Phelan
Disclaimer: I do not own POTO, (see, I'm not really plagiarizing! Well... ok, aren't we all? But I do not take credit for these ideas. Yay legalized plagiarism!)
Chapter 1
Christine stole one last look at Erik as she and Raoul road away from the graveyard. She could feel Raoul's disapproval of her previous actions. Yet, how could she let Erik be killed right before her eyes and say nothing? She watched Erik fade into the distance. He was stomping and clenching his fists like some enraged, wild thing. She wondered what he would do when they returned to the opera. She wondered what she herself would do.
The world blurred before Christine's vision as she found herself brushing tears from her eyes. She was terribly frightened and confused and she had not the slightest idea why. She brushed the tears aside. She did not want Raoul to see her crying.
At the opera Christine went to her room while Raoul discussed some idea of his with the managers. She gently lifted Erik's last rose and gazed at it, trying hard to decipher her feelings. She had told Raoul that Erik was a monster, a villain who must be apprehended at all costs. If that was the case, however, why had she stopped Raoul from doing away with the murdering wretch when he had the chance? Could it be that she felt differently than she had let on? Time and again she had told herself that Erik was her bane, a creature to be feared. Yet, she could not believe those words with her whole heart. Something stopped the warnings from penetrating her. Every time she spoke in such ways the image of Erik's tortured eyes filled her mind and the sound of his voice echoed in her ears. She could not bring herself to hate him.
Christine replaced the rose and wandered out onto the wings to listen to whatever Raoul and the opera managers were talking about. She wandered out and caught the sound of their voices. A pit filled her stomach; she was horrified. Raoul was planning for her play the lead role in Erik's opera. She was to play the part well, and then, somewhere, Erik would appear. When he did the police would be ready and... she used her imagination.
She clenched her fists. How could Raoul want her to do this? She was to be Erik's bait? For one thing, if Erik really was as dangerous as she had told herself and as Raoul believed, then she might be placing her life on the line. What was more, she had not agreed to help in this plot and certainly Raoul should have been able to take a hint from the graveyard incident that she did not want her friend dead. She glared down at the viscount accusingly.
Raoul glanced up and noticed her. He was surprised and tried to beckon to her. She ignored him, too upset to speak, and rushed to the chapel.
Raoul followed her and approached her gently. He took her hands and tried to console her, but to no avail. However, she did find herself agreeing to play a role in the plot. Raoul was an incredibly persuasive person when he wanted to be.