The Phantom of Nightopia Chapter 11

Opera Populaire: Chamelan and Jackle's Office

As soon as NiGHTS arrived with Helen back at the Opera Populaire, he knew that he would need to make an improtant visit with Chamelan and Jackle regarding the Phantom's production of Don Juan Triumphant. Since this was his opera, he was to decide who would get each roll, and as assumed, he gave Helen the leading soprano roll. NiGHTS was completely against it, because he knew if she took the roll, her life could be in danger.

"We can't do this!" NiGHTS exclaimed at Chamelan and Jackle. "I will not let you and this Phantom put Helen in this opera! The only reason he wrote it was to get closer to Helen! We have all been blind! He is using all of us in order for him to be able to take Helen!" NiGHTS rebelled, trying to sway their decision and let her be.

"I'm sorry NiGHTS," Chamelan apologized, "but you and I both know that this must be done. We now know, after the hanging of Clawz that we must strictly follow his orders... or else we may lose more than just our behind the scenes man."

"Plus, we thought that if we followed his commands, he may decide to leave us alone for good." Jackle added looking back at NiGHTS who was in no agreement.

"Yeah, but you don't understand! This Phantom's plot to kidnap Helen! I have to make sure she is completely safe from him because..." NiGHTS sighed, unsure if he should actually say what was about to come out of his mouth.

"Because why NiGHTS?" Chamelan questioned, sounding annoyed that NiGHTS would not agree.

"Because... I love her!" NiGHTS cried, quickly covering his mouth remembering that he wasn't supposed to tell anyone. NiGHTS sat down on the couch next to Chamelan's desk, putting his face in his hands, feeling guilty about telling the two of their love, and worried about her safety. Jackle sat down next to NiGHTS and put a hand on his shoulder. He was like a mentor to NiGHTS, in a way.

"NiGHTS, I completely understand that you have strong feeling for Helen..." Jackle comforted, "but you know that it has to be done. The Phantom will never leave us alone if we do not do what he says. Think of it this way: the more we ignore his orders, the more danger we are putting Helen's life in." he told NiGHTS, who nodded his head in acknowledgement.

"And, there will be plenty of police and guards to cover every inch of the Opera Populaire, so if the Phantom tries to pull a fast one, they'll arrest him." Chamelan added.

"Or I'll pull and even faster one!" NiGHTS smirked.

"Er... right..."

"Don't worry buddy, everything will be just fine!" Jackle informed him happily.

"Thanks guys, I owe you one." NiGHTS smiled, feeling a lot better.

"No you don't! Your rich family paid for every piece of crap in this Opera House!" Jackle reminded NiGHTS.

"Oh yeah... heh... heh..." NiGHTS remembered, "One more thing! Please don't tell anyone about my feeling for Helen! I actually wasn't supposed to tell anyone in the first place, and I kinda already blew that..."

"Sure, no prob!" Chamelan assured him."We'll see you at the show tonight. I would come prepared for anything..." Chamelan mumbled the last part.

Once he left their office, NiGHTS sped off to find his love to talk to her for the last time before the show. Zipping around the fancy Opera House, NiGHTS could not find Helen anywhere. After countless hours of searching through the enormous building, NiGHTS felt like he had checked every nook and cranny there was, until he realized he forgot to check one last spot.

Helen sat on the cold cement floor of her secret chapel room. Usually Helen would come here either to light candles for her mother, or if she needed a good cry alone. As far as she knew, Emily, Will and NiGHTS were the only people who actually knew of the room's existence. Suddenly, NiGHTS walked in to find her trembling in the corner.

"NiGHTS..." she said, "I'm really scared... please don't make me do this!" Helen pleaded, "He'll take me, and never let me go! We will be parted forever!" Helen cried with tears running down her cheek. "What I once used to dream, I now dread. If he takes me, it will never end."

Slowly, NiGHTS walked over to her. He held her in a tight embrace to let her know that she was safe with him. As he lightly kissed her forehead, he said, "I'm sorry Helen, but you know you have to go on. Don't worry; if the Phantom tries to pull anything, there will be police everywhere and I will be right up in Box 3, watching." NiGHTS assured her, holding her tighter. Still frightened, Helen ended the hug, walked over towards the stain glass window, and sat down on the window seat. NiGHTS followed and took the seat next to Helen as she sang:

And he'll always be there singing songs in my head…

He'll always be there singing songs in my head…

NiGHTS:

You said yourself that he is nothing but a man…

Yet while he lives he will haunt us 'til we're dead.

Helen:

Twisted every way,

What answer can I give?

Am I to risk my life

To win the chance to live?

Can I betray the man

Who once inspired my voice?

Do I become his prey?

Do I have any choice?

He kills without a thought,

He murders all that's good,

I know I can't refuse...

And yet, I wish I could.

Oh God, if I agree

What horrors wait for me

In this, the Phantom's opera?

NiGHTS took Helen's hand and put his arm around her waist in a comforting and protective way as he sang to her:

Helen, Helen,

Don't think that I don't care

But every hope, and every prayer

Rests on you now.

With more tears in her eyes, Helen nearly tackled NiGHTS when she suddenly gave him a really tight hug. He let her have a good cry, and then Helen was off to get ready for her performance tonight.