The Phantom's Daughter (Book 2)

Showtime

10 years later

Elise walked through the corridors behind the theatre, moving past men and women who were hurrying about, preparing for the first show of the season.
Performers and stage hands alike, ran backwards and forwards, in a state of disarray, while Elise walked forward confidently, without a care in the world.
No one gave her a wide berth, but they meandered around her, not expecting her to have to move out of the way.
Being the daughter of the elusive Mr Y, who ran Phantasma, had many perks.
No longer did Elise and her father hide in the crypts and catacombs.
The two of them could go where they pleased, and no one would question them.

Eventually Elise found what she was searching for.
"All ready Meg?" Elise asked.
Meg spun around when she heard her name called, and she smiled when she saw Elise.
"As ready as I can be" admitted Meg.
"You're not nervous are you?" Questioned Elise.
"I am a little"
"This isn't the first time you've been on stage though"
"I know. But this is the first performance of the season, and I want it to be good"
"It will be. Besides, the official premiere isn't for a few more days, and that's the performance that really matters. So you've got time to perfect things before then. Anyway, it's not like you stop performing when we're not in season. Phantasma is open all year round".

Meg nodded her head, "You're right. We may busier today than we have been all year, but it's the same every year. I should be used to it by now".
"Yes. But in your defence, you've only been the leading lady for the last couple of years, so you're not that used to taking centre stage by yourself" replied Elise.
"I won't be by myself. I've got my girls" reminded Meg, pointing to the back up dancers behind her.
"Thats true"
"Are you sure that you won't be joining us today?"
"I'm sure"
"What about the premiere? Will you be performing then?"
"Maybe. He wants me to, and he reserved me a spot in the running. But he left it up to me to decide what I want to do".

"You hardly ever perform anymore" said Meg quietly.
"Performing was always your forte, not mine" admitted Elise.
"That's not true. You are a great aerial acrobat"
"Maybe. But I lost my passion for it when I was forced to do it all the time, back when we didn't have as much money...".
Elise faltered and bit her lip, as she knew that she had gotten off lightly. Meg had been forced to do much worse things when they were all struggling for money.
Meg pretended not to hear, and moved the conversation along.
"Is he coming to watch the show today?" She asked.

Elise sighed and shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't know" she admitted.
"It's opening day. Why wouldn't he be here?" Questioned Meg.
"You're right. Of course he'll be here" lied Elise.
"And I'll be watching you from the wings as usual" she continued.
Meg smiled, "You're such a good friend".
"So are you. And you know that we're more like sisters than friends, at this point" replied Elise.
"Yes we are. You've been by my side since you were born".

The moment was shattered when Madame Giry appeared and walked over to them, reminding both girls that they were not sisters.
"Meg, you need to get ready in the wings" instructed Madame Giry.
Meg nodded her head and rejoined her back up dancers as they headed into the wings together.
"Have you spoken to my father today?" Asked Elise curiously.
"No, I have not" answered Madame Giry curtly.
"Do you think he'll come to watch the show?"
"I doubt it. If he even knew that it was opening day today, I doubt he would turn up. He's too busy in his study"
"Well someone has to keep this place running and write the music for the shows"
"I keep this place running just as much as him, and I still manage to attend all the shows".

Elise had no response to this, as she could only defend her father so far.
However, over the years she had grown closer to him, and drifted from Madame Giry. Since she didn't need someone to look after her, like she had done in Paris.
But her friendship for Meg had remained strong.
On Coney Island, Elise was treated with more respect, by those who worked there, than Madame Giry, because she was the daughter of Mr Y.
Elise had only one superior, and that was the phantom himself.
Madame Giry was just a senior member of staff, and there were a lot of those. And Meg was seen as just another performer in most people's eyes.
Elise's father had adopted the role of Mr Y, not long after they arrived in America.
This new persona allowed him to run Phantasma from the shadows. Leaving Madame Giry to attend meetings and events that he would rather avoid.

Elise did as she pleased around the land that her father owned.
Sometimes she would perform in shows, or walk around the park like a normal person. And other days she would stick to the shadows, watching everyone go about their daily lives, unnoticed by the world.
Her father had taught her well, and she was good at sneaking around without being seen.
"We should get to the wings, if we want to watch Meg" admitted Madame Giry.
Elise nodded and followed her down the corridor towards the side of the stage.

From there, she gave Meg an encouraging thumbs up, before her friend stepped onto the stage, to address the audience.
The crowd cheered as Meg sang and danced for them. And Elise could tell by the look on her face, that she was happy, as there weren't many things in life, that gave you the thrill that performing did.
Meg was born to be a performer, and Elise was glad that after everything she had sacrificed, her friend finally had achieved her dream.