Hey y'all! Okay so I'm determined to upload at least once per week, as I find that writing calms me and gives a good break from school work. Though I admit, I do spend quite a lot of my time procrastinating...namely thinking about, you guessed it...Phantom of the Opera. I swear, if the book and play didn't end with such a cliff-hanger (and seemingly Christine's choice being Raoul), or if Christine didn't die in Love Never Dies... I wouldn't have this problem. Though I am quite enjoying myself daydreaming about how Erik and Christine's life could be together.
I also want to apologize in advance, if my writing isn't quite good. I am after all, an amateur writer, and just beginning to post my work online. So please! Give your reviews, I would love to see them! Thank you so much!
Okay, now, back to the story:)
ANTOINETTE
I haven't heard from Nadir in so long. Actually I don't blame him for not keeping in touch; after all, we have only met once. It was roughly ten years ago when he had helped Erik return to Paris from Persia. I remember that faithful night clear as day, when my surrogate little brother finally came back after five years of travelling. Back then Nadir Khan had been the chief of police in his homeland, young and in his thirties. Now he seemed to have gained a little around his middle and visible whites can be detected in his jet black hair. Olive skinned and well dressed as always, Nadir didn't seem to change much.
When he saw me and my daughter his eyes widened as recognition sparked in his eyes. He smiled warmly at me and walked over, "Ah Antoinette, it has been too long. How have you been?"
"Quite well thank you," I smiled as he took and kissed the back of my hand. Then he turned to Meg.
"And I see young Megara has grown up," he smiled warmly, kissing her hand as well.
Meg replied with a polite greeting and then she exchanged a confused glance with Christine.
Nadir chuckled and turned to Erik, "Well my old friend it seemed that you have done very well for yourself. I don't come to visit for a month and you've managed to get three lovely young ladies for your company. I dare say even a regular man cannot achieve that so easily."
"Believe me Nadir this has not been easy," Erik answered as he pulled Christine down to sit on top of him, encircling her waist with his arms as if protectively.
One look at Christine's face, Erik and Nadir knew that explanations were needed. Erik suddenly looked pained and Nadir glanced at me nervously. Meg turned to me as well, silently demanding an explanation. My heart started to beat faster as I start to grow agitated. I know that Erik had a troubled past while he was travelling. Exactly what happened, he has not told me, but I know that it was unpleasant.
After a short moment of silence, Erik started to explain. His voice unusually soft and patient. "Ten years ago before I met you Christine, I…traveled. I traveled around the world. Mostly Europe and some parts of Asia; Italy, Britain, Spain, Austria, Germany, Greece, India, China and, Persia. And Persia is where I met Nadir. He was the Daroga; chief of police at the time. I, I met some trouble with the law, and Nadir helped me escaped, and brought me back here to Paris, to the Opera Populaire. And afterwards I took on the role of the Phantom of the Opera and soon later on, the Angel of Music."
"And I've stayed in Paris ever since," Nadir sat down on the chair opposite Erik and Christine, leaning back and crossing his legs as if comfortably at home. "Just to check up on our Phantom and Angel here just in case he gets into any trouble."
Erik rolled his eyes, "Yes frankly Daroga, you have been extremely helpful recently."
Nadir frowned, "I have tried my friend, but you have refused my entrance to your home lately."
"And what made you decide to use the route of the torture chamber?" Erik raised an eyebrow, and Christine grimaced.
"I was at the Opera tonight Erik," Nadir replied. "When I saw what happened," Erik and Christine flinched, "I had to take drastic measures."
"So I see," Erik acknowledged. Christine whimpered a little as she tightened her grip on Erik's hand. "What is wrong my dear?" Erik asked her, his eyes full of concern.
"Erik," she shifted so she could face him. "Why do you have a torture chamber?"
He froze. And so did Nadir.
NADIR
First of all let me tell you this: when I walked into Erik's lair tonight I thought that he had really killed me. Never in my life would I have ever imagined three lovely ladies to accompany Erik, and of their own choice! Now of course, I am beyond thrilled to see that Christine, Antoinette and Meg had accepted him. Erik deserves happiness more than anyone else in the world.
It warmed my heart to see Christine so comfortable with Erik, and how she cares for him. Believe me I pulled off the best acting of my life not to laugh when Christine pushed Erik to sit down. It is rather amusing, seeing the once fearsome Opera Ghost and the Shah's right hand man seemingly under the control of a sixteen year old girl. And quite a petite one too.
Though something does bother me, I am fairly certain that Erik hadn't told them about his past. About what happened in Persia, and with Lucinda. And my suspicions were confirmed.
"Erik," Christine turned back to him, however not breaking his hold on her and asked in a small voice "Why do you have a torture chamber?"
Erik froze, his eyes suddenly lost their warmth and he looked at me. For what seemed like an eon Erik and I stared at each other, as if hopping that somehow one of us would say something that will erase the events of the past. However that did not happen.
I broke his gaze and looked over at Antoinette. She was looking at me with part curiosity and part misery, for she understands that Erik's past was tormented. For a moment she captivated me as I looked into her eyes, but was quickly broken with Christine said
"Erik?"
Snapping back to the present, I looked over at the angel and her saved phantom. Not knowing what to do, I gave Erik a nod, hopping he will come out with the truth.
"The torture chamber my dear," Erik began slowly, choosing his words carefully. "It is one of my traps. Just to forbid any unwanted visitors."
I held my breath as I tried not to look disapproving. The boy is not going to tell her his past! Pray Allah please help our poor unfortunate Erik, if he doesn't tell Christine the truth, how could he expect her to spend the rest of her life with him? How is this fair to her?
Christine slowly nodded, "But could you actually torture and kill people in there?"
Erik hesitated before answering, "Yes."
Christine suddenly looked pained. I glanced over at Antoinette and Meg, who were also staring at Erik, as if hopping that he didn't say what he did.
"But," Erik continued, his voice almost back to his usual confidence. "I have never killed anyone with it." He pointed towards the wall where I had come.
Immediately the ladies relaxed as signs of relief came out. I held back a frown. It is true that no one actually perished in the torture chamber of this lair…but back in Persia…
