The Feeling in Your Heart
A/N: I decided to try something new and wrote this chapter from Madame Giry's perspective. Hope you like it. A thanks to Phantom's Ange, my beta. I also thank all that have taken the time to review. It means a great deal to me and I highly appreciate it.
Chapter Ten: Rocky Meetings
Antoinette waited patiently on her bed for Erik's arrival. Next to her were groceries and a worn light blue coat, which lay stretched out for the young lady. They were in the winter months and soon it would be snowing. She knew Erik's lair might get extremely cold and wanted her to have some of her own warm clothes instead of having to borrow more of his things. She still couldn't get over the fact he told her the girl had only been wearing his shirt.
Ever since unexpected his visit last night she had been wondering whether or not Erik had lost his mind. It seemed too impossible a girl would appear out of nowhere and he would be the one to take care of her. Maybe this was a result of his loneliness. She would never be able to forget the crushed look he wore when she first saw him after Christine left with Raoul. Honestly she didn't know how he lived through that night.
She remembered finding him sitting motionless staring into space: his expression a mix of heartbreaking emotions. He never acknowledged her presence, just stared unblinking as his tears fell silently. It took her nearly an hour to make him move and when he did he followed her like a dead man walking. She had been sure he would die of heartbreak. She had stayed with him for several hours waiting for him to say anything, but he never did. Finally she left him with the promise of returning as soon as she could.
By the time she got back, Christine and Raoul had talked to the authorities. Apparently they had watched the Opera Ghost die. They had said his body had been badly burned beyond any recognition and then buried deep beneath ruble when a tunnel collapsed just as they managed to escape. So they said.
Fortunately no one believed or knew any different, except herself, and, of course, Christine and Raoul. No one would dare contest the word of a Vicomte and a woman who had personally been tortured by the Phantom. There had been a few search parties looking for the body, and they came up with several Erik had disposed of during his reign. The authorities had wanted to put it to rest immediately and identified one poor dead bastard as the Opera Ghost.
When she had finally been able to speak to Christine and Raoul alone she asked them why they did it. They pretended not to understand at first, but when she told them she had seen Erik they told her immediately. They had wanted to give him a chance to get away. His life may never be normal, but Christine could not bear the thought of her tutor being arrested and executed. Raoul agreed to the story only because he loved his fiancé and wanted her to be able to sleep at night.
On her way back to see Erik she found a small-starved black kitten. Its hair was full of ash and dirt. She carried the small kitten with her as she made her way to see him. By the time got to him he was thinner and still not moving or talking. She did not have a clue as to what to do when she heard a tiny meow from the animal she held. Seeing many similarities between the kitten and the broken man before her, she got a strange idea. She put the kitten with the mushed in face in his lap and told him he better not let it die. For the first time he moved realizing there was a cat in his lap. Some how she knew then he would bond with it. She told him he needed to clean it and himself up and walked away telling him she would be back with food.
Antoinette could not imagine what would have happened to Erik if she had not found Elvira on her way to him. His taking care of the cat seemed to help him. The cat never judged his face, it was just there for him, never said a hateful word. And now there was a girl to take care of. Maybe his mind was cracking up. This girl surely had to be a figment of his imagination. If not, what would happen to her? She certainly could not stay in Erik's lair. Who would want a life without sunlight? If the girl was real, she would suggest the girl come live up here where she could be taken care of properly. Then she would find her family, if she had any.
She reached down, took off her shoes, and rubbed her tired feet. She had been busy getting the ballerinas ready. Now about year later, almost two, they would be putting on their first production since that tragic night. It was hard work; most of them were new. Several girls had left a year ago because they believed there might end up being a real ghost since the man was dead or there were to many bad memories attached to this place.
Fortunately, many patrons decided to back the old opera house simply they loved the wonderful productions, but mainly because the phantom was dead, there was no reason to fear any more. The ridiculous managers had fled; apparently they had been wanted for fraud in a different country. Now a Norman Dumas ran the place. He was a kind man and cared only for his workers and the production. When he was not here he was with his family.
Rubbing her forehead she began thinking of the unusual events that had occurred earlier. There had been a new patron who came to visit to get a feel for the place. In fact he seemed to be looking for some one, but claimed if he was to put his money into this place he wanted to see everyone that worked here. He was a dashingly good-looking man. His name was Armand Delancey. He had light brown hair pulled back and obviously worked out. Most of the other ladies had fallen for him then and there hoping to be a mistress, but Giry felt there was something wrong. Maybe it was his tone or his cold slate blue eyes, but she knew it was something.
Monsieur Delancey had looked at everyone carefully and asked if there was anyone else working there. When told by Monsieur Dumas everyone was present he looked highly disappointed and left with Dumas to discuss other matters.
Dumas had later confided in her Delancey was having the tunnels swept again over the next few days as a precaution. Dumas was no fool and nether was she, they both felt it was more than that. This she must remember to tell Erik in case he did not already know.
She got up and began to pace the length of her room. Several minutes later she heard a click of a latch knowing it was Erik, she rushed to the wardrobe to open the door anxious to greet the girl. Erik stepped out first and right behind him came a shy beautiful young lady. Apparently Erik was not loosing touch with reality after all.
Her fiery straight red hair shined in the light as she turned her head to look at Madame Giry with timid big sapphire eyes. Her left cheek was visibly swollen with a big green-yellow bruise. She looked to be late teens possibly early twenties, but it was hard to say. She was small, barely coming up to Erik's chin. Her under fed body immediately told Giry she had probably been abused half her life.
Giry felt her motherly instincts rise up with in her towards the girl. "Oh, child," she stepped forward to hold her in her arms, but the girl backed away nearly tripping over her own skirts. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you," she said surprised and looked up at Erik. He just looked back at her worried. He had obviously thought the girl would take to her better. "Erik, I think I need a word with you," she said nodding to the door. There would be no one in the hallway at this time. "We will be back in one second child. That coat on the bed is for you. Why don't you try it on?" she said kindly before shutting the door behind them.
"Erik, have you fed her at all? I could probably fit my hands around her waist with room to spare," she questioned angrily, pointing at the door. "Even Meg's clothes are to small for her and Meg is to skinny in my opinion."
"I know, I know. I've tried getting her to eat, but she refuses. I was hoping you could talk to her. That maybe she would open up to you," he said crossing his strong arms.
"I don't think that is likely to happen any time soon with what she just did. She terrified Erik," she said her brows furrowing in worry. She leaned her head against the wall slowly letting out a deep breath. "To think what must have happened to her," she said softly shaking her head wirily. "Has she told you anything?"
"No. If I ask, she pretends she did not hear me. But I did find out her name is Kaydence, she prefers Kay though. Her mother died giving birth to her."
"Poor girl," her voice dripping with sympathy. It must have been hard growing up without a mother.
"She also has an amazing talent for music," he said trying to hide the excitement, but Giry didn't miss it.
'Not another Christine,' Giry thought to herself. Erik seemed to guess her thoughts and quickly explained she did not sing and would certainly need no tutoring with the violin.
"She just as good as me, if not better," he said almost looking surprised at what he said.
"Really?" she asked standing straight her interested peaked. "Where would she have learned it?"
"I don't know. She's kind of special. She's…" his voice trailed off a glazed thinking look came over his face.
"Oh, no. Don't you dare Erik, don't fall for this one. She wouldn't-"
"Woman, it's not about that it's…" full realization about something seemed to hit him. "Do you have parchment and a ink?" he asked hurriedly.
"Yes, of course," she answered. "You mean now?"
He gave her a look that clearly meant 'No duh.' She turned to the door, but remembered what she had been thinking about earlier and told him of the strange Armand Delancey and his request.
Erik seemed to think about it deeply and then said, "Do you think it has anything to do with her?" he pointed to the door.
"I can't be certain, but it does seem like a strange coincidence. You found her in the tunnels and now this guy wants them searched. But Delancey is a very wealthy man, why would he be interested in a girl like her?" she asked doubtfully. "Maybe if we asked her?"
Erik shrugged his broad shoulders. "Asking her something is like talking to a brick wall. I'll mention it if she seems like she wants to talk." Madame Giry nodded in agreement and opened the door.
As they walked in a sight they never quite thought possible greeted them. Kay stood in front of her mirror with the baby blue coat buttoned, braiding her long hair, humming a happy tune. The second the girl realized they had walked in she stopped, spinning around blushing like a girl little caught trying on her mothers clothes. She immediately began playing with the ends of her hair keeping her head down.
"The coat looks great on you," she said trying to make the girl feel more comfortable.
"Thank you," Kay said without looking up. "I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to, I just…" her voice trailed away, but she looked up at her letting her eyes do the talking.
"I understand. Meeting new people is hard."
Kay nodded, obviously thankful she had understood.
Madame Giry walked over and pulled a quill, ink, and parchment from one of the desk drawers. She handed them to Erik and he began writing furiously. She walked over to her bed and sat down keeping her eyes trained on Kay. The girl did nothing but fidget nervously and steal tiny glances at her. There was no way this girl had not been mistreated before what ever cause her to end up here.
Erik sealed his letter, walked over, and handed it to her. "Do you remember the circus I was…well I need this to get to a woman that was there. And if you can't find her, then if she had a daughter or any relative will do," he said quickly, obviously remembering terrible things that had happened to him there.
She looked at him with deep concern. "Why? Erik? I don't…"
"I can't explain it. It is really important. Antoinette, please," he said his eyes begging her.
She couldn't help but nod. Such an action was strange from him.
He went over to Kay and she looked up at him. "We need to leave. Madame Giry needs her rest, she is getting up there in age," he said jokingly shooting her a look. She shook her head at him smirking and was surprised when she saw a small smile form on the girl's lips. He then went over to the wardrobe opening the passageway for her.
"Kay?" she said quickly before she left. The girl turned to her almost uncertain if her name had really been called. "If you ever need anything, even if it is just to talk, I'll be here," she said sincerely.
Kay's amazing blue eyes looked at her with a shocking intensity. It felt almost as if she were examining her soul. "You're a good woman Madame Giry, it's a rare thing," she said with a sad tone and turned to walk into the dark.
She found herself staring at the spot where the girl had been marveling at such an odd statement.
"I told you she was special," Erik said snapping her out of her daze.
"Yes, very special. You better be good to her." Now knowing better than to ask if the girl would be safer with her, she handed him two bags of groceries. Before he left her sight completely he turned and looked her dead in the eye.
"Thanks," was all he said.
She held up the letter, "I'll let you know."
He nodded and followed Kay out. She turned the letter over to look at the name on it.
Madame Coralee
Wait, she knew that name. Racking her brain she remembered. She had seen her once in her life and the woman had been right about everything. She had a reputation for always being right. People paid a great amount of money to see her.
Madame Coralee was a fortuneteller.
A/N: So what do you think? Like it so far? Did you like reading it from someone else's point of view? Please review, without your opinions I can't possibly know if you like it. But remember, no flamers, only constructive criticism
Secretly wonders who will be the twentieth reviewer