Chapter 2
I woke gasping for breath. He didn't mean to tell me that I was going to kill Christine. I couldn't I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I did. So the only thing I could do was avoid her and it would be impossible to do that. Avoid her or try to control whatever it is that would make me lose control which I didn't even know what it was. I got up rubbing my sore face; I looked into the mirror thinking that my cure was just a dream to find that I still had the stranger's face that has my vivid green eyes. When I looked outside I found that the sun was shining, in fact it was more like glittering, through the open veranda doors. It was shining a few feet away from my bed to be exact and it lit up the luxurious room. I hadn't seen the light of day in years, hiding from the world in the root cellars of the opera house didn't allow me such privileges, I wanted to feel the sun on my skin, on my face! I needed it so badly that I didn't even think of what I was doing until I had stepped out onto the veranda and felt the ethereal glowing warmth on my half naked flesh. It wasn't until I opened my eyes to see the view of the ocean that I realized that I wasn't alone. On the next veranda over was a wide-eyed Christine staring at me as if I had a third eye.
"Pardon me Mademoiselle, I didn't realize that I was not alone," My voice resonated with an underlining of music. It took her a minute or two to come to but it didn't bother me as I had a sight more beautiful than heaven or hell could produce. The sight of Christine was enough to have me weak at the knees.
"Forgive me for being so rude Monsieur," She pleaded, her eyes still as wide as full moons.
"Mademoiselle, I would hate to have our first conversation across a veranda," I laughed slight because that was a lie, I was quite in fact enjoying this moment. "Do forgive me if I'm being rude in asking but would you please join me for breakfast?" I asked. She smiled slight and it looked like she was about to agree when a sleepy looking Raoul came onto the veranda to join Christine.
"You'll have to forgive us Monsieur," He said as he wrapped his arms around Christine - which had me furiously angry - "But we will not be able to join you," He said before planting a kiss on Christine's cheek. He mumbled something in her ear but for some reason she looked sad and it made me long to comfort her but I couldn't simply jump over there, push him aside and wrap my arms around her. She would be screaming bloody rape, though that would not be intention at all. She gave me a final glance before she left with him.
I spent most of that day wandering through the halls of the ship, gathering a map of the ships layout in my mind. It was a truly fascinating display of craftsmanship. There were pools out on the deck with an open bar, dining courts in the middle of the ship and even a ballroom not quite as grand as the entrance of the Paris opera house but not quite bad either.
It was rounding around to night. I was wondering what sight to see next when my stomach suddenly rumbled angrily. I decided quite quickly that it was time to grab something to eat.
When I entered into the dinning hall, I glanced around the room look for a place to sit when I found Christine sitting alone. My body started making its way over to her before I could command it to do anything at all.
I was grinning when she looked up; she smiled slightly as well when she realized that it was me.
"May I join you Mademoiselle?" I asked waiting for her permission to sit.
"It is better to dine with an acquaintance than to dine alone." She replied. I took that as a yes and sat down in the only empty chair at the small table. It was, of course, only big enough to fit me and Christine.
"May I ask where your partner is?" I asked curiously. Why would Raoul leave Christine alone? For all he knew I could be following them to England. Though they would never expect this beautiful stranger which was now me! I felt like laughing but I controlled it within me before it could escape.
"He is in the casino," She replied. Which only made me want to laugh even more. That idiot, gambling and drinking (which I had no doubt that he would) while he had no clue as to what was going on with Christine!
"So where do you come from Monsieur?" Christine asked. Folding her hands underneath her chin. I felt the sudden burning urge to lie to her, which instantly shocked me. I had never completely lied to her, yes I have told her half-truths to protect her but I had never lied to her.
"I come from a small village out in the countryside Mademoiselle." I replied which was technically true. I was born in a small village which I wished would burn out of existence but it was not where I had been for most of my life. She looked confused like it was not the answer she was expecting.
"That's funny; I'd swear that I have met you before." She said. "Have you ever been to the Paris opera house?" She asked. A waiter came to us then. She was quite pretty but I hardly even noticed her, for my eyes were gorging itself on the sight of Christine.
"Can I take your order ma'am?" Her accent was particularly American. The thought barely even crossed my mind. I saw Christine's lips move and then her eyes were on me expecting me to say something. It was only then that I realized the waitress had turned to me waiting forgot order.
"Make it two of whatever the Mademoiselle is having," I said not even once looking at the waitress.
"You're okay with having Veal?" She asked with unspoken questions in her eyes. "You know I've only ever met one man who would eat Veal. Most men think it's a type of meat that only women should eat. You kind of remind me of him." She said on a sigh. I'm glad that I reminded her of the old Erik but alas if she only knew that what is sitting before her is the new Erik.
"What was this man's name?" I asked. Though I already knew the answer I simply wanted to hear her say my name.
"His name was Erik," She said on a sigh, "He was my music tutor and my friend. I loved him but he was surrounded by music that he couldn't see it. So I ran, I ran away from him with the man you saw this morn." She breathed in a shaky breath trying to hold back a sob. I would have collapsed if I had not been seated. She loved me? I didn't dare to hope it was true. "But he's long gone now. Please forgive me for saying all that I've said. I don't usually speak so freely with strangers." She said as the waiter approached. She dropped Christine's dinner in front of her quiet harshly which of course had me instantly furious. She than turned to me trying to deliver my dinner in the most seductive way she could. I didn't waste a second to glance at her and thank her. I simply waved her off keeping my eyes on Christine. It turned out that we were having a vegetable roast with two slices of crumbed veal. We had a bottle of red wine to share between us.
Christine had half a glass and I had two. The dinner was enjoyable but I liked the fact that I could dine with Christine with a horde of people screaming and running from the sight of my face. It was exhilarating, even in the quiet. I stood up and pulled out her chair after she was finished eating. We walked the empty halls until we reached the silent decks of the ship.
It was a full moon, and Christine had an ethereal glow to her as she basked in the moon's light. She was beautiful and once more the sight of her made me weak at the knees.
"I love the night," She whispered as she glanced up at the moon. She was leaning against the railing so I walked over and joined her. I hadn't dared touch her though I came close to do so while walked down the halls.
"Really?" I asked stupidly forgetting the role I was playing. "I mean you just look like the type of person who is afraid of the dark." I quickly said trying to cover up the slip up. She simply gave me an odd look like she saw right through the mask I wore, metaphorically speaking of course for I no longer needed a real mask.
"I use to be afraid but Erik taught me the beauty of the night," She whispered, seemingly breathless. She was smiling again. That smile she had on before when she was talking about me. It was true that I did teach her that the night wasn't something to be afraid of. I was just surprised that she still remembered that teaching.
"Christine," I said and her neck snapped into place so that she could stare at me.
"How do you know my name?" She demanded. I wanted her to know and by god no-one was going to stop me.
"Christine close your eyes and listen to my voice," I commanded, her eyes fluttered shut and I started singing.
"Nighttime sharpens,
Hightens each sensation,
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination,
Silently the senses,
Abandon their defensces.
Slowly, gently,
Night unflures it's splendor,
Grasp it, sense it,
Primulous and tender,
Turn your face away,
From the Cariage light of day,
Turn your thoughts away,
From cold, unfeeling light,
And listen to the music of The night.
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams,
Put your thoughts off the life you knew before,
Close your eyes and let your spirit start to soar,
And you'll live as you've never lived before.
Softly, carefly,
Music shall caress you,
Hear it, feel it,
Secretly possess you,
Open up your mind,
Let your fantasies unwind,
In this darkness that you know you cannot find,
The darkness of the music of the night.
Let your mind start to journey to a strange new world,
Leave all thoughts off the life you knew before,
Let your soul take you were you long to be,
Only then can you belong to me.
Floating, forging,
Sweet intoxcication,
Touch me, trust me,
Savour each sensation,
Let the dream begin,
Let your darker side give in,
To the power of the music that I write,
The power of the music of the night."
When I was finished she opened her eyes and I realized by the sudden in take of breath that she had stopped breathing while I was singing. Her eyes were forming questions and it took her a while to speak.
"It IS you Erik!" She exclaimed. I swear either God wanted to punish me or Raoul had perfect timing. For as Christine made that simple connection Raoul walked out onto the deck; in all his drunken glory.
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