Chapter 1: Back to Daylight

"Erik."

Christine looked at the man in the mask again, trying to find the words to express the thoughts running through her head. Just as she thought she had found them, he grabbed her by the hand and dragged her to her feet:

"Come. We must return. Those two fools who run my theatre will be missing you."

As Erik lead Christine back up the labyrinth to her dressing room, she realized something had changed between the two of them.

"Erik…"

He stopped and turned to look at her, waiting for her to continue.

"I'm sorry."

"Erik is not worthy of apologies from Christine."

"Yes, you are. I was wrong. My father taught me to apologize when I am wrong, and I was wrong. I shouldn't have taken your mask. I'm sorry. Please forgive me."

Erik studied Christine for what felt like an eternity. What was it about this girl that made him want to change the world? And what was he going to do about that insolent fool who was trying to win her hand?

"Christine, I should apologize to you for blowing up like I did. I'm sorry. You are forgiven, but please, don't tell the secret you know about my miserable existence."

Christine nodded her head in agreement. Erik turned to continue leading her back up the labyrinth when she grabbed his hand to stop him again.

"Erik?"

He turned to her, a flash of annoyance crossing his eyes for she had stopped him again. He said nothing, waiting for her to continue.

"I knew him when we were children. He was my playmate in my youth. I don't want him around me anymore. He is far too pushy, and acts like I can't make up my own mind about what I want. I… oh, I don't know. He annoys me. Please don't think that I wanted him there last night."

Erik didn't know how to react. Was his Angel of Music – his Christine – telling him that he was the she really desired? Was she telling him that she wanted his protection?

"Christine, why did you tell me that? What do you want from me?"

She paused, giving herself time to think about her response. Did she want Erik the man? Did she want the music he created? Did she want the protection he could offer her?

And then it hit her: she wanted it all. She wanted the protection, the love, the caring, the music, the man. She wanted the ever-present feeling of being wanted for more than her pretty face and flowing hair. She wanted the chance to get to know somebody, and for that somebody to get to know her. She wanted to know if she could be loved in spite of the fact that she was a chorus girl who had gotten to sing one song because La Carlotta had backed out of it in true prima donna style. She wanted to know if she could be admired for something besides a school boy's memory of a time gone by.

"I want to get to know you, Erik. I've only ever known you to be the angel who inspired my voice. I want to get to know the man behind the music, and the mask. I want you to get to know me as I truly am. You want me to know the man behind the mask, I want you to know the woman behind the voice."

Erik was startled by this revelation. Didn't Christine know that he had never been accepted as a man? That he had always lived a life knowing that he was a monster who was unworthy of being around other people? And yet, she looked at him with a gaze that seemed to be sincere. Something in her eyes told Erik that he could probably trust her, but he wasn't sure.

"Oh Christine. You know not what you ask. You cannot know how your words affect me. If it is true what you say, then prove it to me. Tell him to leave you alone."

"I can do that. He might not listen, but I will not encourage him willingly."

Erik looked into Christine's eyes and saw her truth and her willingness reflecting back to him. He turned around and continued to lead her up to her dressing room.

"Christine, you should know that I have done something that might cause there to be some… resistance… toward you from the managers and the others around the opera house. Please trust me and my judgment. All shall be well, I promise. It is for you and your career. I have instructed that you are to sing the role of the Countess in Il Muto."

Christine was taken aback by this, but knowing her mentor, and getting to know the man behind her music, she trusted him and his judgment.

"I trust you, Erik. If you believe I can sing it, then I can sing it. I just hope…"

"Hope what?"

Christine sighed and looked at the floor, "I just hope that the managers have the same vision you do."

Erik thought about this for a moment, and, lifting Christine's chin with finger. "I will make sure they do."