Two days went by as Sofia and Clara worked on the costumes for Hannibal. Channels were sewn by machine. Frills and beads were hand sewn on. And with the extra help, the costume department was able to finish just in time for the Opera. Though their fingers were sore, and Clara had pricked her fingertips far too many times to count. They finished touching up all the corsets.

Dress rehearsals were beginning and with some time off because they had done so well. The girls were allowed by the head seamstress to help onstage. In case anyone popped seams by aggressive movement.

They were able to see the play, as Carlotta waved around the severed head.

Clara watched with a yawn as the directors directed the mess of people on stage.

And Sofia stared up into the rafters, searching for something, or someone. Her patience was soon rewarded as Clara followed her gaze to the ceiling. And a black shadow passed over the girls as a sandbag was loosed from the fly tower above Carlotta.

"He's here the Phantom of the Opera!!!" Meg Giry's terror filled voice rose above the din.

Clara watched the scene with a horrified expression, and was momentarily frozen. Sofia however took no time in rushing towards the spiral staircase that lead above.

Clara raced after Sofia catching her on the way.

"What are you doing?!" Clara exclaimed.

"What do you mean what am I doing? I'm gonna catch the ghost."

"Are you mad?! Have you not heard how dangerous this guy is?"

"Well... I-"

"The last thing we need right now is you being reckless!" Clara scolded.

Sofia squinted at Clara. "Why do you say that?"

"You have a head injury for heaven's sake! And we just got these jobs! Besides I've heard horror stories about the ghost. We have no idea what he's capable of."

"Well I don't believe in ghosts."

"Whether the man is a ghost or not makes no difference... please just try and be cautious."

"Fine..."

"Where are you going?"

"I need some air." She huffed.

"Sofia!" Clara huffed, "Fine be that way." She muttered to herself before heading back to watch Christine Daae sing on stage for the first time.

Sofia meanwhile stormed to the roof and slammed the door open, unaware of the shadow that followed close behind her.

She paced the length of the roof.

"Who does she think she is?! Ordering me around like that! She's not my mother!" She shouted. "Urg! I wish I were home!"

She took in a few breaths of the chilly air, and was on her way back to the door when a voice whispered threateningly.

"Take care mademoiselle. If Erik's secrets cease to be Erik's secrets, it will be a bad lookout for a goodly number of the human race."

Sofia jumped as if the man had shouted at her and ran quickly to the door, thanking her lucky stars that it was open. Her heart pounded and she took the steps downward two at a time. Only beginning to breathe again when she arrived safely in her room.

Clara arrived in the room later that night and Sofia apologized. Though for some reason she didn't tell her what happened. What had started out as a dream, was rapidly warping into a nightmare. And Sofia was looking forward to waking up.