Chapter 2

I opened my eyes to the rays of sunshine shining into my tent, I sat up and realized that I left my tent flap open. I sighed and got up and went outside, it was sunrise! I sighed, oh why was I such a light sleeper? I knew something had woken me up. I cautiously looked around but saw nothing. Relieved I sat down on the ground and noticed everything seemed so peaceful, forgetting last night I got back up and walked a little ways away from the camp. But not too far that I would become lost or kidnapped. I shuddered at the thought. That's when I heard a song, so beautiful and pure that I stopped and listened.

"Say you'll want me every waking moment, turn my head with talk of summertime. Say you'll need me with you know and always, anywhere you go let me go too. Mon ange! That's all I ask of you!"

I realized that it was my Angel singing! He sounded so different; almost cheerful I didn't recognize his voice. I noticed that I was near a river I blushed when I knew what Erik was doing. He was taking a bath and singing while he bathed! I then saw him walking back to camp; he noticed me and turned the deepest shade of red. "C-Christine! I-I had no idea you were here!" He stammered, I felt guilty that I had heard him sing something that he was only supposed to know.

"Good morning Erik!" I said cheerfully, bad mistake. Erik panicked and as quick as lightning he shot up a tree. I giggled as I looked up at Erik clinging to the branch as he turned upside down. "E-Erik… I-It's me!" I doubled over with laughter. "Hahahaha!" I rolled on the ground clutching my stomach "Oh, please stop! Hahahahaha!" Erik stood over me his face flushed scarlet. "Oh, so you think it's funny." He glared down at me.

"Yes I do think it's funny!" I gasped lying on my stomach catching me breath. I was giggling like a manic, I couldn't help it but the look on Erik's face was priceless! Erik looked pretty nervous. "What's the matter?" I asked "Nothing!" he snapped. I got up until I heard a twig snap and it didn't come from the direction of the camp. Erik grabbed my hand and we ran back to the camp, as soon as we arrived Nadir and Darius already packed up the camp and were on their horses waiting for us.

Erik mounted Christine and I mounted Phantom and we took off as soon as possible. Nadir seemed upset that we were late he shouted something in Persian and Erik lost his temper, but everything he said was in Persian. I couldn't understand a thing but whatever he said Nadir rode the rest of the way in a silent outrage. Darius was silent as well and I didn't say a thing, while Erik sulked the rest of the ride. At the end of the ride we stopped and made camp again, when everything was setup everyone went into their tents and blew their lanterns out. I went into my tent and fell asleep.

"Daddy!" squealed the little girl whose father gave her a raspberry on her stomach. "Oh, Christine. You are so ticklish!" Her father chuckled giving his daughter a piggy back ride all the way home.

One Year Later

Gustave Daee lay sick in bed while his daughter Christine sat watching. "Daddy, are you really dying?" She asked tearfully. Gustave sighed, "Do not worry darling. I just have a cold that is hard to get rid of." Violent coughing racked his frail body. Christine couldn't help but watch with wide tearfilled eyes. "Daddy, are you going to get better?" She asked. "I time, hopefully darling." Her father reassured her, before laying back down and closing his eyes. "Goodnight Daddy, I love you." Christine whispered and then kissing her father on the forehead. She turned and left the room for the night.

Two Days Later

"Christine, darling can you come here?" Gustaave asked motioning for Christine to come over to the bed. She came over and took her father's hand. "Yes Daddy?" She asked as she gazed at into her father's eyes. Gustave could feel tears welling up in his eyes. He took a shaky breath, "Christine, I fear that I am dying. But, when I am in Heaven child, I will send the Angel of Music to you, to protect and guide you." He said. He closed his eyes and his head leaned back into the pillows. Christine felt him squeeze her hand before it went slack... "Daddy? Daddy?" Christine asked while shaking him lightly.

When he didn't respond she started to panic, shaking her limp, lifeless father harder and harder. "Daddy! Daddy! Please wake up!" She begged. Still, when there was no sign of life. She started screaming. The Nurse who was watching over Gustave and Christine had to drag her from her father all the while screaming, kicking, and punching at anything and everything. But all was in vain.

I woke up in a cold sweat; I got up and went out for a walk to get my mind off things. As I gazed up at the stars I thought about my father even more. Because he promised me the Angel of Music but instead I get the phantom of the opera. "Why?" I whispered silent tears streaming down my face. I kept walking further and further away from camp. But I didn't care, all I wanted was to be a little girl again with my father holding me and playing the violin for me.

That was when I heard something move. I froze, and then before I could react two pairs of arms seized me! I struggled I managed to scream but a large hand clamped over my mouth, muffling whatever sound I made. I started to kick and writhe against my kidnappers. I heard a voice "Let's get that phantom!" I instantly stopped listening. "No! We have the girl. He'll have to come get her if he cares at all for her!" Came another voice.

My eyes widened as I realized what was going on. It was a trap to lure Erik out of hiding to come find me, but instead he was going to get arrested and sentenced to death. But everyone knew he wouldn't show himself unless he was after something that he cared about. And that something was me. I was the bait for the trap and I knew it. Again I struggled but it was in vain. They laughed as I felt my hands being bound and my mouth gagged. "Oh! We have a feisty one!" He said lifting my chin up and staring me in the eyes.

I averted the gaze. You smelly pig! I thought with disgust as I thrashed slightly. And then a burlap sack was stuck over my head so I could no longer see, use my hands, or talk, yet how could I? I was gagged! This was terrible! What was Erik going to do? I felt them force me on a horse and then we started moving.