Christine

I threw my crutches down as I exited the elevator. My head was spinning. Too many thoughts crowding my brain. A headache was starting. So, I did what I always did. Made tea. I opened the balcony doors, letting in fresh air. It didn't cheer me up. This whole Phantom nonsense was getting to be too much for me to handle.

To make matters worse, I found Merlin missing. "Merlin! Here boy! Merlin?"
There was no response. It was quiet, a little too quiet.

"Merlin? Are you here? Merlin?" I called again.

For precautions, I grabbed a knife and began to scope out my house. My phone in hand, ready to dial 911. I scoped out my entire balcony, and the upstairs part of my house. Until, I came to the final room. My bedroom. A horrible smell wreaked from it.

I took a deep breath, shouting, "Alright. I am armed. Come out of there."

There was no reply. In fact, there wasn't even the sound of movement. I eased the door open, seeing a red stain on the floor. A gasp left my lips, and I pushed it open entirely. At the sight I found, a scream left my lips.

Merlin was on the floor, with a knife in his side. Blood stained the floor, and his flesh was torn open.

"AH!" I cried, slamming into a wall. "NO! MERLIN! NO!"

Tears fell to the floor as I sat there crying. I picked up my phone, dialing the police.

"Hello, 911?" They answered. "Someone was in my house. I've just found my dog dead," I cried out to them.

"Are you by yourself?" She asked. "Is the person still in there with you?"

"No. He's gone. But, he killed my dog!"

Minutes later, the police arrived. They searched the entire penthouse for clues. Nothing was to be found. I sat on the couch, while police questioned me.

"Detective, I don't know what's going on. This building has the tightest security there is," I explained to him.

"Don't worry ma'am. You are in good hands. Just answer a few questions, and we will find who did this to you," he claimed.

I nodded, drying my eyes. "Thank you detective."

He sat across from me, holding a notepad. "Now, when did you come home?"

"Right after school. So, around twenty minutes ago," I replied.

"When did you find the dog in his state?"

"Well, I first noticed he hadn't come to greet me. Then, I grabbed a knife and my phone. About ten minutes later, I found him dead in my room," I bawled.
He wrote it down, handing me a fresh handkerchief. "OK. Do you know anyone who has anything against you?"

A short list entered my mind. "Well, there is a class mate I know. Alyssa Carlotta, is jealous of my talents. But I would not think she is a suspect."

"Alyssa Carlotta. Has she made any threats?" He questioned.

My head shook. "No. But she has accused me of many things."

"Such as?"

The thought of the Phantom entered my mind. "Well, there have been paranormal activities in my schools theatre. Some phantom chracter has been ordering me to be the lead in Cinderella. I refused it, and he threatened us," my lip quivered as I explained.

The detective stood abruptly. "When is your next rehearsal?"

"Tomorrow, of course," I replied. "But-"

"When did he first appear, or begin his strange activities?" He asked.

I thought back to the last before it started happening. "Well, I was in the hospital for a few weeks due to a rescue I attempted. My old music teacher saved me, and I haven't seen him since the hospital."

"Sir," called his partner, "We found this note, written in the dogs' blood."

I gasped, seeing it in hand. "Oh my gosh. What does it say?"

She read over it. "This is what happens when you defy the Phantom. I suggest, if you don't accept tomorrow morning, the fatalities may increase."

The very next day, I had tears all day. My dog was gone. He was my only friend, apart from my group of friends. A fellow friend during times of mourning. Sadly, he was no longer to be.

Jesy sat with me before rehearsal. "Don't worry. It'll be OK. He's in a better place now."

"He was my best friend when I was alone," I cried over and over again.

Ella dried my tears. "Don't worry. The police are going to find him, and they will put him in jail."

"What if they don't find him? What if he tries to kill me next?"

Too much was swimming through my mind for me to think. The threats in the theatre, death of my dog, the note written in blood, and now, I was going to rehearsal. But, those deaths and threats were only pushing me away. Whoever was making the threats really wanted me to have the role of Cinderella. I didn't know why. Neither did I wish to find out or meet the one who did.

"J'ai si peur. I'm so scared. But, the police are even giving me protection," I explained, burying my face in my hands.

Ray rubbed my back soothingly. "Don't worry. We're here for you."

"No," I sniffled. "I don't wish to drag you all into my problems."

Cory stood up. "You kidding? We got your back. And we ain't leavin' for no reason."

A smile of relief spread my lips. "Merci amis."

Ella glanced at her phone. "Oh. We'll be late for rehearsal. We should get going."

"Je vous remercie de nous avoir rappelé. Let's go," I stood, carrying my crutches with confidence.

Jesy's eyes popped out of her head.

"Chrissy, no crutches. Quite a trooper you are. Huh?"

"No. I don't need these anymore. The weird thing is, I don't know why I brought them." At that moment, my fear was washed away. Only confidence was within.

We walked together to the theatre. If only we know what was waiting there for us.

Ray held the door open as we strode in. Everyone was on stage, rehearsing the ballroom scene. My ball gowns were almost ready. Next rehearsal, they would be put into action.

Alyssa started singing her part, looking to the audience as she waltzed. I plugged my ears, trying to block out the sound. It really wasn't much help. I can still remember her screeching out every note.

I sat in the audience watching the hard work put into the scene. The music, dancing, steps, the acting, and the voices. Except for one.

Suddenly, there was a loud crash from above. Everyone looked up, slowing their dance. A body from the flies dropped, dangling from a noose. I was the first to scream in terror.

"AH! OH MY GOSH!" I screamed, finding myself begin to tremble.

Everyone backed away. Alyssa screeched, watching the body fall at her feet. Jesy dashed out from the wings, kneeling over the corpse. A mischievous chuckle echoed about the room, frightening all in the theatre.

Jesy looked around, but turned back to the corpse. "Joseph. Come on buddy. Talk. Talk."

There was no reply. My heart was racing as I clutched onto Ella.

Shaking her head, Jesy stood slowly to her feet. "He's dead. Joseph is dead."

"Mon dieu. Il est mort," my voice shook.

A note began to float down to the stage. My heart was racing faster than a horse. I did not wish to know what it said. But, I was called to the stage.

Mr. Ryan picked it up, gesturing me towards him. "Christine, it's for you."

I walked slowly up the side ramp, taking the note from the director. My lip was quivering with fear. Whatever this fellow had to say to me, I did not wish to find out. Did I have a choice?

No. It was a command.

My hand ripped the skull seal, opening the flap. The note was in its usual form. It was not written in cursive, to my surprise. I refused to read the letter aloud. It read,

I warned you of these fatal events. Perhaps you will reconsider accepting my existence, and what I expect from you, Christine.
O.G.

Tears began to trickle down my cheeks. I closed my eyes, nodding. "I accept the role."

Cory approached me, about to touch my shoulder. "Chris, are you-"

"I accept!" I yelled into the air. "Happy?!"

From fear, I snatched up my things, running as far away from the school as I could go. I ended at the park, sitting on a wooden bench.

"Why?" I asked myself. "Why does this happen to me? What have I done to deserve this?"

A gentle hand touched my shoulder. "Qu'est-ce qui ne va pas?"

To my relief it was Raoul. "Raoul. Vous devez me aider! You must help me!"

I threw myself into his arms, feeling him reject me. "Christine, what is with you these days?"

"The Phantom in the theatre at the high school has killed my best friend, and an innocent student. All to make me accept the role of Cinderella. What shall I do?"

"First of all, get off of me. You'll wrinkle my suit," he shoved me off of him. "Secondly, why are you being so dramatic? I thought you said you didn't believe in Phantoms?"

"I did. But I now know of his existence," she explained. Raoul was not acting as himself. "Raoul, I am in distress right now. Why are you acting in such manner?"

He raised his hands. "Oh, my apologies if I am no longer a child. What is wrong with you Christine? First you didn't believe in the Phantom, and now you do. Make up your mind. And stop acting like a child. It's bad for my image."

My jaw dropped to the ground. "Can you not see what I am going through? Bad for your image. Here, let me help you make it worse. We're done."

Raoul gasped at me. "You don't tell me when it's over. Only I do."

"In your dreams."

He backed up, raising his hands. "Alright. That's fine. I don't want to be with a child anyways."

My tears continued to fall as I stood there. "I loved you once!" I shouted to him.

I plopped down on the bench, wishing it didn't have to be me.
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This book is coming to an end in a few chapters. I am unsure as to what genre of the next story I wish to post. Help me out!
1. Fantasy
2. Fanfiction
3. Historical Fiction
4. Religious(Christian)
5. Deaf
6. Sports
You decide! Luvs to all from ME!!
God Bless!!