Wow this is the last chapter! After this all that is left is the epilogue which I'm posting with this! And I'm sorry darkgryphonmage but Christine doesn't die.
The next morning when Raoul woke up, he found himself under warm blankets. When he opened his eyes, however he discovered that this was not his room. At first, he didn't know what he was doing here and then the events of last night came rushing back to him.
He looked at his side to see Erik still sleeping peacefully. A small smile crept onto his lips and he got out of the bed carefully so not disturb him. He realized that he was still wearing his costume from Don Juan. He looked around at the many trunks in the room perhaps Erik had some clothes in one? Well it was worth a shot.
Erik woke up to find the arms that had been holding Raoul as he fell asleep last night empty. He snapped up in bed just in time to hear a trunk close. Raoul was standing at the foot of the bed with his back to Erik shrugging off the shirt he had worn for last night performance. He watched as Raoul took a new shirt—one that he recognized as his own—and slipped it on. As his hands went to take off his pants, Erik decided to speak. "Good morning," He said. Raoul turned around.
"How long have you been awake?" He asked.
"Long enough to see you change shirts," Erik said. He looked Raoul up and down. "My shirt looks good on you," He noted.
"Thank you," Raoul smiled. Then his face turned serious. "Do you think we should go see Madame Giry and Meg?" He asked. Erik frowned thinking on the question.
"I'm not sure," He said. "They could still be looking for us up above." He realized however that he didn't have his mask with him. He felt naked to the world without it. "Maybe I could chance a trip," He said, "but give me the ring so I can get back in." Raoul nodded and slipped the ring off his finger. Erik got out of bed and took the ring from him.
"Be careful," Raoul, said kissing the deformed part of his face.
"I will be," Erik promised. He got changed into his normal clothes from one of the trunks putting the ring in his pocket again and then slipped out the door back into his lair closing the door behind him.
The first thing he went for was his mask. When he slipped it back on his face, he let out a contented sigh of relief. It felt good to have it back again. He grabbed his black cape before going into his gondola to go above ground.
Madame Giry was in a state of distress.
After Erik and Raoul had disappeared on stage, everyone went searching for them. The searched everywhere for a secret way in. Madame Giry was glad that Erik kept his secret entrances so well hidden especially when that foolish Daae girl had suggested that they check all the places Raoul stayed in. "The Phantom is his teacher!" Christine had said. "Surely their must be an entrance to his lair somewhere around a place near Raoul." So they searched the ballet dormitories, Raoul's dressing room, and even the place where one could go down and late candles for the dead. She had felt a horrible dread as they searched Raoul's dressing room but luckily, none of them realized that the mirror was the true entrance.
They were still searching but had found nothing yet.
Madame Giry had told Meg last night all about Erik and what had happened between him and Raoul. Her daughter accepted it all and only asked if her mother if Raoul would be safe with Erik which her mother promised he would always be. In fact, she knew no other person who could possibly protect him better.
She had to protect her own daughter as well now. Helping the Phantom get away was definitely not a good thing.
The only thing that had gotten Meg off the hook was the fact that she had been wearing a brown wig over her blond hair for her role and that no one had been able to clearly make out her face.
Well besides Erik and Raoul of course but why would they ever betray their savior?
All of the ballet dancers were still under suspicion but she was determined not to allow Meg to be caught.
Now Madame Giry sat in Raoul's dressing room where she had promised to keep a lookout for any sign of the Phantom.
Suddenly there came a soft but unmistakable voice.
"Close the door."
Madame Giry gave a small start but instantly rose and did as she was told.
When she turned around, she found Erik closing the secret mirror door behind him. "Erik!" She said. "Do you have any idea how worried I've been?!"
"Very much I'm sure," Erik said. "My apologies madam. How is Meg?"
"We were in luck," Madame Giry said. "She was wearing a brown wig and no one but you and Raoul were able to make out her face. All of the ballet dancers are being questioned but it is unlikely anyone will ever be able to prove she that she did it." Erik nodded.
"Good," He said. "Are they looking for me?" Madame Giry nodded. Erik sighed irately.
"They won't give up until they find you Erik," She said. Erik frowned and began to pace deep in thought. Madame Giry watched him until finally he turned towards her with a determined set in his eyes.
"What if I was dead?" He said.
"What?" Madame Giry said shocked.
"I'll cut myself on my sword and give it to Raoul," Erik said. "Then he go back up saying he killed me. The opera ghost will become a real ghost and Raoul will be able to continue singing." Madame Giry nodded.
"That might just work," She said.
And it did. The next morning a crying Raoul came back onto the stage holding a bloody sword and sobbing that he had killed the Phantom. Everyone believed him.
They asked him to show them where his lair was but Raoul only shook his head saying that he did not know the way. "He took me through a labyrinth and into a strange dungeon room," He said. "He was going to chain me up. I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't gotten to the sword."
No one saw the smiling figure up in box five.
