Sorry it took me so long to update, Christmas fried my brain. Actually I've sort of been on a three day Sherlock binge. It's pretty bad...my addiction I mean, the show is AMAZING!!

Anyhow, as you can see, this chapter has a dedication. I want to say thank-you for giving me casting ideas. If you would direct you attention to the right you will see a new cast member, but do keep in mind that I still need people to cast as Kat, Damien, and Mother(who I have decided to leave unnamed). If you need a decription of these characters, either let me know or look back in the story.

By the way, if you want a sequel be sure to LET ME KNOW by commenting on this chapter or voting/commenting on the last.

Sorry for the short chapter, wanted to get something on here.

POTO, it's not mine, who cares?!?

Kat's POV

        "Kat. It's time." Damien said from the doorway of the drawing room.

        I felt every muscle in my body tighten as he spoke. It was time. Christine and Raoul had arrived about ten minuets ago, I'd seen their carriage pull up from the window.

        I glanced at my brither then continued to stair blankly out of the glass.

        "I'll be right there." I didn't need to move to speak, I could see his reflection in the window.

        He nodded and turned to leave, then stopped  suddenly. "Are you alright?"

        "What do you think?" I scoffed.

        Damien gave a small sigh before opening the door and leaving. I stood as soon as he was gone and composed myself before entering the madness that lay in the next room.

        The dining room doors were open wide to reveal the whole scene. The curtains were closed, as always, and every expected guest was sitting at the long table. I walked to the only empty seat available, which was in between Christine and Damien, and sat down.

        "You are late." My mother muttered.

        She was perched at the end of table, facing Damien. Ezra and Raoul sat across from Christine and myself.

        "I didn't realize." I mumbled, my eyes never leaving the table.

        I heard her shrug it off with a sigh and, feeling it was safe to look around, lifted my gaze to everyone but her. Ezra sat quietly with his eyes aimed at his lap. It's hard telling whether or not he's sober,  he certainly hasn't been able to live without a bottle lately. 

        Damien was staring at me, watching my every move. He knew something was wrong with me, I could see it in his eyes. I turned my attention to Christine, who was sitting up straight with her hands folded on her lap. She was so proper, so polite. I knew my mother would act pleased by this, but deep down, she hated it. 

        At last I turned to Raoul. He sat calmly, his legs crossed as well as his arms. He and Christine were so alike, they were certainly meant for each other.

        The sound of a door opening caused everyone's heads to snap up simultaneously. There was a silence that slowly suspended itself in the air above us, it was irritating and intoxicating all at once. I let out a small sigh when I saw it was only one of the maids signaling that dinner was ready.

        "Your supper, ladies and gentlemen." The woman announced as she, and several others, brought dishes to the bare table.

        We each received multiple utensils, plates, and wine glass that was immediately filled. Ezra chugged his down while I simply stared at mine, resisting the urge to do the same. Damien began to play with his as Christine and Raoul barely sipped theirs.

        "I do hope you enjoy the meal, I had it specially prepared." My mother spoke to Christine with a plastered grin.

        I couldn't help but role my eyes and was repaid by swift kick in the leg.

        "Whoops!" Damien said as I glared at him.

        We had gone over how I was to behave so many times today it made my head hurt. I know it's for my own well being, but I refuse to succumb to this vile woman.

        "Oh I am sure it will be lovely." Christine returned the forced smile.

        Our plates were soon filled and we all began to eat silently. I poked at my food with a fork, having lost my apatite days ago.

        "Um," Christine sat her own fork down and cleared her throat. "Kat, Raoul has invited me to stay with him until the opera house re-opens it's doors. You are more than welcome to join us, if you like."

        I looked her up and down in shock. I wanted so badly to go with her, but I knew it wouldn't be possible.

        "Katerina is perfectly comfortable here." My mother spoke up. "Anyways, don't you want her to spend the holidays with her actual family?"

        Christine shrunk back into her chair at the remark and Raoul choked on his wine. 

        "Excuse me?" Raoul blurted before anyone had the chance to stop him.

        "I meant no disrespect, Vitcomte, but she is my daughter. If I want her here with me, than she stays. My word is law." She gritted her teeth as she spoke. I could practically hear them cracking under the pressure.

        "Pardon me mother, but they have been more of a family to me than you ever have. Or will." I spat, my words filled with all the hatred my heart could afford.

        Damien kicked my leg again causing me to turn my attention back to him. "Watch it." He grinned at me with a secret enthusiasm at the sudden excitement.

        I turned back to my mother. She was glaring at me with a fire I had never seen, not even in Erik. I felt my pulse quicken with adrenalin as I prepared to scream at her. 

        "Well, the Opera Populaire is throwing a masque ball in which every ballerina is required to attend and perform. I've been asked to inform my sist-, I...I mean Kat, of this." Christine's voice was quite and broken, but calmed the atmosphere nonetheless.

        "I suppose she is still a member of the ballet." My mother muttered, still fuming. "But I believe she won't need to perform if she is a guest?"

        Dammit! I screamed inside for my release from this awful place, yet I was still condemned.

        "Well no, I suppose not." Christine looked at her plate and remained silent for the rest of the evening.

        "In that case, she can join us." Raoul spoke up, refusing to let the matter go.

        "Actually, I think I would rather enjoy attending such an event." Mother retorted.

        With that said the whole room was engulfed in a unbreakable silence that lasted until the evening ended.

                                                                                ~~~~~~~~~

         After we said our goodbyes, I watched my sister leave and practically ran back to my room. I slammed the door behind me and, leaning against it, slid to the floor.

         About twenty minutes later, the silent house was awoken by a blood curdling scream. I jumped to my feet at the sound and stepped out into the hallway to see what was going on. The hall had grown quiet again until Damien came rushing up to me.

         "What in the hell was that?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

         "Mother." He said simply.

         "What?" I said as he turned around and began walking towards her room.

         He turned around and motioned for me to follow. "It would seem our phantom has stolen something a bit too soon."

         I gasped in realization at his words. "You mean...?" 

         "Yep, it's gone!" Damien threw his arms in the air and laughed.

         "That sneaky bast-" My words were soon cut off by the sound of someone stomping down the hallway.

         "YOU!" Mother rounded the corner and pointed a thin skeletal finger at me. "What have you done?"

         "I don't know what you're talking about." I said as innocently as possible.

         "Oh don't you play games with me! I know you did it." She yelled and threw me into the wall.

         I felt my head crash against the hard surface. Tears stung my eyes from the terror and shock I was experiencing. 

         "I don't know what you're talking about." I repeated. The only thing keeping me from falling to the floor being pure raw hatred.

        "Dammit! You stupid child!" She screamed and slapped me square in the jaw. It stung causing the tears I had been holding back to fall freely.

        "Get away from her." Damien grabbed the women by the arm with such force that it nearly broke.

        Her eyes went aflame with a new found hatred for her son. Her chest heaved and her thin lips curled up into a vicious snarl.

         "I hope you two are happy." She screeched at us. "I hope you both find your place in hell!"

         With that she spun on her heel and raced down the hall. Her door slammed with a loud bang that caused Damien and myself to jump. I fell to the floor immediately and began sobbing.

         This was it. This is the life I am condemned to live.

BTW...I watched the new Hobbit movie and I...I just....I just....*places head in hands and sobs hysterically*