Chapter 5

There was silence for the longest time; I could have laughed at the look on Erik's face if I didn't know it would be like taking two steps back after taking one forward. I simply waited then, finally, he said, "Why are you thanking me?"

Not exactly what I was expecting, but I took the chance to speak, "It's the proper thing to do isn't it? I mean, I'm not an eighteenth century buff like Erica, but y'know it's what you say to someone you're grateful to."

"I suppose so," Erik said. "I also suppose you were speaking truth when you said you were not from this time."

I snorted, "What was your first clue?"

Erik glared at me, "Don't be smart with me, do you realize how insane you must sound to someone like me. I am somewhat insane myself, and when someone begins to spout crazy nonsense that I want to believe, that's when I know it must be madness."

I shrugged, "So, what made you finally believe me?"

Erik was silent then began to pace, "A number of reasons really, the more I thought about it the more it seemed to be true. The more I observed-"

I cut him off asking, "You heard Anthony and I talking didn't you?"

The all mighty Phantom of the Opera looked taken aback that I had found him out but continued, "Yes, I am the only other besides yourself that knows about Anthony's...talents. When I saw him go into one of his spells and start speaking like you and your friend I had no choice but to believe you, you cannot fake something like that."

I nodded then stuck my hand out, "Hailey Barker, nice to meet you."

The Phantom stared at my hand as if it was something being dissected in a lab. I sighed, grabbing his hand and shaking it, "Dude, do I have to teach you everything? It's called starting over, since our first impressions were...not so good."

He nodded. I waited for him to speak and when he didn't I simply shrugged, turning to leave. Before I was completely out the door he suddenly said, "Be careful, and when you find your friend make sure to warn her as well."

I turned to look back at Erik after his weird warning, "When I find Erica I plan on getting out of here A.S.A.P." Erik nodded then left.

Well, the Phantom is officially on my side. I walked back to my room where Anthony was waiting for me.

I smiled, but he frowned, "Are you alright?"

I nodded, "I'm fine. I just needed to get away from Buquet before I strangled him."

I tried to laugh it off and he seemed to believe me, "Okay, as long as you're alright. How about dinner on me? Since you had such a stressful day, you deserve it."

I made a thinking face as if I was actually thinking it over then laughed, "Of course Anthony."

Anthony held out his arm and I placed my hand in the crook of his elbow. As if afraid to speak too loudly Anthony whispered, "You know, only a couple of weeks left then ll Muto premiers?"

"Yes, I can't wait." I said in a bit of a daze.

(Night of ll Muto)

This was it, tonight I would find Erica and then we would get the hell out of here. I was in a brand new green dress for the Gala that reminded me of the dress Mina wore from the movie, Dracula, and I felt so excited I could barely hold still. I was just about to enter the foyer when a familiar voice called my name, "Hailey, over here."

I turned to see Raoul and his brother at the top of the stairs. Raoul's brother resembled him a bit, his blue eyes and such, but he looked different somehow. It was like looking at night and day, black and white, good and evil. He had blonde hair and a stiff posture, but he had that air about him that suggested he was arrogant and used to getting what he wanted. I quickly ascended the steps to meet them, hoping my gut was wrong.

"Hello Raoul." I smiled, "How is your sister feeling?"

Before Raoul could answer Philippi cut in, "I'm Philippi De Chagny, nice to meet you. Our sister is doing just fine. A curious thing that one, she loves to explore this place. Last time she came here she missed part of the Opera because she wasn't back before Intermission."

"Really?" I asked, Geez this girl is as adventurous as Erica. She better be careful, the Phantom could be watching her...well the same goes for Erica since the Phantom doesn't know what she looks like.

"Yes," Raoul cut back in. "I think she received her curious and adventurous spirit from watching Christine and I play as children. We always told dark stories of the North and hunted for ghosts in the attic."

This received a giggle from me, once again...I GIGGLED? Philippi looked at me as I laughed; it was weird how he just stared at me.

"Raoul." I laughed, "I can't picture you as a small boy hunting for ghosts in the attic, honestly it's just..."

"Ridiculous." Philippi stated harshly.

I glared at him, "I was going to say funny, and I would thank you to let me speak for myself Monsieur De Chagny." I spat his name as if it was poison in my mouth, but he seemed to get the point that I was pissed. Well, my gut was right.

Raoul grinned a bit then said, "I know, I was a very strange boy growing up, but look at me now, I say I turned out fairly well."

I smiled, "I agree Raoul, I think you turned into a fine young gentleman." God, Erica's jaw would hit the floor if she heard me complimenting the Fop, but he's really not that bad.

"In your opinion," Philippi chuckled.

Raoul looked at his brother shocked then I grinned devilishly, "Well Raoul, like I said, I think you are quite the gentleman...unlike some people."

"Hailey!" Anthony yelled for me.

I turned to see him running up the stairs...in a tux! My mouth gaped for a bit, he looked like Jack from, The Titanic. Well, that wasn't entirely true. He looked nothing like jack, having darker hair and green eyes but you all know what I mean, he cleaned himself up. He looked amazing to say the least.

"It's time to go, come on," he said as he tugged on my arm.

"Who is this?" Philippi asked with a glare.

Anthony bowed, "Anthony Baudin."

Philippi stood straighter, "Philippi De Chagny."

"A pleasure sir, Raoul." Anthony bowed quickly once more then tugged on my arm, pulling me down the stairs.

"Why don't you come sit in Box 5 with us?" Philippi asked, "I'm sure the...view, would be much better than wherever you are going."

Remembering that Box 5 was the Phantom's box and that his demands were not met I snidely said, "Not for all the money in the world. It was nice seeing you Raoul, hopefully I can meet your sister after the show. Come on Anthony."

I grasped Anthony's hand and noticed a slight blush creep on his face as we walked towards the hidden staircase.

(As ll Muto Begins)

Anthony and I were not up in the rafters with Joseph, but standing in the hidden staircase looking out a small window at the audience. We were both scanning the crowd for Erica, but I didn't see her. Where is she?

Suddenly I heard a sharp yelp that was mainly drowned out by the music; Anthony looked at me, letting me know he heard it too but we both shrugged it off. Suddenly I heard ropes being slashed, then Carlotta croak and start screaming like a banshee. Anthony and I bounded up the stairs, both knowing something was wrong.

Before we opened the door we heard screams and the managers shouting something about an accident. I stopped dead in my tracks, causing Anthony to fall back a couple of steps. Oh no, it's Buquet!

As I thought this Anthony climbed the remaining stairs, passed me, and opened the door. He gasped loudly, then ran to cut him down. Buquet fell to the stage, and as his body hit with a loud, thud Anthony fell to his knees and began to sob. I ran to him, kneeling beside him while trying to think of a way to comfort him.

Before I knew it he grabbed me, and held me as if I was the one who needed comforting. I looped my arms under his arm then twisted them back around so I was tightly grasping his shoulders. He seemed like a horrified little kid; I dared not ask him why. I don't think I could stand it at the time if he were to open up and bare his soul to me.

I did have to say something though, "I'm sorry Anthony, I'm here though. It's going to be okay, I swear."

Anthony clutched onto me tighter, and hauled me up with him as he stood. He sniffed then begged, "I have to get out of here, I don't care where, just please come with me."

I smiled sadly then nodded. We ran down the stairs further than I had gone before, then as we descended the last flight I gawked. There were tunnels, just like the ones the Phantom used. Anthony went straight, made two sharp lefts, a right, and opened a door that appeared out of nowhere. When he opened I thought my eyes were going to pop out of their sockets.

This was Anthony's room. He had hundreds of drawings and pictures pinned to the wall, or stone, a bed neatly made in a corner, a mahogany writing desk, and at least fifty candles illuminating the room. It was beautiful, yes; stunning, absolutely; did I feel awkward, without a doubt.

Anthony fell onto the edge of his bed, hanging his head and holding it in a death grip. I stared at him worriedly, what could I do?

"Anthony, Anthony..." I tried but he didn't hear me. "Anthony!" I yelled a little too loudly. He jumped and looked up at me, as if he forgot he dragged me down here.

"I'm sorry," he said. "It comes with the whole knowing ability. I saw his life flash in front of my eyes just now. He did a lot of things in his life...most of the things weren't good, but still." Anthony stopped and looked down again.

"But still?" I urged.

"Buquet was my friend, almost like an older brother. He was the whole reason I was able to become a stage hand. He took pity on me as a child and told Madame Giry that if they couldn't find a place for me then he'd quit and I could have his job. It was by far the kindest gesture anyone had ever shown me, and that was the reason they let me be a stage hand along Joseph's side. He may not have been the best person in the world but he did have a heart, I should know."

"I'm sorry Anthony. Listen, stay here and I'll go get you something to eat from the kitchen. I remember the way you brought me here." Anthony nodded. I grinned then rushed off to the kitchen.

(Twenty minutes Later)

That wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, with everyone scrambling around about the Phantom and Buquet it was easy to sneak into the kitchen and grab some food. I took a clean towel then loaded it up with bread, fruit, cheese, and basically anything I could get my hands on. I wrapped it up tightly then slipped out, running back towards the foyer as fast as I possibly could.

Okay, I pulled an Erica here. Someone grabbed my arm as I was running, then as I was pulled back the food went flying from my hand and hit the floor. I fell back into whoever pulled me, landing in their lap. When I looked up to see whoever it was I thought I was going to be sick, "Well look what the cat dragged in."

I pushed myself away quickly, standing and walking towards my bundle of food. "Leave me alone, Philippi."

"Why?" Philippi asked sneering, "So you can go back to your stage hand. What do you see in him? You could come with me right now and I'd treat you to a better supper than stolen food from the kitchen."

I picked up my bundle, glaring at Philippi, "Shut. Up."

"Excuse me?" Philippi asked shocked.

"You heard me," I said. "I don't want to go to dinner with you, and you insulting Anthony isn't helping your case."

"Do you know what kind of opportunity you are throwing away?" Philippi asked, "For me to ask out a girl who works at the Opera is very unusual and only happens once."

"Good," I said. "Then my message is clear, go away."

Philippi grabbed my upper arm again, "That's the funny thing, I seem to like the fight in you; so I can't, 'go away'."

Oh, this boy is going to get it. "I'm warning you, you have five seconds to let me go."

One, Philippi laughed then wrapped his arms around me in a bear hug. Two, I glared at him as he squeezed tighter. Three, I smiled devilishly, showing all my teeth and getting a tighter grip on the hand that was holding mine. Four, Philippi noticed my actions then looked worried, too little too late. FIVE!

I stomped on Philippi's foot as hard as I could, when he did not let me go but bent down in pain I rambled my head into his, causing his head to fall back while his grip loosened. I took the chance to slip my hand out and elbow him in the ribs, and finally when he let go I kicked his feet so he fell to the ground. I smiled to myself, picking up my food then rounding the corner to the secret staircase.

I walked in and saw Anthony still sitting on his bed. When he saw me he smiled, staring at the food. "That looks good."

I smiled back, "Good, at least you have an appetite."

Anthony and I sat on his bed and split our little picnic until, Clank. I jumped at the sound but Anthony leaned over to look at his desk. It looked like a vacuum tube only carved into the stone wall, there was a letter at the bottom. So, it must be a type of letter delivery to reach Anthony's room.

Anthony stood then walked over to his desk, swiftly retrieving the letter and reading quietly to himself. A sense of foreboding set in when I saw the red skull wax seal on the outside of the envelope. Anthony glanced up at me then handed me the letter. It read,

"Inform Mademoiselle Hailey Barker to meet me in the Chapel at once, I have something she needs to see; and remind her to be quick about it. This...particular subject cannot wait.

Your friend,

Erik.

I gulped, what did he want? I waved good-bye to Anthony and ran to the Chapel, my heart racing the whole time. When I entered Erik was facing me, holding his cape weirdly. I looked at him curiously, "What did you want to talk to me about so badly?"

The Phantom smirked then swooshed his cape like he did in the movie, revealing a person; a girl.

"Hailey?" she asked, smilingly like the crazy goof-ball she was.

So, you all can guess what's going to happen now. Well if you liked this chapter review, (Don't forget I check my chapter traffic so I know how many people are reading this ;D) and if you don't review then the reunion will wait longer. Happy Friday, see you guys next week and wish me luck in Show Choir competitions tomorrow! 8D