I was abruptly woken up by the feeling of Little Jammes hugging me tightly and I slowly returned the hug, still shaking off sleep and memories of the night before.

"Oh, Susanna, I thought you would never come back, I was so worried about you!" She exclaimed, tears filling her big green eyes.

My mind was whirling, continuing to go through the memories of last night, rubbing my sore neck absentmindedly. They raced back to the threatening figure of The Phantom, how he knew who I was. It was unnerving not knowing if he would truly keep his promise as long as I didn't mention anything that had happened.

I looked over at Christine's bed where she was sleeping silently, I could see her eyes twitching slightly as if she were having a nightmare. She seemed unharmed, not a scratch or mark on her, I began to think about what The Persian had told me, "I give you my word, he will not harm your friend."

I supposed he was right.

I felt the weight of Little Jammes's arms around me, anchoring me back to the present, taking me away from my thoughts.

"I'm okay, you didn't have to worry about me," I murmured to her, trying to reassure her.

"But you're not okay," she insisted, her grip tightening. "You and Christine were gone for so long, and everyone was looking for you two, they said you both vanished like a ghost!"

I rubbed my eyes as I once again glanced over at Christine and then back to Jammes whose face was filled with concern.

I smiled at her, trying my best to be truly okay.

"I'm fine, Jammes, and so is Christine, don't let what people say frighten you, okay?"

She nodded, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand.

"Okay, you're still going to be at rehearsals this evening, right?"

The question brought me back to the reality of my situation as I knew that I couldn't let this draw attention to me, which was inevitable and in turn this was bound to draw my Uncle's attention as well.

That's the last thing I needed.

"Of course, I'll be there," I assured her with a gentle squeeze of her hand.

She took a deep breath as she looked over at Christine.

"Do you think she'll ever wake up?"

I nodded.

"She will, she's had a long night, she needs some rest, now why don't you let me get dressed, okay?"

I carefully unwrapped myself from Little Jammes' embrace and swung my legs over the side of the bed, placing my feet on the floor and making my way towards my dresser.

I looked at myself in the mirror at my disheveled hair, picking out a couple cobwebs from them and on my neck I could see dark bruising start to form.

"Shit," I whispered as I looked through my dresser drawer, pulling out some makeup to cover it up.

I did my regular makeup which made me look unrecognizable, even to myself, and tamed my hair the best I could.

I double-checked my neck, ensuring no one would notice anything, and when satisfied, I took a deep breath of relief. I'm glad the makeup had done the job.

 I looked at myself in the mirror at my messy hair, picking out a couple of cobwebs from them.

A shiver ran down my spine.

I shook my head, taking a deep breath.

I quickly pulled on a plain dress and brushed my hair into a hasty bun. The last thing I needed was to look the way I felt.

I could hear Christine stirring from the bed, her eyes slowly fluttering open. She looked around the room, obviously confused and disoriented, rubbing her head.

"Good morning," I said as I sat down on my bed beside her, offering a small smile.

She looked at me confusingly for a moment then slowly returned the smile.

"I had the strangest dream..."

Christine's voice trailed off as she sat up in bed, her eyes searching the room as if expecting to find something out of place. I felt the urge to tell her everything but bit my tongue, remembering the deal I had made.

"What do you remember about this dream?" I asked Christine, trying to gauge if she had any recollection of the events that had unfolded the previous night.

She looked away from me and I could see the fear filling her face.

"It was about my Angel Of Music, but he wasn't an angel he was...."

Christine's voice trailed off again as her eyes searched the room as if she would find him lurking in the corners of it.

"You don't have to tell me if it frightens you," I told her softly.

Christine looked at me as she shook her head.

"It wasn't, though, it felt too real, his voice, that place of darkness, his-his face."

Her voice grew quieter with each word, and I could see the tremble in her hands as she clutched at the bedsheets.

I took a deep breath, hating the fear this was causing her and knowing that it was a part of the reality she had been thrust into.

"Christine, it's okay," I whispered, taking her trembling hand in mine. "Whatever happened it's over now, you're safe."

I knew my words weren't totally true, but I was going to do everything in my power to make sure they would be.

She took a deep breath and slowly nodded her head.

"You're right, I guess I should get dressed they're bound to have some questions of my whereabouts."

I nodded my head in agreement.

That makes two of us Christine.

The day dragged on with a mix of rehearsals and whispers. Cast members and chorus girls alike cast furtive glances at Christine and me, their curiosity piqued by our mysterious absence and sudden reappearance. I felt their eyes on me, questioning, judging, but I kept my head down and focused on the dance steps, my heart racing with every passing moment. I knew that if I slipped, if I allowed my thoughts to wander too far from the safety of the stage, my uncle would find me.

During a break, Raoul quickly came up to me, pulling me aside as his grip tightened around my arm, his eyes filled with concern.

"Where did you go, did you go where Christine was?"

Raoul's question was urgent, his grip on my arm firm but gentle.

I didn't know what to say to Raoul, my heart thudding in my chest. The last person I wanted to know about the Phantom was the very man who was supposed to protect Christine from him. I rolled my eyes as I shrugged his hand off my arm.

"What you expected me to stay in that creepy room all by myself where Christine had disappeared from?" I retorted, trying to play it off as a misunderstanding, my voice filled with feigned annoyance. "I got scared and went back to the dormitory, I don't know where she went."

"No, that's a lie the police searched everywhere, you and Christine quite literally disappeared, I've tried talking to Christine but she won't even come near me, please tell me what's going on?"

His desperation was palpable, and my guilt grew with each passing second.

"Raoul, I don't know what happened," I lied, keeping my gaze firmly on his. "And I don't have time for your questions, I have to focus on my performance."

He sighed, taking out a piece of paper from underneath his coat.

"This was sent to me," Raoul spoke, holding out the paper to me.

I took it from him my hands shaking slightly as I unfolded it, reading the red inked, messy cursive handwriting.

Do not fear for Miss Daae's safety, The Angel Of Music has her under his wing, make no attempt to see her again.

-O.G.

My eyes grew wide at the note and I shoved it back into Raoul's hand.

"You know anything about this O.G.?"

Raoul looked at me expectantly, his eyes searching mine for any hint of recognition.

"I don't know anything, I'm sure someone is probably playing a cruel joke on you," I lied, trying to keep my voice steady.

Raoul looked skeptical, but I turned away from him, walking back towards the stage, hoping my sudden movement would put an end to his line of questioning.

After rehearsals, me and Christine headed back to the dormitories and I heard her take a deep breath before opening the door, the cacophony of voices growing louder as we stepped in. The chatter immediately stopped as the other girls looked up at us, their eyes wide with curiosity.

Sorellie looked over at us from her bed, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.

"Well, it's about time you two showed up," she sneered.

The room fell into an uneasy silence as everyone waited for an explanation. I stepped in front of Christine, shielding her from their inquisitive gazes.

"If you're waiting for an explanation, none of you are getting one, okay?" I said with a frown as I guided Christine over to our beds.

The other girls looked at us with a mix of fear and anger, their whispers growing and I knew they wouldn't let it go so easily.

"Oh we all know what happened, don't we?" Sorellie said with a smirk, her eyes boring into us.

Christine looked ready to collapse under the weight of their stares. I took a step forward, my voice firm.

"You don't know anything, you're just a bunch of gossiping snakes," I snapped back at her.

Her smirk only grew as she stepped closer to me, her eyes glinting with malice.

"Is that so?" She whispered, leaning in so close that I could feel her breath on my face. "You think we are blind or stupid, not to see what's right in front of us?"

"And what exactly do you see?" I asked Sorellie, my eyes not breaking contact with hers.

Her smile grew even more wicked.

"I see the way you two vanish together, the way Christine looks after her performance," she whispered, her voice carrying an unmistakable threat. "I know what you're hiding."

My heart hammered in my chest as I tried to keep my face neutral.

"Fuck you, you don't know shit." I snapped.

The room was filled with gasps as I spat the words at Sorellie, the anger bubbling in my stomach.

"What did you say?" One of the other dancers, a blonde named Fleur, stood up from her bed, her eyes flashing with anger.

I didn't back down from Sorellie's challenge, my eyes never leaving hers.

"I said fuck you!" I shouted back, my voice echoing through the room, my anger uncontrollable. "You're all just jealous because Christine has actual talent, unlike the rest of us who just prance around the stage!"

The room erupted into chaos as the dancers began arguing among themselves, each one eager to defend Christine's purity and their own reputation. I knew this confrontation with Sorellie was dangerous, but I couldn't let her threaten us. I felt this extreme urge to protect Christine.

"Stop fighting!" Little Jammes called out.

The bickering abruptly ceased, the room going quiet as they all stared at the young girl standing in the doorway, her eyes wide with fear.

"Jammes," Christine whispered, rushing over to her side and dropping to her knees. "What is it?"

Jammes looked up at us with wide eyes, her lower lip trembling.

"I... I heard something," she stuttered, her gaze flicking nervously around the room.

Christine took her by the hand, gently leading her out of the dorm and I followed as we went to a place where we were completely alone.

"What did you hear?" Christine asked as she turned to her.

Little Jammes took a shaky breath, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Monsieur Moncharmin, I've-I've never seen him so angry before, it scared me," Little Jammes said, her voice shaking.

Christine and I exchanged a look, my heart sinking. I knew what she was thinking and I couldn't help but think my Uncle had found me, but if he had, he would have come and taken me away by now. Unless...

"What did he say to you?" I asked Little Jammes, my voice as calm as I could muster.

She shrank further into her bed, pulling the covers up to her chin. "H-he said he had been looking for you everywhere and had to talk to you." Her eyes met mine, filled with terror. "Brianna, but he didn't call you by that name, but he called you Susanna."

The room grew colder, the air thick with dread. My heart stopped in its tracks.

"Your uncle?" Christine whispered as she looked over at me.

I felt the blood drain from my face.

"I have to get out of here, now!"

The words ripped from my throat with a ferocity that shocked even me. The reality of my situation slapped me across the face like a cold wind, leaving no room for doubt. My uncle had found out. I knew it was only a matter of time, but I had hoped to have enough time to save money for a train ticket out of here and back to my family.

Christine's grip on Jammes's hand tightened even further, her eyes mirroring my own fear.

"What does he want with you?" she breathed.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. 

"It doesn't matter," I told Jammes, my voice shaking. "What matters is that I need to leave before....before he gets to me, which could be any moment."

Christine's eyes searched mine, her mind clearly racing.

"Where will you go?"

I shrugged as I shook my head.

"I don't know, anywhere but here."

The words barely left my mouth before I started pacing the small space, trying to come up with a plan. The Phantom had promised he wouldn't harm Christine, but he had made no such promise to me. My stomach churned at the thought of facing my uncle. I had to leave, now, before he could lay his hands on me.

Christine looked at me with a mix of fear and determination.

"We're not letting you go alone," she said firmly.

"No, you've done so much for me already I-"

Christine cut me off, her voice firm.

"You're not facing this alone," she said with a determined look in her eyes.

Her words brought a lump to my throat. Despite everything, she still had my back, even if it meant facing the unknown consequences of my uncle's anger.

"Thank you," I whispered, feeling the warmth of her friendship enveloping me like a protective cloak.

Little Jammes looked up at me as she hugged me tightly.

"You're going to leave me, aren't you?"

The words hung in the air as Little Jammes looked up at me with a heart-wrenching expression.

"I'm sorry, Jammes, but I have to go," I whispered back, hugging her tightly. "You're safe here with Christine."

"But who will protect me from the Ghost?" She asked, her voice quivering.

I smiled softly.

"The ghost won't harm you, I promise, Jammes," I assured her as I gently pulled away. "And if he does, I have a feeling you'll have the whole Opera House on your side."

Her eyes searched mine for reassurance and I hoped she found it.

"Now, we have to move quickly," Christine said, breaking the tension. She turned to Little Jammes. "Go back to the dorms, and don't speak a word of this to anyone, okay?"

Jammes nodded solemnly before disappearing back through the door, her small figure swallowed by the shadows of the Opera House.

Christine looked at me with a fierce expression.

"We need to get you somewhere safe," she said, her voice filled with determination. "And we need to do it before he finds you."

"But where will I go?" I asked, echoing her previous question.

Christine thought for a moment, her eyes darting around the dimly lit hallway.

"I'll get Madame Giry, she'll know what to do."

Christine's words cut through the silence as she turned to leave the room, her footsteps quick and determined.

Panic began to set in, and I knew that I couldn't let Christine get involved any more than she already was. I had to deal with my uncle on my own.

"Christine, no, it's too dangerous!" I called out to her retreating figure.

But she was already gone, disappearing behind a corner, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts. My mind was a whirlwind of fear and doubt, but I knew I couldn't let it consume me. I had to take action, had to find a way to protect myself from my uncle. I looked around the quiet hallway, the dust motes dancing in the weak light from the gas lamps, the shadows playing tricks on my eyes.

I could feel the temperature drop and a foreboding presence filling the room, and suddenly I could hear the familiar, frightening voice of The Phantom.

"Mademoiselle Wells," he called out, his voice echoing down the corridor, "I've been looking for you."

My heart skipped a beat, and I turned sharply, searching the shadows, trying to be brave even though my hands were clammy with fright.

"Why have you been looking for me?" I asked.

The Phantom stepped into the light, his face partially hidden by the shadows of his hood. "Your uncle, Monsieur Moncharmin, has been searching for you," he said, his tone filled with an unspoken warning.

"I know that." I snapped, trying to shove my fear down.

I heard the Phantom take a step closer, his eyes piercing through the shadows.

"Then you know that you are in grave danger," he said, his voice low and intense.

"Oui, which is why I'm trying to leave this place," I retorted, with a breath.

His eyes gleamed in the dim light as he took another step closer, his features twisted into an expression I couldn't place.

"You must stay hidden," he continued, "I will not let him harm you."

I took a step back in shock, remembering how he tried to murder me and threatened to bring my secret to life and now he was trying to protect me.

"Why would you help me?" I managed to ask, my voice thick with suspicion.

The Phantom paused, his eyes searched my face as if looking for something.

"Because, Susanna, you are under my protection," he said, his voice softer now.

"Protection? You kidnapped my friend and tried to, not only kill me, but threatened to tell everyone my secret," I said with a frown, my hands clenched.

The Phantom took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving mine.

"I'm not a fan of sick fucks, such as your Uncle, who think they can treat people like property," the Phantom said, the anger in his voice clear.

I stared at him, trying to reconcile this new information with what I knew.

"Wh-"

Before I could ask another question I could hear the familiar voice of my Uncle, echoing through the Opera House, growing closer with every word he bellowed.

"Come with me, we don't have much time," He whispered as he offered me his black-gloved hand.

I stared at it, his eyes boring into mine, searching for any hint of trust. And even though suspicion and nerves were a living creature in my chest, I knew he was the only one who could help me now.

Swallowing hard, I placed my trembling hand into his firm grip. His touch was cold, but surprisingly gentle, as he led me away from the room, deeper into the Opera House. Leaving behind the echoing voice of my Uncle.