Chapter 9 the Phantom of the Opera

Fear, excitement and curiosity were the feelings Christine Daae was feeling. She was sitting on a red seat in the black carriage. She looked out of the window and saw that they were back in Paris. Sky was already black but gaslights revealed the buildings and streets. Still, Christine wasn't really paying attention where she was going but was thinking about the man who was driving the carriage. To her surprise they stopped suddenly.

Christine was too excited to even move. She was waiting to hear something from outside but heard nothing. Then suddenly the door opened and she saw him offering a hand to her. Christine accepted his black gloved hand and came out of the carriage. What surprised Christine even more was that she still couldn't see Erik's face. He was standing mere inches away from her, but hat, cape and a scarf were hiding his face in the darkness. She could only see the two gloving yellow eyes. Now that she was out she could also recognise where they were. She knew these buildings; they weren't long away from the opera house. Christine had often passed them on her way to mama Valerious. She also noticed that the horses had disappeared.

Erik, still holding Christine's hand in his, leaded her to one of the buildings. They were the kind of old buildings that you're not sure if anyone is living there. Erik opened on of the buildings doors and entered with Christine. Inside was no better that the outside. But again Erik surprised his companion. Instead of going stairs up as she had thought, they went stairs down to the basement. And there Erik opened yet another door and that revealed stairs going even deeper down. Christine had to admit that she was little nervous now.

"Please, where are you taking me?" she managed to ask. Glowing eyes turned to her.

"Home" he said simply, but hearing his voice was more than enough to reassure her.

They headed even deeper down and Christine had to walk more slowly that usually as she could barely see anything at all. And then suddenly there was light. Christine couldn't believe her eyes but there were candles on the walls even though no-one had lightened them. Christine didn't have time to wonder how Erik had done that when new surprises came.

As they had been going sometime, Christine was sure they were below the streets of Paris by now, Erik suddenly stopped and let go of Christine. Before Christine could say anything a horse appeared as if summoned. And just like that Erik had raised Christine to the horse, as if she was a mere feather. How can so thin be so strong, Christine thought.

Erik walked beside the horse and led it along the long corridors and paths. Christine had always heard stories of the underground labyrinths and catacombs but never believed she would actually someday be there. Normally she would be panicked in a situation like this but not with Erik.

Finally, after a time that could have been five minute to hours, they arrived to the underground lake. Christine was wondering if she had fallen a sleep. In the black cave there was light that seemed to become underneath the water, giving whole cave a blue kind of colour. There was also a small black boat on the dock.

Erik helped Christine from the horse to the boat and then send the horse away. He went to boat also and it started to move steadily toward the cave…by itself! Christine was now sure she must be dreaming. She was also convinced that she heard singing coming underneath the water.

Finally the boat arrived to the other side of the cave. Erik jumped to shore and helped Christine up from the boat. It wasn't until there Christine saw black wooden door in the cave wall. Erik came closer to it and it opened, though he hadn't touched it. Erik motioned Christine to enter and she did.

Inside was a total contrast to what outside was. Outside was cold catacombs and stone walls but the inside seemed like some aristocrat's home. Expensive carpets on the floor, the Italian paintings on the wall and the finest furniture's you can get. All in all it was impressive, but maybe more impressive was the thing have simple everything was, nothing snobby.

"Welcome to my home, Christine" she heard him saying behind him. She turned around and saw he was no longer wearing a hat and a cape. He was dressed all in black and he still had black gloves. But now he was also wearing a deep blue porcelain mask that covered his face. She was able to see only his two shining eyes. She looked at the man in front of her and remembered a description Sorelli had once given to her.

"You're him, aren't you?" she asked. "You're the Phantom of the Opera".

"No, Christine" he said, rather sadly. "I'm no ghost, nor angel, nor spirit. I am Erik, nothing more".

But Erik is more than a normal person, Christine thought. "Where are we?" she asked.

"This is my home, my dear, has been for the last twelve years. We are few stores beneath the Opera house".

"We're beneath the Opera house?" she echoed, more to herself than him. She looked around the large room where they were and saw at least four doors leading to other rooms. "Why have you brought me here?" she asked.

"You wanted to get to know me. Here you are. You shall spend some time with me here" he said matter-in-fact voice.

"Stay here for how long exactly?"

"A week would be fine. Yes, in a week you have learned to know me without fear or…" he seemed not wanting to finish his sentence. "I've taken the liberty to inform both managers of the Opera house and Mme. Valerious about this arrangement. After a week I shall return you above the ground, and you shall be perfectly unharmed. There's nothing for you to afraid here as long as you respect my one and only rule in here".

"And that rule is?"

"Do not touch my mask".

Chapter 10 Daroga

The day had been most certainly unusual to Erik. The fact that Christine Daae was sleeping just behind the wall was so exciting that Erik wondered if it was healthy. He hadn't ever had anyone in his home before, not during those twelve years he had been living there. And now that little angel was sleeping in here. Erik had promised to give tour to her when she awakes but he gathered she would need a little rest. After all, anything that had anything to do with Erik couldn't possibly be called a simple. She would probably have a billion questions to make.

Erik founded that he was little amused by the situation. A beautiful girl that had a smile to make a train stop was willingly sleeping in his home. If only mother knew…Erik thought, pushing the thought immediately off his head. Last thing he needed was to be reminded of his mother.

At the moment Erik was doing something he usually did, having a walk in the shadows. He was happy here, as happy as he ever could be. In the darkness of the catacombs he could walk without his mask without a fear to be seen. Still, this day was holding a few more surprises to him. As he was walking beside the lake he heard singing. It was a song of death. Erik wondered who unfortunate was soon to be dead. He headed to the sound, wanting to see who had gotten this close to his home. Soon he heard splashing of water and just before a figure of a man disappeared beneath the surface he heard someone yelling: "ERIK; PLEASE HELP!"

Erik was taken back by the voice. He knew it was only a matter of time before this man would find his way here; still Erik hadn't been waiting for it. Quickly he walked to the lake and hissed angrily in to the water. Soon a man with a dark skin appeared. Erik helped him to the shore.

"God damn you, daroga! You old fool, coming here. Did you think that it would be easy? Did you think that I have become a senile? Did you save my life only to make it insufferable?!" Erik said angrily to the man, walking to the shadows so man couldn't see his face. The Persian could still see his gloving eyes.

"No, Erik, I didn't thought any of that" he said, as he was still breathing hard, nearly drowning a mere seconds before.

"Then why, pray tell, did you risked your life by coming here? I have seen how you have been searching my home for almost a year now. You have been very careful of not tripping to my traps. Why were you careless now? What possessed you to hurry?"

"Christine Daae" the Persian said.

Erik went silence. He knew already that he wouldn't enjoy this conversation. "What about Christine Daae?" he asked.

"She's in your home isn't she?" the Persian asked.

"Yes she is what about it? I have every right to ask her visit me from time to time" Erik said, obviously irritated.

"I need to know is she alright, Erik. If you have hurt her, a mere child still, I swear…"

The Persian was interrupted by Erik's laughter. "You swear what? Unless you haven't noticed, Nadir, you are in no position to give threats to me. What I have done – or will do – to Christine Daae is none of your concern. I can tell you that she is sleeping quite peacefully at the moment and that she has arrived here by her own free will".

"You're lying, Erik…"

"Enough! I don't want to hear anymore of it, understand? I'm tired and I still have much to do! I saved your pathetic life today, Nadir, so you could say that we are even. But if you ever try to come here again without my permission…or if you try to speak to Miss. Daae a bad word about me…I'll make you regret it".

Nadir knew it was useless to argue. Instead he just shook his head. "Erik, for the past 25 years I've been wondering if I did the right thing by saving your life. I so hoped that you would have used your talent and gifts to help mankind. Have you been just murdering peoples all these years?"

"Of course not, but I warn you; my rage is not yet done" Erik said, sending shivers to the Persian's spine. "Now leave!" he added.

"Erik! One more thing! What – what is that thing singing in the lake?"

"Oh, daroga, can't you anymore recognize a serine when you see one?" Erik said amusement in his voice.

"A serine…? You didn't bring it from Persia?" Nadir asked.

"No, don't worry. I found her in London. Poor thing was been kept in an aquarium in a freak circus. Such a magnificent creature, I just couldn't leave her there". And then Erik made two long steps to the Persian and hold him by his collar. "If you disobey me and come here again…serine will be the least of your worries!" and then he was again in the shadows.

Chapter 11 From dream to nightmare

For a moment Christine was thinking she was still asleep, as the place where she was, was not a familiar to her. She was in a huge bed, covered with the fines silk you could get. Only royalties slept like this. Christine's troubled mind was trying to remember what had happened and it came to only one conclusion; Erik.

Christine remembered now, she was at Erik's home, beneath the Opera house. Erik, the magician, genius, angel, mystery, ghost all in one man. Who he is, Christine thought. What had he done before? How did he come here? Is he only a man? Why is he wearing a mask?

Christine shuddered as she remembered the deep blue porcelain mask. She had so long wished too actually see her Angel of Music, and even now it was denied from her. She remembered Erik's voice when he had made his command; it had been warning. If she would see him something terrible would happen.

Christine's thoughts were interrupted by sound of music coming from another room. She left the room where she had been, a very beautiful ladies room, and went to see Erik. He was at the next room, playing the same music he had played at the cemetery. Only this time he wasn't playing a violin but huge pipe organ that covered the entire wall of the room. The music was the same; unbelievably sad, crying of love and loneliness.

Erik stopped immediately as he noticed her entering. He was dressed in a green rope that had red dragons in it. He was also now wearing a white mask.

"Good morning, Christine" he said very politely.

"Good morning, Erik" she answered.

"I hope you rested well and that you didn't wake because of me".

"No I didn't, I was awake already. I'm not though quite sure what time it is" she confessed.

"Yes, I'm to blame for that. Here it is very easy to loose the sense of time. It should make your week here easier. It is almost noon, Christine" Erik finally admitted.

Christine almost fell to the floor. She had never slept this long.

"Now, Christine. It is time for some breakfast or supper maybe, I think" Erik said, obviously noticing her reaction.

After Erik had served her something to eat, though she only ate few fruits, he fulfilled his promise to give her a tour.

"There are only two rooms where you are not allowed. One is that" Erik pointed a door in the corner. "That is one of them, my cabinet. The other is that" he said pointing a wall. "You can't see the door, but should you ever find it, under no circumstances enter there" he said sharply and firmly.

What Christine was allowed to see was a huge library, containing books and writings from all over the world. In Erik's lair was also a music room, containing different sort of instruments and a room full of clothes, where Christine noticed was also the red death costume.

Back in the main room Christine quickly glanced the libretto at the organ.

Don Juan Triumphant by Erik Destler.

"Is this your work, Erik?" Christine asked.

"Yes it is, did you like it?" he asked.

"Yes, it was very beautiful. But the music expressed loneliness. Wasn't Don Juan a ladies man?" Christine asked; remember only little of Lord Byron's work.

"Yes, but he never had anyone to love him" Erik said simply. "Would you like me to play to you?" he then added. Erik could read from Christine's eyes what she was about to ask. "No, I won't play more of my Don Juan. I can play Mozart of Beethoven, but my Don Juan burns".

And then he sat down to the organ and started to play some famous piece. Christine watched mesmerized as he played. He was incredibly talented. But who was he? Why was he down here? Was he an eccentric nobleman or a fugitive running the law? Suddenly Christine felt the urge to know the face beneath the mask, to finally see her angel. And with a movement she was incapable to control; her fingers quickly moved the mask from his face.

And immediately she stiffed. Not because of the face, as she was standing right behind Erik and couldn't see anything. But because of the horrible inhuman cry that he made as he felt the air on his bare face. It was a cry of ultimate desperation that for a moment Christine considered returning the mask before she could see anything. But then Erik rose up to his towering heights and turned around.

Never before had Christine seen a face like that, not even in her worst nightmares. He didn't seem to have any flesh on his face, only a yellow/grey skin going around the skull. It was a face of decomposing and rotting, a death face. His thin lips could hardly conceal his teeth. And he didn't have nose but a huge black hole there where should have been a nose. But what frightened Christine most were his eyes, two shining eyes in a black holes. In them she could see all sorrow, desperation and betrayal the world could hold.

Christine, who had fell to the floor, tried to turn her eyes away but in a second Erik was also on the floor like a huge predator. He took Christine's head to his hands and forced her to look at him.

"Don't you even dare to turn your face away from me, Christine Daae! You wanted to see so look now! Look at me; look at this face that even my own mother couldn't love! Are you satisfied now my dear, are you?! Oh, maybe you think it's another mask; a mask behind the mask". Erik forced Christine to touch his dead face. "Oh no, you can't tear this one off, now can you my dear? It's not another mask, it's me! It's me!!" he yelled. Then he let go of her and rose up.

"Yes Christine, do you see? I'm Don Juan, sort of anyway! No-one loves me, but when a woman has seen me she belongs to me, to me, TO ME!!!"

And then, with a two long steps, Erik was at the door. His face was now buried to his hands. "I hope you are happy now, Christine. Because now I can never let you go" he said silently. And then he was gone, leaving shaking and sobbing Christine to the floor.

Chapter 12 Erik's bedchamber

It took some time before Christine found the strength to get up from the floor. She was still shaking.

How it all went wrong, she asked from herself. One moment they had been playing music and singing, Erik had been showing his domain. He had trusted her and this is how she had repaid it. Christine cursed herself. She hated herself and her curiosity.

Well, now I know why he didn't contact me face to face all those years ago, Christine thought. She wondered why Erik had chosen her to be his protégé. She sobbed at the thought of how he must have felt, always staying in the shadow. All because of his face…

Christine shuddered at the thought of his face. He didn't have a nose! What horrible faith had condemned him with a face like that? Had it been some terrible accident? No, Christine suddenly remembered Erik's words: "…face that even my own mother couldn't love!"

Oh my god…

He had born like that. He had never had a normal face. Christine suddenly realised what kind of life he must have been living. No society would ever welcome him to be part of it. Had he always been in the shadows? Only watching how others lived their lives. What had he been doing? Did he have friends and enemies?

And what about his talents, she thought. He was obviously talented musician and, if his underground home was his creation, architect. But what else was he? What about all the wonders she had seen here? Were they his creation also? Illusion or something else…

Christine left the room with the great pipe organ and venture now to the room where she heard a soft music coming. Erik had forbidden her to go only to two places but this was not one of them. She slowly opened the door and music stop immediately. Erik was standing; he had been playing a flute, his back on her. He didn't turn to her. Christine was nervously holding his white mask in her little hands.

"I'm… I'm sorry, Erik. Please forgive me" she managed to mutter.

Erik didn't say anything. Instead he held his hand, motioning her to give his mask back. Christine did. It was now that Christine could actually look about the room. This room was dark. It was decorated with black and night-sky blue curtains, only light was coming from candles. In the room were drawings and a…

…coffin.

A black coffin with a bright red silk in it was in the middle of the room. Christine could only look at it and wonder why Erik had a coffin.

"It's my bed" Erik said.

Christine looked at him. He was sleeping in a coffin?

"Don't try to understand me, Christine. You could never understand me" Erik said. "And what comes to your apology, there's nothing to apologize. You are already paying for your crime".

Christine's eyes winded in bewilderment, she couldn't understand what he meant. When Erik realized what puzzled her, a laugh escaped from his lips.

"As long as you wouldn't have known my face you would have returned here to see your poor Erik. But now that you know my face you would leave me the first chance you get. I can't and I will not ever, EVER, let you go" he said.

Christine now understood how much damage she had done. The trust that they had been build during the last years had been shattered to pieces. But she wasn't going to give up. She would get him trust her again, and she see the world above again. For a moment Christine wondered which was more important to her; her old life or Erik's trust.

"Erik, if you won't let me return above after the week as you said, it means you have never felt anything for me" she said, knowing that she was playing with fire. For a moment she was expecting the worst; Erik's shinning eyes narrowed in shock, frustration and anger. But, obviously thinking otherwise, he regained his composure.

"I'll think about your words. The dinner will be served in a couple of hours. Now leave me!" Erik said more harshly than what he intended.

When Christine left Erik, he blow his fist to the small bedside table and it immediately fall to the pieces.

"How dare she accuse me… when I love her…?"