Chapter 7: A Three Sided Search

Nadir had gone out into Phantasma along with three of Erik's most trusted employee's; Miss Fleck, Doctor Gangle and Squelch. Erik had instructed them to search for Isabelle as well as put up posters whilst maintaining the illusion that they were doing so to help Prince Alexander in his continuing search for his runaway bride.

Nadir had pinned up another missing poster that displayed Isabelle's face when Alexander approached him,

"Mister Y seems very keen to assist in my search all of a sudden Mr Khan... Why would that be?" the prince asked suspiciously but Nadir looked at him unfazed,

"Mister Y has wanted to assist you from the moment your fiance went missing, your highness but there is a lot of matters that funding must be allocated too before my employer invests in personal matters" Nadir simply explained, holding back a glare as the prince simply turned up his nose before storming away and was quickly followed by his two lackeys.


Gustave had refused to speak to his father after learning what had occurred between himself and Isabelle... Erik could not keep it hidden from him as it just didn't make any sense why Isabelle would just suddenly leave without reason and Gustave insisted that Isabelle was not someone whom would do so without having said goodbye... This knowledge had forced Erik into having no other option than to tell his son the truth... The former phantom had tried to explain that his actions had been driven by only the thought of protecting his son but for Gustave... This was not a good enough reason; Telling his father that he should have indeed confronted Isabelle but at the same time, He should have given her the chance to explain herself before simply jumping to conclusions.


Nadir returned to Erik's office to find his masked friend looking over a map of Phantasma with various areas crossed out; Erik looked at Nadir with a hopeful expression,

"Have you found her?" he asked urgently as he approached his friend but Nadir sighed as he shook his head,

"... We finished searching the final sector of the island but there is still no sign of her... Myself and the trio are going to start our search of all the sectors once again tomorrow. We'll split up to cover more ground just in case she is constantly on the move" Nadir explained and Erik sighed sadly,

"Are you certain there is no chance that Isabelle could have left the island?" Nadir asked after a moment of thought but watched as Erik shook his head,

"I had considered it but after setting up watch on all the ferry's leaving the island, there has been no sign of her. There is also the knowledge that she cannot use the private ferry as that would result in Alexander finding her" Erik murmured in frustration before running a hand through his hair and Nadir sighed as he looked at his friend concerned,

"... Your confrontation of Isabelle... You told me that you let it slip that there was history between yourself and the vicomte as well as the fact that the vicomte may have interest in stealing Gustave away from you... After what occured... Is it not something we should consider that Isabelle may have contacted the vicomte with the information she knows in return for his protection?..." Nadir asked and Erik looked at him horrified,

"... She would never do that" he defended instantly,

"Erik, only yesterday you thought that she was capable of just that" Nadir pointed out; Erik turned away from his old friend,

"... I was wrong" he murmured before approaching the window so that he could look out at his kingdom below,

"... I just hope that wherever she is... She's safe" Erik murmured more to himself before closing his eyes in a tired manner.


Meanwhile... Madame Giry; Another trusted employee as well as an old friend of Erik's offered a nice, warm and soothing cup of tea to a shivering Isabelle whom sat within the former ballet mistress's chambers with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders as she got warm by the fire,

"My daughter Meg is running you a nice hot bath. We'll have you warmed up in no time, dear... After you've had your tea and your bath. I shall find you a spare night dress and you can get a well deserved good night's sleep" Antoinette told her and Isabelle looked at the aged woman with confusion,

"... Why are you being so kind to me?... Why have you not told Erik that i'm here?... He has mentioned yourself to me many times and I know you are close friends" Isabelle murmured causing Antoinette to smile brightly with a light chuckle,

"Close friends?... I practically raised, Erik. In fact I did just that and in turn he has looked after myself and my meg as he matured into the young man he is today" Antoinette explained just as Meg entered the room carrying a fresh night and dressing gown for Isabelle with a sad expression,

"... Even if I didn't deserve it" she murmured sadly causing Isabelle to look at her curiously whereas Antoinette looked at her daughter with sympathy; Meg looked at Isabelle with a shameful expression that was mixed with sadness,

"... Gustave's mother... Christine... I am the reason she is dead" Meg admitted, allowing a tear to fall down her cheek,

"Many years ago Christine and I had been best friends... Life pulled us both in different directions... She became a vicomtess and I became the ooh la la girl of Phantasma... The spotlight... It became like a drug to me and... I found myself becoming infatuated with the master... Erik... His music... I longed for him to see the potential in me that he had seen in Christine... I wanted him to love me but... I knew that could never be... He could never love anyone but her..." Meg explained, closing her eyes,

"... When I learned that Gustave was Erik's son... I... I knew that he and Christine would never leave the other's side again and I would just continue to be ignored and overlooked... I kidnapped Gustave... I never intended to harm him but I just wanted to get Erik's attention... I had taken a gun with me just to show him how serious I was about earning his favour... The gun... It went off in my hand and..." Meg tried but sobbed not being able to finish before rushing off into her room and slamming the door behind her.


Antoinette sighed and looked at Isabelle sadly,

"Meg will never be able to forgive herself... In truth I don't think Erik will ever be able to truly forgive her either but at the same time... Meg is like the little sister he never had. Despite what she had done... Erik was determined to protect her from the authorities no matter how hard it was for him" Antoinette murmured sadly,

"... Meg is a good person" Isabelle said after a long moment of silence causing Antoinette to look at her surprised,

"...What happened to Christine... Although it was both awful and tragic... It was an accident" Isabelle reasoned before placing her empty tea cup and saucer onto the table before standing,

"... Thank you for helping me, Madame Giry" she told her, giving her a silent promise that she would not tell the authorities of what had really happened on the night of Christine's death; Antoinette smiled as she watched the runaway princess head towards the bathroom,

"... You asked why I haven't told Erik where you are" the former ballet mistress called after her causing Isabelle to turn back to look at her and Antoinette smiled,

"... He may not admit it but I'm like a mother to him... That means I don't have to tell him anything" she joked lightly and Isabelle couldn't help but giggle before heading into the bathroom and closed the door behind her.


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TheAuthor1996