I don't own POTO

His Dancer

Chapter One

Meg didn't know what to think now. Her best friend, Christine, was gone with Raoul, her mother had somehow turned sour since the fire and possibly the Phantom's death. The opera was closed now, and she wondered why no one bothered to reconstruct it. Meg and her mother, Madame Giry, had bought a small house not far from the opera. All the other ballerinas were sent home to their families, causing Meg to lose her friends. The only place she felt better now was going to the opera's ruins, and to sit in the comforting silence.

In fact, she was doing it just now, sitting on the stage with her feet dangling over the edge. Every sound emitted from her echoed among the majestic place, making her feel more lonely than ever. Meg stood up. Her pointe shoes were not on, but still she could dance. She imagined the chairs were full of people again, and her ballerina friends were all around her, dancing beside her.

Her footsteps made a dull thudding noise against the wood on the stage, but all Meg could hear was the orchestra playing the lively music that kept her energetic and alive. Finally, the music in her mind stopped, and Meg ceased her dancing. It was like the sun had come out from behind a cloud, then slipped back behind another one.

Meg sighed, making sure to exaggerate it so the empty opera house could hear it.

"Isn't there anyone left?" Meg said aloud.

She expected silence.

"I guess I'm going crazy!" Meg continued. "Talking to myself like this. Unless someone's out there, listening to me right now. Hello, you." Meg was sure she had gone over the edge.

Meg sighed again at the quiet that replied to her. She had almost hoped the Phantom was alive and listening to her right now, perching on some rafter high above and watching the small blonde girl talk out into the ruins. Meg stepped carefully off the stage, running her fingertips over the dusty velvet chairs as she made her way to the front hall.

As the footsteps echoed among the marble steps, Meg stared up the stairs into the darkness. She had not gone up there since the fire. Not knowing why she was actually doing it, Meg started up the stairs.

She snuggled into a small seat in Box Five. The Phantom's Box. She peered over the railing to get a glimpse of the opera from way up. It was so quiet, and the chair was so comfortable, Meg could not resist closing her eyes for a short time…

Meg's eyes fluttered open. By the darkness that surrounded her, she knew the sun had already set. Anxious to get home, Meg sprang up from the chair and headed back to the hall.

"Where are you going?"

Meg screamed. She turned in every direction, trying to find out where the voice had come from. She began to walk faster to the hall.

"You asked if anyone was left, did you not? I am left!"

"Please, go away!" Meg cried, trying to find her way in the darkness.

Her foot found the stairs, but not in a good way. She tripped, tumbling down the marble steps, and landed crumpled on the floor.