I don't like this chapter. Own nothing.
Two of Philippe's brawny men grabbed my arms and pulled me backwards out of the room, my bare feet scraping the wood plank floors. Erik ran out after them but Philippe grabbed him by his neck. "And just where do you think you're going?" He said before turning around and sauntering down the hall to a back staircase.
The men continued pulling me down the hall and eventually the stairs where I very nearly tumbled down them. They knocked open the doors and shoved me out then shut them. I could hear the bolts sliding into place on the other side. I stood up from where they had thrown me and dusted off my dress with the little dignity I had left. Then I happened to think of something. Mamma Valerius' flat was on the far side of Paris. The de Chagny estate was in the middle of the woods. I sighed and began my walk down the gravelly road in my bare feet. Every so often, a carriage would stop and offer a ride since I used to be of nobility but I turned them down as I had no money.
Eventually, I made my way to the Parisian outskirts then into the city. My dress was now torn and dirty and my hair and face were a mess from losing balance. I made my way to a small jewelry shop where I traded in my wedding and engagement rings for seventy-five francs each. With that, I hailed a carriage and headed for Mamma Valerius' flat.
When I arrived the door was locked and no lights came from the windows. I sighed and settled myself on the front stoop. I fell asleep on the front stoop and soon enough was woken by a crack of thunder. I sat bolt upright as heavy drops began to pelt my person. I shielded my eyes from the rain and watched as lightning cracked a few kilometres away. With it came thunder.
I don't know how long I sat there, but after a few more hours a carriage rode up and dropped off two women. One in black with the grace of a ballerina, and the other an elderly in dark blue. The one in black ran up to the front stoop and kneeled before me. Madame Giry! Mamma Valerius followed a bit behind. I stood and moved out of the way so she could open the door and let us in. Mamma Valerius and Madame Giry let me in first and I immediately went to light a fire in the hearth.
I sat there for a while drying off while Madame Giry whipped up a meal. Mamma Valerius had gone up to put on dry clothes while Madame Giry's cloak was the only part of her that was wet. Not thinking much of it, I took off the monstrous purple dress and sacrificed it to the flames. Sitting there in only my undergarments, I rubbed my hands and cheeks and wrung out my hair. Soon, Madame Giry called from the dining room and I stood and entred. She seemed a bit drawn back to see me in only undergarments and bloodied feet. She handed me a wet rag and I took the clue. I sat down at the table and washed off my feet, face, and hands. Mamma Valerius came and joined us and we prayed before I destroyed my meal. Mamma Valerius turned to me. "Christine, love, would you care to talk about what has happened to you?"
"Raoul was disowned and I was forcefully removed from the estate by Philippe's comrades. I had to walk all the way into Paris in bare feet, sell my rings, and then I sat out on the front stoop for hours."
"Oh, my dear. That is horrible. Would you like to get some dresses tomorrow?"
"Very much. I only have a hundred fifty francs, though."
"Then we will all pitch in and you can take back a job at the Opera." Madame Giry suggested.
"Nothing on stage though, please. Perhaps cleaning?" Madame Giry eyed me suspiciously.
"I suppose we could always use an extra cleaner. But why not chorus or ballet?"
"I fear that over the past few months that has been whipped out of me by the de Chagnys. I haven't danced or sung in six months!"
"Really?" Mamma Valerius gasped.
"Even if I hummed or twirled I was scolded by some family or staff member."
"Oh, if Erik heard this..." Madame Giry trailed off.
"He'd probably kill someone. Thanks for the reminder." I sighed sarcastically.
"Feisty are we?"
"Tired. I'm going to bed." I rose from my chair and made my way up to my little room. A small bed and chest of drawers. My dear father's violin still laying on the centre of my bed and a half full water pitcher on the chest of drawers.
I sat down on my bed and looked out the window above the headboard. I watched the thunderstorm for a while then curled up on my bed for a good cry but no tears came. I stood and poured a glass of water then sat down on my bed to take a few sips. Once I was calmed down a bit, I set the glass on the floor beside me as I had no bedside table. I paced the tiny room for a bit then decided to look for clothes in the chest. I found a navy blue dress and some undergarments that I knew would fit. I changed from my torn undergarments and into a pastel pink nightdress that was a bit snug but would suffice. I sat back down on my bed and lifted my father's violin to put it in its case. I buckled the case and set it beneath the bed then curled up to try and fall asleep.
All night, my mind drifted back to Erik.