Sing Once More (A Phantom of the Opera Phan Fic)

Chapter 12

Groping his way to the shore, Chip sat at the edge of the rocky slop, his eyes filling with tears. "Reagan...what's going on?"

Reagan tried to calm him, looking around for Erik but only finding the old Phantom standing there like a drunken fool. "It'll be okay, Chip. I promise..."

Deep down Reagan knew this wasn't going to work out the way she wanted. There wasn't a thought in her mind that was positive about this situation. Best luck would be that Chip would get at least half his vision back , if at least not light sensitivity.

"Erik can fix this...yeah....we just need to find Erik..." Reagan kept repeated softly.

* * *'

Andrea was half aware of what was going on in the present. Everything was just meshing together and nothing was really making any sense. She didn't care about the performance or the actors or the singing. All she wanted were her friends, safe and sound, by her side.

She watched as the performance went on. She watched Christine and the Phantom have their moment down in the lair. She about how much Reagan would have enjoyed this.

The funny thing was, Andrea had no idea that Reagan was living something much more than this moment. Reagan was right next to this very Phantom, but Andrea had no idea.

All that mattered now was that Mr. Bennett had no idea that Chip and Reagan were missing, and as far as Andrea was concerned that was a full time job.

Andrea slouched in her chair as intermission rolled around. The first part of the play was a complete blur in her mind, and she didn't mind that one bit. She quickly took out her cell phone and tried out of a last attempt to get a hold of Reagan.

          A ~ Where are you guys at? I'm seriously worried. Mr. B. is getting anxious. Hurry back.

          . . .

There was no response, but Andrea hadn't really expected one either. She sat her phone back in her backpack. Unknowingly, she began to hum the theme song from the performance.

"The Phantom of the Opera is there...inside my mind..." She whispered to herself, looking around at the audience.

A gloved hand wrapped itself around Andrea's mouth.

She tensed, screaming into the glove, but her screaming was soon quieted by the soothing voice of the owner of the hand.

"Silence, my dear. I need a word with you. It is very important." The voice whispered in Andrea's ear, sounding sweet and rich.

Andrea wanted to turn around and see who it was, but she merely got up and walked to the center isle, finding the man whom had called to her.

He was a rather tall man, clad in mostly black with his face covered by a hood of sorts. Andrea found it strange that he was able to wear such attire to the kind of performance in which they had attended. But then again, the setting in the theatre was dark and most people couldn't just make you faces.

Following close behind the strange figure, Andrea questioned why she had just taken quick orders from a complete stranger. "Excuse me, sir, what's your name?" She asked, figuring that would be a good place to start with her own set of questions.

"Call me, O.G." He replied softly.

Andrea simply nodded, not taking any thought to the name. "Alright, O.G., what is it that you wanted to talk about. Intermission ends in five minutes."

O.G. stopped after entering the hallway that lead to the upper box seats. "I'd like to discuss your friend, Reagan."

Andrea's eyes grew wide. "You know about, Reagan?! How?"

"All questions will be revealed in due time. Do not fear about your friends. They are well and in good health, some more than others." O.G. said.

"Some more than others? Is Reagan ill?!" Andrea began to panic.

O.G. held up his hands. "No more questions. Reagan is in fine health, I promise you that. I cannot speak to you any more than this. I am sorry."

Andrea frowned. "Fine...thanks though.

O.G. bowed shortly. "You're welcome."

Andrea began to walk back towards the theatre when the sudden thought grasped her mind. She spun around quickly, running back towards the box seat hall. "Hey, you're the..." She started out, but stopped short when she saw O.G. had disappeared.

"That dirty rat..." She whispered. "Making me believe he's the Phantom of the Opera...as if." She rolled her eyes and made her way back to her seat. What a story she'd be able to tell Reagan.

* * *

Reagan had began the trek back through the cellars with Chip loosly holding on to one of her shoulders. Her own eyes filled with tears where Chip's eyes were already full of tears. "I'm so sorry, Chip..." She whispered softly, looking over her shoulder a moment.

Chip sniffed slightly, wiping his eyes. "It's okay..." He whimpered slightly, refusing to look up for fear he'd meet Reagan's eyes. He'd never thought he'd be blind, but then again who would?! He was scared, and terribly unsure about the future. He couldn't live the life as a journalist blind! That wasn't how it was suppose to work.

Reagan sighed heavily, coming to a secret passage and pausing. She couldn't decide whether or not she should take it. "I don't know what to do...I'm lost, Chip. I know you can't see this, but I'm pretty sure I've been walking in circles."

"Not circles exactly. More of a box-like pattern." A deep voice resonated behind Reagan and Chip.

Reagan spun around, her eyes going wide at what she saw. "Erik! What the heck happened to you?!" She left Chip, running up to Erik and squeezing him tightly. "I know I'm suppose to hate you, but I'm so glad to see you!"

Erik tensed, unsure if he should hug Reagan back or what not. "Uh...yes, well, I had matters of a different sort that I had to take care of."

"Don't just leave me alone...please..." Reagan said, looking up at Erik with saddened eyes.

"Hey...guys...where did you go?" Chip yelped like a scared puppy.

Erik looked over at Chip. "We are over here, Master Charles. Can you not see us?"

Chip grew teary eyed again as he was reminded of his dark and missing vision. "I...I can't see either of you! I'm blind!" He began to sob, turning his back from where he had heard the voices.

Erik frowned and quickly shook his head. "That is not good..."

Reagan rolled her eyes. "We've established that, captain obvious." She quickly changed her attitude, however, when she realized that Erik was probably the only person who could fix Chip's vision. "Can...can you fix it?"

Erik looked at Reagan and with a small nod gave her a true answer. "I can fix that."