AN: I am sorry for the unnecessary author's note. It had nothing to do with the story but now it's gone. I am rewriting some of these chapters if you want to reread. The story is pretty much the same except I am making sure the characters stay in character and that the story line kind of makes sense. I did not like how I wrote Caitlyn before but now I really like her.
Chapter Seven: Try to Forgive, Teach Me to Live
Time stopped. I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what to do. This man, this creature, was beginning to obsess over me like he did Christine. I should have known. I was naive to think he had changed. Madame Giry opened her arms and I fell inside, sobbing along with Meg. Until now, Meg and I had never spoken. She wrapped her arms around me and held me as I cried for dear Xavier. One of the other stage hands took Xavier's body, sniffling as well but trying to keep it together in front of us.
"He's a monster, Madame Giry." My voice quivered. "He kills without a thought. He murders all that's good. I know I can't refuse! And yet, I wish I could. Oh, God, if I agree, what horrors wait for me from this Phantom of the Opera?" I sang in shaky breaths.
"Caitlyn, Caitlyn, don't think that we don't care." Meg and her mother sang. "But every hope and every prayer rests on you now." I sobbed more and walked down to the chapel.
I took out a match and lit a candle next to the picture that I had brought of Raoul. I sniffed back my tears and sang of how I missed him. I want to send for him but if I do, who knows who he will hurt next. "You were once my one companion. You were all that mattered. You were once a friend and brother, than my world was shattered.
"Wishing you were somehow here again. Wishing you were somehow near. Sometimes it seemed if I just dreamed, somehow you would be here. Wishing I could hear your voice again, knowing that I never would. Dreaming of you won't help me do all that you dreamed I could." I looked around at the statues near me. "Passing bells and sculpted angels, cold and monumental, seem for you the wrong companion. You were warm and gentle."
My mind wandered to those times when my father would beat me and scream obscenities in my face. "Too many years fighting back tears, why can't the past just die? Wishing you were somehow here again, knowing we must say goodbye." How could he leave me here? "Try to forgive, teach me to live, give me the strength to try! No more memories, no more silent tears, no more gazing across the wasted years." I broke down in a gentle sob once more.
"Help me say goodbye. Help me say goodbye!" The room fell silent. That was the highest note I'd ever hit. I looked at the pocket watch I had stowed away in my dress. It was almost 4. I stood up to leave. There was another sound, like the swish of a cloak, and the candle blew out. I went up the stairs and walked slowly to my dressing room.
I turned the handle and walked into the room. The mirror was closed. I sat down on my bed and thought of Xavier's body. I pushed myself into the corner against the wall and waited for the phantom to show himself. My whole body shook with fear.
"Wandering child, so lost, so helpless, yearning for my guidance." Erik's voice rang out. It gave me chills and I responded.
"Angel or demon? Friend or phantom? Who is it there staring?" I quivered.
"Have you forgotten your angel?" He responded.
"Phantom, answer, what led to murder? Echo in this whisper!" I sung out, barely making a sound.
"Too long, you've wandered so careless, far from my protecting gaze."
"Wildly, my mind beats against you. Will my soul obey? Angel of music, you betrayed me, threatening my loved ones. Angel of music! My possessor, turn from me, strange angel!" I sang through tears.
"I am your angel of music. Come to me, angel of music." His mantra spread throughout my room.
I stood and followed the voice, terrified to anger him. Erik grabbed my hand and pulled me through the mirror. I shook my head and came out of the trance. "NO!" I screamed, shoving him away from me.
He had a look of surprise on his face, but he immediately grew angry once more. "You dare disobey me?"
"You are a monster. How could you do that to Xavier?" I spat.
"That miserable fool thought that you were his. I put him in his place."
"We were just talking! He wanted to take me to dinner, and I wasn't even going to go! I was going to turn him down after my voice rehearsal but no! You had to get rid of him for even attempting to speak to me! Now I know why Christine left you, because you are a sick person!" He raised his hand and slapped me across the face.
My hand flew to my cheek and I looked at him with terror in my eyes. "Don't you dare speak to me like that! Are you forgetting who let your brother go free? I could have very well killed the both of you! Now you will do as I say, do you hear me?" He boomed. I could hear it all around me in the little hallway we were in. My eyes filled with tears and I nodded, scared for my life. "Good, now we are to have your scheduled lesson in my home." He waited for me to walk in front of him but I stood still from fear. His eyes darkened. "GO." He shoved me in front of him and I began to walk deeper into the hallway. The tears spilled out of my eyes. I was afraid to look at him. What is to become of me?
