and two, piercing blue eyes.