Finding Love

Chapter 1

**Disclaimer: I do not own POTO**

Christine POV
"Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said good bye! Remember me, once in a while, please promise me you'll try!". I looked around the opera house trying to tune out the horrid sound coming from Carlotta. I don't understand why Monsieur Lefèvre hasn't fired her yet! She is rude to everyone and isn't that great at singing. By the look on everyone's faces, I think they agree. The sound of a set falling onto Carlotta brought me out of my thoughts. "He's there the Phantom of the Opera!" Meg grabs hold of my arm and we share a worried glance. "Signora, are you alright? Buquet! For God's sake, man, what's going on up there?" Monsieur Lefèvre always has to get onto Joseph  Buquet, the chief stagehand, about his job. The reason why is really disturbing and I'd rather not discuss it. "Please monsieur, don't look at me. As God's my judge, I wasn't at my post. Please monsieur, there's no one there. Or if there is, well then... It must be a ghost!" Buquet has told us many stories of the Phantom of the Opera. Most of the time I don't really listen because I'm not interested, but Meg and Rose seem to know everything about him! It's creepy honestly. "Bye- bye! Ciao!" I look up to see Carlotta walking off the stage with Piangi. With Carlotta gone, I don't have to worry about my ears hurting after practice! Wait, with her gone, who's gonna sing in the opera? As if on cue, Madame Giry says that I can sing! Me!? But I'm just a chorus girl! I can't possibly sing! Can I? "Let her sing for you, monsieur. She has been well taught." Nervously I make my way to center stage. I slowly begin to gain confidence and before I know it, I'm singing in the show and the performance is almost over.
**after the performance**
"Little Lotte, let her mind wander. Little little thought 'am I fonder of dolls, or goblins or shoes?'" I turn at the sound of Raoul's voice and smile knowing that he remembers me. We continued discussing our childhood until he asked me out for dinner. Normally I would have said yes, but the Angel of Music is very strict. I tried to tell Raoul as he left, but he wouldn't listen. Sighing I went behind my changing screen and got out of my Hannibal costume, and put on my robe. As I was walking to the door, all of the candles in my dressing room went out. Curious I turned, and looked around my room for the source of wind. I gave up and turned back towards the door when the room filled with fog and I heard my Angel of Music singing to me. "Angel I hear you speak, I listen. Stay by my side guide me! Angel my soul was weak, forgive me. Enter at last master!" I was scared of what might happen so I just stood where I was and did as told. "I am your Angel of Music! Come to me Angel of Music!" As if I were in a trance, I walked to the mirror and went through it into a passageway. A man in a porcelain white mask took me down into the catacombs of the opera house. "The Phantom of the Opera is here inside my mind" Before I knew it we were in a boat about to reach land and I start to vocalize. The man in the mask showed me a mannequin that looked exactly like me and I fainted. I don't know how long I was asleep for, but I hope it wasn't for too long. I don't want to worry Meg or Rose! "I remember there was mist. Swirling mist upon a vast, glassy lake. There were candles all around and on a lake there was a boat. And in the boat there was a man!" I sang as I walked over the the strange man. When I reached him I couldn't help but wonder what was under his mask. The mood changed immediately when I took off the mask. I was pushed to the floor out of anger, and I started to cry out of fear and disgust. This man hardly had a face! It was truly repulsive, and it's a sight that will haunt me forever.