Chapter 25
I spent the better part of the journey in silence, staring out of the window and feeling the crisp cool air in my tear-stained face.
"What are you going to do now, Meg?" Nadir asked.
I turned to my dear old friend and replied, "I don't know…"
All the mystery and witchery of the night seemed to have gathered tonight, making sleep impossible.
Where are you, Erik? I thought sadly.
I thought I was the one who kept secrets from Christine. Apparently, she had some of her own. Gustave was her trump card. Erik would never leave her now. Everything that Erik and I had could be over and could never be set right again. How could I bear the long and dark days ahead? I lost my desire to live. Despondency descended upon me and never lifted, filling the gaping emptiness in my heart.
When I woke up the next day, something felt different but I could see nothing had changed – the bedroom was quiet and the ball gown I had worn the night before hung neatly on the chair. With a heavy sigh, I slipped out of bed and threw a shawl around my shoulders. Then, I heard a noise in the living room.
Erik… Could it be Erik?
My heart raced as I rushed into the living room. The last person I had expected to see after last night was Christine.
"What are you doing here, Christine?" I asked warily.
Christine was dressed in a lovely blue velvet gown, her hair neatly arranged under a hat but her eyes were cold. She cast a disdainful gaze at me.
"Ah, this place holds fond memories," she began, ignoring my question. "Erik and I spent many an afternoon and evenings in this very room alone as we went through the aria together…"
"Why are you here?" I repeated my question steadily. I had no wish to know what had happened between Erik and her in my absence.
"I came to inform you that Gustave regained consciousness last night and told us everything," she revealed. "I was wrong to accuse you of hurting my son."
"Really?" I said with a hollow stare.
"I came here to discuss about Erik," she added. "We are both adults now so we should discuss this matter reasonably."
I waited for her to continue.
"Do you actually believe that Erik would want to stay with you… in this dump when he could be traveling the world over and be famous?" Christine said scornfully. "Only someone with limited awareness could conceive such a notion. Are you incapable of understanding that Erik has, within himself, the potential to become one of the greatest – if not, the greatest composer this world has ever seen? A composer with the capacity to surpass Mozart, as the stars surpass the moon... His music has this innate ability to wrench emotional adulation from every theatre-goer and critic who will ever hear it. A power of expression that other composers can only worship… And you would have him lose all that to be with you?"
Shaking with rage, I walked to the fireplace, took hold of the high mantelpiece and steadied myself with it. If she were not my friend, I would have slapped her in the face! How dare she come here and say those things to me?
I was not blind – I was well aware of Erik's musical genius before I married him. I glared back at Christine and replied, "I'm so sorry for you – sorry to see that you don't know there could be happiness in a simple marriage. Erik and I could've been perfectly happy if you hadn't showed up. We could have been happy, for I loved him and I know him… You will never know him, never know what he thinks, never understand him any more than you understand music and opera!"
I stared at the flames as if I would understand what had happened to me. Why did I sound so pathetic and needy?
Unfazed, Christine declared, "I have invested all my heart and soul in him and you will not destroy that. Erik belongs to ME!"
Startled, I turned to Christine and demanded uneasily, "What do you mean?"
"We have a son, Gustave. Our bond is secure. Erik has indicated that he wants to get to know his son but he feels guilty about leaving you, so if you know what is good for him, you will let him go," said Christine coldly, the gauntlet cast. "Gustave and I will be leaving for New York City today…Erik will be going with us."
Has Erik made up his mind? Was he going to leave me?
"If you're saying that you've made him change his mind, that Erik must go away and leave me. Then I will wait for him to come and tell me so to my face," I said with a steadfast voice.
"Very well… we shall see who Erik chooses. Devil take the hindmost," said Christine confidently as she turned and walked out.
I sank down on one of the chairs, terrified and shaken. Christine's words echoed in my head – "If you know what is good for him, you will let him go…"
Lost in my thoughts, I did not hear the apartment door open.
"Meg?"
The voice that I thought I would never hear again sent a wave of shock and love through my heart. Erik made to walk to me and I lost all restraint. I ran to Erik as he came to me. Desperately, I leaned in and kissed him - a soft, delicate kiss. He responded passionately, and took me in his arms, just holding me close to him. I put my hand up to his face and pressed his cheek against my own with love and tenderness. He sought my lips again. Then he drew me down upon the sofa beside him and held my hand in both of his.
"Now you know," he said, "now you know what I have been missing since you left..."
"Then, why did you stay away for so long?"
I lay my head on his chest with his arms around me, surrounded by silence and content just to be with each other. "I'm sorry, Meg… I shouldn't have doubted …" Erik murmured. "I wish I could come sooner…I was up all night, walking around the town, trying to clear my thoughts..."
It was the least of my worries as I put my finger on his lips. "Oh, Erik…I thought you were never coming back!" I said quickly.
"Why do you say that?"
"Christine was here," I said in a defeated tone.
Erik looked at me with surprise. "What did she want?"
"She wanted to see me… She told me that she will be leaving for New York City and that you are going with her…"
He stood up and walked to the window, peering out to the street below.
"This madness has gone far enough," he decided. "It is wrong for all of us to continue this way. Gustave may be my son but he does not know me… I have no wish to impose myself into his life."
"So… you are not leaving?" I asked shakily, a little uncertain and a little tentative but hopeful as I went to him.
Erik nodded, turning to place his hands on my shoulders. "My life is with you now, Meg…"
I still had to be sure. "What about Christine and Gustave?"
"Christine is a strong woman. She has done well for herself and will continue to do well in her career without me. As for Gustave, he will grow up to become the next Comte d'Chagny. It is up to Christine to tell him the truth if she wants to. I will not hold it against her."
"I wonder if she forgives me—" I mumbled. In my mind, I pictured Christine pleading desperately for Erik to come with her, her eyes swollen from crying and mouth pouting prettily. I felt a little sorry for her.
"There is nothing to forgive," Erik insisted. "I fell in love with you, Meg… If she has a reason to hate anyone, then it should be me."
My fears and worries vanished as I hushed him with a kiss. "Erik…I thought I had lost you," I laughed through the tears of joy. "I love you so much! You are here now… That's all that matters."
"I love you too, my dearest Marguerite…"
Erik swept me off my feet and carried me to bed. Our lovemaking was passionate, intimate and convincing, an extraordinary release after days of loneliness apart from each other. The window was open and the wind was blowing gently in as night birds called in the background. We lay in each others arms, Erik's head to my breast as I stroked his wispy hair. With a sigh, he sat up on the side of the bed.
"What's wrong, Erik?"
"I have a son – a boy eight years of age. If I had known that Christine was pregnant, I could have done something then. Now it is too late."
If he had gone after Christine then, we would not have gotten together. We would not even be here today, I thought to myself.
He took hold of my hand, looking down for a moment at my fingers entwined in his.
"My own flesh and blood… My son is perfect! Not a spot, a blemish or disfigurement," he muttered. "Do you know what this means for us? We could have perfectly healthy, normal children…"
I gazed up at him and said, "Erik, there is something I have to tell you."
"You do want children with me, don't you?" Erik interjected, a frown appearing on his marred face.
"Yes, of course… Erik, what I meant to tell you is that I'm with child…"
Erik stared at me, eyes wide with amazement as he put his hand to my belly. The expression on his face was one of such wonder that I smiled.
"You mean I will have another son?" Erik said.
I gave a small shrug. "There is no way to be sure whether it will be a boy or girl until the baby is born."
"Meg, that is wonderful news! From out of ugliness, such light! From out of darkness, such a flame! In this child, my wrongness is made right…"
Each word was uttered with fierce intensity that I shuddered with delight as he pulled me into his arms and kissed me once more. "We will return to La Belle tomorrow," he told me.
I lifted my head and gazed lovingly at my husband, seeing a future that was brighter and clearer, and full of hope.
…ooo…ooo…ooo…ooo…
The next morning, Erik went out to make preparations to return to La Belle as I packed our belongings and informed the housekeeper. I couldn't wait to tell Nadir the good news and went straight to the apartment at the end of the hallway.
"Nadir? Are you there?" I called, knocking on the door.
There was no reply and the door was unlocked. I let myself in but Nadir was nowhere to be found. Then I heard a low moan coming from under the table.
"Nadir!" I cried out as I rushed to assist him. Nadir was badly beaten – there were cuts on his face and hands and there was blood everywhere. What had happened to him? Who could have done this to him?
"Meg, run! You must run…NOW!" Nadir rasped, pushing me away. In his weakened state, he whispered the name – Hashashin…
Oh God! Oh God! They are here!
The name sent chills down my spine, leaving me paralyzed with fear. Suddenly, the door slammed behind us and there stood a stranger with dark skin and deep piercing eyes. He held a pistol aimed at both of us. "If you value his life, you will not cry for help," the Oriental man said in clipped French.
My hands flew to my mouth at once.
"My name is Hasan, an old friend of Nadir's …It took me quite a while to find you, Mademoiselle Giry. Nadir was good but not good enough…He should know that no one escapes the Hashashins…"
"What do you want? What have you done with Nadir?" I asked with a trembling voice.
Hasan's eyes wandered from the top of my head to my feet as he murmured softly, "I'm here to collect a blood debt…"
I remained still for a moment. Erik had said that I would never be safe while the blood debt was not paid, a life for a life…Hasan had come to kill me. A dreadful clarity of vision showed me the cruel way that I was going to die in the hands of the assassins and how they would cleave my heart out for the shah's pleasure.
"So you are the woman that Prince Kasim died for," he noted in a bemused tone.
Bravely, I looked him in the eye and answered, "Yes, I am…I'm the one you want. I killed the prince. Prince Kasim was a coward and a murderer. He deserved to die for the crimes he had committed."
Nadir stared at me, unsure of whether I was delusional for speaking so bluntly. "No, Meg! Don't do this…"
Hasan made no comment as he nodded. "You are very brave to confess to a grievous crime such as murder, Mademoiselle…"
"Hasan, for the love of Allah…" pleaded Nadir.
"Enough of your groveling, Nadir!" Hasan growled. "The ways of the westerners has softened you, old friend. But I have a code which I live by and I will collect my blood debt today!"
It cannot end like this! Not when Erik said he loved me!
I was running out of options. Erik had gone out and he would not be back anytime soon. Nadir was injured. I closed my eyes, not daring to delude myself with any vain and futile hopes of seeing Erik again. This had to end. By the time Erik came back, I would be dead. At least, Erik will have Christine and their son. Knowing that he loved me was all I could ever hope for. The heart would not break when it has stopped beating. I just hoped that Erik will forgive me someday.
My whole body stiffened with great resolution as I looked up at Hasan and said, "I will go with you but please let Nadir go…He had nothing to do with this…"
Nadir's eyes widened with shock when he heard my request. "No, Meg!"
Hasan laughed as he grabbed my hand and roughly dragged me out of the apartment. Nadir tried to follow us but the excruciating pain kept him down.
"Where are you taking me?" I gasped, terrified.
"Don't worry, Mademoiselle… I promise that your death will be swift and painless!"
He brought me deep into the park to the other side of town, to a dark and deserted alley. I stared at the foul-smelling trash and rat-infested crates lined up against the wall and the sewer pipes leaking unto the cobble stones. The tall brick walls on both sides of the alley ensured that I had no means of escape. I was going to die here - there was no one who could help me now. Then a thought came to my mind. Perhaps, I could delay this inevitable outcome long enough for someone to pass by. It was a slim chance but nevertheless, it was worth a shot.
Bravely, I turned to face Hasan and saw him take out a dagger and place it next to a wooden box, which I presumed would contain my bleeding heart. I started to unbutton my dress - my hands were shaking as memories of that night with Prince Kasim came flooding back. A cold draft made me shiver.
"Perhaps, I should undress for you," I suggested, watching him closely as my fingers lingered at the base of my neck.
"Why would you do that?" he inquired, his eyes following where my fingers had been.
"You find me alluring, attractive… perhaps, you are a little curious as to why Prince Kasim wanted me so badly," I replied boldly, walking up to him.
"I do not mix business with pleasure…"
I stopped in front of Hasan. "It is a shame that this dress will be ruined… blood leaves such a nasty stain and this body will soon be cold…"
Hasan was intrigued. "What will you do for me?"
"Anything you want," I breathed, pressing my body to Hasan and using my guile to distract him.
"I forgot… You were the prince's whore," he said flatly.
Hasan's face betrayed no emotions as he remained impassive towards my sexual overtures. I began to wonder if he was interested in women when suddenly, his mouth slammed down on mine as he pushed me against the wall. Hands pawed at me, groping and tearing at the front of my dress. I felt a hard rod pressing against my thigh and gasped - it was the barrel of his pistol.
"Try anything stupid and I will kill you in that dress!" he growled into my ear.
Then, Hasan bent down to kiss my lips with such savagery as his hands ripped the bodice of my dress. He was shaking with lust and desire. The more I tried to resist him, the more it aroused him. My face streamed with tears of shame and loathing. Suddenly, he stopped and reached for his pistol, eyes narrowing with suspicion.
I screamed and tried to run from him but he caught my hand and drew me into his clutches. I struggled fruitlessly in his iron grip. Hasan's hand on my neck tightened as he held on to me.
"Come out from where you are or I will kill her!" Hasan shouted, using me as his shield.
"Stop!"
Hasan shuddered as the word echoed ominously in the deserted alley.
"Erik!" I cried, pushing against my captor as Erik appeared from behind the corner, a formidable figure in black.
"Leave her alone, Hasan," Erik said to him.
Swiftly, Hasan turned to Erik. "This is indeed a surprise, Erik. When my men told me they have seen you alive, I could not believe them. But in our world, nothing is impossible. Tell me, why are you here? Have you come to save this woman?"
If it was a rescue, it was certainly a poorly planned one. He was intrigued by the sudden intrusion and seemingly reckless attitude that Erik showed.
"I do not expect to come out alive from this," he told Hasan calmly. "I understand fully what a blood debt is…I will take her place. My life for hers..."
What?
"I can't ask you to die for me!" I said, horrified. "I can't!"
But Erik ignored me and spoke directly to Hasan. "I am worth more than just this scared little woman. The shah's edict is inconsequential. I have done many terrible things in your country and perhaps, it is time I paid for it with my own blood."
No…no… no…
The world seemed to stop spinning on its axis and time stood still as I gazed helplessly at Erik. If Hasan agreed to this exchange, this would be the last time that I ever would see him alive. It would be the last time that I would breathe the same air with him, or look upon the world or the stars of the blue sky. For tomorrow would be a never-ending night, without hope and without dreams as Erik's death would seize upon me like the tendrils of a web around my heart.
Please... no...
"How generous of you, Erik!" Hasan exclaimed with a harsh laugh. "Becoming the noble martyr, now are you? Clearly, I underestimate the determination of the importunate lover. You have feelings for her… Yes, Erik. You deserve a thousand deaths for what you have done in Persia. Our dear daroga has been sloppy but I will finish what he had started and help the both of you at the same time. Ah, don't look at me like that. I am a romantic too, you see. After this, your mortal bodies will no longer hold you ransom in this world, a place where no pain or sorrow will ever touch you again. I will kill you first, Erik and then I will kill her!"
Hasan aimed his pistol at Erik while he said to me, "Watch your lover die and know the fate that lies in store for you, woman!"
Then, it happened so fast. I turned my head and saw Christine running to Erik, gasping out with a mixture of fury and terror. "Erik!"
The pistol fires once, twice…Erik and Christine tumbled to the floor. There was blood splattered everywhere on their clothes. It was hard to tell who got shot. In the midst of the confusion, Nadir leaped out at Hasan with a dagger and stabbed Hasan with it. "Nobody calls me sloppy!" he snarled. Hasan's grip on me loosened as he crumpled to the floor, dead.
Erik got up and cradled Christine in his arms as I rushed to their side. The tragedy grew clear - it was Christine who took the bullet intended for Erik.
"I'm scared, Erik…" said Christine, through tears.
"Christine, no…"
"I could not stand there and watch you die," she replied weakly, the wound in her chest bleeding a pool of blood. "You came to say goodbye and I followed you from the train station…I couldn't let you go…"
"You're going to be all right… We'll take you to the hospital and the doctors will heal you," Erik sobbed.
Christine shook her head, knowing there was nothing Erik and I could do to save her. "I had your love once, Erik, a long time ago but not anymore… I've stolen you from someone else. I love you, Erik but you're not mine..."
"Christine…"
"You belong with Meg now. Erik… Meg… Promise me, please promise me that you'll take care of Gustave, when I'm dead," she gasped, her voice faltering. I was weeping silently.
"What am I to do? Gustave doesn't know who I am," lamented Erik.
"Just love… Just live… And give what you can give… And take the love that you deserve," Christine whispered as she reached for my hand and placed it in Erik's. I looked at Erik hesitantly and we stared at each other for a long moment before turning to Christine. "We will care for Gustave, as our own," I whispered.
"Thank you, Meg...I'm so sorry…Forgive me…"
I nodded as I held her cold hand. It was suddenly impossible to speak. Although Christine treated me badly, I did not wish her such a terrible fate.
Christine smiled, her face serene with the knowledge that her son would be safe. With the beatified look in her eyes, she whispered, "Goodbye, Erik… Meg…"
Erik kissed her one last time, overcome with emotion as she breathed her last. Then, he laid her body gently on the ground and looked across her lifeless form at me. I felt his pain, sorrow and fear for what was to come.
"We have to go now, Erik," said Nadir, breaking our thoughts.
Erik mumbled, "I cannot leave Christine… There are funeral arrangements to be made - she needs a Requiem…"
"Nadir is right," I insisted. "You cannot be seen here…"
I needn't tell him of the scandal he would cause by his very presence. Christine would not have wanted that. She deserved to be laid to rest with dignity.
"Yes, of course… We have to pick up Gustave from the train station," said Erik in a daze as he stood up wearily.
"Let me do it," I offered. Christine gave her life to save Erik and gave us a future - it was the least I could do for her now.
...ooo...ooo...ooo...ooo...
Author's Note: I intended for Christine to redeem herself after all that she had done, conspired to break Erik and Meg apart. We're almost at the end, yay! Happy New Year!