A new life for a ghost

by Kaya Nah

This was the first phanphic I ever wrote,the one I posted on IMDb and it was 200chapters long.After the fire,Erik goes to Mme Giry.Soon he meets her niece,who is keeping some deep secrets.This was my first attempt in writing in English. COMPLETED!

1. Chapter 1 to 9

Hi!
This was the first phanphic I wrote and I started it months ago on IMDb. Now it has 150 chapter. This was the first thing I ever wrote in english. There's a lot of mistakes and I do not intend to correct them. You have it in it's original version. You will see how I improved through the months! lol For those who does not know yet, I learned my english alone and without any book or anything else than my own habilities. I don't want to receive any messages concerning my bad english, I already know. I'm still learning and I'm proud of the progress I made. I know it's far then perfect, so be nice:Þ
I will post 9 chapters at the time. I had problems to Edit it so...

Tell me if you want more, and I'll continue to send it.

Enjoy

Kaya

Chapter 1

After the fire that he had started, the Phantom of the Opera wandered in the forest, in the suburbs of Paris. His Christine, he would never see her again. She was gone with this man, forever. His love, his angel who had drawn him for a brief instant from his solitude that was slowly killing him. All of this, was now a sweet, but painful memory. Two days had passed by, yet, it seemed to him that all an existence was between him and the tragedy of Don Juan. He was tired, he was cold and starving. He could not bring himself to steal to eat, that was not his style. Searching the garbage bins, he succeeded in satisfying his hunger a little, after a week. He found a old coat, so it could keep it a little warmer. He also put his hand on a scarf, that he used to hide his face. He feared more than anything that someone would see him, especially after what had happened. The Phantom still mastered the art of going unnoticed. Scrutinizing the street from an horrid alley, he thought his eyes were tired and playing tricks, when he saw Madame Giry, slowly walking arm in arm with her daughter, Meg. He followed them, until they arrive at there flat on the Avenue des Peuliers. Staying hidden until sunset, he found all courage within his last strength and reduce himself to ask her old friend for help, for shelter. He did not have any clue of what he could say to her. 'Hello, I'm back' he thought. No, not a good idea at all. That doesn't matter, though, she could be able to say him if Christine and Raoul are all right. Stepping on the threshold, he knock three times on the yellow door, realizing that it could be Meg who open the door. The front door opened, thank god, it was his friend. She gave him a cold surprised look.

-Good evening Elizabeth. He said, in a murmur almost unintelligible

The woman's face changed of colour, from pink, to a dead white when she saw him, asking to herself how the devil he got out of there. She made sure her daughter wasn't around and let him enter her house, guiding him to the living room.

-I'm sorry Liz, I have no clue of where to go. He continue, seeing she stays breathless

-Don't think about it Erik, I'm happy you're safe. I know what happened, with the Vicomte and Christine. She came to me three days after the disaster.

The man looked at her, without defining if she was angry, or glad he let them go. Her smile confirmed him the second hypothesis was the right one. A wind of relief blows in his mind, breathing more easily. Elizabeth helped him sitting in front of the fireplace, where the most wonderful fire was burning, which really was the best feeling he had in a while.

-I lost her, forever. My angel of music, she's gone. He mumbled, his gaze moving across the flames

-You let her go with the one her heart chose. Then, you will never lost her. You'll always have a place of choice in her mind, in her very soul. You proved her by what you did, that you really loved her and she understand it. Erik smiled sadly, bringing the little blue ring she gave him before she go from his pocket. At that moment, they heard some noise, coming from the second floor, telling them that Meg had woke up, probably because of the sounds coming from the ground floor.

-Maman? Asked the sleepy voice of the little Giry, who was still upstairs

The Phantom remained silent and motionless, his gaze on the jewellery in his right palm, his grey-green eyes filling with tears.

-Go back to sleep daughter, it's late and you have an audition tomorrow. Finally said the woman, listening to Meg returning to her room

Elizabeth sighed and helped her friend on his feet, asking him to follow her to the cave, where she manage to make a kind of camp bed.

-It's quiet here, don't worry. My daughter never come down here. She's too afraid of rats and said there's ghost in here.
-She's right I guess, for tonight.

-You can stay as long as you need. Take your time to put yourself together.
-Thanks Liz, but I won't stay long. I'll wait till everything calms down at the opera and after that, I'll see if I can rebuilt the house of the lake.

-Well, the mob have made they're way down and probably took a lot of your things. The police looked after you for a while in your house, they could have done some damage…

On those words, she left for a moment and came back after a few minutes with a wooden box in her hands.

-Still, I have something that belongs to you in my possession. She said, giving the casket to him, who did not understand what was happening to her

He opened it with some precaution, without knowing why, and gasp. In the casket, he found in the bottom of it, his mask, his precious white porcelain mask, his protection.

-Meg bring it back, that night and I kept it safe since.

-Thanks Elizabeth, with all my heart, thank you.

Chapter 2

Around five weeks passed since the Phantom arrived at the Giry's flat. Meg had left the house. She had found work on the other side of the city and was living with one of Elizabeth's cousin, Rolande. Madame Giry had installed Erik in the attic, where he could built himself something like a home. The police was still around the opera house, so he could not think about going back right now. On the first week of April, Elizabeth gave herself the mission to check out the condition of her dear friend's house. She get into his lair quite easily, knowing a passage that wasn't discovered yet by the authorities.

The Phantom was sitting by the attic window, impatiently waiting for her benefactor to return. He saw her coming back, at last, with a huge box. He was twisting his hands, trying to repress the urge of joined her outside and ask how things were out there. She climb the stairs to the attic and appeared in front of him. Her face was cold, no expression could be read there, as she set down the box.

-I take back everything I could. Erik, they left almost nothing. Your furniture, your music...your organ, everything is gone.

His eyes filled with tears. He knew he deserved to be punished because of what he had done, but that punishment was the most horrible torture to inflicted him.

-M-my music?
-I'm sorry. They left some of your clothes and a violin. The rest was put somewhere else, but I don't know where. Oh I'm so sorry.

She put a comforting hand on his shoulder has she sat and star to cry, which was not like her at all. Erik felt that it was not because of him. She try to regain her strength, but failed. He took her against him, not really knowing what else he could do. He felt her trembling in his arms and she push him away lightly. He looked at her right in the eyes, seeing that she had cried more than the two minutes she was with him.

-What's wrong Lizzie? He asked in a murmur

Has her only answer, she took an envelope from her pocket and gave it to him. The letter was sealed with the emblem of the Belgian police. It was mentioned that a couple had been murdered. A man called Albert Le François, and his wife Corrine Le François, born Jules. That name hit the Phantom. It was the birth name of Elizabeth as well. He understood that they were close relatives, otherwise, she would never had this kind of reaction. She most have been her sister, though, Elizabeth had never talked to him about her. He put an hand on her shoulder, just has she did a few minutes before and continue to read that heartbreaking letter. A investigation operation had been opened and there was only on witness. The daughter of the couple, who had survived with only a broken leg. The young woman gave no information to the police department. She remained silent since the night she lost her parents. The prefecture of Belgium police took the decision to sent her to her only relative, Madame Elizabeth Giry. Finishing to read the sheet, Erik took the woman in his arms once again.

-I'm sorry Liz. He said, with all the kindness he had

-She'll be here in a week. I must prepare the house for her. She muttered, wiping away her tears, desperately trying to regain composure of herself. I'll place her in Meg's old room.
-Old room? He ask, not understanding why she used that word for her daughter's bedroom

Then, she pull back another envelope from her coat, but she did not let him read the letter that was in it.

-She is not coming back, not for a while. She has a suitor.

Elizabeth managed to smile. She was happy for her daughter, though, her mind quickly came back to the tragic events that took her sister et brother in law's life. She came back to reality a few seconds later and she and Erik got down to the second floor. When they arrive down the attic's stairs, he grab her shoulders to make her stop and look at him.

-Listen. Take some rest, I'll take care of business. I'll prepare the bedroom for her.

-No, no. I'm all right. She said, with the strength she was getting back faster than she thought

-You're going to listen to what I said, or I'll get angry.

He almost yelled, but he was not angry at all and she knows it. Erik was doing this for her own good. Even if he had lost some of his abilities along with his home and things that was down there, he stills had a persuasive tone in his voice, in his eyes of steal.

Madame Giry agreed without protesting, which was really unlike her, and ran to her room, where she let her emotions take hold of her mind and heart.

Chapter 3

Carefully, Erik put Meg's things she had left behind her, in some crates, and take them to the cave. He looked into old boxes, and found some white transparent veils, which was ancient curtains of the master room. He thought it could be beautiful in Liz's niece new bedroom. He wanted to made it wonderful for her. He knew she would need some solitude. This place would be calm, warm, and favourable to some meditation moments. He wanted her to be comfortable. He arranged the veils on the ceiling, creating arcs starting from the four corners of the room, and unite them over the four-poster bed, forming something like a white sky. 'Why am I doing all this?' he ask himself, continuing to bring the room more magnificent then it already was. He deduce that keeping is mind in motion, was occulting Christine of his thoughts effectively. Though, he kept humming Music of the night from time to time. He saw her in his waking dreams, walking to him, fill on wonder in her eyes, about his deep warm voice. Erik's mind was drawn back to reality, when Madame Giry entered the room, a tray in her hands.

-Oh my god, Erik, it's magnificent! She gasped, frankly impressed but not really surprised

-Your niece will need some rest, and it's not with Meg's decoration she would. Let's say Meg has…a weird taste.
-Look who's talking about weird taste, mister I'm-not-good-enough-to-live-somewhere-else-than-a-creepy-cold-lair.

He didn't say anything, like he did not heard her, though, it was not true. Elizabeth pour the tea, and smiled, thinking of what Erik had just done for her niece, though her eyes was burning with tears.

On the next Tuesday morning, time was come to fetch her niece at the train station. Erik gave her a good luck hug, before hiding himself in the attic, trying to relax, playing violin. Without knowing why, he was nervous about this new coming, but was looking forward for it. He'll had to hide again from the outside world, like the ghost he once were and that saddened him.

Arriving at the station of Paris, Elizabeth had to wait for a moment, loosing herself in her thoughts of anticipation. Her niece was now eighteen years old, almost a woman. Last time she saw her, she was a little girl. She had ebony curly hairs and her eyes were exactly the same colour, deepest than the night sky itself. Madame Giry knew she would recognise her by those characteristics, even if last time she had held her in her arms, she was five, just a week before Corrine and Albert moved to Brussels.

The train from Belgium arrived at 1 o'clock. Elizabeth saw a cloaked form, walking with great difficulty, with a gendarme. Her walking stick was roughly sculpted. Madame Giry slowly approached, not really knowing what to do, trying to kept her emotions inside.

-Madame Elizabeth Giry?
-Yes.
-I am Constable Lafontaine. He said, shaking Elizabeth's right hand. I'll made it clear. Your niece had not said a word since her parents died. If she ever say something, you'll have to tell the French Prefecture of Police. She could detained some evidence of the crime.

-Did you have any idea who did this? She asked the policeman, avoiding her tears with a surprising easiness -I'm not allowed to say anything about our investigation. But, we have some clue. Only mademoiselle Le François, could help us find the murderer. After some days with her, we came to the decision she would be better with her relative. Trying to make her speak by force, won't help.

Elizabeth looked upon her niece, right into her eyes, trying to find the little girl she once knew and loved. But the laughing child had disappeared. Her big black eyes were empty and cold.

-It's okay child. You're safe Catherine. She murmured, taking her cautiously in her arms, without having her react in any way

The porters took the girl's stash and bags to the coach Madame Giry had rent. Lafontaine helped the young woman to climb in the coach, wishing her to get well and good luck, without any reaction of her part. No surprise there.

-How was your journey? Asked Elizabeth, hoping to be able to make her talk, but her niece did like she was deaf, looking out of the little window on her right

The only moment when Madame Giry thought had glimpsed a change in Catherine attitude, was when they arrived at home. She was convinced to have catch a brief smile on her face. But when she tried to look closer, it was already gone. Elizabeth help her out of the carriage and took one of her bag and let the rest to the coachman. Catherine stayed right there, admiring her new house, looking up and down the walls before her and the coloured windows. Then she thought having seen a shadow, in the attic window. She tells herself it could be something like a curtain, floating because of the wind, something like that. Her aunt told her they will be living alone, while they were on there way back. Elizabeth guided her to Meg's old room. Catherine had some problem to climb the stairs. Her leg was really painful and she was exhausted by her trip in train. The fact that her walking stick was a little bit too short did not help her. When they step in, Madame Giry catch another quick smile of her niece and a gasp, when she saw the special decoration. A bouquet of red rose was in the night table, filling the air with a sweet delicate scent. Elizabeth thanked Erik for this attention.
Catherine sat on the edge of her new bed, hardly trying to remove her shoes, but her aunt help her, taking them off as delicately as possible. The girl lie down, yawning, incapable to do anything else and Elizabeth covered her with some blankets.

-If you need anything... She said, suddenly remembering that her niece couldn't speak. I'll come back with your supper in a few hours.

On that, Madame Giry left the room, and ran silently to the attic to reprimand the Phantom a little. She saw him, outside, and was convinced Catherine did too.

Erik had not missed any details of the niece's arrival. He saw her little cloaked form and the strange way she was walking. He hoped he had time to hide before being noticed by her, but when his friend appeared, he knew that he was not invisible.

-Don't say a word. I know. He said, with a small laugh. Did she saw me?

-No, well, I don't think so. She sighed, sitting on an old dusty chest, on the staircase's right. It's not going to be easy with Catherine. Poor child. She's mute since her parents are dead. She is not the little girl I loved anymore. She's cold, distant.
-You can't blame her. She'd just lost everything.

-If that wasn't enough, the police want me to make her speak of what she could have seen that night. But.
-Don't worry Lizzie. She will talk when she'll feel confident. Remember when you saved my life, remember of the time I'd take before I opened my mouth.

-Yes. It was long ago, but my memory have not yet failed me. You're probably right. She'll need time to adapt herself. -She'll need time to accept Liz. It's not a question of adaptation, but acceptation. Your niece will probably need to found something to bind herself to life. Believe me, I know what I'm talking about.
-Christine? She asked, and regret it, 'cause tears filled Erik's eyes

-No, I meant music.

His words found sense to her ears. Christine had drawn him from his loneliness, and his sorrow. Until...well...everybody knows. He could understand her niece, because he felt he was like her. Shocked, lost. Erik put himself together, trying to not look weak under the cold gaze of Elizabeth and turn his back on her.

-Listen to her Liz, even if she's not speaking. She'll show you what she need in other ways. I'm quite sure about that. Your niece will try to make others understand her cries, even without noticing it.

-Thank you Erik, you reassured me. Smiled Madame Giry. I'll fixed something for dinner, she must be starving.
-Don't be surprised if she don't ate anything. Don't force her.

Chapter 4

It's Catherine first night at her aunt's house.
It was very cold at the Giry's flat. Odd for the middle of April. Catherine was freezing in her sleep. The flames in the fireplace had vanished an hour of two before. The young woman's head was filled with nightmares of her parents murdering.

Erik wake up when he heard cries and screams coming from the floor under the attic. Frozen to the bone, he put on his velvet robe and carefully got out the attic. Arriving downstairs and on the second floor, no sound could be heard. Walking along the corridor, stopping in front of each door, he finally reach Catherine's bedroom. He heard her cries perfectly. She was groaning, crying, it broke his heart, remembering himself. He slowly opened the door, to make sure she was all right. The young woman was twisting in pain under the sheets, enough to make them fall on the floor. Erik approached, as silently as the ghost he still were. He picked up her blanket and covered her, touching her arm without noticing. She was ice cold, and shaking a little because of that. Turning to the fireplace, he played in the ashes to find that they were as cold as the rest of the room, and built a new fire. Before he quit, he came closer to Catherine. He could not see her face, her hairs hiding it, but he noticed a soft smile, as the room was filled with the warmth coming of the fireplace. He smiled, very proud of himself and left, closing the door behind him. Slowly walking to the attic door, he was surprised to found Elizabeth on his way, a candle in her right hand, the other on her hip. She roughly pushed him to the stairs and they climb to his room together.

-What do you think you're doing? She yelled, hoping her niece was fast asleep

-She didn't saw me, don't be afraid. I heard her cry and.
-She could have saw you and I don't want to have to comfort a frighten young girl because she saw a man in her bedroom, especially after what happened to her.

-If I was not there, you would probably had found an ice block in there tomorrow morning. If you don't want me to take care of her, than do it yourself.
-She could have ask for me.
-Oh come on Liz. You won't make her talk that way. Christine is traumatised and has a broken leg. There's certain things she can't do by herself

-Christine? You probably wanted to say Catherine, no?

Erik blushed and drop his gaze, realizing he just called this young woman, this stranger, like his angel.

-Leave me! He said, bitterly, his back on Madame Giry, who stepped out of the attic as quick as she could

Chapter 5

A few days had passed since the altercation between the Phantom and his friend. They had not talked since. Catherine came out of her room for the first time on the morning of May first. She took her bath, under the vigilance of her aunt and after that, she was guided to the little garden.

-I'm going to leave you, for an hour or two. Elizabeth said. Someone asked me to be a ballet teacher in a new dance school. We're going to talk about my salary. Do you need anything before I go?

Catherine shook her head. One of her first gesture to be understand. Madame Giry smiled, remembering what Erik had told her about 'other way's to be understand' and take her niece in her arms. After her aunt left, the young woman raised up and start walking. After only a few steps, she had to sat down, her leg more painful than ever. It would take time to heal.

Erik was watching her from the attic window. He saw her raised from the garden chair painfully and noticed again how difficult her walking was. Obviously, her walking stick was not at her scale at all, and nobody seemed to have the intelligence to give her one right for her. From where he was, he could define the features of her face. He was curious to see how she looked like and get to the first floor and head towards the kitchen. Once again, he saw her trying to walk. Her back was on him, but she slowly turned. Then, at last, he could admire Elizabeth's niece.

-Christine... He mumbled

Some of Christine features was on Catherine two. Her curly dark hairs, her grace, even if that girl was walking a bit like a duck. Her pale complexion, her pink cheeks, her red lips. Though, Catherine was smaller in height than Miss Daaé and a little more dark, in the way she behave. He could not explain it. For him, she was as beautiful as the night. As she slowly approached the back-door, the Phantom came back to reality and ran back to attic as fast as possible. From there, he positioned himself over her bedroom. He heard Catherine close her door, and heard her pant. Apparently, she had problems to get back up there. He put his left ear on the floor, so he could hear her better. She was still panting as she star to cry. How much he wanted to do as he had done for Christine, when she was praying to her father. He wanted more than anything to say to that girl she was not alone, released this poor child from her sorrow. But bring the angel of music back to life wouldn't be a good idea at all. For a ghost, it was nothing to haunt an opera, but a house, where a young traumatised girl was living, it was a whole another thing. He heard her calm down and lie on her bed. Getting up, he took a moment to think about what he could do for her. 'Yes, I will make her a better walking stick' he said to himself, proud of his brilliant idea. She needed it. It would ease her leg's healing, well, he wished it would.

Chapter 6

It has been two weeks, since Catherine arrived at her aunt's flat. Madame Giry had found part-time work in a prestigious school of dance and Meg was now engaged. That morning, when the young woman woke up, found a beautiful blue cane to her feet, along with a blood red rose. She smiled, thanking her aunt for that kind present. When Elizabeth saw her appearing in the kitchen with that stick, she immediately saw the touch of the Phantom. She let her niece thought it was from her. Surprisingly, Catherine smiled to her, she accepted that as a; Thank you!

Listening what was happening in the house, Erik could say where and with whom Catherine was. Last day, a doctor came to the flat and told Madame Giry that if her niece's leg wasn't getting better soon, there could be serious consequences. The Phantom had quickly finished the walking stick and brought it to her when she was asleep. He watched her for a long moment, following every move of her smooth breathing.

Erik was composing, for the first time since the events of Don Juan. He was lost in his music. Once again, his thoughts were cut by the voice of Elizabeth, in Catherine's bedroom.

-Do you want to come to school with me? She asked. Now that you can walk more easily, you could come with me, instead of being alone all day.

No answered could be heard, not surprising. He heard the front door shot close and no more sound came from the house. 'Supply time' he said to himself, taking a huge bag running down the staircase and putting his ear on the attic door. He opened it carefully, making sure Catherine was not around. Checking if his mask was on, he make his way to the kitchen. The house seemed empty. He filled the bundle, quickly returning to the stairs. As he reached the second floor, he heard a voice, making vocalizes. It was awful, raw, making him think about La Carlotta so much. The unpleasant sound changed into an heavenly chant. The purity of it, the strength, the confidence, was indefinable, unbelievable. The sweet voice draw him forward and then, he saw Elizabeth's niece, her back on him. He couldn't believe his own eyes, no more than his ears. Little Catherine, cold, sad and mute, was now the most handsome creature he had ever seen. An angel. The angel of music.

-Christine... He sighed

The young woman stopped, starting shaking uncontrollably. Erik bit his lip, damning himself for having been so fool. He ran silently to the attic, at the same moment, Catherine took a brief look behind her shoulder, but he was already gone unnoticed.

She heard nothing, saw nothing, but she remain a little shaky. As fast as she could, she climb the stairs, going back painfully to her room.

Erik paced, raging against his stupidity. 'I frightened her, poor child. She did not need that.' He thought, hating his damn curiosity. He reached the spot over her room, listening with more attention. She was crying, and then, she spoke out loud.

-Why am I still afraid? She groaned in a husky voice. Papa, maman, please, take me away. I can't bear no longer, it's too hard.

-Wondering child, so lost, so helpless, yearning for my guidance.

Erik sang, without knowing. Catherine stopped crying. He could not see her, but she was closing her eyes, crossing her hands on her heart as she strike up a music that was unknown to her.

-Angel I hear you, speak I'll listen, stay by my side, guide me!

The Phantom stop breathing, his hand reaching his heart. 'How can this be? She sang Christine's words. Only her knew that song, it was ours!' He thought, trying not to faint. He came back to reality. This young woman was gifted, no doubt about that. Her crystal clear voice was astonishing, rich. He could continue on that track with many more synonyms, but right now, there was things more important, like this poor girl he must have scared to death.

Catherine raised up from her chair to go to her bed. Her tears poured again from her burning eyes. Lying down, she cried herself to sleep.
Erik waited a long moment, to make sure she was asleep. Opening the door, he took a glimpse inside and enter. He sat on the edge of the bed, delicately taking her hand in his.

-I'll guide you Catherine. He murmured to her ear. No more thought about death. Solitude and sorrow are difficult to live with, but it will change, believe me.

Chapter 7

Catherine slept about two hours and was pleasantly taken out of her nap by a soft music. She shook her head, and found that she was not dreaming. For sure, it's was not her aunt who was playing this brilliant complex melody, though, she was not home yet. There was three hours left, before she finished her work at school. Raising up with some difficult, she followed the music, probably coming from a magic violin, because, no real instrument could play such an enchanting poetry.
Stepping out of her bedroom, she walked along the corridor, making sure keeping her footsteps as silent as possible. The smooth notes were louder behind to door to her right. She opened it, without hesitation and climb the stars. She had no fear in her heart. She thought that no music such has this one, could come from something bad, or evil.

Erik heard noise. Knowing Elizabeth was not home yet, it could only be Catherine. He cessed to play, taking care of turning his back to the staircase. He had nowhere to hide himself, so he'll had to face it, not literally, of course. When the young woman arrived up-stairs, he catch her gasp when she saw him.

-Do not be afraid mademoiselle. He said, calmly, with all the warmth he could share. I'm not going to hurt you.

She walked forward, only a few steps. He knew, by the sound of her breathing, that she was not scared. But he had to make her stop, or she would see his face and he wouldn't aloud that.

-You may go no further, please. Stay close to the staircase.

Catherine stopped, leaning a little on the chest that lies there, feeling her leg pulsating with pain once again, but did not mention it.

-Did you sleep well? He kindly asked, trying to suppress his will to facing her

-Y-yes monsieur, thanks.

-I'm happy to hear your voice mademoiselle, at last. Your aunt will be glad.
-Oh, no monsieur, I'm begging you, D-don't say a word about that.

This time, her soft voice was filled with tears. She walked to the stairs and sat on the last step. Catherine buried her face in her shaking hands, crying in silence. Erik put his violin back under his chin, and played his last composition. She listened to his hypnotic notes, humming them after a few moment and he ended it. She raised up, removing some dust from her dress.

-Thank you. She said, her voice more calm than two minutes before

-For what? He asked, a bit surprised by her tone

-For your music, and for my bedroom. She sighed, looking around the attic. Nothing else in this house looks like this and I now understand that you are behind that enchanting decoration. I thank you for that monsieur. I appreciate.

-Your welcome.

He could not believe it, he was blushing, not used to compliment. He was so shocked, that he did not noticed she had make a few steps forward to him.

-Why don't you want to turn? She asked softly

-Don't think its disrespect towards you mademoiselle. Though, do not insist. He answered, bowing his head, ashamed

-Then, I wont insist monsieur. Though, could you tell me your name?
-M-my name's Erik.
-Enchanté monsieur! If you ever want to play violin, one day, please, don't hide from me. I would be glad to be your audience.

On that, she left. The Phantom felt odd. No one, outside Madame Giry and Christine, had ever spoke to him with such kindness. He shook his head hard and get over Catherine's bedroom, thinking that she would change her mind, if she ever saw his deformed face.

The young woman reach her room, exhausted more than ever. She had walk a lot this day, climbed up and down to much steps. The bandages and strips around her leg were untied and the pain was almost unbearable. Pulling of the ribbon in her hair, her leg flinched under her weight and she falls down, knocking her head against the fireplace.

Chapter 8

After Catherine had left him, Erik, start pacing in the attic, thinking. 'Do I have to show myself to her, or must I hid what I look like, what I am?' he asked himself. Suddenly, he heard strange noise, coming from her room, like if something heavy had fall.

-Catherine? He yelled through the floor

There was no answer. He feared the worst and ran down the attic to reach her bedroom, running as fast as his heartbeats. Opening the door, he saw her, laying before the fireplace, unconscious, a bleeding cut on her forehead. Without thinking, he lift her light body, more delicately than an basket of eggs and put her carefully her bed.
With a damp cloth, he nursed her wound. More fear than harm. A lot of blood for such a little cut. It was already beginning to heal. After that, he make her a splint, to maintain her leg still, and then wrapped it with new bandages. Catherine suddenly groan, signalling him she was awaking. He put the cloth on her closed eyes, that way she would not see him, whishing she was not curious enough to remove it.

-Don't move. He said gently

-E-Erik? What happened?
-You fell and knock your head. It's not too serious.
-But it's painful. She said, trying to smile

-You've done too much effort today. I did not give you that present to make you struggle to walk again.

-Present? So the cane, it was you?
-I thought it would help you, when I saw you walking with great difficult and noticed your walking stick was too short for you. It was urgent.

At this moment, they both heard the lock of the front door an then, it opened.

-I leave you now. I must explain what happened to your aunt.
-Don't say her I can speak. I'm begging you!

He perceive the distress in her voice. She was afraid, that was obvious. He understood he'll have to keep this secret a little longer.

-I won't say a word mademoiselle. Now, take some rest.
-Could you...could play me music, later? She shyly asked, more calm -With great happiness.

He smiled, leaving the room.
After unstopping explanations, Erik was right to think Elizabeth would be angry at him for her niece had discovered his presence. But she was also grateful. Without him, the poor girl would probably still lying on her room's floor, in incredible pain.

A few minutes before sunset, the Phantom fetch his violin and goes to Catherine's bedroom. He knew she was awake, because he heard her cough. He knock on the door three time, he told Catherine that her aunt was fixing dinner so she could talk to him without fearing to be heard. Before entering, he asked her to turn her back to the door. He waited thirty seconds and opened the door.

-Why all those mysteries? She asked. Why do you keep hiding?
-I could ask the same thing to you, about your silence.

She sadly smiled. He was right, even if it was odd for the both of them. Softly, he start playing one of his composition, trying to take her mind far way, to make her imagination to soar. Her head slowly start to bowed and he understand she was falling asleep. He stopped playing, but continue his song with his deep warm voice. He help her under the blankets, and silently left the room.

Chapter 9

After he helped Catherine to fall asleep, Erik got out of the house to take a walk. It's was nightfall, so he could do whatever he wanted, without being notices. His footsteps leads him to the opera populaire. His home he had condemn so harshly. Passing through an old barred basement window, he head towards his lair he was starting to miss. He entered from one of the many hidden door and gasp, like if someone had hit him in the stomach. Madame Giry had told him the truth. The police had devastate his house and taken everything he own. The pipe organ, the golden candlesticks, the even the curtains were gone. Walking slowly, his heart aching augmenting the intensity of its beat, he head to his bedroom. No surprise there, it was as empty as the rest or his lair. Though, his gaze was drawn to a dry rose, on the floor and under it was a white envelope, right in the middle of the room. He took it with his shaking hand, broke the red wax seal and draw the letter that was in it.

I saw what they did to you home, I'm so sorry, sincerely.
I came back three days later. I thought they had killed your. You were nowhere to be found. With this note, you will find a map. It will lead you to an abandoned barn. Most of your things are there, even your organ. We had problems to find it. It had been sold to an English businessman. Raoul was kind enough to buy it back.
I know, one day, I will have the strength to see you again, and we'll be the best friends of the world. Well, I wished it would be this way.
But, for now, I ask not to intend finding us.
Hope you're all right.

Christine

Erik fold it back in the envelope, bringing it to his lips and then to his nose, smelling the delicate perfume she left on the paper. His Christine had wrote him a letter. His angel had forgiven him and took his possessions safely in a barn.

-The Phantom of the Opera is back home! He shouted, making his voice echoing in the house of the lake

Going around his lair, he fixed everything what needed to be, locking every passages that was known of the authorities and head back to Madame Giry's flat, a few moments before sunrise, hope filling his heart. When he arrived, he get straight into bed, sleeping for a few hours. He was awakened by Catherine's voice. She was singing a part from the magic flute, by Mozart. He was impressed by her skills. It was a complex song and was requiring a perfect technique and a lot of strength. But, apparently, she had both of it naturally. Even Christine would had ever found her way through the enchanting world of Mozart. Erik get dressed and got down the second floor, listening to the young woman until she finished. When the door of Elizabeth's bedroom opened, the chant stopped abruptly. 'Did she heard her aunt?' He asked himself. If she did, she had an amazing hearing capacity. Madame Giry gave him a cold gaze. Her eyes screaming her thoughts. They meant; What are you doing near her room?
He approached her and they reach the kitchen together. He told her he thought having heard something and told her he was only getting sure her niece was all right. It convinced her Next, he showed her Christine's letter, letting his dear friend read it.

-I'm going to rebuilt my home Lizzie, but I need your help. Could your rent a wagon? I want to go to that barn as soon as possible.

-You got luck. I'm not working today. She smiled, patting his arm. I will help you with great pleasure.

While Elizabeth was gone, Erik fetch his violin and ran to Catherine's bedroom.
The young woman sat in her bed, her back on the headboard, reading some English poetry, trying to learn Shakespeare's language. As she was turning a page, she catch some notes and than a whole new melody behind the door.

-May I come in? He gently asked, as he finished his sweet music

-Of course. I'll have my back on the door.

She turned her back, as she said, pain tears filling her eyes when she moved her leg, but act as if it was nothing. The man opened and get in, thanking her to remember what he asked her last time.

-I came to say goodbye. I going home. Your aunt had been king to give me shelter for weeks, now, I can go back to where I must live.

He was surprised she didn't questioned what he was meaning when he said -must- .

-You really have to go? She asked, sadly. We've just met. I was looking forward to know each other better.

-Your word touches me Catherine. I'll visit you when I'm finish to get installed.

-You promise? She quickly said, before turning to face him, like a reflex she couldn't held back

Erik smiled to her, before realizing she was looking at him, straight in the eyes. He turn his back on her, even if that wasn't doing any difference now. Catherine raised from the bed, and approach him, limping a little. She stays behind him, afraid he could be angry at her because she saw something that he was obviously trying to hide.

-Forgive me monsieur, I meant no harm. She said, her voice more soft than it never been. Though, you don't have to turn your back on me.
-M-my face, I don't want to see it. He groaned, his heart breaking with each pulse

The young woman spun him a bit to face her, bringing his gaze to hers. What he saw gave him a shock. She was smiling. That smile, it would never leave him.

-At last, I can see the eyes of the angel of music. -What did you call me? He mumbled, sure he was dreaming

'I must have hit my head somewhere!' He thought

-The angel of music. She smiled, lowing her gaze, blushing a little. First I heard your voice, I was praying my parents to...well…to help me. Then, your chant came out of nowhere, reassuring me, calming me.

He sighed, keeping his tears inside the best he could. She naturally saw in him the angel he had tried so hard to be for Christine.

-I-I must go. He said, quickly stepping out of the room, walking as fast as possible

'What just happened?' He asked himself. 'How such beauty can call Angel?' He couldn't conceive what he had heard from her soft voice. Has he couldn't understand this strange feeling that was tickling him inside his stomach each time she was speaking to him.