Chapter 2
I hardly got any sleep that night, as I was too busy either comforting Christine when she woke up crying, or trying to keep my own demonic tears at bay. I had to hold myself together, for my own peace of mind as much as for Christine. I refused to let myself break down. I could not afford the pain a break down would bring. I would allow myself to cry at Father's funeral, and then no more.
The next morning, I got myself dressed, then made myself and Christine a light breakfast, as I knew Christine would be suffering from the same small appetite as I was. I knew it would be a very difficult task to get her to eat. After I got Christine up and helped her get dressed, we ate our respective meals in gloomy silence.
After a few minutes, I sighed and pushed my barely touched meal away from myself as I glanced at Christine's food. I frowned at what I saw. "Christine, you must eat. We have a long journey to Paris ahead of us, you need to keep your strength up." I only hoped that she would not notice that I had eaten even less than her, or the task of getting her to eat would be impossible. "But Lily, how can I eat? I am so sad, Lily, I cannot even bear the thought of food right now!" Christine's eyes started to well with unbidden tears, and my heart softened in sympathy towards her even more.
"Oh Christine, do not cry! Be happy for Father, he is with mother now. He had his angel of music back, and he will never be hurt or sad or fearful or lonely again. All we can do is celebrate the life that he lived while he was still with us." I tried to comfort Christine. "Yes, but in the process of him gaining back his angel and Elysium, I have lost my angel, and have gained hell!" Christine cried.
"Christine, you must not ever speak like so! It is unbecoming of you. But hush now, everything will be alright. I will be your angel of music now, and I won't let anything hurt you, including yourself. Now eat your food and I will sing for you."
While I made sure that Christine started to eat again, I tried to think of a son to sing to her. I did not want to sing anything too difficult, as I felt so close to tears myself, and so often. I really did not want to sing, all my motivation to do so had died with Father, but I knew that the only thing that would calm Christine enough so that she would be alright was music. I loved Christine too much to let her suffer without trying to do something to help her. Finally, I decided on a lullaby Mother had often sung to me when I was upset.
"I remember tears streaming down your face/ when I said 'I'll never let you go.' / when all these shadows almost killed your light. / I remember you said 'don't leave me here alone.' / but all that's dead and gone and passed tonight." As I sang, I went over to sit by Christine. When she looked up at me with tears in her eyes, I pulled her into my lap.
"Don't you dare look out your window/ darling everything's on fire. / the war outside our door keeps raging on/ hold onto this lullaby/ even when the music's gone… gone." I thought of Father during this particular verse. Could I hold onto this lullaby when my music was gone? I would have to try, if not for myself than for Christine. I felt as if he was telling me in my heart that everything would be alright.
"Just close your eyes/ the sun is going down/ you'll be alright/ no one can hurt you now/ come morning light/ you and I'll be safe and sound." I hope we would be safe and sound. I did not know what to expect in Paris, but I hope we would be alright there. I knew that almost anywhere would be better than here, where memories of our parents would forever hold us back.
After Christine finished her breakfast, I had her help me scour the house for any items we would need, as we would more than likely never be back here again. I found a picture of Mother and Father in my search, and I knew I could not bear to part with it, so I stuck in my apron pocket. I found a few more things of importance, namely Mother and Father's music, which I also stuck in my pocket for safe keeping. Just as I was heading back towards the foyer, I heard a knock on the front door.
"Christine!" I called. "That must be Madame Giry. Hurry now, it is time for us to leave." "Coming Lily!" she cried back. I opened the door after I straitened my dress and tamed my hair to the best of my ability with only my fingers and no mirror. What I found on the other side of the door was a rather strict looking woman with long dark hair, blue eyes, and dark clothes. "Ah, you must be young Lily Daae." She stated rather than asked. I nodded wordlessly with raised eyebrows at her rather imposing persona. She made a sound of approval at my wordless confirmation. "You look just as beautiful as your mother was, my dear. You have the build of a dancer as well. I am sure you will do just fine in Paris. May I come in?" She said.
I stepped back to allow Madame Giry room to step inside, then I shut the door. Thankfully, our bags were already packed and waiting by the door. Madame Giry nodded in approval when she noticed that we were already prepared, and turned when she heard Christine enter the room with mine and her cloaks.
And you must be Christine. I am very sorry to hear of your loss. I am sure Lily had told you of what is to happen now?" Madame Giry inquired. Christine nodded, as silent as I was. No doubt she was trying to analyze Madame Giry to try and see if she was trustworthy or not. She must have decided that Madame Giry was alright, because eventually Christine answered. "Yes. She told me you would be taking us to Paris and we were to live in the Opera Populaire now."
"That would be correct my dear. We must make haste now. I am afraid the journey is a rather tedious one. Grab your bags now and we shall be on our way." Christine and I nodded and grabbed our bags as Madame Giry opened the door for us.
We took our bags to the carriage and then we were on our way. I do not think the reality had really set in for Christine and I until we were watching our small cottage by the sea grow smaller and smaller as we traveled further and further away from it, never to return. Without Father. We were now orphans.
Christine started to cry softly, so I shook my shock off the best that I could for the time being so that I could comfort her. I pulled her head into my lap as I made her lie down. I then softly sang the lullaby to her again while brushing her hair with my fingers, soothing her.
Soon after I started to sing to her, Christine fell fast asleep. I stared at her peaceful face for a moment, marveling at the difference sleep had on her facial expression. She looked so peaceful now, nothing like the anguish and mourning that had covered her face not even minutes before. Once I looked up I saw Madame Giry looking at me with a soft expression. "You have the voice of an angel, my dear. I know things are hard now, but they will get better." She told me. "Thank you. It is nothing compared to my mother's, and I am sure it would be much better if I actually had the heart to try. But I try to sing for her and now my father's memories." I replied.
After that we sat in silence. I looked out the window of the carriage to watch the countryside go by. The day did not match my mood, for it was sunny and beautiful. I felt it should be dark and gloomy, mourning for good soul that had passed to the next world just last night, but life goes on.
"There are a few things you should know for when we arrive at the Opera Populaire." Madame Giry interrupted my thoughts. I gave her a questioning look as she went on. "First of all, though you may be able to get away with a few months of staying at the opera with no contribution, it will not last forever. Only for pity's sake are you being allowed to stay at all with no contribution. You will be expected to pull your weight, so you need to find something that you are talented at, as well as Christine. More importantly still, stay away from box five. The opera is haunted by a phantom and he does not appreciate anyone snooping in his domain, not even orphaned children. If you should ever encounter him, do not follow him, and always keep your hand at the level of your eyes."
Though I listened intently to Madame Giry at first, when she started speaking of phantoms and hauntings, I started to smile, thinking she was trying to make light of a dark situation and lighten my mood, but as she went on, my smile slowly slipped from my face. Madame Giry did not seem to be the jesting type, but she could not be serious! I had to be sure.
"Surely you are jesting Madame Giry. There is not such a thing as phantoms and hauntings." I frowned. Madame Giry threw me a strict and disapproving look before answering. "Are you willing to take the risk of being wrong? Are you willing to risk Christine on the basis that 'there is not such a thing'?" She asked. I looked down at Christine softly, ashamed of myself. I could potentially risk Christine's well-being because I doubted. That would not due.
The rest of the trip was spent in silence. I continued to stroke Christine's hair until she awoke around midday, though she never made to sit up. The poor girl was only barely seven, she did not deserve such cruelty from the world at such a young age. I hoped that she would find some form of comfort in the opera, where she would be surrounded by music.
When we finally arrived at the Opera Populaire, I was not feeling well at all. All I desired was a soft warm bed and some much needed rest after such a long and tedious trip. As I climbed out of the carriage and into the fresh air I started to feel quite faint.
"Lily, are you alright? You look so pale!" Christine asked. I was not alright. Why was the world spinning so much? I wanted to open my mouth to tell her this, but I felt that if I did my entire stomach would try to force its way out of my body. I was so disoriented I did not even notice that Madame Giry had grabbed my arm until she was half supporting me and half dragging me to the doors of the Opera Populaire. "Let's sit you down Lily, and… what we… you?" Madame Giry seemed to be asking me something, but for the life of me I could not make out what she was trying to inquire. Once again, I wanted to open my mouth, but the same dilemma presented itself. Suddenly, and with a rather startling lurch, my world became blissfully dark.
A/N
Hey guys! Thank you so much for the amazing reviews! They really helped motivate me to write this chapter sooner than I thought I would. I'm going to let you know now, chapters will not usually be coming this quickly. Also, with the holidays coming up, I'm not going to have much time to write more, so the next chapter might not come until after New Year. We'll play that by ear. Anyways, I have a question for you guys: how would you like some Erik pov. It probably wouldn't happen for at least a few chapters, but I'd like to know what you guys think about that so I can plan ahead. Keep up the reviews, they really do help me! Any suggestions would be appreciated, and I love to hear what you guys think. Have a very Merry Christmas!
