Chapter 10: Twisted Every Way

The tension was building. James rarely visited the Viscount's household, and when he did he made sure that Erika was not there or in her dark secret world, too enveloped in her music to even think about the goings on of the household. He started including Justine in his visits as well.

One day, as they sat in the drawing room along with Vincent and Change, Justine noticed something on the table she found very interesting. She waited until James went to the washroom before picking it up. "La Don Juanita…" she observed. She smiled darkly, than looked at Vincent and Change. "Boys, would you like to be rid of your family problem?"

Vincent and Change were all to ready to be rid of all the madness going on. They looked at her expectantly.

Ju: "We have all been blind and yet the answer is staring us in the face.
This could be the chance to ensnare our clever friends."

They shot a quick glance at each other. "We're listening. Go on."

Ju: "We shall play their game, perform his work, but remember we hold the ace.
For if Ms. Daae sings, he is certain to attend.

V&C: "We are certain the doors are barred.
We are certain the police are there.

Ju: "We are certain they're armed.

V,C,&Ju: The curtain falls, their reign will end."

Justine convinced James to meet with Erika and discuss this. He climbed the stairs to her room. He could hear music playing from the other side. The door handle was covered in dust, for it had never been used. He knocked hesitantly; knocking more dust off the door and making him cough. The music cut off sharply. "Who is it?" he heard her snap.

"James."

"Oh." There was a long pause, then a sigh. "Come in." Reluctantly, he put his hand on the dusty knob and turned it, hearing the squealing of unused and rusty hinges.

Inside was a completely different world. The walls were shrouded in curtains of deep colors, blacks, blues and maroons. There was a wardrobe to the right, and an organ to the left. In the center there was a large bed draped in curtains and seemingly too large for one person. But then again, she lived with the Viscount de Changy. But he was gripped with awe for only a moment, then realized the reoccurring theme. There were knives everywhere. They were lying on small tables, penetrating into the wall holding up the curtains, and even shaped the wooden posts on the bed; for as her father's fascination was the noose, hers was the knife. She was sitting at the organ facing him, the exposed side of her face held the expression of annoyance. "Well?" He was silent for a moment, then explained his visit.

She reluctantly listened to him. "James, please." She whispered when he was done. "Don't make me do this. Don't put me through this forcibly. He'll take me, but it's alright. It's what I want."

"We'll be parted forever. I can't come down there. He won't let you go."

She was surprised by this remark. "Yes, you're right."

E: "And he'll always be there singing songs in my head,

He'll always be there, singing songs in my head."

The thought comforted her. Her father took care of her, and understood her. James looked at her for a moment. Justine had told him to press on no matter what she said at first.

Ja: "You know inside, he is nothing but a man.

Yet while he lives, he will haunt us till we're dead.

E: "Twisted every way, what answer can I give?
Am I to risk my life to win your chance to live?
I can't betray the man who still inspires my voice.
I won't become his prey, and yes I have a choice.

Ja: He kills without a thought. He murders every man.
You know you can't refuse!"

E: "And yet I know I can."

James stormed out of the room. She shook her head after he had slammed the door which screamed and groaned in protest.

E: "Oh God, if I'd agreed what fate waited for me, in this, the Phantom's opera?"

James told Justine the news. She immediately formulated a new plan, with James and her playing the lead rolls. It would bring Erika there, and she would no doubt bring her father along too. James thought she was extremely put out however.

Ja: "Justine, Justine don't think that I don't care

but every hope and every prayer rests on you now."

The days before the opera were drawing close, and tension was rising. Erika sat in the drawing room when everyone else was at rehearsals, staring out the window and thinking about what she was about to do in a week at the first, and the only performance. To her surprise, she was not alone. "So, this is how it ends."

She looked up to see Raoul standing behind her, looking wary. "You're really going to follow his path." She said nothing. "It won't work."

"How would you know?"

"Because he did the same thing to try and capture your mother, and obviously that didn't work out at all."

"Ha! You only got mother because she's so shallow."

"Do you really think that's it? She wouldn't have chosen him no matter what happened."

She stood up. Although she was a few inches shorter then Raoul, she was by no means less threatening. "You're jealous."

He narrowed his eyes. "Am I?"

"You are! He's a musical genius! Master of illusion, architect, and, most of all he loves mother with all his heart, not like you! I may just be sixteen, but I know enough to know that your relationship is built purely on infatuation! There is nothing here for her, and I wish that she was smart enough to see how shallow everyone here is!"

"You stupid child! I should have gotten rid of you sixteen years ago! I could have done you in right there and told Christine you died in birth! She would never have known, but I didn't! You should thank me for sparing your worthless little life!" They were yelling now.

"Thank you! Thank you for letting me live! I now know all about the world on the surface! I know that everyone up here is too stupid to realize just how idiotically the world works!"

He grabbed her by the hair, and she grabbed his shirt front. Pain meant almost nothing to her. She held her hand up, ready to bring her fist to his perfect face and do as much damage as possible. The door knob turned then, making them flay apart. By the time Christine got through the door, Erika was at the window again and Raoul was standing next to her ready to help her with anything she might need.

It was the day of the opera, and Erika was getting ready to leave. She packed a small brown bag with just what she needed for the coming night.

E: "Seal my fate tonight

I hate to have to cut the fun short

But the joke's wearing thin

Let the audience in

Let his opera begin!"

It was still morning and the sun had not even thought about rising. She passed through the main hall, and saw someone standing in her way. It was Ida. "Yes?"

Ida looked down. "Well, um mademoiselle? I, um, with the way everything has been lately, I thought I might… not have another chance and… I… I wanted to tell you…"

"Yes?"

Ida sighed, then looked Erika straight in the eye not covered by her hair. "Thank you." She stated, "Thank you for doing all you have done. I know about the kitchen, and how you were the one who got me in there. But that's not all you've done for me." She smiled a small wary smile. "You were the only person who would talk to me for the seven years I've been here, and, you're the closest thing to a friend I've ever had."

Erika was not expecting this, and she was less prepared for Ida to boldly step nearer and hug her. She had no idea that the servant girl's life had been so affected by her, and she found herself returning the hug to her only friend. When they were done, she turned to leave, but stopped. "I…" she didn't quite know what to say to Ida, so she said something she had never said before. "Thank you." As she left, she heard Ida for the last time. "You're welcome," a pause, then, "Madame Phantom."