My days passed slowly like the first I had spent back in the world of day. But it was more as if I was in a constant sleep, surrounded by thick air that would never allow me to breathe. Only when I joined the rest of the cast on the stage, when I saw the face of my Angel turned towards me, when I remembered the moments we had spent together, singing and practicing the very same parts I sang now... it was like waking up to the dream I could live in.

Nevertheless, besides those wonderful moments of sheer bliss, I was not happy. At least not as much as I had used to be in my Angel's kingdom of music and night. To experience that very happiness I needed to return to what now seemed to be my real home, despite the fact I had always lived right here, where I was now.

To be honest, I was surprised to realise how much everyone praised me, nevertheless, I had to admit that even I noticed how my voice had improved during those months spent with my Angel. It was no longer the same voice I had known, but only now, as I stood there, with the others surrounding me, did I realise that. Never had it been this powerful. It was as if I could fill the whole theatre with my voice to the brim, even when I sang as quietly as I could.

It was just the night before the premiere. We had just finished our rehearsal and I could feel the magic of the moment slowly begin to wear off. That was the feeling I hated most because I knew I would soon need to return to this dull reality.

However, the next day at this time, we would be performing on the very same stage. And so many people were going to listen to me...

The director had once betrayed why he had been so worried about me when I had disappeared. It was not only his care about me as about a person – the tickets for the gala had been sold out in a moment. The knowledge of that fact made me both quite proud and simply scared.

Of course I had performed for many people before. But not as a lead. Usually I was just hidden amongst the other girls and no-one actually noticed me. Right now, all of the eyes would be set right upon me. If I did somethig wrong, everyone would see that. It was my duty to make sure the audience was happy.

"You're quite nervous, are you not," I heard Meg's voice sounding in my ear, and I sighed deeply, nodding my head. There was no point in lying to her; she would always notice that. Besides, she was the only person – besides my Angel – I could always be honest with, without worrying she would use that to hurt me.

"Would you not be, were you me?" Turning my head a little to look at her, I did my best not to sound like a little, whiny child.

Meg smiled.

"Of course I would. However, I would do anything to have the chance you have now. But it was not meant to be me. It was you. You have changed, Arlette. You have grown up... and everyone sees – and hears – that. Even my mother."

At that moment, she glanced over her shoulder; not far from where we were stood Madame Giry, however she was not looking in our direction. I was glad she was not – after all, I was not quite sure whether she would appreciate us talking about such things. I could still remember how she opposed to me even trying to get the role.

"Your mother has never wanted me to sing," I responded, unwillingly putting a little bit of bitterness into my voice. Ashamed, I lowered my sight, but Meg was faster, and she took my face into her hands, forcing me to glance at her.

There was something about her eyes that made me feel both awkward and strangely calm. As if she could see right through my soul – just like her mother could – but there was not as much harshness as in her mother's gaze.

"You know it is not true. She would do anything to let you live a happy and good life. She can recognise a person's talent... she knew, she has always known you are very talented, Arlette. And... were it not for the circumstances..."

Meg hesitated and so did I. That mysterious word circumstances meant nothing more nor less than one person. One person who was an Angel and the Devil himself combined into one. The monster who had stolen so many lives... and my heart.

"But I am grown up now, Meg. She cannot decide what is best for me anymore. I am not a child," I whispered, feeling quite guilty.

Never had I wanted to worry Madame, and now, I could feel the burden of making her concerned once more.

"She just knows what you may expect of him," she began, but never finished what she had started.

"How can you be so careless," said a cold voice, and when I glanced up, I saw Madame's stern face. "To talk about such things in this place. Everyone could hear you two! You should have known better, Meg. And I expected more of you, too, Arlette."

Something like a ball made of ice fell right into my stomach. My nervousness connected to the performance suddenly disappeared, making place for a feeling so much worse than that. I hated letting Madame down.

"You should go to bed. Both of you," she added, this time louder, for until now, she had been just whispering. "Just like the rest. Tomorrow will be a difficult day and you need a good, deep sleep. Neither of you would ever want to disappoint the audience, would you."

However, it was not just the audience I did not want to disappoint. The one I was afraid of disappointing was going to occupy the box number five, as always, that was meant to be kept empty – Meg told me about deciding to keep that tradition alive. After what had happened in the past no-one wanted to make my Angel angry.

"You are right, mother."

It was Meg that rescued me; I had a feeling that it would not be good if I responded to Madame's words.

"Come, Arlette," she added after a moment, taking my hand.

Hardly could I even notice which paths she chose, I just followed her, not sure what to expect of the day that was to come. Neither of us broke the silence that had fallen between the two of us. I did not feel strong enough to even think of saying something, and Meg respected that and did not try to force me to keep our conversation.

Never before the way to our rooms had seemed to be that long.

"You will do just fine, Arlette, I know that," Meg smiled at me, brushing some hair away from my face, and I smiled faintly, nodding.

Yes, I would. I needed to. And I knew how to do that – it would be enough if I just glanced in that one direction... if I saw the face I loved so much smiling at me. Encouraging me. I needed nothing more but that smile and that glance. And that was something I was sure I could be sure of – he would come to see me. He promised.

"Have a good night, Meg," I said, pulling her into a tight hug before stepping back.

There was no jealousy in her eyes or in her behaviour, even though she had confessed she truly wanted to be me in this case. No wonder; almost every girl wanted to be me. Playing the lead was just what any girl I knew could ever dream of. And this dream had already become true to me – I was jealous of my own luck.

"Have some sleep, Arlette. You still do not look well enough," she murmured gently before leaving the room.

I guessed that look upon my face had nothing to do with sleep or my health. It must have been my longing written down in my eyes. It had been so long since I had last heard my Master's voice, since I had felt his touch. And yes, it was such a strong feeling that I had hardly any sleep those nights. And when I actually managed to fall asleep, all I could see under my eyelids was my Master's face, full of anger and disappointment as he whispered those words over and over again in a trembling voice...

You betrayed me. You have promised that you would come back with me – but you did not. You chose the world of day over me and my kingdom of night. I gave you everything – and this is how you pay me?

Once he said the last word, I always woke up, shivering and breathing deeply, his voice still echoing in my head.

I almost jumped when I heard someone knocking on my door.

"Please, do come in," I spoke up automatically, to be honest, thinking that it was Meg once more.

However, it was not Meg. And I could not actually say that I had not expected this person to appear in my room that night.

"I thought you would be already asleep," Madame sighed, stepping in. As soon as the door closed behind her, she stepped closer to me. "Tomorrow is a very important day. Especially for you, my child."

Her voice was so soft I could not help but feel surprised. In her eyes I could see that shadow of concern once more, and adding that to the tone of her voice, I felt sorry. It was all my fault that she had to go through so much.

Since when I could remember she had been caring about me. Never had she allowed anything bad to happen to me. There was something harsh about her behaviour, but she had never been cruel. That made her a wonderful mother – even if she was not truly my mother. I loved her, and I was sure she loved me, too, even though she had never said it out loud.

Without a word, she let my hair loose; and I did not protest, letting her brush the strands with her fingers.

"You may even want to have some medicine for sleep... I made sure there was a bottle in your nightstand," she added quietly, placing her hands on my shoulders. Silently, I nodded; it was all I could do to thank her.

Actually, I thought it might be a good idea. I needed some good rest that night, so when Madame left the room and I changed into my sleeping clothes, I poured some of the medicine into the glass that stood on my nightstand. Having drunk up, I lay down and the world dissolved into thick, dark nothingness.

***

The girl could not hear the quiet steps in the corridor – or even the soft click of the key in the lock. Madame sighed deeply, closing her eyes as her trembling hand slipped the key back into the pocket of her night robe.

"It is just for your own safety, Arlette," she whispered, as if trying to excuse her deed. "I hope you will understand..."