Chapter 1: Whose Is That Face?

The performance of Hannible had come to an end and Erik smiled with pride and triumph knowing that his Angel; His Christine was the new crowning Jewel of Paris. This was proved by the standing ovation she had received from the audience following her debut.

Erik was making his way to Christine's dressing room, intending to congratulate her on her successful performance but his attentions were drawn when he noticed Madame Giry; The Ballet mistress at the door that lead to Rue Scribe at the side of the opera house. His curiosity got the best of him when he saw she was talking to someone and so he decided to investigate.

Madame Giry smiled as a young lady unloaded a second crate from her wagon,

"Thank you so much for finishing the Chorus Girls' new ballet shoes so quickly, my dear. You really did not have to put my order to the top of your list" The aged ballet mistress thanked and the girl smiled,

"Madame Giry, you are a dear friend of mine and you know as well as I do that the girls need the shoes for the beginning of the new season" The woman told her with a bright smile. A caramel furred Cocker Spaniel jumped off the wagon, barking happily and wagged its tail in attempts to attract Madame Giry's attention,

"Don't think I've forgotten you, Sasha" the ballet mistress teased before reaching into her pocket and retrieved a small biscuit which Sasha happily devoured quickly and Madame Giry chuckled as the young cobbler woman did the same,

"Well I best get going. I have another order I need to get started on and its going to have me burning the midnight oil" she said before climbing onto the wagon's driver seat,

"Come on Sasha" she encouraged but the small animal sniffed the air curiously and began following a trail and the cobbler rolled her eyes,

"Off on another one of her adventures. Can you keep an eye on her for me Madame Giry?" she asked politely causing the ballet mistress to smile,

"I would be honored. My dancers will be overjoyed to have their usual little furry sleepover companion" she teased lightly before waving the young woman off as she drove the horse drawn wagon away.

The phantom could not help but frown to himself as he once again slipped away into the shadows that he called home... Erik could not help but feel like he had seen the young cobbler's face before... Her face, her voice... Something about her just seemed very familiar but this was not possible as Erik never mixed in the affairs of Madame Giry's ballet school. He had tried but it had resulted in Madame Giry smacking her Cain against his wrist and was followed with a firm warning not to try and mix in with her teachings again.

Sasha, the curious Cocker Spaniel followed Madame Giry down into the catacombs with a wagging tail due to the new surroundings,

"Erik? My apologies for disturbing your composing time but I have the new script changes you requested" Madame Giry told him and he smiled behind his porcelain half mask as he accepted the documents,

"Thank you, Madame. I shall be sending those foolish managers a few choice words if this script is any short of perfection" he assured before beginning to flip through the pages but looked towards the dance instructor curiously,

"I saw you talking to the young shoe maker, this evening. She seems very familiar to me. Is it possible that she has been in one of your previous chorus lines?" Erik asked but was rewarded with a defeated sigh from the aged teacher,

"I wish that were so. Her posture is impeccable and I see great potential in her but no matter how many times I request her to audition for my school. She refuses." Madame Giry replied mournfully but it was then that Sasha barked happily and ran towards Erik, leaping onto his lap and began licking his smooth cheek as well as his mask,

"Oh, Erik. I am so sorry. Sasha! Down! Bad Girl!" Madame Giry scolded as Erik chuckled, giving the excited pup a scratch behind the ears but frowned slowly,

"I... I know this dog" he murmured,

"Yes, she belongs to my friend" Madame Giry confirmed but the phantom shook his head slowly,

"No... She's mine... I... Before I came here... Before you found me... As a boy... She was my boyhood pet" Erik murmured and Madame Giry was stunned as she saw a tear escape down Erik's smooth cheek but the ballet teacher soon jumped when Erik stood suddenly, causing Sasha to jump off his lap and once again began sniffing around Erik's lair in a curious manner,

"The cobbler girl. What is her name?" Erik demanded,

"Errr... Amelia. Amelia Johnson... Why?" Madame Giry asked confused as Erik's eyes widened, taking a step back,

"... It can't be" he murmured, turning away as if trying to think,

"Is something wrong?" The ballet mistress asked concerned,

"... No... I... It is nothing but... When will she next be visiting?" Erik asked, causing Madame Giry to become more confused,

"Well... I have a contract with her so that she comes to the school at least once a month to see if any of the girl's ballet shoes need adjustments or need to be fixed. So she will be returning within the next 6 weeks" Madame Giry explained, watching as Erik nodded,

"Good..." he murmured, moving over to his desk and opened a drawer, retrieving a small document before handing it to her,

"Give her this" he instructed and Madame Giry was horrified,

"Erik... This is a ticket that will have her sitting in Box 5... That's your box... You never let..." Madame Giry tried,

"I understand your confusion as well as your concern madame but please... This is something that I must keep to myself for now... Miss Johnson is in no danger but I ask you this as my friend... Please make sure she accepts this ticket... This is something that I need you to do for me... Please trust me" Erik begged as silence fell between them but Madame Giry eventually nodded,

"Very well, Erik... I trust you" she told him before leaving him to his compositions.

Can Madame Giry get Amelia to accept the ticket? Why is Erik so anxious to see her again? Review for Chapter 2!

Kind Regards,

TheAuthor1996