We had arrived in Paris by the time I found myself awake. Meg was already up and rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and I followed suit before waking Adrik.

  "What time is it Annette?" He groaned before sitting up. "Where are we?"

   "We are in the outskirts of Paris," Meg replied. "We've got to change carriages soon, though. I only paid enough for a night's travels."

  "Oh, you paid for our fare!" I quickly realized. "Let me pay you back!"

  "It's not any trouble for me," she said. "I am more than happy to help you guys get to the Opera de Populaire safely." 

  "Still, let me pay you back someday."

  She hummed thoughtfully and that was the end of our short conversation.

   Our coachman slowed the carriage down to a halt before hopping down and helping us, and then our luggage out.

   "As much as this is nice," Adrik said, "I'd like to know where we go from here."

  "Oh, right. We need to rent another carriage for the rest of the journey," Meg giggled.

   In short order, we had gotten a ride. The driver seemed to be put off with what he probably saw as a trio of vermin demanding a ride in his carriage, as he scoffed and treated us almost cruelly. But his eyes were bewitched by Meg's coins and his prompt mannerisms in getting us settled in more than compensated for it.

  "So," Meg turned to me, her head slightly tilted. "How come you were sent to find someone all the way in England?"

  Meg sighed softly. "The Opera de Populaire has gone through some hard times. There was an accident and the chandelier crashed. Most of our chorus girls and musicians quit afterward, rightfully so."

  "I heard rumors about that," Adrik muttered. "How do your managers plan to repair it?"

  Meg shrugged. "I couldn't tell you what their plans are. I believe they plan on having a party of some sort?"

  "Well," Adrik frowned. "Wouldn't the public be a little wary about spending money towards repairing the opera house when they could go to one that wouldn't endanger their lives?"

  "Listen, Meg," I sighed. "I'm grateful for this opportunity. Really. But I'm not sure how I feel about this. I mean, are you sure you're okay with hiring me?"

   "Annette, I don't know how yet, but I need you. I heard what you and your brother did on the ferry-it was just spellbinding. Please, we need to get more people. Please at least try it."

   I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. "I suppose, if your managers will have me, I will give your opera house a chance."

  Meg smiled gratefully at me as the carriage slowly lost speed. I glanced out the window to find myself staring in awe at a rather large and grand building-sure it bore several scars but it had character. The coachman and Adrik gathered up our baggage, and when the coachman drove away, I picked up a few of my bags before making my way to the opera house.

  "Hey, Anne," Adrik said, stopping on the steps of the opera house. "I'm not going to apply. I'll wait here with our baggage."

   I sighed sadly, nodding at him. "I'll come out and tell you how it went as soon as I can." As Meg and I made our way inside, I gawked at the sheer majesty of the place. "Wow," I said, wide-eyed. "Are you sure this place burned down?"

  Meg looked back at me, her eyes twinkling. "Yes, the managers are continuing to repair the building so that it regains its former glory but in the meantime, we do have a very nice entrance. Follow me, we need to introduce you to the managers."

  I followed Meg, careful not to lose sight of her as she turned different corners and beckoned me through different doors. As we came closer to our destination, the opera house became more and more crowded with stagehands and chorus girls that hadn't quit.

   "Are we almost there?" I asked her, trying not to lose her in the crowd.

   Meg nodded. "Yes, we are almost there. My mother will want to see how you play first, though."

  "Is there any particular reason?"

   "If my mother sees how talented you are, she will make an effort to convince them to let you join the orchestra."

   "So we're going to find your mother? Not finding the managers?"

   "Meg, I was wondering when you would come back."

   I took a step back, trying to hide my surprise. The woman had seemingly stepped out of the shadows, and although she supported her weight with a cane she projected an air of authority that would make anyone second guess an attempt to correct her.

   "Mama, I have found a musician. By chance we had boarded the same ferry to France. Will you listen to her play?"
 
    The woman, whom I now knew as Meg's mother, nodded. "I will hear what she has to offer."
 
  I curtsied, bobbing my head. "Thank you, madam."

  She nodded, and I opened up my flute case.

  "It works better when my brother performs with me," I said. "But he isn't going to see if he can join."

  The woman nodded and said nothing. I took that as my cue to begin.

   Meg's eyes were twinkling, and she leaned forward, no doubt listening to the cheerful melody I'd played earlier.

   But that wasn't what she got.

   As I played my flute, I took in the story behind the Opera Populaire. I played a high, dramatic crescendo as I imagined the Don Juan Triumphant disaster and a melancholy ache as I imagined Christine's departure. The piece was, to put it simply, chaotic, but it managed to blend together in a way it probably shouldn't have been able to.

  When I was finished, I watched the woman for any sign at all.

  "You have been well taught. Child, what is your name?"

  I glanced down at my feet, swallowing nervously. This was the make it or break it. "I'm Annette Blackburn, madam,"

"Blackburn? I heard about your family's tragedies."

  "Yes," I said quickly, "And it's completely understandable if you don't want to hire me. Or if you don't want to refer me to your managers. I do seem to attract misfortune."

  The woman glanced upwards, but I was unable to find what-or who she was looking at.
 
  "No, child, I will refer you to the managers. Perhaps you will balance out the extreme misfortune that haunts this opera house's past and taints its future."

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This took way too long I swear ahdosidns

Anyways perhaps the phantom will actually cross paths with her next chapter dgotfjussnk