The next morning absolutely everyone was in a tizzy, Carlotta was back and throwing yet another in a series of dramatic tantrums.

Christine Daae had mysteriously vanished during the night and the Vicomte was yelling at the management.

This of course was happening in the office of the opera managers. Andre and Firmin, who were quite out of their element.

Sofia and Clara were busy, working hard wrangling powdered wigs and froofy materials for the new production of Il Muto.

Yards of silky pink fabric was carted into the sewing room as the women got to work in making the costumes for the little ballerinas and background characters.

The seamstresses were still waiting for word on who was to be the star.

"Message from management ladies!" The message boy panted.

"Well what is it boy?" Barked the head seamstress.

"Carlotta is back." he frowned.

A collective groan issued from the mouths of everyone in the room.

The boy smiled tightly. "Oh, but it gets worse... She's the lead."

"Let me guess, she needs a fitting for the gown too?" One of the other ladies sighed.

The messenger nodded.

The head seamstress sighed and waved the boy off. He scuttled down the hallway as the sewing room filled with noise.

"I refuse to deal with her!" A blonde woman announced to the room.

A redhead replied. "Last time I helped with a fitting, she insulted my nose!"

"To be fair Margret you have quite a beak." retorted the blonde.

Margret stuck her tongue out at her as the room filled with laughter.

"That doesn't mean she should get to point it out!" Margret exclaimed.

"I say the fresh meat should get the job." Another lady spoke up.

A murmur of agreement resounded as the gathered women looked at Sofia and Clara.

"Please tell me you're joking." Clara groaned.

The woman tossed a tape measure at Clara. "Have fun!"

As they made their way down the hall Sofia grunted in disgust. "Urg."

Clara tried to be positive. "Well at least we'll have something to talk about come dinner tonight."

"I guess."

"Besides how bad can she be?" Clara smirked.

It really wasn't that bad. Carlotta had other things on her mind than being mean to her attendants, she mostly took the time to complain to them about Christine.

This lasted for weeks. And Sofia had been trying to get in contact with Christine again but the poor woman was avoiding her like the plague. Until finally, it was the night of the performance.

"That little toad thinks she can pull a fast one over on Carlotta! Well I tell you she has another thing coming. Yes, I shall sing so wonderfully that the crowd will all but forget her." The Prima Donna droned on.

"But the Phantom said... Well, perhaps you shouldn't sing..." Sofia mumbled.

Carlotta froze and levelled a glare at her. "So your favour lies with that owl? Well like it or not I am the one singing tonight." She smoothed her gown and primped her hair. "Now leave me. I must prepare."

Clara pulled her aside after they left the room. "Sofia what are you doing?"

"Clara..." Sofia took a deep breath. "There's something I have to tell you."

"You can tell me later I want to watch this." Clara replied dismissively.

"It's a matter of life and death."

Clara's eyes widened. "Who's?"

"Joseph Bouquet."

Clara frowned deeply. "Who? What makes you say this?" Her voice rose an octave in panic.

"The scene shifter." Sofia replied pointing up into the fly tower. "And I know because I've seen it happen before."

"What?!"

"I need you to trust me. Please I know it sounds crazy but we have to stop Carlotta from singing."

"We can't..." Clara replied.

"I know it would be embarrassing."

"No you imbecile! you really don't get it do you?!"

"What?"

Clara sighed heavily, raking her hands through her hair.

"We can't mess with this timeline or we may never return home! And I don't know about you but I miss my family!"

"Your family? This timeline?" Sofia gawped.

Clara frowned. "I'm from the same year and place as you! 2020."

"What! How? why did you prete-"

But her question was cut off by a loud-

"DID I NOT INSTRUCT THAT BOX FIVE WAS TO BE KEPT EMPTY?!"

" He's here! The phantom of the opera!" Meg giry screeched.

"It's him I know it!" Christine gasped.

"Your part is silent... little toad!"

"A TOAD MADAM? Perhaps it is you who are the toad~"

"Oh no we're too late!" Sofia whispered, frozen in fear of that terrible voice.

Carlotta smirked, and glanced down at the pit orchestra.

"Maestro~"

"We have to stop her!" Sofia exclaimed.

"We can't!" Clara replied.

"Serafimo away with this pre...tense. You cannot speak! But kiss me in my * HURRRRRR *"

A dark chuckle echoed through the auditorium

"Sofia we have to let this happen." Clara frowned, holding Sofia's arm.

Sofia wrenched her arm free. "We can still save Bouquet!"

"We're two women, what can we do against the Phantom?! He's stronger than us, he's smarter than us!"

There was clamouring in the audience as Firmin piped up. "LADIES and gentleman!!! Christine Daae will be singing the role of the countess... Until then...."

"We will be commencing with the ballet from scene..." Andre flipped through the book, shaking. "Three of tonight's opera."

There was an awkward pause.

"The ballet... Maestro... NOW!" Andre shouted.

In the madness of the chaos on stage Sofia turned towards the stairs that lead to the fly tower.

"I can't just stand idly by!" She argued.

"He's not even real! This is all fake!" Clara grabbed Sofia's wrist.

"Is that what you keep telling yourself? Huh? These people are as real as we are!"

"Sofia No!"

Sofia broke free of the wrist hold easily.

"Look!" Clara exclaimed.

She pointed to the fly tower. And Sofia's heart dropped, as she saw the Phantom's noose... loop around the unsuspecting scene shifter's neck.

Erik flung the body over the side tying it swiftly. And disappeared seemingly into thin air.

There was a single scream that soon caused others as all the ballerinas stampeded from the stage separating Clara and Sofia.

Sofia took this opportunity to race up the stairs to the roof.

Though she caught herself, as she realized that the phantom would be close behind her.

So she hid herself. Waiting as Christine rushed past her, followed swiftly by a very concerned looking Raoul. And a shadowy figure that Sofia was sure would be the one hiding behind Apollo's lyre.

She waited patiently singing in her head the tune that was doubtless playing on the roof.

And though it felt like an age, finally Raoul and Christine returned through the door, smiling and arm in arm.

"Vicomte! Madame!" She exclaimed, revealing herself.

Christine jumped. "You!" She exclaimed

"You know this woman?" Raoul asked.

"Yes, she tried to warn me." Christine admitted with a blush.

Sofia huffed and rolled her eyes. "Listen we don't have much time. The phantom is on the roof."

"There is no phantom of the Opera." Raoul replied.

"Then who killed Joseph Bouquet?" Sofia argued.

Raoul frowned. "It was an accident."

"You really are dense. But we haven't time to argue, please can we speak elsewhere?"

"Where?" Christine asked.

"Somewhere where there's a lot of cover noise... Oh!"

They hurried backstage and into the first empty room. The din of the performers would be sure to cover their voices.

Sofia shut the door behind them, a little gas light illuminated the small room.

"Promise me Christine you will leave with Raoul tonight. It's the only way I can garentee your safety. This man has killed before. And he's quite mad. He's been stalking you for months, maybe more."

Raoul, who had pulled Christine close to him frowned.

"How do we know you aren't working for him?"

"Urg! You don't but I have seen his lair. It was full of candles and it is in the depths of the opera. Christine tell him."

Raoul gasped softly.

"Is that what you meant by realm of darkness?"

Christine nodded, tears filling her eyes.

Raoul pulled her into a hug.

"Listen, Christine you have to go back onstage soon. So I just have one question to ask you. If your teacher, your angel is truly no angel, then what point is there in staying here? What would your father want Christine?" Sofia asked.

"He'd want me to be safe." Christine whispered.

"He'd want you safe. Like I do." Raoul nodded. "Yes, We'll leave tonight. After your final bows."

"You're right. I'm so sick of this, no amount of popularity or recognition is worth this. But where will we go?" Christine asked.

"SHH! Even walls have ears." Sofia warned.

Raoul nodded, "We can decide that later."

"Has anyone seen miss Daae?!" a voice called.

"I'm in here!" Christine replied.

"One more thing Christine... Mind the Chandelier."