A/N: This chapter is inspired by the song by Lindsey Sterling. Check her out of Youtube. She is AMAZING. This just so happens to be one of my favorite songs and the video is awesome. Whenever I feel small, lonely, or trapped, this is a great song to listen to. Hope you enjoy the chapter and the song.

Chapter Five:

Song of the Caged Bird

She rolled over, snuggling deeper into the soft bed. She smiled; the feather mattress sunk in, wrapping her in a warm cocoon. She froze. Wait... Where was she? Then she remembered. She was in the Phantom of the Opera's lair. She was virtually his prisoner. She was a caged bird. Though she had to admit it was a pretty fancy cage. She had every creature comfort she could possibly need and more. Despite that fact, she still felt trapped. She snuggled into the bed, pulling the blanket up under her chin and over her ears. She opened her eyes as the music stopped. Music she hadn't even noticed drifting through the open door. She sat up when the Phantom's dark figure appeared in the doorway.

"I'm going out. You may do as you please but do not try to escape. Do not mess with my music. Follow these rules and I shall not punish you." He then turned around and exited. She soon heard soft splashing sounds coming from the lake. She sighed and laid back down against the pillows. What was she going to do? She flung the blankets off and sat up to stretch. She reached over and pulled on her shirt and vest. As comfortable as the bed was, she couldn't keep still so long. She debated over what to do but ultimately decided to play the organ.

She wandered aimlessly around until she was sure he would be out of earshot. She sat down and ran her fingers over the well-worn keys. She had always loved to play. She was grateful her parents had gotten her a piano to play as well as the few years of lessons. After that she had mostly taught herself.

She started playing a song without any words but one that came straight from her heart. It contained many of her emotions and thoughts. She felt trapped. Alone. She was a caged bird. While her wings were not clipped, she was not able to fly. She was sad and unloved. The song was slow and quiet but suddenly changed to fast and loud, energy flowing through it as if the bird had just discovered its voice. She lifted her fingers gradually off the last note and sat unmoving in front of the organ.

She began to hum the tune as her vision blurred. She had to get out of here. She just had to. She couldn't stand to remain here as his prisoner. She glanced around. He probably had several passageways out of here. But she would probably get lost and then where would she be? She'd be worse off than she already was. She could get lost and without food, she wouldn't be able to survive. She didn't have any body weight to lose. She had lost so much from her time on the streets. She shivered at the memory.

She continued to look around but stopped, her eyes resting on the lake. Maybe she could swim across. She could see torches lighting up the pathway the Phantom had left by. She judged the distance and figured she could probably make it across. It didn't seem that far.

That settled it. She was going to swim across. She went back to her room and grabbed her shoes. She was going to need them. She pulled them on and sat trying to think. It would probably be easier to swim without them but she would need them later. Same with her vest. She figured she might as well leave a note. He had been kind to her, after all and she was still alive. She quickly wrote the note and left it on the table beside the bed. She took one last look around the lair before walking over to the lake shore. She waded in and after taking a deep breath, dived in and began to swim.

She kicked her legs, glad she was dressed in trousers rather than burdensome skirts. She continued to stroke. It seemed to take forever. She stopped to rest and realized she was only about halfway there, she brushed her wet hair out of her eyes before continuing. Soon her muscles started to burn from the strain of moving through the water. 'Almost there,' she thought, trying to encourage herself. She could make it. She finally could go no further and she came to a stop. She was panting and she could no longer hold herself above the water. She gasped in a breath before she went under in exhaustion. She tried to gather her strength but found that her foot was stuck between some rocks. She was trapped! She struggled and twisted, trying to get free but only succeeded in scratching herself on the sharp rocks. She bent down and tried to pry her foot out. She was running out of oxygen and her lungs burned. She wouldn't be able to make it much longer without a new breath. She felt air bubbles leave her lips as she gasped in pain.

Her vision started to fade when she saw a dark shape come towards her. It was the Phantom. He was rescuing her! Her vision was dimming and she was going to pass out if she didn't get oxygen soon. She indicated her throat and to her surprise, he pressed his lips to hers. What was he doing? Then she felt the sweet breath he had just given her. He was giving her oxygen. He resurfaced and after a quick breath, returned and got to work freeing her foot. It had become swollen and he pulled out a knife and began to saw through the leather. She felt her head swim. She had been distracted and had ignored the burning in her lungs. She felt her foot come loose before she went unconscious.

Her foot was freed but she had gone completely limp. She must have lost consciousness. He hooked his arms under hers and kicked his legs to bring them to the surface. He then began to swim towards the shore. She had gotten only three-fourths of the way before she must have gotten tired and evidently gotten her foot stuck. He had returned to see her go under. When she did not resurface, he had jumped in and began swimming to her with quick, strong strokes.

When he had pressed his lips to hers for that brief but necessary kiss, he had felt a strange emotion in his heart that he didn't care to examine. He had instead focused on freeing her. He still had to get her out of the water. He looked over his shoulder to see the shore was close. Soon he was able to stand and lift her limp body up before wading to dry land.

He laid her down and checked for her pulse, relieved to find a sure, strong beat. He frowned when he found that she was no longer breathing. He began to give her compressions. "Come on. Don't die on me now." He continued to press, wincing as he heard a few ribs crack. She suddenly started coughing and he was quick to turn her on her side as water come out of her mouth. Her sat back relieved when she started to breathe on her own. Her breathing was raspy but she was still alive. He scooped her gently up and laid her in the gondola. He brushed her wet hair back behind her ears before paddling across the lake. The lake had never seemed bigger than that moment as he struggled to get her back. Her life was still in the balance.

Reaching the other side, he carefully picked her up and carried her to the swan room. He quickly got her undressed, leaving on her unmentionables and the bandages, and drying her off before dressing her in a night gown. He laid her gently back down, flinching when she groaned in pain. He tucked the blankets up over her form.

He shivered, forgetting that he too was wet. He was about to leave when he noticed a note on the table He picked up the paper and unfolded it.

Dear Phantom,

I am afraid I cannot stay here any longer. I feel restless and trapped. Much as a caged bird might feel. I appreciate the kindness you have shown me but despite the comfort I could have experienced here, without my freedom, I cannot stand to stay. I will leave your opera as I believe you wanted me to do in the first place. I only ask that you give me the time to find a new job first. I beg of you not to reveal my secret. Thank you for comforting me last night. Thank you for all you have done.

-Darcey D.

He sat down on the edge of the bed. She felt trapped? How could she feel trapped when he gave her the freedom to do anything she liked? 'Except for leave,' was the nagging thought in the back of his mind. She had felt comfortable though. She had also appreciated him comforting her last night. He didn't know why those thoughts gave him hope but he choose to ignore it. He stood up and walked away, leaving the door open. He smiled looking the signature. D. Her last name started with D. He quickly changed into dry clothes before beginning to play softly on the organ.