Thank you for your reviews! Sorry this update took so long. Hope you enjoy this chapter. And just for reference, the italics are inner thoughts. (Ex: 'Like this.' )

Ch.4 – Strange Nighttime Encounters

"Mom! Will you please hurry up?!" A young blonde with sweet honey-brown eyes called to her mother, her hair blowing in the breeze. She was glad the weather was nice. There had been a fierce storm earlier that day. Thankfully, it had cleared up just in time for Meg to come to the airport.

"Meg Giry, stop this foolishness! I know you are excited, but there is no need to be running around like a child." Her mother, Antoinette Giry, scolded.

Antoinette was an older version of Meg- though her hair has strands of gray and her eyes were a pale blue. The elder Giry walked with the assistance of a cane due to an injury in the knee when she was younger, but even so, Antoinette moved with grace and held herself proudly. The two were making their way to the airport entrance

Once inside, they waited for the incoming plane to land and release the passengers. Soon, there was a flood of people exiting the flight gate when they caught a familiar figure. A girl looking the same age as Meg's 20 years stepped through the crowd. She had a head of brown curls and big, brown eyes. She looked up as soon as someone yelled out her name.

"Christine!"

Meg launched herself at the brunette, hugging her fiercely. "It's so good to see you!" She squealed. Christine hugged her friend back and smiled. "Same here! I missed you!"

Antoinette walked up to the two and watched them fondly. She loved these girls. They were her daughters, though only Meg was biologically so.

Christine saw Antoinette and pulled away to greet her. Madame Giry smiled, changing her usually stern features.

"Ah…Christine. You're not going to go without hugging me are you?"

The girl shook her head with a giggle and embraced the older woman, sighing. Christine's mother had died during childbirth. She only had her father, Gustave Daae. Antoinette was a close friend to the family, and helped raise Christine along with her own daughter, Meg. The two girls had formed an immediate sisterly bond and Antoinette filled the role of "Mother" perfectly. Now, it seemed, the Giry's were all that Christine had left…

Suddenly, Christine froze remembering why she was here in the first place. Her father had died recently; living in her old home was unbearable. There were just too many memories of her once vibrant, loving father. So, she gratefully accepted to live with the Giry family in Magnusville.

Antoinette felt Christine tense and pulled back, noticing the tears pooling in the girl's eyes. Concern crossed her features. Stroking Christine's curls, Madame Giry whispered, "I think it's time we go home. Let's go find your things."

Finding Christine's luggage, they made their way to Madame's car. Now, finally away from the prying eyes of strangers, Christine began to sob into Meg's arms.

O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O

A loud crash echoed through the large Devroux estate. Erik was in one his black moods again- brought on by thoughts of Clarissa. At his present rate, Erik was set on throwing everything in his study that could possibly be airborne. Now, he didn't exactly want to destroy his study, but there were only two ways he could get out his frustrations- breaking things or music. Right now, Erik was so angry, he didn't think he could manage to make it to his music room. Thus, the room was bearing the brunt of his rage. Yes, it may not be one of the best methods…but, for Erik, it worked. Most of the time, at least.

By the end of his tirade, the study was littered with broken glass, splintered wood, and other remains of destroyed items. Erik sank against the wall, staring at the mess. He felt drained. Rubbing a hand through his hair, he groaned.

"I left to get away from her…from all these memories, and for what? Still she occupies my thoughts constantly!"

Erik's hands clutched into fists at his sides. "It makes me wonder if I'll ever find peace."

Shaking his head, he stood up. 'I need some air.' Exiting the room, Erik headed out the front door, grabbing his long, black overcoat on the way. The door slammed behind him.

Hearing him leave, Travis and the twins peaked out of their rooms. They were hoping he would leave. Seeing as how the whole house had heard what had been going on, it was highly doubtful that any of the frightened staff would even try to go clean up after their employer. Therefore, it was up to the three of them. Oh, sure, they didn't have to do it. They could always just leave it up to Erik. But, the thing is, the masked man was known for making his messes…not cleaning them up. He wasn't the most organized person, either. Nevertheless, Erik expected everything to be in impeccable condition or else he'd become very irritable. They'd much rather clean up after him and save the whole household a great deal of stress.

Grabbing the necessary items, Travis, Rose, and Grace made their way to Erik's study. By the looks on their faces, none of them wanted to face what would be in that room.

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By now, it was already dark out. Now, the city's evening lights lit up the night sky and the streets were full of the usual nighttime crowds. The many people rushing about only gave Erik more reason to stick to the shadows- not that it bothered him. He was used to it. No one even noticed as he passed by.

Erik continued walking, his long strides easily carrying him past all the boisterous mobs of the population. But, as for where he was going…he did not know. He was basically letting his legs take him further.

Stopping briefly, Erik realized the path he was taking was very familiar. 'This feels like the route to get to the Opera House…' As soon as he thought about it, Erik looked up and found that the Magnus was indeed only a little ways ahead of him. Shrugging to himself, Erik continued straight for the large building. 'Actually, I could use some music right now. It's a good thing I had thought to bring the keys.' Unlocking the entrance, Erik swept in and headed for the auditorium, not noticing that someone else had been watching him.

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"Oh, you've done it now, Christine."

Said girl was walking down the street, muttering to herself.

"Not only do you leave for a walk in the middle of the night, all by yourself, but you forget to bring your jacket, too. Yeah, you're really showing your brains now."

As if on cue, another shiver worked it's way up her body. Rubbing her hands on her arms, she tried to warm herself up a bit as she continued to walk. She was seriously regretting her decision to leave the house so suddenly. Christine had been crying the whole day ever since she got back from the airport. Madame Giry and Meg had done their best to comfort her, but in the end, Christine decided she just needed some air and left the house. She knew the city well enough since she visited the Giry's often. 'At least I'm not lost…that would be the last thing I need.'

Looking around to figure out how far she was from her new home, Christine someone walking to a building ahead of her.

'It's the Magnus Opera House.' She realized. 'But I wonder who that is…'

The shadowy figure slipped up the stairs and, unlocking the entrance, stepped inside. Shivering again, Christine decided to follow the person. Besides, she was cold and maybe the Opera House would provide some sort of warmth.

'Christine! What are you thinking? Following some stranger into a dark building with nobody in or around the building…Hm, am I the only one who finds something WRONG with this situation?'

Ignoring her better judgment, she started making her way up the steps.

'Fine, be that way. But when they find your body in an alleyway, then you'll be sorry.' Her mind hissed. 'Oh, wait, no you won't. Because you'll be DEAD!'

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Erik sighed as he sat at the grand piano in the orchestra pit. He started thinking back on how he had even become so angry earlier. Memories can be a dangerous thing. Erik knew this better than anyone.

He had been thinking of all he had lost with Clarissa…there had been so many things he had never gotten to say to her. He thought about, how after everything they had been through together, she couldn't even bear to look at him. She had left him so easily, going off to live with some rich fop. Erik grit his teeth together. Oh, how he wanted to hate that man …but where would that get him? Erik had enough hate and bitterness in his heart to last him a lifetime. Besides, he couldn't exactly blame that man for everything that had happened. He had no fault in the situation. And, after some realizations of his own, Erik came to wonder if things could have truly ever worked out between him and Clarissa. Even before the night she saw his face, he just now noticed that there had always been an underlying tension between the two of them, though hidden very well. Erik could never really open up to Clary. She knew hardly anything about his past. Perhaps…a part of Erik always knew Clarissa would leave him in the end and kept that part of him closed off.

In the end, it doesn't really matter. Erik felt he no longer had the strength to hold this painful grudge. Deep down, he knew he had to let it go. He had to put Clarissa away in his past. Erik had to move on, though he would still regret how things turned out between the two of them. He would indeed miss the happy times they spent together. Maybe he always would…

Flexing his fingers, he played a few scales. This is exactly what he needed: some music. Closing his eyes, Erik began drift off into song, and his voice filled the auditorium.

Unbeknownst to him, Christine had made it inside and was up in one of the box seats when she heard the beautiful sounds he was coaxing out of the piano. The brunette peered over the edge and saw that the shadowy figure from earlier was the one playing. Erik had only turned on a dim light, so Christine couldn't really see him clearly. One of the only things visible was the white half mask on his face. She gazed at it for a moment but become too lost in the music to care about anything else.

"Tell me his name
I want to know
The way he looks
And where you go
I need to see his face
I need to understand
Why you and I came to an end

Tell me again
I want to hear
Who broke my faith in all these years
Who lays with you at night
When I'm here all alone
Remembering when I was your own

I let you go
I let you fly
Why do I keep on asking why
I let you go
Now that I found
A way to keep somehow
More than a broken vow

Tell me the words I never said
Show me the tears you never shed
Give me the touch
That one you promised to be mine
Or has it vanished for all time

I let you go
I let you fly
Why do I keep on asking why
I let you go
Now that I found
A way to keep somehow
More than a broken vow


I close my eyes
And dream of you and I
And then I realize
There's more to love than only bitterness and lies
I close my eyes

Christine was transfixed by that heavenly voice. It was so rich and deep and seemed to wrap around her like silk. Her eyes fluttered closed as she listened. This stranger's singing could make angel's weep! She sure was! Tears were flowing freely down her cheeks. His voice had such a heart wrenching sorrow laced in it that Christine felt her heart would break. This man had obviously suffered through a lot.

I'd give away my soul
To hold you once again
And never let this promise end

I let you go
I let you fly
Now that I know I'm asking why
I let you go
Now that I found
A way to keep somehow
More than a broken vow."

As the notes drifted away into the silence of the room…Erik let out a shaky breath. He hadn't noticed, but during his song, a tear had trickled down from his eye. The song had made his heart ache a little, but that was to be expected. He was finally truly saying goodbye to Clarissa. But, despite the sadness, Erik also felt a tiny wave of peace rush over him…like something had been lifted off his soul. If he would've known letting something go would feel so good, Erik would have done it long ago. Still, there was still a lot more bitterness locked up inside of him. It would take much more for Erik to bury all of his demons. Nonetheless…it felt liberating to be free from some of his pain, if only a small amount.

"I suppose I should head back home now. I will begin working tomorrow and need some rest to deal with the performers in MY theater. There will by no lazing about now that I am here." Erik smirked to himself. "Though, I do hope they are not too far from my expectations, or I'm afraid they'll be in for quite the 'wake-up' call come tomorrow."

Christine, who was still remembering the glorious sounds that had filled the auditorium, suddenly realized that strange was about to leave. Panic began to build in her system.

'Oh, crap! I have to get out of here before he does! I'll be locked in…but I can't let him see me!' Came her frenzied thoughts.

Glancing back, she noticed the masked man was preparing to turn off the dim light.

'Now, you idiot! Go now! Don't just stand there!'

Spinning around, Christine rushed out of the box seat and to the entrance of the theater. Her shoes seemed awfully loud in the silence of the Opera House and every time they hit the floor, the sound echoed about. Making it outside, Christine tried to suppress a squeal as she almost tripped down the stairs in her rush to get out. She hoped that this mysterious musician didn't hear her…but with the racket she knew she made, it was doubtful.

She was right. Erik had heard her, though not as quickly as he usually would have. He is a very alert person with very keen senses. In other circumstances, Erik would have heard her enter the auditorium or sensed her watching him. But, he had still been reveling in the peace he had found tonight, and of course once Erik was wrapped up in his music, he became completely unaware of his surroundings.

However, once Christine had started her frantic rush to the entrance, her footsteps had indeed echoed through the theater and to his ears. The lights were already off, so Erik stalked quickly to the front of the theater. Scanning the street for the intruder with narrowed eyes, he could make out a small figure running away. From what he could see, it was a girl with dark curls…

Erik cocked his head to the side, humor lacing his features. She was practically falling over her own feet in her escape. Once the initial shock of finding someone watching him had worn off, Erik realized there was no threat. Funny, before this night, he would have most likely chased down this trespasser. He could have easily caught her. But for some reason, he felt no need.

Watching his unexpected audience member disappear around a building, he shook his head. This had been a very eventful night.

Please Read and Review! Oh, and the song in this chapter is "Broken Vow" by Josh Groban.