Chapitre Dix
Let your mind start a journey to a strange new world Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before Let your soul take you where you long to be! Only then can you belong to me!//Who was that shape in the shadows? Who's is that face in the mask?
-Paris, 1870 ~ Erik's P.O.V.-
Christine slept for a long time. I was freaking out the whole time. I just went and worked by my organ, trying not to think about her. Did it work? NO! I thought about her the whole time.
When Christine finally woke up, she was trying to recall what happened to her. She was softly singing to herself. "I remember there was mist." she sang. "Swirling mist upon a vast glassy lake." she looked at the lake. "There were candles all around and on the lake there was a boat." she recalled. "And on the boat, there was, a, man." she sang, looking at me. I looked back at her and quickly looked back at my work. There was no way I could concentrate now.
I heard Christine coming toward me. I stiffened. "Who was that shape in the shadows? Who's is that face in the mask?" she sang, caressing my face. I closed my eyes. That lasted for 2 seconds. She stealthily ripped off my mask. I shot up in rage and embarrassment. I basically ranted and screamed for a couple minutes before calming down. Christine was terrified. I figured it was because of my horrifying face. She handed me my mask, shaking in fear. I exhaled in frustration. "Come we must return," I started. "Those two fools, who run my theatre will be missing you." She took my hand and I led her back.
She seemed to be in a trance. I lead her to her room, where she laid down on the bed, eyes open in shock. I then left her alone. I found Antoinette and told her that Christine was back and handed her a note.
Antoinette nodded curtly at me and went to find Christine. I then went to go supervise my managers.
M. Firmin was deep in thought. He seemed to be contemplating something. "The papers are mystified at the disappearance of Christine Daaé. They suspect foul play." he said to himself. "Bad news on sopranos' scene. First Carlotta now Christine! Still, the seats get sold. Gossip's worth its weight in gold." He then went on a tangent. All of the sudden, M. Andre burst through the doors. "Damnable! Will they all walk out? This is damnable!" he cried. "Andre please don't shout!" Firmin exclaimed. "It's publicity! FREE publicity!" "But we have NO CAST!" Andre yelled. "Andre, have you seen the queue? Ah, it seems you've got one too." Firmin glared at the letter in Andre's hand.
Andre began to read his letter. "Dear Andre what a charming gala, Christine was in a word, sublime. We were hardly bereft when Carlotta left! On that note, the diva's a disaster, must you cast her when she's seasons past her prime?"
Firmin read his letter. "Dear Firmin, just a brief reminder: my salary has not been paid. Send it care of the Ghost by return of post. P.T.O. No one likes a debtor so it's better if my orders are obeyed!" The two of them then pondered over who could possibly send this letter. I rolled my eyes. Airheads, the both of them.
When they finally figured it out, they were outraged. As they were ranting about me, Monsieur le Vicomte, the hotshot, walked in. "Where is she?" he demanded. "Carlotta?" Firmin asked. "Miss Daaé where is she?" he demanded again. "Well how should we know?" Andre asked, insinuating that Raoul was stupid. With that, I totally agree. "I want an answer! I take it that you sent me this note?" he demanded once again. "What is this nonsense?" Firmin asked, offended. "She's not with you?" Raoul asked, confused. "We're in the dark!" Andre replied. "Of course not!" Firmin replied at the same time. "Isn't this the letter you wrote?" Raoul asked. "And what is it I'm meant to have wrote? Er, written." Firmin asked, flustered.
Andre took the note and began to read. "Do not fear for Miss Daaé, the Angel of Music has her under his wing. Make no attempt to see her again!"
Before they could reply to the letter, Carlotta Giudicelli stormed in screaming, "WHERE IS HE?!" "Welcome back!" Firmin welcomed her. I rolled my eyes. "Your precious patron, WHERE IS HE?" She thundered. "What is it now?" Raoul sighed, annoyed. "I have your letter, a letter which I rather resent!" She exclaimed. "Did you send it?" Firmin asked. "Of COURSE not!" Raoul cried, offended. "You didn't send it?" Carlotta asked. Firmin cried, "What's going on!?" "You DARE to tell me that this is NOT the letter you sent?" Carlotta asked Raoul. "And what is it that I'm meant to have sent?" Raoul asked, snatching the letter. He began to read.
"Your days at the Opera Populaire are numbered, Christine Daaé," Carlotta fumed at the name. "...will be singing on your behalf tonight. Be prepared for a great misfortune should you attempt to take her place." Carlotta, Firmin, and Andre blew up with anger and questions.
Antoinette stopped the madness. "Miss Daaé has returned." she said firmly. Firmin made a comment while Andre asked where she was residing. "I thought it best she was alone," Antoinette said. "She needed rest." Meg added. I frowned at those words. I felt so bad. "May I see her?" Raoul asked. My blood boiled. My hatred for him was strong. "No, Monsieur, she will see no one." Antoinette replied firmly. She glanced at my hiding place for a moment, making eye contact with me.
"Will she sing? Will she sing?" Carlotta asked. "Here, I have a note." Antoinette said as she handed them the note I gave her earlier. "Let me see it!" They all thundered. "Please." Firmin added, taking the note. He began to read.
"Gentlemen, I have now sent you several notes of the most amiable nature, detailing how my theatre is to be run. You have not..." I began to remember writing this particular note. My mind wandered to that day in my lair.
"...followed my instructions. I shall give you one last chance. Christine Daaé has returned to you, and I am anxious that her career should progress. In the new production of Il Muto, you will therefore cast Carlotta as the pageboy, and but Miss Daaé in the roll of Countess. The role which Miss Daaé plays calls for charm and appeal. The role of the pageboy is silent, which makes my casting in a word, ideal! I shall watch the performance from my normal seat in Box 5 which WILL be kept empty for me. Should these demands be ignored, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur. I remain, gentlemen, your obedient servant. -O.G."
I was brought back to my senses as Firmin said the initials. Carlotta began to throw a temper tantrum after Firmin finished the letter. She was storming around the theatre while Firmin and Andre were trying to appease her. Antoinette and Raoul were following them, trying to get them to all come to their senses. Firmin declared that Carlotta would be the Countess. I shook my heads at them. "So be it." I muttered. They began to serenade Carlotta and obey her every word to appeal to her. I was disgusted.
At the end of their disgusting charade, they brought out Christine, whose face was pale, to begin their dress rehearsal. I felt horrible. I decided that I needed to make it up to her.
Night had fallen and I was about to head to my lair when I heard a sob. I stopped in my tracks. It sounded like Christine. I stealthily made my way to her room. The inconsistent sobs got a little louder with each step. Even though she was crying, she was still pretty quiet. Even her sobs were beautiful. I silently entered her room. She was kneeling down on the ground against her bed. Her arms were wrapped around her head. Her sobs were muffled by the bed underneath her head. I decided to do something stupid. I knelt down behind her and hugged her. She stiffened. "A-angel?" she stammered. I shushed her. "I'm here. Don't cry." I murmured. She melted into my embrace.
"Why are you crying? You can tell me anything." I asked. She leaned against me and murmured, "I'd rather not talk about it now." "As you wish." I replied. We sat in silence for a moment. Her tears had slowed and her curiosity got the better of her. "Angel, I know you are a human, like me. I-I was wondering if you had a name." she asked indirectly. I sighed. "I haven't heard my name in a long time. At one point, I was called Erik. Most people call me 'Phantom' or 'Ghost' or 'It'. You call me 'Angel'." I replied softly. "Erik." she murmured. "I like that." then she did the most astonishing thing. She smiled. I hugged her tighter for a moment. Then I released her. "You should go to sleep, mon ange." I whispered in her ear. She sighed. "I suppose. Goodnight Erik." she murmured. "Goodnight Christine." I replied and stealthily snuck away. I hid behind the mirror as I watched her climb into bed and drift to sleep.
Author's Note: This is the end of the pre-written material. Any updates here-on-out are fresh writing, which is very exciting! (Cuz my writing is way better now) However, this means that since I don't have a lot of time to write, updates will be sporadic and random. Not many people read this anyway so I hope that won't be a problem. Thank y'all for reading this! ❤️❤️
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