Chapter one
I took a final bow as the curtains closed and then suddenly I was plunged into darkness and I heard people screaming. I panicked and started to scream until I heard a voice "Christine do not be afraid for it is me, mon ange." My Angel! He was here! "Where am I?" I asked trembling with fear. "You are with me and that's all that matters for now." He said, his voice so melodious and smooth that all fear left me. I stood there staring into the inky blackness of night, could it be night? No! There were no stars, or clouds! I was in some room that was I knew for now. "Come with me…" he said I could hear his voice getting distant I ran to catch up.
I could not hear his footsteps or see any movement whatsoever, then he started to sing. I followed his voice so I wouldn't get lost. It had been so long since I had last seen him, which was at the Opera Populaire, four years ago. I thought he had died! I realized too late that it was him I loved and not Raoul. What a terrible mistake! I really messed up… I vowed never to sing again, until one night lying in bed fully awake I heard a voice.
"Christine… Christine…" It said "Don't let me be a burden to you… sing again… sing again for me!" I thought it was my Angel, but when I looked out my window no one was there. I thought it was a figment of my imagination so I went back to bed. I believed that my poor Angel was dead, until now. We came to a stop, then I saw a door open and the moonlight revealed my Angel's form. He looked just the last time I saw him, except he had on his mask, black wig, and cloak.
He stopped singing and motioned for me to stay and be quiet. I obeyed, he walked out and returned with a black horse. I realized that it was my horse Phantom. How had he gotten my horse? I wondered until his voice broke my thoughts. "Come here Christine, I need to get you as far away as possible." He said stretching a gloved hand towards me, like he always did. I took his hand and he mounted Phantom and helped me up. I wrapped my arms around his waist, "Hold on." He said softly his voice rippling like water.
I felt my heartbeat quicken as he snapped the reins and Phantom took off. We were silent as he lead Phantom down a road that lead into the forest.
I noticed that there were two other men following us as I glanced back. I was scared, were these men trying to catch up and kill us both? Or did they want to rob us and leave us here to die from a fatal injury? I wasn't sure "Angel, there are two men following us." I said softly. He didn't seem to notice them until I mentioned them "Oh, they are… friends of mine." That was all he said. I didn't know that my Angel knew anyone else except Madame Giry and me. We were silent until we arrived at our destination, which was a small hidden camp surrounded by the thick trees.
My Angel slowed to a stop and dismounted he turned to me and held his arms out as I dismounted as well. I lost my footing and I fell right into his arms, just like I had back at the Opera! Oh I was so clumsy! He caught me and steadied me, I just stared stupidly up into his eyes. I never noticed how blue his eyes were, they were mismatched one lighter than the other one but I found them beautiful. I heard the pounding of hooves; it seemed to break the awkward moment. "Ah, Nadir, Darius how is the perimeter?" My Angel asked. One of them who was wearing an astrakhan cap and appeared much taller than the other man replied "The perimeter is secure. We have not been followed." My Angel nodded "Good." He said then turned his attention back to me, I was staring at the man in the astrakhan cap he spoke in Persian!
I knew some Persian, enough to understand what he just said even though my Angel spoken in French. "Christine, this is Nadir Khan and his servant Darius. Nadir, Darius this is Christine Daee." My angel said introducing them both. They bowed and spoke to me in French "It is a pleasure to meet you Christine. Erik sure has told the truth about you." Nadir said to me. I turned to my Angel "Erik? Is that your name? How come you've never told me?" I asked. My Angel blushed "My name is Erik. I'm sorry that I didn't introduce myself." I smiled "Erik…" I said tasting the name letting it dance on my tongue.
"That's a nice name." Erik smiled; it looked like a relieved smile. "Thank you." He said. I looked around the camp there were three small tents and our horses, but just then out of the corner of my eye I spotted the most beautiful mare I have ever seen. She was pure white; even her muzzle and snip were white. She was tied to a tree but the knots were loose so if she was scared she could escape easily.
"Erik whose mare is that?" I asked gesturing towards the white mare. Erik followed my gaze "Oh, she's mine…" Erik said I noticed that his exposed cheek was slightly pink. Silently Nadir and Darius tied up their horses and went inside their tents. "What is her name?" I asked, Erik seemed even more embarrassed "C-Christine." He finally said turning away from me. I was flattered that he named his horse after me.
Then he seemed to remember my horse "What is your horse's name?" He asked me, I blushed wildly "Phantom." I managed to squeak out. Idiot! I thought, I'm such an idiot! "Hmmm." Was all he said. Then he started to put up my tent. "W-What was going on at the Versalles Opera? And why were there people screaming? All I heard was crashing and more screaming." I asked shuddering from the chaos that had plunged me into eternal darkness.
Erik hesitated "Um, there were people uh; more like assassin's after me, Darius, and Nadir. Because they know I was the infamous Opera ghost, and apparently there is an enormous bounty over my head. They are after Nadir and Darius because they think capturing and turning in the supposed ghosts henchmen in will get them more money." I shivered at the thought of being chased by professional assassin's. "Wait a minuet! Then if their after you then what about me? I was plunged into darkness without knowing where I was, why did you get me into this?" I demanded.
Perhaps it was a little too forceful but I had to know! Erik looked taken aback, then I realized my mistake "I-I'm sorry Erik." I said looking down. Erik stood up and turned to me "It's all right Christine, but I did take you with me because the assassin's killed everyone that got in their way and I didn't want you to die." He said his striking blue eyes held my gaze. It was like I was hypnotized "Yes, I understand but, what now? Where will we go?" I asked breaking his gaze.
"I don't know, but for the time being" He said with a gesture towards my tent "You should get some rest." I nodded and ducked into my tent. I quickly fell asleep after this exhausting adventure, but I had no idea what I would be going through.